Request help choosing a phone
Request help choosing a phone
Hi all,
I am cellularly clueless and could use some assistance. It's time to replace my current phone as I've grown weary of shoveling coal to keep its steam-powered mechanisms running.
I use cell phones only occasionally, primarily when traveling. Any current phone would be far beyond capable enough for my needs. But I do want one with a good camera. I realize that to get a good camera I will likely be also buying other technology that will be overkill for me. I fully appreciate the limitations of cell phone cameras in general. I have cabinets full of DSLR's, lights, lenses etc. I don't expect a phone to perform as a DSLR or medium format back. But for something I'm likely to have at the ready when traveling, a cell phone camera would be the ticket.
I am brand agnostic. I am not impressed by more megapixels. Price is not a great concern.
Thank you.
I am cellularly clueless and could use some assistance. It's time to replace my current phone as I've grown weary of shoveling coal to keep its steam-powered mechanisms running.
I use cell phones only occasionally, primarily when traveling. Any current phone would be far beyond capable enough for my needs. But I do want one with a good camera. I realize that to get a good camera I will likely be also buying other technology that will be overkill for me. I fully appreciate the limitations of cell phone cameras in general. I have cabinets full of DSLR's, lights, lenses etc. I don't expect a phone to perform as a DSLR or medium format back. But for something I'm likely to have at the ready when traveling, a cell phone camera would be the ticket.
I am brand agnostic. I am not impressed by more megapixels. Price is not a great concern.
Thank you.
Semper Augustus
Re: Request help choosing a phone
Any smart phone camera might be improved with add-on lenses from Moment or one of its competitors. I use a Google Pixel 4a phone which was about $350 when I bought it. It is not a big phone like some of the flagship phones from Samsung and Apple.
-
- Posts: 5564
- Joined: Thu Aug 09, 2012 10:54 am
Re: Request help choosing a phone
I'll say that my wife's new Samsung Galaxy S21 ultra has an awesome camera. The 10x optical zoom is really nice and as you know digital zoom is mostly a gimmick but it does have 100x digital zoom. The camera also has good built in stabilization so the pictures and video don't come out blurry when zoomed in. The wide angle feature is also really nice because it can capture the entire deck of our small boat or a more of a bigger landscape view.
I'd bet the top of the line iphone has an equivalent camera too.
I'd bet the top of the line iphone has an equivalent camera too.
Re: Request help choosing a phone
iPhone 12 ($829 although I'd probably upgrade to 128GB for $879) is a great all-around choice. It will get software support for far longer than any Android phone. The iPhone 6S (released 2015) will be supported at least through 2022, while most Android phones are supported for, at most, 3 years from launch.
The Pixel 5 has a great camera (a bit better than the 12) but full price is $700 and you'll lose software updates in just 2 years.
The Pixel 5 has a great camera (a bit better than the 12) but full price is $700 and you'll lose software updates in just 2 years.
Re: Request help choosing a phone
Who is your current provider?
Do you wish to remain at the same provider or are you looking to possibly change providers as well?
Do you wish to remain at the same provider or are you looking to possibly change providers as well?
-
- Posts: 5978
- Joined: Mon Aug 22, 2016 3:22 pm
Re: Request help choosing a phone
Pixel 3?
Re: Request help choosing a phone
Via a third party (Total Wireless), I use Verizon, which I will probably need to stay with given the coverage in my area.
Semper Augustus
-
- Posts: 5704
- Joined: Wed Oct 08, 2014 7:27 pm
Re: Request help choosing a phone
I would google for some side by side comparisons. A quick Google search pulled up this article - https://www.tomsguide.com/us/best-phone ... -2272.html which ranks the iPhone 12 Pro Max at the top.Teague wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 10:19 am
I use cell phones only occasionally, primarily when traveling. Any current phone would be far beyond capable enough for my needs. But I do want one with a good camera. I realize that to get a good camera I will likely be also buying other technology that will be overkill for me. I fully appreciate the limitations of cell phone cameras in general. I have cabinets full of DSLR's, lights, lenses etc. I don't expect a phone to perform as a DSLR or medium format back. But for something I'm likely to have at the ready when traveling, a cell phone camera would be the ticket.
I am brand agnostic. I am not impressed by more megapixels. Price is not a great concern.
My spouse is very happy with the camera on her iPhone 12 Pro Max. She has a DSLR and mirrorless camera that just collect dust now and in the past she's done some professional photo shoots so I think is better / knows more than a typical hobbyist.
Re: Request help choosing a phone
Verizon's MVNO Visible has a great deal: https://www.visible.com/deals/choose-your-own-gift-card. $200 gift card for buying an iPhone 12 and porting in a number (Total Wireless qualifies). Unusually for offers like this, the phone is fully unlocked from day one. It's such a good offer they are already out of stock, but worth checking back. I did a similar offer last fall.
