Cell Phone

[Ting Ho Dung]

So I am phoneless. I like to think I could live without one but it just isn't practical. I'd go back to a flip phone but I don't think I could text with one and it seems to be a fairly important feature. Nothing else about the phone except the camera really makes a difference to me. I like swiping with texting so 1 positive for the Droid. I like my son's iPhone because of the camera. Some iPhones have better audio as well. So, plus 2 for the iPhone and minus one on the non-swiping capability. So they are tied. I don't want a big suitcase with a casket on my hip so the larger phones are out. Must slip in pocket. I never surf the internet with one as I'm always home and can use a proper computer. @zorrow Zorrow sent me a Sound Brenner that requires Droid 4x IIRC and works with most Apple things. I get to borrow my wife's iPad occasionally for that but it would be nice not to keep it from her.

I'm also on a budget and with T-Mobile. I may as well think of changing from them too since I don't get very good reception in my home. I think it has more to do with the local city government assholes than T-Mobile but in 15 years they still haven't fixed the problem. To make a call I have to keep my phone in place on the counter where it has connection because if I don't remember and I pick it up it loses connection for about 2 minutes to infinity. 

Suggestions other than shoving the phone up my ass please. 

What do you guys have / had. Likes and dislikes?

There is a new Droid out that has attachments like an actual camera and JBL speakers that look cool but I imagine those attachments are a PITA and expensive. 

Thanks for your help,

--Ting

[Gino]

Well, I'm kind of a weirdo here - I'm a happy camper with my Windows Phone (Lumia 950). Does all I want, one of the best cameras built into a phone, no hazzle with viruses (all apps run in a "sandbox" and I only need to worry about antivirus software / apps on my PCs), plus all the apps I need are available for Windows mobile 10. But that's just me... Oh, and they're selling those Lumias damn cheap these days!

[cynic]

I use an iPhone but only because I'm 100% Apple.  If I still used Windows on my home computer I'd use an Android or Windows phone because iTunes for Windows (at least it did six years ago when I converted) sucks.

If you're primary objectives are phone and camera, pretty much anything should suit your needs.  If you can't use your phone from home, and you're always home, T-Mobile doesn't sound like a very good fit.  Just find the best deal and go with it.  Pretty much any smartphone these days will meet reasonable expectations.

 

[mrjamiam]

I picked up a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini dual SIM somewhere online for travel, and I love it.  Slips into my pocket, takes decent pictures, didn't cost an awful lot since it's a couple or three generations old, but is still quite capable for basic smartphone stuff.  I buy SIMs and service as I need them, but it would work for any bring-your-own-phone plan.

[mathman]

You could consider a refurb iPhone 5 or 6.      Would do everything you want for a much lower price.

[BubbaVO]

The refurb route.  I'm on an iPhone 5c .... not cutting edge.  So what?

[velorush]

I switched to Android when my iPhone 4 (not S) could no longer run the upgraded operating system.  Not sure what I expected, but I really don't see any benefit at all.  Everything seems to require at least one more click "opened with XX, if you'd like to change default programs, you can find that in settings" - well, isn't that nice. I didn't remember that from the last hundred times you told me that, and if I wanted to change the default program for XX, I'd have done it a year ago. 

Bring up contacts, click on daughter's Favorite listing, contact opens, click phone icon on resulting page... then it calls... 

Everything is just a hassle of unnecessary clicks, not to mention it the thing updates apps every time I hit WiFi, then tells me the app I've already approved to have access to too many things has access to too many things.

My son "needed" a phone so we bought him the iPhone SE - great little phone that is (oversimplified) the guts of a 6 shoved into the form factor of a 4.  Slips in a pocket and is trouble free (until it isn't).  Takes outstanding, even artsy, photos. I believe I'll go there when the 'droid's contract is up.

Another vote for a refurbed iPhone.  When you buy a brand new phone from Verizon and it craps out during the warranty period (like happened to me on three iPhone 4S (remember those days when the mic would stop working?)) Verizon doesn't ship you a new phone but ships a refurb phone.  They work just fine.

