OT:Smart Phones

[fletcher21]

Co worker upgraded from a 6p to the pixel xl. The phone has a very satisfying feel to it. I thought the one plus 3 or s7 were as fast as phones could be, but the xl is faster somehow. The snapdragon 821 is an upgrade over the 820. The new android is nice, but it's not like a massive upgrade. Screen blows my one plus 3 away, but it didn't seem that nuch better than the s7. Another co worker with an s7 brought his out for a little comparison. Being equal to the s7 is a very good thing. The only thing I personally dislike on the xl is only one speaker and the finger sensor on the back. Most folks seem to like it on back, but the front works better for me.


If you have $800 burning a hole in your pocket then by all means the xl is one of 3 phones to get. The 7 plus and the s7 are neck and neck with it, so you really can't lose.

The only negative I saw was the pixel got pretty hot while playing a graphics intense game. Maybe that's normal but just seemed hotter due to no case.

[dbdynsty25]

Funny. I heard the XL got hotter than the regular Pixel. Go figure.

[RobVarak]

Funny. I heard the XL got hotter than the regular Pixel. Go figure.

I ran this thing like crazy today, and got no heat whatsoever. Even tried some stupid racing game that I'll never play just to put it through its paces. Nada.

My N7 never got hot either. Before that I had a LG G3 that you could cook an egg on.

[fletcher21]

I really like the pixel xl, but not at the current price. Any chance it has a significant price cut next year when the new pixel drops?

[Gangrel]

Uhmmmm, it's been out like a week, I think it's a bit early to determine that??????

[jLp vAkEr0]

For Nexus devices, Google normally started to put out discounts around Christmas but only for a limited time.

I doubt the Pixel will get that kind of treatment.

[RobVarak]

A few more thoughts on the Pixel.

It's going to sound like more gripes than favorable impressions, but that's because my complaints are specific, while the things I like best about it are harder to list in bullet points. The entire experience of using it is characterized by speed, simplicity and consistency. More than any other phone I've ever owned, it's comfortable. Everything works the way it should, with blazing speed and virtually no hiccups.

Now, some of my beefs:

For all the bitching about TouchWiz, LG's software etc., those overlays give the user a degree of customization that I like and very much miss. The inability to customize the buttons, the quick command tray etc., without using a third-party app is very frustrating.

The look of the homescreen drives me to distraction. Not only is there a unfortunate gray bar at the bottom of the screen which needlessly makes the screen (which is already small compared to the Note) seem even smaller, but the folders have gray backgrounds as well. This ties into my earlier complaint, in that you can't customize folder color or translucency.

The number of options for ringtones, system sounds etc. is much more limited than other android flagships. Again, easy enough for me to use a third-party app, but an unnecessary pain in the ass.

I'm liking the assistant so far, but they really should have a voice that's distinct from the Alexa voice. It's just kind of weird.

Lack of wireless charging is ridiculous and isn't sitting any better with me than it was right out of the box.

Anyway, overall I do really like it. It's just not as premium an experience as the Note was, but it's definitely the phone I would recommend to anyone looking at an android handset, for sure.

[dbdynsty25]

Ways to address your complaints easily, just in case you, or anyone reading doesn't know.

Nova Launcher - home screen replacement, my favorite of the bunch that constantly gets updated w/ Pixel Launcher features and looks, but with more customization.

Box/Dropbox - a must for anyone. Be able to transfer pics/ringtones/notifications/documents/etc. easily/wirelessly from your pc/mac to your device. Drop em in a folder on your computer and synced to the phone for easy assignment to give you virtually unlimited ringtones/wallpapers/etc.

Those two apps can basically transform a more limited phone w/ stock android to virtually any phone you want.

That speed/simplicity/consitency you speak about as a positive, is LARGELY because of the lack of the sh*t manufacturers put on the device. So a little tweaking to make it your own is 100% worth it. The beauty of the Nexus/Pixel line of phones.

After using the pixel for a week now, I'm 100% convinced it's the best Android phone on the market. I was a GS7 fanboy, but that speed/simplicity has trumped the more premium feel of the S7. I wasn't convinced after the first day because of the less premium feel but learning the new features, how it's all laid out, especially w/ the new notification system, it really is amazingly useful. I have a Galaxy Tab S2 as my small tablet and it feels archaic using it next to the Pixel.

Such a good phone...I just wish it was 150 bucks cheaper. At 500 it's an absolute no brainer for every buyer. 650 is harder to justify to the average consumer/user given the other options out there.

[fletcher21]

I think 2017 will be the best year ever

Note 8
S8
iPhone 8
New pixel
One plus 4

My only gripe is that as screens improve, battery life isn't following suit. Some phones offer a battery case with something like 6000mah, but it would be nice to have a slim phone with a massive boost in battery life. I know phones all have quick charging these days, but I am looking forward to better battery life. The s7 edge is around 3450mah, but with how powerful the screen is, the battery isn't that amazing.

[Spooky]

Rob,

I second what DB said. Nova Launcher will solve all your issues around look and feel. It's brilliant and seamless as well and very efficient from a software usage standpoint.

It is funny though - I'm actually using the stock Google Launcher right now as opposed to my usual Nova setup.

I absolutely love the phone so far. My biggest gripe are the uninspired hardware design and the slight greenish tint to my display (a common thing with AMOLED screens). But I've pretty much remedied that with Screen Adjuster.

[dbdynsty25]

It is funny though - I'm actually using the stock Google Launcher right now as opposed to my usual Nova setup.

Me too. I'm sure eventually I'll go back to Nova. Biggest issue for me, is not being able to rename apps. I hate not being able to do that! My anal retentiveness showing...I hate it when the name doesn't fit within the icon space. LOL.

