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What phone would you recommend?

PattiCakeUS

PattiCakeUS

Android Expert
I've been on sprint for years (current phone is LG G3) & recently I bought a Samsung Galaxy S7 from T-Mobile so I could try out their network.

The network seems better, the phone is nice enough (although it bugs me that I can't set it up the same way without a new launcher, but I can live with it).

I specifically got the latest Samsung because I've been really disappointed with the camera on the LG, & at least one person I know has a Samsung that takes great pictures. Low light pics are awful on my LG.

My dilemma is that I don't like how much my monthly bill is with the G7 & I have to decide what I'm doing in the next couple days.

Bottom line question: What halfway recent, but maybe not the latest & greatest, phones have good cameras & are available at T-Mobile?
 
That's one option I'm considering, but I don't know for sure if the S6 has a great camera? The person I know with a Samsung that takes awesome pics has a Note 5.
 
It looks like the S6 is almost as much a the S7 anyway. Gah I think maybe I'll return the phone & pay the restocking fee, then just buy it again & put more $ down to reduce my monthly payment. 'course when I wake up tomorrow morning I'll probably have changed my mind again :p
 
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Personally, I like the Nexus phones; though you can't buy them from T-Mobile.

Also, depending on your data usage, you might try Google's Project Fi; if you don't use a lot of data (or are on WiFi a lot) it is a great deal. It uses both T-Mobile's and Sprint's networks, switching to whichever is strongest. You can buy the Nexus 5X starting at $199 (normally costs $349) through Project Fi, and they will also finance phones. Personally, I have the Nexus 6P, though it starts at $499, which has a better processor and you can get with more memory.

An advantage of the Nexus phones is that they are pure Android with no bloat, and get Android updates as Google releases them (including the monthly security updates).
 
Is there a price limit on what you're intended on spending? Because there are several great phones on the market. The Galaxy 7, and the Windows 10 950 I have a good liking for. The Galaxy 7 because it's a Samsung and they make pretty good phones. Now for the Windows 10 950 is the one I own has an interface as what you would have on a laptop or computer.
 
I'm paranoid the G4 pics won't really be good, based on my G3 & my son had a G4 & said the pics weren't good. Amoco - were you able to get good low light pics on your G4? That's the only time my G3 fails me.

Basically I want to spend the least amount possible for a phone with a good camera. I don't want to go to Fi because*... I just don't want to, lol. But a Nexus would be unlocked, wouldn't it? So I could use it on any network?

*I don't want to be limited to mainly wifi & then worrying about how much data I'm using, or suddenly getting a whopping big bill; I don't get good wifi at work; I'm a little paranoid that going on public wifi is dangerous (lack of knowledge on my part & not taking the time to study up); etc.
 
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On any GSM network yes maybe Verizon. If you are that concerned for low light shots you should consider a phone with ois and a Manual mode that way you can be sure to take the right pic
 
Nexus 6, 5x, 6p or Motorola Moto x pure. All have respectable cameras, all affordable, all work on Tmo. (The nexus 6 has the "worst" camera of the lot FYI) All come unlocked and will work on any network. (I have Fi and it's really good BTW)

Good luck with your decision.
 
And considering that the N6 camera doesn't suck in low light (as per my usage) I think it's worth considering for a budget oversized flagship
 
I just looked at the Moto X pure & it looks interesting. Only thing that looks like a possible negative for me is that I don't know if I want such a big phone, but I'll have to go to Best Buy & look at it in person to see what I think. The Nexus phones are probably a no-go because I don't think I can find them in a store to play with.

I'm still on the fence about the Samsungs; I tend to try to avoid the "mainstream" phones, which is partly why I've never owned a Samsung phone. I had several different HTC's before switching to LG.

I know Fi is good but I don't get good wifi at work & I spend a majority of time with my phone(s) on mobile data. I'm not sure I'd save any money with Fi if I'm not spending more time on wifi. My son currently has Fi & I think he said he's spending about 35-40 a month & I'm guessing (could be wrong) that it wouldn't end up saving me any money if I don't use wifi more than I do.

