What phone you use as your daily driver? And, a discussion of them.

[Dr. Dro]

This is total and complete nonsense. Bullshit is another term. If Unix, BSD, Linux and Windows are all considered "trustable", Android(a variant of Linux) with SU is too. This moronic idea that a rooted phone can't be trusted makes as much sense as a screen door on a submarine and has no merit whatsoever.

I tend to agree with you (especially if the user has reverted the device to its original state), but apparently enterprise demanded such a feature to ensure BYOD security, and thus is built onto each and every Samsung phone. It's user-verifiable by entering download mode, and quite advanced. I don't know how unique or private the ID numbers are, so I put a sticker on top. This is from my S10+:

It knows the original carrier code (flashing original FW from another code is allowed), but apparently keeps tabs even on the DRAM manufacturer... Must be some pretty complex thing.

(Edited to make it a little less... whole page idk. Isn't there a feature to limit embed size?)

 

[Dragam1337]

Just swapped samsung s10e to samsung s23 - liking it so far, although i would have prefered if it was 5.8" like the s10e.

 

[tabascosauz]

Kimovil has a good global frequency checker if you want to buy an international/global phone, especially those that come from China. It seems it's mostly the US and Canada that have restrictions in globally used bands, for example, the Poco F3 is quite compatible with the Brazilian network:

Yeah it's a shame the NA networks have so many compatibility problems. Kimovil thinks Rogers is okay nowadays but back when I got the F3 coverage of LTE bands for all the carriers was poor and so was my reception.

I ended up pulling the trigger on a Pixel 7A. Not really willing to spend $700+ on a phone. Guess we'll see if the full coverage of all Canadian bands makes a difference.

 

[Space Lynx]

Yeah it's a shame the NA networks have so many compatibility problems. Kimovil thinks Rogers is okay nowadays but back when I got the F3 coverage of LTE bands for all the carriers was poor and so was my reception.

I ended up pulling the trigger on a Pixel 7A. Not really willing to spend $700+ on a phone. Guess we'll see if the full coverage of all Canadian bands makes a difference.

I don't think you can go wrong with it, monthly security updates, yearly OS updates. at least you will be secure. my galaxy a53 5g security update for april, and just yesterday for the may security update, which surprised me. glad it did though, i use my phone for a lot these days, so just being up to date on security patches is important to me.

 

[freeagent]

I have never understood that about Android phones, they only get updates for a couple of years?

 

[Deleted member 230939]

Xiaomi Note 10 Pro with privacy glass and some Amazon brand case.

 

[tabascosauz]

I don't think you can go wrong with it, monthly security updates, yearly OS updates. at least you will be secure. my galaxy a53 5g security update for april, and just yesterday for the may security update, which surprised me. glad it did though, i use my phone for a lot these days, so just being up to date on security patches is important to me.

I'm not enthused so far about the stock ROM. It's really barebones. 7A is a newcomer so it'll take a while for stable ROMs to hit XDA, guess I'll wait a few weeks. Otherwise there isn't much to talk about, it's a sidegrade but unfortunately a necessary one. Infinitely better build quality, reception, and camera than the POCO though. Xiaomi cameras are absolute dogshit.

Size is just right. 6.7" on the F3 is getting to be slightly too big especially for hikes. Now I can keep the F3 at home as a music player and reader instead.

Still waiting on my Otterbox case and screen protector, should be a couple days.

 

[dirtyferret]

J

Yeah it's a shame the NA networks have so many compatibility problems. Kimovil thinks Rogers is okay nowadays but back when I got the F3 coverage of LTE bands for all the carriers was poor and so was my reception.

I ended up pulling the trigger on a Pixel 7A. Not really willing to spend $700+ on a phone. Guess we'll see if the full coverage of all Canadian bands makes a difference.

Just ordered a 7a myself the other day

 

[Dr. Dro]

I have never understood that about Android phones, they only get updates for a couple of years?

Android software support is terrible, this is an area iOS has it beat hands down. Google mandates 18 months from the date the device launched, so for all practical purposes you're only given one year of updates unless the phone's manufacturer does something about it on their side. Due to a lot of pressure and market demand, some manufacturers like Samsung began to offer 4 to 5 years (4 generations succeeding the device), but that's about it. Low-end Android devices are usually shored on the software that they ship with. No updates are planned or provided.

Older Android versions will still be relatively useful and run most applications as long as it's generally newer than Android 9, and more recent versions have tried to separate security from Android binary updates (with Google Play system binaries, security patch levels, etc.) but if your phone's maker drops support your only recourse is using community-made ROMs, and most manufacturers will only provide Google's mandated lifetime. You will find that a 4 year old Android phone is practically obsolete, abandoned trash (see: Galaxy S10 series), while an iPhone 11 is a current, performant and updated device.

