it's time for me and the fam to get upgrades.

seems like options for us #droidgang members are light right now. as a samsung user, the s8 seems like the natural choice but the reviews when it dropped were lukewarm so now i'm like "hmmmmm".

what say y'all...help me out.

On tMobile with the grandfathered Jump plan. Jumping to the note 8 when that drops

Had one and about 4 months into it, the usb data tranfser ability just stopped....and NOBODY couldn't tell me anything about how to restore it. Tried everything. Update drivers..called support...etc.

gone.

and then they dropped the price on that shit to like $400...

insult to injury

I had the Jump to the s8, so it just a matter of waiting to ditch that shit.

When I get to a point where I'm frustrated with a feature and it doesn't appear to be hardware related...I'll just flash to a custom ROM and it's like having a new phone again for a year until you upgrade.

when it's time to return it...flash that shit back to stock and keep it moving.

D

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

Waldorf and Statler Vol 4:CONAN IS OUT NOW!!!: http://waldorfandstatler.bandcamp.com

and don't forget to check "DVS 4 ALDERMAN"

http://windimoto.bandcamp.com/album/dvs-4-alderman-bandcamp-exclusive-expanded-editio

I really cant concieve of needing anything "better"than what I have now so the only reason I would probably change phones is if it broke

Loved the phone but battery wouldn't hold a charge after about 18 months or so. Some of the rubber between the screen and the bezel was coming away too. It's put me off Huawei for phone longevity. Giving Samsung another try with the S8 because their phones have always held me down for at least two generations.

Just IMO though.

I recommend it

the only real bad thing about it is that it uses micro usb instead of usb c

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

don't love the camera and don't like not having a removable memory card, but otherwise i like the way it operates.

i don't know when i'll upgrade, though. i hate getting new phones.

nearly as good as my 6p, and the software runs more smoothly.

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

I too have a Moto X, and this battery is killing me. Generally I've had no issues with Motorolas, but I'm not keen on buying another phone that will die halfway through day with only light usage.

and it doesn't have super fast charging.

but the CPU it has is very efficient, and it has the motorola thing where you can see your notifications without it lighting up the whole screen.

I'd say you can get a day out of it, but I'm usually at home and my usage is not like other people

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

holder thingy that you put the sim card in.

---------------------------------------
blog: www.wonderfullyhorrible.blogspot.com
instagram: Fishgrease
twitter: wooly_caesar
Podcast www.soundcloud.com/circlegang

But I distinctly remember having a convo with you about the moto x before I got it. I swear I remember us discussing the lack of removable memory as a con. Lemme go check.


*edit* nope, just the sim card slot. Damnit.

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

Out of curiosity, better in what regards?

"Sean sparks like John Starks, nah, Sean ball like John Wall" - Rest In Power Forever Sean Price.

very happy with it.

I had the note 4 up until a week ago

Got it when it 1st dropped

Was going to go with the S8 but I'm going to wait till the Note 8 drops.

I need my stylus


____________

Dallas Cavericks LETS GO!!

<--- Big Baller World Order

Ready to drop this like a hot potato

.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

________________________________
There are dozens of us! Dozens!

Perfect for me. Just wish it was a tiny bit smaller

_______________________________________

no complaints at all really

reviews pre-release and they were all pretty positive. The only items that seemed to not garner big wows were features I didn't care too much about like dual focus camera lens or some shit like that.

the camera wasn't as fancy as people hoped or something. i just remember there seemed to be a lack of "wow" factor.

but, if you're saying it's really nite and day from the s5 (especially the battery thing) then it sounds like the right move.

I think the review consensus is that it still has the second best rear camera of any phone out after the pixel, and has the best selfie camera out

__

fairweather

difference. Same way going from s4 to s6 felt huge.

I realized how accustomed I had gotten to a shitty battery life. Like I just got use to every time I was at home or at work or in the car I had to plug the phone up or otherwise it would run out on me. At the end I was carrying around all types of portable chargers and had no expectation the phone could go without charging for more than 2 hours.

After charging at night I would need a re-charge by 10:00AM. SMH.




**********
"Everyone has a plan until you punch them in the face. Then they don't have a plan anymore." (c) Mike Tyson

"what's a leader if he isn't reluctant"

to charge every other day I've been doing with my S8 for the last couple of weeks. I charged Sunday night and didn't have to charge again until last night (Thursday night). Basically I can charge it twice a week. reason I do this is to maintain a healthy battery (I know I can always buy another one but fuck it)

i see a lot of commercials for it and it looks good but i haven't looked up specs or reviews.

