What phone now?

[tgapp]

Anybody else holding out to see what's up with the Pixel 8? I haven't heard much about it, BUT appears they're finally gonna downsize it some compared to the previous gen. That has my attention. My Pixel 3 is still hanging on, but it's battery life has become unbearable, it's been doing this weird thing where it gets real hot occasionally, and sometimes the volume rocker has a mind of its own so as much as it pains me to admit, I believe it is time to retire it. It's been SUCH an outstanding phone that has had a great run. Is the 8 just around the corner? I think I can hold out a few months if I need to.

Pixel 8 drops next month!!

Sent from my Pixel 6 Pro using Tapatalk

[El Chupacabra]

Not long until Black Friday sales...

[MontuckyFried]

Pixel 8 drops next month!!

OH BOY!!! Hope it's a good one! They nailed it with the 3 as far as being a big step forward from the previous iterations, and then with 4-7, I've been like "meh." I have pretty fast wireless charging, ultra fast wired charging, a good fingerprint reader on the back, that squeeze to activate the assistant is really slick and they've done away with that (and I use it constantly), camera performance is still impressive at times (for a phone), screen is still good enough and not too large, CPU performance is pretty solid even after all these years, and its 128gb storage has proven more than enough and I still have 1/4 of it remaining. I mean, even after it being out for 5 years, it still checks all the right boxes for me which is why I've been so reluctant to replace it. It's build quality has proven good as well. I've been running it naked for a long time now that its OEM denim case has fallen apart (and I can't find a replacement) and I don't use a screen protector. No cracks in the screen and one tiny scratch is all it's suffered. Not bad. Not bad at all.

[Ted Striker]

Anybody else holding out to see what's up with the Pixel 8?
...
Is the 8 just around the corner? I think I can hold out a few months if I need to.

It is slightly smaller than the 7 (6.17 inch display vs 6.32) Release is early Oct, and I'm considering it too.

Lots of leaked info out there including pics/measurements/specs of pre-production phones that are pretty much exactly what the final product will be.

[byates1]

I'm on the 7 now, will look at the 8 pro for a slightly bigger screen. We will see

[Ted Striker]

The camera on the 6 Pro is better than any Nexus/Pixel predecessors. And the camera on the 8 will be better yet.

[Danno]

Anybody else holding out to see what's up with the Pixel 8? I haven't heard much about it, BUT appears they're finally gonna downsize it some compared to the previous gen. That has my attention. My Pixel 3 is still hanging on, but it's battery life has become unbearable, it's been doing this weird thing where it gets real hot occasionally, and sometimes the volume rocker has a mind of its own so as much as it pains me to admit, I believe it is time to retire it. It's been SUCH an outstanding phone that has had a great run. Is the 8 just around the corner? I think I can hold out a few months if I need to.

I replaced the battery on my 3 and that helped for many months, but I started getting the overheating thing and recently got a 7a.

[Cocximus]

Can we discuss tablets here?

I'm looking for an affordable tablet to use during ski trips, one that I won't worry about if I leave it in my car at trailheads where break-ins occur. My primary uses are for reading beta and making tracks in Fatmap. How well does Fatmap perform on Android tablets? Additionally, I'd like a tablet with a good screen for showing pictures of how rad I am. I'm considering the Fire Tablet 10 since it's cost-effective, and I've heard you can remove Amazon-specific features to make it function more like a standard Android tablet.

[toast2266]

Can we discuss tablets here?

I'm looking for an affordable tablet to use during ski trips, one that I won't worry about if I leave it in my car at trailheads where break-ins occur. My primary uses are for reading beta and making tracks in Fatmap. How well does Fatmap perform on Android tablets? Additionally, I'd like a tablet with a good screen for showing pictures of how rad I am. I'm considering the Fire Tablet 10 since it's cost-effective, and I've heard you can remove Amazon-specific features to make it function more like a standard Android tablet.

We have a Fire 7 tablet that just gets used for playing music on our home stereo. That thing is absolute garbage. Has been since day 1. Literally all it needs to do is play spotify, and it can barely handle that. The 10 might be better.

