4G Android phone megathread

crystalline

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Sure, but Apple does the same. That's not a differentiator.
It's a slight differentiator, because Google has a huge advertising business based on mining personal data, and Apple's profits have mainly come from selling devices, music etc.

And the encryption situation is better with recent iPhones than the Pixel, and at least iMessages are end-to-end encrypted while Google reads and uses Hangout message data. (I know Apple could pull those data from other locations like iCloud).

So while I agree Apple does a decent amount of monitoring themselves, the privacy situation is slightly better on the iPhone than an Android device.
 

Marceline

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I hope the pixel has a better battery because the 6p battery is garbage. It's my only complaint with the phone.
 

SumnerH

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I hope the pixel has a better battery because the 6p battery is garbage. It's my only complaint with the phone.
Amen. I don't get why phone makers don't focus on this-the LG G2 was the only smart phone I've had with reasonable battery life. It's also my only real complaint with my Nexus 5x.
 

jayhoz

Ronald Bartel
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Jul 19, 2005
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It seems like the current strategy is to dramatically reduce charge times rather than improve battery life. Maybe that is the path of least resistance from a tech development perspective. Unless the Pixel (not XL) is a heck of a lot more efficient, it wont be better than the 6p. It as ~20% less mAh of battery.
 

jimv

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Feb 5, 2011
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Amen. I don't get why phone makers don't focus on this-the LG G2 was the only smart phone I've had with reasonable battery life. It's also my only real complaint with my Nexus 5x.
I have a 6P and battery life was an issue. Recently installed wallpaper that displays (among other things) CPU usage and it idled at 14-16% even though I'm a light user with few apps. Disabling and uninstalling those pre-loaded apps that I never use and now the CPU idles at 4-6%. Battery life has been a bit better. ymmv
 

Marceline

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I have a 6P and battery life was an issue. Recently installed wallpaper that displays (among other things) CPU usage and it idled at 14-16% even though I'm a light user with few apps. Disabling and uninstalling those pre-loaded apps that I never use and now the CPU idles at 4-6%. Battery life has been a bit better. ymmv
Which apps did you disable/Uninstall and what wallpaper did you use to display the cpu usage?

Thanks...
 

Foulkey Reese

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It seems like the current strategy is to dramatically reduce charge times rather than improve battery life. Maybe that is the path of least resistance from a tech development perspective. Unless the Pixel (not XL) is a heck of a lot more efficient, it wont be better than the 6p. It as ~20% less mAh of battery.
This is what I'm going to miss about the Droid Turbo 2. Full day battery life + fast charge. Power just isn't something I think about with this phone as it either has a charge, or can be charged in a few minutes. I have no idea why that isn't the standard. The phone isn't that much thicker than an iPhone.
 

jimv

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Which apps did you disable/Uninstall and what wallpaper did you use to display the cpu usage?

Thanks...
Google drive, DropBox, Google+, Cloud Print and others I can't remember - maybe 10 all together? I wasn't systematic, did it all at once so I can't say if any one app had a bigger cpu footprint than the others.

Wallpaper - DeviceInfoEx Live WallPaper
 

Foulkey Reese

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Time to Mo Vaughn

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Shitty news for anyone ordering from Verizon:

http://www.droid-life.com/2016/10/06/google-apparently-letting-verizon-handle-major-pixel-system-updates/

If I didn't have the $400 subsidy, I'd be cancelling and ordering through Google or anywhere else at this point.

Did anybody order and of the other devices that were announced or released by Google yesterday? I put in an order for a Google Home. Was about to pull the trigger on an Echo a few months ago before the rumor that Google was making a competitor.
 

jayhoz

Ronald Bartel
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Jul 19, 2005
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Bigpupp

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More problems with the Note 7 have caused the government to ask users to power down all devices, even replacement ones. Which in turn has caused Samsung to "pause production" of the device entirely.

I have really enjoyed my device, but it looks like it won't survive this. Wouldn't be surprised to see the Note line be re-branded entirely going forward.
 

SumnerH

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My 5x stopped unlocking with the fingerprint sensor today; it seemed as though it recognized the fingerprint but requested the pin for additional security every single time (like it normally does after a reboot or occasionally).

