Runners, chime in! (need new phone advice for me(aka: Dad))

[IHateMyJob2004]

And one more thread (the 3rd). I need a new phone too.

I do a lot of running and have a hard time imagining a 5" phone in my arm band. So those that have a 5" screen. Tell me. Is that too big? Or is that acceptable? Is it possible to go bigger?

I do need to go armband though. It's just how I do it.

Regarding my phone, I don't play games. I want a good communications tool (which I'm sorry to say, but I think nothing will beat BB10 at that). Other than that I just need it for running and music. I would love something with HDMI out but I doubt that happens with Android phones.

Off Topic: The reason for the new phone buying spree is that our Verizon contract is up (has been) so I can finally leave them. It's my sons birthday and wife's birthday this weekend. And my phone has just about had it (battery on last legs) and one minor hardware headache). Toss in the obvious Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals that are bound to happen and it is time to do all this in one quick shot.

 

[Artdeco]

Respectfully, haven't you been pimping BB for years and holding yourself up as a keen observer of the industry?

You're asking for real basic advice here...

I'd suggest a nexus 5x for you and your wife, primarily because it solves a lot of security issues, will guarantee OS updates for the foreseeable future, and compatibility with most apps, as its a reference design phone.

Google is also talking about an Android based fitness band that may interest you.

For your son, I'd look on swappa.com for a used high sales volume Android phone that's cheap, because you know, kids and phones, it can get insanely expensive very quickly.

 

[Commodus]

Do I dare suggest an iPhone 6s? A few good reasons.

First, your emphases are on running and music, both of which get better support on iOS than Android. Running apps tend to show up on iOS first or get features on iOS first, and it's often the same deal with music. Not surprisingly, Apple typically does a better job of syncing music stored on your computer (no drag and drop, but iTunes is much faster if you have a large collection or like playlists).

Also, there's the armband situation. The iPhone 6s' 4.7-inch screen makes it a bit easier to carry on your arm... and let's face it, you're much, much more likely to find an iPhone-compatible armband that suits your style than one for Android phone X or Y.

There's no direct HDMI out, but that's generally true of Android, too. Apple does have a Lightning-to-HDMI cable if you need it.

 

[Artdeco]

Or use an Apple TV, a 3rd gen ATV is cheap as hell.

 

[ControlD]

Consider giving up the phone when running. Seriously. One of the best things I have done. I understand that people do like it though so ...

Otherwise, just get whatever phone you like best. There are 1,000 running apps for each platform and generic arm bands are like $0.25 at Amazon. When I ran with a phone (a Note 2 of all things) I just used Google Play Music, either with a downloaded playlist or streaming. It worked fine. I found that using a waist belt tucked into the small of my back was much more pleasant than using an arm band. There have also been some studies showing that using an arm band affects your running gait as you are compensating for the weight of a phone on one of your arms (probably not a huge factor for most of us, but something to consider). I would go with a Nexus 5X if using an arm band or a Nexus 6P if you are willing to use a belt to hold the phone, but that's just my personal taste in phones.

 

[ControlD]

Or use an Apple TV, a 3rd gen ATV is cheap as hell.

You have an arm band you suggest for that?

 

[Artdeco]

You have an arm band you suggest for that?

Velcro and duct tape

 

[RossMAN]

Do you have a prefer for the Apple or Google ecosystem?

I know you're trying to leave big red but have you considered taking advantage of their crazy offer? Basically you can trade in any working smartphone and get $300 credit, no contract. Do you or any friends/family have any old neglected smartphones or you can buy one for cheap, Walmart has a few for $10.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Want android

And if BlackBerry made a new full screen bb10 phone I would get it. At this point I don't know if bb10 is dead and Blackberrys closed lips are making me leave. I need a new phone now.

