The Android world is a big mess right now

[Aquila]

The reason there is no perfect phone is because one they got it right for even 1000 people that all agreed it was perfect, there will be 10,000 that hate something about it. If we're looking for problems, and I'm sorta great at that, I can shred every device out there and make it seem like the most worthless joke of a device that anyone has ever tried to sell. Or I can just buy the one that most closely suits my idea of what a perfect phone would be like and have fun with it.

 

[Ry]

I agree. But keeping the android preference aside, let's look at the iPhone.

It took dual speakers from HTC
Water resistance from Samsung
Performance from iPhone itself
Sapphire Crystal buttons
Camera systems are up there with the best
Hardware and built is, well, Apple like

Apple is creating one phone but their taking everything good and packaging in one phone.

While here on the Android side, everybody is fighting to be different. Ignoring/including features just to be different. All OEMs have their own reasons.

I'm just saying, while it's amazing that we have so much variety and diversity, it would be even more amazing if we had some one doing what Apple was doing with their phones; release one phone. And that one phone should have it all! To kill all competition.

Hopefully we'll see that soon.

But what does an iPhone cost?

Minimum $650 if you want a 7, right?

With Android, I have good options between $200 and $1000.

 

[Aquila]

But what does an iPhone cost?

Minimum $650 if you want a 7, right?

With Android, I have good options between $200 and $1000.

I can get you a brand new iphone for $200, I won't ask any questions and you won't ask any questions, best phone you ever have...

 

[Ry]

Let's say you have $800 and you want to buy the best android phone which has it all.

And let's say I'm an informed person.

If I buy a Samsung phone I'll be giving up on great sound output and best software experience.
If I go with Pixel I'd be giving up on countless lifestyle and hardware features.
If I go with HTC I'd be giving up on camera, resale value and HTC aren't even confident about their products themselves.
If I go with Sony, same thing. They're losing confidence. Loved the Z line up. Lost.
If I go with Oneplus I'd be losing on camera quality.
If I go with Lenovo Moto I'd be giving up on, well it's not available where I live.
If I go with LG, again, LG has some tempting offerings. I have yet to try their true flagship. Maybe I'll do some day.

You see what I'm saying?

People who love iOS have their perfect iPhone. People who love Android don't have their perfect Android.

Yet.

So..

iPhone has great sound output and best software experience and countless lifestyle and hardware features and camera, and resale value, and confidence, and camera quality, and is available where you live, and is a tempting offering?

 

[Ry]

Not everyone can afford options, openness. For most it's just one option for a very long time.

Are we basing this on $650 for a two-year phone?

Because there are good options at the $300 mark in Android that I could use for a year, then replace a year later with a better $300 option.

 

[anon(9408097)]

So..

iPhone has great sound output and best software experience and countless lifestyle and hardware features and camera, and resale value, and confidence, and camera quality, and is available where you live, and is a tempting offering?

All that.

But not the best software. It might have the best software for people who like iOS.

But yes. It's all that. Objectively speaking.

I know you're going to kill me now I can hear you reloading your gun

 

[anon(9408097)]

The reason there is no perfect phone is because one they got it right for even 1000 people that all agreed it was perfect, there will be 10,000 that hate something about it. If we're looking for problems, and I'm sorta great at that, I can shred every device out there and make it seem like the most worthless joke of a device that anyone has ever tried to sell. Or I can just buy the one that most closely suits my idea of what a perfect phone would be like and have fun with it.

Haha yes that's true though. You just ended my pointless debate

Subjectivity vs objectivity.
Subjectivity has no end, no answer.

 

[Aquila]

Haha yes that's true though. You just ended my pointless debate

Subjectivity vs objectivity.
Subjectivity has no end, no answer.

I don't think it's pointless, I just think it's going to be impossible for everyone to agree on the details, so we should instead either choose to focus on a general direction most of us can get on board with or instead leave it up to individuals to choose what is best for them. But if we didn't have these "debates" these forums wouldn't be here. Nerds gotta nerd.

 

[anon(9408097)]

Are we basing this on $650 for a two-year phone?

Because there are good options at the $300 mark in Android that I could use for a year, then replace a year later with a better $300 option.

