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[Q] Help me decide my next phone!

Hello guys,
I've been searching recently to decide which phone will be my next phone in 2 months. The parameters for me to decide are, I keep the phone at least few years like my current SGS2 phone and I need it to stay above average. I know I may see better for next 6 months or so but I want to decide in this period. Money is not a factor.
I've been reading about new Knox for SGS5 and every poll in other websites I've read was saying they are not going to buy or they are not interested and disappointed!
I also read about another Galaxy S 5 named F series or Galaxy Prime! It's the same as Galaxy S 5 but with better specs and metal unibody!
I stuck to choose between these:
Google Nexus 5 (32gb, LTE)
Samsung Galaxy S5 (prefer 32gb but if it's available till then, LTE)
Samsung Galaxy S4 (I9505 LTE)
I also created a poll for the ones who are lazy to answer.
Any response, opinions are welcomed.:good:
Thank you.
EDIT:
I prefer removable battery because in my country any official repair center has no meaning and they are all in one that asks money for their services. So in few years period I need atleast one new battery as my previous experiences. And having removable battery is a factor. And having an SD card is but with 32gb version that would not be a huge problem but I prefer having removable battery and SD card slot.
I heard about nexus 5 battery life that as its best it would be average. Having a good battery life could be a factor too.

You want to go here - Device suggestion
Also since you haven't really mentioned any real requirements, I'd suggest going for the new HTC One or the Xperia Z2.

vj_dustin said:
You want to go here - Device suggestion
Also since you haven't really mentioned any real requirements, I'd suggest going for the new HTC One or the Xperia Z2.
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Click to collapse
Thank you for mentioning that thread! :good:
I added a few ones now. I don't need all those new gimmicks that new galaxy series are providing but having them is not a bad idea! Also I prefer to feel the phone in my hands comfortably and I don't care about it's unibody or the quality of the body!

Extra features on S5 arent that amazing...Note 3 all the way

pSyCh¤_O_O said:
Extra features on S5 arent that amazing...Note 3 all the way
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Click to collapse
Previously I thought who would get Note series with those huge lcds! But now all the new phones have 5" lcd so they all are phablets IMO.
I really don't know about Note series you just add an extra option for me. Yeah the leather back is awesome even the features that S-pen brought if you don't consider the extra bucks for it but I don't need all those feature. I think I would stay with my current choices and won't add note to those.
Thanks for your suggestion I really appreciate it.

LG G2 is a good device. Take a look on it. Very good battery life camera processor and screen .... but it doesn't have a removable battery :/

I would suggest the S5 as it has:
+ removable battery, which is IMHO very important
+ sdcard slot, so no real need for 32gb version
+ water resistance (ip67, half an hour under water)
+ hardware buttons
+ an IR-blaster
Regards!

Rachid.Ala said:
LG G2 is a good device. Take a look on it. Very good battery life camera processor and screen .... but it doesn't have a removable battery :/
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Click to collapse
Thank you for your suggestion. I was exactly looking at this phone on gsmarena right now! It has a good specs but I don't know why I don't like the way it looks! It's way too simple! It almost has the same hardware as SGS5. According to gsmarena G2 has only better battery life in idle! But we can't be sure with an unreleased phone!
It also don't have SD card slot.
If I'm going to add another option to my choices I would go with Sony Xperia Z2! I just love the way it looks and it also don't have removable battery and even SD card slot. lol
But anyways thanks for your suggestion I really appreciate it.:good:
gordon.shameway said:
I would suggest the S5 as it has:
+ removable battery, which is IMHO very important
+ sdcard slot, so no real need for 32gb version
+ water resistance (ip67, half an hour under water)
+ hardware buttons
+ an IR-blaster
Regards!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The only things that makes me to stay away from this phone are the Knox thing and many uninterested people according to some of polls on which websites I've read, it makes it less popular and for us on xda that we all use custom roms, this would be a potential issue!
And another thing is the release date on April 11th and LTE version on release date. I want to buy it off-contract.

