Best smartphone?

[Shaqo_Wyn]

Is the Nexus 6 the best out of these four? I want to get one when my contract is up in January.

 

Alternatives:

Galaxy Note 4

LG G3

HTC One M8

 

 

I'm looking for preferably: 

 

1440p

high ppi

good rear camera

fast performance

good UI

 

Right now I have the Galaxy S4, I have no quarrel with touch wiz (although I don't know better since this was my first high-end smartphone).

Samsung build quality also isn't a prob for me because although they're mostly plastic I still feel they're sturdy and mine has taken significant hits and is still fine. 

 

I understand that Google phones come with the leanest and cleanest UI's? What are your opinions on these phones, the UI, personal experience with one of these phones?

 

Thanks!

[Aniallation]

1440p

Preferably don't get a phone with a 1440p display. The big performance loss isn't anywhere near worth it for the extra pixels you can barely see.

 

I'd take a look at the Xperia Z3 if that's available as an option

[TopWargamer]

I'd say get the Nexus 6, but be weary of its 6" screen and lack of a removable battery and lack of a microSD card slot, something which both the LG G3 and Samsung Note 4 have. 

[the crunchiumo]

If touch wiz is fine to you you should get the note 4 its a great phone with great specs ticks all the boxes

[Shaqo_Wyn]

Preferably don't get a phone with a 1440p display. The big performance loss isn't anywhere near worth it for the extra pixels you can barely see.

 

I'd take a look at the Xperia Z3 if that's available as an option

 

Nah, I don't like Sony. They're just not my cup of tea.

 

1440P is just a bit epeen I guess , I know I'd be fine with 1080p on a <6" display but 1440p seems to be the direction in which new phones are going.

 

Also, to my understanding both the Note 4 and Nexus 6 are/should be powerful enough to push the 1440p while been as snappy as there predecessors.

Is this incorrect? 

[Silver Knight]

I agree with @Aniallation, Z3 is an awesome phone

 

It also uses Xperia UI, which is incredibly light on the system

 

If that's not a viable option, and only those are, then i'd personally go with Note 4, and this is coming from a person who's on not-so-good terms with TW... I find that phone to be particularly amazing, now only if Samsung would only tone down TW, and it would be near perfect

 

Also, it's smaller than Nexus 6 (which is too big...), and has VERY good specs

[Shaqo_Wyn]

I'd say get the Nexus 6, but be weary of its 6" screen and lack of a removable battery and lack of a microSD card slot, something which both the LG G3 and Samsung Note 4 have. 

 

6", because of BendGate? I'll definitely wait for some good reviews first. I still haven't finished filled up the 16GB's my S4 has, but no removable battery is a definite concern. 

 

Hmm, is it not removable at all or like Iphone where you have to bring it to the store to let them remove it for you?

[Silver Knight]

Nah, I don't like Sony. They're just not my cup of tea.

 

1440P is just a bit epeen I guess , I know I'd be fine with 1080p on a <6" display but 1440p seems to be the direction in which new phones are going.

 

Also, to my understanding both the Note 4 and Nexus 6 are/should be powerful enough to push the 1440p while been as snappy as there predecessors.

Is this incorrect? 

If you don't like Sony, and don't mind TW, then it's Note 4 for you (just make sure to get a Snapdragon version, but Exynos one also isn't bad)

[Aniallation]

Also, to my understanding both the Note 4 and Nexus 6 are/should be powerful enough to push the 1440p while been as snappy as there predecessors.

Is this incorrect? 

Well there isn't a huge push forward going from Snapdragon 800 to 805. 

 

800 at 1080p will be about the same if not slightly faster then 805 at 1440p in graphically demanding tasks

[Shaqo_Wyn]

If touch wiz is fine to you you should get the note 4 its a great phone with great specs ticks all the boxes

 

Okay, yeah I don't mind it but if the UI of other phones are really way faster (I haven't tried other UI's) I'd definitely go for that.

[TopWargamer]

6", because of BendGate? 

No, because 6" is a huge screen for a phone. 

 

Hmm, is it not removable at all or like Iphone where you have to bring it to the store to let them remove it for you?

Well, technically, any phone battery is removable. It's just a matter of ease of use. My LG G2, for example, doesn't have a "removable battery", but I've pried it open more than once so I could shut it off when it's being stupid. 

