Phone Recommendations

[AngelWings]

 As you can tell, I'm looking at new phones. I've done a bit of research, but as I've had my phone for 6 years, I'm kind of indecisive still. Please can someone recommend a good quality phone that would be suitable to a uni student?

I don't need it for gaming or anything too flashy, will likely use the camera only for uni or memory-making moments and probably will use a relatively small number of apps to organise myself (everyday usage), do typical uni socialising and classwork stuff, contact people at work - you get the drift. I just need a phone that'll last me a decent number of years with as few issues as possible. Oh, and I do consider myself clumsy, so less easily cracked screens would be ideal.

Thanks to all that answer.

[Aaron]

Do you have a preference of operating system? Either Android/iOS?

Some people are overwhelmed by Android due to it's advanced nature (in comparison to iOS). 6 years is a long time to have the same phone! I've had a Samsung Galaxy S5 for the past year and dropped it quite a few times due to my clumsiness, and as a result only have a few scratches here and there.

In my opinion, an iPhone is only worth it in terms of price, if you are overwhelmed by Android. If not, Android phones are definitely cheaper (in terms of the specifications you get in return).

You can probably tell i'm not too keen on iPhones in general, my bias hopefully isn't that visible in this post

[Mieow]

If you have the money I'd recommend an iPhone. Very reliable and useful. Personally I wouldn't bother worrying about which model to get between 5s/6/6s since I've had the 5s+6 and literally the only notable difference was size - I still feel like 5s had better battery life but idk. Samsungs are great too if you can handle the size (queue the "that's what she said" jokes)

[AngelWings]

What is your budget?

Budget-wise, I'm willing up to the $800 mark, will go more if necessary; I'd probably put my foot down at $1000. (Not a strict budget.) Quality over price would be best, I think.

Do you have a preference of operating system? Either Android/iOS?

 
Nope. With my phone being so old, I never really even used either OS. (I do call my phone a 'brick', even though it's not the Nokia famed for the nickname.) I'm willing to give nearly anything worth a shot.

[Aaron]

Honestly, the core difference between Android and iOS (for me) is the usability. iOS is very "easy" to use, loads of icons, basic settings that anyone can understand. Android has more "advanced" settings, but still usable to the normal person.

You can pick up a really good Android phone for the same price as an iPhone. In my opinion, iPhones are overpriced and aren't worth the money (but that's just me).

All the latest phones are still in that upper price bracket. If you get a model that is 1 or 2 years old (e.g. LG G4, Samsung Galaxy S5, iPhone 5/5s), you can get it cheap, and still get decent specs.

If you're looking into Android phones, I recommend going into a retailer and playing around with the demo phones (if they have any). If not, read up on some reviews by tech sites or watch some "hands on" youtube clips for specific phones. A phone is a custom piece of hardware, and you should feel comfortable with it if you're spending a decent amount of money on it.

[pi]

Big fan of the Samsung galaxy range having owned an S2 and now an S5. I prefer the customisability and the more reasonable cost when compared to iProducts. Not sure if any phone other than an old school Nokia will last 6 years these days though haha.

[Alter]

Not sure if any phone other than an old school Nokia will last 6 years these days though haha.

Onto my 2nd after falling asleep on (and subsequently somehow breaking) my original nokia before a year 10 IT exam. (lol)

Spoiler

[Orb]

Just replaced my 'old' Sony Xperia Z1 with a S6 edge.

Got to say that i haven't been overly impressed with the edge, it overheats at stupid times and apparently these phones don't overheat 'enough' to warrant a warranty swap (even though the CPU heats up to 60-70 degrees).

Mind that this is my personal experience, but upon googling i realised that i'm definitely not the only one.

My old Z1 on the other hand never overheated unless i was playing intensive games (NBA 2k16 etc), so if i could pick again i'd just get a Xperia Z5. Better battery life on the Sony range too

[appleandbee]

Just replaced my 'old' Sony Xperia Z1 with a S6 edge.

Got to say that i haven't been overly impressed with the edge, it overheats at stupid times and apparently these phones don't overheat 'enough' to warrant a warranty swap (even though the CPU heats up to 60-70 degrees).

Mind that this is my personal experience, but upon googling i realised that i'm definitely not the only one.

