Advice needed - Looking for new Android phone

[Sonoda Umi]

The OP comes from iOS and actually the skins may make his life easier than stock Android.

Samsung used to put a lot of bloatware last time but now seems to be better. Oppo/Realme local sets are pretty clean to me and we have three Opportunity/Realme phones at home.

But yes you have better chance of getting updates on Google phones and Xiaomi phones and Huawei phones, not so good for Oppo/Vivo.

You are not wrong, but those with custom skins have more bloatwares and may not be smooth at times. Also, they tend to be buggier. But at least Xiaomi will roll out updates to fix the bugs ASAP in MIUI, can't say the same for other brands

Will say that stock UI may initially be harder for TS to adapt, but eventually he will get used to it. And it is worth it in the long run as it is smoother.

But the main issue is that it is hard to find compact sized phones nowadays

 

[Sonoda Umi]

I did searching myself, and the cheap and smallest (5.5 in) android phone I found is the RedMi 7A. It has the Snapdragon 439 (there ain't a higher model yet for 400 series). There is a seller in Qoo10 that sells the rare spec that has 3GB of RAM. The more current RedMi 8A (still having the same processor) has huge screen so not much of a choice for portability purposes.

Another to consider is Mi A3. At around 200, we get Android One for clean stock android and updatedness, got super amoled, Snapdragon 655 processor, triple camera setup.

At around that price range (or add a bit more depending on capacity and condition), can look for a pre-owned iPhone SE. That has the best speed, specs, and the best compact size. Although it is not an Android phone.

The popular mention on this thread of the Samsung S10e, that is EXPENSIVE in the long run.

small phones really hard to find, that is why many recommend s10e

there is no current phone that is as compact as s10e for now

 

[xiaofan]

But the main issue is that it is hard to find compact sized phones nowadays

Actually I always use compact phone at today's standard. From Galaxy S3 LTE (4.8 inch), S4 LTE+ (5.0 inch), iPhone 6S to Huawei P20 currently.

P20 (5.8 inch screen) is only a little bigger than iPhone 6S (4.7 inch screen). P30 (6.1 inch screen) is at similar dimension as P20.

S10e (5.8 inch screen) is much closer to iPhone 6S though.

Huawei P20, 5.8 inch screen (old model)
Dimensions 149.1 x 70.8 x 7.7 mm
Weight 165 g

iPhone 6S, 4.7 inch screen (very old)
Dimensions 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm
Weight 143 g

iPhone X, 5.8 inch screen
Dimensions 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm
Weight 174 g

Galaxy S10e, 5.8 inch screen
Dimensions 142.2 x 69.9 x 7.9 mm
Weight 150 g

Huawei P30, 6.1 inch screen
Dimensions 149.1 x 71.4 x 7.6 mm
Weight 165 g

Galaxy S10, 6.1 inch screen
Dimensions 149.9 x 70.4 x 7.8 mm
Weight 157 g

Sony XZ2 Compact, 5.0 inch screen (old model)
Dimensions 135 x 65 x 12.1 mm
Weight 168 g

 

[xiaofan]

https://m.gsmarena.com/best_compact_phones_buyers_guide-review-2029.php

GSMarena recommends Mi 9SE, Galaxy S10e, iPhone 11 Pro, Galaxy A40 and Google Pixel 3a, in Nov 2019, for compact mobile phones.

 

[Chinatownboy]

I did searching myself, and the cheap and smallest (5.5 in) android phone I found is the RedMi 7A. It has the Snapdragon 439 (there ain't a higher model yet for 400 series). There is a seller in Qoo10 that sells the rare spec that has 3GB of RAM. The more current RedMi 8A (still having the same processor) has huge screen so not much of a choice for portability purposes.

Another to consider is Mi A3. At around 200, we get Android One for clean stock android and updatedness, got super amoled, Snapdragon 655 processor, triple camera setup.

At around that price range (or add a bit more depending on capacity and condition), can look for a pre-owned iPhone SE. That has the best speed, specs, and the best compact size. Although it is not an Android phone.

The popular mention on this thread of the Samsung S10e, that is EXPENSIVE in the long run.

Thanks bro
I used xiaomi b4, the experience wasn’t very good.
Think HW still can accept

U mentioned S10e expensive in the long run meaning?
Like battery wear n tear?

 

[Chinatownboy]

small phones really hard to find, that is why many recommend s10e

there is no current phone that is as compact as s10e for now

You are not wrong, but those with custom skins have more bloatwares and may not be smooth at times. Also, they tend to be buggier. But at least Xiaomi will roll out updates to fix the bugs ASAP in MIUI, can't say the same for other brands

Will say that stock UI may initially be harder for TS to adapt, but eventually he will get used to it. And it is worth it in the long run as it is smoother.

