Moving to Android - but what to get?

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knidu

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#201981 12-Sep-2016 18:29

I'm looking at making the big move to android.

Currently I'm using an old Nokia slider, but was for many years using windows phones. My wife still has a windows phone, but is increasingly frustrated by the lack of apps. So I'm looking at buying two of something (the idea is if we both have the same phone it'll mean neither is jealous about getting the 'dud'.

So looking at $400 or less price point (preferably less) because one you double it, it adds up.

We're rural, and spark seems to have the better coverage (also skinnydirect has the better plans now), so I don't know if that has any impact.

Final consideration is that it'll have to be something I can get cases for (two identical phones will need to be differentiated!)

Not against iphones (had one many generations ago) but just too pricey.

Any thoughts? I'd like to go with nexus 5x from ebay, but will this work in a rural environment? Or is there something better?

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#1628260 12-Sep-2016 22:58

not super current but some of those may still apply

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=97&topicid=189347

1eStar

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#1628270 12-Sep-2016 23:25

Samsung J5 is pretty decent and there are accessories available etc.

http://www.spark.co.nz/shop/mobile/phones/samsung-galaxy-j5---black.html

You can even buy different colours if you want to go caseless.

$399

Linuxluver

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#1628276 13-Sep-2016 00:16

The Nexus 5x is a great phone. It's Google's definitive Android phone and it gets all the Android updates soonest.

Pricespy.co.nz show two vendors with stock at $399 and $404.

I own one. It just updated to Android 7 3 days ago.

The camera is pretty good, too.

About good phone is the One plus 2. But it's a bit large and heavy.

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lNomNoml

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#1628277 13-Sep-2016 00:26

2 recommendations:

1. Option 1

2. Option 2

nakedmolerat

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#1628279 13-Sep-2016 00:37

With that budget, I'll go for nexus5x without any second thought. Nexus 5x will guarantee you regular updates and the hardware is decent.

lNomNoml

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#1628285 13-Sep-2016 02:24

nakedmolerat: With that budget, I'll go for nexus5x without any second thought. Nexus 5x will guarantee you regular updates and the hardware is decent.

It is the better option yes, but if you have never used Android before maybe using a Samsung mobile would be more user friendly.

marlinz

441 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1628294 13-Sep-2016 06:15

knidu:

I'm looking at making the big move to android.

Currently I'm using an old Nokia slider, but was for many years using windows phones. My wife still has a windows phone, but is increasingly frustrated by the lack of apps. So I'm looking at buying two of something (the idea is if we both have the same phone it'll mean neither is jealous about getting the 'dud'.

So looking at $400 or less price point (preferably less) because one you double it, it adds up.

We're rural, and spark seems to have the better coverage (also skinnydirect has the better plans now), so I don't know if that has any impact.

Final consideration is that it'll have to be something I can get cases for (two identical phones will need to be differentiated!)

Not against iphones (had one many generations ago) but just too pricey.

Any thoughts? I'd like to go with nexus 5x from ebay, but will this work in a rural environment? Or is there something better?

I got a Nexus 5 x yesterday from Warehouse stationary for $417.05 after their price match with NL , very happy with my purchase , turned it on immediate update to android 7 :)

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1101

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#1628423 13-Sep-2016 10:44

lNomNoml:

nakedmolerat: With that budget, I'll go for nexus5x without any second thought. Nexus 5x will guarantee you regular updates and the hardware is decent.

It is the better option yes, but if you have never used Android before maybe using a Samsung mobile would be more user friendly.

Samsungs are definitely more user friendly (for me) , Im on my 3rd cheap Samsung & have a Samsung Tablet.
Give me a clean Android (as it should be) and Im initially a bit lost with it.

But, forget about updates on that cheapish Samsung. They have a long history of completely abandoning cheap/mid price phones(and Tablets) not long
after release .
None of my Samsung ph's or my relatively expensive Tablet have ever had an Android update available : all now abandoned .
None even had the latest Android version when they were being sold either .
The lack Android updates on my stuff wasnt a carrier issue either, they were completely abandoned , by Samsung.

lNomNoml

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#1628425 13-Sep-2016 10:47

1101:

lNomNoml:

nakedmolerat: With that budget, I'll go for nexus5x without any second thought. Nexus 5x will guarantee you regular updates and the hardware is decent.

It is the better option yes, but if you have never used Android before maybe using a Samsung mobile would be more user friendly.

