Android |OT| Now in 120hz

Michilin · Aug 13, 2018

MORE_FPS said:
why not get the regular a2? xiaomi makes good hardware, but miui is just nasty. Thankfully there's android one editions. Even the lite is good, but the 625 is really showing it's age now.

Beje said:
Xiaomi phones are usually good quality for the price, yet their Android One history (just the Mi A1 so far) is far from stellar regarding bugs and timings, but it could be blamed on the fact that it was released with 7.1 and no Treble support which might have stunted it a bit or made things difficult in order to update monthly. Otherwise the Mi A2 Lite could be a good option, I've been playing with one at a store today and it looked good, and a SD625 + 4k battery means killer battery life but take into account it would be a sidegrade over your Z Play: IIRC both have exactly the same chipset.

If your only option is the G6, I'd go for Xiaomi. The Motorola brand is as Chinese now as Xiaomi under Lenovo after all but be careful with the LTE support since those phones are designed for the EMEA/APAC markets first and almost always are missing some crucial band required by USA carriers. Also, if you don't mind a slightly smaller screen and 16:9 ratio, you can also get a Nokia 6.1 for a little bit more. The additional money will buy you a slightly better chipset, 5GHz wifi support, NFC and a USB-C port (though you'd be back to a 3k battery)

Edit: if you've got the money (and you're in a market where it's available), the Nokia 7+ literally has it all regarding mid-range specs, and it's probably the best phone available right now just before stepping up to the SD8xx series.

Mitchman said:
This right here. If you're in the market for a Xiaomi A2, just save up a bit more and buy a Nokia 7 Plus. Better build quality, Micro SD slot, Headphone Jack and a lot more features.

Otherwise, if you are aiming lower on the price braket, the A2 Lite is a bogus phone. Yes its stock Android, but if you're gonna buy a cheap Xiaomi, juat go for the Redmi Note 5. Yes its MIUI, but for lower than ~200$/£/€ you're getting a solid SD636 powered device. The A2 Lite is ridiculous, a notch phone power3d by the SD625.

Thanks for the replys

I live in Brazil, so Nokias are not an option right now (c'mon HMD why you don't want my money?). I'm considering the A2 Lite vs A2 because of the battery, expandable storage and headphone jack, but I'm getting the Android One version either way. They support 2 out of the 3 LTE bands here, the one that is not supported was turned on just last month. I'm aware that it uses the same chipset as my Z Play, I'm not a heavy user and am fine with the current performance, so it would be ok for me.

If the G6 Plus had a better battery it would be easier to choose lol, I don't a one year old phone that need to be plugged twice a day

The Grizz · Aug 13, 2018

I have a Pixel 2 and an Essential phone and am trying to determine which I should hang on to until the Pixel 3 reveal. The Essential phone seems pretty decent actually, to my surprise. I downloaded the Pixel 2 camera app and I think that has helped with the sub par camera.

Pixel 2's screen and overall design is so underwhelming! I wonder if the Pixel 3 (non-xl) will be a step up.

Anyone have any long term experience with the Essential phone? Should I wait for the Pixel 3?

TheDoctor · Aug 13, 2018

GSMDome got their hands on the Pocophone (which will be officially revealed on August 22th in India):

Akileese · Aug 13, 2018

The Grizz said:
I have a Pixel 2 and an Essential phone and am trying to determine which I should hang on to until the Pixel 3 reveal. The Essential phone seems pretty decent actually, to my surprise. I downloaded the Pixel 2 camera app and I think that has helped with the sub par camera.

Pixel 2's screen and overall design is so underwhelming! I wonder if the Pixel 3 (non-xl) will be a step up.

Anyone have any long term experience with the Essential phone? Should I wait for the Pixel 3?

I've been using one for about...four months. It's improved steadily since I got it. I do still have weird cell signal issues where it will drop out and immediately come back. Doesn't help that where I live is a poor cell service area as well. If you're not having any cell service issues and you can live with the camera deficiencies (which appear to almost be exclusively software related) then keep it. I will say that the camera hardware isn't up to par of a galaxy s9 or a Pixel 2, but I generally have no complaints about it. Mostly I just wanted a smaller form factor phone with width.

Jeff ChickenDig · Aug 13, 2018

https://www.xda-developers.com/oppo...d-display-and-in-display-fingerprint-scanner/

More details on next oppo R phone. Oneplus 6t probably gonna be based on this design wise.

