Looking for a phone

[Theonelemon]

I was thinking of getting the iPhone 6s+. I am not considering the 7+ because it is too expensive and doesnt have a headphone jack. I also do not want to wait for the iphone 8 because the price will be even more than the 7.

 

My question is whether this phone is still worth getting though it will be 2 generations old soon, and what are other pros and cons of getting this device?

 

I am open to any suggestions though, and guidance of what phone would be the best to purchase currently would be much appreciated since I dont really know anything about this type of stuff. Its worth mentioning I have used both IOS and Android devices, I am ok with either of these as long as I am getting what I pay for as in good build quality, good battery life, good screen resolution, good performance, etc.

[Changis]

when it comes to apple, they want you to change to a newer phone every other year so they just drop updates for older devices so eventually you have to succumb and buy a new one to be able to use the newest apps etc..

i'm sure Samsung etc has similar strategies, but with android you do have more choice as pretty much anyone can make an android phone

i would forgo the aple tax and find a good android phone.

[limegorilla]

I'm a fan of Moto & OnePlus. The OnePlus 5 - even though it does look like a iPhone 7+, is a good phone, or at least it has been in the demos I've used. The 3T is amazing, and a lot cheaper now the 5 is out. As far as Moto goes, the Z line of phones are nice. But that's all I would use to describe them. Good but not the amazing that OnePlus achieve

[Theonelemon]

7 minutes ago, huilun02 said:

Know what you want. How do you intend to use your phone? What do you want it to do exceptionally well? Size?

If you don't know anything or just can't be bothered, get the 6s plus

I want a phone that is 5 inches or larger because I have enormous hands. I dont really need it to do anything exceptionally well because I use my phone only for things like youtube, articles, and some game apps. Basically I just want something that I can do that on with as best battery life, screen res, and materials possible. I would just pick up the 6s plus right now if I knew what @Changis said wasnt true about how apple purposely begins to shit on older generations.

[Theonelemon]

3 minutes ago, huilun02 said:

Every manufacturer shits on older generations for the most part. They want to keep selling you new phones after all. At least with Android, you can install custom roms based on the latest iteration of Google's OS with security updates, software features and all. This lets you take full ownership of your device and make the most out of your investment. That said most manufacturers also try to get in the way of rooting and customized OS because its hurts their bottom line.

 

As far as I can tell from your requirements, it seems a 5.5" screen phone with considerable battery would be most suitable. Something like the Pixel XL maybe? As a bonus for being a Google branded device, they get clean roms and the fastest, most long lasting access to updates.

I was looking at the pixel xl, unfortunately its out of my price range being the same price as the iphone 7+ 

[Theonelemon]

1 minute ago, huilun02 said:

Would be nice to know what is your price range, so I don't have to go on repeated hunts for options you ultimately cannot afford

My price range is roughly 600$, though the tax rates here in sweden are insane

[Theonelemon]

8 minutes ago, huilun02 said:

How much are these over there?

 

Moto Z Force

Oneplus 5

Xiaomi Mi 6

Huawei Honor 8/Pro

ZTE Axon 7/7s

I can only find Moto Z/ Z play. The oneplus 5 to order would be around 600$, The Mi6 would be about 600$, The honor about 500$, The axon about 570$.

 

Also are they unlocked by carrier and country?

 

[Theonelemon]

1 hour ago, huilun02 said:

Which version?

Honor 8 and Honor 8 Pro are different

Axon 7 and 7s are different

 

A bit of a misconception you have there...

 

Manufacturers (almost) never make phone models that can only be found carrier locked. As someone not from your country or region, I suggest phones on the basis of them not being carrier locked. No one in this forum is going to suggest a phone that only exists as carrier locked, or to specifically go for a carrier locked version.

 

The ones you find in your country, I have no idea the if the one you looking at is locked or not. Both locked and unlocked may be floating around over there. It is for you to find out. You can simply ask the seller? Also, no retailer in their right mind would distribute phone models that don't work with the local baseband.

I went to the store today to look at phones to get an idea of their feel, os, etc. I felt like the S7 Edge was the best feeling and had the best specs for a cheaper price than most of the other phones and I had completely forgot to consider it. Unless you can give me a reason otherwise, I think I will get the s7 edge because it seems like everything I am looking for and on paper seems like the specs are better than the 6s+ with a better resolution, water resistance, etc.

 

 

[Theonelemon]

6 minutes ago, huilun02 said:

In that case, yes go for the S7 Edge. Its a fantastic phone in every aspect, except the edge screen which to me is a major design weakness. Samsung phones usually cost a lot more than other phones of the same specs, which is why I don't recommend them Samsung edge models or S8. I don't recommend expensive phones that have a high risk of shattering on the first drop. A case to prevent that does not cover the flaw, because then it defeats the design in the first place.

I see what you mean, I was worried about that but ultimately I tend to take very good care of my phones. I have never cracked one before. I also looked at the ZTE Axon 7 however and that thing also seems like a monster. Out of curiousity how would you place the 6s+, S7 edge, and Axon 7 in order of best phone.

