The Photon Q has now started to reset itself 3 times a day, all by itself, with no provocation. Rather than take it for servicing (I had it replaced a few months ago after I dropped my original one) I've decided it's time to grudgingly give up the physical keyboard get another phone completely (and maybe another provider, as Sprint has yet to get their 4G together in the DC area). Problem is, I can't get the phone I want right now without paying through the nose.

I really prefer not to go the 5+ inch phone route unless absolutely necessary. Touchwiz is a no no, so the S5 is out. The new Moto X is compelling, but still on the large side (and not coming to Sprint, though if I leave them it won't matter). Love the build quality of the M8, but it's still a little larger than I want (plus my wife has one, and I'd rather not do the matching phone thing. Silly, I know, but that's just me). Plus, while Sense is cool, I'd still prefer something a little closer to stock Android if I can help it. G3? Still bigger than I want, and I'm not quite sold on the phone itself. Nexus 5? Only 2 knocks against it are no expandable storage (which a 32 GB will fix) and it's a year old and due for a refresh.

That leaves me with 2 options as I see it. First, a new Nexus 6 would likely be ideal. The problem is, nobody really knows what it will turn out to be. Is it a Moto X remix? A phablet size device? Something else entirely? Who's actually making this thing? I could wind up waiting for the ideal phone or the exact opposite. Then there's the Z3 Compact, which seems to tick all the right boxes spec wise (though I would like to see Qi charging, and maybe a 32GB option, though it does have a SD slot) but may or may not come stateside.

I think if the Z3 Compact came to T-Mobile and had wifi calling enabled it would be a wrap. Alas, who knows if that will happen

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

I don't know if it does wifi calling though?

http://card.mygamercard.net/lastgame/rjcc.png

www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

Plus while I'm cool with cyanogenmod, I'm looking forward to Android L a little more

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

it's not going to get L as fast as a Nexus, but it's not going to lag on updates and the appearance is very nearly stock.

http://card.mygamercard.net/lastgame/rjcc.png

www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

Reports range from 5.2 to 6+ inches, either Moto, LG or HTC. My fear is it likely will be sized out of what I really want, but without any firm reports, there is always hope, no matter how slim.

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

(make sure it's the US version if you're using t-mobile)

its lack of RAM can be annoying, but it can do all the stuff you want it to do

http://card.mygamercard.net/lastgame/rjcc.png

www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

It has the size, but spec wise I'm almost better sticking with the Photon Q. I do want an upper class phone, just not the size if it can be helped. Problem is, all the top tier phones are huge these days, with the exception of the Z3 Compact, from what I can tell (or the iPhone 6, which I don't want)

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

the newer cpu / gpu architecture is the biggest jump from old phones, not just clock speed / ram size.

that said, the moto x prolly is the closer one to what you're looking for, or a nexus 5


http://card.mygamercard.net/lastgame/rjcc.png

www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

I copped, loved it, very good phone.

....until I put it on top of my ipad on a table, which was sitting on something else that put it at an angle. it slid off, dropped a few fleet flat on the face and smashed the screen.

now I'm experiencing their not-great customer service trying to set up a repair, and I'm back on my moto g.

shitty customer service and all, for the price you can't possibly do better.

http://card.mygamercard.net/lastgame/rjcc.png

www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

i have been steadfast with an htc thunderbolt since the day it dropped (yeah, i know...but it was a good phone)
have not upgraded because i have a verizon unlimited data plan
and didn't wanna drop $600-$700 up front for a phone
my original died
have been dealing with refurbs since (they still have them in stock)
was gearing up to bite the bullet for either the note 4 or edge

but looking through the reviews and specs
this looks interesting
hit me if you have an invite left

i'm out.
_____________________
"WHOLESALE REUSABLE GROCERY BAGS!!"
@etfp

I got an invite if anyone wants it. I know they opened it up to
pre-orders a couple of times, but if you looking for one just
inbox me.

