4G Android phone megathread

SumnerH

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Dope
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Jul 18, 2005
31,890
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For example, this would have saved me ~$50 over the last four months. There may be a downside here, but I haven't seen it yet.
As far as I can tell there's no downside. You now get the 7th-15th gigabytes free, and then either get free-but-throttled data or can pay the same $10/GB you were already paying before to avoid throttling.
 

finnVT

superspreadsheeter
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Jul 12, 2002
2,153
BTW, on a group plan (for two of us), I just got notification that the cap kicks in at 10 GB total. We never get close to that, but for others that may be a good deal. You also get a $5/mo discount for being on a group plan (edit: for the 2nd user).
 

Spelunker

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Jul 17, 2005
11,862
Yeah, this is like the consumer version of being salaried non-exempt. I'm mainly expecting a catch somewhere because, well, that's almost always how these things go.
 

finnVT

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Jul 12, 2002
2,153
I think the "catch" is that they're doing this instead of reducing the $10/GB rate on the first 6 GB. That rate doesn't seem as good as it did a few years ago, and it seems like this is there way of appeasing people that feel like their data rates aren't keeping up with the industry.
 

saintnick912

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Oct 30, 2004
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The $299 price on the Fi version of the Moto G4 is pretty killer as well, and using a referral code can get another $20 credit after your first month.
 

Hextall

New Member
Mar 5, 2010
189
I'm on Verizon with no ambition to leave, and would like to get a Google pixel 2 (not the XL). what's the pros/cons from getting it from either google or Verizon? Price looks to be the same.

I assume that verizon will add its usual bloat, which yuck. but is there any other advantage to getting it at a verizon shop besides the immediacy? Price seems to be about the same.

It's been upwards of 3 years since I bought a new phone (Samsung S5), which is usually a lifetime. All the rest of my family gets iphones straight through verizon and does it mindlessly. Before that I had a Nexus from Best buy which was easily rootable so app bloat didn't matter. So I'm really out of the loop regarding what Verizon would put on the instore pixels.
 

jercra

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Jul 31, 2006
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Arvada, Co
I'm on Verizon with no ambition to leave, and would like to get a Google pixel 2 (not the XL). what's the pros/cons from getting it from either google or Verizon? Price looks to be the same.

I assume that verizon will add its usual bloat, which yuck. but is there any other advantage to getting it at a verizon shop besides the immediacy? Price seems to be about the same.

It's been upwards of 3 years since I bought a new phone (Samsung S5), which is usually a lifetime. All the rest of my family gets iphones straight through verizon and does it mindlessly. Before that I had a Nexus from Best buy which was easily rootable so app bloat didn't matter. So I'm really out of the loop regarding what Verizon would put on the instore pixels.
I don't know what VZW provides as a warranty but Google extended the warranty to two 2 years so that may be a consideration. You may also get updates faster when bought from Google but I don't know that for sure.
 

saintnick912

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The bloat situation will be the same between the two sources as far as I know. When you install a Verizon SIM you get a few apps installed, all of which I think can be removed or disabled.
 

Omar's Wacky Neighbor

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Jul 14, 2005
16,627
Leaving in a bit to the studio :)
My old LG G3 screen died, and I'm trying to replace the phone with a new LG G3 that I got from AWD.

Both phones are branded VZW, and my carrier is TotalWireless, which is a VZW CDMA MVNO.

Problem is, the Mobile Data box keeps unchecking itself, so I keep getting a sim card error. I went into the settings and configured the APN to the values I found online, and the phone worked fine (call/text/data) for like an hour, then I got the sim card error all over again.

Error messge reads: YOUR MOBILE DATA IS OFF. Turn on your mobile data yada yada yada.

Been fiddling with it, and for the life of me, I can't get the Mobile Data box to keep/save the check mark in it.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.....

EDIT: I've tried two diff TotalWireless sim cards, and an old VZW sim card, with the same results every time: unchecked Mobile Data box.
 

santadevil

wears depends
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Aug 1, 2006
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I turned off my auto correct about a year ago and while I still make errors from time to time, I've found it better than fighting with the phone to get the proper word in there.
 

Couperin47

Member
SoSH Member
Issues with auto-correct ? Consider trying a different keyboard app.

https://www.androidcentral.com/best-keyboard-android is a good summary of the most popular free options, also read the comments which suggest several other apps that are strong in the correct issue as well as pointing out the major flaws and differences among the leaders that the article itself does not mention.
 

Spelunker

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Jul 17, 2005
11,862
Anybody else having issues with auto correct on their Android device? Every time I select one of the auto correct options from the list, it corrects to something nonsensical.
Yes. This started a few days ago. I don't remember if I installed a new update on the interim.