>i see a lot of commercials for it and it looks good but i
>haven't looked up specs or reviews.

These reviews should get you caught up:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfbaiCTlpRw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zarwwlaL_YI

tl;dr is the speakers suck, color adjustment is MEH, 1 ratio makes reaching the top a chore, and far too expensive for the SOC included.

Wait until September when this gets on sale if you want it.

it'll probably end up being like 499 off contract in a few months like the LG V20 was

I'm kinda intrigued by Project Fi.

kinda wanna go to the 8, but will more likely wait til the 9 unless something happens to this one.

--

"You can't beat white people. You can only knock them out."

I generally upgrade every 2-3 generations.

I don't see the s8 getting markedly better than the s7 edge

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

Waldorf and Statler Vol 4:CONAN IS OUT NOW!!!: http://waldorfandstatler.bandcamp.com

and don't forget to check "DVS 4 ALDERMAN"

http://windimoto.bandcamp.com/album/dvs-4-alderman-bandcamp-exclusive-expanded-editio

n/m

__

fairweather

I don't see the point in paying a fee for a luxury.

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/compare/Samsung-Galaxy-S8,Samsung-Galaxy-S7-edge/phones/10311,9818

It would be nice to have an Octocore Processor, but the RAM is pretty much the same.

I'm ugly therefore I don't take selfies...so fuck the higher resolution front facing camera.

That leaves the graphics...which is nice but not pressing.

My phone does everything I need it to right now, and I probably haven't even scratched the surface of it's potential.

Now I'll buy a game console leap (360 to One) in a heartbeat....but my phone?

Not so much.

D

vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv

Waldorf and Statler Vol 4:CONAN IS OUT NOW!!!: http://waldorfandstatler.bandcamp.com

and don't forget to check "DVS 4 ALDERMAN"

http://windimoto.bandcamp.com/album/dvs-4-alderman-bandcamp-exclusive-expanded-editio

Had a Z Force, but really couldn't get over the lack of a headphone jack.

You're such pests...now, what is it you want? In your depths of your ignorance, what is it you want? Well, whatever it is you want, I can't deliver because I just don't see it. - Orson Welles


Never Tired, Always Sleepy

works fine.

IG: amadu_me

"...Whateva, man..." (c) Redman

I'm actually not even in love with it to the degree reviewers have been, but I like it a lot - it was a good choice for me and the preorder deals were off the chain (might have waited for the note otherwise)

__

fairweather

sounds like it might be the move.

**DISCLAIMER: I am very hard to please, Qualcomm doesn't support most flagships past two years with driver support, AND I have an extensive list of requirements for flagships over $550.**

What I hate about:

S8/S8+ - Red tint, No IR blaster, No USB -C 3.1, fingerprint sensor location sucks, battery life is MEH, it is very difficult to find a screen protector for this device, and bixby is horrible.

LG G6 - No IR blaster, regional hardware differences, no wireless charging, screen is not rounded and the S821 is some 2016 shit.

Android OEMs have to step it up right now otherwise this is another skip year.

>What I hate about:
>
>S8/S8+ - Red tint, No IR blaster, No USB -C 3.1, fingerprint
>sensor location sucks, battery life is MEH, it is very
>difficult to find a screen protector for this device, and
>bixby is horrible.

Bixby, even if they finish it, is just gonna be bullshit compared to Google's (hell, even to Moto's assistant, which has been around longer). I hate that there's even a button for the shit, and this is coming from someone who uses Samsung as daily driver more or less for the last 3 years (when I started getting smartphones). Let us reprogram the function to use Google app instead.

It's funny because on the S8, everything about Samsung's customizations don't bother me as much (I leave most of them stock) except the Bixby shit. They can't compete with the volume of data Google and 'em have.

As for the screen protectors, I gave those up with Note 7/S7 Edge and that curved screen. It's just going to be impossible with that. I've been using ArmorSuit wet-apply screen protectors instead to keep the screen from getting scratched up.

>LG G6 - No IR blaster, regional hardware differences, no
>wireless charging, screen is not rounded and the S821 is some
>2016 shit.