Gotta use it by early tomorrow (Tuesday 4am) morning.

you should try it out. the first generation was the perfect size. this one's a little bigger, but it still feels very comfortable in your hand.

http://www.androidcentral.com/sites/androidcentral.com/files/styles/large_wm_brw/public/article_images/2014/09/moto-x-comparison.jpg?itok=8JnYb5tq

..|.,

If you still don't know what Jade Typhoon is, click here:
http://jadetyphoon.blogspot.com/ (WS)

is that the curved back and tiny bezels really make it feel smaller than the screen size might indicate.

Plus, the best features about both generations of the X (always-on listening, active notifications, basically stock android) are quality-of-life features that still aren't on any other phone out there yet. Only phone I've seen so far where most of its users prefer *not* to root, because the stock functionality is so great.

I would heartily endorse the X, either last gen or this one.

Parents and my son have them, so I'm pretty well versed in what they can do, since I had to set all of them up anyway. If I absolutely had to go the 5 inch route, that would likely be the way to go. But it's not coming to Sprint, and jumping to ATT for the phone would be a last option if nothing else panned out

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

Well then, carry on, haha

edit: but yeah, seems like a lotta X owners out there are bummed that Moto went the 5+" route. I'm great with my 4.7", but I already have issues with top left buttons as-is. The increased screen size appeals to me, but I already know it would also be problematic too.

im just saying how big the difference is to the orig.
AZ said 4.7 is perfect. but then says its not much different.
they look a lot different to me.
i'm the phone decider in the family and trying to convince my sister to get a 5+ phone is not going well.

..|.,

If you still don't know what Jade Typhoon is, click here:
http://jadetyphoon.blogspot.com/ (WS)

yeah i knew that the 6 was gonna drop, but i have absolutely no complaints. i love this phone, especially compared to my GS3.

GamerTag and PSN: PokeEmAll

Just get one and use it for a week or two and see. You can always take it back. I got the g3 and now my galaxy s3 feels tiny. I got used to it pretty quickly after feeling like I was gonna drop it all the time in the first week

after using the oneplus for a month.

http://card.mygamercard.net/lastgame/rjcc.png

www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

Options are kinda limited if you want flagship specs though

If the HTC One Mini 2 makes it onto other carriers (it's already on Verizon as the HTC One Remix), I would definitely recommend it, but it doesn't have flagship specs of course.

I think I've stayed with Sprint for 2 main reasons: I'm lazy and it's still hard to eff with their unlimited plan. But service always seem to suck everywhere I go (and again, no clear word on what's going on with 4G in the area either). T-Mo with wifi calling is looking like a good possibility.

So, depending on if Sony announces the Z3 Compact officially coming to the states, I think I've narrowed the choices down to that, the Nexus 5, and the new Moto X (though it's a distant 3rd, but not because I don't like the phone itself)

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

sprint's 4g "spark" is making huge strides depending on the area you live in. but only if you have a triband phone, its like having a 2nd different carrier altogether if you live in a spark area.
but no moto x.
i recommend you buy a nexus 5 outright. dont renew your sprint contract, if it sucks still with the new spark network you can take that nexus 5 to tmo or att.
but you have to buy it from google directly.
and if you hate the phone it has a decent resell value since its unlocked gsm phone (that happens to work on sprint too)

>I think I've stayed with Sprint for 2 main reasons: I'm lazy
>and it's still hard to eff with their unlimited plan. But
>service always seem to suck everywhere I go (and again, no
>clear word on what's going on with 4G in the area either).
>T-Mo with wifi calling is looking like a good possibility.
>
>So, depending on if Sony announces the Z3 Compact officially
>coming to the states, I think I've narrowed the choices down
>to that, the Nexus 5, and the new Moto X (though it's a
>distant 3rd, but not because I don't like the phone itself)

..|.,

If you still don't know what Jade Typhoon is, click here:
http://jadetyphoon.blogspot.com/ (WS)

I don't know if you can get a Droid RAZR still.

