General Smartphone Discussion Thread - What phones to recommend and which ones to avoid?

  • Want to keep track of this thread?
    Accounts can bookmark posts, watch threads for updates, and jump back to where you stopped reading.
    Create account
This is probably the right thread for this:
I decided to watch this video about tech reviewers, the information in the video is probably not new to anyone here, but it is nice to hear cool nigger say them. Anyway, the actual reason why I'm posting this video here is the pinned comment: for some reason the Indian tech reviewer Mrwhosetheboss decided to respond, or rather this was very predictable since Jeff_Tek challenged his izzat by mentioning him in the video.
arun.png
The very first words out of his mouth were a lie, he claims that he signs no review guide contract, implying that he was accused of this, in order to downplay the significance of these guides. How honest do you think the rest of his comment is?
 
Question to you smartphone nerds: What's the best way to make use of a surplus Google Pixel 2 these days?

I was thinking of something along the lines of LineageOS, and the Pixel 2 is supported by it, but I have no experience with such things. Any tips?
 
I need to replace my 2019 cell phone. It randomly discharges, the battery life sucks and notifications work on a 'fuck you, i do what i want' basis. It's an old mid-range Samsung, so I was looking at the Samsung A35. Things I use my cellphone for in order of frequency: calling people, taking picture of dumb stuff, texting, looking up random shit at the bar to settle debates, streaming music to my headphones when mowing or out for a stroll and uber rides once a month or so. I have no apps other than a music one and uber and I don't use it for gayming or anything else. I can transfer everything on my phone now, including settings, if I get another Samsung, so that's appealing. I don't care about dual sims or whatever. I had an iphone in the past and it was so-so. Also, since I pay for my phone and service, work email sure as heck doesn't go on there, so that's not an issue.

Thoughts?
 
ShapelyMutton said:
I'm feeling pretty jewed right now
View attachment 8418788

Unihertz Titan 2 came out mid/late last year and now they're already releasing a smaller model with the Titan 2 Elite. Specs still need to be seen
Click to expand...
if they don't even have specs out it might still be 6-9 months away. They might Osborne effect themselves with this though.
 
Dollars to donuts it uses the same soc and software and they just put it into a new shell with a more traditional but less interesting layout to compete withh the cosmo communicator
 
Curry Teafag said:
Question to you smartphone nerds: What's the best way to make use of a surplus Google Pixel 2 these days?

I was thinking of something along the lines of LineageOS, and the Pixel 2 is supported by it, but I have no experience with such things. Any tips?
Click to expand...
Up to you and if you’d want to do this (privacy concerns).
I’ve been using the first gen pixel for photos backup. First gen pixels gets unlimited original quality photo backup (I transfer it from my iPhone to the pixel via USB on my pc). Granted if you don’t trust google with your photos, I get it, but personally I don’t mind it as the photos I upload to it are ones that I don’t care about from a security standpoint. For your case, given you have a pixel 2, you’ll get unlimited photos backup with reduced quality, but still unlimited. This is also the case for pixel gens 2-5.
I do want to add that I think if you put lineageOS on it, you still get the unlimited photos backup, but I haven’t done it yet with my 1st gen pixel. Also, I do want to replace the battery sometime, as my pixel 1 only last an hour or so on battery when connected to WiFi.
 
Total Annihilation said:
I’ve been using the first gen pixel for photos backup. First gen pixels gets unlimited original quality photo backup (I transfer it from my iPhone to the pixel via USB on my pc). Granted if you don’t trust google with your photos, I get it, but personally I don’t mind it as the photos I upload to it are ones that I don’t care about from a security standpoint. For your case, given you have a pixel 2, you’ll get unlimited photos backup with reduced quality, but still unlimited. This is also the case for pixel gens 2-5.
Click to expand...
Interesting, I didn't know about the photo thing. Perhaps it differs by country/region? I'll have to look into that.

