Just need good recommendations for a brand with a smooth software experience years out

First of all, ADB was godlike
Then the backup of ADB was decided by app manifest instead of ADB backup owed to consumer no matter what. Now the consumer has duty to put up with the "feature" of backup blocking. No toggle. No alternative vendors who do not enforce it.
Then at least there was ADB Downgrade. Gone again, blocked... So the consumer has duty of putting up with this "feature" of Android - blocking downgrade. Not even in "developer settings" a toogle to disable it.
Hardware-backed keystore? One more duty either.
Scoped storage? Just the same.
It's not OS of possibilities anymore but OS of duties instead. Duties of consumer in favor of systems of smartphone and NOT duty of smartphone to the advantage of consumer!

Help me choose a phone!

Hi everyone!

I need help choosing a new phone, and I'm honestly going a little crazy trying to make a decision. 😭 I'm leaving for Japan in mid-November and want a phone with an excellent camera for travel photography without compromising on battery life, overall experience, and long-term reliability. I want to use it for at least 3–4 years.

I'm currently using a Vivo V27, which I've had for the last three years.

My biggest issue is that all the phones I'm considering are ridiculously expensive. On top of that, every time I open Reddit, I find negative posts about every single phone.

Here are my current options:

1. iPhone 17 (256GB) — around ₹85,000 including a charger

Pros:

\- Excellent camera system, especially for videos.

\- Great resale value.

\- Hopefully a reliable experience over several years.

Concerns:

\- Switching from Android to iOS and potentially compromising on basic features I'm used to.

\- No dedicated telephoto lens, which worries me as someone who loves travelling and taking pictures of landscapes, architecture, and distant subjects.

\- Not sure if I'll enjoy iOS enough to justify the switch.

2. Vivo X300 Pro (512GB) — around ₹1.05 lakh

Pros:

\- The camera system looks fantastic, especially for photography and zoom.

\- Promising battery life.

Concerns:

\- Spending over ₹1 lakh on a Vivo phone makes me nervous.

\- Resale value is relatively poor.

\- I'm worried about camera processing, battery life, or overall performance deteriorating after software updates or 1–2 years of use.

3. Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra (256GB) — around ₹85,000

Pros:

\- Feature-packed Android experience.

\- S Pen, versatile cameras, and lots of functionality.

\- I can continue using Android without adjusting to iOS.

Concerns:

\- I'm sceptical about its camera performance and a lot of bad reviews.

\- Battery life

\- I'm unsure whether its cameras will satisfy me as much as the Vivo, especially for travel photography.

I'd really appreciate feedback from people who have owned these phones for at least 6–12 months, especially those who travel frequently and take lots of photos.

Thanks in advance! I really need to finalise this soon before my Japan trip.

Hello! I’d love to hear your opinions on which flip or fold phone would be the best fit for me.

I’ve been using an iPhone 13 Pro and have been wanting to upgrade for a while. I’m particularly interested in the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip series because of its compact size and lighter weight. I have small hands, so I’m not a fan of big, bulky phones.

I’m also considering switching to Android because I’ve had issues with signal reception and overheating, and I’m hoping for a better experience.

Right now, I’m deciding between the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip and the Motorola Razr 60 Ultra, but I’m open to other recommendations, too.

For those who own or have used either phone, how have they held up over time? I’m especially curious about battery life, hinge and screen durability, signal reception, and how well they handle heat.

Would you recommend getting a flip phone for my use case, or would I be better off with a regular compact Android phone?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

Just put simply idrc for camera and stuff just absolutely no lag during a game and that 20 GB is fast to download and doesnt that ages (£800 Max and also perferably not from a company that purposly slow down old phones with updates) (this might be above all of yalls skill level and i appoligise in advance if u cant find a phone like this)

Is it possible that any of these will work or are their workarounds for this?

I really want a Android device or a phone case that has physical buttons because I'm sick of fiddling with touch screen buttons

also something that would be nice is if there's one out there where you can map certain key presses to tapping at a certain place on the screen so you can play more mobile games but with tactile buttons

Guys, I am super confused rn which one to buy between the two. I am currently using Poco C31 for last 5 years and now needed to get new phone.

I am finding iPhone 17 (256 GB) really high but I am also inclined towards buying my first iPhone. I have never bought something this expensive my whole life as of now. 256 GB is because I have heard iPhone needs more storage and I used alot of app (4-5 food apps, 2-4 delivery apps, 1-3 travel, 2-3 social media, etc)

My brother is suggesting me to order Pixel 10. He has ordered one for himself today. I was also all in to order one but now I am thinking, if I am putting 64k for pixel, why should I buy iPhone 17 for 85k. I am looking for long term phone.

I like travelling and I usually like clicking photos and videos but not of a influencer type.

Usually my friends used to have iPhone and I took pictures from their phone.

My current phone is 4G, no matter whichever I buy I will find it better than my current one for sure. I am super confused, is it worth to put in so much of money on a phone but then I want to experience and always dreamt of having my own iPhone when I will be earning.

Hi everyone!

