Need New Phone Advice Please

BLDM on 16/10/2014 - 10:50

Hi all. My first post here, please be nice :)

So I have a very old iPhone 4, which is almost dead. Ive only ever had iPhones, so don't really know too much about other smart phones. I mainly use it for data, browsing and watching youtube while Im on the train on the way to work.

I am very interested in the Oneplus One, have done some research and only finding good reviews. Anyone here got one and can share their thoughts?

My other option I am considering at the moment is a Samsung S4. Would this be better than the Oneplus One? My sister bought one about a year ago, used it for 2 weeks and hated it, its been sitting in its box in her wardrobe ever since. She has no idea how much to sell it for and has offered to "give it to me" but I won't take it from her for nothing - how much would be a fair price do you think?

Any other suggestions/options that don't cost the ridiculous price of the iPhone?

TIA!

Mobile

Comments

  • steff on 16/10/2014 - 11:09

    Try out the android platform - play around within it on a friends phone, or go into any optus/telstra/vodafone store and check it out.

    One Plus is an excellent phone if you don't mind switching to android

  • arislan on 16/10/2014 - 11:17

    Go LG G3 if you can. There's a lot of bloatware with Samsung.

  • ProjectZero on 16/10/2014 - 11:23

    I went from an iPhone 4 to a galaxy S3 to a note 2 to a Xperia Z3. I would highly recommend getting the Oneplus One if you don't care for branding (Yeah i cared about it a little).

    Oneplus is really nice because it runs a custom version of Android, Cyanogenmod, and the creators of Cyanogenmod are brilliant and updates the firmware diligently. It is close to stock Android you find in the Nexus devices just better.

    Samsung is highly acclaimed and TBH great smartphone makers, but the amount of bloatware is pretty crazy and I've experienced first hand the difference in near stock Android and Touchwiz (GS3 is rooted and running CM11 whilst the note 2 is running stock touchwiz).

    BUT before you jump into Android, I would really like to reiterate what steff said and try the Androids out before you go and buy one simply because it is a whole different OS. I loved Android and don't think I'll ever go back to iOS but it does take time to get used to Android.

    Anyway, if you decide on an Android phone, welcome to the Android family =)

    • scrimshaw on 16/10/2014 - 14:24
      +4

      Android, in OEM form, is much leaner than IOS.

      If you updated to the latest IOS version but if you are owner of a slightly out of date iphone most likely the hardware may not cope with the new version. Hence you see a lot of people complaining about lag issues and then being told to upgrade as it's the natural progression of software — new versions mean more new features, hence higher spec requirements.

      Devices running Kit Kat however are allowed to have as little as 512MB of RAM, and Google made it possible because they actually slimmed down the memory foot print of the operating system going from 4.2 Jelly Bean to 4.4 KK. But 99% of phones you buy locally has a customised version of Android with their own proprietary apps or features, which add bloat.

      It's like buying a HP laptop and finding it packed jam full of HP branded crap and toolbars you're never going to touch.

      The Google Nexus products are the only way you can experience pure Android unless you learn to flash a new ROM on your phone or look to import a phone (e.g One+One, China droid devices) from overseas. The skinning of Android is how manufacturers differentiate their product from one another — the look and feel of a Samsung Touchwhiz phone is very different from say, Huawei's Emotion UI.

  • iAndroid on 16/10/2014 - 11:36
    +1

    Nexus 6 or if too big or expensive then get nexus 5.
    Both devices have stock android, are first to get software updates and personally prefer them than other oem flagship devices…

    • Plebmuffin on 16/10/2014 - 14:19
      +1

      Yeah definitely agree, though with the Nexus 6 Launch and the pretty steep price would probably give the Nexus 5 a go. That or the One Plus, have a few friends who've gotten it and they love it!

      Way better to get started on stock/near stock android than samsung etc with a whole ton of bloatware. But for sure try it out first! Huge difference to iOS.

      Gl

  • ESEMCE on 16/10/2014 - 12:11
    +4

    Borrow the Galaxy S4 for at least a month so you can "relearn" how to use a smartphone, then if you're happy, look on ebay to see what they're worth.

  • BLDM on 16/10/2014 - 17:04

    Thanks everyone. Im going to go with Scubacoles and borrow my sisters galaxy and see how it goes. Cant be any worse than my half dead 5 year old iPhone 4 :)

    • NigelTufnel on 17/10/2014 - 11:15
      -1

      Definitely the best option for you. Although it's worth noting that Touchwiz (Samsung's skin) is not the best android experience (IMHO still better than iOS). With the OPO you will get as close as you can get to pure android outside a nexus device (with a lot more customisation as well).