 

[theFOoL]

The main thing about why people go with Apple is one thing.... Hardware for one device rather with Android Millions of Devices which is why do many things have hiccups/bugs

I have Android SAMSUNG GALAXY A53 5G. 400 Dollars. Works fine to what I do. I don't need a 1k device APPLE!

 

[freeagent]

Android software support is terrible, this is an area iOS has it beat hands down. Google mandates 18 months from the date the device launched, so for all practical purposes you're only given one year of updates unless the phone's manufacturer does something about it on their side. Due to a lot of pressure and market demand, some manufacturers like Samsung began to offer 4 to 5 years (4 generations succeeding the device), but that's about it. Low-end Android devices are usually shored on the software that they ship with. No updates are planned or provided.

Older Android versions will still be relatively useful and run most applications as long as it's generally newer than Android 9, and more recent versions have tried to separate security from Android binary updates (with Google Play system binaries, security patch levels, etc.) but if your phone's maker drops support your only recourse is using community-made ROMs, and most manufacturers will only provide Google's mandated lifetime. You will find that a 4 year old Android phone is practically obsolete, abandoned trash (see: Galaxy S10 series), while an iPhone 11 is a current, performant and updated device.

Thank you, your post was very informative! I hate to be that ignorant Apple guy.. but to me its a phone first, and my computer is at home

I am glad to see things are progressing on both sides.. I have seen users from both sides switch, but so far I haven't felt the need.

Not gonna lie, I did like Apple a lot better when you could JB it.. but now I have money into the eco system, I have fallen into their clutches..

Hardware for one device rather with Android Millions of Devices which is why do many things have hiccups/bugs

I am not sure what you mean, but I can stream to my LG TV, connect to my sonos, and my google stuff.. and no headphone jack means wireless.. no problems.

Edit:

Not to mention I connect to my Segway everyday

 

[Dr. Dro]

Thank you, your post was very informative! I hate to be that ignorant Apple guy.. but to me its a phone first, and my computer is at home

I am glad to see things are progressing on both sides.. I have seen users from both sides switch, but so far I haven't felt the need.

Not gonna lie, I did like Apple a lot better when you could JB it.. but now I have money into the eco system, I have fallen into their clutches..

I am not sure what you mean, but I can stream to my LG TV, connect to my sonos, and my google stuff.. and no headphone jack means wireless.. no problems.

Edit:

Not to mention I connect to my Segway everyday

Word on the street is that due to EU regulatory pressure, iOS 17 will finally enable user-facing sideloading support. The US is also looking at writing similar legislation regarding prevention of gatekeeping. When that happens, I'm probably going to buy an iPhone and never look back.

iOS 17 to Support App Sideloading to Comply With European Regulations

Apple in iOS 17 will for the first time allow iPhone users to download apps hosted outside of its official App Store, according to Bloomberg's...

www.macrumors.com

The only reason I do not have an iPhone is sideloading support, because Apple refuses to allow emulators on their app store. Some nonsensical policy, hell, if they were less restrictive with the whole emulators disallowed thing not even about sideloading I'd personally care. But that's a thick skull that you'd need a diamond encrusted drill to get through that Apple's got, so they deserve everything they're about to get.

The main thing about why people go with Apple is one thing.... Hardware for one device rather with Android Millions of Devices which is why do many things have hiccups/bugs

I have Android SAMSUNG GALAXY A53 5G. 400 Dollars. Works fine to what I do. I don't need a 1k device APPLE!

I almost purchased the A73, but I was in love with the Z Flip. In hindsight, that was a bit of a mistake, despite being a better spec device: this thing is still very much a prototype. I'm gonna have to send my phone in for repair just for the replacement of the screen PET film that's peeling off. Look at a post I made on the last page or so, it's already twice as large as it was back then.

 

[R-T-B]

This is total and complete nonsense. Bullshit is another term. If Unix, BSD, Linux and Windows are all considered "trustable" with admin authoritatives easily gained, Android(a variant of Linux) with SU is too. This moronic idea that a rooted phone can't be trusted makes as much sense as a screen door on a submarine and has no merit whatsoever. It's a case of industry pundits trying to tirck everyone into thinking something when it is completely incorrect and untrue.

It's nonsense but it's also true. Flashing a modified binary does trip the efuse breaking the hardware chain of trust. This is by Samsung design, and not neccesarily rooted in any sensible design principle, but it IS true.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Flashing a modified binary does trip the efuse breaking the hardware chain of trust.

I'm not saying that specific function is incorrect. I'm saying the idea that a device with customized software is somehow untrustable is as bullshit as the idea of a screen-door on a submarine. Total and complete nonsense. Lacking in all common sense and intelligence. Need I go on?

 

[R-T-B]

Need I go on?

No, we agree there.

