Best Android Handset?

Retrogamer

Currently looking to upgrade my handset in the next week.

I get a good discount through my work just now as well so the cost difference between handsets is negligible.

Currently got a Galaxy S5 just now and had the S3 before it and both have been good.

Been thinking about the Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy S6 and The LG G4 but not sure what i should pick.
Each have their pros and cons

Is there any other high end Android devices i forgot about? I'm not a fan of the Z3

AlecEiffel

Nexus 6? S6 or S6 edge now Samsung are making handsets whose build is as nice as the features (never been esp happy with the mostly plastic build in the past). HTC One M9 or the M8 is still good.

jonnytinker

between the S6, OnePlus Two and whatever Nexus come with next for me. Right now the S6 by a mile.

albionrovers

Anyone know the OnePlus Two release date?

boatman

The S5 is pretty much bang up to date so why not wait another year. The only reason to change is to keep up with the Jones... go on holiday instead with the money.

Retrogamer

boatman wrote: »

The S5 is pretty much bang up to date so why not wait another year. The only reason to change is to keep up with the Jones... go on holiday instead with the money.

My staff discount availability is ending very soon.
We were advised if we renewed now they would honour it for the duration of the contract (2 years) but if i didn't renew my discount would only run the remainder of my current contract (1 year)

It's a very generous discount so wanted to maximise my use from it.

I'm selling my S5 now so that buys me out of my existing contract and i picked up the Note 4 today.

The S5 is still a pretty high spec phone like you said but frequentlyit's using approx 1.3GB of it's 1.67GB available RAM just to idle with no backround apps running. 3GB of RAM makes sense for future proofing it as i want to try and keep this handset for the next 3-4 years (The noTe)

The sealed battery in the S6 would have made that last part a problem.

boatman

As you say then worth taking advantage.

chillsky

you can get a s6 with 5GB data 1000 mins for £32 a month.

Retrogamer

The deal i got with my discount was much better than that.

Paddyshepherd

Retrogamer,

Maybe I can offer some help as I've just been through a similar dilemma. I have gone with an LG G4. My other options were the One M9 and the S6, although with the S6 I wanted the Edge and it was a little out of my budget if I'm honest. I considered the Xperia Z3+ that is just coming out having used an Xperia Z for the past 2 years - but it is said to be plagued with overheating issues from the 810 chip and I had suspicions that the Z4 would be just around the corner if this was only classed as the Z3+.

I've had about a week's use out of my LG so far. I must admit it is far superior to my Xperia Z. I bought it with the brown leather back. The black is nice but the textured finish makes it feel plastic, and thus it feels lower quality. The brown leather is smooth and feels very nice, giving a high quality feel to the phone. What many review sites don't mention is that the phone will come with a plastic back in the box as well (at least mine did from EE). This was a nice bonus as it does look nice, but again the brown leather feels far superior. It's a very sleek looking phone and feels nice to hold.

Physically, it is bigger than my Xperia Z, but in reality I find it easier to operate one handed. Both phones had one-hand keyboards, but I don't find the need for it on the LG, whereas I used it all the time on the Xperia. With the curved edges and the leather back providing good grip around the phone, I find I can reach further with my thumb than I could with the Xperia.

The camera on the LG is stunning, I'm really impressed. I had thought that the Xperia camera was good and that the LG couldn't be much better, but once you start using manual settings and playing around with it, it really is something else. It's a really nice interface to use, and with a bit of trial and error and practice you can get some really stunning shots with it. The reviews weren't exaggerating on that point.

The interface is really nice too, and with LG you tend not to get too much crap on that you won't use. The one thing that really annoyed me with Sony is how many apps that the phone ships with, many related to playstation or things like that, and many of them you can't remove without rooting. LG there's not a lot of that and most of the standard apps do have some use to many people. I did think I'd have trouble getting used to the rear-positioned lock button, but in reality it is in a really handy location and feels completely natural.

Throw in the addition of the interchangeable backs and replacement batteries and you have a sterling quality phone (with expandable memory up to two terabyte if you could afford it). There aren't really any major downsides I can find, and think it's definitely a contender for the top spot. Ok, it doesn't quite have the processor power of the S6, but it's still a very quick phone. It's also not waterproof, but this is an inherent one with the replaceable battery.

Hope this helps, I can't comment much more on the others, other than what I've read on reviews. I've had a play on the M9 and I did like the metal body and always have liked that with HTC, however I've just never really been keen on HTC Sense UI, and was shied away by heat issues with the Snapdragon 810, and furthermore by the inferior camera when compared to the LG

[Deleted User]

Replaceable batteries are awesome. I have 2 spares for my LG G3. They are thin enough that I can fit one in my wallet like a credit card.

I couldn't consider buying a phone without replaceable batteries and a memory card slot. Until phones come with 64-128gb of storage, I'll want my own expandable memory.

LGs are great for minimal bloatware: I'm looking at you Samsung and HTC