Thinking about upgrading.....

[zixxorb]

Hello everyone!

So I'm thinking about upgrading my phone but I need help deciding on what phone would work for what I would like. Currently I have the LG Tribute and it's a great phone but I want something more.

So here's what I'd like out of the new phone:

1. Android (of course). Preferably Kit-kat but will take Lollipop and/or Marshmellow
2. Rootable w/custom recovery
3. Cyanogenmod Rom available
4. Decent internal storage (so I can install a couple big games + Facebook and other apps)
5. microSD support for my music/pictures
6. Rear Camera and Front Camera (w/ Flash)
7. Bluetooth 4.0
8. Wifi (with 5ghz support would be nice)
9. Decent Speakers
10. Carrier doesn't matter too much as long as I can have unlimited data. I'm currently using Virgin Mobile Prepaid with the $30 plan so I get 3gbs high speed lte and unlimited afterwards.
11. LTE support hopefully

Optional features but would be nice:

1. NFC Support
2. USB OTG Support
3. IR Blaster for tv control


So I'd love a phone with all of that if possible.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks and Happy New Year

 

[AZgl1500]

Stay away from AT&T and Verizon if you buy a new phone.
They are 99.98% unrootable...

Or, buy a compatible phone for those carriers and root it before it is registered.

 

[zixxorb]

So sprint's the only choice? If so, what phone(s) meet the above requirements?

 

[Jfalls63]

Unless something changed T-Mobile hasn't started locking their bootloader yet.

 

[kate]

Hi zixxorb, I moved your thread to the Device Comparisons forum

 

[zixxorb]

Hi zixxorb, I moved your thread to the Device Comparisons forum

Was that necessary?

Seems like all my threads get moved no matter where I put them anymore....

And no one answers either.

 

[Hadron]

Well I'll answer

Firstly, I doubt you'll get KitKat with a new phone unless it's an old model with poor software support. KK is a 2014 operating system after all.

Secondly you don't have to buy a phone through a carrier (at least not on GSM networks - CDMA have more control as they need to activate the phone, and so you should check individual networks' policies). So if e.g. you want to use ATT but are worried about rooting that's another option. However, make sure you check frequency band compatibility before importing anything. Being European I can't advise on what's available through US carriers anyway.

Otherwise than that, there are a lot of phones which meet your stated requirements (depending on what you mean by "decent" internal storage), which makes it hard to answer. Do you want a large screen or hate big phones? Are there manufacturers you like or avoid? Do you have a price range? Are you prepared to consider older models (since you mention KitKat)?

You can always visit CyanogenMod.org and see what handsets they officially support if that's one of your requirements. That may narrow the field slightly.

 

[lunatic59]

Was that necessary?

Seems like all my threads get moved no matter where I put them anymore....

Yes. There are a couple of things at play here. First, the owner wants AF to be as organized as possible making information easier to find and thus being a better help/support site. Because we don't want cross-posting, as it creates a lot of repetitious and incomplete replies, it's our policy to either merge or move threads to the best location. Finally, all moves and merges are made with the intent on helping you out. It's not a criticism or punishment and is certainly open for discussion, if you think made inappropriately. You can start a thread in the Private Chat with Staff forum, contact a staff member directly, or simply report the thread.

And no one answers either.

To add to what Hadron said, if you are looking at International phones, you'll probably want to stick to AT&T as they support frequencies as close to intl. standards as any U.S. carrier. I have never had a problem connecting to foreign networks with an AT&T phone and i think the reverse is also true.

If you want to verify a specific model, go to http://willmyphonework.net/

Here's my point by point:

1. Android (of course). Preferably Kit-kat but will take Lollipop and/or Marshmallow

As @Hadron pointed out, you'll have to buy an outdated or obscure model to get KitKat. If this is very important to you, I'd look at picking up a pre-owned flagship that came with KitKat and has old stock firmware available so you can flash it, if necessary.

2. Rootable w/custom recovery

Pick a model and we can check for you, to list all the possible options would be a rather long list. While a lot of new phones are being locked down pretty tight, Chainfire is still finding ways around them. I'd seriously donate to him because i'd rather not consider the consequences if we lose him as a resource.

3. Cyanogenmod Rom available

Again, the list of supported models is freely available, but there are also unsupported builds for other phones, too that may work for you.

