Hey Guys, So I am thinking of upgrading my personal phone sometime soon. Am currently rocking a Note 3, but its becoming really long in the tooth. Now as I use my phone for work email (I have a work iphone 6 and dont really like it!), and our MDM software only will work with non jailroken / non rooted phones. Further more, because of security API's im limited to three manufacturers. 1) Apple 2) Samsung 3) Microsoft I tend to buy my phones sim free and budget is not an issue. I tend to use my phone as my daily driver, so that surfing, making calls emails etc so battery life is one of my biggest concerns. Screen size is not a huge requirement, I like compact phones. I do find the note 3 a little big for my liking and I have my tablet for Kindle and media consumption duties. I tend not to make use of the camera on a phone. Having had an excellent experience with a chinese pad last year I would have considered one of those or an HTC (I love the sense UI) but unfortunately these are both out. 1) Apple, I have never been a huge apple fan and loathe the keyboard on the iphone 6, but that could be the case I have for my work phone. I'm kinda drawn to the new SE, but given that im generally not a fanboi would be worried about making that transition. 2) Samsung, now I do like Android, having owned a fair few of them over the years (RIP Sensation, best phone ever). However I'm not a big fan of the Touchwiz UI that and the fact that Samsung appear to have tendency to ignore updates pretty much after they are realeased. Though my usage on my Note 3 hasnt changed the thing regularly grinds to a halt 18 months after owning it winds me up. S6 and S7 would be the logical options, but again im on the fence. 3) Lumia, So I am on the age where Nokia (symbian OS) were the kings, still have my 8850 / 8880 in a drawer somewhere. I havent had a huge amount of experience with the Windows Mobile side of things, however I did have an HTC HD2, which ran on windows mobile 6.5! I am torn between the new 650 and the 950. Though the 950 is a little over the size I wanted the larger battery might make it worth it, however the higher res screen might eat the battery down even more, and you appear to get a lot more bang for your buck on the 950. Anyone have any of these devices? or going through the same questions, would love to hear your thoughts! Nims
I've only used Windows phone for the last 5 years so can't comment on the android of apple side of things - and while I haven't got the 950 yet, I have one on order from the US (dual sim model). My current Lumia 830 has been pretty solid for the 15 months I've had it and I can't fault the camera - it may not be up there compared to the new flagship models but it's very fast at taking pretty good and always usable pictures. Colours may not always be accurate but in low light you do at least get a usable picture. The main catch is the app store, which really does have some gaping holes compared to Android - however if you use Windows 10, a fair selection of new games are universal (not necessarily UWP, but it's still one purchase for use across phone and PC) The 950 also has continuum support via the display dock - not sure many people want to tether their phone to a dock and plug in a usb stick to transfer files regularly, but it may be of interest. I'd still be careful about going the Windows phone route simply because there may be some apps you need that simply aren't available, either officially or via a 3rd party app (banking apps are notoriously absent). However the usual suspects are pretty well covered (3rd party YouTube/Instagram support is pretty good). The 950 in particular has come in for criticism for poor build quality of the rear panel - though officially sanctioned alternatives made by Mozo take care of that (and in the case of the 950 still include qi charging) they're pretty much considered to be an essential purchase, so I'd factor one into the price.
While I have no experience of the new Nokias/Windows phones, I am drawn to them for a future purchase, no real basis for that decision though, I just like them. I agree on Apple as I've never been keen on it and after starting a new job this year I'm stuck with 5S for work - the keyboard is a bit rubbish and I don't care for the rest of it either, one button doesn't float my boat - that could be in part down to personal bias of course. With Samsung, my wife has Galaxy S6, which seems to need plugging into the mains for about 50% of the time. My wife is a heavy user of her phone, but it does seem excessive - her Galaxy S4 was never that bad.
Don't know if you are aware but you can install other keyboards in iOS, two of the best being Swype & Swiftkey Might be worth a shot before spending money on another device...
