My latest phobile moan (also spec me)

JeditOjanen · 24 May 2018 at 13:04

I think the USB connection on my Note 4 is starting to fail, so I have to look around for a new device. Wandered through town yesterday to put my hands on a few handsets, and noticed a lot of things about the new generation that I do not like.

1) Removable batteries seem to have gone the way of the dodo. I'm not a fan of this, it's planned obsolescence.

2) Half the phones don't have a 3.5mm headphone jack any more, and most of the ones that do have moved it to the bottom. This is fine when you're holding the phone, I guess, but when it's in a pocket it's bloody awkward.

3) I would like to take all personal assistants and personally assist their designer to insert them somewhere painful.

4) Replacing the physical home button with a fingerprint scanner is a bit annoying, especially when it's on the reverse.

OK, rant over. I am looking for a device which at least matches the form factor of my Note 4 (5.84" screen, 3.5mm jack or supplied wireless phones/dongle, microSD slot). I would prefer a sim-free over contract - I don't make many calls, so want to keep my £17-a-month 200 minutes/unlimited data tariff that nobody offers any more. I've never used more than about 10GB in a month, though, so I'd be OK with a 24-month tariff which meets that so long as it's not more than maybe £25-30 a month over what I spend now. And of course, the fewer of my rant points that apply the better. Can any kind soul please advise?

nade · 24 May 2018 at 14:13

What about a Nokia 6 (2018)? I think that would be a similar form factor and have the features you listed. I admit there won't be a removable battery or home button, but think it might be a good option.

joey1211 · 24 May 2018 at 14:20

JeditOjanen said:
2) Half the phones don't have a 3.5mm headphone jack any more, and most of the ones that do have moved it to the bottom. This is fine when you're holding the phone, I guess, but when it's in a pocket it's bloody awkward.

Put it in your pocket upside down?

ThestigGT999 · 24 May 2018 at 14:22

Removable batteries seem to have gone the way of the dodo. I'm not a fan of this, it's planned obsolescence.

blame those tech bloggers who hated them and preferred a closed device

https://mashable.com/2018/01/01/why-phones-cant-have-removable-batteries-anymore/#zvUgWNx2vPqZ

if The galaxy 7 had a removable battery, it would have been fixed easier imo

cheesyboy · 24 May 2018 at 14:28

You could replace the usb port - they're about a fiver on ebay and it's a 10 minute job if you know what you're doing (probably more like an hour if you are following a vid, going by experience doing similar fixes).

Rroff · 24 May 2018 at 14:29

I don't get the fascination with non-removable batteries - it isn't environmentally friendly it isn't end-user friendly and it is a pain in the rear if you get a phone that has a non-removable battery, a repeating alarm set and the device locked with the owner out of the picture for whatever reason and so on.

Also hating the phasing out of the 3.5mm headphone socket.

Kind of in the same boat myself - my Note 4 is getting on a bit now but hard to find a decent replacement that has a removable battery, headphone socket, approx 5-5.5" screen in a decent aspect ratio (not too bothered about resolution but don't like some of the weird aspect ratios that seem to be taking prominence lately) that doesn't have curved edges or bevels or silly bits sticking out into the screen, etc., decent battery life, a camera that is at least in the same ballpark as the Note 4 or better and a micro SD slot and preferably a micro sim as it is a bit of a pain to get my sim adjusted each time.

JeditOjanen · 24 May 2018 at 22:11

joey1211 said:
Put it in your pocket upside down?

Technically the obvious solution, but it's a bit awkward to get it out to use.

kration · 24 May 2018 at 22:33

That all chimes with me too. The progressive loss of the 3.5 socket especially.

MrRockliffe · 24 May 2018 at 22:46

JeditOjanen said:
Technically the obvious solution, but it's a bit awkward to get it out to use.

I've never not put it in upside down. And with the fingerprint sensor on the back, as you pull the phone out it's already on and unlocked

cheesyboy · 24 May 2018 at 22:54

Why would you put your phone in your pocket the right way up? Doesn't everyone put it in upside down? Seems the more natural way to get it in and out smoothly.

MissChief · 24 May 2018 at 22:56

One of the reasons I'm sticking with my S7. The headphone socket.

neoboy · 25 May 2018 at 00:07

Funnily enough this is why I'm holding out upgrading from my S7 Edge, I use earphones quite a lot every day. However, your first point is going to force the upgrade very soon as the battery is quite garbage now.

Upgrading to Oreo tonight and going to do a factory reset to see if I can squeeze anything more out of it, otherwise it's going to Mazuma and getting a P20 Pro.

Buffman · 25 May 2018 at 07:31

I changed from note 4 to huawei p20 Pro and happy with it (might be above budget)

I agree with the dislike of non removable batteries, but battery on this seems to be pretty damn good

I Thought the same about 3.5mm port but rarely affects me. Only concern Is increased wear on charging port?

Smeghead · 25 May 2018 at 13:34

LG V20 is pretty much the last decent phone with a removable battery. It's been my phone since about October and I have no complaints really. Cameras are pretty decent (and the wide angle lens is very neat and useful). I'll run this one into the ground before I'm forced to upgrade. Hopefully by then removable batteries will have a bit of a resurgence.

The current mobile phone market is a complete state in my opinion. Consumers are just completely braindead and happily accept manufacturers taking options away so many options from them. Non removable batteries are forced obsolescence. Fast charge can surely only be detrimental to the battery in the long run. Lack of removable storage means you're stuffed if your phone unexpectedly dies, or if you want to easily move your media from one device to another. Lack of headphone jack means carrying down a stupid dongle and another thing to lose. Stupid copycat useless notch design which adds absolutely nothing. Can you imagine if you bought a car with a sealed and inaccessible engine, having to use an adaptor to put your key in the ignition or a huge black line in the windscreen?

Rroff · 25 May 2018 at 13:41

LG V20 looks like it would tick a lot of boxes for me but a bit late in the day now - if my Note 4 did die though I'd probably see if they were still around if nothing else better comes out.

I hope we see a resurgence of what made the original "phablet" phones good instead of this style over substance rubbish.

Armageus · 25 May 2018 at 14:09

Nokia 8?

Other than the non-removable battery (which I don't think you will get away from), meets all your criteria (3.5mm jack at top, stock android so no assistants, and even a front fingerprint sensor/home button)