Looking to grab one of the recent deals - https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/491152?page=1#comment-7871… or https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/491146.
Upgrading from a Pixel 2 64gb, and could use the extra 64gb of the S10e, but not essential. Any suggestions?
This. Would go the pixel for an actually enjoyable android experience.
What is this, 2012 again? The benefit of lean android is long gone, its actually boring/ugly software nowadays with missing features.
Yep - this is for my wife, but I love my Nokia 7 Plus Android One platform… so lean!
It depends on your budget.
If you're making $100k/yearly, you can justify upgrading your phone every year. And in that case, having a StockishOS isn't really an upgrade over a SkinnedOS device. Since, you won't notice the "slow down" and you won't really be behind updates.
If your budget is low, and you won't upgrade your phone until every +2.5 years.
In that case, I would recommend a StockishOS device like Pixel, AndroidOne, OxysgenOS, or something like from Moto-Lenovo or Sony. However, OEMs have decided to put a premium price on having software updates, whether that's increased price or reduced specs, or both. You've been warned.
If your budget is low, and you are intelligent, then do some research and get an ex-flagship.
Since these are popular devices, the hardware is higher quality and can last longer. Plus, the OEMs are more inclined to help with some software support. Not to mention the third-party support for accessories and Apps. But it's important to check if there is a Developer Community that is dedicated to supporting the device's software for a long period. This list now includes 1 year old Samsungs, 1 year old OnePlus (after 2019), and 2 year old Pixels. There's very little activity for recent Sony, LG, and Huawei ex-flagships because of either low-sales/popularity or locked bootloader hardware.
I personally think Custom Roms are no longer needed, ever since Stock Android 5.1 being refined and full-featured enough to compete against SkinnedOS devices. However, root access is still very important. So I would recommend trying to buy an ex-flagship which is 1.0 - 1.5 years old, rooting and customising it with accessories however you like, then using it for around 1.5 - 2.0 years. That way your device is no more than 2.5 - 3.5 years old, so its still relevant, has value, and it is easy to sell. And constantly changing like that will hit your pocket with depreciation, but not as much if you were to buy brand new and sell after 3 years. And at least this way, your device is still relatively good.
Here's some data for you to crunch your brain on:
2009 - $490 - 09/09/09 - Motorola Dext
2010 - $660 - 25/03/10 - HTC Nexus One
2011 - $570 - 07/09/11 - Samsung SII-Exynos
2012 - $550 - 23/11/12 - Samsung NOTE 2-Exynos
2013 - $670 - 22/10/13 - Samsung NOTE 3 (Snapdragon)
2014 - $720 - 30/11/14 - Samsung NOTE 4-Exynos
2015 - $680 - 07/06/15 - Samsung S6 Plus-Exynos
2016 - $650 - 05/09/16 - Samsung S7 Edge-Exynos
2017 - $620 - 11/06/17 - LG V30+
2018 - $680 - 18/06/18 - Razer Phone 2
2019 - $699 - 31/12/19 - ???? OnePlus 7t
2020 - $699 - 01/09/20 - ????
SD855 is better than Exynos 9820. Get the pixel 4 if storage isn't an issue.
The s10e has both larger storage and micro SD card slot in its favour. The camera set up is also different with pixel 4 going for a telephoto and s10e going for extra wide.
I'm somewhat disappointed that Google didn't just put in both a telephoto and a wide-angle. They have a square bump. Could totally have fit 3 lenses + a sensor/light.
Three stacked circles… do you mean a triangle?
Unless you're counting a forth module for LED Flash and ToF/Laser sensor.
Google's Pixel camera performance is actually weird.
The Pixel 1 had the best camera sensor back in 2016, and its image processing was great (slightly better than Samsung/Apple good ISP).
The Pixel 2/3/3a/4 had the same camera. It was a slight downgrade over the Pixel 1 camera sensor. The reason this camera was much better was thanks to the new Snapdragon 835 chipset, and Google's new AI-based Image Processing (much better than competitors). And Google now depends heavily on the software to stand out from the crowd, but is it worth it?
Well, since late 2017, the competitors have caught up and surpassed Google.
How? Apple, Samsung, and LG have improved their Image Processing from good to great. And their latest phones use a bigger and better main sensor. It's also aided by extra camera modules. Sony hasn't caught up, despite using an even better main sensor, their Image Processing is very average and overall image quality isn't as good as it should be. Whereas Huawei is stuck using their good Image Processing, but have a much larger sensor size, overall producing the best images. There's no replacement for displacement.
With that said, OnePlus has really upped their game in 2019. They've ditched their midrange and upper-midrange prices, and have gone with a luxury pricing. They include some Ingress Protection. But they are now using a better sensor than Samsung/Apple, and have improved their Image Processing from average to good. So they've essentially caught up to the flagship level.
The difference in photography in 2019 is smaller than ever, from the best Huawei Mate 30, Huawei P30 Pro, iPhone 11 Pro, Samsung S10+, iPhone XS, LG G8, Pixel 4, Sony Xperia 1, and OnePlus 7 Pro. These are all very capable, and comparable among each other. It is not like back in 2014 where the difference was much more pronounced. And its getting more difficult to discern each product.
iPhone 11 Pro is still the best though
Battery is better on s10e also. Pixel 4 only has 5 hrs SoT (longer if you disable 90htz mode)
with s10e you can get buds
I can get buds for like 20$ from a guy down the road.
In Australia, the Pixel 4 comes with USB-C headphones in the box. I didn't even needed them, so I understand why they're not included in other regions.
Looking at this deal as well. As a telstra customer whats the best way to go about getting this deal? Port out and the then port back in 30 days later?
It's going to be hard moving from lean Android to worst bloatware offender (worst for me between Sony, Samsung, Pixel, LG).