Help - need a new phone

slovcan · 24th March 2018, 17:19

Hi folks, not strictly MGR related, but help.

It has been a NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD- expensive month

. In one of our Nor'easters a branch came off one of our birch trees ...... and through the back window of the neighbour's car. Home insurance? $1000 deductible. Owner's car insurance? Only allowed 3 glass claims in 5 years and just had one 2 weeks before. So, $400 for the window and $600 to get the trees (2 together) taken down.

Then yesterday my trusty Nokia N9 died - 2 weeks after I put in a new battery (the 3rd, I think - had that phone for about 7 or 8 years). It won't recognize the sim card and the micro USB port for charging and saving my documents, pictures, notes, contacts and whatever else no longer works. Lost everything.

Anyway, need a new phone. We have had the N9's for 8 years. Awesome phone and especially the MeeGo operating system. From what I have read about Android, IOS and Windows 10 Mobile, none of them will individually do what our N9 does. I don't want an iPhone - Apple scams their customers with battery tricks to entice them to buy new iPhones every couple of years. So, that leaves Android and Windows 10 Mobile. I know Windows 10 Mobile isn't going to be developed any further, but it will be supported as it is. The functioning of Windows 10 Mobile seems to be more like MeeGo than Android is. BUT, I think there is a Microsoft Launcher that you can put on Android phones that make them almost Windows phones. Best of both worlds? I really don't know. I have never used any operating system except MeeGo.

I have narrowed my phone choices down to the Nokia 5 or 6 or Motorola G5 Plus for Android and Nokia/Microsoft Lumia 950 for Windows 10. My preference is always Nokia - always top quality phones.

Here is what my N9 64G did and are must haves for my new one:

- Screensaver with dimmed clock, ringer setting & current weather
- Security lock that automatically engages after 5 or 10 minutes of inactivity
and needs a pin number or some
other secure way of unlocking
- Call recorder that automatically records and saves phone calls
- Light sensor that turns off the screen when in a pocket or against your ear
- PDF, Word & Excel viewer (preferably with editing capability for Word and
Excel)
- Full function calendar
- Minimum of 32G storage or seamlessly expandable with a Micro SD card
- Battery must last at least a full day – N9 lasts 2 days with checking email at
0900, 1200, 1700 & 0000 plus
updating weather forecasts every 30 minutes
- Good camera
- Good GPS
- Good music player

What do the smart guys with smart phones recommend? I need to get one fast and don't know enough to make a good decision right now.

Thanks,
Glenn

hrissim · 24th March 2018, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by slovcan

Hi folks, not strictly MGR related, but help.

....
I have narrowed my phone choices down to the Nokia 5 or 6 or Motorola G5 Plus for Android and Nokia/Microsoft Lumia 950 for Windows 10. My preference is always Nokia - always top quality phones.

Here is what my N9 64G did and are must haves for my new one:

- Screensaver with dimmed clock, ringer setting & current weather
- Security lock that automatically engages after 5 or 10 minutes of inactivity
and needs a pin number or some
other secure way of unlocking
- Call recorder that automatically records and saves phone calls
- Light sensor that turns off the screen when in a pocket or against your ear
- PDF, Word & Excel viewer (preferably with editing capability for Word and
Excel)
- Full function calendar
- Minimum of 32G storage or seamlessly expandable with a Micro SD card
- Battery must last at least a full day – N9 lasts 2 days with checking email at
0900, 1200, 1700 & 0000 plus
updating weather forecasts every 30 minutes
- Good camera
- Good GPS
- Good music player

What do the smart guys with smart phones recommend? I need to get one fast and don't know enough to make a good decision right now.

Thanks,
Glenn

Hello, Glenn!
Definitely Xiaomi.

Covers all of your requirements even more

Recommend them - personal 2 years experience with this one.
The best price/quality ratio.
Budget for choosing the model?

By the way - Nokia is far behind the quality used to be...

slovcan · 24th March 2018, 17:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrissim

Hello, Glenn!
Definitely Xiaomi.

