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Old 16-11-2016, 22:48
jonmorris
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Huawei intends to become number one and hasn't had any disastrous moments yet. I think some of the recent releases, like the P9 and Mate 9, plus the Honor 8 are pretty incredible phones.

The Nova phones were pretty awful though.

Huawei could gain a lot at the expense of Samsung if it plays its cards right.
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Old 19-11-2016, 12:21
IvanIV
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What would you consider a top of the shelf new Android phone ATM? Screen around 6", full HD or more, 4GB RAM, 32GB or more internal memory, micro SD extendable. I've always been a Windows Phone fan, but the new HP X3 has given me a final push. Things that are considered standard are not working randomly.
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Old 19-11-2016, 13:04
anyonefortennis
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What would you consider a top of the shelf new Android phone ATM? Screen around 6", full HD or more, 4GB RAM, 32GB or more internal memory, micro SD extendable. I've always been a Windows Phone fan, but the new HP X3 has given me a final push. Things that are considered standard are not working randomly.
Google Pixel XL

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LR708uA4zQ8
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Old 19-11-2016, 13:18
jonmorris
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There's a new phone being announced next week that could fit the bill nicely, and be much more affordable than the XL.
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Old 19-11-2016, 13:24
Stig
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There's a new phone being announced next week that could fit the bill nicely, and be much more affordable than the XL.
Ooo, you tease!
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Old 19-11-2016, 14:03
Faust
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Huawei intends to become number one and hasn't had any disastrous moments yet. I think some of the recent releases, like the P9 and Mate 9, plus the Honor 8 are pretty incredible phones.

The Nova phones were pretty awful though.

Huawei could gain a lot at the expense of Samsung if it plays its cards right.
I can't say I'm a fan of their Android overlay though - they badly need a rethink with this.
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Old 19-11-2016, 14:08
Faust
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The S7/S7 Edge still take some beating and remain at top of the pile, though I do like the Pixel/iPhone clone.

I think the S8 may well be a bit special when it's released in March.

I still think the Chinese have a little way to go before they can be considered mainstream though I accept they will look attractive to those on a limited budget.

I think the release of the Galaxy C series is imminent too. Mid-priced just below the S range.
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Old 19-11-2016, 14:12
anyonefortennis
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The S7/S7 Edge still take some beating and remain at top of the pile, though I do like the Pixel/iPhone clone.

I think the S8 may well be a bit special when it's released in March.

I still think the Chinese have a little way to go before they can be considered mainstream though I accept they will look attractive to those on a limited budget.
A lot of these vloggers are saying the Pixel XL is the best Android phone on the market.
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Old 19-11-2016, 14:13
Faust
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A lot of these vloggers are saying the Pixel XL is the best Android phone on the market.
It's probably the best 'vanilla Android' experience, though I'm not sure that actually makes it the very best phone powered by Android.
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Old 19-11-2016, 14:15
anyonefortennis
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It's probably the best 'vanilla Android' experience, though I'm not sure that actually makes it the very best phone powered by Android.
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Old 19-11-2016, 14:15
Faust
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I think the release of the Galaxy C series is imminent too. Mid-priced just below the S range. Should be a great buy for those not wanting/willing to spend on a flagship phone.
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Old 19-11-2016, 14:51
clewsy
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There's a new phone being announced next week that could fit the bill nicely, and be much more affordable than the XL.
Well won't Vodafone have a new branded phone due soon as well?
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Old 19-11-2016, 15:22
jonmorris
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Ooo, you tease!
Both these new phones only have 5.5 inch screens, but one ticks the other boxes quite nicely and is almost a third of the price. I think if you can make do with 5.5 inch as the top, many budget phones are out there that provide excellent value.

There's not so much from 5.5-6 inch, although the Mate 9 is cheaper than the Pixel and as 5.9inch (but only 1080p, although I swear I can't really tell the difference between that and my Pixel XL, which as 1440p on a smaller display).

I can't say I'm a fan of their Android overlay though - they badly need a rethink with this.
Emotion UI 5 on the Mate 9 and as part of Nougat for the P9, Honor 8 etc is vastly improved. There's an app drawer for one thing and many other improvements. With Nougat, battery life is further improved and you now have split screen.

Works great on my Mate 9 and next week I'll get the beta for my Honor 8, although split screen on a 5.2-inch display may not be as good as changing the DPI to make it more useful is going to make things look a bit tiny.

A lot of these vloggers are saying the Pixel XL is the best Android phone on the market.
Like the 6P last year, it probably IS the best phone in one way - and not in others. Plus this year, the Pixel phones are vastly overpriced given that Pixel and Nexus are just marketing terms. The way they were developed is no different to earlier models, and there's nothing to justify the huge price hike in terms of components used.

But the camera IS great, in all lighting conditions. A nice simply point and shoot.

The downside to native vanilla that some love is that, as with Nexus models before, you can quickly become bored of them. I know it sounds silly, and it's just a phone, but there's less customisation potential unless you're willing to root or go for custom ROMs. The camera app on Google is very basic, and the clever HDR stuff won't be there if you use a third party camera app.

So, it's still good that there's plenty of choice for consumers. The Pixel could never become the ONLY Android phone (in case Google ever thinks it might one day go it alone and say goodbye to all the other Android manufacturers, by gradually removing Google Apps from other devices, so AOSP Android just dies).