True true.

And yes I was basing this on an average consumer. An average consumer who has $700 to spend on the latest phone which he or she would like to keep for at least one year.

The midrange is a whole other ball game. There is no comparison in the midrange. Android dominates the midrange market. This discussion is not about the midrange market.

 

[anon(9408097)]

I don't think it's pointless, I just think it's going to be impossible for everyone to agree on the details, so we should instead either choose to focus on a general direction most of us can get on board with or instead leave it up to individuals to choose what is best for them. But if we didn't have these "debates" these forums wouldn't be here. Nerds gotta nerd.

Sure. I finally understand what you've been trying to say.

Everybody has their own definition of a perfect phone so there must be choices for everyone to fulfill their own criteria and Android is doing just that.

Yes! That makes good sense.

 

[Ry]

True true.

And yes I was basing this on an average consumer. An average consumer who has $700 to spend on the latest phone which he or she would like to keep for at least one year.

The midrange is a whole other ball game. There is no comparison in the midrange. Android dominates the midrange market. This discussion is not about the midrange market.

But the midrange exists and should not be dismissed.

 

[jeetu4444]

Let's say you have $800 and you want to buy the best android phone which has it all.

And let's say I'm an informed person.

If I buy a Samsung phone I'll be giving up on great sound output and best software experience.
If I go with Pixel I'd be giving up on countless lifestyle and hardware features.
If I go with HTC I'd be giving up on camera, resale value and HTC aren't even confident about their products themselves.
If I go with Sony, same thing. They're losing confidence. Loved the Z line up. Lost.
If I go with Oneplus I'd be losing on camera quality.
If I go with Lenovo Moto I'd be giving up on, well it's not available where I live.
If I go with LG, again, LG has some tempting offerings. I have yet to try their true flagship. Maybe I'll do some day.

You see what I'm saying?

People who love iOS have their perfect iPhone. People who love Android don't have their perfect Android.

Yet.

IPhone is not perfect from any angle.. Boring iOS.. No headphone Jack.. Jailed OS... No wireless charging... And many more.. Android is way better than iOS to customize it and has offer from many oems..and wait for Nokia flagship... This year S8 and LG G6 also look great...

 

[cbreze]

I had an iPhone 6+, and it was so restrictive. I just felt like I was in phone jail with it. But we're all different. What is a perfect phone to me may not be for someone else.

Don't disagree but sometimes I just get tired of all the tweaking I'm constantly doing with my androids and just want to use a phone for the reason of using it. My iPhone 7 fills that need perfectly. Then when the tweaking urge strikes I go back to android.

 

[Diehlirious]

My mother used to own a Huawei P8. Granted that's old and Huawei has really improved the software, but the software on that phone was really bad and not thought out well. I think after having a bad experience with that I stayed away from Huawei. Plus I don't know if Huawei phones ever get updated to the latest softwares.

The only problem I have with Huawei is software. But I really like where they're going. Loved the new curved Honor phone.

As far as MWC is concerned I think im the most excited for the LG G5 and I think I just read that Samsung is going to 'show' us the S8 as well.

I really believe this year we will have the perfect Android phone. I really do

That's very true, Hauwei has had that reputation about their software. They're said to have come along way w/ the Mate 9, so I'm crossing my fingers that they keep that going w/ the P10 & stay on top of their updates, at least for their flagships now that they're in the US.. Were you thinking of the Honor 8? I liked the look of that phone & very solid specs at that price point too. I like phones that have that 1+X look.. I also like where LG is going w/ the G6 also. I'm a 5.5 inch or bigger display type of guy so 5.7 inches w/ those little bezels works for me.. You've got high standards & that's not a bad thing so if you find that perfect Android phone def lmk. I want a Android phone w/ a dual camera that's at least close to the best, a big display & a serviceable processor.

 

[Diehlirious]

iphone = B O R I N G

Seriously, you're locked into their tiny little expensive world and can't step a fraction out of their bubble like you can with Android. I mean for example I can plug my phone into any computer and drop and drag any file I want, simple, easy. No so with iphone. That's HUGE IMO.

Yes!!

 

[Golfdriver97]

Android is a 'mess' due to each and every OEM having their own vision of what a phone should look and act like. The double edged sword of Open Source almost also means fragmentation. Take Linux, for example; there are over 100 different versions.

Closed Source can to a degree stifle innovation. Take something closed source, like Apple or MS; 1 version. While that makes moving from device to device seamless, there really is no variety.

So, while some might say that fragmentation is bad, I see variety. And variety can be a good thing.

 

[garak0410]

I have a really bad habit of changing phones. Recently had the S7 edge then Pixel and went back to S7 edge. The screen on the S7 edge turned out faulty so had to give it in for replacement. The shop keeper gave me an LGG4 to use in the meanwhile for one or two days till the replacement arrives.

I might have the oppurtunity here to try something new. When I lay out the options objectively on the table they look like a big mess. Or maybe I'm too picky? Let's see.

S7 Edge, lacks performance
Pixel, lacks everything but performance and camera
Oneplus 3T, lacks camera
HTC, got so close with the 10 so so so close they were only one phone away from a perfect phone and they come out with HTC U. Smh.

What else is even out there? LG V20 looks good but it has horrible resale value. But still it does look like the most complete phone right now. Ticking almost every box. I've never had an LG phone. The resale value has kept me away from it.

There is no complete Android phone out there right now.

The iPhone however, looks complete as ever. Given that one is not an android die hard fan, the iPhone 7 plus has everything from water resistance to dual speakers to amazing cameras to speedy performance and optimization.

I'll probably get back my S7 edge and tweak the hell out of it to get the best performance. But it's really sad that the Android I love is getting so segmented that no company is fighting for a complete experience. They all want to be different.

Maybe this will change this year. Maybe Samsung will spend time on optimizing their software and Google will spend some time on Hardware and Oneplus and HTC can finally figure out cameras.

Maybe.

Oh S7 edge! You are the only hope. Don't know if anybody agrees with me but, for better or for worse, Samsung made Android what it is today. And it is the only company that's pushing it out in the hands of general public.

Samsung is the future of Android. But today, even they aren't providing a complete experience.

I want an android phone which is good at everything. Is that too much to ask?

I do see the point of your post and though some may really disagree, I can agree with a lot of this.

After spending a good, solid 2 years with Windows Phone and very happy with it, when the writing was on the wall with WP, I went back to Android. Got the Note 5 and loved it and immediately went with the Note 7. I was patient with the recalls but had to move to the Pixel. I ordered the XL and 128GB but Verizon shipped me the 5" model by accident. Loved the phone and it's "sick" speed. The camera was kind of a let down from all the hype as it just didn't do as well as my Note 7 did. Way too many "halo" shots, a lot of bad white with halos when using the flash indoors on HDR+ Auto and a lot of out of focus shots in low light. I was just not happy. I happened to inherit a Moto Z Force Droid, popped in a 256GB card and set it up as adoptive storage and really enjoyed this phone. It was upgraded to 7.0 pretty quickly and liked that. I love the twist for camera and the "karate chop" for flashlight. The Camera was taking very good pictures but more often than not, it was PAINFULLY slow, especially in low light. I'm talking 2-5 seconds to take a picture. Compared to the instant shutter on the Pixel, I was getting homesick for a good camera...missed my Note 7 badly and even my Lumia ICON. Then I started having problems with the Camera app on the Moto Z Force Droid where it would crash and say restart camera or reboot. I even took a video of a birthday moment that I lost forever because the camera app crashed and never saved the video. Not sure what is going on there or if it is the cause of using MicroSD for the photos/video. It is a UHS-3/U3 top of the line as far as speed goes.

I became so frustrated with the Camera App crashing (and it's speed) that I am back in my 5" Pixel and considering getting on the wait list for the Pixel XL. But yes, there are things I miss about the Moto Z Force too. Then I think, man, I want regular Android Updates like the Pixel.

So I am torn too. I do have a brand new, iPhone 7+ with 256 Storage sitting here, calling my name but I just can't go iPhone for several professional reasons. I even thought about putting up with the Moto Z's camera issues but scared to miss moments with the camera.

 

[Jeremiah Bonds]

LG v20

 

[anon(5630457)]

I have a really bad habit of changing phones. Recently had the S7 edge then Pixel and went back to S7 edge. The screen on the S7 edge turned out faulty so had to give it in for replacement. The shop keeper gave me an LGG4 to use in the meanwhile for one or two days till the replacement arrives.

I might have the oppurtunity here to try something new. When I lay out the options objectively on the table they look like a big mess. Or maybe I'm too picky? Let's see.

S7 Edge, lacks performance
Pixel, lacks everything but performance and camera
Oneplus 3T, lacks camera
HTC, got so close with the 10 so so so close they were only one phone away from a perfect phone and they come out with HTC U. Smh.

What else is even out there? LG V20 looks good but it has horrible resale value. But still it does look like the most complete phone right now. Ticking almost every box. I've never had an LG phone. The resale value has kept me away from it.

There is no complete Android phone out there right now.

The iPhone however, looks complete as ever. Given that one is not an android die hard fan, the iPhone 7 plus has everything from water resistance to dual speakers to amazing cameras to speedy performance and optimization.

I'll probably get back my S7 edge and tweak the hell out of it to get the best performance. But it's really sad that the Android I love is getting so segmented that no company is fighting for a complete experience. They all want to be different.

Maybe this will change this year. Maybe Samsung will spend time on optimizing their software and Google will spend some time on Hardware and Oneplus and HTC can finally figure out cameras.

Maybe.

Oh S7 edge! You are the only hope. Don't know if anybody agrees with me but, for better or for worse, Samsung made Android what it is today. And it is the only company that's pushing it out in the hands of general public.

Samsung is the future of Android. But today, even they aren't providing a complete experience.

I want an android phone which is good at everything. Is that too much to ask?

My Moto Z Force Droid is the most complete package I've ever had in the phone. It's got a water resistant nanocoating so I can use it in light rain and not have to worry about spills. It has near-stock Android. It's super fast and fluid. The camera is one point lower at DxOMark than the S7 edge. It has USB-C. And it has Moto Mods. I can slap on a battery mod (which can charge my phone wirelessly) if I need more juice during the day. I love this phone!

 

[anon(5630457)]

I do see the point of your post and though some may really disagree, I can agree with a lot of this.

After spending a good, solid 2 years with Windows Phone and very happy with it, when the writing was on the wall with WP, I went back to Android. Got the Note 5 and loved it and immediately went with the Note 7. I was patient with the recalls but had to move to the Pixel. I ordered the XL and 128GB but Verizon shipped me the 5" model by accident. Loved the phone and it's "sick" speed. The camera was kind of a let down from all the hype as it just didn't do as well as my Note 7 did. Way too many "halo" shots, a lot of bad white with halos when using the flash indoors on HDR+ Auto and a lot of out of focus shots in low light. I was just not happy. I happened to inherit a Moto Z Force Droid, popped in a 256GB card and set it up as adoptive storage and really enjoyed this phone. It was upgraded to 7.0 pretty quickly and liked that. I love the twist for camera and the "karate chop" for flashlight. The Camera was taking very good pictures but more often than not, it was PAINFULLY slow, especially in low light. I'm talking 2-5 seconds to take a picture. Compared to the instant shutter on the Pixel, I was getting homesick for a good camera...missed my Note 7 badly and even my Lumia ICON. Then I started having problems with the Camera app on the Moto Z Force Droid where it would crash and say restart camera or reboot. I even took a video of a birthday moment that I lost forever because the camera app crashed and never saved the video. Not sure what is going on there or if it is the cause of using MicroSD for the photos/video. It is a UHS-3/U3 top of the line as far as speed goes.

I became so frustrated with the Camera App crashing (and it's speed) that I am back in my 5" Pixel and considering getting on the wait list for the Pixel XL. But yes, there are things I miss about the Moto Z Force too. Then I think, man, I want regular Android Updates like the Pixel.

So I am torn too. I do have a brand new, iPhone 7+ with 256 Storage sitting here, calling my name but I just can't go iPhone for several professional reasons. I even thought about putting up with the Moto Z's camera issues but scared to miss moments with the camera.

I don't have any issues with my Moto Z Force camera. Maybe you have a faulty one? I'd take it back and exchange it, if you can.