Team-BHP - Android Thread: Phones / Apps / Mods

Quote:

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay (Post 3670816)

Samsung Galaxy S3 Neo. Costs ~12k, screen size is in the same ballpark (4.8 inch).

It is a pretty good phone if you are okay with spending 3 - 4 hours in removing Samsung bloatware that comes pre-installed.

Seriously for 12K that's a pretty crappy phone. It's effectively a 2012 handset changed to the cheapest snapdragon processor in today's line up.

When you have the Moto G2 available for Rs.9900 (only for today) why even look at other options. Just for smaller screen why sacrifice on the software and opt for bloatware.

Horses for the courses I guess. In my opinion, S3 Neo has better hardware but requires user to remove bloatware.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vid6639 (Post 3670856)

Seriously for 12K that's a pretty crappy phone. It's effectively a 2012 handset changed to the cheapest snapdragon processor in today's line up.

1. Both phones (S3 Neo and G2) have exact same chipset (MSM8226)
2. S3 Neo has 1.5 GB RAM vs 1 GB in G2
3. S3 has FM, G2 does not
4. S3 has MicroSD card

For some users, FM, MicroSD matters. Others don't care much about it. Additional 512 MB RAM is nice to have.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay (Post 3670865)

Horses for the courses I guess. In my opinion, S3 Neo has better hardware but requires user to remove bloatware.

1. Both phones (S3 Neo and G2) have exact same chipset (MSM8226)
2. S3 Neo has 1.5 GB RAM vs 1 GB in G2
3. S3 has FM, G2 does not
4. S3 has MicroSD card

For some users, FM, MicroSD matters. Others don't care much about it. Additional 512 MB RAM is nice to have.

On top of that, AMOLED screen and better camera. I have Lollipop custom ROM installed in my S3 (-0.5GB RAM), and it flies. The S3 neo would beat the Moto G2 any day.

Guys, Having read the comparison S3 Vs G2 -
Today (is the last day) - Moto G2 is at 10999 (on flipkart app).

Does that make it a decent buy?

I might just replace my Micromax Canvas 2 :p

It will be a 10K phone (almost same as my current one).
Will it serve fine for 2 years? :)

Is the Moto G3 expected in a month or so?

Thanks,

Ace.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay (Post 3670865)

4. S3 has MicroSD card

For some users, FM, MicroSD matters. Others don't care much about it. Additional 512 MB RAM is nice to have.

I wanted to make a small correction here. Moto G2 does support microSD cards.

Off topic, it has 16gb internal storage out of which ~12gb is available to user.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vid6639 (Post 3670611)

Uninstall and delete Ola and instead use Uber :D

There was a blog article few days back that one guy accessed their entire system and was able to book a cab as well as load money without paying. He reported to Ola and they didn't bother. The entire transaction of loading money was unsecure and was visible. That's just not done. God know what else that app must be doing in background.

Yes, I have read that article and it's no surprise that when millions are pumped in, some companies just get too comfortable and ignore basic safety and security precautions.

We use Ola primarily for auto rides as it is convenient for short distances. Uber is already installed for taxi rides which we rarely avail.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay (Post 3670816)

It is a pretty good phone if you are okay with spending 3 - 4 hours in removing Samsung bloatware that comes pre-installed.

Does not removing the bloatware require rooting the phone? I am stuck with the Sprint/htc rubbish on my Sprint HTC One M7, ever since I stopped rooting it. Remember htc phones are tougher to root due to the need to first go S-off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sumeshmani (Post 3670907)

I wanted to make a small correction here. Moto G2 does support microSD cards.

Thanks, appreciated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgiitk (Post 3670958)

Does not removing the bloatware require rooting the phone?

Bloatware that is installed as an "App" can be disabled, but if something is installed on system that requires root access.

Another option (can be used only if user is a developer), is to temporarily gain root access via methods like this:

http://www.cvedetails.com/cve/CVE-2014-9322/

Once done, you can remove bloatware till phone is rebooted.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sgiitk (Post 3670958)

Yes. Alternatively, you can disable most of the Samsung apps and Google apps in Settings, without rooting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay (Post 3670865)

FM is not important for me and Sd card is there on Moto G2. With S3 you need 512MB more RAM because of bloatware. I had the S3 and could never completely remove the bloatware unless I had root access. There was always something running.

My biggest advantage with the Moto G2 is the almost AOSP lollipop out of the box and guaranteed updates in the future.

I can root the S3 and go for all the custom ROM's but that's just an extra pain in my opinion.

Part of the reason I went from an earlier S3 to the Moto X second gen. I lost SD card slot, FM radio and poorer camera but gained on the OS which I am loving.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vid6639 (Post 3670984)

Yes, buying a Samsung phone does not make any sense unless bloatware is deleted. Once easily disabled apps are done and a launcher like Google's in installed S3 Neo is quite close to Vanilla Android and has better hardware.

And since Samsung still believes in pushing bloatware, it is getting market feedback in terms of dropping sales.

Quote:

Originally Posted by drsingh (Post 3670752)

Moto e 4.3,4.5, Asus Zen phone 4,4.5, xiaomi redmi2, Take your pick.

Wife has the Moto G, not thrilled about it. The Xiaomi Redmi2 looks interesting, I registered for it. But these ultra cheap chinese stuff makes me wonder. How reliable are these?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai (Post 3671061)

Wife has the Moto G, not thrilled about it. The Xiaomi Redmi2 looks interesting, I registered for it. But these ultra cheap chinese stuff makes me wonder. How reliable are these?

Have ordered 2 Mi3, 1 Redmi 1s, 1 Note 4G, 1 Mi4 for me/family.

Absolutely no issues with reliability and performance. Problem is that their after sales service is sub par, parts are seldom in stock and in most cases, the cost of parts are really close to the MRP of the handset itself.

For one of the mi3, the sim reader pins got damaged, and replacing the entire motherboard at 9000/ (Against MRP of 14k)- was the only option. Compare that with say a S4, whose SIM reader can be replaced for < 500/-:)

Xiaomi needs to learn modular construction..lol

Quote:

Originally Posted by NetfreakBombay (Post 3670865)

My G2 does have an FM!

And the SD card slot has been pointed out by other users.

Do get facts right before posting in a public thread to maintain the quality of the forum!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai (Post 3671061)

Wife has the Moto G, not thrilled about it. The Xiaomi Redmi2 looks interesting, I registered for it. But these ultra cheap chinese stuff makes me wonder. How reliable are these?

Redmi is pretty robust and has the best camera of the lot. There's also the Lenovo a6000.

But I recommended the above for basic usage and screen size 4.3-4.5

I love my Nokia x2 for the build, size and no Google ware bloat. Also like the windows phone style interface. Lag free performance. Decent camera.

Otherwise android phones at 12k now are aplenty. Just choose the one you fancy. All major brands have good offerings.

I'd probably pick up a moto e 2nd gen if I wanted an android phone for basic tasks. If you plan to use all the newer apps, its a good idea to have the latest and most secure version, if you're going to be doing financial transactions on your phone.

It will have the best software optimisation.