Well won't Vodafone have a new branded phone due soon as well?
Not sure. They've had a number of phones this year, and I've not heard anything as yet - but quite possible.
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Old 20-11-2016, 16:07
IvanIV
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Thanks for the tips, I saw some of those in a shop and played with them. Galaxies are too small, I got used to phablets and if possible I'd stay with them. I could only find 5.5" Google Pixel, so it's the second choice atm. Huawei Mate 9 looks nice. I don't mind "lower" screen resolution, I have been using full HD phone for years and never noticed any pixelation artifacts. I'll have to check reviews for it.
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Old 20-11-2016, 16:29
anyonefortennis
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Thanks for the tips, I saw some of those in a shop and played with them. Galaxies are too small, I got used to phablets and if possible I'd stay with them. I could only find 5.5" Google Pixel, so it's the second choice atm. Huawei Mate 9 looks nice. I don't mind "lower" screen resolution, I have been using full HD phone for years and never noticed any pixelation artifacts. I'll have to check reviews for it.
What about the LG V20 or the Xiaomi Mi Mix. 6.4" display :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7plA1ALkQw&t=2s
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Old 20-11-2016, 17:13
Richard_T
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I dont think the V20 is due to be released in the UK.

Any thoughts on the oneplus 3t?
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Old 20-11-2016, 17:22
anyonefortennis
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I dont think the V20 is due to be released in the UK.

Any thoughts on the oneplus 3t?
It seems to be available on this site. Don't know how kosher it is though :

http://www.eglobalcentral.co.uk/lg-v...tI6hoC-Rbw_wcB
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Old 20-11-2016, 21:03
Richard_T
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that eglobal site appears to be an importers. personally £500 is a lot to gamble with.
I was stung by an importer and a faulty item ( warranty returns issue) a few years ago, and in my opinion anything over £50 and its not worth the risk.
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Old 20-11-2016, 21:07
anyonefortennis
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that eglobal site appears to be an importers. personally £500 is a lot to gamble with.
I was stung by an importer and a faulty item ( warranty returns issue) a few years ago, and in my opinion anything over £50 and its not worth the risk.
You have cover on your debit or credit card for purchases over £100 don't you?
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Old 20-11-2016, 21:10
red_snow
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I'd just wait a week and get the 3t from OP directly or I believe that O2 will also stock it.

I've got the OP3 and am very impressed with it.
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Old 21-11-2016, 19:52
Thine Wonk
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You have cover on your debit or credit card for purchases over £100 don't you?
Warranty is a different matter though, if goods go faulty within 6 months then they are deemed to have likely to have been faulty at the time of manufacture by default unless the retailer can show misuse.

After 6 months the consumer relies on the warranty more heavily and the V20 is not being sold anywhere in Europe and LG do not offer international warranty on goods imported from Asia or US to Europe.

Whilst technically it may be possible for the consumer to show there was a manufacturing fault after the 6 months the onus is on the consumer, (outside of warranty) potentially you could still claim for up to 6 years depending on the reasonable expectation of the lifespan of the goods and proving that there was an inherent fault.

A section 75 claim may be rejected by the credit card company beyond 6 months as there may be questions over whether the claim is valid or whether a manufacturers warranty should cover the product after 6 months. As a grey import there wouldn't be any warranty to rely on and the retailer could potentially dispute a section 75 claim.

Clove also say after-sales support is why they aren't selling and point out there would be no warranty in the comments. http://blog.clove.co.uk/2016/10/26/w...ing-uk-europe/
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Old 22-11-2016, 11:25
ihatemarmite
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popped into CPW yesterday and really like the look of the Pixel (both models). They told me the smaller one is selling well, not the XL so much due to price. They are far too expensive right now. But they look so much classier than the Samsungs. I hate that shiny black look. I know it's a great phone but I'd put it straight into a case.
Will the Pixel prices come down in a few months? I mean to buy outright, no contract. What's the tech support like with Google? I had a nexus 4. Had to call the US and help was extremely limited.
Had to ring Samsung recently about my S5 and they were v helpful.
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Old 22-11-2016, 11:37
Denco1
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popped into CPW yesterday and really like the look of the Pixel (both models). They told me the smaller one is selling well, not the XL so much due to price. They are far too expensive right now. But they look so much classier than the Samsungs. I hate that shiny black look. I know it's a great phone but I'd put it straight into a case.
Will the Pixel prices come down in a few months? I mean to buy outright, no contract. What's the tech support like with Google? I had a nexus 4. Had to call the US and help was extremely limited.
Had to ring Samsung recently about my S5 and they were v helpful.
CPW have already reduced the price by £70 for black Friday, I wouldn't be surprised to see a longer term price cut shortly.
Tech support seemed excellent, even as a non customer. I filled in a online support ticket asking about 4G calling, immediately I received a call from Google who pretty much instantly gave me an answer.
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Old 23-11-2016, 14:39
1saintly
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one for after xmas

http://www.gizbot.com/mobile/feature...p9-036420.html
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Old 23-11-2016, 14:56
jonmorris
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Nothing in that article is anything you couldn't just work out on the basis that a new phone is launched every April, that the Leica deal is ongoing, and that it will always use the latest Kirin chipset.

Think of the P10 as a smaller Mate 9 and you're pretty much there.

I have to say that with Nougat and EMUI 5, the P9 feels like a brand new phone when installed. Same on the Honor 8.
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