patrick.net

BayArea says

I'm finding myself in need of a new phone (switching jobs and no longer have my corporate phone).

I've been researching smartphones this week and to my surprise, a couple models have reached the $1000 price tag, wow.

Ha! I just did this about 4 weeks ago. I didn't do any research, but am kind of locked into the Apple ecosystem. I got the iPhone X. I was with a small company and I introduced them to a CRM that I like very much. It's a Mac OS and iOS only program - Daylite if anyone is familiar. So needless to say, now that I'm on my own, I will use the same program, hence getting another iPhone.

I like it so far. What I do for work kind of negates most privacy concerns. So while the face recognition will freak the hell out of some people, I absolutely love it (my face is all over the place anyway). You just pick the thing up and you're grooving just by holding it like you normally would. Overall, I dislike that my face has to unlock it, but it's honestly one of the coolest things and if you use a phone a lot for work, it makes your phone secure, yet quick in unlocking it.

While dumping the old work and going on my own, have taken some time off and did Spring Break with the family. The 4K video is really amazing. I assume all higher end phones are pretty similar, so don't buy it because of that specifically. But the X does an amazing job. I bought a gimbal that also helps a lot. The footage looks like a god damn movie with one of those.

No headphone jack is weird, but haven't really had to deal with it too much yet. Not a big headphone guy as I'm already half way too deaf playing drums for so many years. So loud sounds directly in my ears are something I avoid.

I have zero experience with other brands since about 2009. So I can't help you there. I feel like the parity with "smart" phones is getting so even that I'm not sure you could make a bad decision in whatever phone you get.

Once depreciation is accounted for. X is less expensive than flagships like note 8. Pixel, or whatever lg throw out there.

If you are not in Apple's walled garden or own an iPad, might as well go android for variety and whatever fits your need. Battery, screen, size, camera. Etc.

That V30 is sleek looking. But I'm not big on LG..

Just some general notes

Samsung throws out the best display and camera.

LG/MOT is a notch below Sammy and the price reflects it.

Pixel --- Not ready for prime time.

Chinese --- Amazon specials. I don't buy these brands (Xiomi, Huwaii, ZTE Alcatel, etc, etc. ) no matter the value proposition.

New/ former flagship model -- Probably the best value is to get last years unused flagship model.

What's a Smartphone?

Is that like something you let Zuckerberg and Google vacuum and siphon all your personal information from?

Sniper says

What's a Smartphone?

Is that like something you let Zuckerberg and Google vacuum and siphon all your personal information from?

Interesting. I noticed that my wife's iPhone pushes storing photos "on the cloud" instead of something like a local sD card or phone memory. Anyone know if some use agreement give Apple rights to photos stored on their servers?

Sniper says

What's a Smartphone?

Is that like something you let Zuckerberg and Google vacuum and siphon all your personal information from?

While that is true....

1) I was able to go to DC for work and then connect with my kids on Skype, WhatsApp for free. Quality needs a little work but that's amazing. Bye bye hotel fees. Lond distance telephone charges, LMFAO

2) Call into a Zoom meeting anywhere

3) While at the Line at Costco that ran 8 deep (ughh), was able to catch up on news and sports. The wait was less painful because you don't have to feel frustrated. (This applies to doing the #2 I guess)

4) While I certainly don't post on FB, there's nothing wrong with seeing what someone else is doing, especially family which may be half the world away.

5) Targeted ads, well you can advertise all you want, but what I like to buy is my decision. It's a heck a lot better than getting a phone book for restoration hardware. People complain they get targeted ads, but the most amazing (diamond in the rough) stuff is also from here. You still need basic IQ on what to purchase.

6) Stock market dropped like 700 on a lazy lunch over trade tariffs, popped my WFB trading app and purchased Amazon and FB in 30 seconds before market closed. Lo and behold, by next morning pre-open, it was already up 400. Speed is of the essense.

7) Freakin train crapped up, got off and called Uber which says 2 mins to solve my problem. In the old days, you have to find a hotel to get a cab and then it was 30 deep and traffic.

8) Traveled to Japan 10 years ago, such a pain. Now, maps and language translate essentially make it easy and much more value for your travel $$. Asking for directions, ugg don't think so.

