Need a new Phone - Any suggestions

[flyinghaggis]

My Google LG Nexus 5x has bricked itself in some kind of bootloop cycle. It's a known issue so I should be able to get a refund for it thankfully!

 

I actually really liked the Nexus 5X but given it's no longer on sale and the one I have died in year I'm reluctant to buy another one. I've been a fan of Nexus phones for a while but not that Google has ditched the line I'm not sure what to go for?

 

I like the look of the Pixel but it's due to be replaced in a couple of months time so I don't want to get one right now. I'd consider going back to an iPhone though I don't want the 7 as it's also likely to be superseded in another 2 months time. I'm not a fan of the Samsung Galaxy handsets due to Samsung's hatchet job of Android and slack approach to OS updates.

 

Any Suggestions?

[sted]

the biggest problem with the pixel is just how much it costs esp compared to the nexus range. i hope google bring back a sensibly priced phone i dont want to have to go back to a butchered version of android with no/spotty updates that most phones seem to get

[flyinghaggis]

Yeah, the salesperson in the shop today was trying to sell me on the new Oneplus5 which looks pretty nice and is ~£450. I've no experience of the brand though.

 

Price is the main issue as I've gotten used to buying £200-300 Nexus phones and now all the other flagship handsets look ridiculously expensive!

 

I can't decide at the moment whether to just buy something cheap-ish to tide me over (maybe a Moto G5) until the new Pixel/iPhones models are available in September/October or whether to look at another brand like the OnePlus5

Edited June 23, 2017 by flyinghaggis

[JordanT91]

My Google LG Nexus 5x has bricked itself in some kind of bootloop cycle. It's a known issue so I should be able to get a refund for it thankfully!

 

I actually really liked the Nexus 5X but given it's no longer on sale and the one I have died in year I'm reluctant to buy another one. I've been a fan of Nexus phones for a while but not that Google has ditched the line I'm not sure what to go for?

 

I like the look of the Pixel but it's due to be replaced in a couple of months time so I don't want to get one right now. I'd consider going back to an iPhone though I don't want the 7 as it's also likely to be superseded in another 2 months time. I'm not a fan of the Samsung Galaxy handsets due to Samsung's hatchet job of Android and slack approach to OS updates.

 

Any Suggestions?

I've just had an email to say my warranty repaired Nexus 5x is ready to collect from a locker. It was the bootloop issue for me as well. I'm very tempted to sell it and put the money towards a Oneplus 5 but I'm not sure... Oneplus phones tend not to be supported with Android updates after a year.

[HarryMonkey]

The new iPhone, whilst it appears to look pretty, the projected price has rather an ugly look and feel to it.

 

The iPhone 8 price may throw us for a curve ball come September since Apple is planning an all-new smartphone design. Here are the price rumors.

 

The smaller iPhone 7S could cost just as much as the 4.7-inch iPhone 7, running $649 in the US, £599 in the UK and AU$1,079 in Australia. That price really hasn't changed in the US, and it just recently went up in the UK (last year) and Australia (two years ago).

 

The iPhone 7S Plus price is also not expected to change based on the fact that the iPhone 7 Plus just saw a price hike (even in the US) to $769, £719 and AU$1,269. We don't need another price increase there.

 

Instead, Apple may launch an iPhone 8 Edition with a fancy all-screen display using an OLED panel (instead of LCD). That could send the bill of sale (for the parts) up 67%, and that expense may get passed onto you, the consumer.

 

The iPhone 8 price really depends on three things. Which version of the phone do you want? Is Apple releasing a third, more expensive edition with a fancy OLED display? And which storage capacities remain in 2017?

 

We've heard that the OLED model might come in just 64GB and 256GB varieties, but that 32GB isn't being killed off – the less desirable versions may get 32GB, 128GB and 256GB configurations.

