4G Android phone megathread

jercra · Sep 13, 2016

Are you remotely comfortable rooting and ROMing? If so, try a non-samsung build and see if it helps your issues. If you stick stable versions of things like CyanogenMod you can often end up with a much faster and more stable install than stock Samsung.

You may also try simply changing launchers before giving up. Try the Google now launcher and see if you have the same issues.

Rancho Relaxo · Sep 14, 2016

jercra said:
Are you remotely comfortable rooting and ROMing? If so, try a non-samsung build and see if it helps your issues. If you stick stable versions of things like CyanogenMod you can often end up with a much faster and more stable install than stock Samsung.

You may also try simply changing launchers before giving up. Try the Google now launcher and see if you have the same issues.

Thanks for this. I've never rooted a phone before, but what do I have to lose at this point? The launcher idea is worth a shot, too. I'll try that now. As it stands, I'm still facing random app freezes/crashes and phone reboots...

CoRP · Sep 20, 2016

Monbo Jumbo said:
Correct - they will be called the Pixel and Pixel XL. They launch Oct 4.

I'm looking forward to the Pixel XL to replace my Note. Specs look robust. If it's a dud, I'll probably end up switching back to Apple and get the iPhone 7plus.

jayhoz · Sep 20, 2016

Rancho Relaxo said:
Thanks for this. I've never rooted a phone before, but what do I have to lose at this point? The launcher idea is worth a shot, too. I'll try that now. As it stands, I'm still facing random app freezes/crashes and phone reboots...

Do you run any corporate software on your phone like email or VPN? I had to unroot a phone so that my corporate software would work. That is the only risk I can think of.

Rancho Relaxo · Sep 21, 2016

jayhoz said:
Do you run any corporate software on your phone like email or VPN? I had to unroot a phone so that my corporate software would work. That is the only risk I can think of.

Thanks so much. I used to run Concur and the stupidly named "Good" email app, but I no longer have to. I actually have a separate work phone now.

At this point, I have so little to lose (aside from time). I tried the Google launcher, but the issues persist. I'm starting to think the phone is just fried. Last I heard, the Note 7 won't be available until late October, so I'll either muddle through until then or get the S7 fi I can't stand it any more...

glennhoffmania · Sep 21, 2016

Does anyone know if any new phones are coming out soon that I should wait on? I really need a new one and as of now I need to decide between the S7 and the HTC 10.

jayhoz · Sep 21, 2016

Google Pixel phones due to be announced Oct 4th I believe. Well worth waiting for.

glennhoffmania · Sep 21, 2016

I'm still unclear about Google phones and Sprint. I assume I can use it. Does it mean I just don't renew a contract or anything and use my current plan? And you have to pay full price for the phone I assume?

jayhoz · Sep 21, 2016

Can't speak to sprint, but yes you would buy the phone outright and activate it under your current contract.

glennhoffmania · Sep 21, 2016

Ok thanks.

jayhoz · Sep 21, 2016

There are some rumors out there about a subsidized deal on Verizon and higher than typical prices for unlocked versions. That would be a big deviation from what Google has done in the past so I'm not sure I buy that.

crystalline · Sep 21, 2016

Dang. Google Pixel phone is getting hyped like crazy.

Nexus 4- deeply discounted loss leader to seed to developers and dorks.
Nexus 5- discounted
Nexus 6- no discount
Pixel- huge hype before release, probably premium priced comparably to iPhones

Gaack. If I'm not going to save at least a little on the phone, the only thing that has been preventing me from getting an iPhone months ago has been ecosystem lock-in.

Monbo Jumbo · Sep 21, 2016

There are two different Nexus 6 models. The older 6, and then the 6p.

glennhoffmania · Sep 21, 2016

I saw something about Pixel only being available on Verizon.

SumnerH · Sep 21, 2016

Monbo Jumbo said:
There are two different Nexus 6 models. The older 6, and then the 6p.

Ditto the older 5 and the 5x.

Boggs26 · Sep 22, 2016

glennhoffmania said:
I saw something about Pixel only being available on Verizon.