[jLp vAkEr0]

Had to send my 6p back to Huawei for repair (hardware issue) and Pixel envy is starting to creep up...

[fletcher21]

Pixel users, how's the battery life?

[dbdynsty25]

Better than the S7 and the 6P, my previous two phones. Easily get over 3 hrs of screen on time, when I couldn't on the previous two phones. The OP3 is comparable...but battery life in general is a horrible way to compare phones because every single person uses different apps and different configurations, so comparing is really pointless.

[fletcher21]

I hear you, I was just curious if it was out of this world. Battery life is big for me. I spent more hands on time with the pixel, and the assistant is insane. I was never a big Siri fan, but the assistant is so fast and handy it's crazy. Pixel xl is my phone of the year.

[pk500]

I was never a big Siri fan, but the assistant is so fast and handy it's crazy.

I LOVE my iPhone 6s, but Siri is about as useful as a condom in a pin factory. Apple has a long way to go on AI.

[fletcher21]

Pixel owners, is the honeymoon over or is the phone as good/better than the initial reviews? I'm extremely close to picking up an XL. I have no use for it since my current phone suffices, but it just seems perfect.
Assuming I buy one, I'd probably use it for 2-3 years.

[dbdynsty25]

Pixel owners, is the honeymoon over or is the phone as good/better than the initial reviews? I'm extremely close to picking up an XL. I have no use for it since my current phone suffices, but it just seems perfect.
Assuming I buy one, I'd probably use it for 2-3 years.

I was so so on it at first, now I love it. Just really didn't think it offered more than the S7 or something like the OP3, but the software is so f'n good, it's worth the price of admission alone. Well maybe not the full price, but you get my drift. The camera is as good as advertised and the hardware/battery life is solid (speaking of the regular 5").

It's a full fledged recommendation from me.

[Spooky]

Been completely happy with mine as well. I just don't think there is possibly a better Android experience on a phone right n...well...ever. And that camera.

[RobVarak]

I've gotten used to the bland industrial design, so I can recommend it without reservations. There are no real drawbacks to it at all. It's fast. It does everything flawlessly. The camera is stunning.

[Teal]

Dropped my phone, literally minutes after my protective case was removed due to it falling apart. Cracked the screen. Apparently scrambled its little brain. It does what it wants now, whenever it wants. So...a lot of you guys collect phones like hoarders...lol. Anyone got either an older ATT phone or jailbroken phone you'd be willing to part with to get me through until March? Don't need the latest or greatest, just...useful and, y'know...not broken...lol.

[dbdynsty25]

Dropped my phone, literally minutes after my protective case was removed due to it falling apart. Cracked the screen. Apparently scrambled its little brain. It does what it wants now, whenever it wants. So...a lot of you guys collect phones like hoarders...lol. Anyone got either an older ATT phone or jailbroken phone you'd be willing to part with to get me through until March? Don't need the latest or greatest, just...useful and, y'know...not broken...lol.

Don't wait until March...just buy a cheap unlocked phone then you'll never be under contract again w/ At&t. There are good options at as low as $70.

https://www.amazon.com/BLU-Advance-5-0- ... phone&th=1

Or $100:

https://www.amazon.com/Moto-Play-4th-ge ... blue+r1+hd

Or if you go to $150 (yes this is slightly different from the one above).

https://www.amazon.com/Moto-4th-Generat ... ds=moto+g4

Up to $190:

https://www.amazon.com/5X-unlocked-smar ... phone&th=1

And so on (I assume you don't want to spend more).

There is literally no reason to lock yourself into a contract to get a free phone these days when comparable models out there are $100 or less. I probably wouldn't go w/ the lowest on this list...probably the Moto G4 Play or Moto G4 (100 and 150 respectively). Moto makes a DAMN good mid range phone.

[Teal]

Dropped my phone, literally minutes after my protective case was removed due to it falling apart. Cracked the screen. Apparently scrambled its little brain. It does what it wants now, whenever it wants. So...a lot of you guys collect phones like hoarders...lol. Anyone got either an older ATT phone or jailbroken phone you'd be willing to part with to get me through until March? Don't need the latest or greatest, just...useful and, y'know...not broken...lol.

Don't wait until March...just buy a cheap unlocked phone then you'll never be under contract again w/ At&t. There are good options at as low as $70.

https://www.amazon.com/BLU-Advance-5-0- ... phone&th=1

Or $100:

https://www.amazon.com/Moto-Play-4th-ge ... blue+r1+hd

Or if you go to $150 (yes this is slightly different from the one above).

https://www.amazon.com/Moto-4th-Generat ... ds=moto+g4

Up to $190:

https://www.amazon.com/5X-unlocked-smar ... phone&th=1

And so on (I assume you don't want to spend more).

There is literally no reason to lock yourself into a contract to get a free phone these days when comparable models out there are $100 or less. I probably wouldn't go w/ the lowest on this list...probably the Moto G4 Play or Moto G4 (100 and 150 respectively). Moto makes a DAMN good mid range phone.

Yeah, you're right, I'm not really interested in the new hotness any more. Just need a phone to cover the basics. I like these suggestions, haven't really ever investigated outside the "providers", but this is certainly cheaper than all that crap. Thanks, I'll give those options a look.

[Teal]

So, question: how does the data, text, calls work without being under contract to one of these entities? Is it just pay as you go, what? And is it cheaper in the long run, about the same, or more expensive?

[fletcher21]

So, question: how does the data, text, calls work without being under contract to one of these entities? Is it just pay as you go, what? And is it cheaper in the long run, about the same, or more expensive?

With T-Mobile, everything is the same as always, but it's month to month without a contract. I pay $75 a month for unlimited everything for my wife. I piggybacked on my friends family plan and pay him $15 for unlimited everything.