9) Received crappy service at a restaurant. Popped up my Yelp app and sort of it show it to the owner, and voila, service turnaround. Coincidence?

10) Notepads or show me your notices? who needs that, just take a picture.

11) Changed a car battery right outside Kragen Autoparts, just pop the instructions on youtube in the parking lot. Done.

etc, etc, etc.

I use an iPhone, mostly like it for reliability, lack of virus issues, etc. Also after eight years, most of my music is on iTunes.

However, I’ve seen some android phones that seem pretty neat. Much less restriction on apps, you can get apps that do sketchy things like pirate movies or audiobooks or whatever. They also seem to come with more memory standard or memory chip add ons while Apple just charges you a buttload more if you want a phone with more than 2007-level memory standard.

I switched from Android to iPhone because I don't like being spied on by Google.

My only complaint is the lack of a headphone jack on the iPhone. Really hate having to remember or find that adapter dongle.

I'm sorry, but I have an iPhone 8 Plus. I love Apple stuff. I stream NRA TV on Apple TV.

I've had all sorts of Android phones, Google, LG, Huawei. They've all been fine and I've sold most of them, counting for depreciation, at a nominal loss. Compared to Apple products, the cost has actually been comparable, I just have less capital invested upfront.

I got my daughter a Blade v8 a few months ago for about $100. If you pay $200 for it, you're paying too much.

At this point it kind of just depends on whether you like IOS or Android. Ultimately they both do most of the same crap. I have a few iPads and a Macbook Pro, also have a couple Windows machines, plus my Android phone. They're all just tools, and they're all fine.

LG V20. $200 refurbished. Great phone. Best price/performance IMO. Upper mid-end phone, strengths are camera and sound.

SFace says

Sniper says

What's a Smartphone?

Is that like something you let Zuckerberg and Google vacuum and siphon all your personal information from?

While that is true....

1) I was able to go to DC for work and then connect with my kids on Skype, WhatsApp for free. Quality needs a little work but that's amazing. Bye bye hotel fees. Lond distance telephone charges, LMFAO

2) Call into a Zoom meeting anywhere

3) While at the Line at Costco that ran 8 deep (ughh), was able to catch up on news and sports. The wait was less painful because you don't have to feel frustrated. (This applies to doing the #2 I guess)

4) While I certainly don't post on FB, there's nothing wrong with seeing what someone else is doing, especially family which may be half the world away.

5) Targeted ads, well you can advertise all you want, but what I like to buy is my decision. ...

Have to agree here they are incredibly versatile and useful. I trade on mine every day. Privacy issues need to be worked out still of course.

Patrick says

My only complaint is the lack of a headphone jack on the iPhone.

Here is a hack how to bring headphone jack back:
www.youtube.com/embed/5tqH-Un9SFU

I prefer no phone. The only issue I have is explaining to people why I can't text them.

SFace says

While that is true....

....you still continue to handle private financial transactions on your phone..

Unbelievable....

I ditched the Samsung Galaxy 6, it reached it's planned obsolesce and quit taking a charge.
I bought an LG $175 Jobber. I'll never own or use a premium flagship phone ever again.
I'm back to using seperate devices for everything. My phone is demoted back to being just a phone.
I'll use my DSLR Camera, Camcorder, Guitar Tuner, Zoom Recorder, Flashlight, Garmin GPS for everything else.

Tenpoundbass says

I ditched the Samsung Galaxy 6, it reached it's planned obsolesce and quit taking a charge.
I bought an LG $175 Jobber. I'll never own or use a premium flagship phone ever again.
I'm back to using seperate devices for everything. My phone is demoted back to being just a phone.
I'll use my DSLR Camera, Camcorder, Guitar Tuner, Zoom Recorder, Flashlight, Garmin GPS for everything else.

A glutton for punishment :-)

Thanks for the replies all.

I do like Apple phones. They just do everything I want them to well.

What I don't like is I-tunes and it's not as versatile a storage device as the android phones I've used previously.

Have a LG g6 had a g3 which I liked that's why I went with lg again.

BayArea says

A glutton for punishment :-)

No I loved the Samsung line, but Google maxed out the Mic gain trim to +12db and there are no system setting in Android to adjust it.
As a result the Recording from the camcorder or a mutlitrac DAW app I used to get great high quality usable audio.
Now unless it's a quiet setting all of the music and the loud sibilants sounds like distorted farts.

Sniper says

SFace says

While that is true....

....you still continue to handle private financial transactions on your phone..

Unbelievable....

How do you handle "private financial transactions" now? Interested in how it's any safer then a phone, seriously.

Patrick says

My only complaint is the lack of a headphone jack on the iPhone. Really hate having to remember or find that adapter dongle.

Get some Bluetooth headphones!!!

Older iPhone.

Easier to carry small phones when on job site.

WookieMan says

ow do you handle "private financial transactions" now? Interested in how it's any safer then a phone, seriously.

Carrier pigeon.

Definitely not on a handheld device where I intentionally agreed (in the permissions of the app) to give away every keystroke and transmission on said device to some unknown entity.

Sniper says

Definitely not on a handheld device where I intentionally agreed (in the permissions of the app) to give away every keystroke and transmission on said device to some unknown entity.

So handing a deposit slip to a teller is a known entity? Had a girl I went to high school with that got busted taking a couple hundred thousand from a bank being a bank teller. If you think your information is safe anywhere, you're sadly mistaken. There is no "safe" transaction.

Two-step notification makes it almost impossible for anyone to get my banking or investment information. Phone or computer. Use it on anything that allows it. It's a pain sometimes, but I could hand out my email address and password here and not one person could get into my account. Same with my bank account login.

I'll also take the risk on the phone. SFace has extremely valid points about timing. Not everyone is sitting at a computer when markets are open. Some of us are golfing, having a liquid lunch, etc. Fact is, my phone will make me more money over the next 30 years then a whole hell of a lot of other things. Having instantaneous access to financial markets is net positive in my book if you've got investments, which from the past it sounds like you do.

WookieMan says

Sniper says

SFace says

While that is true....

....you still continue to handle private financial transactions on your phone..

Unbelievable....

How do you handle "private financial transactions" now? Interested in how it's any safer then a phone, seriously.

Mobile is the same as online banking. Wfb while a crappy business ethics built a tremendous platform.
Paranoid much. The only thing I do say is I don't wifi at all, that's why there's unlimited data.

I'm more worried about online purchase from crappy retailer and Equifax more than the big 4 banks that has so much layer security its worthless to worry about.

Nexus 5X. I have had it for a few years now. Like the current (until recently) Android updates. My next phone is going to be a Pixel 3. Same reason. Quick updates.

SFace says

Paranoid much.

I'm personally not. Sometimes the quote feature with multiple quotes can be confusing, so maybe this wasn't directed at me.

Like I said, my phone will make me more money then it costs me by a long shot. I will log into all sorts of apps (all installed with 2-step) and make money. Sure if you hold a gun to my head and make me put in my pin, then sure, you can get my money. That's not a whole lot different then an ATM though.

Patrick says

I switched from Android to iPhone because I don't like being spied on by Google.

My only complaint is the lack of a headphone jack on the iPhone. Really hate having to remember or find that adapter dongle.

@Patrick

How much truth is there to security between apple vs google? Is one really more of a concern than the other?

WookieMan says

Had a girl I went to high school with that got busted taking a couple hundred thousand from a bank being a bank teller.

Which account holder took the loss on that? Using a needle in a haystack to make an obscure point?

WookieMan says

If you think your information is safe anywhere, you're sadly mistaken. There is no "safe" transaction.

Duh... really?? It's about eliminating as many "holes" in the security as possible.

But intentionally agreeing to an app that tells you it's going to siphon everything off your phone is "smart"? No wonder the majority of Millennials are broke and poor and living in mom's basement... Geez, we're screwed....

BayArea says

How much truth is there to security between apple vs google? Is one really more of a concern than the other?

@BayArea Yes, I think Google is much more of a privacy violator than Apple is.

Apple just sells you a phone or laptop, phone apps, and maybe some music. Google's business is to spy on all your searches, all your email, where you physically are at all times, and what is being spoken near your phone, and then to sell your private info to the highest bidder. All to show you advertising.

Very different business models.