Rachid.Ala said:
LG G2 is a good device. Take a look on it. Very good battery life camera processor and screen .... but it doesn't have a removable battery :/
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it has @dorimanx [emoji122][emoji122][emoji106][emoji3][emoji14]
Beam-ed through your pineal gland via//Android 4.4.2.//

rkoby13 said:
it has @dorimanx [emoji122][emoji122][emoji106][emoji3][emoji14]
Beam-ed through your pineal gland via//Android 4.4.2.//
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Hey mate. Long time no see!
Yeah nice I know. It really makes me to go and buy it right now! but I don't like it I don't know why!
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

IMHO it depends on what sort of software you want to end up running. I love AOSP, so I'm planning to get Nexus 5. It's intended to run AOSP, so support, drivers and development will be awesome On the other hand, if you like running AOSP but buy a closed source (e.g. Exynos Samsung) then you're going to be compromised from the start. I see from your signature that you're on Slim atm, maybe keep that in mind if you plan on switching to AOSP.
I do like the look of the new HTC One though. :silly:
Edit: and, it is SD card expandable. No removable battery though.

And you posted this to I9100 Q&A why exactly ? Just because you currently have one is no reason at all, this thread belongs in one of the general chit chat forums, not a device specific one. I'm tipping mods move this.

Hopper8 said:
IMHO it depends on what sort of software you want to end up running. I love AOSP, so I'm planning to get Nexus 5. It's intended to run AOSP, so support, drivers and development will be awesome On the other hand, if you like running AOSP but buy a closed source (e.g. Exynos Samsung) then you're going to be compromised from the start. I see from your signature that you're on Slim atm, maybe keep that in mind if you plan on switching to AOSP.
I do like the look of the new HTC One though. :silly:
Edit: and, it is SD card expandable. No removable battery though.
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Click to collapse
I've never tried to choose my phone from software view! The only thing that matters for me is ability to root your phone. Cause I'm end up doing it anyway. The software is important too because of development, and new Knox thing for S5 makes it even harder except the fact that it's closed source. But afaik it has snapdragon 801 and they are not closed source, aren't they?
On the other hand reviews on Nexus 5 battery life worries me. Cause they said it would do average as its best and it's not a removable battery. I won't expand the battery but with my usage I end up with f*cked up battery and it needs to be replaced in first two years of use! Having or not having SD card is not a big factor with 32gb nand for me.
It's getting worse to decide a phone.
And looking at Sony Xperia Z2, I stuck between S5 and Z2. Buy with aosp and development of Nexus 5 software, I really don't know which one to get.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

I would suggest going with a device that has "enthusiastic" developer's who unlike our poor devs doesn't have to deal with lots of proprietary headache, accordingly my most logical advice would be the Nexus 5, but again its not the high end configuration that attracts me its the dev support and update frequencies so if it was me I would still be happy with the poor mans Nexus ie. the beautiful Moto G, and if I had money to waste I would look at the Google Play Edition HTC One (M8).
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

king_below_my_lord said:
I would suggest going with a device that has "enthusiastic" developer's who unlike our poor devs doesn't have to deal with lots of proprietary headache, accordingly my most logical advice would be the Nexus 5, but again its not the high end configuration that attracts me its the dev support and update frequencies so if it was me I would still be happy with the poor mans Nexus ie. the beautiful Moto G, and if I had money to waste I would look at the Google Play Edition HTC One (M8).
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
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Click to collapse
Yeah exactly. The only thing attracts me to Nexus 5 is this. It's even easier and cheaper for me to buy Nexus rather than other phones that I'm planning on. But the fact that I need to hold on to this phone in next few years scares me the most! Maybe buying Nexus 5 now and see for consumer advice and reviews after releasing S5 in few months then change my phone again? It would be possible but money wise I don't think so.
I don't like HTC phones in rooting matter. Two of my friends had HTC and after rooting they hard bricked their phone!
I was hoping for S5 google edition? Fingers crossed.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

