Help Me Pick A Phone

[lxskllr]

I just started a new old job, and I'm supposed to get a phone. It's gonna be a free upgrade from the phone that's already there, so the choices are limited. I think this is the selection...

https://shop.sprint.com/mysprint/shop/phone_wall.jsp?flow=AAL&tabId=dt_phones&ptn=&isDeeplinked=true

I wouldn't choose any of them if I were buying, and getting my own plan, but free is free, so I'll take what I can get. I think I like the Galaxy S4 Mini, maybe the Galaxy S3. the other smart phones in the office are iPhones.

An iPhone would match the rest of the phones. That's about the only positive. I don't like Apple, and I don't like not being in control. I can root the Samsung, and I might try some hacking on it. I may be able to turn it into a full data collector. In any case, I think the programs for Android, and the control it gives will be more useful long term.

Why do I like the Mini? It looks like a decent phone spec wise, and t isn't huge. I'd rather have something closer to 4" than 5", but that isn't etched in stone if a larger phone is clearly superior. Durability is also a plus. It'll be used in a rugged environment, so anything particularly delicate isn't a good choice. I guess above all, I need options to do "stuff". Tethering, and running the software of my choice is are the options highest on my list. It doesn't have to be the newest, or prettiest software; just functional.

Opinions?

 

[AznAnarchy99]

To be honest with you, I went from being a 100% Android user to having an iphone and that loss of control wasn't as huge as I thought it would be. If I had gotten a Nexus 5 I think I would of kept it 100 stock as well.

 

[Yuriman]

Moto X is really small for its screen size. It's 4.7" but my Galaxy S2 (4.3" screen) wouldn't fit in the box it came in. If you didn't have preference for smaller screens I'd say go with the G2, but it's a pretty huge phone.

I'd strongly recommend the Moto X over the S4 Mini and S3 unless you absolutely can't live without removable storage.

 

[lxskllr]

Moto X is really small for its screen size. It's 4.7" but my Galaxy S2 (4.3" screen) wouldn't fit in the box it came in. If you didn't have preference for smaller screens I'd say go with the G2, but it's a pretty huge phone.

I'd strongly recommend the Moto X over the S4 Mini and S3 unless you absolutely can't live without removable storage.

I might have to throw some money in for that one. I guess the url I linked didn't give my search parameters. That would be $100. Not terrible if the increased functionality was worth it. I worked for this company a few years ago, and they barely made it through the recession, so money's scarce. If I go over any free option, I'd feel obligated to pay it myself. It does look like a good phone though.

As far as external storage goes, I'd prefer it just to have the option, but realistically, a 16gb drive is more than enough. I'm not gonna be putting a bunch media on it, and I don't use a bunch of apps. The most room would probably go towards maps, and related software, and that shouldn't be more than a couple gb, even if I go nuts with it.

 

[Roland00Address]

According to amazon.com currently the htc one, lg g2, samsung s4, and moto x are 1 cent with a sprint upgrade.

 

[Joe1987]

Chip in $100 and get the nexus 5

 

[dagamer34]

Nexus 5. A respectable phone with pure Android lacking all of the pre-loaded carrier crud (actually, I'm not sure about the Sprint version...), extremely hackable, and should you no longer wish to be with Sprint (i.e. your bosses wise up to get a better carrier), phone is very portable to other networks like AT&T or T-Mobile.

 

[cronos]

If it's strictly the $0 option, then I would get the LG G2. It's a fantastic phone.

If the size really turns you off, S4 Mini will be the best choice.

 

[kaerflog]

The LG G2 hands down if its $0.
Yeah its big but you'll get used to it unless you have Burger King hands.

 

[lxskllr]

The G2 looks like a good phone, but the size concerns me. Not so much for me handling it, I have big hands, but dealing with it in the field. Having a safe place to stow it, and reducing the chance of flex breakage.

 

[s44]

I have a different perspective.

If you're going to be on Sprint, then you need to be on their LTE bands. The only phones that cover their entire spectrum are the S4 mini, the Mega, and the Nexus. Buying anything else (including the X or the G2) would be an error.

 

[Radeon962]

I can root the Samsung, and I might try some hacking on it....

I guess above all, I need options to do "stuff". Tethering, and running the software of my choice is are the options highest on my list. It doesn't have to be the newest, or prettiest software; just functional.

Opinions?

If it's a "work" phone, I would not be rooting the phone "to do stuff". Not sure what type of business you are in, but jacking up a piece of equipment that is not yours is not typically looked at kindly.

I would consider what the phone does running stock software, what apps you need for your job and go from there. The other big consideration for me would be screen size. If you are in an environment where being able to have a more useable screen space for pulling up maps, Word, Excel or PDF type docs, then I would tend to the larger screens available with Android.

 

[Radeon962]

Nexus 5. A respectable phone with pure Android lacking all of the pre-loaded carrier crud (actually, I'm not sure about the Sprint version...), extremely hackable, and should you no longer wish to be with Sprint (i.e. your bosses wise up to get a better carrier), phone is very portable to other networks like AT&T or T-Mobile.