Also have a Samsung tablet. A Tab A7, iirc. Gets used for normal tablet stuff. Works fine; no complaints. Battery life seems decent. Haven't used fatmap on it, but it does fine with other mapping apps.

[gravitylover]

Can we discuss tablets here?

I want to use my Android tablet for Google/Waze maps in the car. My old guy eyes hate having to focus on the phone screen when I'm supposed to be busy driving. Will most tablets function in this capacity (is the GPS chip good enough) without cell connectivity if I enter the route while on wi-fi? I don't want to keep it tethered to the phone all the time.

Back to phones - I've been using the Pixel 6 since not long after it came out and I mostly love it. Everything is smoother than other phones I've had, the easy total integration with everything Google is nice since I use Google Workspace for all my business stuff and my website. I have one fairly large complaint that seems to be unsolvable though, I can't tap links to open in my work GMail, everything works as expected in my personal. I've spent hours working with Google support and nobody can figure out why. It sux because it adds a few steps to open things and joining Microsoft Teams meetings is a real pain in the ass. I think as long as I don't damage the thing I'll be happy to keep it until there's a trade-up for free deal on the Pixel 8.

[The AD]

I want to use my Android tablet for Google/Waze maps in the car. My old guy eyes hate having to focus on the phone screen when I'm supposed to be busy driving. Will most tablets function in this capacity (is the GPS chip good enough) without cell connectivity if I enter the route while on wi-fi? I don't want to keep it tethered to the phone all the time.

The obvious (albeit expensive) solution is to get a car with a touchscreen that supports Android Auto. It seems silly, but I can't imagine having a car without it after having it.

[Ted Striker]

Pretty easy to put an aftermarket head unit that has AA and Carplay in most cars.

[gravitylover]

Our Kona has android auto and I kind of hate it. The phone has to be plugged in all the time and the USB plug is a super low power charger so the phone drains out when it just runs like that for a few hours.

[slcdawg]

Pretty easy to put an aftermarket head unit that has AA and Carplay in most cars.

You got me thinking....but even DIY Crutchfield is close to $1k minimum for a touch screen with backup camera.

[climberevan]

I'm using a Samsung S6 Lite right now, and it's been fantastic. It does really well for mapping (RWGPS, Locus, Google Earth) and hasn't flinched at anything I've tried to do with it.

I've installed cheap backup cameras in 2 vehicles. They were like $35 including a little screen! Both are working well after several years. You can put in an aftermarket head unit ($75) and get a tablet mount and be in business. Bluetooth the tablet to the head unit so you can hear the directions better if you want.

New cars are nice and all, but I like not working, so spending $50k to get fancy features isn't on the menu. My 20+ year old cars get me from place to place just fine.

[MontuckyFried]

Our Kona has android auto and I kind of hate it. The phone has to be plugged in all the time and the USB plug is a super low power charger so the phone drains out when it just runs like that for a few hours.

Some vehicles definitely implement AA/Carplay better than others. I've rented cars that had exactly the same issue as yours, requiring plug-in and then drains super fast where the charge can't even keep up. HOWEVER, many vehicles now have wireless AA/Carplay, and sometimes coupled with a wirless charging mat. For whatever reason, a Corolla I rented of all things actually seemed to work really well and it didn't seem to have nearly the same annoyances as with others I've used. Point being, YMMV.

[RShea]

Phone pricing is nutty
My current is an iPhone 7 that hasn’t died yet but also hasn’t been supported for over a year now
15 pro seems like good leap. Likely gonna just bite the bullet and then hold on to it long term again
Would have loved any discounts but I’m not adding a line to my plan (what kind of discount is that?)

Seems I've read or heard about plenty of deals through carriers on the latest Apple iPhone coming out (15 but not sure if any are the 15 Pro) - Boost is running ads something about free iPhone every time a new one comes out or something along those lines. Of course have to read the fine print as to the terms and if they are not just rolling a finance charge into the monthly service if you would BYOD.

