Recommend me a new phone

Mental Mickey · 09-04-2013 12:45pm #1

Hi

I will be due an upgrade in a few months time. I am currently on Meteor Bill Pay.

The phone I have now is(imo) utter c**p. It's a Sony Xperia Ray(I think?). I had to get a new one, because my orginal phone(a Samsung Galaxy Ace)was stolen on me.

The kind of phone I want to get would have to be candybar form(small-ish), it would need to have android, it would have to have a decent camera, WiFi, 3G. It must have decent battery power too - the Xperia Ray's battery time is absolutely awful.

Any advice would be welcome.

Androidlovers · 09-04-2013 1:07pm

I would suggest you Nokia Lumia 920.I have bought this recently,awesome handset I have ever had.Its screen clarity wondering me.

Mental Mickey · 09-04-2013 1:46pm

Androidlovers wrote: »

I would suggest you Nokia Lumia 920.I have bought this recently,awesome handset I have ever had.Its screen clarity wondering me.

Thanks. It seems like I would have to change providers to get this phone?? I want to stay with my current provider - Meteor. This phone doesn't seem to be available to Meteor customers??

Matthewjohn · 10-04-2013 7:48pm

How about a Samsung Galaxy S3 mini?

Mental Mickey · 11-04-2013 10:21am

Matthewjohn wrote: »

How about a Samsung Galaxy S3 mini?

Nice phone - although I had an Ace and I found it a wee bit fiddly tbh.

TBi · 11-04-2013 4:34pm

Matthewjohn wrote: »

How about a Samsung Galaxy S3 mini?

Better off with an S2. The S3 mini is underpowered, it's just living off it's big brothers name.

Mental Mickey · 11-04-2013 4:38pm

TBi wrote: »

Better off with an S2. The S3 mini is underpowered, it's just living off it's big brothers name.

Is the S2 big though??? A friend of mine has one - I think - and tbh, it looks bloody huge!!?? Don't want a big, bulky phone.

Solair · 11-04-2013 4:39pm

The Samsung Galaxy S4 is pretty nice as is the HTC One.

The iPhone 5 is good but over priced for what it is.

Of the phones out there at the moment Apple and Samsung definitely have better hardware than most.
I've had problems with HTC build quality eg failing screen connectors and a failed antenna on a HTC Desire S which really put me off.

I've had excellent experience with a Galaxy S2 and iPhone 4S

Mental Mickey · 12-04-2013 10:13am

Spoke to someone last night via Meteor Web Chat(an advisor), and she said that the HTC One is massive compared to the Sony Xperia that I have. I don't want a huge chunky phone.

A work colleague has a HTC Desire S, and it seems to be roughly the same size as my Xperia - plus it's slimmer!!!

I think I'll check that one out in the Carphone Warehouse??

pleasant Co. · 12-04-2013 10:36am

Galaxy S3 mini for sure, it's a solid device at a decent price.

irishpancake · 12-04-2013 11:55am

Androidlovers wrote: »

I would suggest you Nokia Lumia 920.I have bought this recently,awesome handset I have ever had.Its screen clarity wondering me.

How is this an Android phone, as per the OP??

I think your name is funny, recommending a Windoze phone...:P

BTW, this is a good Windoze phone, but very restricted App Market..

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/featured-apps

Also, what about rooting and doin stuff with your phone, if that is your thing??

WP8 is closed system, no rooting!!

http://forums.wpcentral.com/htc-8x/213924-possible-8x-root-jailbreak.html

We are basically fighting the Unix/Linux vs Windoze war again on the Mobile platform.....

Google have a massive head start, there is a massive user base for Android, and customisation and personalisation is what most Android users want.....

like the iPhoney, it might look pretty, but it will be difficult to perform any surgery to keep that pretty look....eventually it will just look old fashioned....have a look at any olde Nokia/Symbian.

Don't go there, unless you are not interested in any of the above!!...IMO

Solair · 12-04-2013 12:04pm

To be honest, I think Microsoft's too late to the game this time and will just end up as a niche like they did with the Zune music player system a few years ago. I could be wrong, but I have my doubts that it will take off the way they expected.

They're more likely to get it out as a tablet/laptop/hybrid OS.

Google's Android strategy has made Android the dominant OS for smartphones and tablets and I think that's unlikely to change. People have already become quite heavily bought-in to the Android ecosystem.
In many ways, Android is the mobile market equivalent of Windows on the desktop PC. Android is *the* choice for the OEM market in mobile.

Meanwhile, Apple has carved itself a very lucrative niche in the mobile market that is likely to remain very strong. It's a bit similar to how it operates in the PC market i.e. a niche, high-end brand that targets a very profitable sector of the market and ignores the bits its not interested in and has a complete hardware/OS tightly integrated solution. If they retain a sizeable chunk of the market which is looking likely, they will continue to be hugely profitable for years to come.

Blackberry's probably going to die off or at least I think it's mail service is going to end up as an App for Android and iOS. There's really no need for specific Blackberry hardware anymore.

I could see Blackberry / RIM becoming a specialist mobile business email solution system without needing to produce handsets at all. You'll just use the Blackberry App.

and I'm still not convinced that Windows Mobile will gain the momentum necessary to get enough app developers and customers on board.

There's nothing wrong with it as an OS, but it's a big ask to get developers to port apps for something that's a very small market compared to iOS or Android and it's a steep learning curve for developers to have to learn a whole new environment too. Unless it grows very rapidly, that learning curve wouldn't be worthwhile for most people.

Mental Mickey · 12-04-2013 12:17pm

irishpancake wrote: »

How is this an Android phone, as per the OP??

I think your name is funny, recommending a Windoze phone...:P

BTW, this is a good Windoze phone, but very restricted App Market..

http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/featured-apps

Also, what about rooting and doin stuff with your phone, if that is your thing??

WP8 is closed system, no rooting!!

http://forums.wpcentral.com/htc-8x/213924-possible-8x-root-jailbreak.html

We are basically fighting the Unix/Linux vs Windoze war again on the Mobile platform.....

Google have a massive head start, there is a massive user base for Android, and customisation and personalisation is what most Android users want.....

like the iPhoney, it might look pretty, but it will be difficult to perform any surgery to keep that pretty look....eventually it will just look old fashioned....have a look at any olde Nokia/Symbian.

Don't go there, unless you are not interested in any of the above!!...IMO

I just basically want a phone for talking, texting, a decent camera, and for web-browsing/Youtube.

irishpancake · 12-04-2013 12:30pm

On the OP, are you staying with Meteor, as in are you going to re-new your contract, I get from your upgrade remark, you are, so you will be looking at what Meteor offers by way of an upgraded phone.

Is this your present phone, Xperia J

It gets a pretty dismal review, as you have found out, looking good, but underpowered and under-specced.

It is single-core 1GHz processor, 512 RAM, trying to cope with either ICS or JB??

So, I'd say going to a good dual-core, not overly specced, but a decent spec mid-range phone which won't break the bank...

I would recommend the HTC Desire X, it is available from Meteor as an upgrade, and it is decent....below see a comparison with your present phone:

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/compare/Sony-Xperia-J,HTC-Desire-X/phones/7101,7453

Full review here

There are better phones available, higher specced, like the Samsung S3, or the HTC One [out of stock] but the Desire X would be ideal if your not into paying big money and aren't particularly requiring very high performance.

There is a good XDA community for the Desire X...

loads of ROMS, Develpoement, unlocking Bootloader stuff, etc, etc.

Also, I see it's cheaper on-line than in-store....

https://store.meteor.ie/phones/bill-pay-phones/htc-desire-x

irishpancake · 12-04-2013 12:37pm

Mental Mickey wrote: »

I just basically want a phone for talking, texting, a decent camera, and for web-browsing/Youtube.

OK, I have given a recommendation to one which will meet those requirements in my post above, and it is available from Meteor on-line, preferred to buying in their Store, it's cheaper!!!

It will give a much better experience than your existing Xperia, more processing power, more RAM!!

BTW, you did say

it would need to have android,

in the OP

Mental Mickey · 12-04-2013 1:15pm

irishpancake wrote: »

OK, I have given a recommendation to one which will meet those requirements in my post above, and it is available from Meteor on-line, preferred to buying in their Store, it's cheaper!!!

It will give a much better experience than your existing Xperia, more processing power, more RAM!!

BTW, you did say in the OP

I'd prefer android. I'll have a look at that phone, thanks.

Syllabus · 12-04-2013 1:17pm

SIII all the way

Switch to 3 if you can

Imo

Mental Mickey · 12-04-2013 1:58pm

Syllabus wrote: »

SIII all the way

Switch to 3 if you can

Imo

3?? Why??

Syllabus · 12-04-2013 4:06pm

Mental Mickey wrote: »

3?? Why??

Generally cheaper
Larger data allowance

Mental Mickey · 12-04-2013 4:28pm

Syllabus wrote: »

Generally cheaper
Larger data allowance

I think my brother is on 3 mobile. Coverage is s**t according to him.

pleasant Co. · 12-04-2013 4:30pm

Mental Mickey wrote: »

I think my brother is on 3 mobile. Coverage is s**t according to him.

I think it can be all right, and depending on your needs they might not even be any cheaper than meteor.

