Which one is right for me? M8, Z3, S5 or other?

Forums › Android › Which one is right for me? M8, Z3, S5 or other?

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Mad Scientist
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#1179367 19-Nov-2014 11:05

for a moment i thought you were buying cars :D

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#1179368 19-Nov-2014 11:07

i can't help you but all i can say is stay away from Samsung if you want a better android experience. hard for me to say coz i've only ever had samsungs - s2 and now s4. always disappointed by lagginess

makiomoto

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#1179428 19-Nov-2014 12:20

jonathan18:
makiomoto: Another thing.
I watch a LOT of movies and TV series in many different formats. So far, there's not much the S3 hasn't handled.
From past experience I know Sony are pretty big on DRM and only a few formats are supported.
I cant find an answer on whether a 3rd party player like MXPlayer will help, some say not?

I've used MX Player on my current and previous phones (both Xperias) and had no trouble witheither playing any videos of whatever format.

Also, re sound- the reality is no matter how relatively good the speakers are on the M8, that sound will still never compare to that of an even halfway ok cheap pair of headphones. It's still sound coming from a tiny little box so will be lacking in decent stereo separation and anything approximating true bass. Personally, I would always elect to use headphones for anything other than shared or short term listening, so I don't worry about the internal speakers (just like to me it's irrelevant what a TV's built in speakers sound like as they're always relatively cr@p compared to even a cheap stereo).

Hey Jonathan
I hear you re. the headphones. I use them 99% of time but there have been times where I've wanted to watch stuff with mates or my kids and the "speaker on the wrong bloody side" rage starts...
Also, my kids watch vids when we are out doing things (keeps them quiet and not setting stuff on fire etc).
My little boy cant wear earbuds as he wriggles and they fall out, i spend all day putting them back in so I use the speaker, when it's on the back you need to turn it up a bit louder and the sound mostly projects the wrong way. I don't tend to carry headphones with me, makes me look like i'm trying too hard (I'm 40)

Cheers, I've been reading up on the 32gb G3 and it does seem very good. Doesn't help my decision much though...

dafman

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#1179448 19-Nov-2014 12:31

makiomoto: Another thing.
I watch a LOT of movies and TV series in many different formats. So far, there's not much the S3 hasn't handled.
From past experience I know Sony are pretty big on DRM and only a few formats are supported.
I cant find an answer on whether a 3rd party player like MXPlayer will help, some say not?

I use MX and VLC on my Z2 and have had no problems with playing any format.

I also use the official Google Now launcher which hides most of the Sony UI and gives an experience not much difference than my old Nexus 5. Google Now works a treat.

Battery life on the Sony's is outstanding as well, and the charging cradle is brilliant - virtually the same thing as wireless charging on my old N5.

So I would recommend Sony - hands down.

jonathan18

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#1179491 19-Nov-2014 12:58

makiomoto: Cheers, I've been reading up on the 32gb G3 and it does seem very good. Doesn't help my decision much though...

I do hear you with the speakers and young kids (I hate hearing the sound when my kids are using one of our phones), only you will know if this is a deal-breaker to select (or not) a particular model.

I too am a Scrooge*, for whom the idea of spending $650 on a phone even just a few months ago would have not been thought about seriously (given raising the kids and paying the mortgage still take precedence), so like you I've put heaps of thought, time and research into the decision, including ensuring I get one that will last me at least two years (I've coped with my current Xperia SP for about 18 months but the laggyness is too much to cope with!). For me, the LG ticks the most boxes - the fact that it's the cheapest of the 'flagship' phones also really helps.

Like with any cross-section of the population, on a forum like this you'll find supporters and detractors for every single model, so in the end you'll need to make a decision based on what's important for you, as opposed to us other contributors who all have our own needs and wants.

I'd be interested to know what your final decision is, so do post back here once your mind is made up!

* I haven't even ordered my phone yet as I'm too tight to buy the accessories here in NZ, so am waiting for my eBay purchases to arrive.

makiomoto

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#1179517 19-Nov-2014 13:31

Cheers Jonathan. I'll probably order soon. I have to admit I'm leaning towards the Sony right now... Mostly because of the quality feel, front speakers, battery life and RAM.
Cheers again, James.

makiomoto

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#1179563 19-Nov-2014 14:33

dafman:
makiomoto: Another thing.
I watch a LOT of movies and TV series in many different formats. So far, there's not much the S3 hasn't handled.
From past experience I know Sony are pretty big on DRM and only a few formats are supported.
I cant find an answer on whether a 3rd party player like MXPlayer will help, some say not?

