Choosing a Phone: Nexus 5, Z3C...

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nzapster

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Topic # 160298 1-Jan-2015 10:16

So I am currently using a Galaxy SIII, which was good to start with, but it has slowed down considerably in the last year. Now that I dropped the phone and the screen is cracked, I am considering pushing forward my upgrading schedule.

I am open to spending more than $600, but I feel like the $400-500 mark is the sweet spot to get good bang for my buck.

I am considering either a Nexus 5 for $399 from Warehouse Stationery, a Z3 Compact for $497 from JB HiFi (if they still have stock) primarily, but I have always been tempted for the One M8, but the $300+ premium seems high to me.

I know the Nexus 5 is old now (I was hoping the Nexus 6 wouldn't be so expensive and ...large), but the Z3C's specs don't seem to be particularly high in comparison. I like the display size of the N5 rather than the Z3C too.

I would love to hear some suggestions or thoughts about these two options.

dcole13

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Reply # 1206761 1-Jan-2015 10:27

I have the nexus 5 and it is going well for me, still snappy and fast. The only complaint I have is the battery, but it is still enough to last me 9am-4pm on most days unless I have the screen on a lot. I don't really like those compact phones as they usually have worse performance than the original one but I don't know about the z3c.

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old3eyes

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Reply # 1206768 1-Jan-2015 10:38

I found with my N4 that when it was upgraded to A5.0.1 the battery life increase quite a bit.. Pity that the camera has problems though..

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Old3eyes

NZtechfreak

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Reply # 1206789 1-Jan-2015 11:04

I'd get the Z3C over the Nexus 5, easily. Newer generation specs (don't know what specs you were looking at OP, it bests the N5 apart from screen resolution), better camera, micro SD slot, waterproofing, Playstation remote play, far better USB OTG support, Apt-X, BT LE, agonist certainly better battery life. Regarding smaller Android phones being poor performers as mentioned above - that's generally true except in the case of the Z3C.

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Batman

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Reply # 1206790 1-Jan-2015 11:06

I think you should get something with band 28 LTE.

Just my suggestion

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reven

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Reply # 1206799 1-Jan-2015 11:24

i'd get a nexus 5 (I love my nexus 5), it has wireless charging which is a big plus for me, Ive ordered 2 airdock 2s (on indiegogo) and once they come charging/docking in car will be a breeze. I have a wireless charger at work on my desk and next to my bed, a lot easier than connecting the usb port (well a lot easier to pickup if someone is calling/texts since no wires).

I looked at the sony z2/3 but no wireless was a big negative.

my only issue with the n5 is the battery life (as previously mentioned), it has run out on me a couple of times during heavy usage (usually when youre stuck someone where and bored so use your phone a lot) but regular day to day usage it lasts the entire day

NZtechfreak

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Reply # 1206844 1-Jan-2015 13:22

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I still feel completely meh about wireless charging. The Z3c battery life is great by all accounts, it'll charge 60% in 30mins too apparently - benefits like better battery life and that fast charging easily outweigh wireless charging in my books.

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reven

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Reply # 1206848 1-Jan-2015 13:36

NZtechfreak: I still feel completely meh about wireless charging. The Z3c battery life is great by all accounts, it'll charge 60% in 30mins too apparently - benefits like better battery life and that fast charging easily outweigh wireless charging in my books.

fair enough, for me its a must on a phone these days. just so much easier IMO. its slower to charge (although theres something in development now that should provide quick wireless charging) but things like air dock make wireless just awesome.

johnr

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Reply # 1206851 1-Jan-2015 13:40

Sony Z3 battery life is way better and better hardware

ubernoob

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Reply # 1206860 1-Jan-2015 15:02

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reven:
NZtechfreak: I still feel completely meh about wireless charging. The Z3c battery life is great by all accounts, it'll charge 60% in 30mins too apparently - benefits like better battery life and that fast charging easily outweigh wireless charging in my books.

fair enough, for me its a must on a phone these days. just so much easier IMO. its slower to charge (although theres something in development now that should provide quick wireless charging) but things like air dock make wireless just awesome.

