this post was submitted on 27 Oct 2023
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I'm upgrading because my phone is losing (lost?) support. I use a OnePlus 7 Pro and love it and wouldn't bother upgrading otherwise. I'd appreciate some recommendations of android phones you like, please.

Thank you in advance! (⁠.⁠ ⁠❛⁠ ⁠ᴗ⁠ ⁠❛⁠.⁠)

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[–] [email protected] 67 points 1 year ago (3 children)

You could install LineageOS on your existing phone instead of upgrading. The OnePlus 7 Pro is supported. The install process can be daunting depending on your technical skills, but it's a one-time process since the phone gets updates over-the-air after the OS is installed.

I did this with my OnePlus 6 a few months ago and the experience has been good. Switching to LineageOS bumped Android to version 13, whereas it was stuck on Android 11 on stock OnePlus firmware. I'm getting regular updates again, including open-source Android security patches. Not everything gets patched though, some of the core firmware is proprietary to OnePlus and that cannot be patched by anyone but them. It's letting me extend the life of a phone still works well and has a 3.5mm headphone jack.

[–] moonburster 15 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Really seconding this. A lot of guides are also available with videos and OnePlus is notorious for being easy to unlock and flash. The op7pro is still a good device and if you have kept it till now you might as well give it a breath of fresh life by installing a new Android version.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago

OnePlus is notorious for being easy to unlock and flash

Were. OnePlus has settled.

[–] FuglyDuck 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

If one is okay with rooting and can get a (non Verizon) Google pixel, graphene OS is for the OCD fanatics, and CalyxOS is a more featured runner up. Both are only on pixels largely for the re-lockable boot loader.

lineage is also a good rom, and they support way more devices

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[–] alquicksilver 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I might go this route; thank you!!

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[–] dinckelman 34 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (8 children)

A lot of people won't like this answer, but I would not recommend anything from Samsung. Yes, the hardware on paper is typically excellent. However, everything else that comes with the experience is a complete joke to me.

  • The bootloader is locked, and even if you manage to get it unlocked Knox will be permanently tripped.
  • I never personally liked OneUI, but accepted it as long as it works. Unfortunately that's also not been the experience for me.
  • The last update they pushed for my phone broke Bluetooth connectivity, and it'll never be fixed, because they said there won't be any updates period. Now I'm left with a pen notification that never goes away, and a watch that disconnects every 15 minutes.
  • Their own stock apps are not very convenient at all, but don't forget to remind you to sign up for their updated data theft EULA every time you open them

And that's just software. It doesn't stop there. On my Note 10, the glass back completely peeled off, because of internal heat, and the only thing holding it together is the case. Keep in mind that this is from just regular usage. I don't play games on my phone, or do anything else that would warrant this kind of output

[–] seeCseas 15 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Interesting... I switched away from Samsung and actually hated stock Android!

  • I actually preferred One UI to the standard pixel, mainly because Google ruined the quick settings - they made each button unnecessarily big, and turning on/off the wifi requires two taps instead of one now (Internet > Wifi). That's something I can't change without rooting.
  • Some Samsung stock apps are actually a great alternative to the android ones (I use Samsung Notes a ton). The only downside is they force you to download it through their own app store.
  • Samsung doesn't really have much bloat now, and the few pieces of bloat i found could be uninstalled
  • Samsung is still the only phone manufacturer with triple camera setups in a small flagship phone

Don't get me wrong, it's not perfect, but the issues I had with Samsung were solvable (e.g. uninstalling bloat is a one-time thing) while the annoyances I've had with a Pixel aren't solvable (quick settings, no third camera).

[–] dinckelman 5 points 1 year ago

It all comes down to personal preferences and experiences, so I'm glad you had a good time

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I've only used Samsung for a long time, starting with the Note 3, 5, 8, and now S22 Ultra. I've not experienced any of these problems. And you can just use a different launcher than OneUI (I'm currently using Total Launcher after years of using Nova).

[–] dinckelman 7 points 1 year ago

None of the issues I've described have any relationship with the launcher

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[–] [email protected] 31 points 1 year ago (3 children)

What about the newest fairphone which is being released this fall, not thc best for your bucks, but built a bit more ethically than the others, and a modular design enabling eeasy repair*

I don't have one, but heard good stuff about the 4 and consider getting the 5 as my 5 year old Huawei is aging

[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I have the 4 and I relly like it. It can't compete performance wise with other phones at the same price point, but the mission is great and you get a long life out of it and good software support.
I am running iodeOS right now and it is just great, couldn't be happier. I am however not running games on it or anything, so not the biggest power user here...

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I have it, like it. Works well but no headphone jack is kinda weird. My screen does have a ghost input issue though which is very common for these phones. Recent update kinda fixed it but yeah its a hardware issue mainly so that sucks.

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[–] [email protected] 31 points 1 year ago (9 children)

Used pixel, install grapheneos

used because it's better environmentally than buying new

grapheneos because it's more secure and private than stock android

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago

I do something the same, I buy last gen or gen before phones used on Swappa and then install Lineage OS so I can have a stable, updated, and efficient phone.

I would say about 9h of screen on time for a Pixel 5 on its original OEM battery is not to bad.

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[–] [email protected] 30 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (9 children)

Non- phone carrier variants of Google Pixels because of Grapheme OS. The crap that Verizon pumps out blocks the boot loader to be unlocked, but the ones google and amazon sells can do OEM boot loader unlocks.

Edit: also want to point out, pixels usually get the most updates out of all androids. So long as its in the support window, google will update drivers and kernels for it.

