Thread: Which Smartphone?

Originally Posted by david.elliott

Bought the wife an OPPO.. mainly for size of screen...the operating system is a little restricted, but good for her.

I LOVE the fact that you can set it to do things... she has it turn on the torch when she draws a V on the BLACK screen and the camera when she does an O
Her Right index finger wakes it up, her right thumb opens Google Maps, her third finger right hand opens Instagram...all from the BLACK screen...

After doing a bunch of metal work early this year my finger tips became so badly cracked and black that the fingerprint recognition thingo went out the window. Also it didn't work when I cut my finger.

Originally Posted by derekcohen

I NEVER update when software comes out. I wait for the reviews and feedback. If there are any problems, I hold back until the software has been updated enough to be sorted out.

Fair enough Derek, and I hope it continues that way for you. IIRC the software didn't or doesn't activate until the phone is a certain age or the battery has been recharged so many times. Something like that. That means the software could be installed a year ago - everyone says "good update - do it" and down the track the problems begin to surface. It may well be the case that your phone has the killer software in it already but the click over date or charging cycles haven't been reached yet.

I agree about the Apple hardware quality - it feels like high quality, and seems to perform like it too. It's their ethics I have the problem with.

Originally Posted by BobL

After doing a bunch of metal work early this year my finger tips became so badly cracked and black that the fingerprint recognition thingo went out the window. Also it didn't work when I cut my finger.

That's certainly worth knowing. Guess it would be the same with facial recognition if someone punched you in the head and gave you a black eye (can't imagine why they would though )

I agree about the Apple hardware quality - it feels like high quality, and seems to perform like it too. It's their ethics I have the problem with.[/QUOTE]

Brett
I know you said no IPhone and I get it.
And I agree there ethics suck, but if I looked into most of the products I use cloths, car,tools, food,and everything else I buy daily weekly,
I’m pretty sure most of those companies ethics would suck as well.
I’ve been an iPhone fan for about ten years and I literally live on my phone ask Sally [emoji849]I don’t always upgrade the software either.
If it works don’t fix it.

Cheers Matt,

Just my experiences, not a selling pitch.
I have had my iphone 5 for about 4 years which I bought secondhand. During that time(until recently) I had one issue and Apple straight up replaced it. Now the battery life has been quite bad the last 3-4 months, but I could get through the day with a quick top up charge. So I took it to a cheap hole-in -the-wall repair shop and they put a 'new' battery in 3 weeks ago, $30. And has been great, until today.. It crapped itself. Not really sure if an issue from the battery replacement or another one all together.
So hit the shops today to find a replacement. Was just considering getting a cheap brand, can't fathom spending $1000+ on a phone (that could go to tools). When I found iphone 6 at Office works for $399. In the process of setting it up now.

My dear partner has similar views and dislikes apple and as such won't own one. So in roughly the same time frame she has gone through 2 Nokia's, can't remember model numbers, but current top models, and is now on Samsung which is about 1 year old.
Was always an issue with apps and updates with the nokia's, and the battery was complete crap after about a year. No verdict on the Samsung yet, although there are quite a few apps that she can't get.

Have fun.

My last few phones have been Samsung.
Depending on what you want, there are cheaper versions than the Galaxy S series. I have a J5, the wife a J2. Happy with the phone although it does request to update every now and again. Depending on what you do (or don't do) I can get 2 days from a battery charge. Currently battery is 70%, taken off charge this morning 16 hours ago.
I buy my phones outright and unlocked, expect them to last at least 2 years, hopefully longer. A case can be a worthwhile investment to protect the screen.
Good luck with your search. Take a couple of headache pills - you will need them.

Have you considered buying second hand? I have a Nexus 6P (Huawei) that cost me $200 six months ago. It would have sold for over $1,000 new two years ago. It's a superb phone (made even better now that it's rooted and running a custom ROM). My wife has a Huawei Mate 9 which I bought on eBay for $400. It looked like it had never been used and still looks new. Phones are like cars in a number of ways; there are people who just want the latest and are happy to let yesterday's model go for a pittance, and most phones lose 50% of their value in the first year. My view is you can have last year's $1,000 phone for $500 if you don't mind waiting.

Originally Posted by Tccp123

Have you considered buying second hand?

I will most certainly look at 2nd hand phones, and I totally agree with you about loss of value in the first nanosecond after release. Remembering that I'm coming from a 2007 model phone....there are prolly a few of the latest and greatest features that I don't need to know about....yet.

perhaps the best deal at present is a Nokia 6 from JB Hi Fi. Mine was $340 just under two weeks ago. Metal case, decent camera, sound is OK.
(the Nokia 6 from OfficeWorks is a different phone)

otherwise stay with the basic Nokia mobile call maker -- almost no "smart" features

Sounds like you're back in town Ian?

I own a xaomi phone. Very happy with the price and quality. https://www.google.co.nz/amp/s/www.a...i-phones%3famp

Originally Posted by justonething

I own a xaomi phone.

Which model?

Redmi Note 4 https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_redmi_note_4-8531.php . I paid ~$200 for it a couple of years back when AUD was still quite high. Its has 64GB storage and 4100 mahr battery. It does all I want. and I don't have any issues with calls drop out or phone getting hot. I did consider Nokia at the time, but Mi won out because of better quality. xaomi makes their own phone, while Nokia uses contract manufacturing. Nokia phones are not made by Nokia who sold the business to Microsoft. who subsequently ran it to the ground and close the business down. Some ex-employees bought the brand from microsoft for a song.

Originally Posted by justonething

I own a xaomi phone. Very happy with the price and quality. https://www.google.co.nz/amp/s/www.a...i-phones%3famp

I have a Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 that I bought as a spare a couple of years ago. I too find it a very good and reliable phone with excellent battery life. If you're not too concerned about camera quality then this is a very good choice. If you are concerned about camera quality then Xiaomi make some more expensive models that should satisfy your needs. Xiaomi seem to be the new Huawei. OnePlus also make very good performers.