 

[tabascosauz]

That's just to bad. Root is required for full admin control of a device and many apps power users like myself require(firewall, sys config access, backup utilities) need root to work properly. I will NEVER use Android without Root. Far from alone on that point.


ArrowOS is pretty good. I settled on LineageOS because it had a much great spread of supported devices and for the devices I use, there is still ongoing support(Android 13 with the last security patch dated March 3th 2023).

I think this is the first phone I've ever day 1 unlocked+rooted

Still on the fence though. No Google Pay is a big freaking deal for me. Pixel 7 family also seems to be a pain in the ass, neither regular safetynet fix module for Magisk nor the workaround guide works. Trying out the modded fork of safetynet fix right now. If it doesn't work I think I will relock and go back to stock, no good ROMs yet anyway.

 

[gffermari]

iPhone 8 since....I don't remember when.
Basically I don't care about smartphones as long as it works and does ''basic'' stuff.
Dropbox/OneDrive etc., TeamViewer, connect to NAS, remote control in general, contactless payments, fast browsing etc.

When it dies, I may take the iPhone 11 from my wife and get a new one for her.
Also I have a company Android Motorola phone. I think something like m30 model, a pretty huge in size, a gazillion cameras at the back but crap in everything phone.

 

[oxrufiioxo]

iPhone 8 since....I don't remember when.
Basically I don't care about smartphones as long as it works and does ''basic'' stuff.
Dropbox/OneDrive etc., TeamViewer, connect to NAS, remote control in general, contactless payments, fast browsing etc.

When it dies, I may take the iPhone 11 from my wife and get a new one for her.
Also I have a company Android Motorola phone. I think something like m30 model, a pretty huge in size, a gazillion cameras at the back but crap in everything phone.

For me as long as it has a half decent camera and I can watch YouTube on it I don't care otherwise. I still tend to stick with flagships for various reasons.

 

[Shou Miko]

Still rocking my 12 Pro Max, but been looking Sony's Xperia 1 V but it's not iOS but it looks different and I kinda like it but not gonna move away from iOS sadly just waiting on Apple releasing their new iPhone with USB-C not really up for the performance specs they could just for my needs re-release my current phone at the same price with USB-C or rebuilt mine.

 

[NSX05]

I have never understood that about Android phones, they only get updates for a couple of years?

Four years for Samsung's latest with One UI.

 

[gffermari]

For me as long as it has a half decent camera and I can watch YouTube on it I don't care otherwise. I still tend to stick with flagships for various reasons.

If you don't change your phone very often, there's nothing wrong going for the flagships.
For example I would like to have the LiDAR feature of some Pro iPhones.

Basically the only reason to upgrade your phone is if you game on it. And I don't.
For everything else a typical iphone or android phone with decent specs can handle all the apps a tech user needs to have.

 

[oxrufiioxo]

If you don't change your phone very often, there's nothing wrong going for the flagships.
For example I would like to have the LiDAR feature of some Pro iPhones.

Basically the only reason to upgrade your phone is if you game on it. And I don't.
For everything else a typical iphone or android phone with decent specs can handle all the apps a tech user needs to have.

Actually the main reason I do it is it ends up costing me very little whenever I'm ready for an upgrade I just swap mine for the new one about every two years for typically less than 300 usd out of pocket.

Idk maybe foe some 300 usd every 24-30 months isn't a small amount of money.

 

[nguyen]

Been using my Fold 4 for 2 weeks and loving it, the specs are great with no slow down when multitaskings, i'm typing this and watching youtube on my phone too .

Best thing is i can slide the phone into my pocket easily and get to enjoy the bigger screen.

 

[tabascosauz]

If you don't change your phone very often, there's nothing wrong going for the flagships.
For example I would like to have the LiDAR feature of some Pro iPhones.

Basically the only reason to upgrade your phone is if you game on it. And I don't.
For everything else a typical iphone or android phone with decent specs can handle all the apps a tech user needs to have.

I used to stick with flagships for the GPU performance, because for the longest time midrange GPUs were horrible and thus bore the brunt of the impact on user experience. Then when higher refresh screens and SD 600/700 started debuting they didn't exactly impress (I'm a bit of a stickler for smoothness), so I was still stuck firmly in flagship killer segment.

But then the 778G was announced, which was a really interesting development. Nowadays stuff like SD 7+ Gen 2, Dimensity 8100 offer really strong daily performance so I'm starting to gravitate away from that flagship/last-gen flagship mentality. That seems a like a good thing for the market overall; everyone should have a good user experience, shouldn't be paywalled behind an 8 Gen 2.

 

[dirtyferret]

Android software support is terrible, this is an area iOS has it beat hands down. Google mandates 18 months from the date the device launched,

google pixels get five years support

Pixel 6 and later phones will get updates for at least 5 years from when the device first became available on the Google Store in the US. These updates include security, software, and may also include feature drops.