I don't mind big phones. I'm still in the honeymoon phase with my S5 but damn I love the big "buttons" and ease of use. there isn't much fighting with my phone as I had before.

if I didn't have that, I'd definitely go with a G3.

The remote play for PS4 is pretty damn sexy. Hearing good things about how Sony finally had put it all together for dope performing phones now with maybe the cameras being the only thing leaving anything to be desired.

If I was planning on getting a PS4 anytime soon, it would make that vs samsung a harder decision lol.

>The Photon Q has now started to reset itself 3 times a day,
>all by itself, with no provocation. Rather than take it for
>servicing (I had it replaced a few months ago after I dropped
>my original one) I've decided it's time to grudgingly give up
>the physical keyboard get another phone completely (and maybe
>another provider, as Sprint has yet to get their 4G together
>in the DC area). Problem is, I can't get the phone I want
>right now without paying through the nose.
>
>I really prefer not to go the 5+ inch phone route unless
>absolutely necessary. Touchwiz is a no no, so the S5 is out.
>The new Moto X is compelling, but still on the large side (and
>not coming to Sprint, though if I leave them it won't matter).
>Love the build quality of the M8, but it's still a little
>larger than I want (plus my wife has one, and I'd rather not
>do the matching phone thing. Silly, I know, but that's just
>me). Plus, while Sense is cool, I'd still prefer something a
>little closer to stock Android if I can help it. G3? Still
>bigger than I want, and I'm not quite sold on the phone
>itself. Nexus 5? Only 2 knocks against it are no expandable
>storage (which a 32 GB will fix) and it's a year old and due
>for a refresh.
>
>That leaves me with 2 options as I see it. First, a new Nexus
>6 would likely be ideal. The problem is, nobody really knows
>what it will turn out to be. Is it a Moto X remix? A phablet
>size device? Something else entirely? Who's actually making
>this thing? I could wind up waiting for the ideal phone or the
>exact opposite. Then there's the Z3 Compact, which seems to
>tick all the right boxes spec wise (though I would like to see
>Qi charging, and maybe a 32GB option, though it does have a SD
>slot) but may or may not come stateside.
>
>I think if the Z3 Compact came to T-Mobile and had wifi
>calling enabled it would be a wrap. Alas, who knows if that
>will happen

I can't stand the Z3C's bezels and the Note 4 is unimpressive. All I want is a Nexus 6 with the 805, Adreno 420, QHD screen, and an SD Card slot. The LG G3 was just rooted by the way.

While the pics of the new 6 do look nice, I do not see going with a 6 inch phone. As for Sony, I don't see going to Big Red for a Z2 hybrid (even though it did add Qi charging, which I'm surprised Sony didn't do in the first place).

Fortunately it looks like Google is still offering the Nexus 5 (for now) and there's still hope the Z3 Compact will hit a US carrier. Either that or get used to a big ass phone, which I really don't want (though I did get a chance to hold the Note 4, and it wasn't that bad in hand...)

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

wish they upped the ram or storage or something. but this seems promising. go with the 5 especially since itll have lollipop sooner than everyone else.

..|.,

If you still don't know what Jade Typhoon is, click here:
http://jadetyphoon.blogspot.com/ (WS)

Between the holidays, new job, and unexpected travel (have a funeral in Illinois in the next few days) money isn't looking too great. Considering the Photon has taken to resetting itself 3 times a day at random getting a new phone has becoming a necessity. In the perfect world I'd cop that Z3 Compact outright, take it to T-Mobile (or AT&T, though I'm on the fence about that money wise) and be good. But that's not really an option, so it's got to be a 2 year with somebody. Give Sprint the finger and embrace the larger size of the Note 3, Z3 or Nexus 6? Deal with Sprint and hope they get their act together soon and reup with....what the hell does Sprint have that's not made by Samsung (I assume they may carry the N6 at some point)?

Things were so much easier with my Nextel or my Pre, I tell you...