Mental Mickey · 12-04-2013 4:33pm

irishpancake wrote: »

On the OP, are you staying with Meteor, as in are you going to re-new your contract, I get from your upgrade remark, you are, so you will be looking at what Meteor offers by way of an upgraded phone.

Is this your present phone, Xperia J
It gets a pretty dismal review, as you have found out, looking good, but underpowered and under-specced.

It is single-core 1GHz processor, 512 RAM, trying to cope with either ICS or JB??

So, I'd say going to a good dual-core, not overly specced, but a decent spec mid-range phone which won't break the bank...

I would recommend the HTC Desire X, it is available from Meteor as an upgrade, and it is decent....below see a comparison with your present phone:

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/compare/Sony-Xperia-J,HTC-Desire-X/phones/7101,7453

Full review here

There are better phones available, higher specced, like the Samsung S3, or the HTC One [out of stock] but the Desire X would be ideal if your not into paying big money and aren't particularly requiring very high performance.

There is a good XDA community for the Desire X...

loads of ROMS, Develpoement, unlocking Bootloader stuff, etc, etc.

Also, I see it's cheaper on-line than in-store....

https://store.meteor.ie/phones/bill-pay-phones/htc-desire-x

Nope. My current one is the Xperia U. I think I'm heading towards a HTC??, but I think I'm gonna need to get a basic run-through of some phones, and then make a decision?? I will NEVER, EVER, EVER go anywhere near a Sony phone again. They're s**t.

TBi · 12-04-2013 4:58pm

Mental Mickey wrote: »

I will NEVER, EVER, EVER go anywhere near a Sony phone again. They're s**t.

The pricier ones are good though. You'll have the same issue with all other manufacturers, if you buy the pricey model you'll be happy, if you buy the cheapo model you won't.

Solair · 12-04-2013 4:59pm

My only concern with HTC was the build quality.

My Desire S had painted metal which scratched really badly very quickly and there were problems with the antenna which is mounted in the battery cover.

Samsung's phones are plastic, but they're very good plastic and tend last a long time.
Apple's phones are mostly metal / glass but they're pretty robust designs too and look nice / feel nice to hold.

The downside to Samsung is that the default skin "TouchWiz" is not really an improvement on stock Android and probably is best ditched for something better.
On the other hand HTC Sense is very slick and really nice to use.

TBi · 12-04-2013 5:14pm

Solair wrote: »

The downside to Samsung is that the default skin "TouchWiz" is not really an improvement on stock Android and probably is best ditched for something better.

I always hated Samsung phones for this reason, touchwiz ruins the phone (IMHO). I used my friends S2 with a stripped back to AOSP ROM and i quite liked it.

irishpancake · 12-04-2013 8:47pm

Mental Mickey wrote: »

Nope. My current one is the Xperia U. I think I'm heading towards a HTC??, but I think I'm gonna need to get a basic run-through of some phones, and then make a decision?? I will NEVER, EVER, EVER go anywhere near a Sony phone again. They're s**t.

Its just you said Xperia "Ray" in the OP??

Ray /J /U.... Now which sounds most similar? :-!

Seriously man!!

http://www.trustedreviews.com/sony-xperia-u_Mobile-Phone_review

Nuttin wrong there.. IMO

It is difficult to give an opinion based on inaccurate information...

end of input!!

GiGo

Mental Mickey · 12-04-2013 9:07pm

irishpancake wrote: »

Its just you said Xperia "Ray" in the OP??

Ray /J /U.... Now which sounds most similar? :-!

Seriously man!!

http://www.trustedreviews.com/sony-xperia-u_Mobile-Phone_review

Nuttin wrong there.. IMO

It is difficult to give an opinion based on inaccurate information...

end of input!!

GiGo

Relax man, I made a mistake - it's a U.

Mental Mickey · 13-04-2013 7:01pm

Is there much difference between a 1290 Amh battery, and a 1320Amh battery in an Xperia U? I think my phone has the wrong battery installed? According to GSM Arena, it's different!?

I have the 1290 one, whereas, according to GSM, I should have the 1320 Amh one??

TBi · 15-04-2013 9:17am

Mental Mickey wrote: »

Is there much difference between a 1290 Amh battery, and a 1320Amh battery in an Xperia U?

About ... 1320-1290 = 30 ... so about... 2% difference?

Dan_Solo · 15-04-2013 9:58am

Solair wrote: »

To be honest, I think Microsoft's too late to the game

They were late to operating systems too. Look how badly that turned out for them!
Weren't they making phone software before Apple or Google anyway?

Mental Mickey · 15-04-2013 10:33am

TBi wrote: »

About ... 1320-1290 = 30 ... so about... 2% difference?

So, f**k all then.

Recommend me a new phone

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