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I guess the geek gods were feeling benevolent last week when they allowed me to participate in an HTC One X for AT&T early release. Of course I had to convince the guy at the AT&T company store that it wasn’t stolen and I really did need a micro-SIM card for it. But once that was taken care of it was all systems go for several hours of ‘getting my geek on’.
For those of you who don’t know me, I have been mucking about with smartphones since smartphones began. My first true smartphone was the HTC Wizard and the One X is device number eight. I am a retired senior moderator and have been beta testing ROMs and other software for over 10 years. Let’s just say I am not a young buck who loads his phone with music and wears out the screen sending text messages. I am a business user who relies on the phone for work, family and on occasion throwing birds at pigs while trapped on airplanes.
So these are my first impressions after about 48 hours use, some good, some odd, some not so good. Sorry HTC you asked for my honest opinion!
First off, this phone is THIN! Perhaps too thin for some users, my previous phone was also very thin, I put a case on it so it was easier to hold, I plan to do the same here once cases become available. The gorilla glass screen is almost bezel free, only the smallest amount of case is visible on the sides. The top and bottom have just enough bezel for the front facing camera and the speaker, truly an amazing piece of engineering. The case material (a proprietary super plastic that feels like metal) is matte on the front and back while smooth on the sides giving a very finished quality look and feel. The volume rocker is on the right, Micro-USB is on the left and 3.5mm port is on top next to the power button. Also on top is the micro-SIM tray slot and its associated pin hole. HTC ships a SIM tray tool with the phone but a paperclip works just fine.
The case is one piece with no removable doors (save the SIM tray), the battery is non-replaceable and there is no SD card slot. Now before you start cussing HTC for not making the battery replaceable or providing a SD slot, the device is designed to be as thin as possible and the only way to do that was to sacrifice those items. Thinking about it, I have never replaced the battery in any of my devices anyway and rarely have I used more than the included 10GB of storage. HTC has also partnered with DropBox giving each One X user 23GB of cloud storage for a year at no cost. I have no idea what will happen after the year expires but by then I will be getting a new device. For the record, the device has 16GB of user storage; however, only about 10GB is actually usable.
As a long time custom ROM user one of the first things I normally do is root and ROM a new device. If nothing else just to get rid of the bloatware, in the case of the One X this almost isn’t needed as the bloatware is minimal with only 12 apps that may be considered boat. The stock ROM is smooth, runs a quadrant score of 4800 and has little to no lag. Sure the stock ROM lacks the icons and color normally found in a custom ROM but for a stock ROM it is very good. I don’t need to tell you the OS is Ice Cream Sandwich (4.0.3) and Sense 4.0 is onboard, you read that months ago. What I can say is that the Sense experience is significantly improved even over 3.6, the panes move easily and smoothly. As always with HTC there are a myriad of clock choices, weather widgets and other gadgets to occupy your screens. Quite by accident I stumbled upon this interesting bit, if you drag an app icon onto another app icon a folder will be created with both icons included. This may be an ICS function I hadn’t read about or a Sense 4.0 bonus, in either case it’s a great way to save space.
I would love to tell you that battery life is off the charts awesome but alas having only had the thing for 48 hours or so, it is too early to pass judgment. My first blush impression is about 10 hours of moderate use, but that may prove to be way off base… more on this after a week or so.
The superLCD screen is absolutely the best screen I have used. I can be out in the bright sun and read the display easily, the gorilla glass is rounded where it meets the bezel making the transition very clean while also making it easy to feel the edge of the glass. And what is better to put on that display than pictures you have taken with the new camera. HTC went to extremes to make sure this camera is the focus (see what I did there?) of the device. Not only does it stick out the back of the case (remember what I said about too thin?) but it takes simply beautiful pictures. The shots I have seen and taken look more like they came from a DSLR or high end point and shoot than a phone. Image processing is handled by a dedicated HTC chipset relieving the dual S4s of the task. Burst mode is probably my favorite new toy, I can now capture objects in motion and select the best frame to save. The shutter is much more responsive as well, no more push………wait……wait some more….. snap. I missed a lot of good shots waiting for the shutter on my previous HTC phone. As good as this camera is I suspect that DropBox space is going to fill up fast!
In summary; this is a very well thought out device that I am proud to own and use. HTC has taken in what we the users have told them and made a flagship device that surpasses expectations.