That said, this has happened in the past and was quickly fixed. It mainly affected me (then and now) in forum WYSIWYGs. Like this.
 

charlieoscar

Member
Sep 28, 2014
1,339
Don't know if this only applies to Android phones but I just got an alert from T-Mobile about number porting, i.e., hackers port your number to a new carrier or SIM card. It's not restricted to T-Mobile but that provider seems to be more susceptible because of leaked/hacked info. This allows people to use "forgot my password" to gain entry to your accounts. I'm sure someone here knows more about this and can provide a better explanation.
 

Caspir

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Jul 16, 2005
6,886
Not much to add since the phone has been out for a few months, but using a Pixel 2 XL has me wondering what the fuck I was thinking with Samsung devices. I've always gone with a Galaxy (I did have an HTC Incredible way back when, but), and holy fuck. Their version of Android is pure cartoon bullshit, and this phone is fantastic. I don't have the blue tint issue, at least from what I can see, and everything about it is a major step up from TouchWiz crap. Losing all the worthless Samsung apps is an added bonus, and the only thing I will miss is Samsung Pay since it works on magnetic stripe readers, even though I can count on one hand the times I've had to do that.
 

drbretto

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Apr 10, 2009
12,073
Concord, NH
Does anyone know if there's a way to change which volume is controlled by default when you hit the volume up and down buttons?

I don't want to change the volume of my "ringtone" pretty much ever (it's on vibrate forever), but if I hit the volume button while the phone is buffering a song or loading the funny video I'm trying to watch discretely at work, it defaults to the ringer volume instead of the media volume unless there's already some audio playing. I have since found the little button on the top-right I can hit to pick the right volume control, but is there any way to make that default?

Edit: Found an app for it: Rocker Locker. Free, and does this and only this.
 
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glennhoffmania

meat puppet
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Jul 25, 2005
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I'm having a stupid issue with Google music. Not sure where else to post it.

I used to buy music on Amazon. I decided to try Google. I went to the play music app, bought a song, added it to my library. No issues. Then I tried to download it so I can add it to my Shuttle play list. It won't work. I see the file in my file manager but when I open it it just says "null" and I can't add it to my Shuttle library. I then downloaded it onto my computer, emailed it to myself and downloaded it again on my phone. Nothing. I did one of those online help chats with Google. After 30 minutes she couldn't make it happen either so I gave up.

It can't be this difficult. If you purchase music on Google play music how do you get it on your phone so you can play it offline?
 

saintnick912

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Oct 30, 2004
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Anything in the "Library" section should have a download button when you click into it. Then it downloads and you can set the app to "Downloaded Only" and play anything you downloaded.

In terms of playing it in other apps or getting the raw files, I haven't tried that. According to this article (https://support.google.com/googleplaymusic/answer/1250232?hl=en) you can install Music Manager on your computer and "Download Free and Purchased".
 

glennhoffmania

meat puppet
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Jul 25, 2005
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Thanks. I ended up going back to Amazon and it works well. I was really surprised at how awful the play music option is, and that the tech support rep couldn't solve the issue.
 

santadevil

wears depends
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Aug 1, 2006
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I'm potentially looking at upgrading my Samsung Note 5 to a Huawei P20pro in the next month when our local carrier gets them in.
I know there won't much, if any availability in the US, but does anyone have any recent experience with Huawei products at all?

I'm slightly apprehensive about it being a Chinese company, but am I being a worry-wort, or should I expect my phone activities to all be tracked by the Chinese hackers?

The only reason I'm looking to upgrade is that I'm having more and more battery life issues with my phone. I end up using it a lot for work.
I have loved the Note 5 since I got it and have always went Samsung Note phones since I joined the smart phone revolution, but I also don't really want to upgrade and pay more money, etc. etc. This Huawei phone has caught my eye and I've watched a lot of review videos and such, so I'm kind of torn.

Looks like I have some time to decide as our local carrier won't be getting them in until mid-May, but would appreciate some additional info if anyone has anything to share.

edit/ And right after I posted this, I read this article: https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/14/17011246/huawei-phones-safe-us-intelligence-chief-fears

edit 2/ I'm also a legend in my own mind...don't work for the government or anything
 
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Marceline

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Sep 9, 2002
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Don't know about that specific phone but Huawei made the Nexus 6p, which was (for me) a great phone, but many people had battery issues with the phone.
 

gtmtnbiker

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Jul 15, 2005
1,724
I only have experience with Windows phones and iphones. My daughter has a Galaxy S7 Edge phone and recently changed her login to use swype instead of PIN. She got locked out of her phone because she forgot her swype combo. I was surprised that it didn't give you the fallback option of using a PIN like you can on Windows/iOS. Did we overlook something?
 