What are the odds of Google letting Verizon bloatwear the he'll out of it if this is true? The whole reason to get the phone is that it's "clean" but would Google and Verizon be dumb enough to mess with that?

jayhoz · Sep 22, 2016

I've read in a couple places that the phone won't be 100% vanilla. This was before the Verizon rumors started. I hope and pray Verizon won't be allowed to do what they normally do however.

SumnerH · Sep 22, 2016

glennhoffmania said:
I saw something about Pixel only being available on Verizon.

Everywhere I'm seeing says that they'll be available unlocked from Google as usual (though some are phrased awkwardly in a way that implies a Verizon exclusive).

Making it Verizon only would be putting a stake in the heart of Fi.

crystalline · Sep 22, 2016

SumnerH said:
Everywhere I'm seeing says that they'll be available unlocked from Google as usual (though some are phrased awkwardly in a way that implies a Verizon exclusive).

Making it Verizon only would be putting a stake in the heart of Fi.

Yes and marketing Fi is a reason for Google to take a bit less profit on the phones. Here's hoping.

jayhoz · Sep 22, 2016

I care more about the Verizon tramp stamps than the software. My LG G3 has 2 of them.

Spelunker · Sep 22, 2016

SumnerH said:
Everywhere I'm seeing says that they'll be available unlocked from Google as usual (though some are phrased awkwardly in a way that implies a Verizon exclusive).

Making it Verizon only would be putting a stake in the heart of Fi.

Jesus. I do not want to go back to T-Mobile, and I fucking refuse to do Verizon.

CoRP · Sep 27, 2016

This is the Google Pixel

Smaller one will sell for $649. So yeah, premium pricing for sure.

Time to Mo Vaughn · Sep 27, 2016

I've been planning to buy the XL, but I'm disappointed in the features that go in and out of Android phones. My phone two years ago was waterproof, removable battery and had wireless charging, and now those features will seemingly be lacking in the premium Nexus phones. If I want addicted to the Nexus experience, I'd probably go S7 at this point and also pick up SamsungPay which is just awesome.

I don't even care about a headphone jack as I went Bluetooth over a year ago.

Fishercat · Sep 29, 2016

Does anyone have a solution to the System UI has Stopped Message? I just started getting it today where I use my phone for more than 2 minutes the UI stops, shuts down my apps, and then I need to re-start. I am seeing a factory wipe and a cache wipe as the main suggestions as solutions. I'd prefer not to factory reset my phone but if I have to, I have to. Anyone see this before and fix it?

Edit: A wholesale cache emptying seems to have fixed it temporarily, in case anyone comes across this.

JakeRae · Oct 1, 2016

Fishercat said:
Does anyone have a solution to the System UI has Stopped Message? I just started getting it today where I use my phone for more than 2 minutes the UI stops, shuts down my apps, and then I need to re-start. I am seeing a factory wipe and a cache wipe as the main suggestions as solutions. I'd prefer not to factory reset my phone but if I have to, I have to. Anyone see this before and fix it?

Edit: A wholesale cache emptying seems to have fixed it temporarily, in case anyone comes across this.

Cache wiping is more or less the default second solution to all Android problems. The first is the more widely known "turn it off and turn it back on again" solution. Worth noting, cache wiping is also a great solution to your phone being sluggish.

jayhoz · Oct 4, 2016

Google's event is streaming here at noon eastern.

CoRP · Oct 4, 2016

Pretty damn impressive so far.

jayhoz · Oct 4, 2016

Liked what I saw, but Expensive!!

jayhoz · Oct 4, 2016

Also not in love with all the bezel real estate. It's a lot longer than my LG G3 for no more screen size.

teddykgb · Oct 4, 2016

I wish they still sold the pure editions because at this price I'd much rather just buy an s7. The value seems poor.

jayhoz · Oct 4, 2016

How are

Foulkey Reese said:
Just ordered the XL on Verizon. Shipping 10/20. Love the free Google pic storage at full resolution.

Just curious. Is there an advantage to ordering from Verizon v. Google? The price seems to be exactly the same.

CoRP · Oct 4, 2016

I ordered the XL directly through Verizon too. Wondering how much Verizon bloatware will come pre-loaded...

jayhoz · Oct 4, 2016

If the pictures on Verizon's site are to be believed, there is no Verizon Tramp Stamp on the phone at least.