ercxar said:
I've never tried to choose my phone from software view! The only thing that matters for me is ability to root your phone. Cause I'm end up doing it anyway. The software is important too because of development, and new Knox thing for S5 makes it even harder except the fact that it's closed source. But afaik it has snapdragon 801 and they are not closed source, aren't they?
On the other hand reviews on Nexus 5 battery life worries me. Cause they said it would do average as its best and it's not a removable battery. I won't expand the battery but with my usage I end up with f*cked up battery and it needs to be replaced in first two years of use! Having or not having SD card is not a big factor with 32gb nand for me.
It's getting worse to decide a phone.
And looking at Sony Xperia Z2, I stuck between S5 and Z2. Buy with aosp and development of Nexus 5 software, I really don't know which one to get.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Root isn't everything... unless you want to be stuck with stock ROM and Xposed for the life of the phone, something I couldn't do. I want custom ROMs and especially kernels for my phone, the more the better. What if it's bootloader locked and not un-lockable? No custom kernel for you then. Have you had a look at the N5 forums on xda? More roms/kernels/mods than you can imagine

Hopper8 said:
Root isn't everything... unless you want to be stuck with stock ROM and Xposed for the life of the phone, something I couldn't do. I want custom ROMs and especially kernelsfor my phone, the more the better. What if it's bootloader locked and not un-lockable? No custom kernel for you then. Have you had a look at the N5 forums on xda? More roms/kernels/mods than you can imagine
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Click to collapse
Yeah exactly. Fortunately I want to buy my phone off contract so it has a chance that bootloader is not locked on an specific operator!
You are making me to go for Nexus 5 but my heart says go for your true love which is S5.
I think I would wait until the S5 release date and see some actual reviews then decide. If I had a chance to be able to buy another phone in one year period, I'm saying this because if you buy new phone and sell it a week after the price would drop and in my opinion it's a real waste of money, I would definitely buy Nexus 5 then go for S5! It would be a win win situation. :victory:

ercxar said:
Yeah exactly. Fortunately I want to buy my phone off contract so it has a chance that bootloader is not locked on an specific operator!
You are making me to go for Nexus 5 but my heart says go for your true love which is S5.
I think I would wait until the S5 release date and see some actual reviews then decide. If I had a chance to be able to buy another phone in one year period, I'm saying this because if you buy new phone and sell it a week after the price would drop and in my opinion it's a real waste of money, I would definitely buy Nexus 5 then go for S5! It would be a win win situation. :victory:
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I have now the N5....I have to say its awesome...The development for this phone is top notch imo...I wanted a removable battery to start with but thats through old habits..Im a pretty hard user but not with games..Im running slimkat with elementalX kernel....Its so good...I found the LG G2 a touch to big for what I wanted...Good luck with your decision and who knows we may even meet up on the hammerhead thread....
Edit - I just couldnt go back to samsung...

gippy2 said:
I have now the N5....I have to say its awesome...The development for this phone is top notch imo...I wanted a removable battery to start with but thats through old habits..Im a pretty hard user but not with games..Im running slimkat with elementalX kernel....Its so good...I found the LG G2 a touch to big for what I wanted...Good luck with your decision and who knows we may even meet up on the hammerhead thread....
Edit - I just couldnt go back to samsung...
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Click to collapse
Oh really? Are you happy with it? How about the battery life? As I said on previous posts I'm reading the battery life on N5 would be average at its best! I'm not a gamer on phone too but sometimes I just play to get the time past when I'm outside and bored.
Yeah in matter of development no other phone can even compare to N5!
I'm now really stuck between N5 and S5! I know the price is half of S5 but I really don't know! I like the new features in S5 specially the Camera and Ultra Power saving mode. But with Knox I don't know if any custom roms would be available even two months after release!
May I ask why you wouldn't go back to samsung? Just being curious.
I want to tell my friend in US to buy me a 32gb version with LTE for N5 and the same would be happen with S5! And I can see her approximately in next month! So till then I have a chance to see the S5 being released! But right now I'm feeling end up buying N5. lol :victory:

Perhaps this affects your decision, chainfire managed to root the s5!!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2696537

[Q] Buying the Nexus 5 today

Im in the hunt for a new phone. Ive been thinking about buying the new Z3 Compact when its launched but I cannot stand the modified android version the different manufacturers are using, I HAVE to run vanilla or close to it. I know I could root any phone and install stock android on it but im not sure if its worth the hassle for me considering it takes time to make a stable rom etc.
The perfect phone would be a smaller Nexus 5 in my mind, good usability in one hand and fast updates. I guess it wont exist in the near future tho?
Is it a smart decision to buy the Nexus 5 today?

Get one. If you don't like it you can return it. Only you can decide if you like the N5
N5

NorteX said:
Im in the hunt for a new phone. Ive been thinking about buying the new Z3 Compact when its launched but I cannot stand the modified android version the different manufacturers are using, I HAVE to run vanilla or close to it. I know I could root any phone and install stock android on it but im not sure if its worth the hassle for me considering it takes time to make a stable rom etc.
The perfect phone would be a smaller Nexus 5 in my mind, good usability in one hand and fast updates. I guess it wont exist in the near future tho?
Is it a smart decision to buy the Nexus 5 today?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just received mine in the mail today, I love it. It feels so sturdy and solid, I will be keeping it for a long time.

I forgot to mention, I have used the N5 for a couple of weeks and I really like it. Do you think I just should go for it?

absolutely ! go and buy one !

Get it and start having a great time with the Nexus5 on XDA!

I have owned every nexus made and the nexus 5 is an amazing device. I highly recommend it

I know the N5 is an awesome device, I'm just worried about the Android silver program being released and all of a sudden there are plenty of "nexuses" around to chose from. Do you guise think it will be announced any time soon?

NorteX said:
I know the N5 is an awesome device, I'm just worried about the Android silver program being released and all of a sudden there are plenty of "nexuses" around to chose from. Do you guise think it will be announced any time soon?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hard to say... but don't hold your breath!

I don't see how any android silver device could touch the $350 price tag. Your only competition would be the moto x in this price point.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

I had the 16 GB nexus 5 from sprint... Traded it so I could get the gs5...I now have a 32gb nexus 5 and my gs5 is sitting in my dresser
The nexus 5 is great
I would shoot for the 32 tho
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Xparent Red Tapatalk 2

Asking in the Nexus 5 forum whether or not to buy the Nexus 5? Great!
Anyways, just like the others, I will suggest you to get it but the Nexus 6's rumors have started again and this time around it's been manufactured by Motorola!

Alright, I'm getting the nexus. You guise convinced me. Now I just have to decide on colour! What do you guise think about the different colours?

NorteX said:
Alright, I'm getting the nexus. You guise convinced me. Now I just have to decide on colour! What do you guise think about the different colours?
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Different colours for different schmullers. Pick whats best for you. This also goes for custom roms. Dont ask us when you get it what rom you should use. Please just make up your own mind.

You have had help deciding whether or not to get the nexus 5 I think it is best you decide which color you like when you get to the store or if your purchasing online then look at the colors there. The color part isn't much of a big deal and mainly comes down to personal preference. So I think it would be best for you to decide on your own
Thread closed

[Q] Anyone know the likelihood of Android L porting?

Once upon a time I asked if Sense 6 porting was possible, and was overall greeted with a big "no". Now, given that it was totally possible what with ports via Liberty, do any developers think a Vanilla Lollipop port may be possible for our hardware in the near future?
Thanks and cheers.
Sent from my HTC One XL using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I asked once that question a few months ago and someone told me it should be possible but I can't find the post anymore. Anyway if you want an early taste : http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?p=56112621
I haven't tried yet but it seems pretty cool.

