[Azalactone]

I was using the Xiaomi Poco F1 from December 31st 2018 till December 31st 2024 i.e. exactly 6 years (have still kept it though). Without doubt the best phone I have ever used till date.

On 1st January 2025 I shifted to a Apple iPhone 16 128 GB and boy am I regretting it .

After using iPhone for a couple of days I got completely sure that Android as a operating system is far far more user friendly and superior than iOS. There are just so many flaws in iOS. Sometimes I really wish I had purchased Google Pixel 9 or upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 instead.

[Rocketscience]

Originally Posted by RaguHolla

Casual observer of this thread.

I'd like to share a brief review of my daily used "old" phone, the OnePlus 5T.

More power to you! These days the updates are so incremental that you can get away with this easily.
My longest used phone till recently was iPhone 11 from 2019, till today it is a no compromise experience with very good performance, with latest updates and still a great camera. My mom is using it now and is more than happy with the same.
Sadly my previous android device coincidentally from 2017 was Galaxy S8 and it aged like milk, couldn't even run smooth for 1.5 years, it is surely due to Samsung's bloat though I mase sure to get rid of most of it.

[Quoter]

Originally Posted by RaguHolla

Casual observer of this thread.

I still use the 5T as my daily driver, which I bought in 2017, 7 years and counting. It still gives me around 18 hours of battery life, with approximately 7 hours of screen-on time. I have changed the battery once due to a OnePlus battery recall and also had the motherboard replaced due to a bricked update, all free of cost at the OnePlus service center.

I was on the same phone for almost the same duration. Switched to Pixel 8 two months back. Primary reason for switching was camera. Otherwise the Oneplus is still working as a backup phone. We have converted it into a house phone (like a landline) for giving approvals for entry in the society, security camera access, playing music over the blue tooth speakers etc.
Never tried Youtube in desktop mode on Firefox - will do that.

[Nano45]

Originally Posted by RaguHolla

I still use the 5T as my daily driver, which I bought in 2017, 7 years and counting.
My typical usage includes WhatsApp, browsing, Google Maps, phone calls, listening to songs (mostly offline), and watching YouTube (via the browser). I use YouTube Music in desktop mode, which allows the screen to be turned off while still playing songs. Since uBlock typically blocks all ads, it's good for long-drive music streaming.

Most Android devices can last years, rather than the typical 3 to 4 years that the market suggests. If one removes all the junk that comes with the phone, it should last.

I will use the phone till it dies.

Originally Posted by am1m

Resonates so much and absolutely agree. There is no reason to junk a perfectly good phone after just 3-4 years as most people seem to do.

+1 I always follow the saying 'why try to fix or replace something that's already working well without any troubles'.

I have been using Redmi Note 7 Pro for the past six years, bought it in March 2019 and it's still doing great. Apart from changing the battery four times due to Call of Duty game, there's nothing wrong with the phone and my usage has been exactly the same as yours. I just use YouTube in browser for random song searches, but I didn't know it works like this in desktop mode. Thanks a ton for the hack.

The only apps in my mobile all the time.

[Samarth 619]

Originally Posted by ashvek3141

I am looking to pick an android phone under 30k for my MIL for the upcoming Republic Day sale.

Currently, she's using some old Samsung phone which is having issues.

Requirements are - Telephony, receiving SMS's, WhatsApp, Youtube, decent camera, occasional leisure games (Candy crush types).

Anything decent in the range of 20 - 30k would be good. Sub 25k would be great infact!

She doesn't change the phones often, hence something that can last long.

I don't have much idea about androids, let alone the mid-rangers. However, checked a few YT videos and found the below 2 seem like a good option -

1. Realme GT 6T
2. Moto edge 50 Pro
3. OP Nord 4.

Take Nord CE4 (not Nord4) model. I've already suggested it to 2 people. Both are happy.

Why did I suggest this model? Primarily, it has a microSD card slot which means your long use case is satisfied. Many low end models have this, but CE4 has Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, which is faster than Snapdragon 870.

Don't get the CE4 Lite by mistake, be very specific for CE4 only. Around 22k is the price, 2k extra for 256 GB version. Camera is great and video setup is decent for the segment.