Russ741
One quick question: What do you think about the camera lens? Do you think it will scratch easily without using case?
fsrkewd said:
One quick question: What do you think about the camera lens? Do you think it will scratch easily without using case?
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Click to collapse
With or without a case the lens protrudes so the chance of scratching is not mitigated by a case. A little bit of common sense care should be enough to protect it.
Great review - thanks! Can you confirm whether or not there's an FM radio built in? I've heard conflicting reports, but none from someone who actually has the phone.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda premium
Some cases actually do put a lip around the edge of the lens lens, preventing it from touching wherever the phone is.
Your review was amazing, btw.
cbasse said:
Great review - thanks! Can you confirm whether or not there's an FM radio built in? I've heard conflicting reports, but none from someone who actually has the phone.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda premium
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Good question, wish I had a better answer. The application isn't there to test so I can't say for certain if the radio is there or not.
vioalas said:
Some cases actually do put a lip around the edge of the lens lens, preventing it from touching wherever the phone is.
Your review was amazing, btw.
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Click to collapse
True, but the lens area is much larger than other phones so I'm not sure even a case lip will be that effective. Thanks for the complement.
Just bought my 1st Windows phone to test out. Is this still a good phone? I would love your thoughts.
Just bought this phone as well to see what all the noise is about the camera.
I tested it against my nexus 5 and the zoom was incredible shot out of 20th floor window, but I have not taken it anywhere yet to take real photos.
I would like to hears other thoughts as well.
I think we are the only 2 people that own this phone and visit xda
yeah I think so as well.
Probably since MS locked it down so hard and it can not be rooted, maybe people lost interest.
This is my test phone and that time when we all wish we had a good camera device to take a quick picture(now waiting on that moment.)
Nexus 5 is still my daily driver, but I like this phone a lot.
To answer you original question, from everyone I have talked to this is still one of the best, if not the best camera/phone combination out there.
It's still the best camera phone (maybe except Nokia 808 with bigger sensor, but no stabilization). Lumix CM1 should be much better, but will cost twice more and it still isn't in sale.
Is there any camera app to allow me to set exposure time more than 4s like default application?
hinix said:
Is there any camera app to allow me to set exposure time more than 4s like default application?
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I saw this app on a couple of forums.
it cost 1.99 in US store.
didn ot say alot about exposure though
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/proshot/3d6a3d7e-5aca-4aee-b059-590b9f53cc13
qnc said:
I saw this app on a couple of forums.
it cost 1.99 in US store.
didn ot say alot about exposure though
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/proshot/3d6a3d7e-5aca-4aee-b059-590b9f53cc13
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Thanks, but nope, I checked trial version 5 min ago and maximum time is 4 seconds too.
Do your guys camera kinda rattle when you put the phone down?
Or if you tap the phone earlier against your hand?
stu5797 said:
Do your guys camera kinda rattle when you put the phone down?
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I looked that up when I first got the phone. Can't remember where I found the information, but it is just the OIS element.
I'm not a camera guy so I looked up OIS element. It appears that regular cameras have the rattle as well.
OIS = Optical Image Stabilization
New one to me.
Most said that if the rattle stops then you are in trouble.
Long story short Rattle is good.
Guys visit the site for detailed information Windows Phones and anything related to Lumia/ Win Phone
http://allaboutwindowsphone.com/
I've bought and tried almost every smartphone with a good camera.
Nokia Lumia 1020 takes the best photos of all till now...
The pureview technology is unique...
As a previous owner of lumia 1020. My thoughts and info.
Currently I am a note 3 user. Lumia 1020 was for me a very good phone. My only issue is that earpiece volume was low (Small ear problem due to my work, but I can say iphone and now note 3 are double lowder) . At first it was perfect. After the 8 update it went lower. Restored to the initial version but no improvement. Kept and updated to 8.1........ still the same. Contacted microsoft but no answer given (dah). If the volume was higher I would never have sold it. I was an iphone user, android, lumia, iphone and now again on android. These are my conclusion on personal experience.
1. Camera is far far superior than other phones. YES. By far. I dont know about the iphone 6.
2. Rattle noise of the camera is a little bit disturbing but as I have read its on the stabilisation of the camera.
3. Windows os is FASTER than any other (Yes I have previously rooted my HTC m7 and used custom roms)
4. Support from microsoft sucks (sorry but they have not answered any of my emails with a solution)
5. To take great photos you have to study and learn the camera 's features.
Do I miss my Lumia? YES
Will I ever buy a Lumia? YES ( thinking of the 930 but I saw many issues with that as well.) In a year or two if they take their jobs seriously they can make unbelievable smartphones.