santadevil

wears depends
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Aug 1, 2006
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I'm sure on the Samsung's that you can go back to your PIN in case you do lock yourself out

But I'm not 100% sure. I haven't used a lock on my phone since I got this Note 5 a couple years back
 

santadevil

wears depends
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Aug 1, 2006
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I'm potentially looking at upgrading my Samsung Note 5 to a Huawei P20pro in the next month when our local carrier gets them in.
Quick update, I actually got to play with a P20 pro in the wild this weekend for a few hours.
The camera is amazing and overall I enjoyed the experience. Took some night mode shots during the day and play with a ton of the camera settings. Very impressive.

A touch taller than the Note 5, but feels really good in hand.
Better sound through the speaker(s) than the Note 5, which is a big deal to me.

I had read a bunch of reviews and watched Youtube video reviews as well and played with the things that the reviewers said caused them issues, like Google Maps taking forever, but I didn't seem to have those issues. Sounds like it may just be select phones having those issues. Screens was comparable.

I'm very certain this will be my next phone about a month from now.
 

jercra

No longer respects DeChambeau
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Jul 31, 2006
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I had a 6P and if I didn't get to replace it for free with a Pixel XL before getting my Pixel XL 2 I may have chosen to light it on fire over getting $200 for it on ebay. It was the most infuriating device I've owned maybe ever. The battery was terrible and made worse by going from 30% to power off with no warning. I'll never buy a Huawei device again after that experience, especially when compared to the experience I've had for the past 8 months with a Pixel XL 2.
 

OrlandoMerced

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Jul 23, 2005
198
Closer than you'd like
I only have experience with Windows phones and iphones. My daughter has a Galaxy S7 Edge phone and recently changed her login to use swype instead of PIN. She got locked out of her phone because she forgot her swype combo. I was surprised that it didn't give you the fallback option of using a PIN like you can on Windows/iOS. Did we overlook something?
If it doesn’t give you the “forgot pattern?” option after trying several times,
you should be able to use android device manager from another computer. Google the site. Login with the same google account that is on the phone and then lock it and set a temporary unlock code.
 

gtmtnbiker

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Jul 15, 2005
1,724
If it doesn’t give you the “forgot pattern?” option after trying several times,
you should be able to use android device manager from another computer. Google the site. Login with the same google account that is on the phone and then lock it and set a temporary unlock code.
I'll have to have her try this next time. She wouldn't let me look at her phone because apparently she tried it enough times and a few more attempts would cause the phone to get wiped out. In the end, she wiped her phone and restored from backup. Most of it got restored but did lose a little bit of data.
 

santadevil

wears depends
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Aug 1, 2006
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I had a 6P and if I didn't get to replace it for free with a Pixel XL before getting my Pixel XL 2 I may have chosen to light it on fire over getting $200 for it on ebay. It was the most infuriating device I've owned maybe ever. The battery was terrible and made worse by going from 30% to power off with no warning. I'll never buy a Huawei device again after that experience, especially when compared to the experience I've had for the past 8 months with a Pixel XL 2.
Thanks, that's good to know as well. I'm still worried about taking the plunge and have been reading and watching S9+ reviews as well...I can't make up my mind
 

JerBear

Member
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Nov 11, 2006
1,582
Leeds, ME
My sister broke her phone; anyone have an old Verizon compatible phone they're like to sell cheap? She doesn't need anything too fancy, she has been running one of the Galaxy J3 variants.

Figured I'd check here before trolling Facebook/Craigslist.
 

Couperin47

Member
SoSH Member
Recommendation. I'm probably not the standard user by SOSH standards, I don't game or consume much media or sports via my phone. been using a Moto X (2nd generation) US Cellular model as it's the best carrier in most of NH. It's been serviceable, stable and had about the best reception, also it comes very close to stock Android, but US Cellular never provides updates so it's been 5.1 Lollipop.

After 3 years it was time to upgrade. I wound up with a Moto e4 Plus that runs 7.1.2 Nougat. Unlike the standard e4 it has a larger, better screen (5.5 "), a better cpu and fingerprint sensor. Instead of a 2400 mAh replaceable battery, you get a fixed 5000 mAh battery. Standard miniusb power and normal headphone socket and no wireless charging. US Cellular always only offers a low memory (16 Gig) option, which is frustrating, but there is a micro SD slot, although Android still makes that memory of limited value/access.

