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Cheap(ish) Android phone with large screen and good battery life
tdenson
12-01-2015
I have just invested in Sonos multi-room speakers at home and want to use an Android phone as a dedicated remote control. It would be nice to have something that could go say for a week before recharging and also ideally a 5(ish) inch display. I guess I could use a tablet but I think the form factor/size of a phone is more suitable for a remote. I don't care about performance, camera etc. just need a decent screen and battery. Any suggestions ? As it happens I have a dual SIM Wiko which is 4.7" and seems to have very good battery life and only cost £120, but just wondering whether there's something that fits the bill even better (budget up to £200, say).
Mark in Essex
12-01-2015
I'm guessing something like the Motorola Moto G (2nd generation) would be best, but suspect you would have to turn off mobile phone side of it and syncing etc to get it to last a week (only have WiFi on when it's not in standby and Bluetooth off).
tealady
12-01-2015
A week and a 5" display sound a bit incompatible. Maybe something like this would bridge the gap ?
http://www.firebox.com/product/4942/...FUbMtAodi14APA
WelshBluebird
12-01-2015
I seriously doubt you'll get any smartphone lasting a week unless you simply don't use it at all!
corf
12-01-2015
No sim card seriously helps battery life on smartphones.
tdenson
12-01-2015
Originally Posted by corf:
“No sim card seriously helps battery life on smartphones.”

Surely putting it in airplane mode and then reenabling wifi would have the same effect ?
tdenson
12-01-2015
Originally Posted by tealady:
“A week and a 5" display sound a bit incompatible. Maybe something like this would bridge the gap ?
http://www.firebox.com/product/4942/...FUbMtAodi14APA”

Well my Wiko lasts 4 or 5 days when lightly used which is what this would be.
As far as an external power pack is concerned, I am no stranger to them since I already have half a dozen. However, I might as well plug it in to a charger seeing as by definition it's at home.
tdenson
12-01-2015
Originally Posted by WelshBluebird:
“I seriously doubt you'll get any smartphone lasting a week unless you simply don't use it at all!”

Well that's the point - I wouldn't be using it much at all, just to control the audio. To be fair, I didn't really spec very well what I want. I suppose really it comes down to standby time.
corf
12-01-2015
Originally Posted by tdenson:
“Surely putting it in airplane mode and then reenabling wifi would have the same effect ?”

yes it would, I can get an old iphone 4 in aeroplane mode to last a week when used as an alarm clock.
Chrysalis
12-01-2015
actually a week+ is very doable on android phones but you will need to root the phone for sure.

I recently got a oneplusone which has a 5.5inch screen. The battery life was originally hideous because google play services kept the phone awake when the screen was off, now a custom kernel, rooted and greenify all done it drains about 4-5% a day although it is currently in airplane mode as I havent put a sim in it, I expect it should still drain less than 10% a day tho with a sim in it.

My ACE regurly lasts 2 weeks between charges, my S3 wil llast 10 days.

My S5+ is harder due to lack of custom kernels, the default samsung kernel has issues with wakelocks on wifi and modem. But currently its running not too bad, 2 days 14h since charge and 88% battery. It is not in airplane mode.

Oneplusone phones are cheap for their spec.
rjb101
12-01-2015
how about a tablet instead if your not going to use it as a phone?
tdenson
12-01-2015
Originally Posted by rjb101:
“how about a tablet instead if your not going to use it as a phone?”

Pay attention at the back

I did say "I guess I could use a tablet but I think the form factor/size of a phone is more suitable for a remote."
tdenson
12-01-2015
Originally Posted by Chrysalis:
“actually a week+ is very doable on android phones but you will need to root the phone for sure.

Oneplusone phones are cheap for their spec.”

You've set me a challenge there, bet I can do it without rooting

I will look at the Oneplusone thanks
Chrysalis
12-01-2015
Also if you root a oneplusone it doesnt void warranty.
tdenson
12-01-2015
Originally Posted by Chrysalis:
“Also if you root a oneplusone it doesnt void warranty.”

I'm confused. If I go to the Oneplusone website it tells me the only way I can buy it is by getting an invite or winning a contest. However, I can go to Amazon and buy it - what gives ?
rosetech
12-01-2015
Why not use an iPod Touch? You could also try the Galaxy media player - not sure about the battery requirement.

I use my nexus 7 for my Sonos remote control, but have the app loaded on my phone just in case it is not to hand.
Chrysalis
12-01-2015
Originally Posted by tdenson:
“I'm confused. If I go to the Oneplusone website it tells me the only way I can buy it is by getting an invite or winning a contest. However, I can go to Amazon and buy it - what gives ?”

I dont know how amazon are ok just selling it, I managed to get an invite. Amazon costs more but its a way to get it quicker.

Just reread first post, I dont think the oneplusone has a infrared sensor.
tdenson
12-01-2015
Originally Posted by Chrysalis:
“I dont know how amazon are ok just selling it, I managed to get an invite. Amazon costs more but its a way to get it quicker.

Just reread first post, I dont think the oneplusone has a infrared sensor.”

What is the price via an invite ?

ir not required
Gigabit
12-01-2015
Originally Posted by Chrysalis:
“I dont know how amazon are ok just selling it, I managed to get an invite. Amazon costs more but its a way to get it quicker.

Just reread first post, I dont think the oneplusone has a infrared sensor.”

They're Chinese models, which are imported because they can be purchased without an invite.

The whole invite system is just a bogus attempt to drive up demand, I hope you realise that.
tdenson
13-01-2015
Originally Posted by Gigabit:
“
The whole invite system is just a bogus attempt to drive up demand, I hope you realise that.”

Yes, that's what puts me off them
Chrysalis
13-01-2015
Originally Posted by Gigabit:
“They're Chinese models, which are imported because they can be purchased without an invite.

The whole invite system is just a bogus attempt to drive up demand, I hope you realise that.”

Of course. I am not stupid, but since its cheaper to buy via invite thats what I did.

Good news for the S5 LTE-A a custom kernel is finally been developed.
tdenson
13-01-2015
Originally Posted by Chrysalis:
“Of course. I am not stupid, but since its cheaper to buy via invite thats what I did.

Good news for the S5 LTE-A a custom kernel is finally been developed.”

I'll repeat my question - what is the price via an invite ?
VDUBster
13-01-2015
The Sony Xperia M2 is a good phone with a large screen. I paid £120 from Carphone Warehouse a couple of months ago so you may be able to get it cheaper now.
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