4. Decent internal storage (so I can install a couple big games + Facebook and other apps)
5. microSD support for my music/pictures

You're probably looking at 32GB internal minimum. Even with external SD card support.

6. Rear Camera and Front Camera (w/ Flash)

I hope you mean flash on rear facing camera, because I don't know of any with a front-facing flash. I would ask, how picky are you about photos. Some take better pictures than others.

7. Bluetooth 4.0
8. Wifi (with 5ghz support would be nice)
9. Decent Speakers

Bluetooth 4.0 was released in Dec. 2011 so I would hope most devices made today would support at least that. 4.2 is the current protocol and has been out since 2014. Most also should have a dual band WiFi radio, but you never know. And while they do have 5GHz support, that band may be turned off by default.

For decent sound, I really think you'll want to look as a model with front-facing speakers. It makes a world of difference.

10. Carrier doesn't matter too much as long as I can have unlimited data. I'm currently using Virgin Mobile Prepaid with the $30 plan so I get 3gbs high speed lte and unlimited afterwards.
11. LTE support hopefully

I don't know of any carrier that has true unlimited data anymore. While some offer it, what you get is a few gigs of data at max speeds and then they throttle you down to 3G. Just like your VM plan. Technically it's unlimited data as they don't charge you extra no matter how much you use, but try to use a lot and they will narrow your bandwidth to accommodate other customers.

Optional features but would be nice:

1. NFC Support
2. USB OTG Support
3. IR Blaster for tv control

If the IR blaster is important, I think you are going to have to stick with Samsung or LG. They tend to put that feature on more models, but be careful, if you want to be able to program codes from existing remotes, you'll need one that can read as well as send IR signals.

 

[Hadron]

HTC flagships still have IR support (and conversely the Samsung Note 5 does not - though the latest Samsung flagships also lack sd support anyway).

 

[lunatic59]

Wasn't sure about other brands, and I knew the Note 5 didn't have and IR blaster, but the Tabs do ... even the lower end ones. I really can't figure out Samsung sometimes.

I've tried IR on a couple of my Samsungs and it works. Some of the apps are better than other, but i still reach for the remote to control the TV. Even if the app is well designed and easy to understand, to perform even a basic function it's still pickup phone>launch app>press button, where a remote is pick up>press button.

I would seriously try it out on an IR enabled device before making your decision (at least based on that feature.)

 

[zixxorb]

Yes. There are a couple of things at play here. First, the owner wants AF to be as organized as possible making information easier to find and thus being a better help/support site. Because we don't want cross-posting, as it creates a lot of repetitious and incomplete replies, it's our policy to either merge or move threads to the best location. Finally, all moves and merges are made with the intent on helping you out. It's not a criticism or punishment and is certainly open for discussion, if you think made inappropriately. You can start a thread in the Private Chat with Staff forum, contact a staff member directly, or simply report the thread.

Alright

To add to what Hadron said, if you are looking at International phones, you'll probably want to stick to AT&T as they support frequencies as close to intl. standards as any U.S. carrier. I have never had a problem connecting to foreign networks with an AT&T phone and i think the reverse is also true.

If you want to verify a specific model, go to http://willmyphonework.net/

Well, seein as I'm in the USA, international doesn't matter too much. I'd kind of like to not use At&T tho unless I have too

Here's my point by point:

1. Android (of course). Preferably Kit-kat but will take Lollipop and/or Marshmallow

As @Hadron pointed out, you'll have to buy an outdated or obscure model to get KitKat. If this is very important to you, I'd look at picking up a pre-owned flagship that came with KitKat and has old stock firmware available so you can flash it, if necessary.

KitKat isn't too important, I've just used it a bit more. Even tho my tablet is lollipop

2. Rootable w/custom recovery

Pick a model and we can check for you, to list all the possible options would be a rather long list. While a lot of new phones are being locked down pretty tight, Chainfire is still finding ways around them. I'd seriously donate to him because i'd rather not consider the consequences if we lose him as a resource.

Alright, once I pick, i'll ask

3. Cyanogenmod Rom available

Again, the list of supported models is freely available, but there are also unsupported builds for other phones, too that may work for you.

Ok....Idk what device to get tho that meets most/all of the other points

4. Decent internal storage (so I can install a couple big games + Facebook and other apps)

5. microSD support for my music/pictures

You're probably looking at 32GB internal minimum. Even with external SD card support.