But the main issue is that it is hard to find compact sized phones nowadays

Indeed, I visited 2 flagship stores of SS and HW, I told them I want a phone smaller than my X,
seems like only Nova 5T and S10e fit the bill.

Not that they are exactly small, when chucked into my shirt pocket they still stick out like a sore thumb. But of cos if you look at the other new generation phones these days they are noticeably much longer!

 

[Sonoda Umi]

Actually I always use compact phone at today's standard. From Galaxy S3 LTE (4.8 inch), S4 LTE+ (5.0 inch), iPhone 6S to Huawei P20 currently.

P20 (5.8 inch screen) is only a little bigger than iPhone 6S (4.7 inch screen). P30 (6.1 inch screen) is at similar dimension as P20.

S10e (5.8 inch screen) is much closer to iPhone 6S though.

Huawei P20, 5.8 inch screen (old model)
Dimensions 149.1 x 70.8 x 7.7 mm
Weight 165 g

iPhone 6S, 4.7 inch screen (very old)
Dimensions 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm
Weight 143 g

iPhone X, 5.8 inch screen
Dimensions 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm
Weight 174 g

Galaxy S10e, 5.8 inch screen
Dimensions 142.2 x 69.9 x 7.9 mm
Weight 150 g

Huawei P30, 6.1 inch screen
Dimensions 149.1 x 71.4 x 7.6 mm
Weight 165 g

Galaxy S10, 6.1 inch screen
Dimensions 149.9 x 70.4 x 7.8 mm
Weight 157 g

Sony XZ2 Compact, 5.0 inch screen (old model)
Dimensions 135 x 65 x 12.1 mm
Weight 168 g

Your definition of 'compact' is modern. My definition of 'compact' is obsolete

To me, only iPhone 5 and XZ1 Compact are compact in my standards

 

[ApexMan]

The era of compact phone is s past

Most brands going for the big and bigger

When u older u will appreciate bigger as u got Lao hua eyes

U r force to go bigger
I use to like small phone like iphone 5s
I now already force to go bigger to 5.8 and 6.1 and now the Samsung a70 6.7 looks Soo shiok

The nova 5t is good for the $ and specs but I lan lan got to reject it as it's screen too cramp I need bigger screen

Anyway rumor of nova 6 and a71 a91 launch soon in dec but in overseas but in sg still no news

 

[marose]

The era of compact phone is s past

Most brands going for the big and bigger

When u older u will appreciate bigger as u got Lao hua eyes

U r force to go bigger
I use to like small phone like iphone 5s
I now already force to go bigger to 5.8 and 6.1 and now the Samsung a70 6.7 looks Soo shiok

The nova 5t is good for the $ and specs but I lan lan got to reject it as it's screen too cramp I need bigger screen

Anyway rumor of nova 6 and a71 a91 launch soon in dec but in overseas but in sg still no news

Its true man. Ever since i use Mate 20 x all my other spare phones feel small too my eyes

 

[xonix]

For me, any phone whose width of 72mm or less can be considered as compact for me.

 

[Chinatownboy]

https://m.gsmarena.com/best_compact_phones_buyers_guide-review-2029.php

GSMarena recommends Mi 9SE, Galaxy S10e, iPhone 11 Pro, Galaxy A40 and Google Pixel 3a, in Nov 2019, for compact mobile phones.

Actually I always use compact phone at today's standard. From Galaxy S3 LTE (4.8 inch), S4 LTE+ (5.0 inch), iPhone 6S to Huawei P20 currently.

P20 (5.8 inch screen) is only a little bigger than iPhone 6S (4.7 inch screen). P30 (6.1 inch screen) is at similar dimension as P20.

S10e (5.8 inch screen) is much closer to iPhone 6S though.

Huawei P20, 5.8 inch screen (old model)
Dimensions 149.1 x 70.8 x 7.7 mm
Weight 165 g

iPhone 6S, 4.7 inch screen (very old)
Dimensions 138.3 x 67.1 x 7.1 mm
Weight 143 g

iPhone X, 5.8 inch screen
Dimensions 143.6 x 70.9 x 7.7 mm
Weight 174 g

Galaxy S10e, 5.8 inch screen
Dimensions 142.2 x 69.9 x 7.9 mm
Weight 150 g

Huawei P30, 6.1 inch screen
Dimensions 149.1 x 71.4 x 7.6 mm
Weight 165 g

Galaxy S10, 6.1 inch screen
Dimensions 149.9 x 70.4 x 7.8 mm
Weight 157 g

Sony XZ2 Compact, 5.0 inch screen (old model)
Dimensions 135 x 65 x 12.1 mm
Weight 168 g

Thanks for the extensive info n detailed summary Bro, appreciate it.

