Looking for suggestions for a new (to me) device. Help appreciated!

mypasswordistaco@iusearchlinux.fyi to Android@lemmy.world – 28 points –

Hi Lemmy,

I'm in the market for a new phone as my galaxy S10+ that I've had for ~5 years has a dying screen. I haven't really been paying attention to the market in the same number of years, so I"m not sure what to go for and I would really appreciate your recommendations!

Some info:

  • My budget is definitely no more than 700 EUR (preferably under 500, but I'm willing to make concessions)
  • I'm expecting to buy refurbished to save money, so the device need not be from this generation
  • I prioritize:
    • a high quality panel with high refresh rate, could be nice with LTPO
    • Hardware that is at least as capable as the S10+
    • All-day battery life
    • Preferably flat screen

I don't really care about the camera, I'm sure most these days are serviceable for the few pictures I take.

I'm very interested in the Nothing phone 2, but it's just at the edge of my price range so I'm trying to see if I can find something that scratches the same itch, both in specs and form factor (but I'm sure that's too much to ask). Any advice would be appreciated!

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I would recommend the fairphone 4 or 5. I have the 4 and it is great: reparable with software updates (os etc) , easily replaced battery and sustainably sourced.

I agree. I have one too and I am very happy with it. I also think it does not break as easily as most other phones. I drop it all the time and it is still fine, even the screen.

He mentioned wanting a high quality panel with a high refresh rate which also supports LTPO. Fairphone mazes at 90hz and doesn't support LTPO.

I very recently got myself the nothing phone 2 and can highly recommend it. It looks great, is rather unique in terms of design and well polished overall. I had a S20+ for the past 4 years and I'm glad I got this model. The cameras are good, the battery ample, and the screen is really gorgeous.

Which color did you get, and how do you like it? I'm really leaning towards this option.

Got the white one because the back just looks dope in white, and most of the quirks I am experiencing are related to my custom launcher and android 14. Overall, it’s such a great device. Looks gorgeous and the gliphy LED really stand out for design. The OS interface is also really futuristic - and the ringtones and notification sounds ! and I dig that a lot. The screen is just amazing. Overall, I’m a really happy bunny with it.

Thanks for the reply! I think I'm going to pull the trigger on the white one as well. Can't wait!

I also got the ear (2) and they sound good, not to mention they also look cool for the price. I love the little cool sound they make for the various functions. But that was only because the buds + I bought in 2020 started to be funny. So I YOLO'd and got them. Overall super curated experience. I wish I had gotten the case for the phone as it looks so pristine I'm worried my clumsyness will scratch its beauty

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A used Pixel should tick all the boxes, plus it supports GrapheneOS.

No idea when they started to implant displays with such insanely high refresh rate (I cant see that) but the 8 may already be available?

I got a 6a for 160€.

Yeah I'm getting the sense that it'll be a good choice, I just think they're hideous.

Only anecdotally, but a friend of mine has been complaining about his 6a for at least 2 months now, saying the device gets sluggish and he encounters more bugs with every update. My mom reports similar things with her 7 Pro. So if GrapheneOS isn‘t important for you, I would skip Pixels for now. The Nothing 2a looks really good though.

My 6a is not sluggish on GrapheneOS. Maybe it is not an additional feature but the solution.

Are they using GrapheneOS?

You might look into either the OnePlus Nord N20 or N30. N20 had an AMOLED display like the S10+, whereas the N30 has a LCD display but high refresh rate. I'm not entirely sure but I think the processor specs are comparable, storage and RAM definitely are.

I know someone with a N30 and they've had good experience with the battery life on it so far, albeit they also aren't heavily using it either. Here's a little comparison chart.

Consider getting the OnePlus 12R it should fit the bill and be an upgrade in most ways possible compared to S10.