and if you buy the dock, it's the best of both worlds. I have one for my z1 compact and you don't have to take the case off or open any ports. If the phone rings etc just lift it out no wires :-)

http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/products/accessories/magnetic-charging-dock-dk48/

http://www.neowin.net/news/sony-xperia-z3-and-official-magnetic-dock-review

Finch

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Reply # 1206865 1-Jan-2015 15:21

Could wait till CES and see what gets unveiled there

reven

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Reply # 1206892 1-Jan-2015 15:59

ubernoob:
reven:
NZtechfreak: I still feel completely meh about wireless charging. The Z3c battery life is great by all accounts, it'll charge 60% in 30mins too apparently - benefits like better battery life and that fast charging easily outweigh wireless charging in my books.

fair enough, for me its a must on a phone these days. just so much easier IMO. its slower to charge (although theres something in development now that should provide quick wireless charging) but things like air dock make wireless just awesome.

and if you buy the dock, it's the best of both worlds. I have one for my z1 compact and you don't have to take the case off or open any ports. If the phone rings etc just lift it out no wires :-)

http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/products/accessories/magnetic-charging-dock-dk48/

http://www.neowin.net/news/sony-xperia-z3-and-official-magnetic-dock-review

yeah I have those for my z2 tablets, theyre good, but cant use one in the car like the airdock :) one day when the z2s go very cheap I might buy some and docks and replace my home phones with them.

IronH

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Reply # 1206898 1-Jan-2015 16:07

After spending unto $1400 on a phone in the past, I agree with you and think the $500-600 range is a nice sweetspot.

If you haven't already grabbed one then good luck getting a Z3C from JBHifi now. Their website has been showing out of stock for a day or two now, and I know of people who went in store within a day of the special and been told "sorry sold out". There was a reason they sold quickly, the phone is exceptionally good, there are tons of reviews outlining why it is such a good phone, phenomenal and I do mean phenomenal battery life (I'm on 2nd day and still rocking 80% battery and yes I have been using it), IP68 water/dust proof, excellent camera, flagship performance, premium build materials, SDcard expansion. I grabbed one as soon as I saw the sale because I knew they would sell quick. It is IMHO easily the better of the two devices in terms of overall hardware.

In the boxing day sales my local Harvey Norman had some specials going that weren't advertised on their website, e.g. they had the LG G2 for $349 - still has good specs, Snapdragon 800, 2GB RAM, 5.2" 1080p, 13MP OIS camera, but like the nexus it has no SDcard expansion. Maybe try your local stores to see if they have any New Year special deals that aren't being advertised.

Otherwise for $400 the Nexus 5 is still a good buy as long as you don't mind not having such great battery life/camera/storage, but the device still performs flawlessly, or for around $450 at Harvey Norman iirc you could pick up a Galaxy S4, compared to the Nexus 5 it has better battery, camera, storage, but worse performance and software.

ubernoob

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Reply # 1206908 1-Jan-2015 16:28

reven:
ubernoob:
reven:
NZtechfreak: I still feel completely meh about wireless charging. The Z3c battery life is great by all accounts, it'll charge 60% in 30mins too apparently - benefits like better battery life and that fast charging easily outweigh wireless charging in my books.

fair enough, for me its a must on a phone these days. just so much easier IMO. its slower to charge (although theres something in development now that should provide quick wireless charging) but things like air dock make wireless just awesome.

and if you buy the dock, it's the best of both worlds. I have one for my z1 compact and you don't have to take the case off or open any ports. If the phone rings etc just lift it out no wires :-)

http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/products/accessories/magnetic-charging-dock-dk48/

http://www.neowin.net/news/sony-xperia-z3-and-official-magnetic-dock-review

yeah I have those for my z2 tablets, theyre good, but cant use one in the car like the airdock :) one day when the z2s go very cheap I might buy some and docks and replace my home phones with them.

just get one of those cigarette lighter to usb plug thingys. I use the extra port on my Tomtom charger and throw the dock in the centre console, then bluetooth to the radio for music and hands free ;-)