Yeah I'm about to get the nexus 5 soon myself, then the nexus 6 hopefully soon after
Sent from my HTC One XL using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

Craigslist man, I stumble on deals all the time people selling their n5's for around a hundred because their LCD is out, which is like a $20 fix
Sent from my HTC One XL using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

CyanJustice said:
Once upon a time I asked if Sense 6 porting was possible, and was overall greeted with a big "no". Now, given that it was totally possible what with ports via Liberty, do any developers think a Vanilla Lollipop port may be possible for our hardware in the near future?
Thanks and cheers.
Sent from my HTC One XL using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I would have to say its definitely possible, considering that google is also updating the nexus 4 to L. From what I've read its supposed to run well on older devices. And the x isn't exactly weak in the hardware dept. I miss mine
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

Scozzar said:
I don't think it's a matter of if and when at this point. It's a matter of WHO wants to spend hours (or days...or weeks) porting a ROM that has L to a device that has maybe 20 or so active users.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's too bad...I can't switch phone for another year :/ not that I don't like my one xl

Would be awesome if it gets ported I love my htcox

I wish I was a more seasoned dev so I could port it for you guys. When Paranoid Android does their rendition of L our device will hopefully still be supported by the PA maintainer here (he said he'd still support the device after he upgraded) so that'll be you guys' best bet. That will probably be a while though so I'd just get comfy on KitKat until then.
Scozzar said:
I considered the N5 for a while, but the only thing holding me back is the price. My parents won't pay 300 for a phone, which I understand, so I have to pay for it myself. The problem with that is I get paid every other week, and it's not a whole lot ($150 every two weeks. It's an on-campus job). I could save 2 entire paychecks and buy one, OR I could get a similar experience with the Moto X which is 50 which is something I could pay for. Every flagship phone has there pros and cons.
Another issue I am having is the development. I've been flashing since 2012 and I really like the flexibility it brings. Moving to a new device, M8, Galaxy S5, Moto X etc, the development is definitely not as strong. I despise Touchwiz, and the plastic construction Samsung uses. The M8 is really, REALLY nice, but AT&T charges 200 for it which is a ripoff since Verizon has the M8 for 30 dollars (i know what I said). The Moto X is my favorite because the bang for your buck (and near STOCK ANDROID ), but the battery, I've heard, isn't the greatest, along with the camera, and no external sd or removable battery. It's like the HOXL right now, but if I'm upgrading, I want more features.
TL;DR: If I had the money, I would buy the N5 in a heartbeat, but there is more to it than just buying a phone...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I thought about getting the M8 when it was $389 for a refurb unlocked. I was one click away but decided not to. I like the Moto X's design better & a couple issues with the Moto X should be resolved with L. Already at their Google+ community people are reporting up to 6 hours on screen time which is pretty damn good and will get better with L. The camera can also take some gorgeous shots -- if you're in a well lit area. The camera is inconsistent but hopefully Google's new camera APIs will alleviate some of that too.
I'm a college kid like you so I know exactly what empty pockets feels like. If I were you I'd save up and buy it outright refurbished if you're dead set on the M8...

You guys need to buy the OnePlus One, awesome phone. Specs are killer, dudes are getting 8 hours screen on time, plus all the other goodies.
Transmitted via Bacon

I'm checking this thread daily, I'm hoping it makes it to our devices.

would it help if we made a bounty ? I dont mind putting in my share to get Lollipop and it's battery enhancing goodness to our phones.

Have fun with your m8 man you'll be missed here...