Though the thing I think is mostly PB&J on the G6 is the S821. Its form factor is fine, and I think that's a good counter to what Samsung is doing. Should have an 835. I think the US G6 has wireless charging though, it's the international one that doesn't (also bullshit that they get the better DAC and 64GB versions). Also, now that Samsung has finally moved off carrier branding (software forking still exists), LG needs to do the same.

also, fuck Qualcomm in the goat ass for reasons you stated

os·ti·na·to
/ˌästəˈnädō/
noun
a continually repeated musical phrase or rhythm

http://austinato.bandcamp.com

https://www.discogs.com/lists/Favorites-of-2017/332378

daily driver is a Verizon S7 Edge, which is quite respectable on Nougat. I'm not getting an S8. Don't need to. Might trade for a Note 8 though.
It's a real "go-to" phone but it has its issues (across carriers), chief being palm rejection, which is shit.

I also have a Moto X Pure I got back in 2015 through Moto Maker which doesn't see much use. Waiting for Nougat to finally get released for it. One of the best unlocked deals, though. Highly recommended if you like a more "stock" experience. But if you like updates, well...

I have an unlocked LGV20 (US996 model, works with all US carriers). It's one of my favorite phones of last year, even moreso that it's unlocked, so it's not really nerfed in some regards. Reminds me a lot of the V10 I traded in for the Note 7 (which eventually became that aforementioned S7 Edge due to recalls).


Best "cheap" Android phone to me is the Moto G4 Plus. If you don't need NFC for anything, it's a killer deal. Not a real gaming phone. But if you use it for Internet/email/bullshit, you won't see a better experience or specs for that money. 64GB storage/4GB ram for $200, and it doesn't suck. Also with Android 7.0 Nougat.

The unlocked G5 Plus is similar. (Think it retails for like $250 for same specs)

do NOT get the Amazon Prime versions with the ads, though; they are bullshit.

Other Moto phone I like is the Z Play. Best battery life ever AND a headphone jack.

if you have a GSM carrier (i.e. not Verizon/Sprint or any MVNO that uses their bands), you can also try the One Plus 3T (if you can find it), which is GREAT. Under $500 off contract now? Ditto for the Axon 7, even though One Plus is superior.

Intrigued by the HTC U11, DON'T like that it doesn't have a headphone jack. Everything else is dope. Avoid the U Ultra though, it's bullshit.

I didn't mention the Pixel, because... while it is Google's vision of Android, you get a lot of bonuses, etc. Your only way of getting it is 1) off-contract through the Google store, and it STILL costs iPhone money 2) through Verizon, the only carrier to sell it in the US.
This is beyond all the major supply chain issue. Just wait until Pixel 2 comes out and maybe Google has all the bullshit sorted out.

Oh yeah, Galaxy S8/S8+ and LG G6. G6 is underrated; they need to give up their stock launcher with no app drawer. Either copy Google or make the included app-drawer version default. This isn't iOS.

I also have a Galaxy Note 4 I got on the cheap, because... I always wanted one and it's still their GOAT, now that the Note 7 went aflame as a product

Yes, I'm mad. Let's move on.

Jays | Cavs | Eagles | Sabres | Tarheels

PSN: Dr_Claw_77 | XBL: Dr Claw 077 | FB: drclaw077 | T: @drclaw77 | http://thepeoplesvault.wordpress.com

yeah you can get more expensive phones with higher specs, but kira's criticisms are all on point, they have compromises too.

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

>yeah you can get more expensive phones with higher specs, but
>kira's criticisms are all on point, they have compromises
>too.

I am really impressed w/what Moto did for the G4 and G5. I was bummed that their flagship (the Z) wasn't going to be carrier agnostic and that the G4 would have no NFC

but then I tried a G4 and was like "well, shit. this is crazy good."

and then the G5 took it closer to a Pixel. There are some issues with it to be sure, but I just think you get the most value out of those phones for what you pay.

should I fuck with the G6? Had a G4 and thought it was​ pretty solid. How do they compare?

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

>should I fuck with the G6? Had a G4 and thought it was​
>pretty solid. How do they compare?

Particularly if you want to downsize.

The best thing about the G6 is its form factor. Even though the screen is massive due to cutdown bezels the actual phone is maybe the size of the "regular" Galaxy S6 from a couple years ago. Well, that and the wide-angle lens that I believe was a carry over from the G5 and V20.

I can't recall if there were any other software enhancements over last year. You can not remove the battery however. So if that's a feature you value I'd get a V20 on the cheap(er)

had the g3 and the g4. both ended up being useless.

the g3's screen died. phone worked, but didn't matter since I couldn't seen anything. there was no fix.


the g4 just died. 5 months after purchasing. known defect with the motherboard. the vendor I got it from replaced it and it seems to be ok, but while they had it, I copped 2 S7's.

I really liked that g4. it was the right size and I liked lg's version of android better than these galaxy phones. I really liked the buttons/volume on the back too.