[PhantomChevron]

The LG G3 is pretty good, looks nice, and is able to fit a 5.5 inch scren in a 5.2 inch body. Software has really improved since last time, and with the lastest firmware update, there has been reduced lag and battery life has improved, over all its pretty good. Camera too is quite fast and easy to use, and takes very nice photos, and another pro of the G3 is that there, unlike some phones, like the Z3 or Nexus 6, there is a removable battery which is cheaper to replace after degradation happens or if you need spares

[Shaqo_Wyn]

I agree with @Aniallation, Z3 is an awesome phone

 

It also uses Xperia UI, which is incredibly light on the system

 

If that's not a viable option, and only those are, then i'd personally go with Note 4, and this is coming from a person who's on not-so-good terms with TW... I find that phone to be particularly amazing, now only if Samsung would only tone down TW, and it would be near perfect

 

Also, it's smaller than Nexus 6 (which is too big...), and has VERY good specs

 

Hmm, I might have to give the Z3 a look..

 

If you don't like Sony, and don't mind TW, then it's Note 4 for you (just make sure to get a Snapdragon version, but Exynos one also isn't bad)

 

The EU version comes with the Snapdragon 805 right?

[Shaqo_Wyn]

No, because 6" is a huge screen for a phone. 

 

 

 

Well, technically, any phone battery is removable. It's just a matter of ease of use. My LG G2, for example, doesn't have a "removable battery", but I've pried it open more than once so I could shut it off when it's being stupid. 

 

I don't mind the screen size, my hands are huge too. Anything more than 6" would be pushing it though.

 

Okay, I'll keep the battery in mind. Thanks!

[I/O]

Is the Nexus 6 the best out of these four? I want to get one when my contract is up in January.

 

Alternatives:

Galaxy Note 4

LG G3

HTC One M8

 

 

I'm looking for preferably: 

 

1440p

high ppi

good rear camera

fast performance

good UI

 

Right now I have the Galaxy S4, I have no quarrel with touch wiz (although I don't know better since this was my first high-end smartphone).

Samsung build quality also isn't a prob for me because although they're mostly plastic I still feel they're sturdy and mine has taken significant hits and is still fine. 

 

I understand that Google phones come with the leanest and cleanest UI's? What are your opinions on these phones, the UI, personal experience with one of these phones?

 

Thanks!

There is absolutely no one for all phone as they all do certain things to a lesser or better degree. For the best optics the Nokia Lumia 1020 is the absolute best phone cam around and really for everything else all the high end phones do anything you would want it to exceedingly well. Just pick the Phone you like with the OS you are comfortable with and if you want to best cam get the Lumia 1020 with Carl Zeiss Optics and 41 Mega Pixel sensor. 

[Silver Knight]

Hmm, I might have to give the Z3 a look..

 

 

The EU version comes with the Snapdragon 805 right?

Yes, give it a look It's an amazing phone! It's waterproof, it has an amazing camera and amazing UI

 

Just checked it.... It seems that Samsung is only releasing Snapdragon to North America, Korea, Japan, China... It's Exynos for Europe (it probably depends on your carrier/shop, so you should ask them at first...)

 

Now, Exynos should virtually be better than 805, since it, supposedly, is a more powerful CPU and has a slightly more powerful GPU... But if you're into rooting, installing custom ROM's on your phone/s, then good luck with getting anything with Exynos version, since it has virtually zero support...

 

But, if you don't care about it (rooting, installing custom ROM's), then you shouldn't care about which version you're getting...

 

Now, just go into your carrier's shop, throw money at them, take the phone and leave

[SSOB]

To break it down.

 

iPhone 6 Plus 

• Simplicity and ease of use
• Design
• Excellent Camera
• Superb Battery life
• ''Brand name''
• Exclusive apps
• Smoothness
• Long support ( iOS updates. )
• Touch ID

Downsides:

 

• Locked into apple ecosystem
• Expensive
• ''Brand name''
• Not alot of freedom compared to android 

Xperia Z3

• Powerfull
• Design
• Excellent camera
• Good battery life
• Waterproof
• Accesories
• Android ( More freedom, rooting etc.)

Downsides

 

• Flaps that need to be opened when chaging ( Without dock)
• Glass back, when you drop it and it shatters , you're done
• Sony is known for having very, very slow updates
• Lack of features

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

 

• All the features you can possibly want
• Good camera
• Good Battery life
• Android
• S-Pen
• Performance
• Removable battery

Downsides:

 

• Touchwiz, slows up everything.
• Maybe Too many features
• Plastic back
• Possibly looks

Oneplus One

 

• Superb Value
• Good camera
• Good battery life
• Cyanogenmod out of the box

Downsides

 

• Possibly very bad support
• Some screens suffer from issues
• ''Brand name''
• Can be a little too ''basic''

Nexus 6

 

• Latest updates
• Super fast
• Good camera
• (Unknown battery life, probably really good.)

Downsides:

 

• Really thick, over 10MM
• Big screen may make it difficult to operate
• Motorola camera...