Re: Request help choosing a phone
02nz wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 11:21 amVerizon's MVNO Visible has a great deal: https://www.visible.com/deals/choose-your-own-gift-card. $200 gift card for buying an iPhone 12 and porting in a number (Total Wireless qualifies). Unusually for offers like this, the phone is fully unlocked from day one. It's such a good offer they are already out of stock, but worth checking back. I did a similar offer last fall.
Thanks to all for the help, with special thanks to 02nz. If the above phone/deal comes back in stock soon that's likely what I will go with.
Semper Augustus
Re: Request help choosing a phone
You're very welcome. The iPhone 11 ($600 before $150 gift card) is still in stock and a good deal as well. But I'd hold out for the 12 for the OLED display and thinner bezels. I also found that the 11 ran noticeably hotter than the 12, and the 12 has better cell reception (because of the switch from Intel to Qualcomm modem).Teague wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 4:57 pm02nz wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 11:21 amVerizon's MVNO Visible has a great deal: https://www.visible.com/deals/choose-your-own-gift-card. $200 gift card for buying an iPhone 12 and porting in a number (Total Wireless qualifies). Unusually for offers like this, the phone is fully unlocked from day one. It's such a good offer they are already out of stock, but worth checking back. I did a similar offer last fall.
Thanks to all for the help, with special thanks to 02nz. If the above phone/deal comes back in stock soon that's likely what I will go with.
Re: Request help choosing a phone
Cheapest available moto on Google Fi
-
- Posts: 577
- Joined: Tue Feb 20, 2007 9:15 am
- Location: Massachusetts
Re: Request help choosing a phone
Offers are getting better on the iPhone 12 because the iPhone 13 (12s?) is due soon in September. Apple will more than likely drop the price on remaining iPhone 12 phones at that time.02nz wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 11:21 amVerizon's MVNO Visible has a great deal: https://www.visible.com/deals/choose-your-own-gift-card. $200 gift card for buying an iPhone 12 and porting in a number (Total Wireless qualifies). Unusually for offers like this, the phone is fully unlocked from day one. It's such a good offer they are already out of stock, but worth checking back. I did a similar offer last fall.
Re: Request help choosing a phone
If price is not a concern and you are cellularly clueless, I'd get one of the newer versions of the Iphone. The people in my life who are the most averse to technology all find the Iphones the most intuitive and easy to use.
But it sounds like you really don't intend to use the phone very much, so maybe an older (but new) version of an Iphone (which you can buy on Ebay for cheap, and unlocked so it's not tied to any carrier) would work for you. I bought mine for about $100. Just make sure you buy from an Ebay store that sells thousands of the phones so they have an established reputation.
But it sounds like you really don't intend to use the phone very much, so maybe an older (but new) version of an Iphone (which you can buy on Ebay for cheap, and unlocked so it's not tied to any carrier) would work for you. I bought mine for about $100. Just make sure you buy from an Ebay store that sells thousands of the phones so they have an established reputation.
Re: Request help choosing a phone
An important consideration is how long the phone will continue to get security updates. iPhones are a bit better than Androids in this regard. The year-old iPhone flagship model is often a good deal, especially if you catch it on a good sale day (Black Friday, Amazon Prime Day, etc.)
What you may want is a mid-grade phone.
I have a Google Pixel 3a. Google has really high-quality image-processing software built in to their phones, which means my photos turn out pretty good, despite it not having the best optical hardware in the world. The Pixel 5a is coming in August, and will probably be around $400. If you can't wait, you could get a 4a, but know that it will not get security updates after August 2023.
The other option is the iPhone SE, which is Apple's mid-grade phone. Apple supports their phones for 5 years after release, so a slow upgrader like you will probably get more mileage out of an iPhone.
What you may want is a mid-grade phone.
I have a Google Pixel 3a. Google has really high-quality image-processing software built in to their phones, which means my photos turn out pretty good, despite it not having the best optical hardware in the world. The Pixel 5a is coming in August, and will probably be around $400. If you can't wait, you could get a 4a, but know that it will not get security updates after August 2023.
The other option is the iPhone SE, which is Apple's mid-grade phone. Apple supports their phones for 5 years after release, so a slow upgrader like you will probably get more mileage out of an iPhone.
Re: Request help choosing a phone
There's not a set time frame for iPhones, unlike Google's Pixel line, which get updates for 3 years after release. The iPhone 6S, by contrast, will get updates for at least 7 years (launched in 2015, will get updated at least through iOS 15).