The Grizz · Aug 13, 2018

Akileese said:
I've been using one for about...four months. It's improved steadily since I got it. I do still have weird cell signal issues where it will drop out and immediately come back. Doesn't help that where I live is a poor cell service area as well. If you're not having any cell service issues and you can live with the camera deficiencies (which appear to almost be exclusively software related) then keep it. I will say that the camera hardware isn't up to par of a galaxy s9 or a Pixel 2, but I generally have no complaints about it. Mostly I just wanted a smaller form factor phone with width.

One of my top three features in a phone is the camera, since I have three small children and I take a ton of photos. I just can't get over the tiny Pixel 2 screen. If the Pixel 3 has the same form factor as the Essential phone and that screen, then that's the phone I think I would want. The Pixel 2 XL is just too large for my taste. I may hang on to the Essential phone and get rid of the Pixel 2 then and hold for the Pixel 3 in October. Thanks for your input.

Cake Boss · Aug 13, 2018

Jeff ChickenDig said:
https://www.xda-developers.com/oppo...d-display-and-in-display-fingerprint-scanner/

More details on next oppo R phone. Oneplus 6t probably gonna be based on this design wise.

That looks hot.

Google take notes you dicks.

Jeff ChickenDig · Aug 13, 2018

TheDoctor said:
GSMDome got their hands on the Pocophone (which will be officially revealed on August 22th in India):

Miui?

So what makes this different from just getting a Xiaomi? Doesn't seem priced that different from a mi 8.

cLOUDo · Aug 13, 2018

Jeff ChickenDig said:
https://www.xda-developers.com/oppo...d-display-and-in-display-fingerprint-scanner/

More details on next oppo R phone. Oneplus 6t probably gonna be based on this design wise.

I hate every phone that came with a notch, but this one doesn't looks that bad

Rand a. Thor · Aug 13, 2018

Notches are stupid, but yeah a triangle one is not too bad. Its minimal, and I can see myself getting used to a small spot missing compared to a giant black bar.

reKon · Aug 13, 2018

Jeff ChickenDig said:
https://www.xda-developers.com/oppo...d-display-and-in-display-fingerprint-scanner/

More details on next oppo R phone. Oneplus 6t probably gonna be based on this design wise.

I was just thinking about this earlier this morning. Do they switch the design substantially for the "T" versions? I would be all for this design update.

Kaiken · Aug 13, 2018

Now that bezels are almost extinct can we raise the keyboard a bit? Typing is getting a bit harder as the phone is becoming top heavy. The balance is way off nowadays.

Brot · Aug 13, 2018

Kaiken said:
Now that bezels are almost extinct can we raise the keyboard a bit? Typing is getting a bit harder as the phone is becoming top heavy. The balance is way off nowadays.

That would be a good idea. SwiftKey has a floating keyboard option but it doesn't push the text field up and it covers the input field so you can't see what you're typing. Makes it kinda useless.

Beje · Aug 13, 2018

Jeff ChickenDig said:
Miui?

So what makes this different from just getting a Xiaomi? Doesn't seem priced that different from a mi 8.

IIRC from some PR I read about it, the brand will be focused on using flagship specs but more budget minded features and materials so this phone will have 3.5mm jack, a plastic/metal body instead of glass and stuff like that.

Furyous · Aug 13, 2018

I want an essential phone because it is the smallest HDR 10, raw photo support, android pie os having smartphone on the market..

Main issue with the device is os updates. It received two os updates in six months, technically fulfilling the contractual obligation to Google. If I buy one now at $400 it might not receive an update next year and that is a dealbreaker for me.

Aiii · Aug 13, 2018

Furyous said:
I want an essential phone because it is the smallest HDR 10, raw photo support, android pie os having smartphone on the market..

Main issue with the device is os updates. It received two os updates in six months, technically fulfilling the contractual obligation to Google. If I buy one now at $400 it might not receive an update next year and that is a dealbreaker for me.

I'd honestly be surprised if Essential even still exists next year.

The Grizz · Aug 13, 2018

Furyous said:
I want an essential phone because it is the smallest HDR 10, raw photo support, android pie os having smartphone on the market..

Main issue with the device is os updates. It received two os updates in six months, technically fulfilling the contractual obligation to Google. If I buy one now at $400 it might not receive an update next year and that is a dealbreaker for me.

I guess I can't speak to OS update frequency, but they did just get the major pie update, so there's that. I just picked one up off Amazon and am enjoying it so far. The low light camera functionality is a bit depressing, though. I just installed Google camera so let's see if that helps.