 

[pauldun170]

I have S4.
I gave up on arm bands since they ended up either to tight or awkward.
I just keep it in my pocket. Whenever I get running shorts I make sure that the pocket is suitable for carry around a phone (make sure I'm not getting slapped in the junk or in the leg as I run). Everyone else I know just go the fanny pack route.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

my wife has one of those runners fanny packs. The good brand that I can not recall right now. I could just borrow that. I much prefer arm band though.

 

[Artdeco]

So what are you getting?

I use swappa a lot, great site.

 

[vi edit]

Consider giving up the phone when running. Seriously. One of the best things I have done. I understand that people do like it though so ...

I totally 2nd this. Go with a GPS based wearable and call it a day. Love my MS band for running. And you don't even have to do a fanny pack. The belts are even lower profile.

http://www.amazon.com/Daswise-Water..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=12CX79TSYY90ZEENEQCB

With that you can do a phone, car keys and fuel blocks if needed.

 

[amyklai]

I totally 2nd this. Go with a GPS based wearable and call it a day. Love my MS band for running. And you don't even have to do a fanny pack. The belts are even lower profile.

http://www.amazon.com/Daswise-Water..._UL160_SR160,160_&refRID=12CX79TSYY90ZEENEQCB

With that you can do a phone, car keys and fuel blocks if needed.

++

There are lots of great GPS watches out there, my recommendation would be a Polar M400 (costs around 100€ here).
And optionally a small MP3 player with physical buttons, if you want music.

 

[Artdeco]

http://slickdeals.net/f/8186171-app...-smartphone-449-99-free-shipping-boost-mobile

Special rate to unlock, $22 http://slickdeals.net/?lno=1&trd=ht...ref=1&u2=http://www.ebay.com/itm/321913311127

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Doing a phone for runs:

1) great running apps
2) MP3 player
3) tear a calf muscle, not a problem just call someone. (FWIW, did this at basketball, not a fun injury)

 

[gar655]

Doing a phone for runs:

1) great running apps
2) MP3 player
3) tear a calf muscle, not a problem just call someone. (FWIW, did this at basketball, not a fun injury)

2015 MotoG. A little smaller than many android phones and it's water resistant. $200ish.

 

[zerogear]

I have had Note 4 (5.7"), Moto X Pure (5.7"), and now Sony Xperia Z5 (5.2"), and I personally feel the 5.2" is the perfect size for me, from using it one handed, to exercising. However, I didn't feel it to be too awkward using an ArmBand on a 5.7" device either. ArmPocket is quite nice for bands.

 

[pete6032]

I use a waistband and just queue up my music beforehand.

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

2015 MotoG. A little smaller than many android phones and it's water resistant. $200ish.

I think i saw a black friday deal that might take that down to $100. Cricket?

 

[Capt Caveman]

Get a flip belt. You can stick a phablet in one. I bring my Nexus 5X for all of my runs and recently ran a marathon with it in my flip belt. I use Runkeeper, music and Garmin Connect(to connect to my Garmin Forerunner). Also very convenient to pull out your phone for taking pics during your training runs or even in a race.

The new Garmin Forerunners will now display texts, messages, etc on their screens like a smart watch, making running and still being able to be connected as easy as looking at your wrist. Oh fwiw, I hate using an arm band.

Before the Nexus 5x, I had a Nexus 5 with crappy battery life. The flip belt allowed me to run with a battery pack in the belt connected to my phone, keeping it charged for 4+ hour runs with keys, money and energy gels also inside the flip belt.

 

[RossMAN]

I think i saw a black friday deal that might take that down to $100. Cricket?

Yep it's a solid deal and I hope they'll make the better 2GB/16B model available for a few bucks more?

http://www.motorola.com/us/special-offers/motorola-shop-all-sale.html

My wife absolutely loves her Moto G and I might buy one, not sure though.

 

[WelshBloke]

BB Priv.

Wait...

What?

 

[IHateMyJob2004]

Priv costs to much.

Is the Moto X gen 2 and the moto x pure gen 3? If there are gen 3 versions of each, what is the difference?

 

[Artdeco]

BB Priv.

Wait...

What?

LOL, I know, right?