Gofre&#x27;s 2020 Smartphone Buying Guide (last updated November 2020)

OP

Original post by Mynameissecret

Why take the risk though?

Because they make excellent phones and preemptively dismissing any product over speculative concerns is an overcautious move?

Have you heard of 5g? There’re charging less for it than it costs them!

Like I said, their infrastructure business is a whole other matter.

Reply 183

username4408542

5

Thank you for putting this together, Gofre. I hope to buy a new—preferably up to date—smartphone as soon as I have the financial means to do so (such smartphones are not cheap, after all), and I’m sure I’ll use this guide to aid in my decision-making.

Out of the flagship smartphones which have been shortlisted, the Samsung definitely piques my interest the most. Do you know if they’ve improved the position of the fingerprint sensor on this model, though? This was (I think?) a major criticism that you had with the Samsung Galaxy 8 that you reviewed on here before this recent update, wasn’t it?

Reply 184

OP

Original post by You Reeker

Thank you for putting this together, Gofre. I hope to buy a new—preferably up to date—smartphone as soon as I have the financial means to do so (such smartphones are not cheap, after all), and I’m sure I’ll use this guide to aid in my decision-making.

Out of the flagship smartphones which have been shortlisted, the Samsung definitely piques my interest the most. Do you know if they’ve improved the position of the fingerprint sensor on this model, though? This was (I think?) a major criticism that you had with the Samsung Galaxy 8 that you reviewed on here before this recent update, wasn’t it?

Yes, thankfully they moved the sensor from the side of the camera (which made it very easy to smudge as you reached across) to the traditional spot underneath the camera :yy:

Reply 185

Mynameissecret

13

Keep telling yourself that :mmm:

Reply 186

OP

Original post by Mynameissecret

Keep telling yourself that :mmm:

And you keep telling yourself you're a mindful consumer while continuing to use Facebook and Google services :h:

Reply 187

Mynameissecret

13

1. I don’t use facebook :fight:

2. Try telling me you don’t use google services! And then tell me that you want to INCREASE your risk by using Huawei

Reply 188

OP

Well a lot of my budget categories have been completely ruined by price changes, I was hoping I'd left the guide later enough to avoid the influence of Black Friday on pricing but now I'm going to need to rethink some things! New phones for the Under £100 and £100-£200 categories incoming, and the Honor 8X will be retired now that it's within a tenner of generally superior Honor Play.

Reply 189

How is the XS Max? Thinking of buying it outright the next couple of days....

Better choice than the smaller XS? Also is the battery because thats one of the reasons I want it.

Reply 190

OP

Original post by 3mmz

How is the XS Max? Thinking of buying it outright the next couple of days....

Better choice than the smaller XS? Also is the battery because thats one of the reasons I want it.

If you really want an iPhone, the XS Max is the best iPhone ever made. If you don't want an iPhone specifically, odds are there are Android phones that I would recommend over it for their additional features, better battery life, and less restrictive software and interface.

The XS and XS Max are essentially identical phones with the only difference being screen size and battery size. But the bigger screen uses more power and offsets most of the advantage, so while it does technically last longer the practical difference between the two is relatively low, something like an extra hour of screen-on time for video or internet usage. I personally think the big display is enough to justify it, but go with whichever size you find more comfortable to use.

Reply 191

What android phone would you recommend?
Better life and good screen are the two things i most care about

Reply 192

OP

Original post by 3mmz

What android phone would you recommend?
Better life and good screen are the two things i most care about

The Honor Mate 20 Pro or Galaxy Note 9 would be my recommendation, with both having gorgeous screens and enormous batteries that last well over a full day of normal use.

Reply 193

I think I am going to go for the XS max because I am used to the apple eco system, have apple airpods and apple music,

Now need to debate if i should get 64gb model or 256gb.
I stream my music using apple music, so 64gb should be enough right?

Reply 194

OP

Original post by 3mmz

I think I am going to go for the XS max because I am used to the apple eco system, have apple airpods and apple music,

Now need to debate if i should get 64gb model or 256gb.
I stream my music using apple music, so 64gb should be enough right?

Apple Music is available on Android, and you could instead get a 128GB Galaxy Note 9 or Mate 20 Pro, as well as a pair of much better sounding wireless earbuds, for less than the price of a 64GB XS Max. But if you do just want to go down the iPhone route, 64GB will be fine if you don't plan on an storing extensive media library.

Reply 195

What wireless earbuds would you recommend to use with the Note 9 or Mate 20 Pro?

If you were me would you get the Note 9 or the XS Max?

(edited 5 years ago)

Reply 196

OP

Original post by 3mmz

What wireless earbuds would you recommend to use with the Note 9 or Mate 20 Pro?

The ones I linked to in the above post.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sennheiser-MOMENTUM-True-Wireless-Transparent-Black-Silver/dp/B07HRHM8F3/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1546538192&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=sennheiser+momentum+true+wireless&psc=1

Reply 197

Do they work with the iphone? or are they better paired with android?

Reply 198

OP

Original post by 3mmz

Do they work with the iphone? or are they better paired with android?

No they'll work with either just fine.

Reply 199