MORE_FPS · Aug 13, 2018

Jeff ChickenDig said:
https://www.xda-developers.com/oppo...d-display-and-in-display-fingerprint-scanner/

More details on next oppo R phone. Oneplus 6t probably gonna be based on this design wise.

Too bad they can't slim the chin like on the iphone X, with that it would look much cleaner.

shinshoryuken · Aug 13, 2018

Man..the xz2 premium is the most akward phone to use. The finger print scanner location is just stupid. You need to do some double jointed finger gmynastic to use it.

GoldenCat · Aug 13, 2018

shinshoryuken said:
Yes, it's on par or better than other flagship.
In my opinion the low performance is overrated though.
For taking video its good and the front facing camera is amazing. Ive always hated the Xperia camera, but the xz2 premium actually delivered. It's the only reason I'm keeping it rather than keep using my Razer phone.

That's good to hear! Smartphone cameras need more competition instead of just Pixel/Sammy/iPhone every year haha

vivftp · Aug 13, 2018

shinshoryuken said:
Man..the xz2 premium is the most akward phone to use. The finger print scanner location is just stupid. You need to do some double jointed finger gmynastic to use it.

Yeah, I almost wish they had gone with the old Arc design so the cameras could be placed along the top on the thicker portion of the phone, leaving the middle open for whatever. Even better would have been to leave it on the side of the bloody phone where it makes the most sense, but who knows what the real story behind that was. Whatever caused that issue seemed to have been rooted in the USA and because of that it ruined it for the rest of us.

BTW, if you have any camera samples you'd like to share, please do :)

Specifically the new bokeh and B&W modes if possible.

Crashnburn85 · Aug 13, 2018

Furyous said:
I want an essential phone because it is the smallest HDR 10, raw photo support, android pie os having smartphone on the market..

Main issue with the device is os updates. It received two os updates in six months, technically fulfilling the contractual obligation to Google. If I buy one now at $400 it might not receive an update next year and that is a dealbreaker for me.

Essential PH-1 got 8.1 and 9.0 for Android OS updates. Assuming the company is still around next year, they've stated in Reddit AMA they'd support through Android Q if it is on a similar time table that P was. Security patch support was planned for 3 years, so ending in 2020 (again, if not extinct). They don't haave any obligation to Google for any sort of updating timeline.

As others mentioned, low light camera performance is ass. Takes decent photos in good light, improved a bit by sideloading Gcam.

shinshoryuken · Aug 13, 2018

vivftp said:
Yeah, I almost wish they had gone with the old Arc design so the cameras could be placed along the top on the thicker portion of the phone, leaving the middle open for whatever. Even better would have been to leave it on the side of the bloody phone where it makes the most sense, but who knows what the real story behind that was. Whatever caused that issue seemed to have been rooted in the USA and because of that it ruined it for the rest of us.

BTW, if you have any camera samples you'd like to share, please do :)

Specifically the new bokeh and B&W modes if possible.

When I'm not lazy and have worthwhile pics, then I'll post. It's a pain to post pics on forum that's not on Tapatalk.

Also as far as I can tell from testing, the iPhone does a better job vs the bokeh mode of the Xperia.

Aiii · Aug 13, 2018

Jeff ChickenDig said:
Like what we're you using on an apple watch that gear s3 or Google watch doesn't offer?

I never used the voice commands on my gear s3, so that never bothered me. The app selection is lacking though and it's huge and not practical for exercise.

Currently just using the xiaomi amazfit bip which I got for like $60.

Weeks long battery, always on eink kinda display, GPS for running. Does notifications well

So to update on this. Got the Amazfit Bip in the mail today, the Mi Band 3 just wasn't up to snuff in that the screen was unreadable outside and it was too small to even read notifications on. First impressions are really good. Screen looks good, functionality is all there, GPS and all, I can keep using the excellent Mi Fit app, but can now start worriesw directly on the watch with just a long press on the button. I especially appreciate the variety of watch faces. Only thing I'm still missing is music controls on the watch, but for sixty bucks that's okay.

So thanks for the recommendation.

kyle mechlachlan · Aug 13, 2018

Ahhhhhh, my red Oneplus 6 has shipped and I'll have it on Wednesday.

Aiii · Aug 13, 2018

Fistfulofmetal said:
Ahhhhhh, my red Oneplus 6 has shipped and I'll have it on Wednesday.

You'll love it. Such a pretty phone.

nanskee · Aug 13, 2018

Does anyone have any recommendations for a good budget phone? In Canada looking to spend about $500 for my Mom. All she really cares about is the Camera is good.

