New phone recommendations.

[Derkoli]

Hi!

 

I've decided to finally move on from my P30 Pro to something new.

 

I'm not too fussed about price.

 

I'd heavily heavily prefer an android device. I'm not too worried about the manufacturer. (Fun colours would be cool!)

 

I'm just struggling for ideas, so I'd appreciate any help.

 

Thanks!

[venomtail]

Without a pricetag you can get to be far more picky. Personally I am looking for a small phone, so Zenfone 9 is something I am looking at and tomorrow a new Sony one is gonna get announced. Keep an eye out.

 

But yea, narrow down what you're looking for. I presume an upgrade to what you already have?

[Senzelian]

I recommend to get a Pixel 6 Pro. Tho in October the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro might launch.

 

I can recommend them because of all the smart little features that Google has baked into their Pixel devices. For example

• it recognizes songs automatically on the always on display and you can save them to your favorites with one single tap
• it offers Google Assistant without having to use "Hey Google" (for example you can now turn of your alarm clock by simply saying "Stop"
• the camera is great and has recently gotten new features such as "magic eraser" and the function to adjust portrait lighting after a photo was taken
• automatic subtitles and translation features
• the "at a glance" widget that tells you about upcoming events in your callender, weather warnings, and all sorts of things...
• and a lot more...

I also like how quick and snappy it feels, that I'm the first to receive new Android features and the camera stabilisation, which is the best on Android, especially for video.

 

There's a lot to like about it. But Google's software has sometimes a few issues here and there. You're basically living on the edge with these devices, since you're always the first to experience any new features, but also the first to experience new bugs  

[IPD]

47 minutes ago, venomtail said:

Without a pricetag you can get to be far more picky. Personally I am looking for a small phone, so Zenfone 9 is something I am looking at and tomorrow a new Sony one is gonna get announced. Keep an eye out.

 

But yea, narrow down what you're looking for. I presume an upgrade to what you already have?

If the Zenfone 9 had an SD card slot, I'd already have it ordered.

 

At this point, the first thing I look at with phones is the frequency bands for 4g/5g that are supported--as that seems to be the deal-breaker for a few offerings that would otherwise be right up my alley.  Of course, that doesn't apply if you buy shitlord products from Google and Samsung.  But if you try to find a <6" screen--GFL.

[Derkoli]

1 hour ago, venomtail said:

I presume an upgrade to what you already have?

I'm not really bothered if its an upgrade or more of a sidegrade. I certainly don't want to downgrade though.

 

I guess my requirements are just:

 

Decent screen, atleast 60Hz

 

Has 4G and/or 5G

 

Isn't an iPhone

 

Great camera

 

Has a stable Bluetooth connection for PCM (Porsche infotainment stuff)

 

Can last for 14-16 hours on a single charge.

 

Isn't folding.

 

Glass/metal/ceramic back.

[venomtail]

55 minutes ago, IPD said:

If the Zenfone 9 had an SD card slot, I'd already have it ordered.

 

At this point, the first thing I look at with phones is the frequency bands for 4g/5g that are supported--as that seems to be the deal-breaker for a few offerings that would otherwise be right up my alley.  Of course, that doesn't apply if you buy shitlord products from Google and Samsung.  But if you try to find a <6" screen--GFL.

I've been defeated on the micro SD card slot and nearly about to stop caring about the headphone jack as well. MicroSD often offers me no real extra purpose as most apps can't be installed on them and I have pretty much moved to Bluetooth earphones entirely. The ability to have my phone charge in one room while I'm in a different one making food, changing tyres or exercise is too handy to go back to a wire that forces me to have my phone on me. 

 

All I care about now is NFC, double physical sim and wireless charging is slowly becoming more and more important. Such a convenient thing. That's why the ZenFone 9 is a 9/10 for me. Shame about no wireless charging but not the end of the world, there'll be other solutions.

[venomtail]

51 minutes ago, Derkoli said:

I'm not really bothered if its an upgrade or more of a sidegrade. I certainly don't want to downgrade though.

 

I guess my requirements are just:

 

Decent screen, atleast 60Hz

 

Has 4G and/or 5G

 

Isn't an iPhone

 

Great camera

 

Has a stable Bluetooth connection for PCM (Porsche infotainment stuff)

 

Can last for 14-16 hours on a single charge.

 

Isn't folding.

 

Glass/metal/ceramic back.

Don't have the time to follow the smartphone industry these days anymore. I just about keep track of surface level things and maybe the odd youtube review from time to time.

 

Nothing phone 1 has been fairly impressive for what it is. Camera is serviceable with real world processing. Everyone says the phone has great battery life yet some of the bigger youtubers say it's downright trash. Really inconsistant reviews. You'll have to look into it yourself.

 

I can't suggest any Chinese brand because myself and everyone else I know who bought them was in the end disappointed and upgraded at the end of their contract due to necessity rather than wants.

 

Everyone keeps complaining about the Pixel 6 line. Maybe just a loud minority.

 

Nokia is all budget these days. Maybe not the best fit when driving a Porche.

 

Basically leaves you Samsung and Sony. Last I remember Sony phones cost an arm and a leg where as the S22 line is all decent but people complain that the battery is too small. Do check out what Sony will be revealing tomorrow. Might be of interest.

 

There's also the Zenfone 9 that I am interested in and that has a very impressive battery but a fairly small phone. For some that's a no go. Plastic back as well.

[Derkoli]

11 hours ago, huilun02 said:

If there was something about your P30 Pro you wish was different or better, or something you liked and want to retain...

 

This is the time to mention it

I mostly use my phone for photography now, hence why I picked the P30 Pro initially.

 

What are everyones thoughts on the S22 Ultra? The stylus seems like it'd be great..

[venomtail]

2 hours ago, Derkoli said:

I mostly use my phone for photography now, hence why I picked the P30 Pro initially.

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is apparently getting a worldwide release (maybe already has? I'm a bit confused) If you're into smartphone photography that could be a good pick. 

 

[IPD]

2 hours ago, venomtail said:

The Xiaomi 12S Ultra is apparently getting a worldwide release (maybe already has? I'm a bit confused) If you're into smartphone photography that could be a good pick. 

 

Sure.  If you like the CCP having all of your pictures on their servers.

[venomtail]

1 minute ago, IPD said:

Sure.  If you like the CCP having all of your pictures on their servers.

20 hours ago, venomtail said:

I can't suggest any Chinese brand because myself and everyone else I know who bought them was in the end disappointed and upgraded at the end of their contract due to necessity rather than wants.

That's why it breaks my heart to suggest such a thing... 

[IPD]

45 minutes ago, huilun02 said:

Ironically as someone who is not in or from China/HK/TW, I'd rather the CCP have my info than anyone else.

 

Because unlike anyone else, they got no motivation to do anything with it

That's an awfully myopic attitude to have.

[IPD]

1 hour ago, huilun02 said:

Could you elaborate? Some hard facts relevant to phone usage could come in useful for everyone

It's codified in law that every company operating out of China yields ultimate control to the CCP.  That includes user data.  It's one of the things that is being swept under the rug about Tik-Tok and Tencent in general...and why they are trying to bald-faced lie about it.

 

Do not confuse lack of visible action in the present with an absence of malice.

[IPD]

On 9/2/2022 at 2:02 PM, huilun02 said:

Yeah you are basically repeating what we already knew

 

I'd rather take my chance with them, than with someone else who is already known to be actively manipulating people with targeted ads and internal political bullshit

You could go with an Asus, Sony or Motorola and deal with neither.