Deleting all my stored fingerprints and reëntering them fixed the issue. Just in case anyone else sees this issue.
 

glennhoffmania

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I just got the new S7 and I'm having a couple of issues. Any suggestions would be appeciated.

-I've always used the stock email app. I like it, it's simple, it works. I hate the new stock app. I don't see how you can turn off message preview and you have to long tap to select. Just the whole setup seems poorly thought out. Is there a way to customize it, or what better email apps should I consider?

-I like having notifications on my lock screen so I can see if the message is important enough to actually go read it asap. On this phone, it seems that when you enable lock screen notifications the screen turns on every time you have a notification. This is stupid and it kills the battery. Is there a way to keep notifications but not have the screen come on every time you get one?

-I've always used the weather channel app. The new version sucks. The old one had a simple menu so you could get right to hourly, short term forecast, and 10 day forecast. I tried Accuweather too but wasn't thrilled. What's a good weather app that has a 1x1 widget?

-I have a bunch of music and pictures on my SD card in my HTC M8. I was told it would be simple to transfer. The SD card doesn't seem to be the same shape as the Samsung slot. I can place it on the little pull out drawer thing but it's basically just sitting loosely on top of it, so I'm hesitant to try to jam it into the slot.
 

PortlandSoxFan

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I've been on Fi from the very beginning, and I'm jumping all over this. The kid can stay on Net10; 1. because it is an iPhone and 2. the data is cheaper. But the adults who use between 1-2 GB a month each? Fi it is. Was looking for a replacement for a Moto X 2014 edition, so a 5x will do.
 

Rancho Relaxo

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More problems with the Note 7 have caused the government to ask users to power down all devices, even replacement ones. Which in turn has caused Samsung to "pause production" of the device entirely.

I have really enjoyed my device, but it looks like it won't survive this. Wouldn't be surprised to see the Note line be re-branded entirely going forward.
This is such a bummer. After my Note 4 died, I got a "replacement" Note 7 a couple of weeks ago. I love the device. I finally customized it to my liking and re-synched all my apps. I really don't know what to do now. I'm not exactly eager to go through that whole process again. I also don't know which phone I'd even get. The new Google phone isn't out for a while and isn't covered as part of the Verizon Edge program. The iPhone 7+ doesn't offered a microSD slot and would require my switching apps out of the Android ecosystem. And the Galaxy S7/Edge isn't as big as I'd like.

I'm half tempted to take my chances and not trade it in...
 

4 6 3 DP

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So the Pixel conversation for Verizon users comes down to:

1. Buy through Verizon, get access to Wifi calling and visual VM but later updates.
2. Buy through Google, no access to Wifi/VM but immediate updates.

I understand I could use Google Fi, but I'm wary it will end up being an initiative that I shelve and then I'll have to go over to Verizon and deal with option #2. I go to the Cape in the summer with crappy cell service and the wifi calling is a must there.
 

4 6 3 DP

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My worry with Fi is Google loses money on it and abandons it and I've lost the ability to do those things on Verizon (who I'd go back to)
 

Strike4

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Jul 19, 2005
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I'm in the market for a new Android phone. Currently have a 2.5 year old Moto X (which has been great), live in Maine so must use Verizon and therefore unlocked-ness is not essential. Are those of you with the Nexus 5X happy? I like the smaller display as opposed to the 6P. I would get on board with the Pixel but that's just too much money for something I could drop and break.
 

SumnerH

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I'm in the market for a new Android phone. Currently have a 2.5 year old Moto X (which has been great), live in Maine so must use Verizon and therefore unlocked-ness is not essential. Are those of you with the Nexus 5X happy? I like the smaller display as opposed to the 6P. I would get on board with the Pixel but that's just too much money for something I could drop and break.
I love the 5X. Some people report sluggishness but I haven't had that issue; I also don't do any gaming on it.

Project Fi has (as of a few months ago) added US Cellular to their network, alongside Sprint and T-Mobile. My understanding is that that made coverage in Maine pretty strong, even in rural areas, but I haven't been back up there since the addition.
 

