What new phone should I get?

LBeauman on 23/07/2020 - 16:43

Hello fellow Ozbagainers

I have been looking at getting a new phone recently and I am interested in hearing your thoughts!

In terms of phones, I am a big fan of android and I like a phone with a solid camera. I tend to prefer clean and stock android experiences, and am not a massive fan of bloated or intrusive software.

I currently have a Google Pixel 2 and love it, except for its battery that seems to be on the way out. Aside from that, it has been an amazing device.

I am trying to avoid spending a lot of money, and part of me is eagerly awaiting elusive 'Pixel 4a'. But I guess I am willing to spend a bit if it seems like good value!

Aside from Google, I am also fairly interested in OnePlus phones (including the recently announced Nord) because of their clean OS.

But I am keen to hear your thoughts! What do you currently have? What do you like or hate about it?

Cheers!

Mobile Mobile Phone

Comments

  • stirlo on 23/07/2020 - 17:02
    +3

    iPhone SE.

    Best CPU in any phone. Great warranty support, heaps of repair shops and parts available. Will be supported for at least 5 years.

    • Blue Cat on 23/07/2020 - 17:26
      +3

      Don't know why you are getting downvoted, iPhone SE (2nd gen.) is actually not bad value for $749 if you value "just werks" practical part of the phone, and the camera is way above average, even with a single lens.

      But if you are an Android fan, if you care about rooting or custom ROMs, get an Android phone. OnePlus preferred as rooting it won't void the warranty and has the most community support.

      Signed,
      a stress-free man that bought iPhone SEs for his technologically illiterate challenged parents so they wouldn't call him every week to fix some minor issue.

      • Caped Baldy on 23/07/2020 - 17:27
        +1

        I am a big fan of android

        • Blue Cat on 23/07/2020 - 17:31

          prefer clean and stock android experiences, and am not a massive fan of bloated or intrusive software.

          Lets me imply he wants something that just works and doesn't care about custom features, which brings up iPhones for me.

          I was an Android fan 4 years ago, but ever since I started working full-time I couldn't tolerate any slowdows or crashes so I risked it and bought an iPhone 7 blindly, which I still use today.

        • Drakesy on 23/07/2020 - 17:31
          +1

          Doesn't mean he can't be converted.
          Although it will be tough given the battery life of the SE isn't stellar

          • Caped Baldy on 23/07/2020 - 17:35
            +1

            @Drakesy: Fair enough. Android and iOS have been becoming more homogeneous lately.

  • Caped Baldy on 23/07/2020 - 17:27
    +1

    Do you have a budget?
    I think One Plus is the best option for stock android apart from Google or flashing a phone yourself.
    The Nord is looking to be the best mid range bang for buck phone. Estimated around $700 or $800 for either 8gb+128gb or 12gb+256gb. Could also try the 7T Pro if you don't like the hole punch selfie camera.

  • trustnoone on 23/07/2020 - 17:36
    +1

    I have the S20 Plus, I quite like it, but it pretty much flys in the face of the stock, clean experience. I feel its gotten better if you're comparing to some of the older Samsung models in that there is more you can hide, but its definitely still there.

    I kind of agree with you though, and even stirlo above, at this point I'd like to be more clean for next phone so I'd rather go Pixel, One Plus or Iphone.

    I feel bad saying this but my issue with the pixel is I feel google doesn't really innovate at all hardware wise, there's nothing that really sets it apart besides maybe a few new specs which is expected with a new phone. From what I hear though it does have great support, something I don't expect from Samsung.

    I've heard good things with the one plus though, the Nord looks nice, and actually brings me back to the good old nexus range, something priced well and good value. (edit- no wireless charging kills it for me).

    Suprisingly I might actually go with iphone for my next phone, purely because they taut the privacy advantage (whether they actually follow that or not, who knows). But I don't know whether I'll be able to deal with the iphone system after being on Android for so long.

  • Froot Loops on 23/07/2020 - 17:47

    One Plus. The OnePlus Nord "Avicii" maybe out soon (maybe have to gray import it) and its a mid-range smartphone that should be sub-$500 (US). Seems like the up and coming preference. There is also alot of post on other OnePlus models on ozbargain at the moment, but I am unsure of your budget. People here also seem to like Xiaomi, but I have had bad luck with the last 3 I've owned.

    Boost also have 10% of reburbs at the moment if your looking for a used smart phone at a decent price.

  • bohn on 23/07/2020 - 18:04
    +1

    and part of me is eagerly awaiting elusive 'Pixel 4a'.

    I am waiting as well and by the sounds of it will buy it. They just need to release the damn thing.

  • SurprisedEwe on 23/07/2020 - 18:12

    I was waiting for the Pixel 4a but ended up not being able to wait any longer.

    I am a fan of the Moto G series as they fit the bill for my two most important features: dual sim and (pretty much) stock Android. The cameras may not be the best if that is important to you. They are a bit easier on the budget though. (Plus there is a 5G model about to be released).

    Despite this I ended up going with the Galaxy A71. I have found that the software actually isn't that bad, there are a couple of things I miss from the Moto experience (such as the notifications on the lock screen being obvious, the ability to designate a particular SIM for a contact), but on the whole I'm happy with it.

  • realaaa on 23/07/2020 - 18:13

    when I was still keen on droids, I quite liked Sony flagship, I wonder how they are these days probably not bad too

    but today - SE does the job brilliantly, have no time to root my phone anymore

  • JPLengineer on 24/07/2020 - 12:27
    +1

    Since you are already a fan of android, a big draw is that you make the phone work for you and not the other way around.

    You can take most big brand phones (and the smaller brands ones as well) and go the root and custom ROM approach, or the root + manufacturer stock rom + use titanium backup to remove the extras you dont need (be careful what you remove).

    Select the phone based on the hardware, lookup XDA Developers website, find the forum for your phone, read the custom rom threads (filter by ROMs based on AOSP) and select the one you like plus the latest GApps package curated for your taste (there is the full package, mini package, etc). Root and flash the ROM (read the instructions carefully and backup). Downsides are you may loose some DRM rights for some items. Or just root and still use manufacturer stock rom, download titanium back up from the google store and grant super user access, remove the unnecessary items (doesnt really theme your device). 3rd party launchers will help to some degree.

    As with anything there are drawbacks, alot of effort to get started, chance mistakes may be irreversible, ROMS are maintained by people doing it as a hobby so chance of software upgrades could be up in the air, but always good to be informed and have options.

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