Mobile phone advice

[digitaldean]

Kind of a techno geek at heart, but I am in a quandary right now.

Considering upgrading from my old HTC smartphone to either a Moto X or nexus 5. Currently on an MVNO that resells Sprint coverage. Open to unlocked phones, but would mean I would have to switch carriers. If I did that, it has to be something like Straight Talk. I do not want to get stuck in contract with AT&T, plus TMobile coverage in my area is ok, but where my kids are at in college is atrocious.

I like the One Plus 1, but the invite system is idiotic. Have bought my phones through Swappa.com in past with pretty good success.

Even considering switching to Republic Wireless because I like their plan set ups. Now with new phones coming out next month from Motorola, at IFA and Apple iPhone6 I am inclined to wait.

Any thoughts?

[call_me_ishmael]

iPhone 6. 4.7" or 5.5". Anything else would be uncivilized.

[digitaldean]

I own 2 iPads and a 27" iMac, so I do like iOS. But $600-700 for an iPhone 6 is asinine. I will go Android with a OnePlus1 or Nexus 6 (or Nexus X as they are strangely calling it, for 1/2 the price with similar or better specs. Not paying Sprint, AT&T or VZW either and get screwed with monthly fees.

[call_me_ishmael]

Like everything in life, you get what you pay for. It's like comparing a carolla to a beemer. Different experiences; both cars.

[3irty1]

I've got a Nexus, my wife has an iphone. I wouldn't trade with her. We don't have contracts so the phone is a big investment. Hers is in a $100 case because its a $700 phone. Her touch screen is a slightly nicer perpetually smudgy piece of shit, her camera doesn't seem any better than mine in experience, but some of my facebook friends put up incredible photos from their iphones so maybe the photographer is the bottleneck of my testing. Software wise I hate hers and she hates mine.

The big difference is philosophy. My phone is all utility, its just a product which is easy to evaluate based on build quality, features, and price.

If her phone cost $2000 dollars she'd still have one. Her phone is not just a phone its also a tattoo, its something she has on herself because she likes what it says about her. Its like designer shoes or an expensive car. It transcends smart phone things. These are legitimate features for tons of people so I'm not judging. Its a matter of if the "experience" is wasted on you or not.

[red]

i switched to stright talk a couple months ago, and its ok. for $45 a month for a smart phone i can't bitch too much

i got there newest phone, the samsung galaxy ace style or whatever its called, and its fine

the one problem i have is coverage, all of their top end phones run on verizon, which sucks up here. and its only 3G, no $g with straight talk. so trying to stream porn on your phone is a massive pain in the ass

but otherwise, it does everything i want

[MadtownPacker]

Like everything in life, you get what you pay for. It's like comparing a carolla to a beemer. Different experiences; both cars.Like always in life, you are fucking up. The corolla will likely, fuck that, will for sure be running when the beemer is on the side of the highway. Always shooting yourself in the foot P!!!

[MadtownPacker]

As for Dean, why are you adverse to contracts? I see it as I'm gonna need a fucking phone and I'm gonna pay these bitches so when I can upgrade I do since I take care of my shit and don't need replacement until then. At that point it's like dirty1 said, just a vanity piece. Are you one of those toreback, cracked screen mfers?

[MadtownPacker]

Tell you what Deanster I will sell you my i5. With that $ I will buy the i6 on contract and sell you that fucker in 2 years too!

[digitaldean]

Bad experience with US Cellular and Sprint, Mad. Hate being tied down to a contract. Right now, I go through MVNO of Sprint (essentially they resell Sprint coverage). Essentially, I pay just for what I use.

Was able to get a smartphone for the first time last year and my monthly rates were cheaper than just a plain talk/text plan from Sprint. Still get same coverage of large company, just done pay their overinflated rates, plus I can quit at any time without paying a stupid ETF. Thought about T-Mobile, but their coverage where my kids are in college isn't that great.

I'd consider your offer on the iPhone 5 Mad, cuz my youngest kid wants one. But then, you'd have to purge all your Latina porn off of it.....:-):-):-)

[Iron Mike]

I've got a Moto X and it's OK. That's about all I could say for it. :(

[Freak Out]

iPhone 6. 4.7" or 5.5". Anything else would be uncivilized.

Underwhelmed with the new watch.

[Cheesehead Craig]

The smart watches are stupid.

I have the Galaxy 5 with Verizon, so far I'm loving it.

[MadtownPacker]

Underwhelmed with the new watch.
Looking at it would make you feel like you're timing yourself beating off? :lol:

[Freak Out]

Thats a good use for any watch.

[call_me_ishmael]

Underwhelmed with the new watch.

Same. I think Apple focused so far on a lot of shit that people won't really use.

I think the reason for that is the sensor market is still very young. I suspect by gen 3 it will be half as thick, and have blood pressure, blood sugar, and hydration detection.

[3irty1]

Non invasive glucose detection has been the holy grail of bio sensors for decades. That technology is still breakthroughs away. Obviously that's a very big deal if it were to happen.

I didn't really see the watch as an expensive fit bit competitor but a mid-priced haute fashion watch competitor.

[Fosco33]

All you other i5 owners, check this site out. My phone is eligible for the battery replacement so I'm going to forego the upgrade.

https://ssl.apple.com/support/iphone5-battery/

Damn the man!

[call_me_ishmael]

If you're on a contract, it is in your best interest to upgrade. Sell your current phone, upgrade.

1. Minimal to no out of pocket cost

2. Opportunity cost - your current device will be worthless in two years. iPhone 6 will be worth at least 200 dollars.

3. You're paying 30 or so dollars per month in the form of a subsidy for the device upgrade whether you're using it or not. Carriers love people that don't upgrade. They are giving them a much bigger profit margin than people that do.

In summary: Upgrade whenever possible.

[call_me_ishmael]

Non invasive glucose detection has been the holy grail of bio sensors for decades. That technology is still breakthroughs away. Obviously that's a very big deal if it were to happen.

It will happen. Apple and Google are pouring massive amounts of money into it. Smartwatches become the next smartphone when it happens. Maybe even bigger globally.

I predict the 3rd gen Apple Watch has much, much, much more capable health tracking - hopefully non-invasive glucose detection. I also predict it has true wireless charging - which sounds so insanely awesome.

Samsung has a phone coming out in 2015 with true wireless charging. Allegedly, anyway.

[Fosco33]

My phone is company provided and paid for outside a small fee (which is also covered in another way). So upgrade vs. battery replacement is not a cost concern.

i just don't want another bunkass super phone - as I think these companies make phones that last 2 years for a reason. And the initial release of i5 was ultimately a complete fuckup. Smart business - I suppose....Personally - I'd prefer to use a phone for 3-4 yrs.

[digitaldean]

My company provides a deal through a local firm, but it still doesn't beat what I can get on my own. Buying a Nexus 5 tonight, my old HTC EVO 4G is not holding up too well. Will keep for backup just in case.

Ordering a 32 GB version, but DAMN the red model I wanted is out of stock. Probably will order the white and get some different cases to dress things up periodically.

[digitaldean]

Just pulled the trigger on a 16GB red model. I don't store a ton of pics/videos on my phone (mostly can store on Dropbox if needed). Should get it and the SIM card from provider in next few days. Ordering a Qi wireless charger from Amazon as well.