Advice needed - Looking for new Android phone

[xiaofan]

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.

https://www.digitaltrends.com/cell-phone-reviews/samsung-galaxy-s10e-review/

Battery life of S10e may be its weak point but I think it is not too bad and it hould still be okay to meet your expectations.

As for the overall battery life, it should be okay for three years for Samsung. But you may want to lower the expectations of Android phone performance after three years.

I replaced my iPhone 6S battery (bought Sept 2015) after three years 3months because it fell below Apple recommendation of about 80% capacity. It is still perfectly usable and get OS updates after 4 years. You will not be able to expect that for S10e or most of the other Android phones. But you pay less. My expectations for my Huawei P20 is about 2 years for updates and 3 years for usage.

My old Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE+ (GT-9506) bought in Sept 2014) developed a HW failure (constant on green LED) so it will drain the battery even though I bought a new replacement battery in 2017. The old battery is actually still alive now but I was thinking the fault is related to the battery but it was not.

We also have Oppo R7 (SD615, 3GB/16GB) bought in 2015 for about S$560 without contract. The build quality is good and everything is still fine. But even my father in law wanted me to change for him this year because of the low storage. I bought a Huawei Nova 3i at S$349 for him early this year with 128 GB storage and he is happy.

BTW, the Oppo R7's OS is also stuck at Android 4.4 from the initial release. My Galaxy S4 LTE+ got updates from Android 4.3 to Android 4.4 and then 5.0 and then no more updates.

 

[xiaofan]

If you value OS updates, then better get Google Pixel phones.

 

[trento]

S10e is $690, mobilesquare

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]

S10e is $690, mobilesquare

That’s really cheap!
Brand new sets?
Sold by individuals I guess?

 

[hkchew03]

If no need flagship level phone, can consider Mi A3. Slightly taller than iP X. Good camera and battery.
I would choose that over S10E because of battery, OS and about 1/3 the price. CPU not fast, but enough for day to day usage

 

[Chinatownboy]

https://www.digitaltrends.com/cell-phone-reviews/samsung-galaxy-s10e-review/

Battery life of S10e may be its weak point but I think it is not too bad and it hould still be okay to meet your expectations.

As for the overall battery life, it should be okay for three years for Samsung. But you may want to lower the expectations of Android phone performance after three years.

I replaced my iPhone 6S battery (bought Sept 2015) after three years 3months because it fell below Apple recommendation of about 80% capacity. It is still perfectly usable and get OS updates after 4 years. You will not be able to expect that for S10e or most of the other Android phones. But you pay less. My expectations for my Huawei P20 is about 2 years for updates and 3 years for usage.

My old Samsung Galaxy S4 LTE+ (GT-9506) bought in Sept 2014) developed a HW failure (constant on green LED) so it will drain the battery even though I bought a new replacement battery in 2017. The old battery is actually still alive now but I was thinking the fault is related to the battery but it was not.

We also have Oppo R7 (SD615, 3GB/16GB) bought in 2015 for about S$560 without contract. The build quality is good and everything is still fine. But even my father in law wanted me to change for him this year because of the low storage. I bought a Huawei Nova 3i at S$349 for him early this year with 128 GB storage and he is happy.

BTW, the Oppo R7's OS is also stuck at Android 4.4 from the initial release. My Galaxy S4 LTE+ got updates from Android 4.3 to Android 4.4 and then 5.0 and then no more updates.

Thanks for info bro, I see you really have experience with many phones of diff models and sizes.

If I’m not fussy abt size I would have a lot to choose fr.

A fren of mine strongly discouraged me fr buying SS phones cos he says the screen quality will deteriorate after like 2, 3 years. Like some lines across the screen or what. I wonder if there’s any truth ???

 

[shawnng]

As Long as you takecare.
If SS is that bad, how come people still choose SS over China phones.

Thanks for info bro, I see you really have experience with many phones of diff models and sizes.

If I’m not fussy abt size I would have a lot to choose fr.

A fren of mine strongly discouraged me fr buying SS phones cos he says the screen quality will deteriorate after like 2, 3 years. Like some lines across the screen or what. I wonder if there’s any truth ???

