The let's talk about smartphones thread

[dissentowner]

Just a thread to talk about smartphones. We can talk about upcoming future models, why you chose your model, recommendations, etc... Basically all things smartphones.

Right now I am driving a Google Pixel 8 Pro. I love the pictures it takes and the lack of bloat but I am coming from a Samsung S22 Ultra which with the exception of photo quality was a superior phone. What are you using?

[White Out 403]

I find that smartphone innovation has completely fizzled out and the only difference that I see from phone to phone over the last number of years is the display is a little bit sharper and clear and the whites are a little bit whiter

[DownInFlames]

I have an S24 Ultra. I had a Pixel 8 Pro but didn't like it. I used to hate a lot of things that Samsung changed about Android, but now I find it even better than stock.

The only gripe I have about the current phone is the anti-glare coating, which makes it hard to use outside wearing polarized sunglasses.

Phone technology is definitely not advancing as quickly as it used to, which is fine by me because we really don't need to be buying new phones every year... although I've done just that three times in the past two years.

[DoubleF]

I got a plus sized phone with the bigger battery and I've loved being able to basically charge every day and a half to two days. I don't think I want to go back to being forced to charge daily.

It's a far cry from dumb phones lasting 1-2 weeks on a single charge in standby... but I'll take it.

[Mazrim]

I went from a Pixel 5 to a Pixel 8 this year and it was a big jump in...everything. Just a really nice phone. The Pixel 2 is probably still my favorite cell phone I've ever owned (closely followed by the iPhone 4), but the Pixel 8 is great.

[Fuzz]

I ordered a Pixel 7a on prime day for $350, which seemed a pretty good deal. Won't be here for a few weeks, but looknig forward to upgrading my 5 year old Motorola.

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by Mazrim

I went from a Pixel 5 to a Pixel 8 this year and it was a big jump in...everything. Just a really nice phone. The Pixel 2 is probably still my favorite cell phone I've ever owned (closely followed by the iPhone 4), but the Pixel 8 is great.

Good to know. I also currently have a Pixel5. Good phone, it's treated me well enough but think the battery is starting to show its age. Was going to hold off for the Pixel 9 but not sure I can get past the chonkiness of that camera so the 8 may be the way to go. Still a good upgrade and likely a decent price.

[GGG]

How often are people replacing phones these days?

I usually buy 1 year old models when the next new edition comes out and keep them 4 years. (2 years for me then pass on to kids for 2 years). That still leaves me buying a phone a year which still seems excessive.

What do other people do?

[photon]

Generally I upgrade my phone every 3 years unless there's something specific that's come out and I want, but that hasn't happened for a really long time. And 3 years isn't even really necessary these days, used to be by the time I updated I could really tell my phone was chugging, but my current phone still feels plenty fast after 3 years.

I will probably get the 16 this year and hand my 13 down to my kid who's running my old X.

It was interesting I was cleaning out stuff in my office and I found my iPhone 3! Interesting to see how small it is comparatively, but also that it's basically still the same.

I wish Apple would come out with a flip phone, I think I'd really like one but am stuck in the family iMessage trap.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by GGG

How often are people replacing phones these days?

I usually buy 1 year old models when the next new edition comes out and keep them 4 years. (2 years for me then pass on to kids for 2 years). That still leaves me buying a phone a year which still seems excessive.

What do other people do?

I always upgrade it when my contract is up (so every 2 years). The upgrade is always free for the new model - my contract expires around Christmas so I take advantage of killer Boxing Day mobile deals - so may as well.

Wish I didn't have to do that, but I find my phone battery is complete trash by Year 2 and limping to the "end of contract finish line" the final few months, as well as my phone memory pinned by then - I take way too many city/nature pictures. The upgrade is basically needed by then.

I can't imagine keeping the same phone for 4-5 years, the way my phones are, I'd be having to charge it 3-4 times a day by then.

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

I always upgrade it when my contract is up (so every 2 years). The upgrade is always free for the new model - my contract expires around Christmas so I take advantage of killer Boxing Day mobile deals - so may as well.

