Higher end phone

[Kayza]

I currently have a Pixel 2XL, which I really like. But I think it may be time to get a new phone. I'm trying to decide what to get, or if I should try to push it off a while, because I do NOT want to get a phone that I'm only going to keep for a year.

My MUST haves:
Water and dust resistance
3 years of updates
Unlocked
5G
6GB RAM
=> 5.8 screen
=>400 PPI screen
90 or 120 HZ screen
Good photography
A day of moderate use on battery

Really preferred
8 GB RAM
865 processor
Non in screen finger print reader
Flat screen - The curved edges is one of the things I didn't like about my Pixel 2XL
Stock Android or something close to it


Other things:
The only foldable that looks appealing to me is the MS Surface Duo, but it doesn't have 5G and in many ways it seems to be living up to MS's habit of needing to get to V3 to be really good. So I'm not going to consider the current version.

I'm not a Samsung fan, but they do really nice screens. I'm also attracted to the S-Pen that's now available for the S21 Ultra. Is that nuts?

Any thoughts?

 

[J Dubbs]

You're describing the pixel 5 ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[mustang7757]

Yeah pixel 5 as close you getting with that description

 

[Mooncatt]

I would reconsider your need for 5G. There's nothing out right now that has made a world of difference on those phones, and many users (myself included) see no difference at all between it and 4G LTE. Unless you're one of the lucky few able to make use of the high band/millimeter wave version with the stupid fast speeds (that do little more than blow through any data allowances quicker), I wouldn't bother seeking out a 5G phone. Besides, most higher end phones today will have it whether you want it or not.

Your screen PPI requirement is a bit harder to make sense of. Running some calculations, it looks like you'd want roughly 1080p. My LG V60 with a 6.8" 1080p 20.5:9 screen is just under 400PPI. While most people think 1080p on a phone is too little and a 60Hz refresh is too slow, most users of the V60 find the display to look great. Ok small screens, anything over 1080p is just overkill, and it's the color/calibration that is more important.

The V60 also has a great camera (especially for manual controls), a flat screen, 8 GB RAM, IP rated, great battery life, support for a Wacom stylus, and 865 processor. Oh, and it does happen to have 5G, and can get the dual screen case as an option.

As far as I know, they don't sell an unlocked/carrier branded version, at least in the U.S. Depending on where you are located, I can see that being the biggest problem with it. The other is it does have an in-screen fingerprint reader. It's unobtrusive and pretty accurate, so I've adapted to it well.

 

[mustang7757]

I would reconsider your need for 5G. There's nothing out right now that has made a world of difference on those phones, and many users (myself included) see no difference at all between it and 4G LTE. Unless you're one of the lucky few able to make use of the high band/millimeter wave version with the stupid fast speeds (that do little more than blow through any data allowances quicker), I wouldn't bother seeking out a 5G phone. Besides, most higher end phones today will have it whether you want it or not.

Your screen PPI requirement is a bit harder to make sense of. Running some calculations, it looks like you'd want roughly 1080p. My LG V60 with a 6.8" 1080p 20.5:9 screen is just under 400PPI. While most people think 1080p on a phone is too little and a 60Hz refresh is too slow, most users of the V60 find the display to look great. Ok small screens, anything over 1080p is just overkill, and it's the color/calibration that is more important.

The V60 also has a great camera (especially for manual controls), a flat screen, 8 GB RAM, IP rated, great battery life, support for a Wacom stylus, and 865 processor. Oh, and it does happen to have 5G, and can get the dual screen case as an option.

As far as I know, they don't sell an unlocked/carrier branded version, at least in the U.S. Depending on where you are located, I can see that being the biggest problem with it. The other is it does have an in-screen fingerprint reader. It's unobtrusive and pretty accurate, so I've adapted to it well.

Pretty much everything going forward going have 5g on the phone.

 

[SactoKingsFan]

Pixel 5 or wait for Pixel 6.

 

[Kayza]

I would reconsider your need for 5G. There's nothing out right now that has made a world of difference on those phones, and many users (myself included) see no difference at all between it and 4G LTE.

If I were only planning to keep the phone for a year, that would probably be true. But the 5G landscape really is changing, and if I keep a phone for 3 years it's almost certainly going to be an issue.

As far as I know, they don't sell an unlocked/carrier branded version, at least in the U.S.

That's a deal breaker for me.

 

[Morty2264]

I too would recommend the Pixel 5, especially if you have enjoyed Google phones in the past and you are looking for a phone with a competent camera.

Keep us posted on what you decide!

 

[Kayza]

I'm thinking of waiting it out.

Do you know of any solid information about what they intend to do with the 6?

 

[Morty2264]

I'm thinking of waiting it out.

Do you know of any solid information about what they intend to do with the 6?

Are you referring to the Pixel 6? I haven't seen or heard any rumours but there is a huge Pixel fan base here, so I'm sure the "Rumoured Devices" sub-forum will be ablaze with information when we catch wind of anything! I look over there every once in a while, just to see if I've missed anything.

 

[Kayza]

Are you referring to the Pixel 6? I haven't seen or heard any rumours but there is a huge Pixel fan base here, so I'm sure the "Rumoured Devices" sub-forum will be ablaze with information when we catch wind of anything! I look over there every once in a while, just to see if I've missed anything.

Yes, I was thinking about the Pizel 6.

Thanks for the suggestion - I will definitely look in to that section.

 

[methodman89]

Interesting long winded update from Verizon regarding 5g, states it's actually slower in most of testing, and they are using/ developing a switching protocol to go between 4g and 5g which currently has also increased latency. But, your phone will get the '5g' icon. Yay.

 

[Kayza]

Yeah, if I were going to keep the phone for one year, I wouldn't care. But things are changing fast enough that if you keep phones for three years, which I try to do, it's different.

 

[Morty2264]

Yes, I was thinking about the Pizel 6.

Thanks for the suggestion - I will definitely look in to that section.

You're welcome! I am really looking forward to the release of the Pixel 6. The "Rumoured Device" forum is ablaze with fun tidbits! Hanging out in there always gets me excited!