Thank you all! Expert Counsel Needed: Fix phone or buy new one? Which one to buy?

Lvish-s on 10/09/2020 - 09:04
Last edited 10/09/2020 - 13:53

I bought a Pixel 2 in 2017 through Telstra.

By about 2019, the battery had bloated similar to this - https://www.reddit.com/r/pixel2/comments/f4nlwu/any_one_else…

Google replaced it with a refurbished device for free but then about 5 or 6 months after I received the refurbished device, the camera stopped working after an update. Similar complaints from many other Pixel users here - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.and…

Finally, yesterday, after receiving a message notification, I went to unlock the phone and the screen experienced a glitch and froze. Not sure what to do, I turned the phone off and I cannot switch it on since.

A few questions that I would really appreciate inputs on as I am not technologically very gifted:

  • Is it worth it to try and repair the Pixel 2 at all? If yes, does anyone have a rough estimate of what that might cost?

  • I have usually preferred Android phones and used them all my life but I prefer stock Android to any other version. What is a decent stock Android phone apart from Pixel that I could opt for?

  • Is an iPhone a better option? My use case is pretty typical - I use the camera for basic life image sharing, I read comics and the like on the phone (though I should opt for a bigger screen, I prefer a small phone), I use calling, text and WhatsApp, mainly. Little to no social media or apps. Not a major phone gamer and otherwise I use the phone for Spotify/Chromecast. I also own a Macbook and usually I have not had any issues using my Android device with it when I occasionally need to.

  • Samsung A71/Oppo Find X2 seem like the two most affordable non-Android options. Any others that you would recommend in a similar price range that might give me better performance?

  • In terms of deals, I noticed there are a few HK-based deals that are posted on OzBargain and while phones like Oneplus are ideal for my budget and for specs in terms of future updates, I am wary about warranty issues and replacements if those need to be done. My luck with phones also seems fairly crap so are there issues with purchasing a cheaper phone from one of these websites that go beyond the limitations of warranty and replacement listed on the websites that I should be aware of?

I really appreciate your considered perspectives and points of view. I have given it a fair bit of thought and will decide on what to get in the next day or two.

Thank you all for taking the time to help me out!

Mobile

Comments

  • 87percent on 10/09/2020 - 09:21
    +2

    I personally wouldn’t bother fixing it, and would be looking to upgrade.

    iPhone SE2 would be my recommendation. You can get it from an o/s store, and one year warranty with Apple would apply (I believe they CAN tell you to go to country of purchase for warranty, but I’ve never seen them actually do that).

  • whooah1979 on 10/09/2020 - 09:26
    +2

    IPhone are built by hon hai which is the biggest electronics manufacturer in the world. They are pretty much the benchmark that other electronics manufacturers wants to copy.

  • Muzeeb on 10/09/2020 - 09:29
    +1

    Samsung A71/Oppo Find X2 seem like the two most affordable non-Android options.

    By that I assume you mean not vanilla android?

    • vish-s on 10/09/2020 - 10:32

      Yes sorry that is what I meant

  • Cheeper on 10/09/2020 - 09:29
    +1

    Redmi Note 9 Pro 6/128. Around $320 delivered.
    A well built reliable unit that would be far more durable than your Pixel ? by the sound of it.
    It is not pure droid but MIUI is faultless and possibly the best ui out there.
    You can spend 3 to 4 times more but you wont get 3 to 4 times the product.

  • this is us on 10/09/2020 - 09:32
    +2

    Do you have any warranty over the refurbished phone (replacement)? Generally, warranty starts from zero when it's replaced, but I'm not sure what are the rules around refurbished by Google. If it was replaced in 2019, you might have rights under Australian Consumer laws.

    What's your budget? Is Pixel 4a an option for you? It seems to be a good balance between stock Android and mid level specifications.

    Considering you like stock Android, I don't think you will be happy with an iPhone.

    • vish-s on 10/09/2020 - 10:37

      The warranty expired exactly a month before the camera issue I mentioned came up so unfortunately Google are not agreeing to replace or repair.

      I am considering a maximum budget of $1200 if I get 0% interest finance but ideally I'd like to spend $900 or less because I'm cheap and would rather spend money on something I can get more happiness out of than a phone.

      Considering you like stock Android, I don't think you will be happy with an iPhone. - I feel that as well though I did use an iPhone temporarily for a month or so last year and did not feel like it was too much of an issue.

      • this is us on 10/09/2020 - 11:13

        That's more than I've ever spent on a phone, so that's up to you how much you wanna spend.
        You can buy the Pixel 4a for $599 (RRP) or wait for another two weeks to have an idea about the new Pixel 5, which I recommend:
        https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2020/09/google-pixel-5-specs-desi…

        You will likely be able to buy it for less than $1000.

        You said "about 5 or 6 months after I received the refurbished device, the camera stopped working after an update"

        It doesn't make sense to me that your "new" (replacement) device was not covered under warranty after 6 months, but I also find it weird that a refurbished unit is considered acceptable solution under warranty in Australia.

        I will mention my experience with the Bose Sleepbuds. The buds have an issue with their battery and usually don't last more than 6 months. It's a known issue that probably more than 50% of users report in the first 12 months.

        I had my first pair replaced after 9 months, and when I received the new pair the warranty was reset. After another 9 months, the problem was there again. Bose replaced by new buds and warranty was reset. Some people have replaced the buds ten times already over a period of 2 or 3 years.
        That is what is acceptable. I wouldn't accept a refurbished unit, and I woudn't accept not having additional 12-month warranty.