Hope I have helped someone.
stunning camera. Way above anything else.
I've been using the phone since June 2014. It has a STUNNING camera and I've been a serious DLSR photographer since 2004.
Its not all things to all men but low light and detail from the large 41.3-megapixel BSI CMOS image sensor are v good. Its a FX - full frame camera in a phone without the add-on lenses. FX on a DLSR is £1000 entry level.
I perhaps wish I had more control over the photographic process. I'd love a variable Neutral Density Filter. I'd love a simple HDR app.
I'd like better 3rd party apps. I think this camera\Nokia 1020 will ultimately fail in the market as it is locked down by MS and Nokia. Such a shame....and self defeating. Camera 10/10.
I tried to debrand it when I got it. Failed.
No WP equivalent Cyanogen Mod or simple 8.1 for me then.
it is locked down by MS and Nokia. Such a shame....and self defeating. Camera 10/10.
I tried to debrand it when I got it. Failed.
[/QUOTE said:
My 1020 is on Consumer Cellular which uses the AT&T network.
I did not have to unlock it.
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I came frome the LG G2, which still has one of the best Android cameras, and I'm really impressed. I'd never have thought that a smartphone camera is this good.
And yes, the rattling is the OIS
caldo said:
I've bought and tried almost every smartphone with a good camera.
Nokia Lumia 1020 takes the best photos of all till now...
The pureview technology is unique...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Especially since no other can do 4x FHD zoom without serious quality drop
Mine glass broke while moving and I bought galaxy s4+ while waiting repairs and I decided to keep it, since the operating system gives so much leeway...
Only problem is that now I have to use burst to get even one good image even in good light
I upgraded to Nexus 6 but always carry the 1020 for pictures can't beat the camera
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
Hi there guys. Im not new in the forums but new to this threads. I used to have Motorolas and still love them, awesome devices and still think the best out there, at least in Android side, but my GF took mine for a game and gave me this Lumia 1020. which to be honest i sold her the idea of getting it in the first place.
So far ive been investigating as many people talks too much BS about 41 megapixels not being important bla bla...
My findings so far:
The phone specs are medium to high compared to pocket cameras. The quality is actually amazing, a few small details as with anything but i think its just perfect to avoid buying a camera. I just dont like that the zoom is not that much, to be honest its great when im at an stadium and i take this pictures that are simply amazing compared to what any other smartphone can take, but if i want to zoom then im the one with the crappiest zoom. But i bought this Lensung zoom 12X and im going to check it once it arrives in a couple of weeks or more.
There are some cool apps out there for this camera so the biggest problem is to know which one fits you better, thats why i have about 8 apps installed. Ive been playing with some and they all fit somehow. Im an amateur photo lover beginner in the lowest level but damn this camera makes me look at least as a good enough camera man he he he.
Issues so far: i hate the phone overheats but i know it is normal.
No real quality lenses out there (im going to test the one i mentioned but not sure its gonna be good enough yet)
Possible advantages:
Ive seen people working on creating cases that fit real lenses, professional ones, waiting for the results and possibilities to buy them.
And one last thing, in the party a couple weeks ago every single person started taking pictures... i was the one taking pictures at the end of the party as there was no match for this camera-phone, simply they all surrendered to its quality pictures, iPhone lovers, Android lovers, Samsung lovers, all of them. So yes, this phone is still the best camera phone you will find!
I'm about to pack in my old, beloved M8, which has told me in no uncertain terms that its life is drawing to a close. I've spent way too much time researching, and arrived at the conclusion that the Honor 8 is my best fit. It's not as small as I wanted to be (I love everything about the Xperia Z5 Compact except that it cracks if you look at it funny and heats up enough to start a campfire), but the specs are there and the price is right.
The only real concerns I have left are the reports that it doesn't like to connect to LTE at times, even when there's a strong signal, and EMUI's taking away my app drawer. Are those real concerns, or just overblown? Is there anything I'm missing in terms of a reason to love or be wary of the Honor 8?
Thanks in advance. I'm seeing lots of reviews loving it, and Ars burying it because it's not a OnePlus 3, so that's reassuring.