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[–] reversebananimals 27 points 1 year ago

The Pixel is the best you're going to do in 2023.

[–] [email protected] 26 points 1 year ago (7 children)

All overpriced. Keep using your 2019 phone, install a custom ROM if you want a refresh.

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[–] [email protected] 21 points 1 year ago (3 children)

A lot of these recommendations are for super privacy focused anti-Google setups or other niche concerns.

If you just want a nice, straightforward phone, that's going to do normal phone things, and have security updates for a long time...

The pixel 8 is quite compelling.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I have a Pixel 7. I love it.

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[–] [email protected] 20 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Wouldn't recommend Oneplus anymore.

At the high end, Samsung has been pretty solid with their S lineup. The FE models are a good compromise as well. Pixels are a hit or miss, I'd recommend waiting for issues to surface before deciding on the 8/8 pro.

On the more budget - midrange side of things, Motorola has been doing a fairly solid job. They do have a lot of models, so some youtube videos should give you a fair idea on what's right for you.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (9 children)

Why wouldn't you recommend OnePlus though? I have a 9 pro which I enjoy. I really don't miss the Samsung's bloatware.

[–] [email protected] 13 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Severe inconsistent quality issues in both software and hardware, treating their customers as beta testers, random motherboards dying, etc.

They are still riding the 'flagship killer' wave, but they are just as overpriced as Samsung, while offering unfinished products.

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 1 year ago (3 children)

I've bought Samsung for the past 5 years now and have never had an issue with bloat if you buy from Samsung. If you're buying it from a carrier then yeah there's probably a ton of crap preloaded. Imo Samsung just offers too much of a complete package to pass up. Pixel is good but hardware leaves some to be desired. The cute software quirks just don't make it up for me.

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[–] [email protected] 19 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Get a Pixel.

It just works

For real tho...

[–] [email protected] 11 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Just make sure to install Graphene.

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[–] MargotRobbie 19 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Have you checked out our awesome 2023 phone buying guide on the sidebar of [email protected]?

If you want a quick recommendation, Zenfone 10 looks great and is very underrated.

[–] alquicksilver 5 points 1 year ago

Thank you! I hadn't seen this community. I'll definitely check it out!

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[–] lietuva 15 points 1 year ago (5 children)

Op7pro user here too. Its been 4 years already and at this point im just going to keep using this phone until its unbearable to use. Ive dunked it in river, smashed many back covers. At this point its not about being sustainable or something, but im genuinely interested how long can i withstand replacement. I dont mind having no 5g,since 4g with full bars is pretty fast already. All these phones currently in the market would be very incremental upgrade, unless you're going flagship range which is around 1k. I want to see smaller phones to come back. Sadly, phone manufacturers are pushing foldables, so it very rare to see any smaller than 5.5" phone for sale. If i were to upgrade now, probably id choose asus zenfone 9/10, pixel 8 with all these promissed 7 year updates.

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[–] zecg 11 points 1 year ago

I look into it, but can't seem to buy anything not Motorola. They're reasonably clean out of the box, have good batteries and survive getting wet even with no IP rating. Using Moto G52 currently.

[–] Kalladblog 10 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Fairphone or probably something else along those lines. Having the ability to hot swap broken parts or sinply upgrade is a pretty bug pro.

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[–] undrwater 10 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I was (am?) in the same dilemma. Loved my 7 pro, but someone dropped it, cracked the screen, and things started going downhill (hardware wise) from there.

As a replacement I got an 8t (still OnePlus). It's nice, but I miss the 7 pro.

OnePlus is no longer an enthusiast brand, and I think the Pixel is the only other one currently. Maybe the Nothing phone? That's kind of early adopter territory still, I think.

Sorry I'm not more helpful. I prefer phones with unlocked bootloaders that allow for alternate firmware to be installed.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I've never been an Apple guy and I stopped finding Samsung acceptable after the S10. My answer has been to go to Sony's Xperia 1 line. I have a 1 IV and, honestly, I'm pretty happy with it. Point and shoot photos aren't great on it, it really is meant for manual photography, but it's not bad, either. The reasons I went for it were the form factor, the lack of a notch or punch-hole, the external SD card support, the physical 3.5mm jack and the front firing stereo speakers. It's nuts what you can get when you don't obsess with not having zero bezels.

The downside is... well, I don't trust Sony for long term support, either. It helps that their phones are very similar outside of updating to the latest processors, but they clearly aren't super focused on software updates, if that's your priority.

But yeah, hey, screw Samsung, Google, Apple and their dumb ecosystems and actively removed basic features. This thing is easy to use one-handed, has very solid hardware and is not a clone of those three despite having flagship internals. It's expensive, but I'm also gonna use it for multiple years, so I have no regrets about it at the moment.

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[–] kewwwi 8 points 1 year ago

Samsung Galaxy A54 proved to be good value while I was waiting for a repair , but I love my S23Ultra.

[–] KpntAutismus 6 points 1 year ago

have been using a Fairphone 4 for over a year now, the FP5 seems to improve in nearly every way despite still missing a headphone jack. at least you won't have to worry about software support. only really available in Europe though. in the US you can get a FP4 with /e/OS through Murena. really recommend it.

[–] ASeriesOfPoorChoices 6 points 1 year ago

Depends on your needs - do you need a good camera? 5g? Sd card slot? Oled vs lcd screen? Etc etc.

Price to features, I like the Poco F3 (f4, f5 maybe f6 is out now?). Xiaomi 14 has some phones that compete with Samsung. Redmi sits below them.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

Its a bit pointless to ask for android suggestions without any specifications. There are way too many good ones to count but can be very few depending on your needs and budget.

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