Here's hoping for an upgrade to Lollipop in CM or PA. I love my Evita.

xam247 said:
Here's hoping for an upgrade to Lollipop in CM or PA. I love my Evita.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That would be a dream but I guess we'll have to wait and see. I love mine too

its gonna come for sure eventually..... plus its not that big deal to alwys hv newer android asap..... one x still is a beautiful device fr me

Yeah it's still a good phone, always has been for me. Buuuut it's days inevitably numbered. I'll probably have a N5 here in a week, and I don't even know what I'm gonna do with my One X. Probably donate it to a developer. If anyone here is interested in that and will actually put it to use for development, let me know.
Sent from my HTC One XL using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

in case anyone's interested, we have started a Lollipop bounty thread here - http://forum.xda-developers.com/one-x-att/general/bounty-android-lollipop-one-x-t2930513

good luck with this ! I'm trying to sell my one x on craigslist.....
it was actually easier for me to sell an original 120gb xbox 360 hard drive !

LG G2 or Nexus 5?

Hey guys I'm lookin' forward to get a new smartphone [I already own a chinese brand but I'm not that satisfied with it and I think I'll make it a gift for my aunt or grandmother, it's pretty awesome though].
So I'm thinking about the LG G2 but I'm not really sure if it's worth it in comparison to the Nexus 5. The Nexus 5 seems to be much cheaper than the G2 (even though I've seen them at same price on some websites).
I like casual gaming, music and internet browsing.
So, with respect to the software, daily use, apps, screen, resistance, price and performance, which is the best choice?
Thank you.

Post a similar thread in the G2 forum. Whichever thread gets the most replies wins.

Someone said this in the other thread made today on this exact subject...
Want battery life, G2
Want quickest updates, N5.
That's about the big 2 differences.

nexus 5

koQQen said:
nexus 5
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Click to collapse
Nah g2
Sent from my Nexus 5

Wakamatsu said:
Post a similar thread in the G2 forum. Whichever thread gets the most replies wins.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ding ding ding...

I have both, and you have to decide what you want from a phone. Nexus lacks many of the "gimmick" features like Smart Stay, and IR blaster. I was able to get a ROM that got me close to stock android on the G2. But as has been said before- if you're a flash a holic you may want to stick with the Nexus. I've stopped judging phones by their features and judge them instead by their ability to provide me with what I want to do.
Example: I bought a Note 3 on the day of release because I wanted the bleeding edge tech, but within 2 months I sold it and went back to my GNex because of the amount of development from Android Devs and Ubuntu. In the end it's about what you want out of the phone.

Looking for advice on choosing a phone.

Ok so I'm gonna say sorry first. I know that there's 100s of these exact posts every week but I feel like I've run out of places to look and could use some help. Time has come for me to upgrade to a new phone, currently I'm using a ascend mate 2 on Android 5.1 and aside from some laggy performance issues it works for what I do with it.
That being said this monster of a phone (6.1") has started to bend from me having it in my back pocket and there's some blemishes on the screen and GPS only works sporadically at best.
I'm looking for someone to point me in the direction of a 5 ish inch phone that has plenty of rom support, wireless charging and decent amount of storage. The OnePlus 5 had me excited but just didn't do it for me. I won't justify $500 unless I'm absolutely sure I want it. I have TMobile for service.
I've looked into the op5, Xperia xz premium, and Pixel. I've considered the GS8 but have a GS6 for work and it's really buggy, also I might as well give them my first born to pay for them. I've had LG devices before and they always gave me problems but perhaps things have changed I don't really know.
I'd appreciate any help you guys can give, and again sorry for asking the typical redundant question.

I am I realize I posted this in the wrong place and can't delete. Mods please remove / close thread.

I've had the amazing s5 for years and never wanted to upgrade until I got a new job and got no signal. Love how it has the SD card and was able to switch batteries.
Switches to LG g4 on eBay for 80$ and purposely made it bootloop so I could send it to LG for replacement. So far so good and love everything about it especially the camera.
Sent from my SM-G900T using Tapatalk