Wish I didn't have to do that, but I find my phone battery is complete trash by Year 2 and limping to the "end of contract finish line" the final few months, as well as my phone memory pinned by then - I take way too many city/nature pictures. The upgrade is basically needed by then.

I can't imagine keeping the same phone for 4-5 years, the way my phones are, I'd be having to charge it 3-4 times a day by then.

If you could have an app that limited overnight charging to 85% you'd the battery would never be the issue. The phones purposefully make it impossible to do. For shame

[accord1999]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

If you could have an app that limited overnight charging to 85% you'd the battery would never be the issue. The phones purposefully make it impossible to do. For shame

Samsung now has an integrated battery saving setting to limit maximum charge to 80% for its phones and tablets.

[DownInFlames]

Originally Posted by accord1999

Samsung now has an integrated battery saving setting to limit maximum charge to 80% for its phones and tablets.

IPhones have that as well.

[Hemi-Cuda]

Originally Posted by photon

Generally I upgrade my phone every 3 years unless there's something specific that's come out and I want, but that hasn't happened for a really long time. And 3 years isn't even really necessary these days, used to be by the time I updated I could really tell my phone was chugging, but my current phone still feels plenty fast after 3 years.

I will probably get the 16 this year and hand my 13 down to my kid who's running my old X.

It was interesting I was cleaning out stuff in my office and I found my iPhone 3! Interesting to see how small it is comparatively, but also that it's basically still the same.

I wish Apple would come out with a flip phone, I think I'd really like one but am stuck in the family iMessage trap.

Well the good news there is that iOS 18 is finally going to support RCS, which means full rich image and video support when texting between Android and iPhones. Your chat bubbles will still be a different color, but group chats won't be messed up like they are now

[Galakanokis]

Apple not supporting RCS and then claiming that they care about privacy and security is just one of many reasons I dislike Apple. Just a giant pile of horse #### from them.

Cell phones in general need a massive overhaul. The industry has stagnated like laptops did 10 years ago with nothing really exciting for options. The foldables are cool but not really practical with the bulk they add. I might have a serious look at the 9 Pro fold if they have improved in a few areas. But really, there is not much of a difference in most of these high end phones. Most people cannot pick out the differences in the cameras even over older phones and the software experience is pretty close as well. This is why Apple bet on eco system to keep people tied down. I use Apple for everything except the phone, hated the iphone and I do like the more open eco system that andorid offers.

Not really sure where this market goes. The mobile phone is feeling more like a pen to me these days. I need one but when it comes right down to it all that really matters is how it feels in my hand.

[indes]

I've been running my Pixel 6 since they came out a few years ago. I have no complaints so will just hold onto it until it craps out. My previous phone was a Galaxy S20 FE that I only had for 3 months before ditching it, not sure what it is about the Samsungs but I've disliked every one I tried. Before that I had a Oneplus 6 and I absolutely loved it, perfect size and the fingerprint reader on the back instead of in the screen was way more ergonomic - will probably look at oneplus again for my next phone, as I got their smartwatch and I love their fast charging.

My wife is on her second Pixel 7 and its acting up after a year already, after she went through an S9 and Pixel 7 both in a year. Not sure what she's doing but her phones always seem to get buggy after a year.

[dissentowner]

Hopefully they upgrade the modems on the Pixel series, I like my 8 Pro but my god the modem is absolutely trash in this thing.

[MoneyGuy]

Is Groupon a good place to buy an iPhone? A 15 Pro Max is on for $1,449.99. I’m thinking of upgrading from my 13 Pro Max in a few months and wonder if I should pull the trigger now.

[photon]

Would they be cheaper after the 16 comes out in a few months?

[Galakanokis]

If the 13 is running fine I would wait. I didn't think the 13 to 15 jump really offered all that much unless you fall in love with the island thing which I think is cool but poorly implemented or purposely limited.

Can't speak to groupon but the price seems decent. I see the 256GB 15 pro max going for $1750 on my business account.