 

Sorry for the Android rant, and I'm sure there are ways to abate the need for all the clicks, but in the end it's a phone, how much time / effort / training should it really require to operate smoothly?

[Ting Ho Dung]

46 minutes ago, velorush said:

I switched to Android when my iPhone 4 (not S) could no longer run the upgraded operating system.  Not sure what I expected, but I really don't see any benefit at all.  Everything seems to require at least one more click "opened with XX, if you'd like to change default programs, you can find that in settings" - well, isn't that nice. I didn't remember that from the last hundred times you told me that, and if I wanted to change the default program for XX, I'd have done it a year ago. 

Bring up contacts, click on daughter's Favorite listing, contact opens, click phone icon on resulting page... then it calls... 

Everything is just a hassle of unnecessary clicks, not to mention it the thing updates apps every time I hit WiFi, then tells me the app I've already approved to have access to too many things has access to too many things.

My son "needed" a phone so we bought him the iPhone SE - great little phone that is (oversimplified) the guts of a 6 shoved into the form factor of a 4.  Slips in a pocket and is trouble free (until it isn't).  Takes outstanding, even artsy, photos. I believe I'll go there when the 'droid's contract is up.

Another vote for a refurbed iPhone.  When you buy a brand new phone from Verizon and it craps out during the warranty period (like happened to me on three iPhone 4S (remember those days when the mic would stop working?)) Verizon doesn't ship you a new phone but ships a refurb phone.  They work just fine.

 

Sorry for the Android rant, and I'm sure there are ways to abate the need for all the clicks, but in the end it's a phone, how much time / effort / training should it really require to operate smoothly?

Is it possible that each company has its own flavor of Droid? None of what you are saying seems familiar to me but then again, I really don't do all that much with a phone. I quit the tech business years ago and really only use tech stuff for what I need. Hence, the learning curve in Reaper. I just don't have much interest in tech stuff anymore. 

I think I'll ask Brandon to show me his iPhone in more detail and look up the Lumina and see what it's all about. Or maybe I'll just switch over to FB for all my communications, lol. 

[velorush]

Very well could be.  All I've owned (including my Daughters many phones) have been Samsung Galaxy phones in various versions.  FWIW, she's switching to Apple at her next go around.

It's actually an amazing device capable of some incredible things, except making a phone call...

[mrjamiam]

8 hours ago, Ting Ho Dung said:

Is it possible that each company has its own flavor of Droid?

I think it's likely.  What's more, the service provider will affect the interface and apps installed, too.  My Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini (acquired somewhere on the interwebs) is a different experience from my HTC One (acquired from Google), and both are very different (and superior) to my mom's Samsung Galaxy S5 that came from Verizon. I hate that Verizon interface.  But all are running current versions of Android.

[Carl.B]

I have a LG G4 and the wife has Samsung S6. The G4 has a much nicer camera and picture quality than S6. There is some differences in android phone interface depending on who make's the phone. Both of our phone's are leased via Sprint unlimited talk/text & 5G of data per phone for $92 per month. I have actually used the phones internet service more than what I originally thought. When out shopping you connect to the stores internet some stores will send you coupons or in store specials. Lowes sent me a coupon for 25% off a Cobalt 5 drawer work bench on clearance. It was out the door for $48.

As far as Velorush concerns with the click, click, swipe I don't have that problem at all one click and I am in and doing whatever in any app on my LG G4. I know T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T have a lot of bloatware on the phones. Some you can delete or hide and turn off some you can't. If you want it for pic's go with a phone that is at least is 8 meg.

Good luck

Carl B    

[Ting Ho Dung]

Man, it seems like the companies are offering less phones. Sprint has about a dozen they are offering and if you minus the Samsung 7 that comes shy of ten Because the one I thought about in their offering was the iPhone SE. But it's out of stock. Being without a phone is oddly liberating though. I catch myself looking for it when I come in from outside and think I may have missed a message or call. Well, I didn't. 