Sprint version is identical to the PlayStore version, except it includes a Sprint SIM in the phone when you buy it, does not come with a SIM tool in the box and has Sprint paperwork. Hardware wise, there is only one version of the Nexus 5 in the US and one version of the Nexus 5 outside of the US.

My wife uses a Nexus 5 from the PlayStore. I use a "Sprint" Nexus 5 purchased from BestBuy (they will pricematch the PlayStore). They are both running on AT&T and are identical.

 

[lxskllr]

If it's a "work" phone, I would not be rooting the phone "to do stuff". Not sure what type of business you are in, but jacking up a piece of equipment that is not yours is not typically looked at kindly.

I would consider what the phone does running stock software, what apps you need for your job and go from there. The other big consideration for me would be screen size. If you are in an environment where being able to have a more useable screen space for pulling up maps, Word, Excel or PDF type docs, then I would tend to the larger screens available with Android.

I have carte blanche to do anything I want. The worst that'll happen is I have to pay for a phone out of my pocket. That probably wouldn't even happen, but I'd feel obligated to if it broke due to my actions.

For screen size, I don't have any particular requirements other than the physical size concerns I mentioned. It'll mostly be used for communication, but I want to eventually turn it into a HP48, with with my software loaded into a virtual port. That'll require some hacking on my part, but I think it's doable. I would also like a seamless interface with a Debian based laptop which will be purchased sometime in the future. Otherwise, I'll be doing the usual stuff that's useful on the road, and I'll probably be creating custom maps using openstreetmap for internal use.

 

[Radeon962]

G2 is a good mix of the N5 and Note 3 if you can get by the LG skin. I would imagine that you can find some custom ROMS over at XDA and run closer to stock Android since you are comfortable Rooting.

Retail price for G2 and Note 3 is about double the cost of the N5 if you did have to pay for the phone outright due to damage.

 

[techtechie]

id stay away from the galaxy i friggen hate the touchwiz crap.
moto x without a doubt or maybe an htc one mini

 

[s44]

G2 is a good mix of the N5 and Note 3

Oops, correction, the G2 has tri-band LTE on Sprint as well. So yes, it's an option. (The Note lacks it!)

id stay away from the galaxy i friggen hate the touchwiz crap.
moto x without a doubt or maybe an htc one mini

This isn't reddit.

 

[lxskllr]

Thanks for the input everyone. You didn't narrow it down to one clear choice, but I have some good data to mull over.

One last question... Are any of you familiar with volume on these units? I forgot to mention it in the OP, but I work in loud environments, so a loud headset is better than a quiet one. Are any of the phones in the list especially loud or quiet? That's probably one the most important features, and I forgot it :^S All the great software and smooth interfaces in the world aren't worth much if I can't hear the phone.

 

[zerogear]

Moto X will be $100 off tomorrow and $70 off until Valentines day.

http://www.phonearena.com/news/You-...ay-to-buy-the-Motorola-Moto-X-for-299_id51799

 

[porter_m]

Hey!

My first post here

Everyone is recommending the Nexus 5 or LG G2 etc, but you specifically stated you would prefer something closer to 4" rather than 5".

For this reason I would consider the Xperia Z1 Compact. It's the first decent Android phone in terms of specs etc which isn't massive!

As you can see it's much better than the Galaxy S4 mini you said you're interested in - Comparison here (23 reasons vs 7!)

Oh and it's dust and waterproof, you mentioned using it in a rugged environment. I don't think it's out in the states yet though, but I heard it was rumoured to be announced for the US at MWC in Feb?!

 

[s44]

Moto X will be $100 off tomorrow and $70 off until Valentines day.

Off-contract only. Also the X is not recommendable on Sprint due to limited LTE bands.

My first post here

And not a helpful one, either, since Sprint has never carried any Sony smartphones and has shown no signs of changing that.

 

[porter_m]

And not a helpful one, either, since Sprint has never carried any Sony smartphones and has shown no signs of changing that.

Ohhhh..... Sorry my knowledge of US carriers isn't very good

 

[s44]

I forgot to mention it in the OP, but I work in loud environments, so a loud headset is better than a quiet one. Are any of the phones in the list especially loud or quiet? That's probably one the most important features, and I forgot it :^S

GSM Arena tests (ringer and speakerphone):
S4 mini - Average
G2 - Below Average
Nexus 5 - Below Average

And, because I hadn't realized there was a new and updated version with Sprint Spark (full Tri-Band LTE coverage) called the SPH-L720T (instead of the old SPH-L720),
Galaxy S4 -Good

Btw, I think the Mini is an undervalued device. Really good battery life, only has the useful TW stuff (Smart Stay) without the useless Air crap, non-Pentile screen... Main downsides are that it's sub-720p and that it's not a flagship so software updates won't be as good.

 

[bearxor]

I know it's huge, but I think the LG G2 is the best choice here.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Of those phones I like the LG G2 the best. It looks like a big phone, but the hardware you're getting beats all the other free phones if I'm not mistaken. Snapdragon 800 with an adreno 330 gpu is about the best you can get in any phone right now.