T.J. Bender said:
I'm about to pack in my old, beloved M8, which has told me in no uncertain terms that its life is drawing to a close. I've spent way too much time researching, and arrived at the conclusion that the Honor 8 is my best fit. It's not as small as I wanted to be (I love everything about the Xperia Z5 Compact except that it cracks if you look at it funny and heats up enough to start a campfire), but the specs are there and the price is right.
The only real concerns I have left are the reports that it doesn't like to connect to LTE at times, even when there's a strong signal, and EMUI's taking away my app drawer. Are those real concerns, or just overblown? Is there anything I'm missing in terms of a reason to love or be wary of the Honor 8?
Thanks in advance. I'm seeing lots of reviews loving it, and Ars burying it because it's not a OnePlus 3, so that's reassuring.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haven't had any issues with lte on tmobile.
Just install a custom launcher. I put pixel launcher and works fine.
My only concern is updates and dev support
tlxxxsracer said:
Haven't had any issues with lte on tmobile.
Just install a custom launcher. I put pixel launcher and works fine.
My only concern is updates and dev support
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Does Pixel Launcher let you have an app drawer again?
Yes.
tlxxxsracer said:
Yes.
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Pretty damn sure I'm buying it then.
Hi, i think the phone is quite perfect, except for the chassis...is very easy to scratch it , and after just 7 days showed signs of wear on the rear
I'm too considering H8 but if true,this user review from gsmarena has a point(or two):
Since I had both(gave Honor 8 to my sister),if look at it straight objective...it's a no contest win for Mi5.
While the build quality is same,both are fingerprint magnets in specific colors,and looks is a highly subjective point,i can name few things Mi5 has the edge:
CPU + GPU is highly(and I mean HIGHLY) superior in Mi5 if u play games.
Screen in Mi5 is superior in everything to Honor 8 even in blacks.
Screen has Gorilla Glass4,Honor's...if it has any,manufacturers of it needs to be sued. Scratches like anything I've seen in my life from both front and rear. No keyes,no lighters,no change in pocket. It just does.
Sound is superior in Mi5 and I'm talking headphones here.
Dev support is slam dunk win for Mi5. Cyanogen mod official is coming now that kernel is released and community is more alive. XDA has signed agreement with Huaweii regarding dev of roms for H8 but devs are unwilling to work in unknown enviroment(Kirin) for now. So you're stuck with EMUI or what it's called. MIUI in Mi5 is no paradise either but at least u have options and they will be only bigger in near future.
Honor has better cam if you're a photo freak. To me,to my FB,twitter and instagram,they're the same in terms of performing.
So considering recent pricing that puts Mi5 3/64 version around 300-320$(delivery in EU,and pricing likely to go down as Mi5s announced for next week) I objectively cant see any reason to go for Honor 8.
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And it seems to me,looking that other thread with complaints bout scratches + some reviews that have mentioned it,that phone is built with cheap materials and that is,personally a deal breaker for me.
troublecro said:
I'm too considering H8 but if true,this user review from gsmarena has a point(or two):
And it seems to me,looking that other thread with complaints bout scratches + some reviews that have mentioned it,that phone is built with cheap materials and that is,personally a deal breaker for me.
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Sand also scratches Gorilla Glas 4/5, to me personaly the device doesn`t look or feel cheap and both performance and batterylife is great. What more can you ask?
People don't carry sand in their pockets dude. It's like counter argumenting that crocodiles kill humans too when someone says that motor bikes are dangerous.
And i'm having my Xperia Z3C 2 years now,carried it in Thor Steinar bag with Zippo lighter,coins and keys(I miss sand tho) for 99% time,no tempered glass no case. Not a scratch on the screen.
Excuse me If i look for a replacement with same quility of screen(and overall) protection. I don't fancy buying a good looking phone just to armor it up like I'm heading to a warzone.
What about things like battery time, has it got a removable battery so it's not a brick or DIY project after a few years, will it get Android 7, 8 and so on. That far outweighs things like having Crapple A10 speed or 4K screen res. for me, hands down. Paying $1000 and you don't even get a notification LED on some devices, geez.
For the LTE connection I didnt find any problem as I already used for 2 months already.
tlxxxsracer said:
Haven't had any issues with lte on tmobile.