I'm currently using an iPhone 14 Pro Max and I'm looking to buy a new phone. I'm seriously considering the Xiaomi 17T Pro, but I'm also thinking about upgrading to the latest iPhone, the 18 Pro.

The main reason I'm considering the Xiaomi is its price, but I'm worried I might regret switching to Xiaomi.

I don't use my phone for gaming, and I rarely take photos. I mainly use basic apps such as Facebook, YouTube, a web browser, and banking apps.

I also own an Apple Watch Ultra 3, which I would consider selling if I made the switch, possibly upgrading to a Garmin watch instead. However, as I mentioned, I'm really worried that the Xiaomi might disappoint me.

Does anyone have experience with these phones, particularly when it comes to system stability, security, and everyday use in general?

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: I'd like to use the same phone for at least 2–4 years.

A Curious Question for everyone, from standard everyday users to enthusiasts, what is the best/your favourite smartphone you have owned and used? And why?

Drop your answers below as im from the UK and where I am based the market and user base is like 90% iPhone, surprise me down below!

Is anyone else facing frequent Wi-Fi disconnection issues on their Motorola phone? I have been using the Moto Edge 40 Neo and have been experiencing this issue for almost a year. The Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting every 5–10 minutes.

Has anyone faced a similar issue or found a solution? Please help!!

I'm not sure if I'm PWM sensitive or if it's dithering or something else. But the Pixel 7a irritates my eyes within minutes, whereas the Sony Xperia 5 is okay unless I use it for hours. Both are OLED. I heard Samsung and Pixel are the worst for your eyes, but I don't know how true that is for recent models.

I have mild astigmatism.

Whichever phone I get, I'll also get a matte screen protector to reduce glare.

I don't want a Chinese phone. I don't care if the parts are made there, it's the lack of support that bothers me, and also many of their better/flagship phones are hard to find in my country.

I live in Europe and my budget is around €1000.

hiii! asking for help, how do you buy the "refurbished" or older apple models? based in the philippines, thank you!

Hey,

Is there a smartphone/app whatever, where I can really manage the notifications and sounds how I like? For example:

I always want calls to be on loud

I want Facebook etc. to be quiet when I press like.

I want notifications from apps to be silent

I want messages to vibrate

Currently I haven't found a way to do it. Thank you very much for your help!

Torn between the Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 18 Pro Max, but wondering if I should just wait for the S27 Ultra? (Coming from an older flagship)

Hey everyone,

I’m currently stuck in a massive smartphone dilemma and could use some outside perspective. I’m trying to decide whether I should grab the Galaxy S26 Ultra or jump ship to the iPhone 18 Pro Max—or if I should just hold out for the S27 Ultra.

To give you an idea of where I'm coming from, I'm upgrading from an absolute tank of a phone (the Note 20 Ultra), so literally anything I pick is going to feel like a spaceship compared to what I'm using now.

Here is how I’m weighing the pros and cons of the two current giants:

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra

Pros:

* The S-Pen: Kind of hard to live without once you're used to having it built right into the body.

* Openness & Customization: Deep system control, side-loading, file management freedom, and tweaking tools (Good Lock, Thermal Guardian, etc.).

* The Display: Flat screen with that incredible anti-reflective glass coating. Multitasking (split-screen, pop-ups, DeX) is just miles ahead.

Cons:

* Battery and thermal efficiency under extreme loads still trail slightly behind Apple's silicon.

* Software experience can sometimes require a little tinkering to keep things running at absolute peak efficiency.

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

Pros:

* Battery & Silicon: Incredible idle efficiency and sustained performance under heavy tasks.

* Ecosystem & Social Apps: Native camera optimization for social media apps (TikTok, Instagram, etc.) is second to none.

* Resale Value: Holds its value like gold if I ever want to switch back down the line.

Cons:

* iOS Lockdown: Zero file system freedom, no true background automation/tweaking tools, and no side-loading.

* No Stylus: Missing the built-in S-Pen and quick memo utility.

* File transfers and general multitasking feel a bit restrictive coming from Android.

The "Wait for S27 Ultra?" Factor

Since the S27 Ultra is on the horizon (slated with potential 2nm chips and bigger battery efficiency leaps), part of me wonders if it's worth clutching my current device for a little longer to see what next year brings.

What would you guys do in this spot? Is the S26U a solid enough jump right now, is the 18 Pro Max worth adapting to iOS for, or is the smartest play sitting tight for the S27U? Let me know your thoughts!

Hi,

Currently got a OnePlus 15 bought a few months ago. Contemplating the idea of selling the OnePlus as they're withdrawing and the 15 has a high selling price now due to the demand for it (even though they're withdrawing from the EU).

Thinking of going back to iPhone. Thoughts?

After using redmi for the past 3-5 years I want to upgrade but I can't seem to decide. I am choosing from xiaomi 17t or vivo v70 even considering xiaomi 15t if I can still find a brand new in the market

I want to use it mainly for my business I need a cellphone with a camera that can capture natural colors. I'll use it for capturing necklaces, bracelets, and watches.

I play games sometimes but I am not a hardcore gamer as long as there are no lags and delays, it's fine for me.