My old Z1 on the other hand never overheated unless i was playing intensive games (NBA 2k16 etc), so if i could pick again i'd just get a Xperia Z5. Better battery life on the Sony range too

I have an S4 and it overheats a lot (all I do is a bit of internet browsing, texting, whatsapp, AN, Facebook and taking photos. Even after 20 mins of usage; it overheats. There is also some retarded Android downloading system, such that whenever I accidentally press the volume thingo, the downloading shit activates and I can't use my phone (have to wait till it runs out of power and recharge it). I don't have experience with other phones apart from the S3 and an old Nokia (which was dysfunctional as fuck, has issues sending my texts through). Nonetheless, the functionality and systems of the Galaxy models is amazing (don't tell Apple, because I have a job interview there  )

[pi]

My S5 heats up when I play games (I have a psp emulator with fifa 14 hahaha), but is fine during normal Facebook, web browsing, etc? I keep my phone pretty clean with regular system clean-ups and stuff though.

[Dejan]

My Note 4 does overheat when I use apps like Facebook. Despite this, I would recommend Samsung since I have little problems with it.

[Cristiano]

The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ is probably the best phone on the market at the moment. You can go for the S6 Edge (or without the edge) if you don't want it so large. I mean, i have an iPhone 6 and i can acknowledge that the Samsung galaxy S6 series is the best option out there.

[Orson]

You should be able to do wonders with a budget of $800. Do you want an outright phone? Or with a plan?

Android - Super customisable. You can do heaps of weird stuff on these (given the appropriate hardware). Like play PSP games like pi said.

iOs - A very small cage.

I reccomend the following:

- Galaxy S6 [~$800] (Sticks to the traditional android + galaxy style. Nothing surprising here, they just don't mess with what works)

- Galaxy S5 [$597] (I got mine for $397 at Officeworks a few weeks ago. They may reduce the price again...maybe. If you wanna wait that is. Similar to the S6)

- iPhone 6S (I personally dont like Apple products and their heavy reliance on propriety accessories. Things like you have to use iTunes for music and you can't expand the storage space kinda suck, but you can always go around that. However as you know, they are very popular among everyone)

- iPhone 5S and lower (Cheaper alternatives)

- HTC One (Android again. Looks really stylish)

Personally, I'd just save some money and go with an S4 or S5.

Let me know if you want more helps...

[AngelWings]

Not sure if any phone other than an old school Nokia will last 6 years these days though haha.

Haha. True. I didn't mean that I wanted this one to last as long (should've been more clear about that in hindsight). Just to cope with the next 3/4 years maybe.

Onto my 2nd after falling asleep on (and subsequently somehow breaking) my original nokia before a year 10 IT exam. (lol)

Oh dear! Hopefully nobody was injured in the process.

Do you want an outright phone? Or with a plan?

Depends. Upon research, my SIM card may not even work with some of the more recent Apple products, so I may need a new plan.

- Galaxy S5 [$597] (I got mine for $397 at Officeworks a few weeks ago. They may reduce the price again...maybe. If you wanna wait that is. Similar to the S6)

My phone's stretched out way further than it should've and it's basically irking me to no end, so the sooner the better maybe, but then again... patience is a virtue.

- iPhone 6S (However as you know, they are very popular among everyone)

Hence why I'm asking AN users for advice. Too much bias from friends' recommendation.

Summary:
So far, the replies have been overwhelmingly positive in favour of Android, but the overheating may be an issue. I'm probably going to be using it like Appleandbee, so hm... more consideration may be necessary.

If anyone still wishes to contribute, please do so. Nothing is concrete yet. Thanks again to those who've contributed already; you've made it just a little easier to decide.

[Orson]

Haha. True. I didn't mean that I wanted this one to last as long (should've been more clear about that in hindsight). Just to cope with the next 3/4 years maybe.
Oh dear! Hopefully nobody was injured in the process.
Depends. Upon research, my SIM card may not even work with some of the more recent Apple products, so I may need a new plan.My phone's stretched out way further than it should've and it's basically irking me to no end, so the sooner the better maybe, but then again... patience is a virtue. Hence why I'm asking AN users for advice. Too much bias from friends' recommendation.

Summary:
So far, the replies have been overwhelmingly positive in favour of Android, but the overheating may be an issue. I'm probably going to be using it like Appleandbee, so hm... more consideration may be necessary.

If anyone still wishes to contribute, please do so. Nothing is concrete yet. Thanks again to those who've contributed already; you've made it just a little easier to decide.

Overheating is not an issue unless you are playing heavy games. Think about it this way; you will have to in some way for the extra functionality of an Android over an iPhone. You will have to pay in heat.