Phones Thinking about Android again

[MacInTO]

It takes good enough photos, but it is not the best quality photo.

I think mid-range phones are designed this way to entice you to upgrade to the flagship models. I normally use the iPhone 13 mini and the photos are kinda average compared to my previous phone, the Samsung Galaxy S9 from 2018. Recently I broke my iPhone and switched back to the S9 and I realized how much more I like the photo quality. If you care about photo quality, get a flagship model.

With this experience, I think I will get the Xiaomi 17. There is an international version that has all of the frequencies for my provider. It also has dual eSIM and can accept two physical SIMs. The Chinese version only has physical SIM slots and is missing two frequencies for my provider.

 

[Cuesca]

I think mid-range phones are designed this way to entice you to upgrade to the flagship models. I normally use the iPhone 13 mini and the photos are kinda average compared to my previous phone, the Samsung Galaxy S9 from 2018. Recently I broke my iPhone and switched back to the S9 and I realized how much more I like the photo quality. If you care about photo quality, get a flagship model.

With this experience, I think I will get the Xiaomi 17. There is an international version that has all of the frequencies for my provider. It also has dual eSIM and can accept two physical SIMs. The Chinese version only has physical SIM slots and is missing two frequencies for my provider.

I think you tend to also get used to the touchup algorithm of whatever brand that you're accustomed to. When I first got my ZF7 I thought the photos felt overprocessed/soft especially in the stock 'photo' mode. I was kinda bummed at first because it felt like a downgrade from my old 13PM. Then after a few months I was out with my brother and we both took some photos and started going through them. I prefer the ZF7's photos that I took to the ones he took on his 16PM. Especially for low light, high vibrancy photos and especially photos of food.

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

I think mid-range phones are designed this way to entice you to upgrade to the flagship models. I normally use the iPhone 13 mini and the photos are kinda average compared to my previous phone, the Samsung Galaxy S9 from 2018. Recently I broke my iPhone and switched back to the S9 and I realized how much more I like the photo quality. If you care about photo quality, get a flagship model.

With this experience, I think I will get the Xiaomi 17. There is an international version that has all of the frequencies for my provider. It also has dual eSIM and can accept two physical SIMs. The Chinese version only has physical SIM slots and is missing two frequencies for my provider.

I am considering the A57 or the S25 FE because of the price point. Flagship models are definitely out of my price range and I am not someone who makes use of all these features. If I do get an Android, I'll likely disable all of the AI features if possible.

 

[MarkX]

I am considering the A57 or the S25 FE because of the price point. Flagship models are definitely out of my price range and I am not someone who makes use of all these features. If I do get an Android, I'll likely disable all of the AI features if possible.

Get the S25 FE over the A57, it's a much much better phone at a similar price!

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

Get the S25 FE over the A57, it's a much much better phone at a similar price!

It seems like in the US, that Samsung is the better deal for Androids. I don't know about Google phones personally, is it possible to disable the various Google Gemini features and use them without AI?

 

[MarkX]

It seems like in the US, that Samsung is the better deal for Androids. I don't know about Google phones personally, is it possible to disable the various Google Gemini features and use them without AI?

Yes, you can revert back to old google assistant and disable/uninstall gemini app.

 

[M4th]

 

[ClaraStahlbaum]

View attachment 2621694

I know that some people act like Google is the devil, but what would be some additional settings to keep in mind for privacy purposes?

 

[MarkX]

I know that some people act like Google is the devil, but what would be some additional settings to keep in mind for privacy purposes?

Change to a private DNS.

 

[Wide opeN]

The radios are better on Android too!!

 

[Steve Adams]

I am using the pixel 8 pro right now as my main device. I have owned it for 3 years now and it's still awesome. I do have to replace my battery soon as it's not holding it's charge so I have to top up to get me through a heavy use day. But the cameras, features, smoothness etc are top notch.

I bought the mother in law a pixel 9a a couple of months ago and it's equally as good. I bought my father in law a moto g play 2025 model since he just wanted a basic phone and moving from a non smart flip phone. Again, this device for a basic phone is quite nice. 169.00 canadian for the Moto is impressive value.

 

[Steve Adams]

I am using the pixel 8 pro right now as my main device. I have owned it for 3 years now and it's still awesome. I do have to replace my battery soon as it's not holding it's charge so I have to top up to get me through a heavy use day. But the cameras, features, smoothness etc are top notch.

I bought the mother in law a pixel 9a a couple of months ago and it's equally as good. I bought my father in law a moto g play 2025 model since he just wanted a basic phone and moving from a non smart flip phone. Again, this device for a basic phone is quite nice. 169.00 canadian for the Moto is impressive value.

Update on the battery situation. The last update fixed the battery drain issue I was having. The battery is back to normal now. Thankfully! I really didn't want to get a new phone since I have all the stuff I want for my P8P.