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

>Between the holidays, new job, and unexpected travel (have a
>funeral in Illinois in the next few days) money isn't looking
>too great. Considering the Photon has taken to resetting
>itself 3 times a day at random getting a new phone has
>becoming a necessity. In the perfect world I'd cop that Z3
>Compact outright, take it to T-Mobile (or AT&T, though I'm on
>the fence about that money wise) and be good. But that's not
>really an option, so it's got to be a 2 year with somebody.
>Give Sprint the finger and embrace the larger size of the Note
>3, Z3 or Nexus 6? Deal with Sprint and hope they get their act
>together soon and reup with....what the hell does Sprint have
>that's not made by Samsung (I assume they may carry the N6 at
>some point)?
>
>Things were so much easier with my Nextel or my Pre, I tell
>you...

http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-Moto-Global-Unlocked-Black/dp/B00GWR373M/ref=sr_1_2?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1415762703&sr=1-2&keywords=moto+g+2014+16+gb

It's $180 and sold unlocked via amazon. It comes with an SD card slot as well. You might feel ripped off buying a Z3 when Sony announces the Z4 sometime before the end of March. The G3 isn't that bad honestly. It feels similar in hand to the 4.7 inch iPhone. Battery life is good once you root and install greenify. It overheats if you max out the brightness.

The N6 is kind of unwieldy IMHO. If you're looking at a device lasting you a few years then consider waiting until next year when S810 comes out and Android OEMs formally introduce devices built from the ground up to work with lollipop.

Could I go with another carrier to use a lesser phone than what I actually want until the money is right to get what I really want? Maybe. I'll have to look into that

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

if you want the option to use it with T-Mobile's 3G, you'll need the US version

www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

The SG3 was randomly restarting.

The biggest con (no pun intended), it won't fit in my car cup holder...ha.

https://digife.com

i ordered from the motorola website on 11/6 and just got an email today saying it was delayed. they did give me a $25 credit for the motorola store so i might use it to get one of those keylink joint.

So this was part of my upgrade that I ordered online.
I received an email with a tracking number yesterday,
and the UPS site lists a Friday delivery.

https://digife.com

Coming from a SG3 with a 4.8 screen.
Now I'm at 6?

Trying to still figure out email.
I had been using the new Inbox from google,
but this contains both Gmail and Inbox.
And Im only getting notifications from Gmail.

https://digife.com

I'm coming from a SG3, so this is a pretty big upgrade for me.

PROS
+ Great screen. Reading websites definitely better compared to my SG3.
+ Love the integration between the new calendar, maps, contacts and google maps.
+ Lock screen notifications appear in lock screen when I lift the phone.
+ Still playing with the priority alarms, but I love that I can silence certain apps/games (Clash Of Clans I'm looking at you) at night.
+ Switching between apps/websites is SO much easier.
+ Audio sound quality (music, videos, etc) is great. Love the speaker placement on the front.
+ Love that the phone notifies me how long it'll take to get 100% charge.
+ The animations/color schemes on simple things is a nice touch. When you select a contact card and scroll up, their name flows into the header. And that card contains a lot of useful information like most recent chat messages and calls. I dig the placement of that type of information.
+ Back to the calendar, I like the automated thumbnails that are specific to the event. Or when needed, the map of your event destination.

CONS
- I was using the Nova Launcher on my SG3 and I loved inserting my own icons. I'm trying to stay with the default google now launcher but...I HATE the default icons.
- Dislike that the phone itself is not flat. Sitting on a table the bulge on the back makes it move and that's annoying.
- Size becomes apparent when talking for long periods of time.
- Talk volume, even at the highest setting, is still low.
- Kinda upset Swiftkey (3rd party keyboard) doesn't have similar haptic feedback like default google keyboard.

https://digife.com

___________________________________
http://instagram.com/mrellsberry

I don't really want to lease it's big brother (Z3) from TMo for $25/month, and really didn't want the 5.2" phone either (though if they offered it subsidized with a 2 year plan, I'd put that on the table). Google seems to be out of the Nex5, which I'm guessing means the writing is on the wall there. If I could find a hellified deal on a well maintained preowned I may consider that, but prices being what they are on ebay just getting my bread right for the phone I really want seems the way to go. That way I can bounce from TMo to ATT if the service blows in my neck of the woods.

