(2015-08-08, 03:58)WuddaWaste Wrote: [ -> ]I think it's pretty sweet that you know what you want. That puts you ahead of the game in a lot of aspects. Now it's just a matter of seeing what is available vs what you want, and making some decisions in priorities.
In regards to your thoughts on consumerism and buying a new phone every few years, I'd actually really like to hear your thought. It's always good to challenge the status quo. That's actually one of the things that led me here.
My version: Most people erroneously view expensive items as some kind of investment. They lie to themselves. The thought process is along the lines of, "Well, I only get to buy one of these once every several years so I'd better get a good one so it'll keep me happy that whole time. " Perhaps that train of thinking was derived from budgeting or perhaps it was from the archaic 2-year contract cell phone model from the early 2000s. In either case, it's wrong. An investment implies a return on money. With electronics, it's at best a durable good. When you buy a new phone it's worth as much as it'll ever be worth. It will continue to depreciate until it is worth nothing. Because of that, my personal goal with electronics is to not spend a lot of money on them. I think of cell phones kind of like I think of bananas. Don't spend too much, and replace as often as necessary.
This model works for me. It doesn't work for everyone. I understand that.
I get that you're comparing your LG GD880 to the Haier W910 based on your own personal experience. It's a valid comparison with good considerations. That said, the phone market has changed a LOT since those days (2010). I suspect you'll be pretty happy with any of the reputable, modern budget phones. As of this year, they all come in as significant powerhouses compared to the budget phones of yesteryear.
All that said, it still boils down to what's most important to you. Size? Power? Cost? If it were me in the same market, I'd keep my eyes open for a small (4.7 - 5.0 inch) phone with a solid (30k+ antutu) benchmark score. For me personally, I'd want 16GB of storage 'cuz I *HATE* running out of space. 1GB/2GB/3GB of RAM would be fine -- more is better, but I'd take storage space and processing power over sheer RAM.
In any case, there are a ton of options. I hope you find something you're going to love.
Addendum. Gizbeat just did a spec review on the Blackview Alife P1 Pro. For a smallish budget phone, it might be one to keep an eye on.
http://www.chinaphonearena.com/forum/Thr...7#pid46107
I checked out the Blackview phone, it looks really good. The screen-to-body ratio was a bit low and so is the resolution considering the amazing things to come.
I have my eye on the Lenovo Vibe X2 Pro, but I don't know where I can buy one online. I guess 5" phones are okay if they are light and thin. Other options I've narrowed down include the Xiaomi Mi4i and Huawei Honor 6, or the Meizi MX5 32GB if it is cheaper since it doesn't have a card slot.
I pretty much agree with you about buying smartphones. You have good ideas on phones, i might need to adapt some of them as I try to find this phone. Alas and since you asked...
Phones, or any electronics, are like new cars once rolled off the lot - they will not increase in value (rare exceptions excluded). On top of that, I am turned off by all the dirty tricks that companies pull, i.e, planned obsolescence; slight incremental technological advancements mixed with wizardly marketing ploys; consumerism/capitalism LOL. I'm being forced to buy what I don't need.
And people are isolating themselves in their technologies instead of hanging out/talking to each other. I've decided that my material objects will be tools against foreseen problems expected in the next half-decade or so. I won't let Facebook, chat rooms, etc, create the very problems for me that technology is trying to "defeat" for everyone. And that's why I like Chinese phones too, because they are taking away (not really by choice but because of the imbalance in global economics) the elitism of huge companies like Sony, Samsung, Apple etc, and putting people on a more equal field somehow eventually. Hope I didn't get too off track.
I've been using a tablet for the past two years for some critical apps like free long-distance calling, ip camera viewing, gps navigation. I've always followed the pace of electronics.
On a side note, I've read that sometimes there are "Chinese" version phones that have been converted to work in the international arena; and then there's the "International" phone, which is good for non-China living people because it readily accepts Google Play, etc. I'm afraid of buying a converted "Chinese" only phone. These Chinese websites, maybe they'll sell me a "China" phone!
Cheers
(2015-08-08, 22:28)edcoolio Wrote: [ -> ]This is a great discussion that brings up a lot of valid and important points.
Personally, I would also love to find a very small Android based decent spec device with a recent OS version. The truth is, it seems as if they just don't sell them.
As a heavy phone swapper, it would be nice to have another option in regards to size. Unfortunately, this may not matter for long as the industry is attempting to abolish SIM cards, removing the freedom to use whatever we want whenever we want..
Hey man if you find one please let me know too. My 5 year old LG GD880 has like a 3" screen but the PPI is like 306. Almost everything under 5" now is much less than 300, what's up with that!