And you're free to add a high speed (A2 V30) 512GB card from Sandisk/Samsung for 4k or so, just be sure its genuine though. Samsung has a software to determine this so you can use it in minutes, and return it back online if its not genuine.
1TB card (A2 V30) is going to cost you 8.5k or so, it is the maximum capacity officially supported by the phone. I have a 1TB in my LG G8x.

Although, CE4 is slower than Nord 4. But, Nord 4 has no microSD slot and hence no big life, unless you shift stuff to PC regularly. CE4 has sufficient firepower for basic needs and even medium-level gaming.

[Ltinsane]

Originally Posted by RaguHolla

I will use the phone till it dies and then probably shift to something similar, like a Pixel or Moto phone. I also see that taking a top-end device rather than a mid-range one lasts longer and compensates for the initial expense in the long run.

I had a Oneplus 6T that I used for years. Sadly, after 3 years of moderate to heavy usage, it started having network issues, especially while receiving text messages, which are very important in the age of OTPs. It died on me last year and I switched over to a pixel.

[klassics45]

Originally Posted by Azalactone

After using iPhone for a couple of days I got completely sure that Android as a operating system is far far more user friendly and superior than iOS. There are just so many flaws in iOS. Sometimes I really wish I had purchased Google Pixel 9 or upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 instead.

This is exactly what an iPhone user would say about Android. It's about getting used to the UI. I agree that certain basic features might be missing in iOS, but other than that, it's all about the user.

[dragonfire]

Originally Posted by Azalactone

After using iPhone for a couple of days I got completely sure that Android as a operating system is far far more user friendly and superior than iOS. There are just so many flaws in iOS. Sometimes I really wish I had purchased Google Pixel 9 or upcoming Samsung Galaxy S25 instead.

I had been using both of them simultaneously for the last ~5 years. Started using my wife's 6S as my secondary phone when she upgraded. My primary was the OnePlus 7 which is one of the best Androids that I have owned. In 2022 I bought an iPhone 13 and shifted my primary sim to the iPhone and has never turned back. I still have my secondary phone (pixel 9) and tertiary phone (Motorola edge 29) as Androids. Both platforms have their own advantages and disadvantages. If I have to use only one platform for the rest of my life, it would be Android. That is because, there are things that only an Android can do that the iPhone cannot. But the iPhone provides a superior user experience than even the cleanest of Androids, both in terms of hardware and software. So if you can live with itls limitations, an iPhone is the one to love.

[RaguHolla]

Originally Posted by Flaneur

I'm curious to know the PORT technique. Voice calls on Airtel are pathetic.

Technique is simple. You start PORT process. It works depending on how important carrier thinnk you are to them. If you are postpaid corporate customer like me, they go extra mile to get things sorted out.

Originally Posted by ashvek3141

I am looking to pick an android phone under 30k for my MIL for the upcoming Republic Day sale.

2. Moto edge 50 Pro

I wanted to share my feedback on the Moto Edge 50 Pro:

• Build and Software: The phone has an excellent build quality and a very clean Android experience. The camera is superb.

• Curved Display Issue: I bought this phone for my MIL (mother-in-law), who was coming from a OnePlus 7. She hated the curved display because it caused accidental touches that she couldn't re-learn. She ended up giving the phone to my son and got her OnePlus 7 screen replaced at a local shop. If you intend to get a phone for your MIL, I recommend taking her to the shop to try it out first. Chroma has all the phones you listed.

• Voice Prioritization Issue: My son uses the phone for his flute online classes. However, Moto phones prioritize human voice over all other noises. During video calls (WhatsApp/Meet), the flute sound is suppressed. We tried all settings, including disabling all voice modification settings, but the issue persists. A search engine query indicates this is a common issue with many Moto Edge series phones.

• Software Updates: While Motorola promises updates for 4 years and security updates for 5 years, this seems somewhat hollow. So far, there has been only one update, and the Android 15 update is still pending.

[ss11011988]

Have a question for the folks here, appreciate if you could share your thoughts on my query.

