OT:Smart Phones

[wco81]

Yeah I'd be wary about it having all the US LTE bands.

It may not have Band 12, which T-Mobile is suppose to be deploying a lot of.

But if you get good reception in your area from other LTE bands that the phone has, then it shouldn't matter.

[fletcher21]

Db, can you chime in? I assume the s7 you had was the international. If not, you've most likely had international phones before. Not sure what eco means by band 12, but sounds important lol.

I put my phone on swappa for $390. We'll see if I get any bites. Id take as low as #350.

[dbdynsty25]

Db, can you chime in? I assume the s7 you had was the international. If not, you've most likely had international phones before. Not sure what eco means by band 12, but sounds important lol.

I put my phone on swappa for $390. We'll see if I get any bites. Id take as low as #350.

You're not gonna get 350 if I had to guess, now that the 3T is out. 300 tops.

And yes, my S7 was international, worked perfect on At&t. If your OP3 gets LTE w/ T-Mobile, you can almost guarantee the S7 does as well.

[fletcher21]

Appreciate it. Swappa shows previous sales. Even up til a few days ago people are getting 360-380. Is be happy with #350 ha.

So there's no risk in buying the Intl phone from Newegg? I like the sound of the exynos. Thanks

[wco81]

Looks like it supports a lot of bands:

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/Samsun ... -S7_id9817

T-Mobile uses only 3 bands:

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Cheat-sh ... SA_id77933

[fletcher21]

Thanks guys!

I just ordered It. No warranty so I hope things work out. I also hope my op3 sells haha

[fletcher21]

Db, will the charger that comes work, or will I need an adaptor? One review said the charger prongs were big since it was a European model.

[dbdynsty25]

Db, will the charger that comes work, or will I need an adaptor? One review said the charger prongs were big since it was a European model.

Newegg may send along the adapter, otherwise, you're best bet is getting an official samsung charger off ebay or amazon...you want the fast charging capabilities and with Samsungs "iffy" battery situation, I'd ONLY charge w/ samsung chargers personally.

[fletcher21]

Db, will the charger that comes work, or will I need an adaptor? One review said the charger prongs were big since it was a European model.

Newegg may send along the adapter, otherwise, you're best bet is getting an official samsung charger off ebay or amazon...you want the fast charging capabilities and with Samsungs "iffy" battery situation, I'd ONLY charge w/ samsung chargers personally.

Appreciate it. I've got my wife's s7 charger to use in the meantime. Thanks

[fletcher21]

Anything special to activate an international phone? Or just put in Sim and go

[fletcher21]

No bites on op3 on swappa. Cheapest phone on there is 360. Mine is at 365..

Any estimate how much shipping plus insurance would be for a phone? $15-30??

[fletcher21]

Sold my op3 on swappa. I drove it to the buyer an hour away. I get there and he said he was sprint. I told him I don't think it'll work. Wtf man lol

[fletcher21]

Got an s7e for $550 shipped from b&h. Not bad. Looks like I'll have to resell my op3. What a pain

[Teal]

So yeah, I should've have heeded your advice, Scott...lol. That little phone doesn't have enough memory to add much of anything due to the bloatware (that can't be removed). Honestly, I love the little go phone (it's a ZTE Maven 2). The call quality is incredible. But, the memory sucks. So...I went on Amazon and got the Moto G Play for 99 bucks. Not here yet, but at least it's got 16 gigs onboard with no bloatware getting in the way. Looks like the battery is great, too. Anywhoo, I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed when it comes to phones, so...thanks for the heads up...

[dbdynsty25]

It's funny...people ask my advice all the time on electronics and then just go the opposite direction. No idea why, but normally they are disappointed. Another notch on my belt.

You'll love the Moto. Great phone.

[fletcher21]

Db, what's your phone of the year for 2016? Seems like you've had them all from the note to the s7 to the op3t to the pixel.

[dbdynsty25]

Db, what's your phone of the year for 2016? Seems like you've had them all from the note to the s7 to the op3t to the pixel.

Let me use my OnePlus 3T for a bit...and I'll get back to you.

I really wish the Pixel was on some better hardware. The software is fantastic, just awesome, but I hate rear finger print scanners and the loose/wobbly buttons. I also hate the volume button being right below the power button. The OP3 has all of the hardware stuff I like the best. It's by far the best hardware from a use standpoint, tho I wish it was a 5.2 instead of a 5.5 screen. It's a touch big and the camera isn't QUITE up to Pixel/GS7 standards, but very very close. So basically what I'm saying is I don't like any phone "the best"...but my short list of the best phones from this year:

Galaxy S7 (not the Edge)
LG V20 (if it was a 5.2, it would be right up there, but damn that rear finger print scanner...only lasted about a week before I had to ditch it)
Pixel (not the XL)
OP3 and OP3T

If I had to pick one, right this second, Galaxy S7. If it had a touch home button like the OP3 or the iPhone 7, it would run away w/ the competition. Hate pressing buttons and I like the instant unlock. LOL.

[RobVarak]

Db, what's your phone of the year for 2016? Seems like you've had them all from the note to the s7 to the op3t to the pixel.

Let me use my OnePlus 3T for a bit...and I'll get back to you.

I really wish the Pixel was on some better hardware. The software is fantastic, just awesome, but I hate rear finger print scanners and the loose/wobbly buttons. I also hate the volume button being right below the power button. The OP3 has all of the hardware stuff I like the best. It's by far the best hardware from a use standpoint, tho I wish it was a 5.2 instead of a 5.5 screen. It's a touch big and the camera isn't QUITE up to Pixel/GS7 standards, but very very close. So basically what I'm saying is I don't like any phone "the best"...but my short list of the best phones from this year:

Galaxy S7 (not the Edge)
LG V20 (if it was a 5.2, it would be right up there, but damn that rear finger print scanner...only lasted about a week before I had to ditch it)
Pixel (not the XL)
OP3 and OP3T

If I had to pick one, right this second, Galaxy S7. If it had a touch home button like the OP3 or the iPhone 7, it would run away w/ the competition. Hate pressing buttons and I like the instant unlock. LOL.

