Next Android phone?

Joined
Sep 16, 2003
Messages
5,446
Location
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I have an S21FE and I have hated it since I got it. My old A71 5G was a much better phone, albeit slightly slower. I took TMO's trade in deal on it for $500 off for the S21 FE and with that you really have no choice but to do the payments because the credits are put in your account monthly. Well anyway next month it's paid off and I can move on to something better.

I really want an S24 Ultra, but, the price is pretty dear. Any other recommendations of something newer? Requirements are:

-Android (really will not consider an iPhone, been there done that and went back)
-6.5 or larger screen
-Wireless charging
-IP67 water resistance
-Decent software support - i.e. more than 2 years from release date.
-Octa core or better
-6GB system RAM minimum, 8+ GB better
-128GB storage minimum, 256GB better.
-Preferably less than $1000

Basically flagship specs, I know. Been looking at the Pixel 8 Pro and OnePlus options. What else is out there that's not available on the carrier websites?

Asus Zenphone 11 Ultra looks pretty nice for the price, it's $799 right now with $100 off, and it appears that it will get 4 years of security updates. But it's kind of a leap of faith because these phones are not common. I'm kind of reduced to browsing forums to find info on phones like this.
 
If you are free from your T-Mobile contract next month, look into getting the discounted Pixel 8 Pro with a half price annual plan from Mint Mobile. Mint is one of the MVNOs owned by T-Mobile and the Pixel phones work flawlessly on Mint. You won't find a better value on a new flagship phone but it is only available for new Mint Mobile customers. The Pixel phones come from Google unlocked unless it is purchased through Google Fi.

Pixel 8 Pro Promotion by Mint Mobile
 
Take a look at Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G - they are US$400.
I got 2023 version and am happy with it, it was on sale for US$250 end of last year. I don't use the stylus, got it for the phone, got it in USA as it was cheaper and had better specs compared to Canadian version.
I would only consider the Edge Plus because it has 3 years of android updates and 4 years of security patches. Otherwise Moto sucks for updates.
 
If you are free from your T-Mobile contract next month, look into getting the discounted Pixel 8 Pro with a half price annual plan from Mint Mobile. Mint is one of the MVNOs owned by T-Mobile and the Pixel phones work flawlessly on Mint. You won't find a better value on a new flagship phone but it is only available for new Mint Mobile customers. The Pixel phones come from Google unlocked unless it is purchased through Google Fi.

Pixel 8 Pro Promotion by Mint Mobile
Interesting, good deal. Does Mint have some kind of add on for occasional Brazil trips? I guess I could just get a Brazilian SIM with Mint since the phone is unlocked, that would probably be cheaper anyways, the deals down there for data are insanely cheap by US standards. And since Google Voice works in Brazil, I don't even need to leave my US SIM on. I was always limited on T-Mobile because I had a phone I was making payments on, so I had to use T-Mobile's SIM, got 5GB in Brazil with my plan.
 
I have an S21FE and I have hated it since I got it. My old A71 5G was a much better phone, albeit slightly slower. I took TMO's trade in deal on it for $500 off for the S21 FE and with that you really have no choice but to do the payments because the credits are put in your account monthly. Well anyway next month it's paid off and I can move on to something better.

I really want an S24 Ultra, but, the price is pretty dear. Any other recommendations of something newer? Requirements are:

-Android (really will not consider an iPhone, been there done that and went back)
-6.5 or larger screen
-Wireless charging
-IP67 water resistance
-Decent software support - i.e. more than 2 years from release date.
-Octa core or better
-6GB system RAM minimum, 8+ GB better
-128GB storage minimum, 256GB better.
-Preferably less than $1000

Basically flagship specs, I know. Been looking at the Pixel 8 Pro and OnePlus options. What else is out there that's not available on the carrier websites?

Asus Zenphone 11 Ultra looks pretty nice for the price, it's $799 right now with $100 off, and it appears that it will get 4 years of security updates. But it's kind of a leap of faith because these phones are not common. I'm kind of reduced to browsing forums to find info on phones like this.
What about a One+ Walmart has those unlocked
 
Interesting, good deal. Does Mint have some kind of add on for occasional Brazil trips? I guess I could just get a Brazilian SIM with Mint since the phone is unlocked, that would probably be cheaper anyways, the deals down there for data are insanely cheap by US standards. And since Google Voice works in Brazil, I don't even need to leave my US SIM on. I was always limited on T-Mobile because I had a phone I was making payments on, so I had to use T-Mobile's SIM, got 5GB in Brazil with my plan.
Yes, Mint has an add-on option for international travel, including Brazil. I haven't traveled overseas, so I don't know the details. It is described here:

Mint Mobile International Roaming
 
I would only consider the Edge Plus because it has 3 years of android updates and 4 years of security patches. Otherwise Moto sucks for updates.
It makes sense to me to replace a $250 phone every (even if) 2 years rather than having a $800 phone for 4 years. $125 a year vs $200 a year and I don't have to worry too much re damage or theft with cheaper phone with still good performance.
 
Interesting, good deal. Does Mint have some kind of add on for occasional Brazil trips? I guess I could just get a Brazilian SIM with Mint since the phone is unlocked, that would probably be cheaper anyways, the deals down there for data are insanely cheap by US standards. And since Google Voice works in Brazil, I don't even need to leave my US SIM on. I was always limited on T-Mobile because I had a phone I was making payments on, so I had to use T-Mobile's SIM, got 5GB in Brazil with my plan.

If you travel internationally, it's tough to beat Google Fi. They also offer great discounts on phones.
 
