What phone to get for T-Mobile?

[Roland00Address]

So what phone would you get if you were to start over and join T-Mobile (currently have an S4 on Sprint). I am just starting to look into this for I have not had time to do so.


Things I want

• Snapdragon 800 or newer. I do not care about the GPU speed the reason I want 800 or newer is for the battery life.
• Will get updates from Google or from the OEM in a timely manner. I prefer to stay away from the bureaucracy.
• The phone needs to work, and be simple. No lots of tinkering and having to spend an hour or so updating the rom. The phone needs to be stable.
• 32 GB or more storage (more is better) if there is no Micro SD or 16 GB+ with Micro SDXC taking at least a 64gb micro SD card
• $300 price tag much better than $600 price tag.

For the sake of argument lets just assume Android and not WP7 and iOS. I been happy with android, I like android, learning a new system for the sake of learning something new is just more work. It is very easy for me to pick up things, but the phone should be so at ease and second nature that I do not have to think.

Phones that are possibilities (prices are just a rough estimate)

One handed phone
Sony Xperia Z3 Compact $500

On the border of a one handed phone and a two handed phone. Part of me thinks the S4 is too big
Nexus 5 $400 for 32gb
Used LG G2 <300

Two Handed Phones once you get this size you do not care it is two handed, you just have to deal
Used Note 3 <$400
Nexus 6 $650
One plus One $350

You have a tablet that is also a phone We embrace using two hands and go for the Samsung Mega Size and even larger
Sony Xperia Z ultra, roughly $320. If I were to do this I would just think of it as a portable, waterproof tablet that has constant internet.


Suggestions and Opinions are wanted.

 

[crashtestdummy]

If updates are a priority and you don't care about the camera too much, get the Nexus 5.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I think for the money its hard to beat a G2, but that gets rid of your "OEM only updates" requirement as most I have seen are carrier devices.

Honestly I had a similar situation as you recently and my solution was a used Google Play Edition M8.

 

[paperwastage]

do you know whether T-mobile's service is good in your area?

(asking whether you'd want WiFi Calling / band 12 low-frequency support)

I agree with poofyhairguy that the LG G2 is good choice (price/performance/battery life ratio), but question about updates is a concern

 

[Roland00Address]

I think for the money its hard to beat a G2, but that gets rid of your "OEM only updates" requirement as most I have seen are carrier devices.

It does not need to be google nexus/google play edition update speed. I just do not like abandonware and when the carriers sit on updates for 2 months+. If a phone company has an option where you can image your own phone from an official source (such as Samsung's Odin) I prefer that.

Like not Need in other words.

 

[isekii]

Oneplus

 

[KeithP]

do you know whether T-mobile's service is good in your area?

(asking whether you'd want WiFi Calling / band 12 low-frequency support)

I was going to mention this myself. I just did the T-Mobile test drive thing and will be switching over to them from Verizon soon. However, I would have to think twice about the switch if they didn't have wifi calling available and wouldn't consider a phone on their network without the feature.

-KeithP

 

[bononos]

If updates are a priority and you don't care about the camera too much, get the Nexus 5.

The nexus5 has very poor battery life, about 4.5hrs browsing time according to gsmarena which is really bad. The battery is alsp non removable to make things worse.

 

[Deeko]

Z3 Compact. My Z1 compact has actually been pretty good at getting updates, and the Z3 is fast, has a good camera, and unbeatable battery life.

 

[npaladin-2000]

Honestly I wouldn't recommend any of the ones on your list. I'd go with the Xperia Z3 or Galaxy Note 4, depending on whether you want the large or small one. They're both as future-proof as you can get on T-Mobile right now, with support for Band 12 LTE. Both will also support WiFi calling on T-Mobile, and it's unlikely they'll miss out on Lollipop.

Of the ones on your list, the only one I'd consider is the Nexus 6, which also has Band 12 support, and gets the usual Nexus updates. Sometimes in H1 2015 it's supposed to get WiFi calling capability, if you can wait that long for it (I wouldn't, it's too handy).

 

[swilli89]

Z3 compact

 

[MidasKnight]

Nexus 5 vote here

 

[Kelvrick]

Depending on which bands are in use for your area, the Z3c can't use the upcoming band 12. You'd have to get the tmobile version of the regular sized Z3.

 

[rbk123]

What's the better phone value: G2 at current price or Moto X for $200?

 

[poofyhairguy]

What's the better phone value: G2 at current price or Moto X for $200?

What do you mean by "current price?" The AT&T G2 sells for an average at $230 at swappa. At that price it is the better deal still.

 

[kaerflog]

I would say the current price for Moto X vs G2 is like $230 to $280.
I would easily pay $50 more for the G2.
Discounting all the advantages if the G2, you're paying $50 more for 32gb vs 16gb.

 

[Roland00Address]

What's the better phone value: G2 at current price or Moto X for $200?

G2 if you do not mind the extra size increase and most people prefer the bigger screen of the G2 (5.2 vs 4.7).

 

[rbk123]

What do you mean by "current price?" The AT&T G2 sells for an average at $230 at swappa. At that price it is the better deal still.

That's what I meant by current price - wherever it is cheapest. There's an ebay deal for the X (new) for $200 so I wanted to know which is the better value. However I checked swappa and their T-Mobiles are more in the $260 range and that's used, whereas the X is new.

 

[poofyhairguy]

That's what I meant by current price - wherever it is cheapest. There's an ebay deal for the X (new) for $200 so I wanted to know which is the better value. However I checked swappa and their T-Mobiles are more in the $260 range and that's used, whereas the X is new.

Honestly I think the Moto X is a unique case. Its value is staying higher than the hardware would be otherwise. I mean, the Moto X is weaker than a S4 while the G2 is close to a S5. Its a big difference in power for $60 at best. Plus the G2 has a bigger battery, higher res screen, etc.

The only way the Moto X is a better deal is if you REALLY value stock Android, in which case the G2 might not even be a consideration. Then its the Moto X vs the Nexus 5, and the Nexus 5 doesn't have the same hardware value the G2 does secondhand.

There was confirmation recently the G2 will get Lollipop FYI.