So way back when, I splashed out and brought a Z1 when it launched. Don't normally do the 'new' top line buy thing, but it has lasted quite well. Still ahead of a few new entry phones... except it's had three years of abuse.

 

Well this last week it's really started to fritz out. Erratic charge holding, constant alerts for the alert it just alerted to and to top it all, the charger port is finally beginning to be intermittent. I'd say it's trying to depart. I might let it off the hook in Jan if the sales are any good... 

 

So having not looked at phones for three+ years I figure, easy. umm.

 

Any recommendations, I have liked this phone. I like the IP rating for use in the rain ( walking/ snow etc ). I like the stamina mode for battery life, can actually do a weekend on a charge if it's just left alone. I also like it has a eyelet to tie a cord through. I also like that I can just about hurt myself with it in my pocket, so a 5" screen is about as big as I'd personally be comfortable carrying in man pockets. I also use it for tethering etc.

 

So 2015+ android phones', any you've gotten on with and found to be better than expected, or worse than expected and regretted. I think the logical update is the Z5 or a sony x... I think :p

 

Cheers :)

I was a Samsung Galaxy person and was more than happy with them and due to reliability and performance I looked each time but stuck to them. Then the time came when my S4 developed a fault and would say 'sim not inserted' and force me to reset phone each time with no other option, making it useless. I would have got the S6 (at the time) as the next natural step, but it didn't meet the previous big features tick list I had for removable storage and battery. After much searching I settled for a Moto X Play as it was more or less stock android getting updates much earlier than Samsung redrafting it for touchwiz, it had a good bright 1080p display, 21mp camera (not amazing but still better than my S4 just), my beloved micro SD slot, dual sim and while not a removable battery a massive 3630mah one that lasts with light use nearly a week and with typical hardcore all day abuse, a full day (also has a typical turbo charge feature etc etc. Was genuinely surprised and have been impressed with it. The S7 came out and they brought back the MicroSD slot and I would have bought one, but the X-Play is still going strong and the S8 is now just around the corner looking very tempting...

 

Motorola has some good solid devices out there, my X-Play was a mid range device but spec and benchmark wise was coming in not far behind the big boys and at a fraction of the cost. There are more premium models they do too and certainly worth a look. I do believe in brand loyalty to a degree, but the brand must stay loyal to me also! 

 

Samsung Galaxy S8 is due out soon and apparently will be a little earlier than normal in the new year, should be the android flagship by spec for a spell if you want to do another back to the top of the pile and ride it out to the bitter end. Camera speaking it should be pretty damn good going by the S7's offerings in that department. 

 

I am going to hold out with the old X-Play and see what the S8 is like and might get one when S9 is due and prices fall off a bit :D

 

ps if looking to prolong the charging port a bit, why not try a magnetic charger to save the in and out wearing use of the port on the phone? 

 

Edited 22 December, 20169 yr by FUBAR

If it really must be waterproof then Samsung S7 will definitely fit the bill and get Nougat in a few weeks.

Otherwise you might be able to bag one of the last few Nexus 5x 32gb around for around £150. John Lewis & Debenhams both had a few left the other day when I looked for a relative. Don't forget cashback too ;)

As the Pixel was too pricey I went for a Moto Z play with an insane battery life. Only draw back for you is it's not waterproof

Another vote for the S7 - I've also upgraded from a Z1.

Cool thanks.

 

The magnetic charge, the Z1 has this and I do use it. Although the magnets are very weak and so much as look at it it disconnects.

 

Water resistant ( IP 58+) is handy as it's frequently in a outside pocket ready to take a pi, no matter the weather. In fact it seems I take more in bad than good ;)

 

The moto-x, I nearly swapped to that a while back, only reason was battery :)

 

I get nougat tomorrow :) But it will only last a few minutes :) nomnom

I would usually recommend LG phones without hesitation, had a great G2, then moved on to the G4 in the summer, but last week it had the (more widely reported than I realised) bootloop issue and turned into a brick.

It's away to LG to get fixed and I'm back on the 3-yr old G2 in the meantime

HTC10, been very good to me and I upgraded from the HTC M8 which was again trouble free. Not sure how water resistant it is?

Still on my HTC M8

Been a stonking phone, and still going strong 2 years down the line.

The HTC 10 doesn't appeal to me though, think they've gone backwards.

Might be worth having a play with the new Pixel, expensive but looks good.

A cheaper phone that's getting rave reviews is the Oneplus 3T. It's up there with the big boys for performance at half the price.

Only available on o2 contract here, but you can get it direct from them sim free for £450ish.

Have a play in the shop on a few different ones and see what you think... it's the only real way to get it right (Doing that has put me off the S7, and I'd nearly ordered one without using it first and just going on the reviews)

Hopefully the S8 will be better, so I may hang on before ditching my trusty HTC.

Good luck choosing and let us know what you go for

Edited 24 December, 20169 yr by Damo

There's a few to choose from.

One Plus 3T. Top of the line specs for £400 off contract.

USB-C, Fingerprint scanner, Quick charging but no water resistance or expandable storage.

Galaxy S7 wireless charging, IP68 rating, Fingerprint scanner, fast charging and expandable storage. Unsure of price, but with the S8 due next March should be able to get good deals. Lacks USB-C and generally has more preinstalled apps than most flagship Android phones.

HTC 10 on sale off contract for £479 on their website at the moment. Solid battery life and has quick charging, USB-C and expandable storage but lacks water resistance.

Google Pixel at £599(64GB) or £699(128GB) off contract the most expensive, however are available on contract from about £30/month. USB-C, fast charging, great battery life, one of the best smartphone cameras, 2 years of software updates and unlimited original resolution photo and video backups make up for lack of expandable storage.

It does lack water resistance IP53 compared to the S7 IP68 rating.

Hope this helps Colin, and have a Happy New Year.

Two words; Otterbox Defender.