Interesting. The rear fingerprint scanner is one of things I like better about the Pixel than the Note 7 and to me is one of the best things about the hardware. I've seen others talk about the wobbly or loose buttons, but that must be a QA thing bc if anything the buttons on mine are too firm without very much action in them at all. Agree 100% about the volume rocker and the power button, though. It's gotten somewhat better as I've used the phone longer.

We're definitely getting to YMMV-territory with these Android flagships. The way we all use our phones is different, as are our preferences for just about a million small details about how they work and what they feel like. Aside from unintended combustion, it's a long way from just a few years ago when a manufacturer could still lay an absolute egg with a premium handset.

[dbdynsty25]

Interesting. The rear fingerprint scanner is one of things I like better about the Pixel than the Note 7 and to me is one of the best things about the hardware. I've seen others talk about the wobbly or loose buttons, but that must be a QA thing bc if anything the buttons on mine are too firm without very much action in them at all. Agree 100% about the volume rocker and the power button, though. It's gotten somewhat better as I've used the phone longer.

We're definitely getting to YMMV-territory with these Android flagships. The way we all use our phones is different, as are our preferences for just about a million small details about how they work and what they feel like. Aside from unintended combustion, it's a long way from just a few years ago when a manufacturer could still lay an absolute egg with a premium handset.

The fingerprint on the back makes sense for some people, but not me. I sit in an office all day w/ my phone on my desk. I don't want to have to pick up my phone to turn the screen on. Now, to be fair, before I make any rash decisions, I'm waiting for the update (which is rolling out in Canada first, wtf) that will add two things that are missing. Double tap to wake and motion wake...both which are curiously missing from the Pixel. Being about to double tap on the screen and enter the code/pattern will be a big improvement which makes the rear fingerprinter reader less important.

The front fingerprint reader having OP3 offers both of those items, PLUS proximity wake (which is waving your hand over the thing)...so even more benefits in OP3s corner.

But you're right...it's all a YMMV when you talk about the mid to upper tier of phones (price wise). You're rarely going to get a bad phone. Screens are all great, cameras are all very good to great, and batteries are all fairly good. It's definitely nit picking when it comes to picking a favorite.

Speaking of battery...easily 4 hrs screen on time yesterday w/ the OP3T setting it all up and getting all my apps installed and I still had 25% left. Been a LONG time since I've had that much SOT and had any juice left. I think the OP2 was the last phone to do that. So damn, the battery life on the OP3T is ridiculously good. I see why they bumped it up a few hundred mah from the original. Pair that w/ the more efficient 821 processor and it's a beast.

[Spooky]

Interesting. The rear fingerprint scanner is one of things I like better about the Pixel than the Note 7 and to me is one of the best things about the hardware. I've seen others talk about the wobbly or loose buttons, but that must be a QA thing bc if anything the buttons on mine are too firm without very much action in them at all. Agree 100% about the volume rocker and the power button, though. It's gotten somewhat better as I've used the phone longer.

We share the same opinion and experience.

[dbdynsty25]

Interesting. The rear fingerprint scanner is one of things I like better about the Pixel than the Note 7 and to me is one of the best things about the hardware. I've seen others talk about the wobbly or loose buttons, but that must be a QA thing bc if anything the buttons on mine are too firm without very much action in them at all. Agree 100% about the volume rocker and the power button, though. It's gotten somewhat better as I've used the phone longer.

We share the same opinion and experience.

You guys both have XLs right? Wonder if the manufacturing on the buttons was tighter on the XL vs the regular. Hmmm.

[jLp vAkEr0]

I've been using a loaner iPhone 6 for almost a month as I wait for Huawei to fix/replace my Nexus 6P and man do I miss Android.

The notifications on iOS are just ridiculous and having to tap the home button again after "unlocking" the phone with my fingerprint? WTF?

I was looking forward to playing around again on iOS for this brief time but it has really disappointed me.

[pk500]

I've been using a loaner iPhone 6 for almost a month as I wait for Huawei to fix/replace my Nexus 6P and man do I miss Android.

The notifications on iOS are just ridiculous and having to tap the home button again after "unlocking" the phone with my fingerprint? WTF?

You can adjust settings so the iPhone unlocks with Touch ID only. No click needed.

[dbdynsty25]

I've been using a loaner iPhone 6 for almost a month as I wait for Huawei to fix/replace my Nexus 6P and man do I miss Android.

The notifications on iOS are just ridiculous and having to tap the home button again after "unlocking" the phone with my fingerprint? WTF?

You can adjust settings so the iPhone unlocks with Touch ID only. No click needed.

Don't you need to press the home button first (or the power button) before it recognizes the Touch ID? Meaning you can't just put your finger on the sensor w/ the screen off and get it to unlock. Like you can on most Android phones.

[fletcher21]

I'm salty about op3t. I already waited a month for an op3. I don't wanna wait for another month. I'm really looking forward to op4. Man its gonna be tough next year to decide on a phone. So many good ones coming. Only thing I REALLY want is a battery that lasts as long as oldschool brick phones. To be able to use it for 4 days and not have it die would be groundbreaking. My work has awful cell reception and no WiFi network. If I go to work with 100%, it will die in my 10 hour shift even before I am done. I need a super battery. Battery life is key.