      • ESEMCE on 19/10/2014 - 15:20

        Easily "fixed" by installing Nova Launcher.

        • NigelTufnel on 19/10/2014 - 17:27

          Kind of. Doesn't 'fix' the notification area our settings though.

  • zerocritical on 17/10/2014 - 07:33

    I've been a Samsung user right from their galaxy s. I recently switched to Oneplus and am pretty impressed with the phone. The phone shows no sign of lag with my heavy usage which as the biggest drawback of Samsung or in general androids. The main reason for this could be due to a clean OS by cyanogen. Battery life is excellent too.

    The only drawback in Oneplus one is that it's screen is much prone to fingerprints. I've ordered tempered glass for this which should resolve the issue. Other than that I highly recommend this phone.

  • Soundwave on 17/10/2014 - 09:36
    -1

    To make things easier for you, go Oneplus One if you're thinking android. I have a S4 and installed Cyangenmod. Absolutely love it compared to the Samsung firmware. No more Optus or Samsung bloatware. Camera functions better and have installed Youtube ad blocker for the app. Suck it iPhones. Lol.

    My only downfall with the Cyangenmod software is that I don't think the speaker volume is as loud as it was when I was running Samsung. But it's still loud enough.

    All the apps I use work perfect. Keep in mind, Samsungs OS runs a bit different from Cyangenmod. More like the Nexus as people have mentioned. So if you use your sisters S4 and decide to go with the Oneplus One, you will have to adapt a bit again, but you will still have a rough idea where things are.

    Why Android?

    Most phones have expandable memory.

    Easier to customise.

    Plug and Play. No more using itunes if you want to transfer a album over that you want to listen to. Android works just like a USB stick, copy and paste.

    Bluetooth files to another device.

    Why Cyangenmod?

    No bloatware making it smoother and faster.

    Email App is better (IMO. My work exchange address book never worked on the stock Samsung email app. On Cyangenmod, all my contacts showed without an issue.

    Those are my main pluses about each subject.

    Hell, with Apples last two iOS updates, they've made iPhones function like a android.

    I had a 4S. I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it. So went back to android for a bigher screen and won't go back to iPhone.

  • srhardy on 17/10/2014 - 22:27
    +1

    checkout http://www.kogan.com/au/shop/phones/?order_by=-price

    My suggestion bang for buck is;

    (optus) the windows OS Nokia 630 for about $130+P&H, its 3G on Optus 900mhz (vodafone use some 850mhz so not recomended as optimal for voda) and windows is very easy to use and runs like lightening on basic hardware

    Kogan Agora 4G Smartphone $229+P&H Telstra/Optus/Vodafone 3G/4G with andriod OS (operating system)

    Asus ZenFone 5 4G LTE $259+P&H Telstra/Optus/Vodafone 3G/4G with andriod OS

    LG G3 Beat 4G LTE $259+P&H Telstra/Optus/Vodafone 3G/4G with andriod OS

    for a sim
    telechoice.com.au $20 ($500/UNL SMS/1gb) telstra 3G postapid
    amayasim.com.au $40 UNL/UNL+4gb Optus 3G/4G prepaid
    Optus prepaid $45 ($40 from COLES/WOOLWORTHS) UNL/UNL/2gb
    betterlife.org.au $33/$43/$53 UNL/UNL/3gb,6gb,9gb OPTUS

    • beaver2233 on 18/10/2014 - 10:54

      If you're looking at phones like this just go the moto g.

    • Super8Tab on 18/10/2014 - 12:12

      Is betterlife good? Their $33 plan seem to good to be true.

  • BLDM on 18/10/2014 - 19:56

    Thanks for all the replays,
    Got the S4 and have used in now for a day, getting used to it. seems you can customise it more to your own liking more than iPhone. So now looking into plans a bit more. I like the telstra network as I haven't had dramas with it like the others but having said that I haven't tried the others in a long time. (if it aint broke kinda thing) the better life $33 does look appealing but. Any reviews from anyone who use them?

  • srhardy on 19/10/2014 - 11:47

    BETTERLIFE
    http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2300456
    (my posts srhardy have a lot of info)

    Are a new provider, designed for month to month but capped bills for low income (CRN #)

    If you dont have a gov healthcare card the plans are a little more (but still well worth it)

  • srhardy on 19/10/2014 - 11:50

    Also on Telstra, AMWAY do plans (sim only & save more)
    http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2003042&r…

    http://www.telstra.com.au/amway/

    Get SIM ONLY
    amway accelerate BYO

    $52.50 with $900 calls, 2.5gb data (3G/4G)
    + free new phone feeling (new phone after 12 months)
    + either $1000 talk credit or an extra 1gb of data

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