What phone you use as your daily driver? And, a discussion of them.

[Deleted member 24505]

Interesting. Didn't realize that. I might have to try this out. Honestly, I don't know that much about Android, I try and stick with computers and my discrete camera as much as possible.

Does anyone here have any experience with the newer OnePlus phones?

Nova is very customisable, icons, fonts, docks, etc etc. there is a immense amount of stuff for it.

 

[The red spirit]

Too bad it's *not the default Launcher

Rooting isn't easy nowadays

I never really understood the argument for custom launchers. All of which I tried were barely beta tested junk. One UI is decent, nice looking and functional UI. Why would you replace it?

 

[theFOoL]

I never really understood the argument for custom launchers. All of which I tried were barely beta tested junk. One UI is decent, nice looking and functional UI. Why would you replace it?

Like I said in my previous post. Why can't Android make where if you wanted to once you DL the Launcher it'll ask to remove and replace it. *meaning the default one

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

Ideally Android would incorporate a Hardware Abstraction Layer, allowing you to install whatever the heck ROM or launcher you wanted on any phone but the overhead would not be worth it.

Anyways, one thing I really love about my Pixel 3 XL is 2-button navigation. I have heard rumors that it is unavailable on newer Pixels, so if anyone can confirm or deny that would be great.

 

[Deleted member 24505]

I never really understood the argument for custom launchers. All of which I tried were barely beta tested junk. One UI is decent, nice looking and functional UI. Why would you replace it?

One of the pluses of Android is customization. If you want a stock non customisable interface that comes as it is, you need a iphone. Nova is not beta tested junk, have a look how many downloads it has, read some of the reviews on the store, it is far from beta junk.

Ideally Android would incorporate a Hardware Abstraction Layer, allowing you to install whatever the heck ROM or launcher you wanted on any phone but the overhead would not be worth it.

Anyways, one thing I really love about my Pixel 3 XL is 2-button navigation. I have heard rumors that it is unavailable on newer Pixels, so if anyone can confirm or deny that would be great.

All that swipe navigation is available on Nova. You can use a normal dock/button or use swipe. It is highly customisable.

If you change the Launcher, the old one is still there, just not active. You don't need to uninstall the old one really, if there is a problem with whatever launcher you use ( I have never had a problem with Nova ) the old one is there to go back to. If it was uninstalled and the new launcher crashes, you would have to restore your phone to restore the stock launcher.

 

[Pawelr98]

I run Xiaomi Mi5X 4/64GB purchased back in 2018.
707PLN which back then was ~190$ iirc.
Same hardware as the european market Mi A1 but running Miui instead of clear android.

Rooted and running standard Xiaomi.eu rom.
Sony Xperia Z3 launcher installed instead of the MIUI one.

Positives ?
Cheap replacement parts, works well for a 4 year old phone

 

[The red spirit]

One of the pluses of Android is customization. If you want a stock non customisable interface that comes as it is, you need a iphone.

Shitty argument.

Nova is not beta tested junk, have a look how many downloads it has, read some of the reviews on the store, it is far from beta junk.

Why not just use One UI? You still going to have rest of the apps looking like Samsung ones and then launcher having completely different style. That's why I called launchers barely tested sub-beta junk. Launchers only work fine with AOSP like ROMs, where you can achieve style continuity and perhaps extend some customizability features. On heavily modified ROMs like One UI or MIUI launchers simply don't blend in well. And stock launchers already come loaded with quite a lot of customization options.

 

[theFOoL]

Plus I tend to get having two Launchers waste battery life regardless it's not in use though I have no use to back it up lol. That's why I'd love to root my phone but it's a hassle plus if I brick it then my fault

 

[Cutechri]

I would love to hear about your experience

I won't be bothering. I came to this thread to post my excitement about getting the Pixel, and all I got in response was disappointing remarks.

Too bad it's *not the default Launcher

Rooting isn't easy nowadays

I would also not recommend it. Take it from a cybsec nerd. The only processes in Android that need root access are about 6 system ones. Giving apps root permissions *above* the OS is plain dumb.

 

[Deleted member 24505]

Shitty argument.



Why not just use One UI? You still going to have rest of the apps looking like Samsung ones and then launcher having completely different style. That's why I called launchers barely tested sub-beta junk. Launchers only work fine with AOSP like ROMs, where you can achieve style continuity and perhaps extend some customizability features. On heavily modified ROMs like One UI or MIUI launchers simply don't blend in well. And stock launchers already come loaded with quite a lot of customization options.

My icons don't look like Samsung ones, i customised them, kinda my point that you missed. If i showed someone my screen without telling them what it is, they would never guess it is samsung at all. Who gives a shit what's happening in the background, you are customising the front end to look how you want it.

You use one ui if you like. i will carry on like the 1 million plus people using Nova quite happily, you can do what you like.

Shitty argument, well said from the same attitude. True though.

 

[tussinman]

currently on a pixel 4a 5g after using the pixel XL, and pixel 3a XL. I was thinking about picking up the pixel 6 when it goes on clearance but frankly the 4a 5g does everything I need it to do

I'm in a similiar situation. Went from a 2 to a 4 and have no reason to upgrade. 6GB of ram, basic interface, and a good camera is really all I need.

 

[Splinterdog]

Nova is very customisable, icons, fonts, docks, etc etc. there is a immense amount of stuff for it.

I also use Nova (paid version) on my Note 20 Ultra and it's remarkable what you can do with it. Shrinking icons sizes/grid, locking the home screen so that you don't accidentally move or remove app icons and so much more.
I've had the phone for a couple of years now and would go for a flagship phone again, like the Galaxy S22 Ultra, but at the moment this does everything I need. Besides, $1000 is far too much at the moment.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

All that swipe navigation is available on Nova. You can use a normal dock/button or use swipe. It is highly customisable.

I tried swipe too - ugh. Sorry if I sound like a stubborn idiot, but it was one of those features that I felt was way underrated. I actually switched my phone to 3-button so I am used to it when I switch phones.

I won't be bothering. I came to this thread to post my excitement about getting the Pixel, and all I got in response was disappointing remarks.

Dang. Ok, your call.

 

[Mussels]

I don't care, I'm buying it for security. No other phone has better software/hardware security. Read this article I wrote if you're interested, Pixel section towards the end.

Man this forum is fantastic at fucking up my excitement, not sure why I even come here anymore. You're not going to be hearing of my experiences.

I'm not gunna hype it up after the terrible experience i had at the end of life with my 4XL, why would I lie about that to hype you up?
It's a warning so that if you run into trouble you can change phones.

Three dead batteries in 2 years, and when it comes out that its a design flaw they abandon it in Aus and leave me with popups i cant close for a warranty i cant apply for, and a question mark instead of a battery icon. Wow, such recommend.

Security on smart phones is a joke, if you're important enough to need a secure phone you wouldnt be using a smartphone for that task

 

[Cutechri]

Security on smart phones is a joke, if you're important enough to need a secure phone you wouldnt be using a smartphone for that task

What am I even reading. Linux on desktop is an absolute joke when it comes to security. Android is good, and Pixel Experience takes it further. Fuck do you want me to get, Samsung's bloated garbage or Apple's proprietary shitfest? You want me to use a dumbphone just because I have the slightest bit of concern about my own security? Please.

Either way the phone's been completely fine and I had none of those purported bugs so thank you again for fucking up my excitement before it arrived, you guys are great at doing that. I think I should leave this forum for good and mind my own business. Tech communities have once again proved to me how they're absolute cesspools. I make a single post exclaiming how happy I am for this phone to arrive, I get some dude telling me it's all buggy or whatever when my experience has been the opposite, accomplishing nothing but bringing down my mood, as if it's not already brought down enough in my miserable fucking life. If it WAS buggy, I could've found that out myself and returned it. No need to say shit. Well, I'm tired of all this. I kept coming back and back here expecting something different but it's all the same. Toodles.

Thank you again for making me miserable about the only thing I've been excited for in several years.