 

iPhone 8 release date, news and rumors | TechRadar

[Joanne]

I got a pixel. Wish I hadn't. Sound quality is beyond awful. So quiet. URRRRRGGGGHHHH. Stuck with it for another 21 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Svella]

I have the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, I was reluctant at getting it first, but it's actually a really good phone imo! Android isn't actually too bad, it could be better, but it works.

[pubgrub277]

I've had the Oneplus, and the oneplus 3. Both have been excellent. Build quality is top notch and performance is outstanding.

I'll probably move to the new 5 but its hard to justify with how well my 3 is currently performing.

 

Yes support for their original device died early, but this was more due to the death of their link with cyanogen than anything else. the newer oxygen OS they're doing in house is getting faster updates and has longer support. Either way it has been better than my experience with samsung updates and support on their phones.

 

O2 are offering the phone on contract, however i personally prefer to buy outright directly from oneplus and save money paying the SIMS only deal prices, working out about £300 cheaper over a two year cycle.

[robsonma]

I got a pixel. Wish I hadn't. Sound quality is beyond awful. So quiet. URRRRRGGGGHHHH. Stuck with it for another 21 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What's the Image Quality like on them, Joanne?

[Joanne]

Indoors:

 

Outdoors:

 

Can't fault the camera to be fair. I use mine mostly for playing music though...

[DavePa]

O2 are offering the phone on contract, however i personally prefer to buy outright directly from oneplus and save money paying the SIMS only deal prices, working out about £300 cheaper over a two year cycle.

 

I bouth my OnePlus3 from o2 (about 2 weeks before the 3t came out ), I needed to buy a £10 SIM with it as well but doing so saved me the 2-3 week wait that OnePlus were quoting. Might be worth checking if they do the same with the 5?

[DeGrimmy]

My OnePlus One has been the best Android phone I've ever owned, which might not really be saying much, thinking about my phone history... But I can speak for their quality and longevity. I've had this phone for over 2 years, and apart from the slightly dwindling battery life, it hasn't suffered any slowdown or bloat. It's the first phone I've had that hasn't slowed down after 18 months of use.

 

Although I can see why you're unsure about the OnePlus 5 and its £450 price tag. I think it's still cheaper than other flagship phones, though? They've stopped selling the OnePlus 3T on their website now, which is a bit of a shame as that phone had great reviews and was a fraction cheaper at £400.

[Localtechie]

I'm selling a Galaxy S7 (normal not edge) + Gear VR + original charger + 2 cases + wireless charging pad for around what you're asking if you're interested?

 

My OnePlus 5 is waiting for me at home so selling my S7.

[Oaktech]

If the size isn't an issue I'd go for the latest OnePlus or Sony Xperia XZ.

[hardtailstar]

I got a pixel. Wish I hadn't. Sound quality is beyond awful. So quiet. URRRRRGGGGHHHH. Stuck with it for another 21 months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Ive got one too but find the sound ok. Listen to a lot of music and youtube videos.

 

I would recommend the Pixel but as september/october is when the new Pixel is supposed to be out I'd wait till then.

 

If you want to buy another Nexus 5x they are still about on the internet, I bought my mum a replacement one after she dropped hers in a portaloo!! was about £200 a couple of months ago.

[flyinghaggis]

I think I'm probably gonna cheap out, get a Moto G5 for now and see how things pan out with the new iPhone/Pixel range.

 

I'd actually be happy with another Nexus 5x but the more I read about the Bootloop problem it seems to indicate there's a fundamental hardware issue with a large number of phones in LG's range so I'm reluctant to touch them again!

 

https://www.xda-developers.com/lg-bootloop-lawsuit-adds-nexus-5x-lg-g5-v20-case/

 

The OnePlus 5 seems nice but it's still a £450 phone (so far from cheap) and as a device it's larger than I'd want with it's 5.5" screen. I've already found myself getting cramp using my Nexus 5x on some occasions so I definitely don't want a phone larger than that in terms of overall dimensions. Lack of prompt/future android OS version updates and security patches is a worry as well.

