Anyone else considering a mid range phone for their next purchase?

[BlackZeppelin]

Hi all. My first flagship was the Galaxy S5 and my next and current one is the Note 9. But even I am starting to become disillusioned with flagship phones.

It's a number of things. It's not just the price, but the price vs value. My note 9 cost me $1500 here in Australia and whilst it was a lot of money, I didn't baulk at getting it as it was a huge jump over the S5.

The S20 Ultra, the only S20 I would consider getting, is now $2000 and the Z flip is even more. The only feature I really like about the S20 Ultra I can't get in any other phone is the zoom camera system. That alone for me doesn't justify the huge price and upgrading from my Note 9.

And being totally honest, I'm really put off by all the issues of the S20 Ultra including that Exynos processor.

For the first time in almost 6 years since owning flagship smartphones, I'm considering switching to a mid-range one for my next purchase. Looking at the specs of the Galaxy A71, it is more than adequate for my needs for half the price of an S20+.

Anyone else in a similar mind frame?

 

[me just saying]

It's been a while since I've used Samsung Pay. I wouldn't want pay activation without unlocking your phone for obvious security reasons. On my Note 9, all I do is place my finger on the secure fingerprint reader to unlock and Google Pay is at my disposal. I wouldn't want to have this available without unlocking my phone.

But feel free to correct me as I say, it's been a while since I've used Samsung Pay.

come on now, you still have to authenticate samsung pay before using. I do need to mention before someone corrects me you can also use google pay on the unlock screen without any type of authentication up to 50 bucks in the US (different amounts in different countries).

 

[me just saying]

It's been a while since I've used Samsung Pay. I wouldn't want pay activation without unlocking your phone for obvious security reasons. On my Note 9, all I do is place my finger on the secure fingerprint reader to unlock and Google Pay is at my disposal. I wouldn't want to have this available without unlocking my phone.

But feel free to correct me as I say, it's been a while since I've used Samsung Pay.

forgot to mention, google pay is not more secure, imo, samsung pay is. if a person has access to your phone, they have access to google pay. if someone has access to your phone with samsung pay, unless you are stupid enough to use the same pin, it would require addition authentication to use.

 

[BlackZeppelin]

come on now, you still have to authenticate samsung pay before using. I do need to mention before someone corrects me you can also use google pay on the unlock screen without any type of authentication up to 50 bucks in the US (different amounts in different countries).

I think it's different here in Australia. I don't believe you can use Google Pay on the lockscreen for any amount of money. I certainly wouldn't want that. Possibly it's different as you're in the US.

 

[me just saying]

I think it's different here in Australia. I don't believe you can use Google Pay on the lockscreen for any amount of money. I certainly wouldn't want that. Possibly it's different as you're in the US.

australia has it. the limit is AUD 100

https://support.google.com/pay/answer/7644132?co=GENIE.Platform=Android&hl=en

 

[donm527]

When you swipe up on the lock screen to pull up Samsung Pay, you still have to authenticate whether fingerprint or Iris. I actually forgot you can swipe up at the lock screen for Samsung Pay until I read it here, but you still have to authenticate so it's just as safe. I didn't check if that can be bypassed... but I wouldn't.

Yeah the back FPS... Got my Note 8 and honestly I complained on location but (when it works) it's nice to unlock with back press while taking out of pocket and at the home screen ready to Pay with Google Pay by the time to hover over the NFC.

The MST chip was really useful because it was better than NFS. But NFS has caught up. I actually noticed the other day it doesn't have to be as close to the reader as MST has to.

It's been a while since I've used Samsung Pay. I wouldn't want pay activation without unlocking your phone for obvious security reasons. On my Note 9, all I do is place my finger on the secure fingerprint reader to unlock and Google Pay is at my disposal. I wouldn't want to have this available without unlocking my phone.

But feel free to correct me as I say, it's been a while since I've used Samsung Pay.

 

[BlackZeppelin]

When you swipe up on the lock screen to pull up Samsung Pay, you still have to authenticate whether fingerprint or Iris. I actually forgot you can swipe up at the lock screen for Samsung Pay until I read it here, but you still have to authenticate so it's just as safe. I didn't check if that can be bypassed... but I wouldn't.

Yeah the back FPS... Got my Note 8 and honestly I complained on location but (when it works) it's nice to unlock with back press while taking out of pocket and at the home screen ready to Pay with Google Pay by the time to hover over the NFC.

The MST chip was really useful because it was better than NFS. But NFS has caught up. I actually noticed the other day it doesn't have to be as close to the reader as MST has to.

I actually had to Google MST. I wasn't even aware of it. It looks like this was an early thing of MST vs NFC. But as you say, NFC has caught up and if you have NFC these days you also have MST.

 

[me just saying]

I actually had to Google MST. I wasn't even aware of it. It looks like this was an early thing of MST vs NFC. But as you say, NFC has caught up and if you have NFC these days you also have MST.

a bit of history and really off topic- originally there was supposed to be a small credit card size device that was crowd sourced. you synced it with your phone and it could hold several card. you could switch out the cards with your phone if you have more than it could hold. I forget the name of the company but I almost bought into it. It never panned out but Samsung purchased them and the rest is history.

