New Phone For The Missus

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fizzychicken

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#153549 30-Sep-2014 16:08

So the other half needs a new phone.
IOS would be too much change for her to handle as she has always been on Android.
Based on size and $ (buying the phone outright) I've rounded down to

Moto X
Nexus 5
Galaxy S4

I have never personally owned any of these handsets. Her primary use will be being glued to Facebook 24/7 and taking pictures of the cats.
does anybody own these handsets or have any recommendation regarding which one is best?
Reviews I have found online are vague about actual battery life and camera quality but at the end of the day it would be better to hear from people who have owned them for a while rather than someone just reviewing it or having only just bought it.
I'm keen to hear on any issues anybody has with them.

Many thanks one and all.

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#1144361 30-Sep-2014 16:12

Just going to throw an additional one in the list: HTC One M7 - Just saw this in the local warehouse stationery for $397 - best phone for the money at the moment. Its not on their website but I swear I saw it in the Warehouse stationery down the road.

It will be updated to Android L when that releases and still regularly receives updates.

Besides that, on those 3 you mentioned: I wouldnt touch Samsung with a stick. I used the Note 2 and the S3 for a couple of days each - the lags experienced and clunkiness of the their software just put me off all Samsung phones. And also their software updates arent the most timely - or that great.

Moto X is quite a decent phone, but it is quite a bit older and slower than the rest of the pack. But good software.

Nexus 5 would be my pick. Solid phone with above average battery (compared to Flagships right now at least). And should be getting Android L as well.

Hope that helps.

afe66

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#1144412 30-Sep-2014 17:22

If you can get the HTC one (M7) for $400, that would be a good deal.

I bought mine outright for $999 last year as I didnt want to pay the $500 to break my 2 year contract on my HTC one x which was broken by a petulent 2 year old.

No regrets at all.

Quality feel, which surprised a number of iphone 5 users.

Camera might not have the most pixels but I have no complaints.

Battery lasts most of the day with me doing 3-4 hours on surfing (with the screen brightness turned down)

If I lost my phone today I would probably buy the M7 if I could find it at $400 rather than this years M8 model.

A.

NZtechfreak

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#1144461 30-Sep-2014 18:56

Of those three options given by the OP can only really recommend the S4, given the camera was fairly important.

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fizzychicken

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#1144480 30-Sep-2014 19:46

not so sure about the HTC one. I am on the one X and she is on the desire somethingsomething (old small one). HTC have always had big promises at updates but then they slow down and dont do squat. Ive recently had to root mine to cyanogen to get beyond 4.2.2 (so I could use certain bluetooth low power devices) and because on the stock firmware camera flash pictures were always green for some reason. Her phone had the power button die and was always useless with battery life. I like the idea of the one M8 but its way to pricey.

so far some people at work suggested the S4 but Im leaning towards the nexus I think. Cant find anyone who owns one tho.

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Inphinity

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#1144484 30-Sep-2014 19:55

If camera is your main decision point, the S4 has the best camera of your original three. Beyond that, the S4 and Nexus 5 are, imo, very comparable. In my experience the S4 has had better battery life, but only marginally. Pick which one you get the better price deal on, really. Unless you're already invested in Samsung's ecosystem, in which case, S4.

Geektastic

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#1144596 30-Sep-2014 23:34

Get the one you can track....! ;-)

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Goosey

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#1144616 1-Oct-2014 07:44

What sort of PC/Laptop/ Tablet do you have at home. You want to ensure she is able to connect easy and sync / copy / upload those pics if need be.
I find, I end up getting my mrs great pieces of tech kit but she doesnt end up using the features and its more for my happiness that I know she has the high tech kit ! (this comes back to me when she tells friends "he brought me this for <insert occasion> but really its for him"… :-)

Goosey

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#1144617 1-Oct-2014 07:44

old3eyes

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#1144626 1-Oct-2014 08:37

The Moto G with the snapper case would be good for her..

Regards,

Old3eyes

macuser

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#1144632 1-Oct-2014 08:48

Xperia Z3 compact?

Wade

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#1144675 1-Oct-2014 09:39

2 Degrees have the Gen 2 Moto G which is worth a look, 5" 720p screen, 8MP camera, mSD slot, fairly good value for money at $299 plus guaranteed and timely Android 'L' upgrade

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jonb

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#1144678 1-Oct-2014 09:41

Also the Xperia Z1 compact

afe66

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#1144698 1-Oct-2014 10:16

My HTC M7 is 4.4.2.

HTC has said they will release android L to the HTC within 90 days of google releasing it.

A.

Handle9

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#1144703 1-Oct-2014 10:41

If photo quality is important then the Moto G isn't a great choice. The camera sucks but the rest of the phone is great.

timmmay

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#1144719 1-Oct-2014 11:26

My wife loves the Moto G, but the camera is average at best. She wouldn't want a larger phone though, so perhaps look at the S4 mini or similar. My Mum has one and likes it, it works well for her.

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