NortheasternPJ · Oct 4, 2016

What's with the giant bottom bezel with nothing there? Seems like waste of space unless the goal was to make it look like an iPhone.

Grin&MartyBarret · Oct 4, 2016

Any word on whether the Pixel works with Fi?

Monbo Jumbo · Oct 4, 2016

Of course they works with Fi.

SumnerH · Oct 4, 2016

Grin&MartyBarret said:
Any word on whether the Pixel works with Fi?

Yes.

Project Fi fans will soon have two new phones to choose from when signing up for Google's Wi-Fi-first service.

Google took the wraps off the new 5-inch Pixel and its big brother, the 5.5-inch Pixel XL, at an event Tuesday in San Francisco. The company said the new smartphones will work with Project Fi.

jercra · Oct 4, 2016

I'm usually one of the first to jump on a new device like this but I have to admit that I don't get it. It's a nicer camera than a 6P for sure but what else is there? Assistant? That will be on Nexus devices in a matter of days. Anything else? Is there anything to justify the high price for an existing Nexus owner? I could buy a lot better DSLR camera for $780 so it can't just be that. I seriously don't understand what Google is thinking here.

Edit: I forgot VR. I'm not sure I can come up with a compelling VR experience between now and next year's Pixel release. Is there one?

SumnerH · Oct 4, 2016

jercra said:
I'm usually one of the first to jump on a new device like this but I have to admit that I don't get it. It's a nicer camera than a 6P for sure but what else is there? Assistant? That will be on Nexus devices in a matter of days. Anything else? Is there anything to justify the high price for an existing Nexus owner? I could buy a lot better DSLR camera for $780 so it can't just be that. I seriously don't understand what Google is thinking here.

Edit: I forgot VR. I'm not sure I can come up with a compelling VR experience between now and next year's Pixel release. Is there one?

I'm with you, this whole lineup is pretty underwhelming.

crystalline · Oct 4, 2016

SumnerH said:
I'm with you, this whole lineup is pretty underwhelming.

Yeah.

As predicted they went premium with the Pixel phones. Essentially the same price as an Iphone. Google is competing with Apple now for the top end of the market.

You pay iPhone prices for the hardware AND Google mines all your data. Doesn't Google derive value from the mining?

I am looking at the One plus 3, since I am cheap. Although I do want to save by moving to Project Fi. Maybe I will look for a used or discounted new 6P now that the Pixel phones are out.

SumnerH · Oct 4, 2016

crystalline said:
Yeah.

As predicted they went premium with the Pixel phones. Essentially the same price as an Iphone. Google is competing with Apple now for the top end of the market.

You pay iPhone prices for the hardware AND Google mines all your data. Doesn't Google derive value from the mining?

Sure, but Apple does the same. That's not a differentiator.

But VR is still a couple years from anything compelling in all likelihood, the form factor is nothing great, and there are only incremental improvements to the stuff I'd actually use. Unless Assistant turns out to be totally killer (and even then I'd rather go with Mycroft or something more expandable and customizable).

johnmd20 · Oct 5, 2016

I have an S7 edge and while the camera is incredible and the speed of the camera is pretty solid, I just ordered a Pixel. The edge of the S7 is an absolute design nightmare and I need to be rid of it in my life. And god knows what I did to the battery in the 6 months that I've used the edge but I can barely get through a day without having to charge.

The only really big disappointment about this upgrade is that I have a pretty nifty Mophie battery backup case, which I use for travel, that will now be worthless. Alas, sometimes you make a bad choice, bite the bullet and move on. Watch the Pixel battery be worse. . . . .

Valek123 · Oct 5, 2016

teddykgb said:
I wish they still sold the pure editions because at this price I'd much rather just buy an s7. The value seems poor.

This is my thought also, I'm going to give it a few weeks and pickup a mint or new in box S7 on the used market sold by someone who just had to have the pixel.

4 6 3 DP · Oct 5, 2016

I'm going Google Fi now. This I am comfortable with.

That said, some are saying the Pixel is basically the 6P with a better camera; others pointing out many other benefits. I use my phone for calling, text, internet, clash of clans, and basic social media...is the impression the Pixel is an upgrade there?

jayhoz · Oct 5, 2016

I'm in. XL, Black, 32GB

4G Android phone megathread

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