[ArnieZ]

Most in my family have iPhone something. I help my wife with hers and find it perplexing. I love my galaxy 7 edge

arniez

[Ting Ho Dung]

Well, I needed to make a choice. Even though I found it liberating not to have a phone it is somewhat impractical. I went with Sprint and got my wife an iPhone 7, Brandon and I each got the iPhone SE. They had a pretty good deal (payment plan) for the Holidays supposidly. And we got to keep our numbers. Hopefully Sprint will allow me to talk and text in my home. I gave T-Mobile 15 years. 

[scottcald]

Cool.  I was going to say about the iPhone/Android methods.  Apple controls the software on their phones, where with Android, most of the time, the carrier requires the manufacturer to let them install software or add the user interface.  That's why Android phones from different manufacturers often look very different, icons aren't in the same locations as defaults, etc.  That may be changing, but we'll see.  I've also read that some manufacturers are looking to write their own software. 

Enjoy the new iPhones!

[mathman]

Don't buy the carrier insurance but consider(buy) Apple care.  For $99 they will help you with your phone and repair or replace it if something goes wrong.  For a small fee they will repair water or accidental damage up to two times during the two year warranty.  Just buy it through apple, not sprint.   They just gave me a brand new iPhone 6 Plus for my sons that had a problem with its digitizer screen.  17 days left on warranty.

[ARM OF HAMER]

                                 Ah yes the phone deal....................we all had Apple iPhone 5S's.............me my wife and our 2 daughters.Today my wife got the iPhone 7+ as did my youngest daughter.My oldest daughter got a Samsung Galaxy S7 EDGE, her boyfriend and I both got the Motorola Moto Z Force Droid. My iPhone seemed to always have some issue........... the others we had worked just fine although the battery life was going on every ones but mine..................go figure. We traded in the phones [My oldest daughters boy friend also] we had and for under $500.00 out the door.............. we are done.Lots of great phones out there now for reasonable money as this time of year lots of people are upgrading. Hell I still have my Samsung Galaxy S II which is like new as I always kept  it in a "Otter" case. Sounds like your service provider is a BIG issue for your phone use/problems.. Good Luck!

[Ting Ho Dung]

A few days into our new phones and we couldn't be happier. We have 3 dots and LTE nearly everywhere we go. Even in Publix where we have never had service before. My wife called me from in the store last night just to tell me. I haven't lost signal once and the new  phone is so much faster than the MyTouch. 

I bought "glass" screen protectors for each phone which are a huge upgrade from the plastic ones. I generally don't like the rubber cases as I like to slip mine in my side pocket, not the ass pocket like some chick, and found the big rubber one I had cumbersome. But this little iPhone SE is just way too slippery and I'm afraid I'm going to drop it. My son already had his slip out of his hand but luckily it landed on his bed. So I ordered cases for each. I reviews I read really praised the Trainium for the SE from those who "wear" the phone like I do. Just a little more grip but slides in and out of pockets easily. The back is some sort of carbon fiber. I got the wife just the standard "slim" case as she keeps her phone in her purse. I got one to match the pretty pink gold color of the new phone. So it will look pretty for her. 

It's taken a little getting used to moving from Droid to iPhone but not as much of a learning curve as I had feared. I had the Droid for nearly 6 years so it's all I knew. The plusses outweigh the minuses by a million so far for the switch. 

I'm always curious about the current temperatures in the "hometowns" of my animals. It was 71 in my former BallRoom (now renamed back to the Snake Room) and as I passed my Timor Pythons I asked Siri what the temperature was in Flores and she answered that the temperature in Lakeland Florida was 54 degrees. So there is still some work to be done, lol. 

[scottcald]

They're a little pricier, but the Apple leather cases provide a nice balance of thinness, grippiness and easy to slide into pockets.