APOCALYPSEFUCKisShostikovitch says

Moto G5 Plus

.

I've been reading that this is the best budget smartphone on the market. The only thing it doesn't do yet is give handjobs.

Sniper says

Using a needle in a haystack to make an obscure point?

Nope. Individuals in a workplace environment are far more capable of theft. Hell, it's human people that try to hack your information in the first place. Most accounts are covered when shit gets stolen anyway. So while you don't hear about it, it's definitely not a needle in the haystack situation.

Sniper says

Duh... really?? It's about eliminating as many "holes" in the security as possible.

What holes have I opened up by completing a banking transaction on my phone? No different then an ATM, someone would have to put a gun to my head to get access to my "digital" account instead of said ATM. My phone can't print cash though. I can't "Chase" pay the guy holding a gun to my head either, because then we know who he is. I installed the app on my phone with a username, password and additional code to even make the app work. What am I giving up and what hole have I created?

I got rid of the teller in the deposit, that's more secure. I can pay with credit card (all insured for fraud) and then pay that card off monthly without having a human involved, that's more secure. No one can access my account online or on my phone without my phone password, fingerprint or face, that's more secure.

I don't 100% trust tech, but it's more trustworthy and more in my control then the fucking bank teller thief. You haven't given a counter example to something that is more "safe" then the phone tech we have currently. I could give you my phone tomorrow and without the help of the FBI or NSA, you couldn't get into my phone. Even if you could, anyway to transfer money to yourself would be traceable. So not sure I get the point.

Patrick says

BayArea says

How much truth is there to security between apple vs google? Is one really more of a concern than the other?

@BayArea Yes, I think Google is much more of a privacy violator than Apple is.

Apple just sells you a phone or laptop, phone apps, and maybe some music. Google's business is to spy on all your searches, all your email, where you physically are at all times, and what is being spoken near your phone, and then to sell your private info to the highest bidder. All to show you advertising.

Very different business models.

Thanks for your take Patrick, given the products offered (and not offered) between the two, you are probably right.

HEYYOU says

Thank goodness no one's data is stolen from their phone like the data they give away to Facebook.

As you can see by this thread, very few are concerned with all their personal information going to FB or Google from their phones. After all "I need my sport scores NOW".

Sniper says

HEYYOU says

Thank goodness no one's data is stolen from their phone like the data they give away to Facebook.

As you can see by this thread, very few are concerned with all their personal information going to FB or Google from their phones. After all "I need my sport scores NOW".

Oh spare me with the lecture. You mean to tell me you never got a JCP catalog back in 1980? I'm sure you still read the sports section and look at the old box scores which are barey still in business.

I've carried an iPhone 6 Plus for the last 3 years. I have no complaints and have no intention of paying to upgrade. It more than handles anything I need it to do and it is still in perfect condition.

APOCALYPSEFUCKisShostikovitch says

BayArea says

I've been reading that this is the best budget smartphone on the market. The only thing it doesn't do yet is give handjobs.

On an LTE network the sound quality is really impressive - but the US so compresses the fuck out of everything to squeeze the last fucking billionth of a fucking penny from fucking everything in the fucking universe, you can only really appreciate it outside of the states.

Woke up with the thing ringing in Brisbane - not far from center of town and, first call I got on that trip, holy fuck, it sounded like she was talking in front of my about 9 inches away - from her landline in the states.

Same experience in Netherlands and Estonia. It was striking and the background silence, the black space, was just astounding. You could lean into an interview or a discussion for extended periods without fatigue.

The phone is, in its own right, a compet...

Used to have Motos with my previous carrier, they are really good phones.

Malcolm says

I've carried an iPhone 6 Plus for the last 3 years. I have no complaints and have no intention of paying to upgrade. It more than handles anything I need it to do and it is still in perfect condition.

My iphone 6 shit on itself a year ago. Wouldn't react to swiping or touch. I would still be using it if it didn't die.

mell says

Used to have Motos with my previous carrier, they are really good phones.

That's what we have. They have to be good. Wifey can screw up any type of electronics, and so far, she hasn't detonated her Moto. That's a MAJOR win, since she can make a basic calculator go totally wonky.

Whatever phone you buy, delete the facebook app asap!