I was looking at the Huawei P20 lite, but I heard the Camera isn't good.

Jeff ChickenDig · Aug 13, 2018

Aiii said:
So to update on this. Got the Amazfit Bio in the mail today, the Mi Band 3 just wasn't up to snuff in that the screen was unreadable outside and it was too small to even read notifications on. First impressions are really good. Screen looks good, functionality is all there, GPS and all, I can keep using the excellent Mi Fit app, but can now start worriesw directly on the watch with just a long press on the button. I especially appreciate the variety of watch faces. Only thing I'm still missing is music controls on the watch, but for sixty bucks that's okay.

So thanks for the recommendation.

Yep. I've been on smart watches since pebble 1, and bip is way better than everything else on the basics. Huge dev support too!

https://forum-xda--developers-com.c...ustom-watchface-music-controls-t3746967/page1

Check this thread for some guides on making your own watch faces and Tasker and music controls.

Aiii · Aug 13, 2018

Ah that is great, thanks.

linkboy · Aug 13, 2018

nanskee said:
Does anyone have any recommendations for a good budget phone? In Canada looking to spend about $500 for my Mom. All she really cares about is the Camera is good.

I was looking at the Huawei P20 lite, but I heard the Camera isn't good.

Take a look at the Nokia phones. They're going to be the best value in that price range.

reKon · Aug 13, 2018

Jeff ChickenDig said:
Like what we're you using on an apple watch that gear s3 or Google watch doesn't offer?

I never used the voice commands on my gear s3, so that never bothered me. The app selection is lacking though and it's huge and not practical for exercise.

Currently just using the xiaomi amazfit bip which I got for like $60.

Weeks long battery, always on eink kinda display, GPS for running. Does notifications well

I can expense like $200-$250 every 2 years for a fitness watch.

I haven't cared much for Smartwatches at all... I may look into this.

Is this the best bang for buck smartwatch? Xiaomi impressed me with their $25 in-ear headphones... I've owned for nearly two years. They're amazing.

Jeff ChickenDig · Aug 13, 2018

Lol google sent engineers to android police writer's place to check out his laggy pixel 2 xl and can't figure out the problem.

reKon said:
I can expense like $200-$250 every 2 years for a fitness watch.

I haven't cared much for Smartwatches at all... I may look into this.

Is this the best bang for buck smartwatch? Xiaomi impressed me with their $25 in-ear headphones... I've owned for nearly two years. They're amazing.

Watch a few reviews and see if it does what you need it to do. If you never needed a smart watch, then you still probably don't need one tbh.

reKon · Aug 13, 2018

Jeff ChickenDig said:
Lol google sent engineers to android police writer's place to check out his laggy pixel 2 xl and can't figure out the problem.

Watch a few reviews and see if it does what you need it to do. If you never needed a smart watch, then you still probably don't need one tbh.

Whoops I thought this was a xiaomi product. I doubt I'll need, but it definitely looks impressive for the money.

faceless · Aug 13, 2018

Jeff ChickenDig said:
Lol google sent engineers to android police writer's place to check out his laggy pixel 2 xl and can't figure out the problem.

sounds about right for Google

Deleted member 8901 · Aug 13, 2018

So just like the rest of us, Google can't figure out Android jank either.

Rodney McKay · Aug 13, 2018

I told myself I wasn't going to go down the rabbit hole of buying watch faces for my Gear S3... but then I saw the Star Trek TNG computer interface on on Facer and had to have it, haha.

Looks perfect (it's an officially licensed one) and actually displays a lot of useful information.

reKon · Aug 14, 2018

In terms of smart speakers, the Google Mini was my entry in and it's been pretty good, but I think going to move this to the living room and cop the insignia Google Assistant speaker that's on sale. I'd rather not have to ask for the time and just have this on display. It's also cool that it shows the indoor temp (assuming it's accurate). It's not the prettiest thing, but who cares cause it's going to be in the bedroom

Aiii · Aug 14, 2018

With the 3rd party app to customize notifications, incoming calls, button presses, and the like on the Amazfit Bip, this has been quite the surprise. It can do so much more than just the things it does out of the box. Very good. Did a short workout (cycling) this morning, and the watch displayed all the right info and updated quickly, so that's good.

Even found the website for custom watchfaces: https://amazfitwatchfaces.com/bip/

Yeah, this really is the new Pebble. Good stuff.

Rand a. Thor · Aug 14, 2018

Well TIL that MIUI has a major flaw in it. Went to a friends house for some drinks, and while we were drunk I got into a small argument with another friend. Went to the bathroom, and I found that he managed to wipe my phone completely after putzing with it. Apparently if you enter the wrong password 5 times there is an option to basically do a factory reset while bypassing all security measures. Thankfully J have backups of everything, but I lost all of my game saves that don't have Google Play Cloud Saves.

And in other news:
https://m.gsmarena.com/moto_p30_listed_on_official_website_specs_and_design_revealed-news-32749.php
A motorola with a generic ass iPhone China Clone chassis is not something I expected to see. And yet here we are, hitting rock bottom.

reKon · Aug 14, 2018

Mitchman said:
Well TIL that MIUI has a major flaw in it. Went to a friends house for some drinks, and while we were drunk I got into a small argument with another friend. Went to the bathroom, and I found that he managed to wipe my phone completely after putzing with it. Apparently if you enter the wrong password 5 times there is an option to basically do a factory reset while bypassing all security measures. Thankfully J have backups of everything, but I lost all of my game saves that don't have Google Play Cloud Saves.

And in other news:
https://m.gsmarena.com/moto_p30_listed_on_official_website_specs_and_design_revealed-news-32749.php
A motorola with a generic ass iPhone China Clone chassis is not something I expected to see. And yet here we are, hitting rock bottom.

SMDH. Don't even care to see any more trash from Lenovo. Unoriginal phone designs and lying about bezel size gets you cancelled.

byDoS · Aug 14, 2018

Mitchman said:
Well TIL that MIUI has a major flaw in it. Went to a friends house for some drinks, and while we were drunk I got into a small argument with another friend. Went to the bathroom, and I found that he managed to wipe my phone completely after putzing with it. Apparently if you enter the wrong password 5 times there is an option to basically do a factory reset while bypassing all security measures. Thankfully J have backups of everything, but I lost all of my game saves that don't have Google Play Cloud Saves.

And in other news:
https://m.gsmarena.com/moto_p30_listed_on_official_website_specs_and_design_revealed-news-32749.php
A motorola with a generic ass iPhone China Clone chassis is not something I expected to see. And yet here we are, hitting rock bottom.

Lenovo turned Motorola into another chinese Apple wannabe.

neoak · Aug 14, 2018

Rodney McKay said:
I told myself I wasn't going to go down the rabbit hole of buying watch faces for my Gear S3... but then I saw the Star Trek TNG computer interface on on Facer and had to have it, haha.

Looks perfect (it's an officially licensed one) and actually displays a lot of useful information.

LOL wat

Now I want a S3 >.<

Smylie · Aug 14, 2018

Mitchman said:
Well TIL that MIUI has a major flaw in it. Went to a friends house for some drinks, and while we were drunk I got into a small argument with another friend. Went to the bathroom, and I found that he managed to wipe my phone completely after putzing with it. Apparently if you enter the wrong password 5 times there is an option to basically do a factory reset while bypassing all security measures.

That's not a flaw, that's a very specific security measure that numerous (most?) phones and apps implement. Sorry about your gamesaves, though. :(

Deleted member 5666 · Aug 14, 2018

The American market sucks for off contract cheaper phones. We can't use Xiaomi phones, we cant use Nokia phones.

yagal · Aug 14, 2018

From an Italian blog, The Note 9 battery test preview

8 hours of SOT with 1h30min of Gmail, 50 min of phone call, 40 min of maps, 30 min of Netflix, 30 min fo gaming Fortnite e Asphalt 9, spotify, Chrome ecc

Jazzy · Aug 14, 2018

That's exynos?

SolidSnakeUS · Aug 14, 2018

Anyone having issues with 9.0 on a Pixel XL where when you hook it up to your USB to transfer data, that it will gray out possible options to change it? I have to permanently move it over to USB Transfer in the developers options to make it do it, but I would rather it give me the option to switch to something else given the correct credentials on my phone. Any thoughts? I can provide a picture if anyone wants to see it.

yagal · Aug 14, 2018

Jazzy said:
That's exynos?

Yup

DrFunk · Aug 14, 2018

Ruddock likes the Note9: https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/08/14/buy-galaxy-note9/

Still kinda on the fence myself...

Aiii · Aug 14, 2018

DrFunk said:
Ruddock likes the Note9: https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/08/14/buy-galaxy-note9/

Still kinda on the fence myself...

When one of the top reasons is: "Buying unlocked, trading in can make the price easier to stomach" I'd say you're not making a great case for the phone being worth the huge price.

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