Here is a recap of some offers if you do not just want to go direct to Apple and purchase an unlocked one directly: https://www.phonearena.com/news/appl...deals_id148847

[RShea]

OH BOY!!! Hope it's a good one! They nailed it with the 3 as far as being a big step forward from the previous iterations, and then with 4-7, I've been like "meh." I have pretty fast wireless charging, ultra fast wired charging, a good fingerprint reader on the back, that squeeze to activate the assistant is really slick and they've done away with that (and I use it constantly), camera performance is still impressive at times (for a phone), screen is still good enough and not too large, CPU performance is pretty solid even after all these years, and its 128gb storage has proven more than enough and I still have 1/4 of it remaining. I mean, even after it being out for 5 years, it still checks all the right boxes for me which is why I've been so reluctant to replace it. It's build quality has proven good as well. I've been running it naked for a long time now that its OEM denim case has fallen apart (and I can't find a replacement) and I don't use a screen protector. No cracks in the screen and one tiny scratch is all it's suffered. Not bad. Not bad at all.

My phone- Motorola I just hold down on the Home button for a few extra seconds and the Assistant pops up asking to talk into the mic and unlocking some more Assistant features...

I went back to screen protector after I had my phone fall out and drop on the concrete driveway a few months ago for my first cracked screen in probably 7 or more years now (various models, usually with Gorilla glass these days) . It had a case on it, but just landed right on the corner edge and spider pretty bad. Still worked though so I could shop at leisure for a new phone and not be forced to get something right away.

[North]

Looking to replace an iPhone 7. I've used apple devices forever, so I'll get another refurb iPhone. Not picky about features, but I'd like something that takes better photos in the snow than my 7. The 7 did great aside from winter photography. X? 11? At what point will I notice an appreciable improvement?

[MarcusBrody]

Phone pricing is nutty
My current is an iPhone 7 that hasn’t died yet but also hasn’t been supported for over a year now
15 pro seems like good leap. Likely gonna just bite the bullet and then hold on to it long term again
Would have loved any discounts but I’m not adding a line to my plan (what kind of discount is that?)

Is it that nutty? You're buying a highly durable, miniaturized, portable computer with a high definition touch screen interface that receives high speed internet most inhabited places on the planet. Oh, it also has multiple high quality cameras that basically killed off the dedicated devices that used to cost multiple hundred dollars themselves. And it runs all day without any power connection. And fits in your pocket. Oh, the average person also probably interacts with it more than they do with their spouse.

Phones have gotten expensive, but they really are impressive pieces of technology. I certainly wouldn't call their pricing nutty when half the folks around there are paying almost as much for skis which are much, much simpler products.

[Dantheman]

You're not wrong, but I'd still never pay over a grand for a phone. I got a new S22 in July for $200 (on 24-month 0% financing).

[::: :::]

You financed $200?
Why?
Or was it a 24mo service commitment?

[Dantheman]

No service commitment, but the terms of the sale required paying in installments. If there's no interest, who cares. If I were to cancel the plan I would have to pay the balance but no penalty.

[brutah]

I had two google pixels previously (3 and a 4a), 3 was stolen and I broke the 4a’s screen, and it was cheaper and faster to get a new phone then replace the screen. Got an iPhone SE for $180, and it sucks so bad. The phone is slow to process, load websites, etc. the visuals leave a lot to desire, it has to be charged once or twice a day. Hard to copy and paste, type. Apps like Spotify don’t seem to work as well. Apples privacy settings are also pretty shitty compared to google. The iOS operating system is so bad compared to android operating systems. I thought maybe I just needed to give it some time to get used to a different OS, but now I think it just confirms that apple products are for the non tech savvy. The more I use this phone the less impressed I become. I guess I’m glad I got to experience it as it has really sold me on PCs and android phones.

I can’t wait to replace it

[Buzzworthy]

Looking to replace an iPhone 7. I've used apple devices forever, so I'll get another refurb iPhone. Not picky about features, but I'd like something that takes better photos in the snow than my 7. The 7 did great aside from winter photography. X? 11? At what point will I notice an appreciable improvement?

11pro is your minimum here as you’ll get the three lenses. I just went from that to a 14promax. Had a 7 before the 11pro. I try to hold onto them and then make a big jump so I love the new features a ton.

If you get the 11pro I have a brand new clear Speck case I’ll send for the cost of shipping. I warrantied my old case right before I upgraded.