# Looking for cellphone recommendations **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 19, 2019, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759 "2019-06-19T17:59:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2019, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/1 "2019-06-19T17:59:06Z")
A few months ago I got a Samsung Galaxy S8. I hate it so much that I’m planning to dump it and get a new phone already. My main complaint is the stupid, stupid, STUPID screen design where the screen reaches to the edge of the case and slightly wraps around it. It makes it impossible to hold the phone for any length of time without accidentally triggering touches at the edge of the screen. This happens to me every few minutes while I’m using the phone. A secondary but still big complaint is the damn Bixby app, which has a dedicated button, cleverly placed right next to the volume buttons so you will constantly hit it by accident, which opens the annoying Bixby app. (You can’t disable it, but you can supposedly change it to require a double-press, but even that doesn’t work for me.) So I’m looking for a phone with these requirements: - MUST be Android. - MUST have a bezel around the screen. - MUST not have any easily-triggered apps like Bixby that can’t be disabled. - MUST have really good battery life. This is the only good thing about the S8. - MUST work with T-Mobile. - Should have easily available screen protectors (ie. no weird size screen that few/no screen protector companies support). - Should have 64 GB of storage, although I’d consider 32 GB if all else were good. - Should have a good camera. - Should have 3.5mm audio jack but I’d consider just USB C. - Prefer dedicated back/home buttons rather than the swipy gestures that the S8 uses, but not a deal breaker. - Not sure about a notch. I’ve never had a phone that had one, and my initial impression is I’d probably hate it, but I’m open to discussion on this. - Don’t care if it has a fingerprint sensor or NFC. I think the second and third items exclude most or all Samsung phones. I’m looking at the Pixel 3a. Any comments on that, or other recommendations? ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2019, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/2 "2019-06-19T18:43:52Z")
Unfortunately, this list is getting increasingly hard to fill–everybody seems to be going towards idiotic curved screens and zero bezels, making the phones very difficult to actually handle. (I’m a step even more outdated–I want a 16:9 screen instead of a narrower one (and squared edges, not round ones.) You are probably out of luck on getting significant side bezels on a new phone. Just a few days after I bought a new cheap phone I began seeing buzz about the [Cool](https://www.androidguys.com/reviews/phone-reviews/coolpad-legacy-review/)[pad](https://www.zdnet.com/article/coolpad-legacy-first-look-android-phone-that-performs-far-above-its-130-value-price/) [Legacy](https://www.metrobyt-mobile.com/shop/phones/details/Coolpad-Legacy/610214659903), which looks great. The top and bottom bezels are smaller than you probably want, but bigger than you’ll probably find on most new phones. The screen looks flat, battery is pretty good, and is a Team Oble exclusive for now. (And it is dirt cheap.) ---
**Author:** ![Dahnlor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dahnlor/32/533_2.png) [@Dahnlor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dahnlor)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2019, 7:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/3 "2019-06-19T19:26:59Z")
The [ASUS Zenfone 6](https://www.gsmarena.com/asus_zenfone_6_zs630kl-9698.php) was getting a lot of buzz last month, which might not perfectly fit your criteria but seems fairly close. While it’s an “all-screen” type of design, it doesn’t do that “edge” thing where it wraps around the sides. It meets your memory requirements, has a sizable battery and a headphone jack. The most novel thing about it is its camera, which in order to eliminate the notch, it actually flips the rear camera to face the front for taking selfies. While this introduces a moving part (and one I hadn’t seen before), I assume it would only be a significant concern if you take selfies often. If I was considering a new phone right now, I’d be looking quite closely at this one. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2019, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/4 "2019-06-19T19:54:23Z")
I bought a OnePlus 6 in January, and it fits all of your requirements, I believe. It has a very small bezel around the edge and the other features you are looking for. I don’t think they are still selling the 6, but they are selling the 6T (which is very similar) and the 7. I don’t know any details about the 7. So far, I’ve been happy with my OnePlus, and the brand seems to get good reviews. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2019, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/5 "2019-06-19T20:34:29Z")
[OnePlus 6](https://www.gsmarena.com/oneplus_6t-9350.php) or 7, or if you don’t want to break the bank, and [Essential PH-1](https://www.gsmarena.com/_essential_ph_1-8710.php) (I just bought one for roughly $300), or the [Xiaomi Redmi K20 Pro](https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_redmi_k20_pro-9708.php), which has been getting good reviews. ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2019, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/6 "2019-06-19T20:44:53Z")
My Sony Xperia XA2 has nice big retro bezels top and bottom, and safe enough ones on the side. It’s also nice and phat with lots of battery capacity. You can get it for under $200 unlocked. Headphone jack, works on T-Mobile, no “notch.” > **[Sony Mobile Phones](https://electronics.sony.com/c/mobile)** > > Discover and shop the full line of Sony Mobile Phones. Explore our Sony Xperia Android smartphone selection. Pre-order our new models available at Sony. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2019, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/7 "2019-06-19T20:56:52Z")
I just looked at the specs, and while the OnePlus 6 has a headphone jack, the newer 6T and 7 do not have headphone jacks. You can use USB-C or bluetooth, I guess. The 6 and 6T have a notch (which I don’t mind at all… not sure what the fuss is about). The 7 has a camera that pops up and no bezel. Based on the OP’s list, the 6 seems to be the best bet from OnePlus. ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2019, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/8 "2019-06-19T21:43:31Z")