 

[xiaofan]

A fren of mine strongly discouraged me fr buying SS phones cos he says the screen quality will deteriorate after like 2, 3 years. Like some lines across the screen or what. I wonder if there’s any truth ???

I do not believe this. Samsung is the No 1 OLED screen supplier in the world and I will think they use their own AMOLED screen for high end models S10e/S10/S10+ and the screen is of high quality.

We had 4 old Samsung phones (including very old Galaxy Ace, S3 LTE, S4 LTE+ and an S4 bought second hand) previously and all of the screens are still good except one until now even though the phones are all dead in practical sense. The exception one is the S3 which had the screen shattered and battery dead because my son dropped it from our flat (11th Floor HDB) so I had to throw it away.

From what I see for my colleagues (mostly electronics engineers), people are now using less Samsung, rather they use either iPhones or cheaper Android phones. I myself will not buy high end Android phones even though I am willing to pay for iPhones.

Android, being Android, can not differentiate too much between the high end and the mid end in terms of normal usages. So unless you are very much into Camera quality or gaming, no point buying high end Android phones including Samsung or Huawei. Value drops very fast too.

For example I buy Android phones with my Combo 2 contract and I will limit the money to pay at less than S$350 -- bought Huawei P20 last Dec for S$200+. The subsidy is said to be roughly about S$350 or a bit more depending on the phone.

Galaxy S10e (S$328) and Huawei P30 (S$308) fall in that range too now, but not P30 Pro or S10.

 

[hkchew03]

Used to use Samsung since pre-S1 (Spica era) until S6, but jumped to Xiaomi, no regret. Sold off the S6, used half for a brand new Redmi Note 3 back then. Now whole family use Xiaomi, mostly passed down from me when I upgrade. Only had 1 dead original Note 1. $199 used for about 4 years by my mum.

Last time Xiaomi is weak in camera, but most of the newer mid-premium can easily compete with other brand flagships especially with gcam.

Currently on K20 Pro, 1/3 to 1/2 the normal flagship price but 90% of the performance/features. To complaints

Posted from PCWX using Redmi K20 Pro

 

[Jurong640]

Used to use Samsung since pre-S1 (Spica era) until S6, but jumped to Xiaomi, no regret. Sold off the S6, used half for a brand new Redmi Note 3 back then. Now whole family use Xiaomi, mostly passed down from me when I upgrade. Only had 1 dead original Note 1. $199 used for about 4 years by my mum.

Last time Xiaomi is weak in camera, but most of the newer mid-premium can easily compete with other brand flagships especially with gcam.

Currently on K20 Pro, 1/3 to 1/2 the normal flagship price but 90% of the performance/features. To complaints

Posted from PCWX using Redmi K20 Pro

Yeah. Xiaomi camera improved alot, their Mi Note 10 aka CC9 Pro not bad.

 

[xiaofan]

Yeah. Xiaomi camera improved alot, their Mi Note 10 aka CC9 Pro not bad.

Actually you can say that for Huawei as well. Used to be weak in Camera (up to P10 time in year 2017). Now very strong in camera (from P20 Pro onwards).

 

[Chinatownboy]

I do not believe this. Samsung is the No 1 OLED screen supplier in the world and I will think they use their own AMOLED screen for high end models S10e/S10/S10+ and the screen is of high quality.

We had 4 old Samsung phones (including very old Galaxy Ace, S3 LTE, S4 LTE+ and an S4 bought second hand) previously and all of the screens are still good except one until now even though the phones are all dead in practical sense. The exception one is the S3 which had the screen shattered and battery dead because my son dropped it from our flat (11th Floor HDB) so I had to throw it away.

From what I see for my colleagues (mostly electronics engineers), people are now using less Samsung, rather they use either iPhones or cheaper Android phones. I myself will not buy high end Android phones even though I am willing to pay for iPhones.

Android, being Android, can not differentiate too much between the high end and the mid end in terms of normal usages. So unless you are very much into Camera quality or gaming, no point buying high end Android phones including Samsung or Huawei. Value drops very fast too.