Samsungs are definitely more user friendly (for me) , Im on my 3rd cheap Samsung & have a Samsung Tablet.
Give me a clean Android (as it should be) and Im initially a bit lost with it.

But, forget about updates on that cheapish Samsung. They have a long history of completely abandoning cheap/mid price phones(and Tablets) not long
after release .
None of my Samsung ph's or my relatively expensive Tablet have ever had an Android update available : all now abandoned .
None even had the latest Android version when they were being sold either .
The lack Android updates on my stuff wasnt a carrier issue either, they were completely abandoned , by Samsung.

I guess it depends on the OP what he values the most.

blackjack17

1705 posts

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#1628445 13-Sep-2016 11:10

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/MPHVDF359069/Vodafone-Smart-Ultra-7-Black-(Hard-bundled-with-Pr

with a case from aliexpress

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MikeB4

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#1628454 13-Sep-2016 11:12

blackjack17:

https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/MPHVDF359069/Vodafone-Smart-Ultra-7-Black-(Hard-bundled-with-Pr

with a case from aliexpress

These VF phones are great value for money

jonathan18

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#1628467 13-Sep-2016 11:35

Going by your current phones, I imagine you'll want your phones to last a long time, which to me supports the selection of the Nexus 5x - guaranteed updates for a good period of time will ensure your phone stays up-to-date and secure. Given that price match example with Warehouse Stationery, only a few $ over your $400 budget and you've got an NZ-sourced phone with CGA coverage from a well-established retailer - that would be my pick. (Just be mindful of the lack of SD expansion, if this is an issue for you).

If you're looking at the Nexus 5x, I recall being told "Nexus 5X does not have band 28 support for Vodafone or 2degrees, only Spark (it's complicated)." (see http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=97&topicid=193645&page_no=2#1516245); this won't be a problem if you go with Spark/Skinny and/or don't care about 4G speeds in more provincial places.

I'm also sure the Vodafone Smart Ultra 6 had a similar problem, in that it didn't support the Spark version of band 28 (my sister bought one and had to change providers!), but I'm not sure if the new Ultra 7 has the same issue? Also, I read some reviews of the Ultra 7 and it seems alright, but nothing particularly special; I'd certainly select the Nexus over this.

Just as another option, there's the Huawei P8, that my wife bought recently for $350; TWH is doing it for $400 http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=3079057. This was Huawei's flagship from last year, and it's a pretty good phone - I'd still select the 5X over this, given it's a difference of only a few dollars...

EDIT: I see the NL sale price of $439 for the 5X ends today; so if you wanted the Warehouse Stationery to beat this, you'd need to be in quick (any other place cheaper than this will be parallel imported).

NikT

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#1628573 13-Sep-2016 14:03

jonathan18:

If you're looking at the Nexus 5x, I recall being told "Nexus 5X does not have band 28 support for Vodafone or 2degrees, only Spark (it's complicated)." (see http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=97&topicid=193645&page_no=2#1516245); this won't be a problem if you go with Spark/Skinny and/or don't care about 4G speeds in more provincial places.

I'm also sure the Vodafone Smart Ultra 6 had a similar problem, in that it didn't support the Spark version of band 28 (my sister bought one and had to change providers!), but I'm not sure if the new Ultra 7 has the same issue? Also, I read some reviews of the Ultra 7 and it seems alright, but nothing particularly special; I'd certainly select the Nexus over this.

Smart ultra 6 doesn't have band 28 at all, so that makes things a bit simpler than the 5X situation. Smart ultra 7 does, and supports the full band AFAIK. ZTE is the only OEM I've seen that properly lists "Band 28AB" support.

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jonathan18

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#1628609 13-Sep-2016 14:53

NikT:

Smart ultra 6 doesn't have band 28 at all, so that makes things a bit simpler than the 5X situation. Smart ultra 7 does, and supports the full band AFAIK. ZTE is the only OEM I've seen that properly lists "Band 28AB" support.

Ah, it was actually the absence of 3G 850 MHz on the Smart Ultra 6 that made it completely useless on the Spark network, as you pointed out to me here!

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=97&topicid=175378&page_no=8#1360635

farcus

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#1628638 13-Sep-2016 15:36

If you wait a few more weeks google will be releasing their 2016 phones (replacements for nexus 5x and 6).
It's been reported that the nexus brand is being dropped and the new phones will be called Google Pixel X and Pixel XL.

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