So, yeah, I'm still having trouble getting myself back into the regular life thing that includes regular blogging, aren't I? Yup. The post-travel routine upset is being exacerbated by the post-trip cat-of-much-lap-needing, and by the Stanley Cup playoffs, which give me something to sit down with every evening, to provide that lap.
So let me ask you a question. I'm getting close to deciding it's time for me to get a smart phone; I love the tablet life, but the texting of my dumb phone is getting less helpful than I want it to be, and there are a non-zero number of apps I would like that won't work with the tablet. So.
What do you have, what do you love, what do you hate, what do you say? Talk to me, please!
I mostly knit, sometimes crochet or cross-stitch. I read, a lot. I love cats. I love hockey, especially my no-longer-local team, the Boston Bruins. Want more? Read on.
I have been a fan of Samsung's Galaxy series for a few years now, having a 5 and now a 7. I know there are newer versions but I buy mine refurbished on e-bay. You can expect a cell phone to last 2 or 3 years at best I think and I refuse to spend the better part of $1,000 on a 2 or 3 year investment. I like the fact I can swipe (swype??) while texting which I understand you can't do on an Apple. The camera isn't too bad but if you have a good digital camera, which you seem to, you'll be happier using that. I bemoan the loss of Picasa daily.
ReplyDeleteI never thought I'd use a phone as a daily tool as much as I do, but I like being able to use apps to pay for gas and coffee, digital coupons, store discounts, etc. My car doesn't have a navigation system built in so Android Auto is a lifesaver with maps etc. https://support.google.com/androidauto/?hl=en#topic=6348018
You may be able to find a phone you like with a monthly payment plan. I have Verizon but did consider changing to Google FI. The phone I have (Galaxy 7S) cannot change to the FI VPN or to other networks while travelling, so I am sticking with Verizon. After signing up for auto-pay, my bill dropped $5/mo which made it within $10 of FI.
Good luck shopping and let us know what you end up buying.
I liked my Samsung Galaxy, and really like my Pixel 2. I liked my iPhone, but my God, is Apple precious about charging cords. The main reason I switched back to Android from iPhone was because I got tired of the perfectly good, Apple-certified cords I bought suddenly not working with my phone after iOS updates.
ReplyDeleteThe Pixel 2 is really nice. It has a ton of storage, and a good camera. I'm sure the Pixel 3 is even better. The only complaint I have about the Pixel 2 is that, ever since their last major OS update, the battery life isn't great.
Based on my experience, I would say that you should match your tablet - if you had an ipad, then get an iphone, and if you have android, then get an android.
ReplyDeleteThat way you can sync stuff like browser favourites, backups, photos etc more easily. Plus buttons tend to be in the same place (especially if you can get the same brand)
I'm a Samsung person at the moment - I have a Galaxy s9 - expensive, but I'm a gadgetaholic. I did try a cheaper phone (Huawei Honor 9) a year or two back when I was trying to be sensible, but it was significantly slower, kept rebooting inexplicably, and I didn't like it nearly as much.
The thing I like most about the S9 us the fingerprint sensor which acts as a phone lock. On the S9 it is on the back, under the camera, so it's natural to unlock the phone at the same time as picking it up. Much better than a pin code.
My old S6 which I sold on to a friend is still going strong, so I wouldn't worry too much about longevity with a Samsung - it should probably last 4 or 5 years.
My advice would be to set a budget, go into a phone shop and try out some different phones in your hand to see what feels comfortable, and whether the fingerprint sensor is in the right place.
If I was moving away from Samsung I'd be looking at the Sony Xperia range.