[Theonelemon]

3 minutes ago, huilun02 said:

They are different beasts although they may appear similar in specs. The iPhone of course, pales in comparison being an older device. iPhone is for people who are entrenched in the Apple ecosystem or simply can't be arsed about phone specs and have the money to spend anyway.

 

The S7 Edge is a generalist that focuses on design aesthetics (even at the expense of ruggedness as you can clearly see) the screen spans the left to right edge of the device, making for very pleasing viewing and swiping. However if you try watching videos in landscape in the day, you will get bright light reflecting off the curved display edge which is freaking annoying. Might want to also note that the rear is covered in glass so the whole device is a fingerprint magnet waiting to be broken. Advantages the Edge has over the Axon 7 is higher capacity battery and better tuned camera (yes despite being lower megapixels) USB port is traditional microUSB 2.0 with Quick Charge 2.0

 

The Axon 7 on the other hand, is an audiophile's dream. It has a superior DAC that does 32-bit/192kHz audio with Dolby Atmos. It blesses not only your listening device that you plug into the audio jack, but also the front facing stereo speakers. Screen is also oled and fully flat. The combination makes for a literal handheld TV that few other phones can match. Fingerprint reader is on the back of the phone as compared to the home button for the S7. So it is way easier to operate one handed (but sucks when placed on a table) Rear camera is up to snuff for a flagship device, although quickly outpaced by the current fad for dual camera solutions. Front shooter is superior to that of the S7. USB 3.0 type C with Quick Charge 3.0

 

So its down to what you want more in your phone... for me I'd very much prefer the Axon 7 as I spend a lot of time in transit (bus/train) I listen to music to kill time as opposed to playing games. I need a phone that I can operate with one hand, and something rugged enough to survive frequent drops. When I'm away from home and alone I watch downloaded shows. With front facing stereos it would be a wayy better experience, and with a superior fast charge solution I could get as much juice as possible before having to get moving again. I guess you can see now, how in a practical sense I would not recommend the Edge. That's just my preference. If you play lots of games and take lots of photos, then the superior battery and camera would be bigger selling point.

Thanks soooooo much for writting this quality reply. I have definitely shifted to getting the Axon because I listen to music with my phone more than anything else, and the audio quality seems amazing. Though I dont see the smaller battery ever being an issue, I could always use the money saved to buy a power bank. I also have already decided on a case for it that seems really nice - https://www.zteusa.com/axon7-co-mold-protective-case

 

Out of curiousity if I were to plug in the same headphones to the axon and then plug them into the edge, would there be a massively distinguishable difference?

[Theonelemon]

7 minutes ago, huilun02 said:

If you want to hear a clear distinction, you need a quality source (the recording) and playback device (high end cans) In busy commute, external noise leaks in and washes out subtle tones and differences, unless your ear/headpiece can block out all sound. That said with Dolby Atmos on the phone, its easier to make sounds adjustments and equalizer tuning, if you are accustomed to doing those things. If you are a casual listener, a high end DAC will not make much of a difference. Safe to say you're not going to get 'massively distinguishable difference' in sound quality between flagship devices today.

 

Just to make it clear, that I am not trying to fluff up the Axon to make it sound superior. I don't even own the phone (because where I live its too expensive. I bought the Oneplus 3T instead so I can barely justify getting the Axon 7 even if price goes down) For me the Axon is a wet dream because it has everything I want in a phone except for the battery. It is because Samsung has designed their phone to appeal to the ordinary masses that the S7 is much more prevalent. Ordinary masses who value aesthetics and camera as opposed to high fidelity audio which is still quite a niche. I highly suggest checking out the Axon at a local store if they have one on display, so you can plug it in to determine if the sound is worth the switch. You're spending lots of money, make sure to spend on the right product.

Even if I cant notice the sound difference, it still seems like the better phone because of the flat screen for practical use like you said and otherwise similar specs for the better price. The way I see it when choosing between these phones is choosing between a slightly better camera and having a more mainstream phone with the S7, or choosing the Axon for the audio features and price.

[Theonelemon]

2 minutes ago, huilun02 said:

Coincidentally someone just smashed his S7 Edge screen... even posted in the same forum (one above yours)

damn. I avoid wallet cases with the front cover flap, which seems like the only semi-safe option for the edge as far as cases go.

[Theonelemon]

@huilun02 holy shit, I just saw that the axon is daydream vr ready. Theres no competition anymore.

[Theonelemon]

4 minutes ago, huilun02 said:

 

Personally I'm not into VR. I think its a fad that will die soon. Strapping things to my face? Nothx

But if you're into it, good for you 

 

You have to buy the headset too though;

I know nada about the price and availability

Im not crazy about VR either tbh (for gaming at least), but the daydream is 60-70$ and I want to be able to watch youtube in a virtual theatre while lying down. I think that the oculus and stuff is cool but really just a gimmick unless you are really into that type of stuff.