Re: Request help choosing a phone
Is it really an important consideration? If I pay $700 for a phone because it will last 7 years and get security updates during that time, is that not the same as paying $350 for phone for 3.5 years and another $350 for a phone for another 3.5 years? Well, not really because the phone in 3.5 years should have better technology. At some point, phones of the future may even become disposable after a year or so. I know that my most expensive phone was the first one I bought after I stopped using my employer-provided phone and my subsequent phones keep getting cheaper.
Re: Request help choosing a phone
I recommend the Samsung A52 5g (unlocked). Just bought an unlocked A42 5g for my wife. The camera is decent, unlocked phones have no carrier "bloat-ware" and an MNVO (such as Mint Mobile's $15/ month plan with 4 gig data) would supply the phone functionality.
https://www.mintmobile.com/product/03-m ... card-plan/
At 20: I cared what everyone thought about me |
At 40: I didn't give a damn what anyone thought of me |
Now that I'm 60: I realize that no one was really thinking about me at all |
Winston Churchill (?)
Re: Request help choosing a phone
I'd wait for the iPhone 13. Hopefully they will bring back touch ID in some form.
We've been getting 5 years out of our iPhones, easily.
I wouldn't mess with Android-based phones. I don't like the interface.
We've been getting 5 years out of our iPhones, easily.
I wouldn't mess with Android-based phones. I don't like the interface.
Re: Request help choosing a phone
Not even the fantastic touch ID on Android? We have Apple, Samsung, and Google phones in the immediate family. I don't see much difference in the interfaces anymore and can use any of them without problems. My point is that the differences are not what they used to be.
BTW, I have a number of Apple devices that I use, but an iPhone is not one of them.
Re: Request help choosing a phone
Agree with both recommendations here.Caduceus wrote: ↑Fri Jul 30, 2021 2:09 am If price is not a concern and you are cellularly clueless, I'd get one of the newer versions of the Iphone. The people in my life who are the most averse to technology all find the Iphones the most intuitive and easy to use.
But it sounds like you really don't intend to use the phone very much, so maybe an older (but new) version of an Iphone (which you can buy on Ebay for cheap, and unlocked so it's not tied to any carrier) would work for you. I bought mine for about $100. Just make sure you buy from an Ebay store that sells thousands of the phones so they have an established reputation.
I'm still using an iPhone 8 Plus, and it's great. Just got the battery replaced, so I hope to hold on to it for another couple of years.
Re: Request help choosing a phone
Unfortunately the flagship Samsung or Apple phone cameras often take better photos than I can with my new Sony A7iii plus a load of lenses. I like the S pen of the Samsung Note line which is why I chose Samsung. I have the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. I have not given up on my Sony Mirrorless camera as it sometimes produces better photographs than my Samsung note. In addition it is easier to use a camera with buttons and dials and it also has a viewfinder. The latest flagship phone cameras use software to produce better High Dynamic range than my camera. I took a class in photoshop at a community college and now I am reviewing a book I have on Photoshop. The latest version of Photoshop has a feature to replace the sky. My Sony has problems detecting the differences in the Sky whereas the Note 20 Ultra aces it. Recently I took photos of a vegetable garden at sunrise and the photos were spectacular. I also took the same photos with my Sony. I could probably have recovered some of the sky with an enormous amount of effort in post processing.Teague wrote: ↑Wed Jul 28, 2021 10:19 am Hi all,
I am cellularly clueless and could use some assistance. It's time to replace my current phone as I've grown weary of shoveling coal to keep its steam-powered mechanisms running.
I use cell phones only occasionally, primarily when traveling. Any current phone would be far beyond capable enough for my needs. But I do want one with a good camera. I realize that to get a good camera I will likely be also buying other technology that will be overkill for me. I fully appreciate the limitations of cell phone cameras in general. I have cabinets full of DSLR's, lights, lenses etc. I don't expect a phone to perform as a DSLR or medium format back. But for something I'm likely to have at the ready when traveling, a cell phone camera would be the ticket.
I am brand agnostic. I am not impressed by more megapixels. Price is not a great concern.
Thank you.
I have watched videos on the differences between the flagship Apple and Samsung phone cameras. Apple is easy to use and reliable. Samsung tries to push the envelope with innovation. The Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra has 4 cameras and one of them is for macro photography. I took photos of native bee squash bees and everyone raved about them. The squash bee is not as aggressive as the honey bee and allowed me to get close to it.
I would advise you get the latest Apple or Samsung Galaxy phone - and learn how to use all of the features. My phone has a pro mode and I can take photos in RAW format. I will wait a while but may buy a Samsung Galaxy S22 next year. It is not certain if the Note line will be upgraded.