 

[jtcannonball]

Yes, that’s why I’m getting the S20 Plus. That counts as midrange now right? I mean it’s the middle of the S series lineup. ??????

I won’t go midrange but I’ll likely wait a month after the Pixel or Note are released and get one for significantly less than they sell at launch. Easiest way to find a deal is come on here after release and wait until the angry early adopter posts complain that they were not rewarded for buying on launch day. It’s easier than looking at all the advertisements. ??????

 

[cardboard60]

Why would I want a mid range phone.

I want the fastest processor.
New memory.
Best camera.

If not..why not just keep the phone you have.

You've had a yr to save your money to buy a new phone.

What did you do.

 

[ThrottleJohnny]

Why would I want a mid range phone.

I want the fastest processor.
New memory.
Best camera.

If not..why not just keep the phone you have.

You've had a yr to save your money to buy a new phone.

What did you do.

Good point. Then again, I don't believe everyone that says they're going midrange for one second lol.

I mean, they're still hanging out on the S20 forums, the most expensive phones currently on the market.

I believe about half are legit. The rest we'll see waiting on their orders as soon as the next Note, Pixel or iPhone release.

 

[Gray Area]

I've been strongly considering this. But not sure yet.

Hi all. My first flagship was the Galaxy S5 and my next and current one is the Note 9. But even I am starting to become disillusioned with flagship phones.

It's a number of things. It's not just the price, but the price vs value. My note 9 cost me $1500 here in Australia and whilst it was a lot of money, I didn't baulk at getting it as it was a huge jump over the S5.

The S20 Ultra, the only S20 I would consider getting, is now $2000 and the Z flip is even more. The only feature I really like about the S20 Ultra I can't get in any other phone is the zoom camera system. That alone for me doesn't justify the huge price and upgrading from my Note 9.

And being totally honest, I'm really put off by all the issues of the S20 Ultra including that Exynos processor.

For the first time in almost 6 years since owning flagship smartphones, I'm considering switching to a mid-range one for my next purchase. Looking at the specs of the Galaxy A71, it is more than adequate for my needs for half the price of an S20+.

Anyone else in a similar mind frame?

 

[Gray Area]

I currently have an S9. I am tired of paying high prices for flagship phones. My issue is that I use and want to continue using Samsung Pay (MST). I am interested in the upcoming release of the A71 (on VZW). I am trying to determine if it's considered an 'upgrade' from an S9 to an A71, and if the A71 (US) will support Samsung Pay. I also want to stay in the Samsung ecosystem.

Here's all of the Samsung pay devices with mst or just nfc

 

[cardboard60]

Good point. Then again, I don't believe everyone that says they're going midrange for one second lol.

I mean, they're still hanging out on the S20 forums, the most expensive phones currently on the market.

I believe about half are legit. The rest we'll see waiting on their orders as soon as the next Note, Pixel or iPhone release.

Then why did they ask.

I don't care what phone anybody buys.

But if you have a good phone.
Why upgrade to a midgrade phone. Just to get a new phone.

Save your money.

They are releasing a new phone in a couple months.
What then.
You have already bought a new phone.

Why couldn't you just wait.

 

[Arnaud Le Gac]

Your bought a high end phone or mid-range one, why ?

It's an eternal debate, but given the constant improvement in mid-range, how to decide to double or triple the price for medium changes?

Mid-range phone or expensive one, it's your choice, but would you share some reason of your decision ? Thank you !

 

[anon(50597)]

Why would I want a mid range phone.

I want the fastest processor.
New memory.
Best camera.

If not..why not just keep the phone you have.

You've had a yr to save your money to buy a new phone.

What did you do.

Mostly because many of us no longer find value in high end phones. The “best” is subjective and often not worth the money.

 

[L0n3N1nja]

Re: Your bought a high end phone or mid-range one, why ?

For almost all tasks a midrange phone is plenty, I keep buying the Samsung Note because it's the only device with proper stylus support and continues to have one of the best cameras available.

I own a ton of camera gear so phone is never my primary camera, but I like to always have the best camera possible on me at all times.

 

[blackhawkhot]

Re: Your bought a high end phone or mid-range one, why ?

For almost all tasks a midrange phone is plenty, I keep buying the Samsung Note because it's the only device with proper stylus support and continues to have one of the best cameras available.

I own a ton of camera gear so phone is never my primary camera, but I like to always have the best camera possible on me at all times.

Yeah I bought the Note 10 mostly for the square OLED, large internal memory + SD card, huge RAM, battery and of course the stylist.

Samsung boned me on the 3.5mm jack, and not using that latest 120hz refresh but especially not using the latest BT chipset, grrrrr.

 

[mustang7757]

[Merged threads on same topic]

 

[Mike Dee]

I actually had to Google MST. I wasn't even aware of it. It looks like this was an early thing of MST vs NFC. But as you say, NFC has caught up and if you have NFC these days you also have MST.

No...you only have MST with a Samsung device