Honor 8, Axon 7, OP3 or???

[bpcooper14]

I've been looking at the three options in the thread title. Currently using an Honor 5x (three in our house actually) and was looking at upgrading because who doesn't like having new toys? I had a OPO before and it worked well. i'm a little concerned about the issues with developers leaving so now the 2 software experiences are being merged under one now. Obviously this is probably going to attract a bias towards Honor given the forum i'm posting in BUT figured why not give it a shot. Are there any other options that are in the same ballpark I should look at as well? I'm located in the USA and have been using Cricket wireless/ATT prepaid options.
Thanks in advance!

 

[libra89]

There's also the Alcatel Idol 4s too.

It would help if you shared some of your top things in a phone. Also, do you have a size preference?

 

[runtohell121]

Best spec would most likely be OnePlus 3 for the price range. Best all-arounder in terms of specs and features, such as front facing speaker, good screen, etc. would be the Axon 7. Best camera, probably the Honor 8.

Here's a good video from Pocketnow about $400 budget phones

 

[cert15z]

I've been looking at the three options in the thread title. Currently using an Honor 5x (three in our house actually) and was looking at upgrading because who doesn't like having new toys? I had a OPO before and it worked well. i'm a little concerned about the issues with developers leaving so now the 2 software experiences are being merged under one now. Obviously this is probably going to attract a bias towards Honor given the forum i'm posting in BUT figured why not give it a shot. Are there any other options that are in the same ballpark I should look at as well? I'm located in the USA and have been using Cricket wireless/ATT prepaid options.
Thanks in advance!

I decided to go with the Honor 8. I ordered it yesterday from Newegg and it comes with free JBL Bluetooth headset.

I had the Axon 7. The LTE on T-Mo and Bluetooth signal didn't seem consistent to me. The fingerprint sensor was wonky compared to the 6P and I could not get use to the button layout.

I consider the OP3, but the lack of expandable storage was a deal breaker.

After watching and reading alot of reviews, it seemed to be the best choice.

 

[libra89]

Best spec would most likely be OnePlus 3 for the price range. Best all-arounder in terms of specs and features, such as front facing speaker, good screen, etc. would be the Axon 7. Best camera, probably the Honor 8.

Here's a good video from Pocketnow about $400 budget phones
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq0xHEPa6eI

Cool video, thanks! Will check it out. I'm not surprised about the OnePlus 3 being best spec.

 

[dpham00]

With all the complaints about the sub par radio on the op3 and axon 7,I would probably pick the honor 8, because radio performance is very high in my list since I am in limited service areas frequently.

 

[libra89]

With all the complaints about the sub par radio on the op3 and axon 7,I would probably pick the honor 8, because radio performance is very high in my list since I am in limited service areas frequently.

Ooh, I didn't know that was an issue with the OnePlus 3. I agree on the radio being a big thing. I have returned various phones because of the poor radios.

 

[bpcooper14]

Forgot about the 4s. TBH I don't really have a "Top 3" criteria list. I'm overall just looking to see best bang for my buck or best experience among similar competition. I had heard that the reception on the Axon can be suspect but it seems to be hit and miss across the board. I hadn't heard of reception issues with the OP3. I went with the OPO originally because it was new and looked to be a departure from some of the typical choices. The Honor 5X was to see what a sub $200 phone would provide experience wise (and it seemed like a fairly easy way to get the rest of the family away from the evil iEmpire because of the similarity in the EMUI experience to ios).

 

[dpham00]

The zte axon 7 is $277 now at Amazon.
http://forums.androidcentral.com/showthread.php?p=5419299

 

[libra89]

Android Central just did a comparison between the OnePlus 3 and the Honor 8:

OnePlus 3 vs. Honor 8: When $399 is a bargain | Android Central

 

[Gdwheel]

I have had both and would pick the Honor 8 easily over the OnePlus 3. The OnePlus 3 is the phone that had all kinds of software issues. Notifications were a mess in that they could not get doze to function correctly, the fingerprint scanner had issues with activating in the pocket and then they turned it off and there were other goofy issues. Go to their forums once and see what a mess they have with their software. Also, the signal strength for cell, wifi and bluetooth was not very good. While the UI on the Honor 8 is different, once you figure it out it works really well. I have not had any issues with it. I would agree that the OnePlus 3 is probably more durable.

 

[dpham00]

Android Central just did a comparison between the OnePlus 3 and the Honor 8:

OnePlus 3 vs. Honor 8: When $399 is a bargain | Android Central

Interesting they didn't include the axon 7

 

[dpham00]

I have had both and would pick the Honor 8 easily over the OnePlus 3. The OnePlus 3 is the phone that had all kinds of software issues. Notifications were a mess in that they could not get doze to function correctly, the fingerprint scanner had issues with activating in the pocket and then they turned it off and there were other goofy issues. Go to their forums once and see what a mess they have with their software. Also, the signal strength for cell, wifi and bluetooth was not very good. While the UI on the Honor 8 is different, once you figure it out it works really well. I have not had any issues with it. I would agree that the OnePlus 3 is probably more durable.

Thanks for confirming the sub par radio on the op3. Ugh. Just bought the zte axon 7 because it was $277,but might cancel my order because of the camera and radios

 

[Jared DiPane]

Def have to throw in another recommendation for the Idol 4s here. It is a great phone and a fantastic value. Camera has surprised me already and the hardware is really nice.

 

[dpham00]

Def have to throw in another recommendation for the Idol 4s here. It is a great phone and a fantastic value. Camera has surprised me already and the hardware is really nice.

That's definitely a good contender that isn't mentioned very frequently.

 

[BotanicalStig]

Axon 7 is best if you want good audio without a portable amp (most people wont care, or even notice a difference besides, maybe volume).

1+3 is best if you want the best hardware specs, best quick charge tech out there.

Honor 8 is best for photos and one-handed use.


Other things to consider... 1+ has the worst software developers in the business (2 months in and the phone still isn't stable, really?). But if you prefer roms put together by 15 year olds you found on the internet, you're golden, they have a lot of those.

ZTE has bad radios and weird implementation of capacitive buttons.

Honor has the ugliest display, EMUI is kind of ugly, and it really should have wireless charging.

Personally I think Honor is the best. I use my phone almost exclusively for web browsing and photos. It has the quickest processor and best camera. I wish it were 5.5 inch, but it is what it is. I'm a fan of all the extra features included with EMUI, even if the notification bar isn't really ideal. Honestly, stock android look + EMUI features would be a pretty big win for the next OS. If this phone had wireless charging it would be a no-brainer in my book... But I still think it has the edge otherwise.

 

[gdesanto]

I went with the Honor 8 Best Buy I had gift cards got 100 off. OP3 they didn't carry I have no regrets with Honor 8 A few minor issues cannot move Apps to SD Card they said their aware of it in a upcoming fix It's a good solid phone LTE good connection on At&t. I didn't like the fact that the Axon 7 capacitive keys didn't light up.

 

[dpham00]

I went with the Honor 8 Best Buy I had gift cards got 100 off. OP3 they didn't carry I have no regrets with Honor 8 A few minor issues cannot move Apps to SD Card they said their aware of it in a upcoming fix It's a good solid phone LTE good connection on At&t. I didn't like the fact that the Axon 7 capacitive keys didn't light up.

Yeah, non lighted keys in the $400 range is tough to swallow