Nougat is so much better/stable, the Moto experience is so close to stock it's unlikely you would bother rooting, reception is much better and the phone seems to have easily 90% of the functionality of a top end iPhone and US Cellular offers it at $120 payable as 30 months of $4/per month. I'll guess if you do heavy gaming it turns into a slug, but otherwise it's a serious value.
 

santadevil

wears depends
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Aug 1, 2006
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I went ahead with the P20 Pro purchase after a lot of deliberation.
I picked it up last Thursday.

There are a lot of differences compared to my Note 5, but I do like it so far.

Went through Saturday/Sunday on a single charge and plugged it in with about 18% left on the battery when I plugged it in last night.
Didn't use it intensively this weekend, but did use it a normal amount for myself.

Screen is great and so is the camera.
Connects to my car Bluetooth way faster, but still not immediately.

Having one small notification issue with WhatsApp, but I think I'm on track to fix it.

Really enjoying it for the most part.
 

ElUno20

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Jul 19, 2005
6,055
Primarily in the camera department, is paying for the newer s9 (over the s8) worth it?

Non-iphone, what other phones are in that top tier class? The newest LG?
 

Caspir

Member
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Jul 16, 2005
6,886
Pixel 2 XL.
Yup. I have never had an experience where I've liked a phone past the initial "shiny new thing" phase until I got a Pixel 2 XL. The thing is absolutely perfect in every way, from battery life and other basic things, to the random and actually useful shortcuts and features. If I could change one thing it would the the USB-C charger, but whatever. I'm a heavy, heavy user, and I've never even teetered on the edge of having my battery die. Multiple flights, podcasts/music, GPS, checking in for flights, checking into my hotel, pulling up my calendars and sending emails, etc., and the thing still has 30% at the end of the day. I love this phone, and it's the first time I'm not itching for whatever is next up.
 

jayhoz

Ronald Bartel
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Jul 19, 2005
17,364
Yup. I have never had an experience where I've liked a phone past the initial "shiny new thing" phase until I got a Pixel 2 XL. The thing is absolutely perfect in every way, from battery life and other basic things, to the random and actually useful shortcuts and features. If I could change one thing it would the the USB-C charger, but whatever. I'm a heavy, heavy user, and I've never even teetered on the edge of having my battery die. Multiple flights, podcasts/music, GPS, checking in for flights, checking into my hotel, pulling up my calendars and sending emails, etc., and the thing still has 30% at the end of the day. I love this phone, and it's the first time I'm not itching for whatever is next up.
Get used to it. It's nothing but USB-C from here on out for Android.
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

RIP Dernell
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Mar 24, 2008
7,203
USB-C is fantastic. I can charge my phone and Lenovo laptop with the same cable, which will even power a Mac Book.

Sounds like it's your first or only device with it, but pretty soon your micro USB cables will be in a pile with your mini USBs.
 

jercra

No longer respects DeChambeau
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Jul 31, 2006
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USB-C is fantastic. I can charge my phone and Lenovo laptop with the same cable, which will even power a Mac Book.

Sounds like it's your first or only device with it, but pretty soon your micro USB cables will be in a pile with your mini USBs.
Yeah, I don't understand. USB-C is superior in every way to A. What's the issue?
 

Caspir

Member
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Jul 16, 2005
6,886
USB-C is fantastic. I can charge my phone and Lenovo laptop with the same cable, which will even power a Mac Book.

Sounds like it's your first or only device with it, but pretty soon your micro USB cables will be in a pile with your mini USBs.
You nailed it. It's more of an adjustment to the new way of doing things, but I can't just plug it into a USB port on my laptop for a quick boost when I'm traveling. I always need to have the plug (until I finally breakdown and buy the USB-C to USB adapter of course). This issue is on its way out, but I am just in that spot where I haven't bought other new devices yet, so this is the only thing I have that requires a USB-C cable.
 

jercra

No longer respects DeChambeau
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Jul 31, 2006
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You nailed it. It's more of an adjustment to the new way of doing things, but I can't just plug it into a USB port on my laptop for a quick boost when I'm traveling. I always need to have the plug (until I finally breakdown and buy the USB-C to USB adapter of course). This issue is on its way out, but I am just in that spot where I haven't bought other new devices yet, so this is the only thing I have that requires a USB-C cable.
Or you could just buy a bunch or really cheap cables that are A on one end and C on the other. They don't have to be C on both ends.
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

RIP Dernell
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Mar 24, 2008
7,203
Or you could just buy a bunch or really cheap cables that are A on one end and C on the other. They don't have to be C on both ends.
This is the solution.

At the moment, I think I probably have 2 USB-C to USB-C cables. And probably 4-6 USB-C to USB-A cables.

I also bought a pack of these, though I find myself using them less than expected. Great to store one in my car, work, travel bag though: