Android Phone Comparisons

[brassburnz]

I'm in an Instructional Technology Design program at my local university. I have a small research assignment regarding popular consumer electronics and was given Android phones. Others are reviewing iPhones, iPads, Android tablets, etc.

I've got an iPhone and have never used an Android. So I figured I'd ask the Calguns collective brain trust their opinions on Android phones. What are features you like? Dislike? Best phone regardless of price? Best bang for your buck? That kind of stuff. Nothing too technical or cerebral, just your impressions.

Thanks.

[sholling]

These are better places to do your research.

https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-android-phone/

Android Central and Android authority both have forums as well as news.

https://www.androidcentral.com/

https://www.androidauthority.com/

Android news and opinions:

https://www.droid-life.com/

http://www.androidpolice.com/

[brassburnz]

These are better places to do your research.

https://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-android-phone/

Android Central and Android authority both have forums as well as news.

https://www.androidcentral.com/

https://www.androidauthority.com/

Android news and opinions:

https://www.droid-life.com/

http://www.androidpolice.com/

Thanks for the websites. I just wanted to get some informal opinions from the Calguns community. I cross-posted this to Off Topic and got a better response there.

[jdfthetech]

best bang for your buck currently in my opinion is the Motorola Motog 5

I purchased one recently for around 250 and it's an excellent value.

[CHEONG_FUN]

I'm in an Instructional Technology Design program at my local university. I have a small research assignment regarding popular consumer electronics and was given Android phones. Others are reviewing iPhones, iPads, Android tablets, etc.

I've got an iPhone and have never used an Android. So I figured I'd ask the Calguns collective brain trust their opinions on Android phones. What are features you like? Dislike? Best phone regardless of price? Best bang for your buck? That kind of stuff. Nothing too technical or cerebral, just your impressions.

Thanks.

I have worked in the wireless industry for 13 years and counting. Use a Samsung for personal phone and an iPhone 6s for work.

Features:
1) Most missed feature while using my iPhone...
CALLING A CONTACT!
on my note 8, I can click phone icon (1), it opens dialer pad, then start typing in the name of the person I want to reach, let's say JOHN, 5464, (4) taps, then a list of names come up so I scroll and tap name to dial.

Compared to iPhone, tap phone icon (1), tap contacts (1), then type John (4), then a list of names come up so I scroll and tap name to dial.

It takes that extra step to search names, seems neglible but that's so annoying on an iPhone.

Being an avid Android user. Which I've used Motorola Z force, Pixel XL, Galaxy s7 all within the year or so. I find that one aspect super annoying.

2) Another huge advantage is that on an Android you can alter the position of your apps so that they are positioned within reach with out regripping the phone etc. Versus iPhone is set with only the ability to change locations of apps but the apps just trade spots. But let's say you want to have something in the bottom right but leave the rest blank on that page, you cannot.

3) back button. For obvious reasons it helps for numerous instances.

4) Android phones typically come out with new features, apple picks those features then exploits it and makes it their own and everyone falls in love with it lol.

5) notification bar on Android allows you to keep track of missed alerts quickly.

6) Spotify does not go landscape. Not sure why it's that hard. But when using my iPhone mounted in carmount, it doesn't turn landscape. Pretty simple issue to fix is my thought.

7) one thing I do like about iPhone, is the quality of apps. Apple has previously, not sure if it's still required, approved all apps that enter the app store. Versus Android is open source. So if you have some knowledge of creating an app, you can, and share it with millions of people. But alot are crummy.

Best Android regardless of price.
I personally use a Note 8 and it's the most expensive Android, got it at launch on sale, $960. Great phone, whether best, that's subjective. I love the pixels too. Wouldn't mind a Pixel 2 XL. But my note 8 is great because it's also expandable memory which comes in handy.

Best bang for buck. Well, this is also subjective but at the same time it's Android is great with features they like to exploit in any given phone. Some have great battery life, so take better pictures, some are bigger screens, overall since currently there's monthly payment options, I'd say the Samsung S7, original Pixel, or if on a budget then there's several low end Android's out there but you obviously will lack processing speed and will notice it.

Hope this helps.

[teflondog]

I hate Android phones with bloatware (Samsung Galaxy). I prefer stock Android so I'd recommend the Google Pixel 2 XL. It has the best camera out of any smartphone without a doubt. The stock Android software is really fast since there isn't any bloatware slowing it down. If you have smaller hands then I'd go with the smaller Pixel 2 but I chose the Pixel 2 XL because it has a bigger battery.

[Bushwack44]

For know apparent reason, my past three phones have been from LG. I will say that I will hold on to my LG V20 as long as I can - it's the last remaining smart phone that has a replaceable battery.

[the86d]

Love the LG devices, and although the power button is on the back, and it takes to long to realize that it was removed from a holster/pouch, the double tap feature of the screen to unlock w/out hitting power, AND the second screen of the v20 is really nice... to see how much time is left on breaks, lunch, etc.

[Sniper3142]

I've owned and used more regular phones (aka=feature phones) & smartphones then most will ever see (probably between 50 & 100... since I work in the industry).

I own & use Android. When required for work, I will tolerate an iPhone.

Among the current Android smartphones, Samsung reigns supreme! Their hardware is excellent & is coupled with their excellent software. A close second would be either LG or HTC. Motorola brings up the rear because of their habit of orphaning devices & piss poor business practices.

[Bud_Dub]

Love Android screen widgets i.e. calendar, weather, scores, contact dial/text, etc. Quick reference. Always had android. Feel like apple makes simple tasks complicated. Apple cloud and facetime is a plus. I had ipod and ipad and I'm done.

Moving on, I had s6 I broke and upgraded to S8. Bad move. Not worth the price. Same thing. Fancy curved screen is annoying. Finding glass screen protector with case is no luck, keeps popping protector. On landscape mode, curved glass angles status bar up making notifications unclear, and exposes edges to bangs or face drops and possible cracks. Fingerprint scanner is on back near camera, awkward location instead of front for thumb. Absolutely hate the 3rd button on left for Bixby! Always push by accident and starts some stupid app I never use. At least let me decide what app for it.

As stated earlier back button is big plus. So at this point, I'll never waste this much money on new phone. Really no new features I cared for. Was in rush to get new phone before going back to work. Camera is really my only care for random family pics. If I could do it over. Get an s6 again. Worked great for 2 years. First time a phone lasted that long without being slow.

[CaliforniaCowboy]

Android gives me complete freedom. Apple does not. It is like apple owns that phone and just lets you use it a little.