The phone market (where are the compact phones rant)

Discussion in 'Geek Cave: Computers, Tablets, HT, Phones, Games' started by Stuff Jones, Sep 18, 2018.

  1. YMO

    YMO Chief Fun Officer

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    And I was the silly one and upgraded from the XZ1 Compact to the Xperia 1. $900 to Amazon. This phone isn't for everyone... I should talk more about it another time.
     
  2. allegro

    allegro Friend

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    I have been using a Pixel 2 and the battery was down to 60% after only two years. Since the Pixel 4 came out you can pick up Pixel 3a's for $299 direct from Google so I just got one in. I was surprised they still had some left for sale. It even has a headphone jack.

    Nice thing about Pixels is you can transfer all your apps, data, settings and contacts over by USB C in about an hour so switching phones is pretty painless. Since I use Google Fi my phone bill is only $25 a month. The 3a is just a smidge bigger than the Pixel 2 I would not want to go any smaller. Just right for me.
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2020
  3. mkozlows

    mkozlows Friend

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    To be clear, the 4 is a replacement for the 3; the 3a is a separate budget line (which is why it has a headphone jack; high-end phones don't, low-end phones do, which is ridiculous) and it'll be replaced by a 4a sometime later in 2020.
     
  4. allegro

    allegro Friend

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    Right. I should have made the point that the 3a does not function, look or feel like a budget phone. Since Google does not sell phones with replaceable batteries expect whatever you buy to last about two years before you have to buy a new one. The 3a is a frickin' great deal right now as the Pixel 4 phones start at $799. Who cares if the 3a body is plastic? Just put it in a nice protective case and apply a glass screen protector. I got both from Amazon for less than $30.
     
  5. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    Pixel 3a is fine but its not very compact due to its fat top and bottom bezels and its kind of underpowered for multitasking.
     
  6. allegro

    allegro Friend

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    Good points made. I don't live on my phone or expect it to come close to a laptop replacement. I just expect great value, decent performance, excellent camera and OS upgrades for at least three years. I prefer to put the money into my desk computer. If I only get two years out of the 3a that is fine by me, I will probably replace it then when the 4a is also on sale.

    Phone prices are getting ridiculous and I don't like the planned obsolescence built in due to non-replaceable batteries.
     
  7. Stuff Jones

    Stuff Jones Friend

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    I'm mostly with you on what I look for in a phone. I don't need the latest features, but I do wish it was smaller so I could operate it with one hand. In addition to the bezels, its got the virtual buttons so the phone is much bigger than it needs to be. I can live with the price trade off on multi tasking. The camera is great. The quick charge is great. The battery and screen are good at the price point.
     
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2020
  8. shanchandi

    shanchandi Acquaintance

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    Going from the s9+ to the s10 was a revelation.. I forgot what actually being able to use my phone felt like.

    +1 for the s10e
    It's the same size as the pixel 3 but with a much higher screen to body ratio, still a top 3 camera, the fingerprint reader is built into the power button, flagship processor and the s10 series ergonomically is just really really good. Only phone that I've liked as much it is the nexus 5

    Edit: also headphone jack
     
  9. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    Going Samsung or Fairphone next. (Unless Nokia can surprise me with something good.)

    I like the modular design and upgrade-ability of the Fairphone. I want to see more of that in the future.

    Currently my Samsung A5-2016 is still a smooth runner. Top specs are overrated for me.
     
  10. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    I need your advice.

    I considered the Fairphone 3 but even if I can pay the retail price, there is better value to be found.

    Other options:
    • Nokia 7 Plus and Nokia 7.x-series.
    • Nokia 5.x-series.
    • Anything Samsung makes with middle of the road specifications and an HD screen.
    Here is the thing. In NL I can buy the phones I am looking at for 150 to 250 Euros as is, insert Sim-card and micro-SD and done.

    For some reason Nokia and Samsung are making the best value phones with Android One support. I honestly do not need wireless charging, Apple-gasm screen resolutions and all the marketing B.S. you usually get.

