Samsung is a nightmare, don't purchase their products.
For example: I used to have a Samsung phone. If I plugged it into the USB port on my computer Windows Explorer would not be able to see it to transfer files. My phone would tell me I need to download Samsung's drivers to transfer files. I could only get them by downloading Samsung's software. Once I installed the software Windows Explorer was able to see the device and transfer files. Once I uninstalled the software Windows Explorer couldn't see the device again.
Anything Samsung can do in your region to insert themselves between you and what you are trying to do they will do.
2nd this. Samsung is for people who hate themselves but can't commit to ending it all.
This is a great summary I'm going to make use of
What’s a good brand then?
I use Pixel for Android. IMHO it's the easiest to modify and if you want it stock, its vanilla Googled Android and it gets the updates 1st and most often.
The software bloat is not dissimilar to what I've heard in the past, but I'd forgotten since I haven't gone in depth researching yet. Which phones do we prefer today? Loosely off the top of my head, less bloat/intrusiveness, nice camera, battery life enough for a day, and maybe on the smaller size to fit one hand are probably what I'll be looking in to.
Apparently Pixel is the easiest to install an alternative OS on, going to start looking into that soon.
I've heard good things about Graphene OS, but also deviating from the "stock" experience might make it more difficult to do certain things... like biometrics for banking or something? Not sure myself. Will look into it too, good idea.
I've got a Ulefone, I'm quite fond of it.
Ooo I haven't heard of Ulefone before, I see some of their phones have a built in thermal camera? That sounds cool. How's the Android/software experience? I'm not familiar with the Chinese phone lines, do they have their own bloat like Samsung?
No bloatware, although mine has a "feature" called Duraspeed I need to uninstall that restricts background applications, including fitness tracking ones I actually want running, and notifies me multiple times per day about this.
Them and Doogee I really like, especially since the phones don't need to be in a case.
Samsung is a nightmare, don't purchase their products.
For example: I used to have a Samsung phone. If I plugged it into the USB port on my computer Windows Explorer would not be able to see it to transfer files. My phone would tell me I need to download Samsung's drivers to transfer files. I could only get them by downloading Samsung's software. Once I installed the software Windows Explorer was able to see the device and transfer files. Once I uninstalled the software Windows Explorer couldn't see the device again.
Anything Samsung can do in your region to insert themselves between you and what you are trying to do they will do.
2nd this. Samsung is for people who hate themselves but can't commit to ending it all.
This is a great summary I'm going to make use of
What’s a good brand then?
I use Pixel for Android. IMHO it's the easiest to modify and if you want it stock, its vanilla Googled Android and it gets the updates 1st and most often.
The software bloat is not dissimilar to what I've heard in the past, but I'd forgotten since I haven't gone in depth researching yet. Which phones do we prefer today? Loosely off the top of my head, less bloat/intrusiveness, nice camera, battery life enough for a day, and maybe on the smaller size to fit one hand are probably what I'll be looking in to.
Apparently Pixel is the easiest to install an alternative OS on, going to start looking into that soon.
I've heard good things about Graphene OS, but also deviating from the "stock" experience might make it more difficult to do certain things... like biometrics for banking or something? Not sure myself. Will look into it too, good idea.
I've got a Ulefone, I'm quite fond of it.
Ooo I haven't heard of Ulefone before, I see some of their phones have a built in thermal camera? That sounds cool. How's the Android/software experience? I'm not familiar with the Chinese phone lines, do they have their own bloat like Samsung?
No bloatware, although mine has a "feature" called Duraspeed I need to uninstall that restricts background applications, including fitness tracking ones I actually want running, and notifies me multiple times per day about this.
Them and Doogee I really like, especially since the phones don't need to be in a case.