I heard that xiaomi 17t has an issue with hyperOS and sometimes the captured image is too saturated but it has good specs

On the other hand others say that vivo v70 is too overpriced having only Snapdragon 7 gen 4.

I’m torn between four phones and would love some input from people who own (or have used) any of them. I'm also open for other suggestions.

My budget is preferably around 400 euros max, but willing to splurge up to 800 euros for the promise of longevity. I want this phone to last me the next 5 years.

What matters to me:

• Battery life
• A nice, smooth display
• Long software support
• Cheap/easy repairs

What doesn’t matter:

• cameras. I have a dedicated camera for photos.
• A super-top of the line processor (I only really use the phone for playing light games like Chess, I don't plan on gaming on it any further).

My thoughts so far:

Pixel 10a: I like that it’s a bit smaller, Google’s software is great, and it seems like a solid all-rounder. I’m also interested in GrapheneOS, and this is the only one of the four that supports it. Galaxy A57: Appealing because I thought it had a bigger battery, and I’ve never had real complaints about Samsung’s software. But a screen replacement easily costs €150+. Motorola Edge 70 Fusion: Mainly stands out for the 7000 mAh battery, which is a big jump over the others. The curved screen also indicates higher repair costs. Fairphone 6: The easy part replacement is really attractive. But it feels like you pay a premium for mediocre hardware, and I’m not sold on the software.

I tried all of these in-store. I'm leaning towards the Fairphone because of repairability, but that comes with a lackluster IP rating, which is a bit annoying because I go bouldering and thus want the phone to be dust-proof (chalked up hands)... But if all else fails I do have an old OnePlus phone which I can take with me to the bouldering hall.

Which would you pick, and why?

One last note: I am quite interested in the Motorola Signature, even though it's a flagship. Their Signature 27 launches next month, so the price may drop a bit. Compared to other flagships it's quite well priced. But I've read conflicting stories on their software support.

I am looking to buy a new phone, my previous phone was REDMI 12 5G. My usecase is MOSTLY DAILY USE with a bit of multitasking. I do not game, I do not require a professional grade camera setup. My usage is very minimal and basic. Planning to keep this phone for the NEXT THREE YEARS MINIMUM.

After careful consideration, ive landed on these options, my budget is around 32k.

My main priority is smoothness and UI, after watching several videos, i personally preferred HYPEROS 3 over ONEUI 8.5

Xiaomi claims a way bigger battery at 9k mAH and is also including the fast charger in the box.

Im leaning towards Xiaomi however my concern is UFS 2.2 storage.

Please recommend which phone should I go with.

Also, if you think that a cheaper phone can also fulfill my requirements then suggestions are most welcome.

THANKS

Looking for a 2026 phone under ₹38,000 in India with a Snapdragon 7-series processor, 8GB+ RAM, 256GB storage, AMOLED display, excellent cameras, and microSD support up to 1TB. I want to use it for at least 6 years, so long-term software updates, battery life, durability, and performance matter. Any recommendations?

High security phone supposedly not available retail. There are a few places listing it online, presumably unofficial greymarket channels. One can find silicone or leather protectors for them on Amazon and eBay, so must be some floating around.

So I was looking for a new phone at an entry level price range the option that I have is that there is a tecno spark 50 4g that has 256 gb of storage with a helio g81 processor while it's 5g version has a dimensity 6040 chip while only having 128 gb of storage. I'm just wondering which of these two will last a lot longer in the future.

Hey guys! Just wanted to share some of my tech changes this 2026.
After being in the Apple ecosystem for so long, I finally decided to explore other options, and so far, I’m really happy with my choices!

📱 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8: Bought one and absolutely loving it!
🎧 AirPods → Huawei FreeClip 2: no more ear pain and falling out of your ears plus the battery lasts longer. Perfect for gym and normal day

⌚ Apple Watch Ultra → Huawei Watch GT 7 Pro: No need to charge every 48 hrs, has a lot of features, brighter display.

One thing I’ve realized is that once you become open to switching brands, you discover that there are actually so many great alternatives out there.

I’m not saying Apple is bad. I still think they make great products. But sometimes we get so comfortable with one ecosystem that we forget to explore what other brands have to offer.

Brand loyalty is fine, but having more options is even better.

Anyone else made the switch from Apple recently? Would love to hear your experience!

Hi all!

So I currently have a (smashed screen) pixel 7 pro, and apparently the cost of a screen repair is like €200-300, in which case I figure I may as well get a new phone. So I thought if I list out what's important to me, someone more knowledgeable and decisive could give me a recommendation 😅

I'm in Ireland, looking primarily on refurbed or back market for secondhand phones.

My budget is around €500, I could stretch a bit to around €600 if it's really worth it, but honestly the lower the better, I like spending my money on my animals, not myself 🤣

I just want a phone that can last a day battery wise, and that I can record horse riding from a tripod, so decent cameras. I'm not too impressed with the pixel 7 pro cameras, they're grainy as fuck if you zoom at all.

Absolutely do NOT want a phone with a curved screen, as this is why my current screen repair is so bloody expensive. (I will be getting a better case and screen protector for this next one too though)

Any recommendations/ tips/ intense debates welcome!