Time to Mo Vaughn

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Mar 24, 2008
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I'm in the market for a new Android phone. Currently have a 2.5 year old Moto X (which has been great), live in Maine so must use Verizon and therefore unlocked-ness is not essential. Are those of you with the Nexus 5X happy? I like the smaller display as opposed to the 6P. I would get on board with the Pixel but that's just too much money for something I could drop and break.
Want to buy mine when my Pixel arrives?
 

Strike4

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Project Fi has (as of a few months ago) added US Cellular to their network, alongside Sprint and T-Mobile. My understanding is that that made coverage in Maine pretty strong, even in rural areas, but I haven't been back up there since the addition.
You're right - coverage is pretty comparable to Verizon's. I work in land conservation along the Appalachian Trail, and obviously there's not much coverage in the woods/mountains, but it helps to have some connection when you're in the nearest town. I'm going to look into Fi, thanks. And the 5X is only $199 with it.
 

Bigpupp

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Amazon is refunding all Note 7 accessories even if it's outside the 30 day window. I was able to get a full refund on the two cases I purchased - didn't even have to send them back (not that I have any use for them now).
 

ElUno20

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Jul 19, 2005
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Does anyone have experience with the Moto G4 plus? How is it in comparison to an older Galaxy? I'm thinking of upgrading but don't need a phone with all the bells and whistles. Just basic stuff like asking questions on internet message boards.
 

PortlandSoxFan

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Nothing about the Pixel has me rushing to replace my 6p. I've upgraded right through the Nexus line from the Galaxy Nexus to this one; I imagine the 'exclusive' features will be available on this phone within a month or two. I'm sure I'll get it eventually, but probably in 6-9 months when the price comes way down.
 

johnmd20

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My Pixel is all set up and it's awesome. Set up was very easy.

The screen is great, and gorgeous, you can really minimize text size and fit so much on the screen. It's very fast and consistent. My only complaint is the USB C charger, which means I have to change all my chargers. But I got a bunch of adapters. And another complaint is that the notification light is useless b/c it blinks every 15 seconds. Who at Google thought a 15 second delay on a notification light was a good move should be removed from the decision making process. Hopefully that gets fixed with an update or maybe you can change it but I tried and didn't find any options to do so.

So far it blows the S7 Edge away, but that isn't saying much because the edge was an absolute calamity.
 

jayhoz

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Regarding USB-C...the roll out of this tech has been a bit of a cluster. Lots of non-compliant and faulty product made it into the wild early on. There are a lot of flavors of USB-C and unless you get the correct one, you won't get the same charging speed as your original charger. The Pixel will need an 18W USB-C charger with Power Delivery to charge at it's full rate. Adapters won't deliver this.

This Google Engineer keeps a running list of "approved" USB-C devices.

https://plus.google.com/+BensonLeung
 

johnmd20

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Regarding USB-C...the roll out of this tech has been a bit of a cluster. Lots of non-compliant and faulty product made it into the wild early on. There are a lot of flavors of USB-C and unless you get the correct one, you won't get the same charging speed as your original charger. The Pixel will need an 18W USB-C charger with Power Delivery to charge at it's full rate. Adapters won't deliver this.

This Google Engineer keeps a running list of "approved" USB-C devices.

https://plus.google.com/+BensonLeung
As long as I can use my 10W charger with a mirco usb adapter, I'm not worried about charging speeds. Convenience trumps that, assuming it won't short out the phone, which probably can't happen.

And if this destroys the battery, it's not a big deal b/c I'll get another phone next summer anyway.
 

saintnick912

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jayhoz

Ronald Bartel
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As long as I can use my 10W charger with a mirco usb adapter, I'm not worried about charging speeds. Convenience trumps that, assuming it won't short out the phone, which probably can't happen.

And if this destroys the battery, it's not a big deal b/c I'll get another phone next summer anyway.
Can't imagine you'd be doing any damage.
 

Foulkey Reese

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So I love this phone. Amazing screen, super super fast response time, no carrier or manufacturer garbage added, and a top notch camera. This is the Android I have been waiting for.