Just install a custom launcher. I put pixel launcher and works fine.
My only concern is updates and dev support
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Honor US, India and UK models provides updates for minimum 2 years from the date of release. i.e you will get update till Android O for sure.
Remember that Honor 4X which released in Kitkat is now running on Marshmallow. So you will get for sure.
Regarding Dev support, Since Honor has joined hands with XDA, it will be improved hopefully.
iMaterial said:
What about things like battery time, has it got a removable battery so it's not a brick or DIY project after a few years, will it get Android 7, 8 and so on. That far outweighs things like having Crapple A10 speed or 4K screen res. for me, hands down. Paying $1000 and you don't even get a notification LED on some devices, geez.
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Click to collapse
SOT is amazing, people are reporting 7h in average
the only downfall is the less durable screen on the back which is prominent to scratches.
I wish the back glass was as strong as the front
GPS bug and light sensor still not fixed
Current version (after last soft release) still has a very crappy light sensor and a huge GPS bug.
whenever you're indoor, GPS is reset to position 0;0, thus teleporting you in the Atlantic Ocean... and ruining every Driving app that was running at the moment.
Currently triggers in every long tunnel, 100% when indoor , randomly if your car windows are blocking GPS signals ....
I bought one , considering all the reviews (sponsored or not), but i had to sent it back.
Now back with my Z3C.
GrrXDA said:
Current version (after last soft release) still has a very crappy light sensor and a huge GPS bug.
whenever you're indoor, GPS is reset to position 0;0, thus teleporting you in the Atlantic Ocean... and ruining every Driving app that was running at the moment.
Currently triggers in every long tunnel, 100% when indoor , randomly if your car windows are blocking GPS signals ....
I bought one , considering all the reviews (sponsored or not), but i had to sent it back.
Now back with my Z3C.
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Click to collapse
thats very disaapointing considering all the positive reviews
GrrXDA said:
Current version (after last soft release) still has a very crappy light sensor and a huge GPS bug.
whenever you're indoor, GPS is reset to position 0;0, thus teleporting you in the Atlantic Ocean... and ruining every Driving app that was running at the moment.
Currently triggers in every long tunnel, 100% when indoor , randomly if your car windows are blocking GPS signals ....
I bought one , considering all the reviews (sponsored or not), but i had to sent it back.
Now back with my Z3C.
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Click to collapse
I dare not say it but GPS is dead on for me on Google Maps, even indoors. Auto backlighting in low light conditions is too low, have my H8 set on manual brightness in the evening. GPS faillure might very well be a hardware faillure.
See attached pic, indoors.
GrrXDA said:
Current version (after last soft release) still has a very crappy light sensor and a huge GPS bug.
whenever you're indoor, GPS is reset to position 0;0, thus teleporting you in the Atlantic Ocean... and ruining every Driving app that was running at the moment.
Currently triggers in every long tunnel, 100% when indoor , randomly if your car windows are blocking GPS signals ....
I bought one , considering all the reviews (sponsored or not), but i had to sent it back.
Now back with my Z3C.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You received the update, right?!
PalakMi said:
You received the update, right?!
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Click to collapse
its more likely to be a hardware problem.
Hello everyone,
This is not a question but a feedback.
The perfect smartphone may never exist, but I am satisfied with my Galaxy S8 +, although I should encounter problems with it in the future, I must admit that it is a very good smartphone. I had a Galaxy S7 Edge then a Huawei P9 just before, but I did not feel like having a new product, they all looked alike.
My experience has changed with the S8 + that I find very successful, although still perfectible ....
excuse my bad English.
thank you
jidamo said:
Hello everyone,
This is not a question but a feedback.
The perfect smartphone may never exist, but I am satisfied with my Galaxy S8 +, although I should encounter problems with it in the future, I must admit that it is a very good smartphone. I had a Galaxy S7 Edge then a Huawei P9 just before, but I did not feel like having a new product, they all looked alike.
My experience has changed with the S8 + that I find very successful, although still perfectible ....
excuse my bad English.
thank you
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Click to collapse
This device is pretty damned good. I look forward to the full implementation of Bixby though. The only bad thing is that TMobile didn't have the case I wanted so I didn't get one, and I dropped the phone the next morning and shattered the back of the phone.
overall ok. but I hate where the fingerprint scanner is. I had an LG v20 so coming from a logical spot middle of back easy to get to, to s8+ up top is incredibly stupid. I highly doubt any new phones they bring out will be at the top....
tommason1968 said:
This device is pretty damned good. I look forward to the full implementation of Bixby though. The only bad thing is that TMobile didn't have the case I wanted so I didn't get one, and I dropped the phone the next morning and shattered the back of the phone.
