Some advice about smartphones ?

[Twilight Phoenix]

Hey there,

as most of you probably know, I lost many belongings a few weeks ago when I got robbed in the middle of the street. Things are on rails to get new ID papers and new glasses (I've been spending the last weeks with my sunglasses on all the freaking time........) but I also have to think about a new phone. Hooray for my 1-year-old LG G5 which's probably on a black market somewhere...

Anyway, I'm hesitating between buying another LG G5 Smart Edition, or buying a Samsung Galaxy S5.
You may ask me why I'm not looking into newer smartphones. The answer is simple: irremovable batteries. I once had the problem of a dead battery with my Samsung Galaxy S2 and it wouldn't start anymore at all, even when plugged to electricity. I had to buy a new battery, and it had me realize how important it is to me to be able to remove it from my smartphone. I don't buy and replace my phone every 2 years like many people do...I generally keep it for 4 to 6 years. So interchangeable batteries are one of my top priorities when choosing a phone.
Now I'm also looking into a device that's new enough to keep updated for a little while. OS and app obsolescence is what made me switch from my Galaxy S2 to the LG G5. I wouldn't have bought a new device if it hasn't been because of app obsolescence. Almost no app was running anymore, I couldn't get updates for Google Maps or Gmail, and the few apps that still ran were unstable. So I definitely want a smartphone that will keep updated for enough time so I won't need to buy another one next year...

I'm honestly more into buying another LG G5, except for two things: the LG in-built interface (LG Home) is crappy as hell, and the IPS screen. Damn, how I prefer AMOLED...Blue light on IPS screens is just crazy.
Now I won't lie, price does count too. A Samsung GS5 can be bought at 200 euros here, but a LG G5 SE will still cost 400 euros. But do I really want to save money now to be forced to buy another phone next year when Marshmallow (the latest OS on GS5) becomes obsolete ?

What do you think ??

 

[Marc]

maybe go the cheaper phone now and then move on to what's available down the track when it dies because either way I think you're stuck with the OS version and spending 200 for an older model is better than spending 400 for an older model

the lack of upgrading from phone vendors is a major pain in the arse - they'll either claim it will come or they simply plan never to offer it.

I bought a new phone ealier this year to replace an unstable Asus Zenphone 2, it was a pretty new model only being releases a couple of months before but Huewai won't be doing an Android 9 release for it. Hell even with the high end phones such as the top end Galaxies there's no guarantee of updates.

Think removable batteries is also going to be a thing of the past at repaid rate across all model.

 

[Scout101]

removable batteries shouldn't be a deal breaker. much more CONVENIENT than, say, an iPhone battery, but it's also cheap/easy enough to have done if you want to swap that battery out. Harder than an external battery, but not prohibitive to get it swapped for a new one, and really cheap if you can do it yourself or know someone...

 

[Admiral2]

I've actually owned two Galaxy S5s. the first, as your phone was, was stolen. I've had the replacement for a few years now and, performance-wise, have had no reason to replace it with a newer model. As far as being on line and just plain making phone calls is concerned, it's fast enough and reliable.

My big problem is that I might have damaged the charging port with bad charging habits. Charging is slow when the phone is turned off and even slower if I try to charge while using it (I've actually had it shut off on me, even though it was plugged in). I say it must be the port because changing the battery and/or charger hasn't really solved the problem.

That's really it. If you're more careful about charging it than I am, a Galaxy S5 should be fine.

 

[Twilight Phoenix]

I've actually owned two Galaxy S5s. the first, as your phone was, was stolen. I've had the replacement for a few years now and, performance-wise, have had no reason to replace it with a newer model. As far as being on line and just plain making phone calls is concerned, it's fast enough and reliable.

What about app performance ? Can you still use Google Maps, internet and email apps ? I'd say I use my smartphone 50% of time as a phone and 50% of time as a pocket computer (for checking websites, emails, for instant messaging...) so I want to be sure the apps can still run smoothly and the OS can be stable.
Have you ever had screenburns on your Galaxy S5 ? I never had that problem with my Galaxy S2 AMOLED screen in 4 years, but it happened pretty quickly on the LG G5 IPS screen :-/

 

[Admiral2]

What about app performance ? Can you still use Google Maps, internet and email apps ? I'd say I use my smartphone 50% of time as a phone and 50% of time as a pocket computer (for checking websites, emails, for instant messaging...) so I want to be sure the apps can still run smoothly and the OS can be stable.

I use Google Internet and email all the time and have had no problems running either. Maps not as much, but the few times I used it there were no issues. My phone is actually loaded with a bunch of apps, and the only time they ever give me trouble is if I'm running out of memory, which is not, strictly speaking, the apps' problem.

My phone is running on Android, and so far it's been very stable and reliable.

Have you ever had screenburns on your Galaxy S5 ? I never had that problem with my Galaxy S2 AMOLED screen in 4 years, but it happened pretty quickly on the LG G5 IPS screen :-/

No, I've never had that problem with the S5.

 

[Twilight Phoenix]

My phone is running on Android, and so far it's been very stable and reliable.

May I ask what version of Android you're currently running ? I read that Galaxy S5 can be updated up to Lollipop, whereas S5 Mini and S5 Neo can update up to Marshmallow. My LG G5 was operating with Nougat.

 

[Admiral2]

May I ask what version of Android you're currently running ? I read that Galaxy S5 can be updated up to Lollipop, whereas S5 Mini and S5 Neo can update up to Marshmallow. My LG G5 was operating with Nougat.

Honestly, until you just asked it never even occurred to me that there were different versions, so I've never bothered to check.

So now I did...and I guess I'm running Marshmallow. (Specifically, my phone says I'm operating Android Version 6.0.1.)

 

[Twilight Phoenix]

Yup, 6.0.1 is Marshmallow
Thank you for checking

 

[Admiral2]

Yup, 6.0.1 is Marshmallow
Thank you for checking

You're welcome. Does any of this help you in making your decision?

 

[Starbreaker]

Check out www.swappa.com. I got my G5 from there for $150 about a year ago and I still love it. I'm running Nova Launcher and I will never go back to the default screen.

 

[Twilight Phoenix]

You're welcome. Does any of this help you in making your decision?

I think so. I dunno, honestly. I've never been good at choosing between two options ^^"
One of my friends who has a Galaxy S5 is coming over tomorrow for a barbecue, I'll ask him to let me take a look at the his phone. It's hard for me to choose without handling the device a bit before, especially since I have small hands so bigger phones are not the best !

Check out www.swappa.com. I got my G5 from there for $150 about a year ago and I still love it. I'm running Nova Launcher and I will never go back to the default screen.

Thanks for the tip ! Do you know if they deliver worldwide ? I'm French, so I stay careful with delivering options and fees.