 

It'll be interesting to see what Apple release in a couple of months time. My gut feeling is that they're going to bring out 2 ranges of iPhone this time. I reckon we'll see a 7S priced around what the current one is but with better specs and a new iPhone "Pro" model at likely close to the four figure mark! They've gone that two-tier direction in every other range (Mac, iPad,etc) so it's only logical they'll try to do the same with their phone line-up! It always struck me as odd how little they changed the phone going from the 6S to the 7 but it makes sense if they already had plans to split the iPhone line into Pro and standard versions.

 

Update: I've been doing a bit more research, been checking some phone size comparison sites and I'm starting to sway towards the Oneplus 5. I'm also suspecting that any new iphone or Pixel models are likely going to be in the £600-700 range on launch.

 

Guess I'll sleep on it. I'm without a phone right now so I need to buy something tomorrow!

Edited June 23, 2017 by flyinghaggis

[flyinghaggis]

For anyone wondering I ended up going for the oneplus 5!

 

Really impressed with it from the 2 days I've had it. It's a noticeable step up from my nexus 5x in every area.

Edited June 25, 2017 by flyinghaggis

[techy32]

Its early days for OP5 but looking at the previous versions this must be a sold one. They have now slowly going to the top category of the phone manufacturer. I have never owned one of these but heard a lot of good things. I am looking something under £200ish Chinese model like xiomi Mi5/6, LeEco Le max2....currently using UMI Super for a year now. This seem okish apart from camera quality.

[ricki]

I love my one plus 3 it's brilliant so if it was me I would go for oneplus5.

[flyinghaggis]

Thought I'd post a few thoughts (as someone who previously had a Nexus 5 then a Nexus 5X) for anyone considering the Oneplus 5 .

 

The build quality of the phone is a massive jump up from plastic the LG Nexus devices. It feels far more sturdy. The aluminium case is nicely curved and very comfortable to hold though it is slightly slippery. I think I'm going to get a case for it to prevent scratching the metal and to make it easier to grip. Likewise the AMOLED screen, despite being 'only' 1080p looks fantastic and colour reproduction is much better than my last two LG phones. The battery life is also finally good enough to last me though the day. With the Nexus 5X I'd often charge it after coming home from work as it really struggled to last a day. The battery life of the Nexus 5 I had before that was an absolute joke and had me carrying around a USB charger permanently! The performance of the Oneplus 5 is suitably rapid though I don't generally use my phone for anything especially taxing and never had an issue with the performance of my Nexus 5 phones personally. I also like the near stock Android experience of the OnePlus. It's really easy to replace the OnePlus launcher with the Google one so it now looks and feels exactly like a Google Nexus device. I wasn't sure how I'd get on using the capacitive buttons and fingerprint reader/home button on the front (after being used to the onscreen buttons of the Nexus) but if found they work very well. I actually quite like having them there and it certainly frees up screen space.

 

In terms of cons I suppose you could say it's unfair to compare a £450 Oneplus phone to a £250 LG one given the price difference and for that extra outlay you'd be right to expect a better quality/specced device. I suppose it's also going to be interesting to see how on the ball Oneplus will be when it comes to Android updates. Also, whilst holding the device in my hand doesn't feel any wider than my Nexus 5X it is slightly taller so I'm worried it might be a snug fit in some of my trouser pockets!

 

Still very happy with the device so far though and would recommend it.

Edited June 27, 2017 by flyinghaggis

[MatthewL]

I'm currently looking for one, had the S4 and S6 as the last 2 phones so naturally went to look at S7 and S8. For me the S8 was straight out the window, didn't have the feel.

 

So on my list are:

Huawei P10

LG G6

Galaxy S7

 

Once in Currys (only went to have a hands on look) the rest were recommended

HTC U11

Huawei P8 and P8 Lite

One Plus was recommended but they don't stock.

 

The Alcatel Shine Lite was also recommended but think I will skip that. I have had HTC in the past (in fact was first Android based phone), seems ok, all of them seem good but thinking of coming away from Samsung. All the above do seem good phones, just not sure what to go for.