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Wooooow! I just shed a lone tear my friend
I have to say. I loved the note 7 and was heart broken that I had to return it. This phone has all the features the note 7 had and then some. I'm really loving it. The only problem is the position of the finger print scanner. Other than that it's the best Smart phone I've ever owned.
Sent from my SM-G955U using XDA-Developers Legacy app
Completely agree with other posters here, everything except the fingerprint scanner location is perfect. I'm using face unlock, which is really not as unsafe as some videos show. I tried to take a picture from a perfect angle and hold it in front of the phone in all kinds of different angles, and it never unlocked once. I actually believe that YouTubers who did videos on how you can unlock the phone with a picture used trickery to make it look like a picture unlocked the phone, since in some of their videos you can see their head shadow hovering over the phone. The phone could scan their faces from further away in an area cropped out of view on the video, and videos exposing Samsung are sure to make waves around the web
Everything about hardware and software is as perfect as it can be, the black model really does feel like a black slab of glass with a massive display, the dream of Steve Jobs realized before Apple. People who complain about the RAM amount being "only" 4GB have never used the phone, apps from 8 hours ago are most of the time still open in the background. It is great futureproofing to have more RAM, but right now, phones with 6GB almost never even use the extra 2GB, because there is simply no need for it at this day and time
Benchmarking to see performance is kind of dumb and unpredictable, I think that a better way of describing the S8 performance is that not a single game I've tested (over 20 and counting) has had an FPS below 30 on max settings. Not a single complaint about the entire phone, the fingerprint scanner location is a non-issue for me, because I don't use it. I would honestly give this phone a 9.5 / 10 rating, only bad side being that to unlock the phone in dark I have to reach for the scanner
It's an exciting thrill ride! Enjoy it and XDA
Great phone! I have no issues with the fingerprint scanner placement. Just takes getting use too.
*Hooligan* said:
Great phone! I have no issues with the fingerprint scanner placement. Just takes getting use too.
Click to expand...
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Same it's fast and easy plus the way I grip the phone is on base(middle) all I do is slide it til I feel the first thing... but I'm a righty so it might be easier for me
First off i'm trying to decide on the Pixel 3 or S9 and I know asking here is kinda dumb but I wanna know if some of these issues are as big of a deal as the media plays them out to be? The issues i'm hearing about that bug me most are the speaker issues, will the low volume be fixed or is it a hardware thing? Also the back supposedly can be scratch quite easily, I went to best buy and tried to scratch it with my nail and it left a mark but it rubbed away. or is this more of a thing that coins will scratch it if put in a pocket with them? I had a Pixel 2 and the back never got scratched well I had it. Like I said I went to bestbuy and handled both the Pixel 3 and S9 and its a hard decision to choose. I like the make and build quality of the S9 but I hate it only comes in grey or purple here in Canada. It also has a beautiful screen. But the Pixel reminds me of my Pixel 2 plus it has the better camera. not that the s9 is bad just I don't like that it over exposes. Do you have a Pixel 3 do you recommend it and how's the battery life?
I've owned about 5 other phones before the Pixel 3. It's got the best speakers of any phone I've had. For me the volume is more than loud enough. I use a thin case so can't comment on the back being scratch prone. I haven't tried scratching it. Worst case you could get a skin for the back if you don't use a case and find it shows marks from your use. The screen is very good. If you're very picky about the display quality at low brightness you may not like it, but that's easy to test at a store before you buy it. The camera is excellent, so no worries there. For me the battery is as good or better than any other phone I've owned. After light use I have about 60% left at the end of the day. Of course, your past experience, expectations, preferences, needs and usage will determine whether it's a good phone for you. It what you've listed are your biggest concerns you'll likely be happy.
My general experience with the S9 was good apart from the battery life, the exynos processor version was shocking (i think this is the one you get in Canada too). Not sure if recent updates fixed this but it seemed like a huge complaint at the time, i couldn't get a day with moderate to heavy use.
