topic Re: Recommended phones to try? in Get Support

What's Your "Daily Driver"?

Obice — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 11:38:01 GMT

Hi,

I recently broke my phone and will be in search of something to replace it, might just buy another one (I honestly don't know at this point). I'm wondering what you all use, perhaps that could give me ideas for myself. Do state why you use your phone if there is a specific reason you like it.

Re: What's Your "Daily Driver"?

mh1983 — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 18:24:24 GMT

Am big on the BlackBerry 10 line. I switch between Q10, Classic, and Passport. Currently on the Passport and while it's an older phone, it's a powerhouse.

I'd strongly recommend these for productivity and if you do a lot of communications. Perfect for email, texting, and calls. They do browsing just fine too and there are some apps. I wouldn't recommend if you rely on a lot of apps. If that's the case, I'd look for a low or mid tier Android phone.

What phone were you using before it broke? What are the main things you did with your phone?

Re: What's Your "Daily Driver"?

Obice — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 18:34:51 GMT

@mh1983 wrote:
Am big on the BlackBerry 10 line. I switch between Q10, Classic, and Passport. Currently on the Passport and while it's an older phone, it's a powerhouse.

I'd strongly recommend these for productivity and if you do a lot of communications. Perfect for email, texting, and calls. They do browsing just fine too and there are some apps. I wouldn't recommend if you rely on a lot of apps. If that's the case, I'd look for a low or mid tier Android phone.

What phone were you using before it broke? What are the main things you did with your phone?

A Samsung Galaxy Note 3 running android 9.

Currently I am using an iPhone SE for calls/texts, some web browsing and then a spare android phone for watching YouTube (the app I use to watch YouTube can only be gotten on android). (EDIT: The spare android phone is locked to Bell/Virgin and cannot be unlocked.)

If I got a new phone I'd use it for calls, texts, web browsing, YouTube, maybe games but probably not, music and as a USB stick.

I am actually curious to see in the Fall if Apple updates the File Manger so that you can access an iPhone through a computer without iTunes (probably not).

Re: What's Your "Daily Driver"?

computergeek541 — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 18:46:57 GMT

@Obice wrote:
Hi,

I recently broke my phone and will be in search of something to replace it, might just buy another one (I honestly don't know at this point). I'm wondering what you all use, perhaps that could give me ideas for myself. Do state why you use your phone if there is a specific reason you like it.

Peronally, I like the Samsung Android-based phones for a feature that most devices don't have. When screen mirroring, these devices almost completely turn the screen off. This saves battery power, at least if it has an OLED screen. When using Mircast on most devices, the screen stays completely on, and the battery drains very quickly.

Re: What's Your "Daily Driver"?

Obice — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 18:50:06 GMT

@computergeek541 wrote:
@Obice wrote:
Hi,

I recently broke my phone and will be in search of something to replace it, might just buy another one (I honestly don't know at this point). I'm wondering what you all use, perhaps that could give me ideas for myself. Do state why you use your phone if there is a specific reason you like it.
Peronally, I like the Samsung Android-based phones for a feature that most devices don't have. When screen mirroring, these devices almost completely turn the screen off. This saves battery power, at least if it has an OLED screen. When using Mircast on most devices, the screen stays completely on, and the battery drains very quickly.

I see.

I like Samsung for the hardware they use, the software just irks me. I don't tend to mirror anything although I can see how that would be useful.

Re: What's Your "Daily Driver"?

computergeek541 — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 18:51:19 GMT

@mh1983 wrote:
Am big on the BlackBerry 10 line. I switch between Q10, Classic, and Passport. Currently on the Passport and while it's an older phone, it's a powerhouse.

I'd strongly recommend these for productivity and if you do a lot of communications. Perfect for email, texting, and calls. They do browsing just fine too and there are some apps. I wouldn't recommend if you rely on a lot of apps. If that's the case, I'd look for a low or mid tier Android phone.

What phone were you using before it broke? What are the main things you did with your phone?

Unfotunately, Blackberry 10 is obsolete. I'm not going to say anything good or bad about the operating system, except that software developers long abandoned it (and many never caught on). Official support will also be discontinued soon. I can't see many people willing to spend money on such a device.

(thread moved to Phones and Hardware category)

Re: What's Your "Daily Driver"?

YVR — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 19:02:02 GMT

@Obice

That old android locked to bell legally has to be unlocked upon request to Bell.

Re: What's Your "Daily Driver"?

Obice — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 19:04:08 GMT

@YVR wrote:
@Obice
That old android locked to bell legally has to be unlocked upon request to Bell.

I am aware of this. There is one clause to that though and that being there is money owing on the device. The device was given to me past down from a few friends. I cannot and will not pay for the device and won't bother asking the owner to pay up. The device is cheap and just not worth the hassle.

Re: What's Your "Daily Driver"?

Anonymous — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 19:21:32 GMT

@mh1983 wrote:
Am big on the BlackBerry 10 line. I switch between Q10, Classic, and Passport. Currently on the Passport and while it's an older phone, it's a powerhouse.

I'd strongly recommend these for productivity and if you do a lot of communications. Perfect for email, texting, and calls. They do browsing just fine too and there are some apps. I wouldn't recommend if you rely on a lot of apps. If that's the case, I'd look for a low or mid tier Android phone.

I did love my old BB OS10. It had security issues (a good thing) with some public wifi's with no override so unusable. I used it for hotspot for a bit too but then it was cutting out on too many occassions. I tried my Z10 and Z30 and same thing. With an old Windows Phone it doesn't seem to.

I got a new car that had a compatible reference list that included the S7 so I got a used one from one of those cell repair places that also sell phones. Then of course that opened to the world of a gazillion programs.

But yes for sole-phone, communications-only and no frills...it's a great phone. I just out-grew it.

Re: What's Your "Daily Driver"?

YVR — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 19:29:29 GMT

@Obice wrote:
@YVR wrote:
@Obice
That old android locked to bell legally has to be unlocked upon request to Bell.
I am aware of this. There is one clause to that though and that being there is money owing on the device. The device was given to me past down from a few friends. I cannot and will not pay for the device and won't bother asking the owner to pay up. The device is cheap and just not worth the hassle.

@Obice Makes sense. One last thing you could try if its worth the money is using a third party unlocking service. there are some on ebay if you want to use that phone on other carriers

Re: What's Your "Daily Driver"?

Tav — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 19:29:09 GMT

Moto G7 Play. Awesome budget phone that won't sting too bad if you break it.

Re: What's Your "Daily Driver"?

Obice — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 19:48:05 GMT

@YVR wrote:
@Obice wrote:
@YVR wrote:
@Obice
That old android locked to bell legally has to be unlocked upon request to Bell.
I am aware of this. There is one clause to that though and that being there is money owing on the device. The device was given to me past down from a few friends. I cannot and will not pay for the device and won't bother asking the owner to pay up. The device is cheap and just not worth the hassle.
@Obice Makes sense. One last thing you could try if its worth the money is using a third party unlocking service. there are some on ebay if you want to use that phone on other carriers

How would I go about finding one of these services on eBay? I believe they would look for an unlock code in the carrier's database and unless released by (in this case) Bell, this wouldn't work.

Re: What's Your "Daily Driver"?

computergeek541 — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 20:51:27 GMT

@Obice wrote:
@YVR wrote:
@Obice wrote:
@YVR wrote:
@Obice
That old android locked to bell legally has to be unlocked upon request to Bell.
I am aware of this. There is one clause to that though and that being there is money owing on the device. The device was given to me past down from a few friends. I cannot and will not pay for the device and won't bother asking the owner to pay up. The device is cheap and just not worth the hassle.
@Obice Makes sense. One last thing you could try if its worth the money is using a third party unlocking service. there are some on ebay if you want to use that phone on other carriers
How would I go about finding one of these services on eBay? I believe they would look for an unlock code in the carrier's database and unless released by (in this case) Bell, this wouldn't work.

Some unlock code sellers say that they have access to manufactuer databases, rather than the carriers ones. When they use this source, they usually say it takes longer and charge a little more.

Re: What's Your "Daily Driver"?

mh1983 — Sat, 24 Aug 2019 21:43:44 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
@mh1983 wrote:
Am big on the BlackBerry 10 line. I switch between Q10, Classic, and Passport. Currently on the Passport and while it's an older phone, it's a powerhouse.

I'd strongly recommend these for productivity and if you do a lot of communications. Perfect for email, texting, and calls. They do browsing just fine too and there are some apps. I wouldn't recommend if you rely on a lot of apps. If that's the case, I'd look for a low or mid tier Android phone.

I did love my old BB OS10. It had security issues (a good thing) with some public wifi's with no override so unusable. I used it for hotspot for a bit too but then it was cutting out on too many occassions. I tried my Z10 and Z30 and same thing. With an old Windows Phone it doesn't seem to.
I got a new car that had a compatible reference list that included the S7 so I got a used one from one of those cell repair places that also sell phones. Then of course that opened to the world of a gazillion programs.

But yes for sole-phone, communications-only and no frills...it's a great phone. I just out-grew it.

Sorry to see you leave the BB10 fold but I get it! I guess you'll be changing your username next? 😉

Re: What's Your "Daily Driver"?

stonechucker — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 02:32:01 GMT

@Obice, I’m a fan of stock Android phones. I had a Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the LG Nexus 5, and I’m now on the Google Pixel 3a. I honestly have nothing but problems with phones that mess with stock Android.

I’ve used iPhones, but I don’t like them, but saying that, I love my iPadAirs, I’m on my second one now. I personally find the phone to be frustrating, and just not for me.

For work, I had as my very first cell phone, a BlackBerry 6100. Six years of absolute love in a business environment.

If you love any phone, or at least have a preference you’re happy to use again, go for that one.

Now, as for your possession of a Bell provided subsidized phone that hasn’t been paid off, you should know your are illegally in procession of that device. Act accordingly.

Re: What's Your "Daily Driver"?

Obice — Sun, 25 Aug 2019 02:52:34 GMT

@stonechucker wrote:
@Obice, I’m a fan of stock Android phones. I had a Samsung Galaxy Nexus, the LG Nexus 5, and I’m now on the Google Pixel 3a. I honestly have nothing but problems with phones that mess with stock Android.

I’ve used iPhones, but I don’t like them, but saying that, I love my iPadAirs, I’m on my second one now. I personally find the phone to be frustrating, and just not for me.

For work, I had as my very first cell phone, a BlackBerry 6100. Six years of absolute love in a business environment.

If you love any phone, or at least have a preference you’re happy to use again, go for that one.

Now, as for your possession of a Bell provided subsidized phone that hasn’t been paid off, you should know your are illegally in procession of that device. Act accordingly.

I see. Personally I don't care for stock anything, I like to mess around with everything. Custom ROMs are definitely not 100% stable but are fun to play around with and the one I had on my Note 3 was as stable as any else I could find. Other than the "sound" section where one picks the ringtones the ROM worked fine.

The sound would crash upon trying to open it, going back to the default sound picker fixed this.

As for the bell phone, I don't see how my possession of it is illegal. My friend's friend gave him it and then my friend gave it to me. I suppose owing a company money might make it an "illegal" possession but that's really between the owner of the device whom abandoned it and the company. Should I get any knocks on my door about it, I'll happily hand it over, it's worth like $50 at the most.

Re: What's Your "Daily Driver"?

iguy416 — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 00:28:34 GMT

I use Google Pixel 2XL. Have been using the Google phones for many years. I also go back and forth with iPhones from time to time. The Google phones keep winning. Simple pure Android experience. Apple iOs hasn't really changed that much in the last 10 years. Your home screen looks the same today as it did then, for the most part. With Android, you can make it look like whatever you want. Love it! Love Google phones!

Re: What's Your "Daily Driver"?

Obice — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 11:18:22 GMT

@iguy416 wrote:
I use Google Pixel 2XL. Have been using the Google phones for many years. I also go back and forth with iPhones from time to time. The Google phones keep winning. Simple pure Android experience. Apple iOs hasn't really changed that much in the last 10 years. Your home screen looks the same today as it did then, for the most part. With Android, you can make it look like whatever you want. Love it! Love Google phones!

The Pixel 3a is enticing although storage would be a problem. 64GB without an expansion option is not a lot. My iPhone has 32GB and I somewhat regret buying it just because of that. I like to have more storage than I'd use so that I don't run out. Some things are better to have in abundance. The Pixel 2 or 3 are both very pricey.

Re: What's Your "Daily Driver"?

Triguy — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 12:11:29 GMT

I'm using a Oneplus 3 and 6T. They are using an almost stock version of Android and usually get software updates faster then most manufacturers. The only downside is the camera is not as good as a Pixel or Samsung phone. I had a Samsung phone and it was slow with the bloatware.

Re: What's Your "Daily Driver"?

Obice — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 12:47:14 GMT

@Triguy wrote:
I'm using a Oneplus 3 and 6T. They are using an almost stock version of Android and usually get software updates faster then most manufacturers. The only downside is the camera is not as good as a Pixel or Samsung phone. I had a Samsung phone and it was slow with the bloatware.

True enough about Samsung being slow.

I rarely use the camera and unless I suddenly get hired to be a professional at some company the quality of a camera does not bother me much.

What you see is pretty much what I use my phone for. Had I had an unlocked phone I'd have the normal phone and texting icons rather than Fongo. I'd prefer the screen be at least HD since I like to watch YouTube before bed and I don't like fuzziness.