Cotdamnit Sprint
Cotdamnit Sony

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

www.engadgethd.com - the other stuff i'm looking at

http://swappa.com/search?q=sony+z3+compact

For the record, Sony's smartphone release schedule sucks so make sure you check for the new model before purchasing it. This time next year the Z3C is cheaper than the Z4C or Z5C.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-UNLOCKED-Motorola-MOTO-X-Developer-Edition-32GB-4-2-Verizon-GSM-XT1060-/221615904795?pt=Cell_Phones&hash=item339956581b

It's still a great phone, just the right size and it's getting Lollipop

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

and practical, sounds like its up your alley @ 4.7
http://www.engadget.com/2014/12/03/yotaphone-2-review/

..|.,

If you still don't know what Jade Typhoon is, click here:
http://jadetyphoon.blogspot.com/ (WS)

http://www.androidauthority.com/nexus-5-production-stopped-573907/

Now what Q12015 exactly means isn't clear, but much like the Nexus 4, I'm sure once the run is over they will be done and done.

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

After unsuccessfully going on craigslist to find one locally I found a decent one on ebay for $210. I'll get a skin, tempered glass protector and hit Sprint for a SIM card (the Photon Q's was soldered on internally). That left some money to replace my Nexus 7 that cracked and gives me a little time to see if 4G will reliably hit the DC metro area. Worst case scenario, I have something that I can take to #TeamMagenta or AT&T should I finally tire of Sprint and I can sell it back for something (unlike the Photon Q, which I won't get anything for and will likely find a dock and use it as a clock). It akso gives me time to see if Sony will pull out a Z4 in the next month. If so, and the Z3 Compact drops in price, I'll get one then

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_5_black_32gb

https://digife.com

They have it listed (which they didn't before), but it's unavailable.

If you found one then I guess the point is moot.

https://digife.com

Apparently getting a N5 activated in Sprint is an exercise in frustration and futility. Getting the SIM card for activation and LTE was a 2 day experience which ended up with an international chat to order one directly from Sprint (none of the local stores had a clue what to do with the phone and claimed the phone didn't need it and would not supply one to me). Once that comes in, there's the issue of activating the phone, as Sprint has been a bit hesitant on activating the phone if it was on another carrier, even though it's the exact same phone (there have been issues with phones ordered straight from the Google Play store as well).

Card is in transit today, so I'll see what happens this evening.

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

Found a well maintained Nexus 5 on Ebay. Activating it on Sprint doesn't seem to be an option, so now is as good a time as any to bounce. After some thought, I plan on rolling the dice and joining #Team Magenta, as coverage seems to be pretty good everywhere I'm at 95% of the time (the 5% does make me think of going to AT&T though). Took my Nexus to T-Mobile and...it didn't want to connect to their network. Not sure if it was a bad SIM (the phone came with a T-Mo SIM already, which is what the tech tried), if the phone was confused going from CDMA to GSM, or if the phone just doesn't like me. Instead of fussing with it, the tech told me to go home, reset it, think it over and come back tomorrow.

So, if all goes well and this phone wants to play nice with another SIM, it's all gravy. If not, I've got to either hang on to Sprint, sell the Nexus back on Ebay, save an additional $250 and get the Z3C, or go big, get the regular Z3 with T-Mobile's 'rental' plan, and sell the Nexus to recoup something. If I get the right plan, my monthly bill works out to about what I'm paying with Sprint now, but I'll have a phone that, you know, works, even if I'm stuck with it for 2 years (which I'm pretty much used to). The $64,000 question is, is the form factor I want worth $500?