Covers all of your requirements even more

Recommend them - personal 2 years experience with this one.
The best price/quality ratio.
Budget for choosing the model?

By the way - Nokia is far behind the quality used to be...

Hi Hristo,

Thanks for the info! I've never heard of that phone, but from your link it looks like a winner. I will do some more research on that one. Excellent!

Like I said, it was a very expensive month. I didn't budget for a car window, tree cutting OR a phone. I want to keep it under $300 CAD if at all possible.

Glenn

hrissim · 24th March 2018, 18:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by slovcan

Hi Hristo,

Thanks for the info! I've never heard of that phone, but from your link it looks like a winner. I will do some more research on that one. Excellent!

Like I said, it was a very expensive month. I didn't budget for a car window, tree cutting OR a phone. I want to keep it under $300 CAD if at all possible.

Glenn

You will not regret.
This manufacturer is unknown in the Western World /for now/.
Do a research for the owner opinions, the sales of the company, the quality, so on.
Do your choice with the model equipped with a Snapdragon processor.
The only one is better - Huawei but with no automatic phone call recorder

Pricey.
Better camera - Leica optics in high-end models.

topman · 24th March 2018, 18:07

How about a second hand N9?

slovcan · 24th March 2018, 18:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by topman

How about a second hand N9?

Yes Topman, I have looked. I can get the 16G ones, but I need more storage than that. If I could find another 64G I might well go with that.

Cheers,
Glenn

Groundsman Willie · 24th March 2018, 19:34

Hi Glenn,
I would agree with Hristo, something like an Xiaomi would fit the bill.
As you say, Windows Mobile is dead, Nokia were the big supporters, and even they've turned their back on it.
Never been an Apple fan, I feel you've got to 'buy into' the whole Apple experience, I prefer a bit more freedom of choice.
Android gives that freedom. I think everything on your 'must have' list is possible, maybe not included on a phone straight out of the box, but available on the Google Play Store to download, almost certainly for free.

madeupname · 24th March 2018, 19:40

A couple of my work colleagues have Huawei phones. They love them. But I haven't got a clue about spec, sorry.

Groundsman Willie · 24th March 2018, 19:48

The bigger Chinese names like Huawei, Xiaomi, One plus, Lenovo or Zte, are making phones equal or even better than the likes of Samsung or Apple in power and quality, but at a third of the price. This is why the latest big name phones are adding more gimmicks, like fancy camera effects, it's just window dressing because they know they can't compete with the Chinese on value