I just upgraded today and after 4 years of windows phones I've gone the android route. I loved my 800; absolutely indestructible, incredible camera and a 2 day battery life, which made upgrading to the 930 a no brainer, but it hasn't been an enjoyable experience. The camera, whilst still good, suffers from too much post processing and sometimes getting the right colouring in a picture is just impossible, a couple of times I've had to take video footage and use a still from the video to get a decent pic, the screen cracked from the mildest drop, so many websites don't format or function properly and there's no app available as a replacement, there's very little in the way of apps full stop and those that are available can be tetchy. As a work phone it could do you well, you get ms office functionality for instance, but as a daily drive I'd avoid them.
Hmm, still torn. I decided to list out what apps I actually use on my phone. Whatsapp Browser Skype Sonos remote 2048 LinkedIn Uber Blizzard authenticator (not currently actually playing wow) Office Lens Virgin Atlantic Appears to me the only viable alternative is looking like an iphone...
I recently upgraded to a Galaxy S7 Edge and am really liking it. Blazing fast, split screen capability for apps that support it, expandable storage should the default 32gig not be enough and a pretty good batter at 3600MAH. The size of the phone and touchwiz might be deal breakers from some of your comments however. You thought about a trip to Carphone Warehouse where you can actually have a play with a number of the current 'top' phones?
Size and touchwiz kills it for me, That and I know 12 months down the line Samsung won't have any proper updates for it.
Shame you can't go sony. Got a z5 compact and it's such a beautiful size. It feels very small right now, but really i don't why you'd need a phone bigger than this.
Had a quick look in the Windows Phone store (8.1) and found the following: WhatsApp - in the store (assuming fully featured) Browser - Microsoft Edge is the native browser for Win10 - others are available but haven't tried any apart from Opera, who announced this week that they're not adding new features for the time being (bug fixes will still be released) Skype - native and integrates into the contacts list if you want it to. Sonos remote - not available and announced earlier this week they're not developing an app - 3rd party app called Phonos (£1.89) will provide the functionality and is 4* + rated on the store 2048 - plenty of clone versions available, though can't find the original. Threes is also available. LinkedIn - there is an official app but it hasn't been updated since 16/12/13. It is however possible to add a LinkedIn account at the system level to integrate it with the people hub (contacts list). Don't know if it still works for Win10 Uber - official app in the store Blizzard authenticator (not currently actually playing wow) - I've found an official Battle.net authenticator from 13/03/12 - reviews from late 2014 suggest it works, can't test it as I don't play WOW Office Lens - in the store Virgin Atlantic - not listed and not alternatives found It exposes the bigger problems regarding apps on Windows phone - some appear to be abandoned and finding an app for your favourite airline/bank and local transport systems (think TFL/oyster cards) simply aren't listed.
Just a mini update from me. We purchase our work from t mobile us. ( my comp is American but global), and they can no longer provide us with the lower end Samsung androids they were supplying previously. So that left us having to explore options, spoke to my third party who supports our mdm solution, "yes ofc it supports windows 10", got a bunch of 550 and 650( gotta love being head of it and having some r&d budget) to find nope we can't get the client on, and my in house support team can't figure it out. Really impressed with the build quality on the 650 though, and appears to be nippy. 3rd party will hopefully be figuring out how to get it working. For anyone looking at mdm, just walk past maas360, I have a huge laundry list of complaints.
Another update, so the third party came back last week with some instructions for enrollment of the 650 which I have done with the 650 and my work sim. Must say I like the mail and calender apps so far and have all my work related gubbins installed now. I'm going to run it for the next couple of weeks with a view to use it for my permanent work phone. The note 3 is just dying right now, 20 mins checking emails and some light forum browsing has lost me 25% battery already. My options for that are to use the iphone 6 with my personal sim or upgrade. Assuming the 650 and work sim combo pan out it leaves me with more options as I will no longer require work email on a personal device! I'm really draw to the new HTC one 10, looks absolutely sexy and I have always been a fan of the sense ui.
