AustinIllini
macrumors G5
There is no true android flagship. By that I mean a phone that is android as intended by Google and also top of the line.
Got a tip for us?
Let us know
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
List of features you lose switching to Android
- Thread starter macness
- Start date
- Sort by reaction score
There is no true android flagship. By that I mean a phone that is android as intended by Google and also top of the line.
jamezr
macrumors P6
I think there are several Android flagship phones released this year.....and more to come.
AustinIllini
macrumors G5
Somewhat debatable. A true android flagship is built on vanilla android, IMHO. I think there will be one coming (Android Silver), but until then bloatware all around.
jamezr
macrumors P6
It is debatable......if you narrow the definition of Android flagship phone. But releasing Android for OEMs to do what they want with skins and overlays was what Google had in mind all along. Some features can only be found in OEM skins. Google never intended Android to be just pure vanilla or it would not have left it pretty much open for OEMs to do what they want. Google is starting to tighten things a little (which is good) but they cannot alienate the OEMs.
Then if Google releases a very high end Android phone....they will be competing with their own customers.
Releasing GPE version phones are Android flagship phones with pure vanilla Android on them.
Shanghaichica
macrumors G5
That's the whole point of Android for it to be open and not uniform. It would be boring if vanilla android was all there was.
daveathall
macrumors 68020
AustinIllini
macrumors G5
I know what you mean, but you're also wrong. The iPhone is the definitive iOS phone. What is the definitive, top of the line android phone that runs Android the way Google intended. The Nexus 5 is a good phone, for sure. However, it is apparent to me that the Nexus has a number of corners cut in its build quality. It's not a top of the line device.
A true flagship phone has the build quality of the iPhone without bloatware. I will continue to say that, as I have owned multiple "flagship" android phones. None of them compare to the iPhone overall. I want there to be a flagship android phone from Google. I know it's coming, but I am getting impatient.
daveathall
macrumors 68020
I think we will have to agree to disagree, here's why, Google never intended or stipulated that the phone manufacturers should use Android untouched, they left it up to them, they all make their own "flagship" Android phone albeit, touched with their own skins, now whether one likes or dislikes those skins does not detract from the fact that each manufacturers best phone is their flagship. I also had a Nexus 5, superb.
I disagree also that none compare with the iPhone, this is a matter of opinion and my opinion differs greatly to yours, having said that I still maintain as I always have that the iPhone series are absolutely superb, but the last 2 versions have not enthralled me enough to keep me away from the Galaxy and Nexus lines.
I am hoping that the larger of the iP6 will thrill me enough to partner it with my iPad mini and MBP.
Lloydbm41
Suspended
I'll go even further and say the last 3 iPhone have been a snorefest. The iPhone 6 is the first iPhone since the 4 came out that has grabbed my attention (and my wallet!)
That said, if someone offered me the choice of a free phone between the iPhone 5s, G3, Moto X, S5 or One (M8), the iPhone would be last choice. (The screen and camera are now considered sub par), ios7 is ugly as sin and still as restrictive as iOS 3, the size is to small, the keyboard sucks for typing (do to the tiny size of the phone) and the lack of any file access has been an issue for me. All of these issues have been addressed for the new iPhone though, so I will happily buy one.
Shanghaichica
macrumors G5
Yes it sounds like most of my main gripes with the iPhone will also be addressed so I will most likely get one unless the note 4 catches my attention.
Last edited:
flameproof
macrumors 6502a
All Apple has is more exclusive apps, gets apps first. But it's easier to get refunded on the Google Play store plus Android devices can multitask properly by giving you a dedicated button, and a dedicated back button.
jrswizzle
macrumors 603
That's silly - the 5S can be sold for the most and you'd likely be able to buy one of the others + pocket some cash 😉
Not sure what is subpar about the camera - maybe not as good as the beastly shooters in the high-end Lumias, but it beats everything else in general.
The display is absolutely fine for a 4" display. Now perhaps that's too small for you (it's beginning to be for me as well), but as far as color reproduction and quality go its top of the line.
The A7 was the fastest processor on the market until this year's crop of devices. So comparing a 2013 phone to those that have come out in 2014 is a little bit unfair. Speed/Power wise, it's more powerful than apps can take advantage of.
iOS 7 is great from a feature perspective and comparing it to iOS 3 is hyperbole....I would've expected better from you. I get that people are turned off by the design (though I happen to like it), subjective portions can't really be argued.
Keyboard may be small, but the auto correct is far better than my Nexus 5 TBH. If the Google keyboard didn't have swype typing, I'd hate it. I'm far more accurate when typing normally on my 5S than the Nexus 5.
Anyhow, I'm glad people are taking notice of the 6/iOS 8. Definitely the biggest release to date IMO - they say it every year, but this year I think it'll be true. I haven't been more excited about an iPhone release than I am about this one.
Last edited:
Oletros
macrumors 603
Shanghaichica
macrumors G5
I'll give you the last three. On the whole I agree. However I disagree about the 5S camera being the best non lumia or having the best quality screen.
jrswizzle
macrumors 603