32gbs actually sounds fine[/COLOR]

6. Rear Camera and Front Camera (w/ Flash)

I hope you mean flash on rear facing camera, because I don't know of any with a front-facing flash. I would ask, how picky are you about photos. Some take better pictures than others.

Yeah, rear flash. My bad. Better pics would be nice but a not blurry selfie wouldn't hurt [/COLOR]

7. Bluetooth 4.0

8. Wifi (with 5ghz support would be nice)
9. Decent Speakers

Bluetooth 4.0 was released in Dec. 2011 so I would hope most devices made today would support at least that. 4.2 is the current protocol and has been out since 2014. Most also should have a dual band WiFi radio, but you never know. And while they do have 5GHz support, that band may be turned off by default.

For decent sound, I really think you'll want to look as a model with front-facing speakers. It makes a world of difference.

Alright, hope I can find this[/COLOR]

10. Carrier doesn't matter too much as long as I can have unlimited data. I'm currently using Virgin Mobile Prepaid with the $30 plan so I get 3gbs high speed lte and unlimited afterwards.

11. LTE support hopefully

I don't know of any carrier that has true unlimited data anymore. While some offer it, what you get is a few gigs of data at max speeds and then they throttle you down to 3G. Just like your VM plan. Technically it's unlimited data as they don't charge you extra no matter how much you use, but try to use a lot and they will narrow your bandwidth to accommodate other customers.

Throttling is fine as long as I can use the data still.[/COLOR]

Optional features but would be nice:

1. NFC Support
2. USB OTG Support
3. IR Blaster for tv control

If the IR blaster is important, I think you are going to have to stick with Samsung or LG. They tend to put that feature on more models, but be careful, if you want to be able to program codes from existing remotes, you'll need one that can read as well as send IR signals.

Samsung and LG is fine.

Hopefully my formatting works so that you can understand what I'm responding to. [/COLOR][/COLOR]

 

[zixxorb]

Dangit, my coloring broke

EDIT: Tried to fix my color and still broke it...FML

 

[lunatic59]

Don't worry about it ... We can follow.

 

[KOLIO]

Dangit, my coloring broke

EDIT: Tried to fix my color and still broke it...FML

Get the Note4,the T-Mobile variant is still active as development goes.
It's a great phone,especially in today's market,where SD Card support/removable batteries/I-R Blasters are becoming endangered species.
Not to mention,it's a great match for AT&T's network & updates,if you choose to remain stock,are still pushed via T-Mobile,even without being on their network.
http://www.willmyphonework.net/

 

[zixxorb]

Ok, Note4 looks amazing..... hmmm....but can I use it on, say Sprint? or Verizon?

 

[zixxorb]

So I've been looking into the Note 4 a bit and found the Note 3 and I have a question(s):

Besides the obvious (ie newer, faster, "better") what's the big difference between the two?
How's support for the Note 3? Root? Roms?

 

[KOLIO]

Ok, Note4 looks amazing..... hmmm....but can I use it on, say Sprint? or Verizon?

So I've been looking into the Note 4 a bit and found the Note 3 and I have a question(s):

Besides the obvious (ie newer, faster, "better") what's the big difference between the two?
How's support for the Note 3? Root? Roms?

Check here for device/network compatibility:
http://www.willmyphonework.net/
Sprint devices are,for the most part,only suitable for their network.
If that's your best option for service,then find a device you like,most Sprint devices have a decent level of development support (Root/ROMS).

Note3 development looks decent for all the big4:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/verizon-galaxy-note-3
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-sprint
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-att
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-3-tmobile

Limited to T-Mobile & Sprint for the Note4:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4-tmobile
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4-sprint

VZW Note4 DEVELOPER EDITION ONLY,good luck finding one at a decent price,if at all:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4-verizon

Or,get a GSM Unlocked Note3/4 & you have more/different ROM options:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-note-3
http://forum.xda-developers.com/note-4

Which one would I get?

The Note4,just a better,if not slightly,all around phone.
If I were in the Note3,no,it's not worth moving from it to the 4,but,in your situation,spend a little extra money & get the newer/better of the two.

 

[zixxorb]

Thanks, much appreciated.

I'm thinking about both but either way, I need to save up lol