Will run thru the reviews today.

 

[hkchew03]

Went to SS shop to check out the S10e and S10
Both having promo
S10e after discount $200 is $878 (why slash so much uh?)
While the S10 after $100 discount $998

Feel wise, S10e definitely more compact n light,
Looks wide, S10 seems to look better with the curves (do objects with curves always look nicer to guys???


)

Asked for advice, staff of cos recomm the S10 with better specs and only $120 more.
I compare compare size, the S10e seemed only slightly shorter in length.

What*********s yr advice guys? Would you have any specific reason to choose the S10e over S10 other than the relatively shorter length and lighter weight?

Huh? S10 only $20 more than 10e before discount?

if want compact with good camera, s10e and pixel 3/3a are some of the better one.

Posted from PCWX using Redmi K20 Pro

 

[Chinatownboy]

The era of compact phone is s past

Most brands going for the big and bigger

When u older u will appreciate bigger as u got Lao hua eyes

U r force to go bigger
I use to like small phone like iphone 5s
I now already force to go bigger to 5.8 and 6.1 and now the Samsung a70 6.7 looks Soo shiok

The nova 5t is good for the $ and specs but I lan lan got to reject it as it's screen too cramp I need bigger screen

Anyway rumor of nova 6 and a71 a91 launch soon in dec but in overseas but in sg still no news

I can’t agree more with u bro.
Indeed as we grow older with worsening eyesight and old flower, the fonts on the smaller phones take a strain on our eyes.
Which if partly why my iPhone 4 now is used mainly to play music and some quick 10 min reading ... when I’m in the toilet.

Frankly, my current iPhone X size is just about ideal. But, if it’s lighter and a tad shorter in length to fit into the working shirt pocket will be perfect. Lol

But like what you and many suggest, now is the era of big phones, and they can only get bigger. Maybe until someone invents some super microchip and super battery which can make the phone small and compact again. I’m sure there are geniuses working on it.

 

[Chinatownboy]

Huh? S10 only $20 more than 10e before discount?

if want compact with good camera, s10e and pixel 3/3a are some of the better one.

Posted from PCWX using Redmi K20 Pro

$120 more bro
Now, are you using a very small phone to view this post?

 

[Chinatownboy]

A friend just sent me a link

https://bgr.com/2019/12/06/iphone-9-vs-iphone-se2-release-date-specs/

Apple will be coming up with iPhone 9 next year which will boast a 4.7 inch screen

If it’s launched this month or even next, might be buying without much hesitation.

I would expect probly after June in Spore but that’s a tad too late.

 

[hkchew03]

$120 more bro
Now, are you using a very small phone to view this post?

No, u state the price of s10 after $100 disc is $998, and s10e after $200 disc is $878. That means before discount price $1098 v $1078?

Posted from PCWX using MSM8998 for arm64

 

[Chinatownboy]

No, u state the price of s10 after $100 disc is $998, and s10e after $200 disc is $878. That means before discount price $1098 v $1078?

Posted from PCWX using MSM8998 for arm64

I would suppose so if the staff gave me correct info.
Unless I heard wrongly the discount for S10.
But what I was certain I was told after discount the S10 only costs $120 more than S10e.
Cheers bro

 

[OnePunch!!]

Ya the rumour SE2

A friend just sent me a link

https://bgr.com/2019/12/06/iphone-9-vs-iphone-se2-release-date-specs/

Apple will be coming up with iPhone 9 next year which will boast a 4.7 inch screen

If it’s launched this month or even next, might be buying without much hesitation.

I would expect probly after June in Spore but that’s a tad too late.

 

[OnePunch!!]

U won’t want a s10 series even ur it’s fits your needs as batt life is damm cmi
If u want a Samsung flagship wait for s11 hope is a improved chip overcome the batt drain

I would suppose so if the staff gave me correct info.
Unless I heard wrongly the discount for S10.
But what I was certain I was told after discount the S10 only costs $120 more than S10e.
Cheers bro

 

[Chinatownboy]

U won’t want a s10 series even ur it’s fits your needs as batt life is damm cmi
If u want a Samsung flagship wait for s11 hope is a improved chip overcome the batt drain

Thanks for the warning
Can share how ‘damm cmi’ the batt? As in drain off fast?
For a full charge 100% good enough to last one full day, say 12 hours if I just surf net, check email, surf FB etc?
Any issue with overall batt life?
My iPhones’ batt can last 3-4 yrs without replacement.