So I know someone who is looking to get a new phone...

[Gearu]

A family member is looking to get a new phone soon (Before the galaxy S3 is on the shelf), they have a phone from what appears to be 5 years ago (carbon date tested).

I myself have a Galaxy S2 and although these are now as cheap as girl scout cookies, and I've had no major problems with mine (which I got at launch), I know that buying one today won't be the same phone (different chipset subbed in - cue software issues!), and may or may not have the echo/speaker problem that hit so many, so that's out of the question, I want no mistakes. Also I think we'll leave out the galaxy nexus...

I don't pay a whole lot of attention to makes other than Samsung (eg I don't read entire reviews of every new phone that comes out), just enough depth to keep tabs on where my SII sits in the overall phone spectrum.
What I'd like to know is, are there any Android phones out there that are notable for having a great screen brightness, exceptional battery life and come with a removable battery (or can buy a bigger official battery), and of course no real problems with software, build quality etc.
Call quality is also important, it will be used for business.

Would much appreciate all input and experiences

 

[breadnatty08]

Do they have carrier restrictions? I'd take a hard look at the Note. I assume they're coming from a dumbphone (WinMo incl) so anything would be a huge upgrade.
The One series from HTC looks awesome but I believe none of them have a removable battery so that would be a problem.

 

[Gearu]

After much research I am deeply disappointed to find just about every phone has crippling problems. I thought the Xperia S was going to be the answer as it seemed to be clean apart from a few people getting the screen problem, but alas that measly 1700mAh (alledged 1750) battery (non-removable) has been revealed as a poor performer. And with no extended battery & cover DIY installation option on the horizon, I have to rule that out too. From the sounds of things, it performs as bad as the SII's original 1650 (for which the extended 2000mAh pack is glorious)

It seems that the SII has found it's way back onto the list of possibilities. I'm going to keep looking though.

As you can tell, I've opened up the options to non-removable, but the phone must be packing close to 2000mAh to be worthwhile. I'm hoping I can put the family member off long enough for the SIII somehow.... (for which I'll die of shock of, if it comes with less than 2200mAh)


Edit: The Breakthrough
Said person has agreed to wait a couple of months for the awesome Huawei Ascend D Quad XL with it's mighty 2500mAh battery, and of which also covers all the other bases including special attention to call quality hardware/software (or so it's been proclaimed). The phone is all good news (so the camera is only 8mpx, big woop), but this is before the phone is in hand of course... But I have great faith in Huawei (I was already getting their 10inch tablet, I had slightly forgotten about their upcoming phones!).

Thanks for being the sole replier deadnatty lol. I went through everything on the market just to be sure (Androids of course, no fruity windows shenanigans here) including the One S and X and am glad it's over. I hope somehow this thread is useful. (The RAZR looked good until a few software problems, lame battery and weak 'easy to break' glass ruled it out. Responsibly, I had to consider the possibility of the phone being dropped). The Huawei could still have it's own problems, but that will be dealt with if and when it happens.