For example I buy Android phones with my Combo 2 contract and I will limit the money to pay at less than S$350 -- bought Huawei P20 last Dec for S$200+. The subsidy is said to be roughly about S$350 or a bit more depending on the phone.

Galaxy S10e (S$328) and Huawei P30 (S$308) fall in that range too now, but not P30 Pro or S10.

Ok I asked a colleague using SS.
He said his previous phone did indeed have lines on the screen after using for abt 2 years.
Went to SS store n enquire, the staff told me it is possible but it occurs when phone is overcharged, n screen gets ‘burned’.

So bottom line, you need to take good care of yr phone.
If care is taken not to overcharge the phone, you should not see lines on the screen after a few years of usage.

 

[hereiam7788]

Ok I asked a colleague using SS.
He said his previous phone did indeed have lines on the screen after using for abt 2 years.
Went to SS store n enquire, the staff told me it is possible but it occurs when phone is overcharged, n screen gets ‘burned’.

So bottom line, you need to take good care of yr phone.
If care is taken not to overcharge the phone, you should not see lines on the screen after a few years of usage.

Dun see such problem with my iPhone X even after two full years of usage.

 

[8-lane]

So TS... wat phone did chiu finally get?

Dun see such problem with my iPhone X even after two full years of usage.

WTH chiu work for Lazada.my??

 

[Chinatownboy]

Dun see such problem with my iPhone X even after two full years of usage.

Same

My iPhone X still in very good condition til now.

In fact iPhones very reliable, other than battery drainage issue can last at least 3 years without major issues.

 

[iceman15]

Xiaomi A3 (Android One)

At least you'll get Android Updates on time.

 

[Chinatownboy]

I have another question.

How’s the battery life of Huawei n Samsung?

For iPhone, 100% generally lasts me like 12 hrs usage - surfing, Facebook, WA. no games or watching online drama.

 

[Sunny Day Song]

Ts, you should consider the type of UI you want as well.

There are customized ROMs like the Chinese Android brands and Samsung, with their own unique set of features other than those offered by Android. But some may find it 'bloated'

And then you have stock ROMs, which is just features and apps by Google. Some like it because it is 'cleaner'

 

[Chinatownboy]

Ts, you should consider the type of UI you want as well.

There are customized ROMs like the Chinese Android brands and Samsung, with their own unique set of features other than those offered by Android. But some may find it 'bloated'

And then you have stock ROMs, which is just features and apps by Google. Some like it because it is 'cleaner'

Thanks for advice bro.

TBH I’m quite a phone idiot.
Don’t really bother much abt UI as long as phone is nice n compact , easy to navigate n hv a reasonably good camera and storage.
Are Apple UI consider ‘bloated’ too?
I’ve been to HW and SS shops to have a feel of the phones but I guess a short 20-30 mins, I can’t really assess much.

 

[xiaofan]

Thanks for advice bro.

TBH I’m quite a phone idiot.
Don’t really bother much abt UI as long as phone is nice n compact , easy to navigate n hv a reasonably good camera and storage.
Are Apple UI consider ‘bloated’ too?
I’ve been to HW and SS shops to have a feel of the phones but I guess a short 20-30 mins, I can’t really assess much.

Apple UI is pretty clean. Stock Android is a bit plain but some like it. Main attractions on Stock Android ROM is the potential more long term support but still not as good as Apple, still only Google phones are really good and not really Android One phones from Xiaomi or Nokia (okay they are more towards low end so with too many compromises).

Anyway you pay less for Android phones so be happy with it if the company supports the updates for three years (Other than Google and Android One phones, Xiaomi seems to be good). And the phone will still be functioning even if the company does not support it.

All in all, you do not need to care much about the UI, do not worry about the long term support, just need to manage the expectations.

High end Android phones excel in things like camera or gaming, but not that worth it if you are not that into these two.

Within your Budget, Mid high tier phones like Huawei P30 and Samsung S10e are pretty decent, with pretty decent performance, pretty decent camera, probably with the exception on battery life.