@Shaqo_Wyn

[the crunchiumo]

how bout the one plus one

[LaoJr]

Tell you what, If you can live with a ok camera go for the One M8 has a legendary Build Quality, best speakers and probably the most beautiful 1080p screen.

 

If you want a more balanced phone that is okay but doesn't excel in anything the LG G3, it has a good but not spectacular camera, it's got that eye popping 1440p screen but contrast ratios are pretty bad the white balance is questionable, and the battery life is just typical for big phones.

 

If you want just the Cream of the crop then of course there is the Galaxy Note 4, it's a got that super saturated Super AMOLED 1440P screen with just insanely milky colors though not accurate to the look just very pleasing to look at, you can actually squeeze more with the battery since that AMOLED technology requiring less power to operate, it's got that 16MP camera which if you have seen the pictures are really saturated and are insanely sharp to the point where you can say it looks over processed. 

[Shaqo_Wyn]

Yes, give it a look It's an amazing phone! It's waterproof, it has an amazing camera and amazing UI

 

Just checked it.... It seems that Samsung is only releasing Snapdragon to North America, Korea, Japan, China... It's Exynos for Europe (it probably depends on your carrier/shop, so you should ask them at first...)

 

Now, Exynos should virtually be better than 805, since it, supposedly, is a more powerful CPU and has a slightly more powerful GPU... But if you're into rooting, installing custom ROM's on your phone/s, then good luck with getting anything with Exynos version, since it has virtually zero support...

 

But, if you don't care about it (rooting, installing custom ROM's), then you shouldn't care about which version you're getting...

 

Now, just go into your carrier's shop, throw money at them, take the phone and leave

 

 

To break it down.

 

iPhone 6 Plus 

• Simplicity and ease of use
• Design
• Excellent Camera
• Superb Battery life
• ''Brand name''
• Exclusive apps
• Smoothness
• Long support ( iOS updates. )
• Touch ID

Downsides:

 

• Locked into apple ecosystem
• Expensive
• ''Brand name''
• Not alot of freedom compared to android 

Xperia Z3

• Powerfull
• Design
• Excellent camera
• Good battery life
• Waterproof
• Accesories
• Android ( More freedom, rooting etc.)

Downsides

 

• Flaps that need to be opened when chaging ( Without dock)
• Glass back, when you drop it and it shatters , you're done
• Sony is known for having very, very slow updates
• Lack of features

Samsung Galaxy Note 4

 

• All the features you can possibly want
• Good camera
• Good Battery life
• Android
• S-Pen
• Performance
• Removable battery

Downsides:

 

• Touchwiz, slows up everything.
• Maybe Too many features
• Plastic back
• Possibly looks

Oneplus One

 

• Superb Value
• Good camera
• Good battery life
• Cyanogenmod out of the box

Downsides

 

• Possibly very bad support
• Some screens suffer from issues
• ''Brand name''
• Can be a little too ''basic''

Nexus 6

 

• Latest updates
• Super fast
• Good camera
• (Unknown battery life, probably really good.)

Downsides:

 

• Really thick, over 10MM
• Big screen may make it difficult to operate
• Motorola camera...

@Shaqo_Wyn

 

 

Nexus 6 all the way if you can deal with the size

 

 

how bout the one plus one

 

 

Tell you what, If you can live with a ok camera go for the One M8 has a legendary Build Quality, best speakers and probably the most beautiful 1080p screen.

 

If you want a more balanced phone that is okay but doesn't excel in anything the LG G3, it has a good but not spectacular camera, it's got that eye popping 1440p screen but contrast ratios are pretty bad the white balance is questionable, and the battery life is just typical for big phones.

 

If you want just the Cream of the crop then of course there is the Galaxy Note 4, it's a got that super saturated Super AMOLED 1440P screen with just insanely milky colors though not accurate to the look just very pleasing to look at, you can actually squeeze more with the battery since that AMOLED technology requiring less power to operate, it's got that 16MP camera which if you have seen the pictures are really saturated and are insanely sharp to the point where you can say it looks over processed. 

 

Thanks for all the great answers guys!

 

I think it's going to be the Note 4, Nexus 6 or Xperia Z3 (the overall design of this one still doesn't really get me but I know it's a good phone).

 

I'll wait for reviews on the Nexus 6 and do compare then. I didn't know the Nexus 6 was so thick though, that's a bit off a turn off.

 

One last question about the UI. What exactly are the ups of a 'lighter UI' vs TouchWiz. Does it eliminate the input lag TW has?

[Silver Knight]

Thanks for all the great answers guys!

 

I think it's going to be the Note 4, Nexus 6 or Xperia Z3 (the overall design of this one still doesn't really get me but I know it's a good phone).