        Although the warranty is 12 months, those things are expected to last a lot longer. No one buys a smartphone or Bose Sleepbuds expecting they will stop working after 12 months. If you buy a car with a 2-year warranty and after 3 years the car becomes useless due to technical issues, you won't just say "the warranty has expired" and buy a new car, or pay $15,000 to replace the engine. The lifespan is taken into consideration.

        I am not a lawyer and I am often surprised by the lack of consumer rights in Australia when compared to other developed and developing countries.

        Check this:
        https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-26/how-long-should-a-fri…

        • vish-s on 10/09/2020 - 13:48

          This is what I thought as well which was why I was surprised that they would not honour the new phone under a warranty.

          Apparently, they calculate warranty from first date of purchase even if they provide a replacement so as my replacement phone was purchased originally in 2018, the Google warranty policy states that manufacturer's warranty will not apply after May 2020.

          Seems like a really terrible excuse but at this stage I do not have the patience to argue with them.

  • pharkurnell on 10/09/2020 - 10:49
    +1

    you say - I use calling, text and WhatsApp, mainly. Little to no social media or apps.
    then why spend so much…

    https://www.jbhifi.com.au/collections/mobile-phones/android-… starting at $99
    If your cheap and happy with a phone thats a phone

    • vish-s on 10/09/2020 - 10:55

      Thank you - that is a perspective I have considered and been tempted by. I aim to buy and keep a phone for at least four to five years and with these cheaper models security and software updates stop fairly soon into ownership requiring replacements fairly often.

      • pharkurnell on 10/09/2020 - 10:57
        +1

        Samsung Galaxy A21s 32GB (Black) $329
        running android 10

        I deal with the phones at work for management and sales reps - and not many phones last 5 yrs anymore :(
        Batteries, screens, and most IMWO arent designed to last - they want you to buy new.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/09/2020 - 10:58
    +2

    Contact google. They will probably replace with a refurbished.

    Doesn't matter if out of warranty. I have never been denied. They have been amazing.

    • vish-s on 10/09/2020 - 11:04

      Gave it a go - they will not honour any replacements as it is out warranty. An expected outcome. What I really found puzzling was that they hold warranty from date of purchase even if the date of purchase is for a refurbished device that they have replaced.

      In my case, the replaced device was purchased in May 2018 so my warranty expired in May 2020 even though the replacement device only reached me in January 2020. Awful company policy.

  • [Deactivated] on 10/09/2020 - 11:35
    +1

    https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/nokia-8110-4g-4gb-banana-yellow…

    👌

  • JPLengineer on 10/09/2020 - 11:36
    +1

    Motorola and Nokia's offerings come with a "very close to" stock android version.
    Anything in the Android One program will also provide the stock android experience e.g. Xiaomi Mi A3.

    Whilst this is more ground work, it's always good to have options.

    You have mentioned Samsung and Oppo, you can find aftermarket firmware on XDA Developers that have AOSP based ROMs that you can flash to your device to get the stock experience. Something like Lineage would do nicely. Of course what is avaiable and stability of such ROMs always depend on the device and the community. Youtube videos and guides will hold your hand through the process, make sure you read known issues on thread, disclaimers and do backups etc.

  • DannyC on 10/09/2020 - 11:38
    +1

    See if it gets replaced by Google. Give them a go first, no harm in asking.

    *Edit: seems they won't replace as it is out of warranty from your previous post.

    I would not waste money on repairing the pixel 2. Parts can be excessive and some 3rd party parts are kinda dodgy… put those funds towards a new device.

    I would opt to upgrade it to say a Pixel 4A as something that ticks all of your needs, smaller footprint, stock android, guaranteed updates from Google next few years, decent price etc etc. I would just recycle it or if you can clear the data sell it for cheap on eBay as parts/not working.

    If you keep your phone for a long time perhaps switching to an iPhone could be an option as their support n update their phones for ages. Again personal preference, personally stick with what you like.

    In terms of deals, I noticed there are a few HK-based deals that are posted on OzBargain…

    I would avoid HK sellers. Esp during Covid. Wait times would be pretty bad N such and from some warranty is non-existent. I've had my fair share of good and some bad experiences with HK Sellers but I think get an Aussie device with an Australian warranty for peace of mind.

  • whooah1979 on 10/09/2020 - 12:41
    +1

    A manufacture warranty starts from the date of purchase and stops at the end of the warranty period. Anything after that is covered under the CCA 2010. A remedy isn’t automatically provided under the statutory guarantee. It’s up to the consumer to use legal avenues to get a remedy.

  • netjock on 10/09/2020 - 13:37
    +1

    I have usually preferred Android phones and used them all my life but I prefer stock Android to any other version. What is a decent stock Android phone apart from Pixel that I could opt for?

    Stock android you would be looking at Nokia. I use Xiaomi A2 but Xiaomi is exiting Android One.

  • Bargain80 on 10/09/2020 - 14:46
    +1

    if you're not really hurry, pocophone has just released Poco X3 with NFC and 120Hz refresh rate.

  • Candour on 11/09/2020 - 08:34

    the ACL - aust consumer legislation -overrides warranty limitations. get in touch with consumer affairs Dept and raise a dispute on ACL terms which cannot be negated by google.

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