Y'all buy those labels, I was born supreme

when I first saw the volume and close screen buttons on the back, I thought it was wack...took me about a day to change my mind.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

if they didn't have the "bootloop" issues seen on the LG G4, V10 and Nexus 5X, I think they'd be much more popular. I've been using an unlocked V20 for the past week and 1/2 and man.

I'm just so used to the way this phone works. the power and fingerprint sensor is on the back, but the volume controls were moved to the left side (not a big deal, this is like other Android phones).

like that it has Android 7.0. for new phones, this is about to be the minimum. The grouped notifications are the best thing about it IMO, followed by official "split screen" apps.

also, LG UX has become closer and closer to stock (not as close as Moto, but far off from their TouchWiz-like interpretation). A lot of bloat is missing in this version. They need to quit with the "no app drawer" BS though; this is Android, dammit.
I use the LG UX 4.0 launcher as a result.

Otherwise, it reminds me much of my old V10, but better. My favorite thing besides the 2nd screen controls is the wide angle lens in the camera. You still have a removable batter and an IR blaster.

it's done. Didn't even have it for a year. Joint won't come off the "LG-Life's Good" screen. Heard you can take a blow dryer to it, to try and "re-solder" the motherboard. Fuck. I really liked this phone. Gotta dust off the V10, until I cop something new, or bring the G4 back to life. That G6 looks pretty slick and apparently, it doesn't have the boot loop issue.

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

LG G6
LG V20
Galaxy S7 Active

...I'm from the era when A.I. was the answer, now they think ai is the answer - Marlon Craft

>LG G6

underrated phone. you'll enjoy it if you used a G4. better wide angle camera, has wireless charging and water resistance like Samsungs. flat screen unlike Samsungs so you can use a proper tempered glass screen protector. won't break the bank. it's glass on glass so you better get a case because it will break otherwise.

>LG V20
one of the GOAT. I took my SIM out of the Note 8 to put a new screen protector on it, and put it in this... and it's almost been a month since I left it. part of the ease in transition is the presence of more tap-to-pay point-of-sale terminals near me (so Android Pay is a go), the other is... it's just damn good. still got IR blaster and removable battery. has Android 7.0 (Which all phones BETTER have at least). available unlocked and now, kind of cheap now that the V30 is here (that's the one I use). Hi-Fi DAC built in. 64GB internal storage and microSD expandable. not the most exciting phone to look at but it's easy to theme and just plain use. my routine is not disrupted much at all by this phone. like a Note 4 only with 2016 tech instead of 2014 tech.


>Galaxy S7 Active
only knock on this is that I think it was designed just for use on AP&P, so if that's your carrier you're golden. S8 Active is a lil better (and an unlocked version is coming/is already available).

Yes, I'm mad. Let's move on.

Jays | Cavs | Eagles | Sabres | Tarheels

PSN: Dr_Claw_77 | XBL: Dr Claw 077 | FB: drclaw077 | T: @drclaw77 | http://thepeoplesvault.wordpress.com

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." � Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

tempted by.

oneplus5 seems beast.


peace & blessings,

x.

www.twitter.com/poetx

=========================================
I'm an advocate for working smarter, not harder. If you just
focus on working hard you end up making someone else rich and
not having much to show for it. (c) mad

But also just solid all around. I had the 1+1 then upped to the 3 (before the 3T dropped). I broke one and the wait time for replacement sucks, but sans pilot error it's solid. I'll probably get a 5 but honestly don't need it.

Put it like this I got a cli with a bunch of backend shit running on my fucking phone. Can run any OS I want though the oxygen is tight now. Seriously no complaints.

█▆▇▅▇█▇▆▄▁▃
Big PEMFin H & z's
"I ain't no entertainer, and ain't trying to be one. I am 1 thing, a musician." � Miles

"When the music stops he falls back in the abyss."

These reviewers give you a great idea of smartphones:

Flossy Carter
MKBHD
Erica Griffin
Damir Franc

I forgot about chinese smartphones and quick disclaimer: I'm petty and selective as shit.

Xiaomi Mi 6 - No headphone jack, no wireless charging, no microsd support, 1080p at 30 fps video option, questionable Google Play Services integration, and shitty skin. It's easily the best smartphone for its size this year. You're basically paying for the device itself without the long-term support and Chinese OEMs modify stock android to a disturbing extent.