 

I'll wait for reviews on the Nexus 6 and do compare then. I didn't know the Nexus 6 was so thick though, that's a bit off a turn off.

 

One last question about the UI. What exactly are the ups of a 'lighter UI' vs TouchWiz. Does it eliminate the input lag TW has?

I think it does eliminate it. On my Xperia M2, i have very little lag, a lot less than Samsung S3 running Android 4.3 which has identical specs...

 

Lighter UI is just... lighter on you system. It takes a lot less ram than something heavy, like TW for example. 

 

Samsung Galaxy S3, which has 1Gb of RAM (Europe version), snapdragon 400 clocked at, i think, 1,4 Ghz, has 720p screen... can "only" run up to Androind 4.3, because Samsung said that 1Gb is not enough for  4.4 KK... That's utter bullshit! 4.4 was made to be lighter on the system and that it can run on phones with 512Mb of RAM... But no, TW is so heavy that you can't run it on 1Gb of RAM...

 

My Xperia M2, which has 1Gb of RAM, snapdragon 400 clocked at 1,2Ghz, 540x960 screen... Can easily run 4.4 KK, and i have RAM to spare... 

 

That's the difference between a lighter UI, like Xperi/Sense UI and heavier UI like TW....

[MiracleMan]

Thanks for all the great answers guys!

 

I think it's going to be the Note 4, Nexus 6 or Xperia Z3 (the overall design of this one still doesn't really get me but I know it's a good phone).

 

I'll wait for reviews on the Nexus 6 and do compare then. I didn't know the Nexus 6 was so thick though, that's a bit off a turn off.

 

One last question about the UI. What exactly are the ups of a 'lighter UI' vs TouchWiz. Does it eliminate the input lag TW has?

The Nexus 6 is curved at the back and the thickness is measured at the thickest point, so i wouldnt be that concerned about it. People who already held it in their hands say it makes the phone way more ergonomic and you have a better grip, which is kind of a big deal with such a large phone. 

 

I dont think that TW is going to be a problem for the 805 and 3GB RAM, on older phones you really noticed that it is overall slower and more laggy than e.g. stock android. 

 

I'll be going with the Nexus 6, i always wanted to be able to one-hand my phone, but since there are not really compelling smaller phones i'll just go balls to the walls with screen size. 

And you have to keep in mind that the Nexus series has the largest developer community for mods etc. if you are into that kind of stuff. 

[Shaqo_Wyn]

I think it does eliminate it. On my Xperia M2, i have very little lag, a lot less than Samsung S3 running Android 4.3 which has identical specs...

 

Lighter UI is just... lighter on you system. It takes a lot less ram than something heavy, like TW for example. 

 

Samsung Galaxy S3, which has 1Gb of RAM (Europe version), snapdragon 400 clocked at, i think, 1,4 Ghz, has 720p screen... can "only" run up to Androind 4.3, because Samsung said that 1Gb is not enough for  4.4 KK... That's utter bullshit! 4.4 was made to be lighter on the system and that it can run on phones with 512Mb of RAM... But no, TW is so heavy that you can't run it on 1Gb of RAM...

 

My Xperia M2, which has 1Gb of RAM, snapdragon 400 clocked at 1,2Ghz, 540x960 screen... Can easily run 4.4 KK, and i have RAM to spare... 

 

That's the difference between a lighter UI, like Xperi/Sense UI and heavier UI like TW....

 

Thanks! I don't think I'm going Samsung again now, y they no improve Touch Wiz.

 

That leaves the Z3, Nexus 6 and any other phones worth taking at look at by January. I'll revisit the matter when the time comes.

[Shaqo_Wyn]

The Nexus 6 is curved at the back and the thickness is measured at the thickest point, so i wouldnt be that concerned about it. People who already held it in their hands say it makes the phone way more ergonomic and you have a better grip, which is kind of a big deal with such a large phone. 

 

I dont think that TW is going to be a problem for the 805 and 3GB RAM, on older phones you really noticed that it is overall slower and more laggy than e.g. stock android. 

 

I'll be going with the Nexus 6, i always wanted to be able to one-hand my phone, but since there are not really compelling smaller phones i'll just go balls to the walls with screen size. 

And you have to keep in mind that the Nexus series has the largest developer community for mods etc. if you are into that kind of stuff. 

 

Ah I see, well I'll probably go scope the Nexus 6 out when they're in stores and see if the thickness/largeness is acceptable. 

 

Although I'm pretty sure my freakishly large hands can handle another inch (not sure if that's something she would say ).

 

I usually use my S4 with two hands anyway so no worries there, let me know how the Nexus is if you're getting it before January.