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

Allegedly the M9 is either on its way with an announcement in a week or at the very latest March.

Whether or not you can use these devices for a few years come down to your choice of vendor, the device itself (literally don't buy anything that's not a flagship), and the dev community.

The Z3C is $470 unlocked on Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-Compact-D5833-Unlocked-Smartphone/dp/B00O1B9PS2/ref=sr_1_2?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1420149066&sr=1-2&keywords=z3+compact


This price will drop as the year goes on over course.

Oh before I run the LG G3 16/32 GB options run $400/$448 on Amazon so you'll have options to hold yourself over if that's where you decide to go.

The reality is, I need a phone, but not $500 up front for it. The Nexus 5 would be fine on AT&T (I think the one I sourced from Ebay may not have wanted to play nice with a T-Mobile SIM, but had no problem with an AT&T SIM. Either that or it was still a bit wonky switching from the CDMA radio when I tried using Sprint's SIM for their network), and was still right on the bare edge of the size phone I was looking for. Lollipop 5.0.1 had already rolled onto the phone and everything. But it is a year on, I would have to get a separate insurance plan (and I hadn't looked into whether a used phone would be eligible) and with the new wave of phones hitting this year I may not get anything on a flip when I have to get something new. If I went the T-Mobile route, I'd have the phone that I wanted, the specs I wanted, service that worked (I was leaving Sprint one way or another), an upgrade path, insurance, and wi-fi calling, just not the size I wanted.

I think if the Nexus 5 worked when I took it to T-Mobile I would have been fine. But the tech I was working with was cool, let me go home and think it over instead of pressing for an upgrade from the jump. If I had gone to AT&T first that would have worked too. Hell, had the tech been an impatient ass, I'd have gone to AT&T too. But at the end of the day I have a really good phone (actually better than the Z3c, as the T-Mo variant has 32GB onboard instead of 16GB; both still have the SD slot too) on a carrier that should actually work for a price that's just about what I was paying on Sprint (I did have to get a lower data package instead of the unlimited plan I had on Sprint, but I'm somewhere with wifi 95% of the time, so I should be fine on data). I'll put the Nexus back on Ebay with the skin and screen protector, and likely still break even. That money can go back in my pocket or go towards paying off the Z3.

Waiting on the Z4 line is a gamble. First, the Z3 is already bigger than I like, and rumor has it the size will only go up, not down. Having an Snapdragon 805 or 810 would be nice, but isn't an exact need right now, as the 801 still rocks in the current flagships and should be able to hold it's own at least most of the coming year. There's rumor the Z4 Compact may be a 4.7" screen, which would be perfect, but there's no telling if it would be released in the states (the Z2 Compact was never officially released here) and if it were, there's no telling if a carrier would pick it up, which would put me in the same place I was in with the Z3 Compact (buy it outright at $470+). However the new phones shake out, I may be in a better position to upgrade to it when that time comes.

Right now I'm just going to enjoy my new carrier and get over the fact that phones are just big now (like so many of you have said earlier). It's a sexy slab of phone, with the glass panels front and back and the metal frame. I'll probably see if there are tempered glass protectors front and back and see if there's a bumper style case for it. Also need to get some magnetic charger adapters, as in typical Sony style they have to be different just because.

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

..|.,

If you still don't know what Jade Typhoon is, click here:
http://jadetyphoon.blogspot.com/ (WS)

I actually get coverage in my house, whereas Sprint was hit or miss. There were a few other places where where I got little to no service indoors or out that I'm getting a stable 4G signal from now. I'll see what happens over the week as I venture out to a few other places. The coverage map for where I travel seems to be all or nothing (either excellent service or 2G or roaming), but it looks like I'm mainly in the 'all' section of the map so far.

Wi-Fi calling is nice. Sound quality is a little off (hollow and metallic), but I've heard similar quality over VoIP setups before. You can change whether the cellular network or wifi is the default for calls, if it's really bothersome.