Thanks Orwell, the OnePlus 6T looks good, although the loss of the headphone jack is annoying. Can you answer a few questions about the OnePlus 6? 1. Is it true that there’s a setting to decrease the size of the display to avoid the notch? I think the notch would be a nonissue if that’s true. 2. Apparently there’s a hardware “mode switch” on the side of the phone. I’m not clear on what it does, but can you completely disable it? 3. I’m not quite understanding the charging cable situation – it seems Onetouch uses a proprietary cable? Can you use a standard USB A-to-C cable and it’s just slower to charge? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2019, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/9 "2019-06-19T23:39:28Z")
Your list of preferences seems to point to the Pixel 3a you were considering! I’ve got an original Pixel that’s over two and as half years old now, and it just keeps on trucking. Even the original battery is still good - the last Android major update means that the thing just sips power now and I still get way over a day of use. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/10 "2019-06-20T02:08:30Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > Thanks Orwell, the OnePlus 6T looks good, although the loss of the headphone jack is annoying. Can you answer a few questions about the OnePlus 6? > > 1. Is it true that there’s a setting to decrease the size of the display to avoid the notch? I think the notch would be a nonissue if that’s true. > 2. Apparently there’s a hardware “mode switch” on the side of the phone. I’m not clear on what it does, but can you completely disable it? > 3. I’m not quite understanding the charging cable situation – it seems Onetouch uses a proprietary cable? Can you use a standard USB A-to-C cable and it’s just slower to charge? > > Thanks! I’ll try, though I’m no phone/tech geek. 1. Yes, there is an option in the settings to reduce the display area to eliminate the notch. I have not found it necessary to do so. I don’t notice the notch at all. 2. I’m not completely sure what you are describing, but there is a slide above the power switch to turn the notifications to on vibrate or off. I like having such a “hard” switch rather than having to go into settings to turn the sounds off. Though, you there is still a software setting for “do not disturb”, so you have either option. 3. Yes. You can use any USB-C cable to charge, but if you use the one that comes with the phone, it has a special rapid charge rate that is much faster than normal. Not a huge deal in most circumstances, but the quick charge with the OnePlus cable is really fast. ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/11 "2019-06-20T02:20:43Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Unfortunately, this list is getting increasingly hard to fill- How true! Google Pixel or Motorola \_\_\_ Pixel gets updates to the latest software & doesn’t come with any of the Samsung bloatware. Motorola is the second best in those categories. ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/12 "2019-06-20T02:27:37Z")
> [@Spiderman](#): > > How true! > Google Pixel or Motorola \_\_\_ > > Pixel gets updates to the latest software & doesn’t come with any of the Samsung bloatware. Motorola is the second best in those categories. Pixel is definitely good for those factors, but I disagree regarding Motorola. I had a Motorola and switched to OnePlus. My Moto G4 Plus had bloatware and didn’t update Android. My OnePlus is very clean and updates regularly. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/13 "2019-06-20T03:03:06Z")
I have a Pixel 2 and I think it’s a great phone. The camera is fantastic. From what I’ve read about the Pixel 3a, it seems like it occupies a sweet spot price and performance-wise. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/14 "2019-06-20T03:07:32Z")
What bloatware did your Moto have? In my experience they run stock Android with just a few Moto specific apps that are actually useful and don’t amount to bloatware IMO. But I buy unlocked phones. If you get a Moto from a carrier, then I wouldn’t doubt that Verizon, etc installs thier crap. Unlocked Motos are great deals. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/15 "2019-06-20T03:32:23Z")
Rereading the post, I’m not sure that you really mean bezels around the screen–bezels are the area on the face that frame the screen, but by accepting the possibility of a phone with a notch or “soft” bottom buttons, you are accepting the idea of a phone without bezels. What you must mean is that you want a phone without a curved screen, because even a bezel-less flat-screened phone doesn’t have the edge touch problem (unless you curl your fingers around the phone, and you won’t find a modern phone with wide side bezels.) ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/16 "2019-06-20T19:22:21Z")
I guess I’ve never seen a phone where the screen reached the edge of the case but didn’t wrap around. I’m finding it hard to visualize how that can be, unless there is at least a small bezel. But yeah, I would definitely like there to be a few mm of dead space between the edge of the case and the touch sensitive screen. At this point my top two choices are the OnePlus 6T and the Pixel 3a. Maybe I’m misinterpreting the photos, but they both seem to have a small bezel around the screen. I’m leaning toward the OnePlus just because it seems to be higher quality overall and cost isn’t a major concern. (And while there’s no review for the Pixel 3a at gsmarena yet, their [review of the 3](https://www.gsmarena.com/google_pixel_3-review-1847.php) is just dripping with snark.) ---
**Author:** ![Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mundane_super_hero/32/6304_2.png) [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mundane_Super_Hero)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/17 "2019-06-20T19:28:54Z")
Q: Are there ANY who have not (or at least currently do not) sell their subscribers information to the highest bidder? ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/18 "2019-06-20T19:37:47Z")
My Moto G5 plus was like $100 at Costco, unlocked, and runs great. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/19 "2019-06-20T19:46:45Z")
> [@markn\_1](#): > > (And while there’s no review for the Pixel 3a at gsmarena yet, their [review of the 3](https://www.gsmarena.com/google_pixel_3-review-1847.php) is just dripping with snark.) Their [review of the 3a XL](https://www.gsmarena.com/google_pixel_3a_xl-review-1928.php) is probably more appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2019, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759/20 "2019-06-20T21:48:42Z")
> [@Mundane\_Super\_Hero](#): > > Q: Are there ANY who have not (or at least currently do not) sell their subscribers information to the highest bidder? I thought they sold the info to anyone with a big enough check. Lot’s of companies get your info. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/looking-for-cellphone-recommendations/835759.md?page=2)