Author Topic: Looking for a Smartphone  (Read 6813 times)

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Offline Pred the Penguin

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Looking for a Smartphone
Do any of you know of any good unlocked Android phones around the price range of US $200~$300?

 

Offline LHN91

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Re: Looking for a Smartphone
Quick Newegg search turns up the ones at this page:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100008699+4018+600028588&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&IsNodeId=1&Subcategory=227&description=&hisInDesc=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&AdvancedSearch=1&srchInDesc=

Only issue I see with them is that all of them are touchscreen only phones. I don't mind touch screens, but I understand those that want proper tactile buttons. Personally, though I haven't had that particular HTC phone, I've enjoyed my HTC and quite like the interface.

 

Offline JGZinv

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Re: Looking for a Smartphone
HTC or Samsung units are generally quite good.
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Offline Pred the Penguin

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Re: Looking for a Smartphone
I'm fine with touchscreens. The only things I absolutely need in a phone is that it's unlocked and has some kind of GPS feature. Edit: Oh yeah and also one that I can upgrade the OS easily.
My uncle doesn't agree with Samsung phones at all, too many technical problems I think.
Anyways, just asking to see if anyone has anything special to recommend. Thanks anyway though.
« Last Edit: November 19, 2011, 07:32:59 pm by Pred the Penguin »

 

Offline LHN91

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Re: Looking for a Smartphone
Just wanted to mention: With Android based phones in general, the updates are easy enough to apply, but you usually have to wait for the company that sells the phone (i.e. HTC) to put an update together. I haven't really dabbled in custom roms myself, so I can't say much about that.

I'm not particularly a fan of Samsung either, but I haven't heard much to the effect that their hardware is faulty. I currently have an HTC Legend, quite like it, and I've already dropped it down a flight of stairs at least once (EDIT: with no signs of damage beyond cosmetic). However, it's a last gen phone, somewhat underpowered, only goes to Android 2.2, and is likely less than 200 dollars by now.

 

Offline Pred the Penguin

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Re: Looking for a Smartphone
Yeah, I'd like to be at least up to date on the OS so I'm ok with something over $200. I'm entirely sure about Samsung, but I guess I could check out a few. All I know is I'm going avoid those running Windows cause it's... well... horrible. :blah:

Edit: Also I'm specifically looking for GSM phones if you understand the lingo which I barely do. :P
« Last Edit: November 19, 2011, 09:49:57 pm by Pred the Penguin »

 

Offline The E

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Re: Looking for a Smartphone
I'm using a Sony Xperia Arc, which is a pretty good phone, and which is currently fitted with Android 2.3.4, with an update to ICS coming early next year.
If I'm just aching this can't go on
I came from chasing dreams to feel alone
There must be changes, miss to feel strong
I really need lifе to touch me
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Offline KyadCK

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Re: Looking for a Smartphone
Love my Inspire 4g, but its already kinda outdated (only one core? really?  :p) and now only comes in crap brown. As for the ability to update... it officially supports 2.3, we'll see how far Cyanogen can take it. Not sure I would recommend it (it's $325 unlocked anyway), there must be better options out there.

Quick search came up with a simple list, similar to LHN91's: Link

EDIT: Woo! Looks like I might be able to expect my Inspire to be 4.0 compatible.
« Last Edit: November 20, 2011, 03:52:24 am by KyadCK »
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Offline Jeff Vader

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Re: Looking for a Smartphone
Nexus S here (Samsung).

Pros:
- vanilla Android
- (because of vanilla Android,) future Android updates should be relatively fast (rumour has it that Android 4.0 should become available this year)
- (because of vanilla Android,) no weird software to be installed when you want to connect the damn thing to your computer. Just plug and play.
- a good price (when I bought it, it was sold at the same price as HTC Wildfire S, which has noticeably worse specs)

Cons:
- no Gorilla Glass
- shiny black plastic ;d
- single-core, yeah
- no SD card slot (I don't mind, but others might)
- once it somehow ended up thinking that there was no SIM inside or something. A reboot took care of that, but still.
- sometimes the Facebook app gets stuck up on doing something, and ends up draining the battery if you don't notice it (probably not the phone's fault, actually).
23:40 < achillion > EveningTea: ass
23:40 < achillion > wait no
23:40 < achillion > evilbagel: ass
23:40 < EveningTea > ?
23:40 < achillion > 2-letter tab complete failure

14:08 < achillion > there's too much talk of butts and dongs in here
14:08 < achillion > the level of discourse has really plummeted
14:08 < achillion > Let's talk about politics instead
14:08 <@The_E > butts and dongs are part of #hard-light's brand now
14:08 <@The_E > well
14:08 <@The_E > EvilBagel's brand, at least

01:06 < T-Rog > welp
01:07 < T-Rog > I've got to take some very strong antibiotics
01:07 < achillion > penis infection?
01:08 < T-Rog > Chlamydia
01:08 < achillion > O.o
01:09 < achillion > well
01:09 < achillion > I guess that happens
01:09 < T-Rog > at least it's curable
01:09 < achillion > yeah
01:10 < T-Rog > I take it you weren't actually expecting it to be a penis infection
01:10 < achillion > I was not

14:04 < achillion > Sometimes the way to simplify is to just have a habit and not think about it too much
14:05 < achillion > until stuff explodes
14:05 < achillion > then you start thinking about it