suzublu · 24th March 2018, 19:53

I'm on my 3rd Elephone

24th March 2018, 17:19	#1
slovcan Gets stuck in 75 Tourer CDT MK2 manual in Glorious Grey Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Slovakia Posts: 987 Thanks: 926 Thanked 346 Times in 252 Posts	Help - need a new phone Hi folks, not strictly MGR related, but help. It has been a NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD-NAUGHTY WORD- expensive month . In one of our Nor'easters a branch came off one of our birch trees ...... and through the back window of the neighbour's car. Home insurance? $1000 deductible. Owner's car insurance? Only allowed 3 glass claims in 5 years and just had one 2 weeks before. So, $400 for the window and $600 to get the trees (2 together) taken down. Then yesterday my trusty Nokia N9 died - 2 weeks after I put in a new battery (the 3rd, I think - had that phone for about 7 or 8 years). It won't recognize the sim card and the micro USB port for charging and saving my documents, pictures, notes, contacts and whatever else no longer works. Lost everything. Anyway, need a new phone. We have had the N9's for 8 years. Awesome phone and especially the MeeGo operating system. From what I have read about Android, IOS and Windows 10 Mobile, none of them will individually do what our N9 does. I don't want an iPhone - Apple scams their customers with battery tricks to entice them to buy new iPhones every couple of years. So, that leaves Android and Windows 10 Mobile. I know Windows 10 Mobile isn't going to be developed any further, but it will be supported as it is. The functioning of Windows 10 Mobile seems to be more like MeeGo than Android is. BUT, I think there is a Microsoft Launcher that you can put on Android phones that make them almost Windows phones. Best of both worlds? I really don't know. I have never used any operating system except MeeGo. I have narrowed my phone choices down to the Nokia 5 or 6 or Motorola G5 Plus for Android and Nokia/Microsoft Lumia 950 for Windows 10. My preference is always Nokia - always top quality phones. Here is what my N9 64G did and are must haves for my new one: - Screensaver with dimmed clock, ringer setting & current weather - Security lock that automatically engages after 5 or 10 minutes of inactivity and needs a pin number or some other secure way of unlocking - Call recorder that automatically records and saves phone calls - Light sensor that turns off the screen when in a pocket or against your ear - PDF, Word & Excel viewer (preferably with editing capability for Word and Excel) - Full function calendar - Minimum of 32G storage or seamlessly expandable with a Micro SD card - Battery must last at least a full day – N9 lasts 2 days with checking email at 0900, 1200, 1700 & 0000 plus updating weather forecasts every 30 minutes - Good camera - Good GPS - Good music player What do the smart guys with smart phones recommend? I need to get one fast and don't know enough to make a good decision right now. Thanks, Glenn __________________ Southern Slovakia Anything can happen in Formula 1 and usually does - Murray Walker 1999 Triumph Trophy 900, Saddlesore 1600, Iron Butt Riders Association #63720 2005 Rover 75 CDT Tourer MK2

24th March 2018, 18:07	#5
topman This is my second home MG ZT-T 190 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Lincolnshire Posts: 5,493 Thanks: 372 Thanked 647 Times in 534 Posts	How about a second hand N9? __________________ Like being creative? http://www.qwghlm.co.uk/toys/dailymail/

24th March 2018, 19:34	#7
Groundsman Willie Gets stuck in Rover 75 1.8t Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Newbury Posts: 842 Thanks: 783 Thanked 423 Times in 264 Posts	Hi Glenn, I would agree with Hristo, something like an Xiaomi would fit the bill. As you say, Windows Mobile is dead, Nokia were the big supporters, and even they've turned their back on it. Never been an Apple fan, I feel you've got to 'buy into' the whole Apple experience, I prefer a bit more freedom of choice. Android gives that freedom. I think everything on your 'must have' list is possible, maybe not included on a phone straight out of the box, but available on the Google Play Store to download, almost certainly for free. __________________ Dave

24th March 2018, 19:40	#8
madeupname Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Connie Mk2 1.8 (Mo) Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: Sheffield Posts: 1,531 Thanks: 875 Thanked 335 Times in 289 Posts	A couple of my work colleagues have Huawei phones. They love them. But I haven't got a clue about spec, sorry. __________________ Mo was born Tuesday, 22nd June 2004 @ 08:32:41 This vehicle was the 99,307th 75 to run off the production line, out of 112,381 This vehicle was the 5,377th 75 1.8 Connoisseur to be made out of 6,033 This vehicle was the 783rd 75 in Firefrost Red (code: CEV) to be made out of 2,089 Firefrost Red 75s

24th March 2018, 19:48	#9
Groundsman Willie Gets stuck in Rover 75 1.8t Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Newbury Posts: 842 Thanks: 783 Thanked 423 Times in 264 Posts	The bigger Chinese names like Huawei, Xiaomi, One plus, Lenovo or Zte, are making phones equal or even better than the likes of Samsung or Apple in power and quality, but at a third of the price. This is why the latest big name phones are adding more gimmicks, like fancy camera effects, it's just window dressing because they know they can't compete with the Chinese on value __________________ Dave

24th March 2018, 19:53	#10
suzublu This is my second home rover 75 1.8 vvc club se wedgwood blue Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Seaton Carew Posts: 26,918 Thanks: 65 Thanked 7,142 Times in 4,642 Posts	I'm on my 3rd Elephone