Replacing my Kate

jlev on 02/11/2017 - 19:36

I had to give away my Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Kate, so I'm looking for a phone to replace it, and thought I'd ask previous Kate users what they had been upgrading to.

Anyone who has used the Kate knows what a legendary phone it was, so finding a phone to replace it is easier said than done.

My main requirements are:

  • decent battery (4000mah or so)
  • LineageOS support (unofficial ok)
  • decent sized community of users
  • "snappy" feel to the phone. No lag.
  • Band 28

Also if possible I'd like a slightly better camera than the Kate.

Thanks in advance!!

Mobile

Comments

  • ChillBro on 02/11/2017 - 19:37
    +51

    Did not expect Kate to be a phone. What a twist.

    • jlev on 02/11/2017 - 19:41

      Sorry to disappoint :P

    • jellykingdom on 03/11/2017 - 07:40
      +1

      M Night would be proud

  • [Deactivated] on 02/11/2017 - 19:45
    +9

    Thought you were replacing your girlfriend or something

    • jlev on 02/11/2017 - 20:13
      +2

      I'll create a new thread for that shortly :P

  • rompastompa on 02/11/2017 - 19:49
    +1

    I thought it was a typo, and you wanted to replace your kite! You should get octopus kites!

  • [Deactivated] on 02/11/2017 - 19:56
    +2

    thats a tall order for a smartphone battery. the only phone that comes to mind with a battery that big and high end specs for "no lag" category is the new Razer Phone

    otherwise I think you'd be pretty happy with a Galaxy Note 8 (which has LineageOS support)

    • jlev on 02/11/2017 - 20:05

      Yeah there are a few around. 4000mah on a 5.5 inch screen seems to be the sweet spot in terms of size and battery life. Was easily getting four days light use with LineageOS between charges.

  • No on 02/11/2017 - 20:01
    +1

    I replaced my Kenzo with a Mi Mix 1 and I really like it. No Band 28 but I think the Mi Mix 2 has Band 28, the battery is a bit smaller but.

    • jlev on 02/11/2017 - 20:11

      Thank you! Yes, Mi Mix 2 is on the shortlist (and it recently started getting unofficial LineageOS releases). The things that are holding me back from pulling the trigger are the extra 0.5 inch display which I don't need, slightly smaller batter, and… price tag. I feel like I'd be paying for power that I don't need. Shame the Mi Mix 1 doesn't have B28 otherwise it would be a strong contender.

      edit: how long do you get on the battery with your Mi Mix 1?

      • No on 02/11/2017 - 20:16
        +1

        Hard to tell really because I am never far from a charger so its never gone flat.

        Right now its at 68% and says 13 hrs left. Im running Resurrection remix

        • jlev on 02/11/2017 - 20:20

          Thanks!!

  • ESEMCE on 02/11/2017 - 20:11
    +2

    I reckon the ZTE Axon 7 looks pretty sweet or the Mi Note 2.

    • jlev on 02/11/2017 - 21:00
      +1

      Mi Note 2 is actually currently in pole position but a couple of things I don't like about it such as the curved display and not keen on the price. It's much more powerful than I need.

      Looking at the ZTE Axon 7 now. Seems to be well supported, which is a plus. Thanks for the suggestion!

      • ESEMCE on 03/11/2017 - 07:48

        Lose out on battery capacity, but gain Stereo speakers.
        My Kenzo is down to "only" 30 hours battery!!!
        I have to keep reminding myself this is where my previous smartphones started their battery lives and got worse from here.
        Possibly a ROM bug, need to reflash to Android Oreo anyway.
        But the recent Axon 7 deals for around $300 have been hard to resist..
        I've loved the look of them since I saw the Axon mini back when I was shopping around and finally settled on the Kenzo, just couldn't justify the price tag then.

        Google Camera HDR+ has greatly improved my camera's output.

  • tsunamisurfer on 02/11/2017 - 20:20
    +1

    Moto G5+, just not through Shopmonk.

    • jlev on 02/11/2017 - 21:22

      Which model? And how are you finding the battery life?

  • Diji1 on 02/11/2017 - 21:04

    Please don't murder KATE!

  • tassieeagle on 02/11/2017 - 22:02
    +1

    Came here for the comments, didn't disappoint. Just like Kate

  • PVA on 02/11/2017 - 22:07

    What made it so good, then we may be able to give options?

    • jlev on 02/11/2017 - 22:55

      It was a $220 phone with decent build quality, 1080x1920 display, 4050mah (fast charge) battery, Band 28, a lot of users (and so covers/screen protectors were made for it) and support for Cyanogenmod/LineageOS. That's basically it, no other standout features and the only real problem was the camera, which was bad in low light, average in good light. It was the ideal hacker phone, one you didn't care about breaking but that had enough scope to fine tune it and make it really fly (not to mention give you several days battery life between charges).

      What I think made it an instant hit was that when it came out its predecessor, the Kenzo, was already massively popular. This was like "Kenzo plus B28 (plus a couple of other things which I can't remember)" so for people who had been considering the Kenzo it was a no-brainer. Indeed, some people who already had the Kenzo went ahead and purchased the Kate too.

      I think the good build quality was really an underrated feature. Very simple shape, no unnecessary bevels or wasted space, no fancy curves. Pure utility.

      (Unfortunately I can't say the same for Xiaomi's laptops - my friend has one, save the money and get an ASUS instead).

      I'd pay a little more for a similar phone with slightly better camera. Would even consider buying the same phone again if I could find it but it's no longer being manufactured.

      Are there any Chinadroids that people are going crazy over at the moment?

      • Diji1 on 02/11/2017 - 23:03

        32GB vs 16 for the other girl.

        • jlev on 02/11/2017 - 23:10

          Snapdragon 630! Everything else at this price point is 430 or worse

        • ESEMCE on 03/11/2017 - 07:43

          Kenzo also had 32Gb… I have one.

        • jlev on 04/11/2017 - 13:29

          @scubacoles:

          Any thoughts on what you will one day replace it with?

        • ESEMCE on 06/11/2017 - 07:45
          +1

          @jlev:
          If it broke today, as above, the ZTE Axon 7 and Mi Note 2.. look like perfect handsets
          In the future, who knows… Redmi Note 5x (or even 6 if My Kenzo makes it that far) would be right up there.. Moto G series and ASUS Zenfone series are always a consideration.

          I have very similar taste the the OP;
          decent battery (4000mah or so)
          LineageOS support, or similar, with a decent sized community of users
          "snappy" feel to the phone. No lag.

  • tsunamisurfer on 03/11/2017 - 01:37

    You can still get Kate from many sellers on Ali Baba.

    • jlev on 03/11/2017 - 07:10

      Hi tsunamimaster - I had a look at the places I bought from before and none of them had it. I'm having another look now but do you have a link?

  • magic8ballgag on 03/11/2017 - 08:03

    Nexus 5X, apart from the whole bootloope lottery, it's a great phone which can be picked up quite cheap ($200-250).

  • [Deactivated] on 03/11/2017 - 10:17
    +2

    I've found Jess's to be nice ,
    just stay away from those Julie's

  • mattyman on 03/11/2017 - 12:12
    -1

    LGV20 with an aftermarket 10000mah Zerolemon battery?

    https://zerolemonaustralia.com/collections/lg/products/lg-v2…

  • woodwa on 03/11/2017 - 12:13

    Mido! You may be able to hack Band 28 on if you really want to..

    Lineage is solid and battery goes forever!

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