With regards to the Pixel3 back texture, i have it naked and it's been rattling in my pockets (albeit i never put any phone in a pocket with coins or keys), it's perfectly fine and i would take this textured back over the slippy S9 any day. I have the Pixel2 also and it's a little scruffy on the back but unless you inspect it very closely it's perfectly fine.
Camera on the Pixel is way better in my opinion, you get a usable picture almost every time whereas the S9 i sometimes had to take several shots to get what i wanted.
I've had the Mate 20 Pro and iPhone XS this year also and the Pixel3 trumps all in my opinion.
I do have an outstanding issue open with Google however where the Pixel3's gyroscope sensor isn't calibrated correctly and so it's out by about 2-3 degrees. This means that when taking photos or using apps that use the gyroscope i have to hold the phone slightly off angle to make it think it's level. All that said i still consider it the best !
Is it worth upgrading from Pixel 2 (bought a new one for 350) to Pixel 3 (Pixel 3 would cost me 300€ extra)? I especially want to know, whether the super res zoom and the wide angle selfie camera is worth it - these are the two most outstanding differences between Pixel 2 and Pixel 3 in my opinion. If you know some other differences which are worth the additional 300€ please tell me.
Marcel Eff said:
Is it worth upgrading from Pixel 2 (bought a new one for 350) to Pixel 3 (Pixel 3 would cost me 300€ extra)? I especially want to know, whether the super res zoom and the wide angle selfie camera is worth it - these are the two most outstanding differences between Pixel 2 and Pixel 3 in my opinion. If you know some other differences which are worth the additional 300€ please tell me.
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Wide angle is nicer than I thought although I hate taking selfies ROFL. Super res was a meh compared to dual cam phones but better than nothing.
I'm in the process of upgrading to P3 from P2 (crappy displays, locked bootloaders, RMAs, etc.) and side by side P3 looks so much more modern and if you like modern then it looks so much nicer.
I would be careful with your decision though since this year P3 won the honor to enjoy all the display issues P2XL went through last year, so getting a satisfactory display should be your first priority in my opinion. That said, a good display on P3 seems to be better than the "good" display of P2XL last year, as suggested by others over at P3XL forum and I agree (I ordered both P2 and XL last year and had a brief experience with XL). Anyway, once you get a good display hold on to it!
Other than that, I can't think of buying anything else at this moment mainly because I value stock experience, easiness of modding, and Dev support. Ironically we have the locked bootloader issue right now on both P3 and XL. The dev support was also far behind compared to old Nexus days. If One Plus offered a smaller version of 6T I might have jumped the ship.
P.s. camera is nice as always but being a home guy I use the display 1000x more than the camera so a good camera only means "this" little to me.
cswithxda said:
Ironically we have the locked bootloader issue right now on both P3 and XL. The dev support was also far behind compared to old Nexus days. If One Plus offered a smaller version of 6T I might have jumped the ship.
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What issue are you having with the bootloader?
georgs_town said:
What issue are you having with the bootloader?
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Check out the thread in this Pixel 3 QA and Pixel 3 XL QA section. Newer devices *may* come in with bootloader "un-unlockable" :cyclops: Some people received this *feature* on their new devices and some enjoyed it on the new, RMA devices.
orbital247 said:
My general experience with the S9 was good apart from the battery life, the exynos processor version was shocking (i think this is the one you get in Canada too). Not sure if recent updates fixed this but it seemed like a huge complaint at the time, i couldn't get a day with moderate to heavy use.
With regards to the Pixel3 back texture, i have it naked and it's been rattling in my pockets (albeit i never put any phone in a pocket with coins or keys), it's perfectly fine and i would take this textured back over the slippy S9 any day. I have the Pixel2 also and it's a little scruffy on the back but unless you inspect it very closely it's perfectly fine.
Camera on the Pixel is way better in my opinion, you get a usable picture almost every time whereas the S9 i sometimes had to take several shots to get what i wanted.
I've had the Mate 20 Pro and iPhone XS this year also and the Pixel3 trumps all in my opinion.
I do have an outstanding issue open with Google however where the Pixel3's gyroscope sensor isn't calibrated correctly and so it's out by about 2-3 degrees. This means that when taking photos or using apps that use the gyroscope i have to hold the phone slightly off angle to make it think it's level. All that said i still consider it the best !
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We have the Snap Drangon one here in Canada, I believe Snap Dragon is sold in North America and Exynos is the rest of the world