I use MX and VLC on my Z2 and have had no problems with playing any format.

I also use the official Google Now launcher which hides most of the Sony UI and gives an experience not much difference than my old Nexus 5. Google Now works a treat.

Battery life on the Sony's is outstanding as well, and the charging cradle is brilliant - virtually the same thing as wireless charging on my old N5.

So I would recommend Sony - hands down.

Thanks Dafman

I think that pretty much does the deal for me. One question, why 2 players? Will some formats not play on certain players? As much as I've fallen out of love with my S3, the stock player is yet to refuse a format....

[edit: Typos, I am a typing leper]

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dafman

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#1179587 19-Nov-2014 14:45

makiomoto:
dafman:
makiomoto: Another thing.
I watch a LOT of movies and TV series in many different formats. So far, there's not much the S3 hasn't handled.
From past experience I know Sony are pretty big on DRM and only a few formats are supported.
I cant find an answer on whether a 3rd party player like MXPlayer will help, some say not?

I use MX and VLC on my Z2 and have had no problems with playing any format.

I also use the official Google Now launcher which hides most of the Sony UI and gives an experience not much difference than my old Nexus 5. Google Now works a treat.

Battery life on the Sony's is outstanding as well, and the charging cradle is brilliant - virtually the same thing as wireless charging on my old N5.

So I would recommend Sony - hands down.

Thanks Dafman I think that pretty much does the deal for me. One question, why 2 players? Will some formats not play on certain players? As much as I've fallen out of love with my S3, the stock player is yet to refuse a format.... [edit: Typos, I am a typing leper]

No real reason. I'm a fan of VLC for the PC, but early beta version of the android app was a little buggy, so I installed MX. Now, latest version of VLC has improved, so no real difference between the two.

I don't think you will regret the Z3!

mrgsm021

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#1179633 19-Nov-2014 15:22

You can't beat M8 for front facing speakers, especially you'll be using the phone for watching movies, TV series and music.

Maybe go for a M8 GPE for pure Android experience?

makiomoto

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#1179681 19-Nov-2014 16:22

Hey there. That was pretty much my first choice after deciding the N6 was out of my reach in the short term.

They are a little hard to get and when you can they are REALLY expensive.

I have though about gettin an M8 and flashing the GPE ROM but not looked too deply into it. I worry about getitng a bad ROM, doing something wrong and bricking my phone...

Krishant007

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#1179693 19-Nov-2014 16:34

Any reason you not keen on the Moto X 2014?

dafman

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#1179787 19-Nov-2014 19:09

Krishant007: Any reason you not keen on the Moto X 2014?

My two cents worth. If I was looking to replace my Z2, it would be a two horse race between the Moto X and Z3. The Moto is great looking and closer to stock android. But I'm loving the battery life of my Z2, one area the Moto can't compete on. Agree, very tough call.

Wade

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#1179795 19-Nov-2014 19:31

Moto x 2014 is probably the closest thing you can buy to a n6.... No clues yet as to what price would be if available locally though

Krishant007

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#1179797 19-Nov-2014 19:38

Moto X would fit the bill very well for you. But it is at the cost of battery life yes. That is the only thing that is really disappointing about it. You can get it shipped from usa for $550 so that is not that bad - would be good if you know someone coming in from usa.

I recently went through the same process to decide which phone i would like to have. To be honest, the OnePlus One is one hell of a phone and it is pretty awesome. Give that a serious thought.

blakamin

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#1179800 19-Nov-2014 19:48

I switched to Sony after having the Samsung s3 & s4, and I needed gig Mugen batteries for both to make it through the day..
I've now had the Z1 & Z2...
I'm skipping the Z3, but only because I've heard rumours of the Z4. Unless they stuff up really badly (like touchwiz), I'm sticking with Sony. Best phones I've owned to date. Great battery life!
And I love the water/dust proofness of them. Mine gets dusty at work and I can just come home and rinse! :D

Edit: Plus, Sony announced an update to the Z2 and I had it within 2 weeks. None of this carrier BS. Mrs has my S4 and I still don't think it's running 4.4.4. (might have to check that when she gets home).
Edit no.2: I just checked her phone... it says all up to date... ON 4.3! :(

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