I do like the idea of mobile stash. Even though I only have the 3GB monthly plan, I got 10GB free when I joined, and I will be highly surprised if I exceed that.

I was able to flip the Nexus 5 in less than 24 hours on Ebay, so I broke even there.

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

Coming from the Photon, this is still a big phone. The top and bottom bezels on the Z3 (likely for the speakers) make it a tall phone, and an uncomfortable stretch to use one handed. Depending on what case you add the size is exacerbated. That being said, after picking up my fathers (Gen1) Moto X a 4.7" screen does feel small. Using the phone with 2 hands felt unnecessary at first, but is becoming more natural now

The screen on this thing is lovely (AMOLED may be more colorful, but the screen is plenty bright and colors are accurate). I can easily go a day and a half of normal use before I even hit 25% battery life. Personally, I think the design is right up there with Apple and HTC, though the glass front and back scare the crap out of me (every other phone I've had was some sort of plastic on the back). Finding a case that is relatively slim, but also allows a tempered glass protector front and back should be interesting. Usually I hate cases, and the phone is so nice to look at it would be a shame to cover it. Still, that's $600 waiting to shatter.

I think more than the size I've got to get used to not having a physical keyboard. Having used a Pre, Evo Shift and Photon Q for the past few years, having to use the screen exclusively takes some getting used to

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...

>Coming from the Photon, this is still a big phone. The top
>and bottom bezels on the Z3 (likely for the speakers) make it
>a tall phone, and an uncomfortable stretch to use one handed.
>Depending on what case you add the size is exacerbated. That
>being said, after picking up my fathers (Gen1) Moto X a 4.7"
>screen does feel small. Using the phone with 2 hands felt
>unnecessary at first, but is becoming more natural now
>
>The screen on this thing is lovely (AMOLED may be more
>colorful, but the screen is plenty bright and colors are
>accurate). I can easily go a day and a half of normal use
>before I even hit 25% battery life. Personally, I think the
>design is right up there with Apple and HTC, though the glass
>front and back scare the crap out of me (every other phone
>I've had was some sort of plastic on the back). Finding a case
>that is relatively slim, but also allows a tempered glass
>protector front and back should be interesting. Usually I hate
>cases, and the phone is so nice to look at it would be a shame
>to cover it. Still, that's $600 waiting to shatter.
>
>I think more than the size I've got to get used to not having
>a physical keyboard. Having used a Pre, Evo Shift and Photon Q
>for the past few years, having to use the screen exclusively
>takes some getting used to

i hate having to cover up phones with cases. why even get a nice looking phone? that's why with my nexus i just went with a skin from phantomskinz. easier to keep it clean, keeps it protected from scratches, but won't do much for a big drop. i've always been good with my phones so i'm not too worried.

GamerTag and PSN: PokeEmAll

While stashing away my old phones, it occurred to me that I don't have a backup phone if this Z3 meets it's untimely end. True, I do have insurance with JUMP!, but who knows what kind of phone (or if even I get a loaner phone) I'd be using while the phone is being serviced. Since I was on Sprint, all my older phones are CDMA. When I destroyed my Shift with a lawnmower, I could fall back on my Pre. When the Photon hit the pavement after close to 2 years, the Shift was the backup. Now? I'm SOL. I figure if I get some kind of GSM phone that does LTE I'd be fine for that week or more that the Z3 is out of commission. Considered a Blu as a super low rent alternative but very few have LTE radios baked in.

In the meantime I've just been collecting cases for this phone. I've settled between a smoke colored gel style case and an aluminum bumper style case. Both have their good and bad points. What I may do is get a tempered glass protector for the rear (already have one on the front) and roll naked once I have that backup phone

<-- Dave Thomas knows what's up...
__________________________

Jay: Look here homie, any nigga can get a hit record. This here is about respect.
Game: Like Gladys Knight.
Jay: Aretha Franklin.
Game: Word, I like her too.
Jay: Nigga...