22:16 < T-Rog > I don't know how my gf would feel about Jewish conspiracy porn

15:41 <-INFO > EveningTea [[email protected]] has joined #hard-light
15:47 < EvilBagel> butt
15:51 < Achillion> yes
15:53 <-INFO > EveningTea [[email protected]] has quit [Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client]

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21:41 < MatthTheGeek> you can't spell assassin without two asses

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00:31 < oldlaptop> Drunken antisocial educated freezing hicks with good Internet == Finland stereotype

11:46 <-INFO > Kobrar [[email protected]] has joined #hard-light
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11:51 < Kobrar> ...
11:51 <-INFO > Kobrar [[email protected]] has left #hard-light []

 

Offline Colonol Dekker

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Re: Looking for a Smartphone
My Sony Ericsson X10i is two years old but still bleeding edge due to upgrading to the latest android version.... Which is ridiculously easy with Sonys bundled software.

So have a look at the Xperia range.
Campaigns I've added my distinctiveness to-
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-Trancsend (Possibly?)
-Uncharted Territory
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-War Machine
(Others lost to the mists of time and no discernible audit trail)

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Secret bomb God.
That one time I got permabanned and got to read who was being bitxhy about me :p....
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Offline Pred the Penguin

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Re: Looking for a Smartphone
Thanks for the recommendations. Still considering if I want buy a phone or not. It's a lot of money to spend on something. :blah:

 

Offline KyadCK

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Re: Looking for a Smartphone
Thanks for the recommendations. Still considering if I want buy a phone or not. It's a lot of money to spend on something. :blah:

So get one that is locked, my inspire was only $100.
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Offline Pred the Penguin

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Re: Looking for a Smartphone
Then the monthly rates will just be insane. Minimum of maybe $50 a month or maybe more I think.

 

Offline aRaven

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Re: Looking for a Smartphone
Had a HTC Desire and now a HTC Desire. Both were unlocked, S-Offed and Rooted. These are great devices! Custom ROMs are plenty and I get the newest OS without waiting for the manufacturer.
Rocking Sense 3.5 on HTC Desire S now.

Had a Samsung Galaxy S before, but the earpiece was broken, so I returned it. Didn't like the button design either.

If you want something great out of the box, consider getting a WP7 phone. It's really smooth and has a lot of stuff integrated like facebook, twitter. Downside is the OS is not open, tethering depends on your carrier (if they allow it), browser doesn't have flash etc.

Have HTC Mozart (corporate phone) and I like it! Not as much as my Desire S of course

 

Offline Actium

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Re: Looking for a Smartphone
Im actually using a Galaxy 551. The Phone itself is great and quite robust (even with plastic, yes :P, remember the good ole undestroyable nokia phones ?). Problem is just the OS, which is Android 2.2. It has a lot of major bugs (W-Lan anyone ?). I have learned to life with em and how to avoid em.

Sadly neither HTC, Samsung or Sony keep there Phones updated for longer than a year. So before i ever buy a Android-Phone again, i look first for the OS and its bugs and then decide.

 

Offline jr2

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Re: Looking for a Smartphone
http://www.modaco.com

http://forum.xda-developers.com/index.php

Two good mobile phone sites... they have some resources for modifying your phone to work better than the manufacturers bother to deal with.  (basically, how to modify your phone / custom roms for your phone etc)

 

Offline Colonol Dekker

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Campaigns I've added my distinctiveness to-
- Blue Planet: Battle Captains
-Battle of Neptune
-Between the Ashes 2
-Blue planet: Age of Aquarius
-FOTG?
-Inferno R1
-Ribos: The aftermath / -Retreat from Deneb
-Sol: A History
-TBP EACW teaser
-Earth Brakiri war
-TBP Fortune Hunters (I think?)
-TBP Relic
-Trancsend (Possibly?)
-Uncharted Territory
-Vassagos Dirge
-War Machine
(Others lost to the mists of time and no discernible audit trail)

Your friendly Orestes tactical controller.

Secret bomb God.
That one time I got permabanned and got to read who was being bitxhy about me :p....
GO GO DEKKER RANGERSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
President of the Scooby Doo Model Appreciation Society
The only good Zod is a dead Zod
NEWGROUNDS COMEDY GOLD, UPDATED DAILY
http://badges.steamprofile.com/profile/default/steam/76561198011784807.png

 

Offline Mongoose

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Re: Looking for a Smartphone
Guess I'm the only one still doing just fine with a 6-year-old dumb phone. :p

 

Offline The E

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Re: Looking for a Smartphone
Nope. If my old dumbphone hadn't gotten itself crushed under a truck, and if my DSL provider didn't have a rather good offer for smartphones, I would have gotten another dumb one. But then, my saving throw vs shiny is reaaaaalllyyy low....
If I'm just aching this can't go on
I came from chasing dreams to feel alone
There must be changes, miss to feel strong
I really need lifе to touch me
--Evergrey, Where August Mourns

 

Offline jr2

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Re: Looking for a Smartphone
Thanks, Dekker.  When they finally get Android hacked for the Samsung SCH-i920 (Omnia II), then I'll try that.  They have Android for the SCH-i8000 version of the Omnia II (mostly same thing as i920 but better parts) already.

More info on that in this thread.