    I am even looking at this, because it is handy and still has WhatsApp:


    I mean, the Nokia 800 Tough is too bulky but damn that 2720 is convenient.

    P.S. I really focus on phones between the 5 and 6 inches screen diagonal. That is pocket-able in everyday life. Bigger than that and you need bigger trouser pockets and bigger phone cases. I seriously detest the trend to turn smart-phones into mini-TVs, it is bad if you ask me.
     
    Last edited: Oct 25, 2020
  11. Walderstorn

    Walderstorn Friend

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    Didn't the 2720 have really poor reviews? Maybe i am mistaking with another phone but ...
    I really dig that aesthetic though...makes me remember simpler times but with tech that i still appreciate.
     
  12. Deep Funk

    Deep Funk Deep thoughts - Friend

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    The 2720 Flip has basic WhatsApp and Google Maps, so it is still usable in the 21st century. I just cannot buy it until I try it and I am not sure based on the specifications. I would like more RAM and more memory because applications that need connectivity eat your processing power over time.

    My Android phone sometimes literally needs a restart because of all the integrated Samsung applications and social media applications vying for my attention.
     
  13. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I hope the iPhone mini sells well and is a permanent product line. It’s the only non gimped smaller phone that I’m aware of.
     
  14. Zhanming057

    Zhanming057 Friend

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    In the past 5-7 years we've seen three Android manufacturers (HTC, Sony, Samsung, if you don't count Google) take on the idea of a small phone with flagship guts and all of them have abandoned the effort. Even Samsung has now started gimping the Note 20/S20 phones to the point where they look like midrange devices.

    If these companies aren't dumb (although HTC is dead so who knows?) and focus test, the logical conclusion is that there's just not enough money in flagship compacts. Most of the people who pay for shiny new yearly updates want big phones.

    Apple can probably keep it going because they sell many more of each unique product model than any of the Android brands.
     
  15. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    I bought a 12 Mini because I was sick of big phones and I wanted Apple to see there's demand for smaller flagships. I love it. It's an absolute delight. I only hope they bring more of the Pro features down to the Mini size at some point.
     
  16. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    what else? It’s got everything but the Lidar scanner and telephoto lens. I do think it’s crazy that Apple put the super wide lens in the phones with 2 lenses. The telephoto is way more useful.
     
  17. Merrick

    Merrick A lidless ear

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    I used the ultra wide angle lens far more than the telephoto when I had the 11 Pro. It just takes more interesting shots. Telephoto was always my least favorite lens. Not enough zoom to be a significant change over the regular wide lens, and let in way less light so the photos were always softer and noisier. I’m hoping the telephoto and ultrawide cameras both get an overhaul with the 13, and I would like all the cameras plus LIDAR on the mini. I mean, why not?
     
  18. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    f**k yeah!
     
  19. rhythmdevils

    rhythmdevils MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    I’m considering buying a cheap hopefully small (iPod touch size? Or a bit bigger?) android phone to use exclusively for bubble upnp for my Pi2AES because the iOS software options suck.

    all I need is a screen, good battery life, decent speed snd latest Android.

    I can get a Motorola Moto G fast used for under $100 but that still is overkill for my needs and big.

    I then found the Nokia 5.1 plus. Looks like a good option. $140 on amazon.

    any thoughts? I know nothing about Android phones I’ve only ever owned Apple. I’d want it to use straight up google os not a modified version and be upgradable to the latest android os.
     
  20. Michael Kelly

    Michael Kelly MOT: Pi 2 Design

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    I just happened to need a new phone and I bought a Motorola Moto g plus. It's a bit bigger than the iPhone 7 that I had before, but it has crazy good battery life and I bought it from Best buy for $180. They also have a smaller version called the Moto g fast that I think someone else mentioned here on the forum. The Android seems to be pretty close to the pixel that I have as well so not like Samsung where they modify everything.
     

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