I think in the next few days I'll probably return the S7 & cancel with T-mobile until I do a little more research. But I do need to make a change fairly soon, my G3 is really showing it's age & annoying the crap out of me lately :mad: :D
 
Here are some pics I just took in my room:
20160419_082334_zpsejxj0lcr.jpg
First is with the tv on,on the other side of the room:
20160419_082056_zpsnbakmwfh.jpg

This one with tv off,And there is very little light coming from the adjacent room on both pics:

Edit: And btw,I like my room dark when watching tv.Also its only a 32" tv.
20160419_082056_zpsnbakmwfh.jpg
 
Just did a side by side comparison of my XPE with co-workers S5. Both with bumper cases. XPE about 1/2 inch longer and probably less than 1/4 inch wider. Just eyeball,no tape measure. Love the camera and I'm getting great battery life. Works on any network and only about 9 pre installed apps that I don't use. Minimal bloat.
 
Most best buy stores will have a Nexus 6P that you can play with, the 5X is another story. But you can order it through best buy and if you don't like it just return it.
 
Amoco, what about this type of picture? Outdoor pics with lights are awful on my G3 (I can actually get really nice shots in dark rooms, like your example).

Attached are 2 examples of bad low-light pics on my current phone. Both times I was with someone who has a note 5 & his pics turned out great, & he's just a casual snapper like me so he didn't do anything special.

One was indoors at the circus, the other was outdoors at a Christmas light display. Both times I ended up asking him to take pics because my shots were all trash.

uploadfromtaptalk1461083116557.jpg
uploadfromtaptalk1461083127572.jpg
 
PattiCakeUS said:
Amoco, what about this type of picture? Outdoor pics with lights are awful on my G3 (I can actually get really nice shots in dark rooms, like your example).

Attached are 2 examples of bad low-light pics on my current phone. Both times I was with someone who has a note 5 & his pics turned out great, & he's just a casual snapper like me so he didn't do anything special.

One was indoors at the circus, the other was outdoors at a Christmas light display. Both times I ended up asking him to take pics because my shots were all trash.

View attachment 103963View attachment 103964
Click to expand...

You will have to wait til Christmas so I can take a pic of Christmas lights,Just kidding.
I will take a couple of pics tonight,And I guess we can compare,okay?
 
Phalon4 said:
Is there a price limit on what you're intended on spending? Because there are several great phones on the market. The Galaxy 7, and the Windows 10 950 I have a good liking for. The Galaxy 7 because it's a Samsung and they make pretty good phones. Now for the Windows 10 950 is the one I own has an interface as what you would have on a laptop or computer.
Click to expand...
I just realized I didn't answer this. I can only say: I want to spend the least amount that I can, for a phone (& camera) I'm happy with. I'm always looking for ways to reduce my bills but I still want to to get a decent phone. Also - no Windows, I'm only interested in Android.

I know that's pretty vague but phones have gotten so freaking expensive. I went to T-Mobile last week & signed up for their $65 single line plan & picked up a Galaxy S7, & with the phone (AFTER putting $300 down to reduce the monthly cost), the cell phone, data plan, insurance & taxes - it will still be $99 a month. That's too much, especially considering I don't think the phone is "perfect".

For that kind of money I have to be head over heels in love with the phone, but even then - that's just too much to pay every month, I won't do it. Right now I'm paying about $85 a month at Sprint for my phone, plan, & taxes, & I want to reduce my costs even more if I can - but still have a phone that works for me. When I have a phone I really love I keep it for about 2 years, so I'm looking for something halfway new so the technology will still be decent for a year or two.

DirtyDee said:
If you are that concerned for low light shots you should consider a phone with ois and a Manual mode that way you can be sure to take the right pic
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure the LG G3 (my current phone) has OIS?
 
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Jfalls63 said:
Half the price of S7
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If you are going to order the Moto X, Motorola is the best place to order it since you can customize the phone they way you want it to look. That, to me, is one of the big advantages to the Moto X.

It is worth going to the the different phone forums, if you are interested in cameras, and look at the "user pictures" thread that is frequently pinned at the top of the forum. Unfortunately, the Nexus 5X doesn't have a pictures thread, though you can look at the Nexus 6P thread -- both the Nexus 5X and 6P have the same camera. There is also this 5X user photo thread on another forum which has some great pictures, it gives you an idea of what the phone is capable of.
 
I've never bought an unlocked phone but I'm definitely considering it now.

If I don't buy direct from a carrier I'll have to pay the rest of my phone lease (it's 150 or less now) but I'm OK with that just to be done with the phone & contract.
 
What,if any,of these features are important/must have,which aren't:
Water Resistannce
Removable Battery
Wireless Charging
I-R Blaster
Fingerprint Reader
SD Card Slot
Maximum Overall Phone Size

Knowing the above,we should be able to narrow down the list of contenders. :thumbsupdroid:
 
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