Need help picking a phone

[MikoKuch]

Hello LinusTechTips forum,

 

I want to buy a new smartphone sometime this year. I began my search for the perfect phone, but as a few days passed, I figured out that I had a lot of requirements. Finding a phone by myself like this would take a very long time, so I figured I would ask you guys for help. Maybe some of you know a phone which has what I want. As I said I have a lot of requirements and they are:

 

Essentials (in no particular order):

• Screen size around 5 inches or more (4.8, 4.9 etc. is fine)
• Removable back cover and removable battery
• SD card slot
• A good camera back (8 mpx at the very least)
• An LED on the back
• Android version 4.4 or higher
• Enough popularity to have custom ROMs recoveries etc. available
• Good build quality (I don't want it to shatter from a 1 meter drop)
• Enough power for internet browsing and normal usage. Maybe casual time-wasting gaming but nothing too hardcore. I don't need insane 3D performance or some stupidly powerful hex core CPU
• An at least 720p screen. 1080p would be ideal
• 1080p video playback (but I think all phones these days have it)
• Battery life good enough to use all day without charging (I can charge over night)
• Micro-USB port (for charging and data)
• At least 5 GB of internal storage
• At least 1 GB of RAM (2 GB or more would be ideal)

It doesn't have to be the latest and greatest phone. One or two years old will be fine. Heck, I'm using an S2 Plus right now.

 

Optional:

• Non-Samsung or just with minimal bloatware
• OTG support
• Lock button on the side
• Capacitive, not on-screen buttons
• Ability to take pictures and videos to the SD card
• A decent front camera
• IPS display
• SD and SIM slot where I don't have to use special tools to get them in. Just open a cover with my fingers, insert it and be done

Those are my requirements. If you guys know any phones that meet them, please let me know.

 

Thanks.

[Sadistic_Potato]

HTC One M9. 

 

Does have one-screen touch buttons but it fits everything else and is an awesome phone. 

[MblaZe7run]

I can't help but say Samsung Galaxy S5 with root and bloatware removal tool. But meh, I know that it a lot of work for some people. That, and I'm a Samsung junkie, so my opinion might be null and void.

[shirokado]

• Battery life good enough to use all day without charging (I can charge over night)

 

What "use all day" to you? Because it'd be hard to find a phone that last more than 6 hours doing something(games, video playback, webbrowing etc.)

[dizmo]

Sounds like you want some kind of Samsung phone, they're the only ones that'll really hit all of your requirements.

You really should include what cellular bands you'll need. It'll help us help you, since not all networks support all phones.

 

 

HTC One M9. 

 

Does have one-screen touch buttons but it fits everything else and is an awesome phone. 

Except it doesn't have a lot of the things he wants...

[TheSSVids]

The ASUS Zenfone 2 will be good for you, I think. And it is quite cheap too, at around $200.

[Sadistic_Potato]

-snip-

 

Could you elaborate?

[Ahaber]

I can't help but say Samsung Galaxy S5 with root and bloatware removal tool. But meh, I know that it a lot of work for some people. That, and I'm a Samsung junkie, so my opinion might be null and void.

 

Agreed. Unless he goes for something that if from a company you have never heard of, or something that is really old, the only things that fit the bill would be a S4 or a S5 in my opinion.

 

Or project ara if that ever becomes a thing

[dizmo]

Could you elaborate?

SD card isn't easily accessible.

Back isn't removable.

Battery isn't removable.

[Sadistic_Potato]

SD card isn't easily accessible.

Back isn't removable.

Battery isn't removable.

 

Oh, OK.

[MblaZe7run]

Or project ara if that ever becomes a thing

I change my choice. Move to Puerto Rico. Acquire Project Ara. Fall in love with it. Acquire another. Ship it to me. We fall in love and live happily ever after.

[MikoKuch]

The ASUS Zenfone 2 will be good for you, I think. And it is quite cheap too, at around $200.

Thanks so much! I didn't know this series existed. I will probably go with the Zenfone 5 since it's cheaper in my country. Here, the Zenfone 2 is 400€ and the Zenfone 5 is 180€.