OT:Smart Phones

[Spooky]

DB - Curious... What exactly is better about he 3T over the Pixel?

[fletcher21]

DB sold me on a op3 and I loved it. I can't answer in regards to the pixel xl, but the biggest thing has to be price. The 5.5" op3t is $439. That's a steal. There's probably no better value in Android than oneplus. I love my s7e, but still miss my op3. It's crazy how good it is, and how many folks have no idea what oneplus even is. If op could ever get into best buy or t-mobile stores they would sell boatloads. I'm thankful for the advice dB has given me.

[Spooky]

DB sold me on a op3 and I loved it. I can't answer in regards to the pixel xl, but the biggest thing has to be price. The 5.5" op3t is $439. That's a steal. There's probably no better value in Android than oneplus. I love my s7e, but still miss my op3. It's crazy how good it is, and how many folks have no idea what oneplus even is. If op could ever get into best buy or t-mobile stores they would sell boatloads. I'm thankful for the advice dB has given me.

I'd look into one but 1080p on a 5.5" display is a no-go for me.

[dbdynsty25]

DB - Curious... What exactly is better about he 3T over the Pixel?

I don't understand people scoffing at 1080P at 5.5 inches. I can't see the difference really, and it means better battery life...which is one of the main reasons I prefer the 3T over the Pixel. The battery life is by far the best I've had/used since the original OnePlus, 2 years ago. That's ultimately what convinced me to stay w/ the 3T over the Pixel. There are a couple other smaller items that swayed me as well.

Keep in mind, cost is not a factor to me either. I can afford either, so saying "for the money" isn't part of this rundown. I can buy whatever phone I want, if it's 900 bucks (hello Note 8 when it comes out) I'll buy it. It's my drug addiction...at least that's what I tell my wife.

Now, it may seem like I'm bashing the Pixel, I'm not, it's a great phone. These positives for the 3T are slim margin type things and anal retentive preferences of my own. Most people could care less about the following things. I have accepted my faults.

1. Build Quality - it's just built better than the Pixel...I've seen two, my wife still has one (she is none the wiser). The button tolerances, the dumb glass panel on the back, the big chin on the bottom, and just the overall boring look of the phone.

2. I hate cases, I'm strictly a naked or worst case, a skin guy. DBrand might as well just ship me a matte black skin for ever phone that releases because I buy one. The skins that protect the Pixel are way too excessive. The Best Skin Ever branded matte clear skin for the OP3/3T just covers the metal part that would touch a table, which is all I want. This makes the phone much nicer to hold. Part of this is build quality as well...I just like how the 3T fits in my hand better. Less weird edges, thinner and the metal feels more quality.

3. Fingerprint reader on the front. Personal preference, but I sit at my desk all day w/ my phone on the table and if I get alerts, I want to be able to unlock the phone w/ whatever finger I choose without having to pick it up and press the power button or the reader on the back. I see the convenience if it's in your pocket, much easier in that regard, but 90% of my unlocks are on a desk, so I prefer the front. This also has been somewhat rectified by the latest Pixel software as now you can at least wave your hand over it to activate the screen, but then you have to enter the code/pattern to unlock, so still another step.

4. Not a fan of on screen buttons because they take up screen space. Yes, they usually hide themselves, but just aesthetically I prefer hardware soft keys. 3T's are even better because they are tiny dots that don't distract from the screen.

5. Headphone out quality/amp. The DAC on the 3T is FAR superior to the Pixel. The 3T, along w/ the V20 are by far the best sounding phones when it comes to the DAC chip inside. Better amps, clearer signal, etc. If you're using the included ear buds, you're not doing it right.

6. Dash Charge - charges about 25% faster than Quick Charge on the Pixel. Saves about 15 min. from empty to full, even tho the battery on the 3T is bigger than the smaller Pixel. 25 min. faster than the XL. Good thing this doesn't matter much since it lasts a day and a half/2 days easy.

7. Alert slider. Up for vibrate, middle for do not disturb, down for ring. Not on or off like an iPhone...3 stages. Brilliant.

All those items are bigger deals to me than most...I get it. But that really is the list of reasons why I prefer the 3T. The Pixel had three things going for it that made it a hard decision. The camera is brilliant, the software obviously is fantastic (tho the 3T gets nougat in the next few weeks) and the size. The smaller size is nice, but again, not when it lacks behind in build quality/feel overall.

[fletcher21]

Like usual, dB nailed it.

Dash charge is unrivaled
I REALLY miss the alert slider. So simple yet so handy. The 3t screen isn't as bright as Samsung s7, but it's no slouch. If I initially bought a 3t I'd still own it. 3t fixed the minor issues I had with the 3. And for us plebs, we love the price.

[Spooky]

Thanks for the clarification DB.

Seeks like we have pretty opposite phone OCD's.

To me, because I am a resolution junkie, there is a fairly significant difference in screen resolution on phones 5.5" and above.

I much prefer the fingerprint sensor on the rear of the phone.

I have become a HUGE fan of the on-screen/software buttons as opposed to physical home and other buttons. Prefer them now actually.

My biggest gripe with the Pixel is the god-awful, drab hardware design. I thought I would come to terms with it and maybe even appreciate it after a bit. But I think I've maybe grown to dislike it even more than initially. Probably because I like everything else about the phone so much.

However, to me, the quality of the the hardware, the feel of the phone is top notch and super solid.