Huawei P10/P10+ - Looks like an iPhone, lack of oleophobic coating which is standard on every smartphone, russian roulette with memory meaning some phones get the UFS 2.1 700 MB write speeds and some get 550 mb/sec write speeds, no wireless charing, USB -C 2.0 speeds, no IR blaster on the P10, shitty skin, and no IP68 cert.

Honor 9 launches next month, the One Plus 4/T allegedly in June or September at the latest allegedly, The Pixel 2 towards the fall allegedly and the Sony flagship by the fall allegedly.

>Flossy Carter
>MKBHD
>Erica Griffin
>Damir Franc

I'm subscribed to all of them. Floss and Erica really go in with their reviews.

I've got the Nexus 5X and it's the perfect size. The battery sucks, however (although the fast charging makes up for it a little bit).

Any recommendations on a smaller sized phone with either a replaceable battery or an amazing battery life?

>Any recommendations on a smaller sized phone with either a
>replaceable battery or an amazing battery life?

Moto G5 Plus has same size screen and similar dimensions. it's also, like the 5X, completely unlocked. cheaper than the 5X was (originally). You can't switch the battery, though. there's also (for some reason) no NFC. The battery life should be better as it has a larger battery than the 5X and runs a very "stock Android" like experience. Also, you can have it with up to 64GB internal storage w/o breaking the bank.

if you were OK with Nexus 5X, there's also the LG G5, their last with a removable battery. Those are also cheap (now), and being an LG aren't too far from the 5X. Throw the Google Now launcher on it and you have a similar experience. You can also get it unlocked (for US carriers), but the update situation is pretty dismal there. slightly larger battery, but not by much.

I really think that aside from the "2 years of updates" guarantee the Moto G5 Plus is as close to a modern take on the Nexus 5 (the OG version) as it gets outside of the 5X.

Thanks, I think I'll check out the Moto. Coincidentally, my 5X just died this afternoon. So I think I'm going to avoid LG phones for a while.

any suggestions? I'm due for an upgrade and I don't know if my phone will make it for the 8 launch.

__________________________________________
CHOP-THESE-BITCHES!!!!
------------------------------------
Garhart Ivanhoe Poppwell
Un-OK'd moderator for The Lesson and Make The Music (yes, I do's work up in here, and in your asscrease if you run foul of this

I haven't even looked into the 8, because I'm so happy with the 7. The battery thing sounds appealing but I'm good for now.

will probably hold onto it for another year. i love the front facing speakers, the moto gestures, the customized wood back (so pretty)... they don't make phones like that anymore...

--
Sometimes you have to look reality in the face and say 'No!'
-Ben (Reaper)

If you need any help, don't. Hesitate to ask.

wasn't trying to +1 w/ the 5 (plus was pissed they got rid of the changeable battery and mem on some fake apple shit).

note 7 was obv non-starter. i'm holding out for the non-sploding version.

the 4 still do what it do. when the 8 drop i think i'll be ready to make the leap.

#teamstylus.


peace & blessings,

x.

www.twitter.com/poetx

=========================================
I'm an advocate for working smarter, not harder. If you just
focus on working hard you end up making someone else rich and
not having much to show for it. (c) mad

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

I agree with what you said about the 5.
7 should have been redemption, but battery. I had it before both recalls.
I think it's still getting security updates in 2017 which is wild.

I'm not switching as long as I can find another and Google keeps updating it.

___________________________________
http://instagram.com/mrellsberry

Nah, I feel you because sometimes good products are worth keeping but Google end of lifes smartphones quick as shit compared to say Apple.

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

what Android phones are coming down the pipe the second half of this year? Or to make it even easier, what are some reliable websites to glean this information? I currently have a nearly three year old Galaxy S5 and I'm on the fence in terms of getting a new phone; the only issue is that I'm on Ting, which means I'm going to have to pay nearly the full price for what ever phone I get.

"Sean sparks like John Starks, nah, Sean ball like John Wall" - Rest In Power Forever Sean Price.

there will be a new note-like phone from samsung, some new iphones, and probably the pixel 2.

LG might have a new phone later but most people don't buy LG

they usually drop at the same time every year.

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

>what Android phones are coming down the pipe the second half
>of this year?

Obviously the iPhones
Sony is launching the Xperia XZ Compact, the Xperia XZ3, and the Xperia X2 in the fall
One Plus is coming out with the One Plus 5
The Google Pixel 2 is coming in the fall
The LG V30 as well.

That's a lot of smartphones right there. By then the verdict should be out on whether or not the LG G6 boot loops into infinity like past models. If it doesn' then buy that as it will be heavily discounted.