 

[Deleted member 24505]

What am I even reading. Linux on desktop is an absolute joke when it comes to security. Android is good, and Pixel Experience takes it further.

Either way the phone's been completely fine and I had none of those purported bugs so thank you again for fucking up my excitement before it arrived, you guys are great at doing that. I think I should leave this forum for good and mind my own business. Tech communities have once again proved to me how they're absolute cesspools. I make a single post exclaiming how happy I am for this phone to arrive, I get some dude telling me it's all buggy or whatever when my experience has been the opposite, accomplishing nothing but bringing down my mood, as if it's not already brought down enough in my miserable fucking life. If it WAS buggy, I could've found that out myself and returned it. No need to say shit. Well, I'm tired of all this. I kept coming back and back here expecting something different but it's all the same. Toodles.

Bye. keep well and safe.

 

[DoLlyBirD]

I just bought a Samsung S10 Lite 8g/128g version in excellent condition on ebay for £120, I have been using an old S7 with a degraded battery for a few weeks that needs charging twice a day as I broke my last one, was kinda excited to post in here then read the last page of comments lol regardless it will be like night and day compared to an S7 that barely get's through half a day of use..

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

I just bought a Samsung S10 Lite 8g/128g version in excellent condition on ebay for £120, I have been using an old S7 with a degraded battery for a few weeks that needs charging twice a day as I broke my last one, was kinda excited to post in here then read the last page of comments lol regardless it will be like night and day compared to an S7 that barely get's through half a day of use..

No issue with old phones here! I bought mine refurbished and at least 1 gen old...

 

[xu^]

anything that works , got a samsung a42 5g think it is, apart from had it a year and cant b bothered to put a 5g sim card in, dont really care what it is tbh as long as it does what i need it to

 

[Deleted member 24505]

i always buy a few gens old, like my s20 plus 5g, screw paying silly prices for a s22 plus/ultra

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

i always buy a few gens old, like my s20 plus 5g, screw paying silly prices for a s22 plus/ultra

And yet we all pay silly prices for latest-gen computer hardware, but have our phones with us more than our computers...

 

[DoLlyBirD]

I used to always have a contract up until about 6 years ago, usually the latest flagship on a 2 year contract android 40 a month and rinse and repeat, now I'll spend 150 max on a headset and 6-8£ a month on calls and data from giffgaff, it works out roughly 3x less and you can get close to last gen high end in good used condition if you look around, plus kids so i have no choice

And yet we all pay silly prices for latest-gen computer hardware, but have our phones with us more than our computers...

I'm rocking a Ryzen 5500 and 5600xt i can't buy the latest and greatest in computers either unfortunately though do squeeze the most performance out of what i do buy

 

[RedBear]

i always buy a few gens old, like my s20 plus 5g, screw paying silly prices for a s22 plus/ultra

But then you have to live with shorter update cycles, which is bothersome if you don't need/want to update every two generations or so. Samsung now is promising a 4 years of Android updates, but only starting from the S21.

Incidentally the S21 Ultra 5 G (Exynos) is my current daily driver, battery life was especially disappointing and I personally hate the huge camera bump on the side (my phone not being level on the table triggers me at many levels), but on the other hand the photos were the most impressive aspect of the new phone, compared to what I had before (S8+, which stopped receiving updates last year).

 

[Deleted member 24505]

But then you have to live with shorter update cycles, which is bothersome if you don't need/want to update every two generations or so. Samsung now is promising a 4 years of Android updates, but only starting from the S21.

Incidentally the S21 Ultra 5 G (Exynos) is my current daily driver, battery life was especially disappointing and I personally hate the huge camera bump on the side (my phone not being level on the table triggers me at many levels), but on the other hand the photos were the most impressive aspect of the new phone, compared to what I had before (S8+, which stopped receiving updates last year).

When it is no longer updated officailly, i will do it un officially, so no worries, i can debloat it and remove all the crap at the same time.

 

[P4-630]

Galaxy S7 user since 2016, not using any case or protectors, it's still as new.