The problem is that now I'm back in the Android camp...I have the luxury and curse of being able to lust after and switch up phones way more often then that 2 year iPhone cycle provided me. Becoming curious about the S8...

[fletcher21]

Me 2. Note 8 also. Do you like the edge display? Rumor has it samsung will discontinue the flat panel display and only offer edge models next year.

[dbdynsty25]

Me 2. Note 8 also. Do you like the edge display? Rumor has it samsung will discontinue the flat panel display and only offer edge models next year.

Then I sure won't be buying one. Curved displays are ridiculous and annoy my OCD...the color shifting on the edges is so irritating.

[dbdynsty25]

The problem is that now I'm back in the Android camp...I have the luxury and curse of being able to lust after and switch up phones way more often then that 2 year iPhone cycle provided me. Becoming curious about the S8...

Yup, like I said, my phone OCD is much different than most peoples. I've accepted that.

I actually thought I'd become a fan of the Pixel design as well, but like you said, I grew to hate it more and more after using something as beautiful as the 3T.

I pray for your wallet, just like I have to pray for mine. Android 4 life.

[fletcher21]

As fast as dash is, the fact you can use the phone while charging and it doesn't slow down or heat up is insane. That's huge for people constantly on the go.

[dbdynsty25]

The 7.0 upgrade is live for the OnePlus 3/3T and it pushes the phone even further past the Pixel in my mind. Combine the much better hardware w the software that is almost identical (sans assistant) means that the 3T is easily my favorite phone of the year. Even tho the update happened on 12/31 lol. Serious w the new software this phone is completely different on that front and makes it nearly perfect. I wish it was a 5.2" screen instead of 5.5 but that's nit picking.

[Spooky]

Now to see what the S8 has in store...

[dbdynsty25]

Now to see what the S8 has in store...

Touchwiz. smh

[dbdynsty25]

http://www.androidcentral.com/oneplus-3 ... deo-review

Pretty much my thoughts to a T about the 3T, lol, see what I did there.

[fletcher21]

Looking to get my daughter a phone. I have it between 3 options. She loves pokemon go. I highly doubt it will still be a thing come spring. It's way too cold to play it outside in a MN winter. She loves watching youtube videos and playing some kid friendly games. I also work a lot of hours, so I'd like a phone she can text me on and do some video chat. Not really looking to get a POS phone.

1. Nexus 6P - Large and clear screen, but suspect battery life
2. OnePlus 3T - What more needs to be said, it's a warrior
3. Moto Z Play - I'm leaning toward this one due to the limitless battery, plus the available battery mod to further extend it

I'm sure people will suggest I get her some $100 burner phone, but she's been working around the house for months now, trying to earn a nice phone. $400 is about what all the above phones would go for in my experience. This phone would last her for several years, assuming she doesn't drop it. I don't think the 6p is really an option due to all the issues it has, but it has the best screen out of the 3 I narrowed it down to.


Z Play sounds like the best phone for someone who just wants massive SOT. OP3T is no doubt the best phone to a technology guru like db, but would my kid enjoy it as much? The battery life surely is less on the 3T. People on reddit are talking about getting 12+h sot on their z play at high brightness. That's incredible. Not only that, but my kid would likely forget to charge her phone a lot and having it be able to handle 2-3 days in a row without a charge is important.

If there really are CHEAP options that would work, I'm all ears. I'm more than willing to drop $400. I just don't think a throwaway phone could handle video chat, and considering school days I only see her for 1h before school, that is huge to me.

[wco81]

Maybe she'll install Tinder.

Don't teens do more with messaging and social media apps. than games?

You can show her that site you used to like, hot or not? Probably an app. for that.

[dbdynsty25]

Z Play Fletch.

[fletcher21]

Z play it is. The speaker mod seems bad ass. I almost want one for myself. I'm sure I could get 400 for it on swappa.

DB have you used one or just read about it like me? From heat I hear it's fantastic but folks think 450 is too much for the outdated processor and awful camera

[fletcher21]

Maybe she'll install Tinder.

Don't teens do more with messaging and social media apps. than games?

You can show her that site you used to like, hot or not? Probably an app. for that.

Lol I sure hope not

[Teal]

What's the best antivirus/cleaner for the Android OS? I've got 360 Security, but have no idea what the 'boost' thing does.

[fletcher21]

What's the best antivirus/cleaner for the Android OS? I've got 360 Security, but have no idea what the 'boost' thing does.

There aren't any. All of those apps are a waste. Android now days can do everything those all-for-one "cleaning" apps do.

[dbdynsty25]

What's the best antivirus/cleaner for the Android OS? I've got 360 Security, but have no idea what the 'boost' thing does.

There aren't any. All of those apps are a waste. Android now days can do everything those all-for-one "cleaning" apps do.

This. Better off uninstalling that 360 crap as it's just eating resources.

[fletcher21]

I am looking forward to the Note 8. Anything under $1,000 and I will buy it at launch and use it for the next 3-5 years. I've never had one and I feel like it's time.

[fletcher21]

Just got Nougat on my s7e. So far, so good. Love the blue light filter. Finger print scanner is way faster, but still not on the OP3 level.

Hilarious browsing the note 7 subreddit. People are still using their Note 7, and trying to find ways to get around them being shut down at the end of the month. lol

[fletcher21]

DB, you tried the Haewei Mate 9? Seems like a hell of a phone for the price.