It makes sense to me to replace a $250 phone every (even if) 2 years rather than having a $800 phone for 4 years. $125 a year vs $200 a year and I don't have to worry too much re damage or theft with cheaper phone with still good performance.
Money "logic" doesn't matter to me if it doesn't have software updates. Besides my personal feelings on the matter of software updates and keeping my personal stuff secure, I'm a Cybersecurity Analyst and I use my personal cell for BYOD at work. The minimum Android patch level that the Intune MDM software will accept gets moved up every couple of months. If your phone isn't compliant you will get cut off. Potentially personally and professionally embarrasing for me.

Besides these concerns, my personal experience with flagship vs lower end phones is that a 3 year old flagship will still have better hardware than a brand new low end phone in many cases. I doubt low end phones 4 years from now will have 12GB of RAM like the Pixel Pro, for example.

The only outliers for me have been mid-range phones like the Samsung A series, it was still pretty good after 3 years, that said, mine had 6GB of RAM and a Snapdragon 760. But it wasn't IP67 or wireless charging which was why I wanted to move on from it. I love my wireless charging, and I have trashed phones taking them in the pool by accident before. I was also worred about my A71 putting it in my back pocket on bicycle rides, I do tend to sweat a lot when it's warmer here in Texas.

Other criteria that I didn't put above which is desirable, is a fairly good camera. Most of the flagships have above average cameras at least, the Pixel, Samsung Ultras and iPhones being at the top of most reviewers lists. I could settle for the 80% level, but a bad camera is a non-starter.
 
Here's the smart way of doing it.

1) Buy a $50 phone.
2) Don't do your banking or investing with it.
3) Don't buy anything with a debit card. Only a credit card so that you're protected from fraud.
4) Use your home computer for the big transactions. Remember to update your security software and disconnect from the internet when you're done.
5) Keep the phone until it croaks

A mid-level 2020 phone will easily handle most of your needs for the next five years. Just get one of those. A Motorola Moto G7 Optimo Maxx can be had for around $25 to $50.

Here's an interesting article that highlights what you can do to help keep your phone secure.

Save that money and buy an S&P 500 ETF. Why buy a Ferrari when all you need is a Saturn?
 
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Interesting how they allow you to use your own phone for work in your CA position.
If you need or want a 'flagship' then it should be no-brainer.
The MDM (Mobile Device Management) software has more or less a fence around all work data, you cannot copy data into or out of the work apps, or make screenshots. If you are fired or quit they can press a button and recall all the data on your mobile device. It's pretty normal nowadays, and MDM is a multi-billion dollar business for multiple vendors. Companies don't want to have to issue mobile devices to every employee under the sun because it's expensive. In my organization there are over 40,000 employees, and only folks at the manager level or above get issued mobile devices. As I have gone back from management to being technical (analyst), I didn't get one. It's an acceptable tradeoff to me because I hated being in management.

And want is part of the deal, I'm a tech guy who likes tech gadgets. I was more wondering what was under the radar when posting this thread, and it has paid dividends, I will probably do the Mint deal with the Pixel 8 Pro that is posted above.
 
Here's the smart way of doing it.

1) Buy a $50 phone.
2) Don't do your banking or investing with it.
3) Don't buy anything with a debit card. Only a credit card so that you're protected from fraud.
4) Use your home computer for the big transactions. Remember to update your security software and disconnect from the internet when you're done.
5) Keep the phone until it croaks

A mid-level 2020 phone will easily handle most of your needs for the next five years. Just get one of those. A Motorola Moto G7 Optimo Maxx can be had for around $25 to $50.

Here's an interesting article that highlights what you can do to help keep your phone secure.

Save that money and buy an S&P 500 ETF. Why buy a Ferrari when all you need is a Saturn?
I'd just keep my present phone if I was interested in following this advice, it's a hell of a lot better than a $50 phone and it still has a couple of years of security updates left. A $50 phone presents unacceptable compromises in many areas for me.

If I really was forced to live with a $50 phone, my next purchase would be an expensive digital SLR so I could take decent pictures. Like back say in the mid-00s. No thanks.

As for your link, the guy writing it is using a Pixel 6 Pro that has support through October of 2026. Yes, you can load custom ROMs, and Nexus/Pixel devices have among the largest support communities for custom roms. A frequently updated custom rom based on AOSP nightlies would be really good for a user who didn't need their phone for work. Alas, the best practice for pretty much all corporate MDM software is not to accept any rooted phone, no matter how good (or bad) the installed software on the device is.
 
Here's the smart way of doing it.

1) Buy a $50 phone.
2) Don't do your banking or investing with it.
3) Don't buy anything with a debit card. Only a credit card so that you're protected from fraud.
4) Use your home computer for the big transactions. Remember to update your security software and disconnect from the internet when you're done.
5) Keep the phone until it croaks

A mid-level 2020 phone will easily handle most of your needs for the next five years. Just get one of those. A Motorola Moto G7 Optimo Maxx can be had for around $25 to $50.

Save that money and buy an S&P 500 ETF. Why buy a Ferrari when all you need is a Saturn?
And you nailed the bullseye of what I was saying.

You want to spend a lot of moneys on a cell phone. And that's fine. You're just making it easier for the rest of us.

The phone I mentioned was actually commended for its camera. The software combined with the 12 MP lens allows it to take pictures that look great on a 4K TV without magnification.

There are many versions of this phone. You can also upgrade to 512 GB which is frankly more storage than you will ever need in today's world of clouds and free storage.

The hard part really isn't getting a good phone these days that can do 99% of what you need. It's two other things.

1) Get one with a good battery (or at least one that can inexpensively be replaced).

2) Avoid dangerous situations such as clicking on links from spammers and sites that you shouldn't be involved with in the first place.

The link I provided to you has a ton of good information. If you want to spend more money, God bless. Life's short.
 
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