Am I looking for an Android Unicorn?

[Dandi]

Hi,

 

Now that my LG G6 stopped updating, 3.5mm is dead and MicroSD tray broke, I am looking for a replacement. For now my goal is to find a unicorn in a way... Let me explain

I need an android device with clean android, NFC, Usb-C, MicroSD slot, dual sim and a 3.5mm Jack. The only option that I see right now is ASUS Zenfone 6 released recently.

Spoiler

https://www.asus.com/us/Phone/ZenFone-6-ZS630KL/

 

It does meet most of my requirements, yet this ZenUI is absolutely killing me! Any alternatives? Am I blind and dont see any other options? To be clear - I usually buy a device for a long term, so I need a reliable device too... And that flip camera doesnt look very durable to me.

Suggestions? Links to devices? Any help is appreciated.

 

Cheers

 

P.S.

Rooting is not my strongest suit

 

 

[dizmo]

Have you ever used ZenUI? It's really not that bad. If you need, just install NovaLauncher over top.

I'd take a look at the Samsung A70 and the LG V50. Maybe the G8. Though, LG is no better than Asus launcher wise.

[williamcll]

ZenUI barely looks any different to stock, other than the settings page. Regardless you could just root the phone and install Stock Android.

[TJ10]

The recent versions of ZenUI are loaded with waaaay less bloat than before. It is mostly clean afaik.

[Lord Letto]

LG G7 One?

https://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g7_one-9304.php

[Dandi]

9 hours ago, Lord Letto said:

LG G7 One?

https://www.gsmarena.com/lg_g7_one-9304.php

 

23 hours ago, dizmo said:

Have you ever used ZenUI? It's really not that bad. If you need, just install NovaLauncher over top.

I'd take a look at the Samsung A70 and the LG V50. Maybe the G8. Though, LG is no better than Asus launcher wise.

 

I would prefer to not to return to LG, I definitely see the specs, but LG software and bloatware are depressing... I somewhat tolerated all that, but now that I have more choices, I'd rather not get another LG.

 

[Lord Letto]

21 minutes ago, Dandi said:

 

 

LG software and bloatware are depressing

 

The G7 One is a Android One phone, so I don't think you really have to worry about that, Android One is near stock Android: https://www.android.com/one/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Android_One

Quote

 

Devices are approved by Google, and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) agree to these requirements: 

Has Android OS updates for two years.

Has regular security patch updates for three years

Has stock android UI

Google services intact

Android One has these features:

Minimal amount of bloatware

Extras like Google Play Protect and Google malware-scanning security suite

Android One phones prioritize background activity for your most important apps so reduces power usage

Edit: the Wiki page got a list of Android One phones, it says the G7 One is Canada only, I saw that Virgin Mobile got it on their site so that's likely why I thought of it: https://www.virginmobile.ca/en/phones/phone-details.html#!/onelgg7/Black/32/TR4

[dizmo]

2 hours ago, Dandi said:

 

 

I would prefer to not to return to LG, I definitely see the specs, but LG software and bloatware are depressing... I somewhat tolerated all that, but now that I have more choices, I'd rather not get another LG.

 

Then I'd definitely go for the Samsung.

[Donut417]

On 9/2/2019 at 9:44 PM, Dandi said:

need an android device with clean android, NFC, Usb-C, MicroSD slot, dual sim and a 3.5mm Jack. The only option that I see right now is ASUS Zenfone 6 released recently.

If by clean you mean Vanilla, then the only  choice is a Google Pixel or one of the Android One devices. To be clear, its my understanding that SD card support does NOT exist in stock android. This is a feature added in by companies like Samsung and LG. 

 

On 9/2/2019 at 9:44 PM, Dandi said:

To be clear - I usually buy a device for a long term, so I need a reliable device too... And that flip camera doesnt look very durable to me

Only Android device I have ever had last over 2 years was my LG G3. The others lasted 2 years or a bit more than 2 years. The G3 lasted like 3 years. This is part of the reason I switched to an iPhone as I know many people using older iPhones and Apple does updates for 5 years from the date the device was released.