My photos are mainly gas and power meter readings, odometer readings, screenshots of BIOS RAM timings, error messages, and opening times of various shops and offices in my area. No dickpics. Nothing even remotely illegal even in countries like Iran, North Korea or the United Kingdom.

Total Annihilation said:
I do want to add that I think if you put lineageOS on it, you still get the unlimited photos backup, but I haven’t done it yet with my 1st gen pixel.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info. Although, the pictures I needed to back up, I have backed up already.

Total Annihilation said:
Also, I do want to replace the battery sometime, as my pixel 1 only last an hour or so on battery when connected to WiFi.
Click to expand...
My Pixel 2 lasts around 4-5 days, but I haven't connected it to any network, it only serves as my alarm clock right now. It still carries the vulnerable Android 11, after all.
 
Looking to buy a new phone, based in the US. Having a camera where pictures instantly look good, or can be edited quickly to look good is really important.

I'm not a mobile gamer, but I want a responsive phone with low latency. I was looking at the OnePlus 13, and everything looked great- but it seems the camera is a step below flagship models. The Pixel 10 Pro XL seems like it has a great camera, and can be bought third party for about a 1000 USD. Seems like a good option, but I'm sure it comes with plenty of google bloatware. I'm trying to degoogle my life, not add to it. I've had mixed results with used and refurbished phones, so ideally I'd get either an open box or new phone. The specs on the Xiaomi look great, but I heard its a hassle trying to get it working in the US.

~800$ to work with. Would rather spend less than more. Any recommendations?
 
Last edited:
Uncle Tom's Condo said:
I need to replace my 2019 cell phone. It randomly discharges, the battery life sucks and notifications work on a 'fuck you, i do what i want' basis. It's an old mid-range Samsung, so I was looking at the Samsung A35. Things I use my cellphone for in order of frequency: calling people, taking picture of dumb stuff, texting, looking up random shit at the bar to settle debates, streaming music to my headphones when mowing or out for a stroll and uber rides once a month or so. I have no apps other than a music one and uber and I don't use it for gayming or anything else. I can transfer everything on my phone now, including settings, if I get another Samsung, so that's appealing. I don't care about dual sims or whatever. I had an iphone in the past and it was so-so. Also, since I pay for my phone and service, work email sure as heck doesn't go on there, so that's not an issue.

Thoughts?
Click to expand...

Most phones from the past few years can do what you want. The main difference are the cameras and the stuff for gaymers.

If you get an A35 get one that has eSIM capability if you do any international travel. Makes it really easy to have service wherever you go.
 
Mikoyan said:
And if you want nothing google, they're a popular target for minimalist roms.
Click to expand...
I've heard the built in software with the pixel is somewhat invasive, and you can't get rid of the AI features embedded into the phone. For example the photos get automatically enhanced by AI. Makes me wonder how much more of the software is connected to google. That and the battery life is not ideal.
 
TwistedFreak said:
I'm not a mobile gamer
Click to expand...
Good, because you don't want to be, especially after Google pulled its stupid bullshit move with "Play Protect". Before that, playing games on android USED to be fun.

I can safely say that I only play like 2-3 games with any sort of seriousness on it. Otherwise everything else I try to play crashes my phone now because Google is a piece of shit that thinks any app is a virus unless it's "verified" by them and them alone.
 
ShapelyMutton said:
I'm feeling pretty jewed right now
View attachment 8418788

Unihertz Titan 2 came out mid/late last year and now they're already releasing a smaller model with the Titan 2 Elite. Specs still need to be seen
Click to expand...
I don't know how I've never seen this guy's reviews before but this is the most low-energy but unhinged product reviews I've seen in a while

Also very cool thing for those interested.
Xperia 1 IV phones and above are very cool phones: headphone jacks, dual SIM, expandable storage, OLED screens.
But Sony likes to drop support for them very quickly as well as exclude the American market from the newer ones.
But now LineageOS supports these absolute fucking beefcake phones as of last month!
You can get one of these for like $600 on ebay!

Once I'm done dealing with the dead battery in my current model I'll post about what I get out of Lineage OS with it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom