The brick in your pocket. The smartphone discussion/troubleshooting thread.

[Outlaw]

I just thought I would warn everybody.

If you own a "Galaxy Ax0" series that was first released in early 2019 all support has been dropped.

It's no wonder I guess I have been getting so many text messages to trade my phone in. This one has been "OK" but I don't think I want another Samsung.

Sent from my SM-A505U1 using Tapatalk

[The Stig]

To be fair that sounds about right, A series is mid tier and they usually do 3 years of updates.
But starting from 2022 or 2023 they do 4 years now for midtier and 5 years for high tier.

I suppose if you want to be safe, grab a Google Pixel 7a (newest mid range), the trade in deal should be relatively decent. They do 5 years updates.

[Outlaw]

Yeah Pixel is what I am looking at now. I think I'm going to try and hold out for the 8 though that is supposed to be released later this year. I read it's going to have their next gen processor as well as a couple other improvements.

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[Jamison]

I've been using Pixels for a while now. The non-A versions typically release around October but then get decent discounts within 3-4 months if you can hold out even longer. The last couple of years Best Buy has had surprisingly good trade-in values at release.

[The Stig]

Yeah in that case, definitely hold out for the 8.

7A is decent but only comes in 1 size with no memory card slot (traditionally I believe none of the Google phones had memory card slots); but if you're looking to get a long term phone, definitely wait for the 8 and its 256gb variant to future proof a little.

[Outlaw]

How are they on memory usage? I have deleted/disabled all unnecessary Samsung bloatware that I can but I still only have 1.7GB free at any given time.

[Krandor]

They use memory no better or worse than any other android device

[Yuri-G]

thinking of switching from Verizon to Visible, anyone here have thoughts?

[synistar]

thinking of switching from Verizon to Visible, anyone here have thoughts?

It's owned by Verizon if you didn't check. Basically save money for 2nd tier service - lower bandwidth and loss of service when Verizon is experiencing high loads like at concerts or conventions.

[Elizara]

So okay. Thought I'd ask BG.

(Mind I could mention this next part in Random Win but I'm not fully calling it a win until I got a driver's license; working on that!) I not too long ago got me a old Toyota Camry; first car. It does not have a way to do hands free, and that's the law here; you can't use your phone in the car unless you got some way to do hands free...I thought about it and figured out a way to jury rig that. I got me this speaker which works with my OnePlus Nord N20.

Now all I need is a phone holder; want one that either hooks on the dash though the vents or sticks on the windshield. Any ideas, folks? Once I solve that, just need to test using Google Assistant to make calls and have it up when I'm in the car, and I should be golden.

[Melena]

I have a Anker wireless charging mount that connects to my dash vent. Works great.

[Outlaw]

Just a reminder. Google Pixel 8 and Pro will officially launch on Wednesday. Full specs are already all over the internet. Live stream with all the details and pricing will start at 10am EST.

Sent from my SM-A505U1 using Tapatalk

[Byrthnoth]

I have had four pixels at this point and the last two (7 and 8) have basically died of shitty manufacturing.

How long should a phone last? My 8 lasted 2 years and 2 months, 7 lasted about 1 year and a day, guess the warranty periods.

I'm ready for the smartphone version of a nokia and Google has eroded any positive brand sentiment I may have once felt towards it, but I'm also not ready to become an apple evangelist. Should I just get a Samsung?

[The Stig]

What type of phone user are you?

Phones, if used normally and not roughed up even with a case, should in theory last 3+ years. But if you're a rough or clumsy person in general then it might last less.
Are you also looking for flagship performance i.e. best cameras or just general day to day use i.e. app banking, communications, browsing?

Nokia unfortunately tapped out of the smartphone market again unless you're after purely basically a phone only where they have seemed to holed themselves into.
Samsung aren't necessary better either thought you're welcome to try.

Talking about Google though I get that you're disappointed by them but consider this. There's a flurry of referral codes out there at the moment giving -10% off the price.
As you have a Pixel already, does it even work even at all? Google usually enhances the value of their own phones if you trade them in.
Consider checking out the Google Pixel 10a ; it's a mid range affordable version of their 10 series and is cheaper.

1. Go to https://www.reddit.com/r/madebygoogl...de_megathread/ and pick a US based code
2. Go to the google store and attempt to a Pixel 10a (or just a Pixel 10)
3. Try to trade in and specify your trade in's condition
4. See how much you can knock off and then decide if you want to give Google a third chance, maybe at a reduced price you might be willing? Just at thought.

Otherwise, I'm not familiar with the US market's availablity but yeah Samsung can be considered.

Latest/top end: Samsung S26 series
Mid Range: A57, A37
If you don't mind going a year old/second hand, try to look for a Samsung S25 FE, A56/A36, or the Samsung S25 series

For reference
S2x = base phone
S2x plus = base phone but larger screen
S2x Ultra = the top end, slightly larger and even better cameras
S2x FE = released after the S2x series. "FE" stands for Fan Edition. It is a product line designed to offer key premium features from flagship Galaxy S devices such as high-quality displays, powerful processors, and advanced cameras at a more affordable price point.

I was sniffing around the US Samsung website and found the differences funny. In UK it's possible to trade in a bad condition phone if it meets these conditions:

If you answered No, your phone must still meet the following conditions to be eligible for trade-in :

Device powers on and holds charge
Factory reset and no software locks
No outstanding finance or credit

But in the US, anything other than good condition is considered cracked:

Cracked (Partial trade-in value)
Device turns on and screen works normally
Activation Locks are disabled, accounts are removed, and device is factory reset
Charging port works and battery holds a charge
The device is not on a banned list

I dunno, the wording seemed funny to me that's all. But yeah, it's possible to buy a Samsung S25 FE and trade in a cracked Pixel 7 for $70 or Pixel 8 for $81 providing it at least works as described above.
I am also jealous of the US website, the Samsung over in UK only allows certain pixels to go through as trade in, US will take nearly anything lol

[Salodin]

What's wrong with Galaxy phones? They're great benchmark phones; any phone needs to be better than them or be cheaper. Pixel phones are often cheaper, but Ive enjoyed my galaxy phones more than my pixel 7 from back in the day. You can also find accessories easy for them, unlike Google phones. Nothing beats apple in the convenience and accessories department, but then you gotta deal with that dumb ass OS.

Sent from my SM-S936U using Tapatalk

[Byrthnoth]

I'm definitely not a power user.

Right now I need a decent camera because I have a kid. I play some light phone games, but sometimes also do steam link. I use it for work slack. I archive emails.

I don't know if I could get them to accept the current phone as undamaged. If I squeeze it just right, the line goes away, but it doesn't stay that way for long. The Google person estimated $140 for a fix, but I doubt it.

As far as being clumsy, I'm really not. I practically don't drink (kid) and have never dropped the current phone. It started having a screen line while charging on my desk with no precipitating event. The pixel 7 was the result of a 2 foot fall and had rhyming symptoms. The glass was fine, but the screen would disconnect periodically due to a loose internal connection. I looked at teardown videos and figured out the right place to press to put pressure on the MB to screen connector and that let me revive it long enough to get my pictures off. It was holiday season that time so the prices were even better.

[Madeline]

Weird. I've had 3 pixels and all of them have been so great I refuse to use anything else. I've dropped them and they're all still going.

Only thing wrong with the older 2 is they need new batteries, but 2 of the 3 are in use still, a p6 and a p8 pro. The pro sold me on not buying anything below their pro models though. Batteries on these are way ahead of the base models.

I use my phone pretty often so batteries lasting heavy use and frequent recharging is important for me.

[The Stig]

I'm definitely not a power user.

Right now I need a decent camera because I have a kid. I play some light phone games, but sometimes also do steam link. I use it for work slack. I archive emails.

I don't know if I could get them to accept the current phone as undamaged. If I squeeze it just right, the line goes away, but it doesn't stay that way for long. The Google person estimated $140 for a fix, but I doubt it.

As far as being clumsy, I'm really not. I practically don't drink (kid) and have never dropped the current phone. It started having a screen line while charging on my desk with no precipitating event. The pixel 7 was the result of a 2 foot fall and had rhyming symptoms. The glass was fine, but the screen would disconnect periodically due to a loose internal connection. I looked at teardown videos and figured out the right place to press to put pressure on the MB to screen connector and that let me revive it long enough to get my pictures off. It was holiday season that time so the prices were even better.

It's alright I just needed to get a quick profile of you to see why the phone might not be lasting that long.

So yeah since camera is important, depending on the deals you get, you can try for a S25. Salodin is using a S25 Plus himself (denoted by his Tapatalk app). The differences between S25 and S26 are quite minimal but they'll have decent cameras. A S25 FE can also be considered as it has similar cameras.

[Byrthnoth]

Awesome, I'll give it a look. Thanks!

Also good to hear that people have good experiences with the Pixel line. I've just had bad luck lately then.

[Tymon]

In the early Android years I switched phones all the time just due to curiosity because I was big into the romhacking scene and loved trying different manufacturers with custom kernels and OSes and stuff. At least twice a year, sometimes more.

These days I just get the new pro iPhone either every 3 years or if I damage my current one enough to annoy me. Integration with the ecosystem and the camera are the only two real factors anymore. I don't see myself upgrading from my 17 Pro until at least the 20 unless there's some world shattering new feature that I get FOMOed on.