I'm currently using a OnePlus 7T bought in 2019 for 37K which is running absolutely fine and gave me one of the best Android user experiences till date (barring the Moto G4 I had before which was on another level). Except for some hairline cracks in the screen and some nice cracks at the back (thanks to my ignorance and carelessness) the phone could still do well for another year or two, I feel. Last Sunday, I checked out the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R at the Reliance Digital store in Indiranagar. Except for the humungous screen (which is the case with most phones these days), the OP 13R ticks all the right boxes for me as far as an upgrade is concerned. The folk at the store is ready to give me an Instant Discount of 5K on my ICICI card and another 3K for my current phone. That will bring the prices down to 34999 for the 12GB version and 42999 for the 16GB version. Additionally, I hope I get a 1% cashback or so, since I have an AmazonPay ICICI card. The dilemma now is:

1. Should I go for this deal considering it's a good deal? And if so, does it make sense to go for the 16GB variant over 12GB variant for future proofing or is it an overkill?

2. If not, should I wait for Iphone SE4 launch and get one keeping the 7T as a backup phone for home / navigation purposes? I know for sure that I'm not going to get a deal like this, and the 256GB variant of the phone will be priced above 55K+, but I know I will get the best of what Apple has to offer (A18, Apple Intelligence, Tighter ecosystem Integration, Security, Longer software support etc)

Performance is a no-compromise factor for me (OP got me spoiled here with its performance consistency though I feel they no longer stand out from the rest of the Chinese brands).

Regards,
NI

[IamNikhil]

Originally Posted by ss11011988

1. Should I go for this deal considering it's a good deal? And if so, does it make sense to go for the 16GB variant over 12GB variant for future proofing or is it an overkill?

2. If not, should I wait for Iphone SE4 launch and get one keeping the 7T as a backup phone for home / navigation purposes? I know for sure that I'm not going to get a deal like this, and the 256GB variant of the phone will be priced above 55K+, but I know I will get the best of what Apple has to offer (A18, Apple Intelligence, Tighter ecosystem Integration, Security, Longer software support etc)

Performance is a no-compromise factor for me (OP got me spoiled here with its performance consistency though I feel they no longer stand out from the rest of the Chinese brands).

The choice between 12 or 16 GB depends entirely on your use case. If you are a heavy gamer, then the obvious choice would be 16 GB, so as to ensure future-proofing as well. If you are a regular user, 12 GB will more than suffice for a vast majority of the users.

Going by what you mentioned, the deal that you are being offered is a sweet one. Ultimately the choice is yours- whether you want to make the switch to Apple or continue with Android. I don't think price point is an issue for you in that case. One Plus might not stand out from the rest of the Chinese brands, but reliability wise, I would still prefer an OP over the rest of the lot.

[meerkat]

Originally Posted by ss11011988

.... I checked out the OnePlus 13 and OnePlus 13R at the Reliance Digital store in Indiranagar.
.

.... The folk at the store is ready to give me an Instant Discount of 5K on my ICICI card ....
.
Additionally, I hope I get a 1% cashback or so, since I have an AmazonPay ICICI card.

If you do decide to purchase from Reliance Digital, please make sure that the 5k discount applies to the Amazon Pay ICICI card. The discount might not be allowed on a co-branded card! I was unable to use my Amazon Pay ICICI card because of this reason when I had purchased a TV from them during Diwali.
.

[ss11011988]

Originally Posted by meerkat

If you do decide to purchase from Reliance Digital, please make sure that the 5k discount applies to the Amazon Pay ICICI card. The discount might not be allowed on a co-branded card! I was unable to use my Amazon Pay ICICI card because of this reason when I had purchased a TV from them during Diwali.
.

Exactly the doubt that was nagging me. Thank you @meerkat for providing me this detail, I will check with them personally when I'm visiting them this weekend.

Regards,
NI

[ToThePoint]

Originally Posted by ss11011988

Exactly the doubt that was nagging me. Thank you @meerkat for providing me this detail, I will check with them personally when I'm visiting them this weekend.

Regards,
NI

What meerkat has mentioned is correct. Reliance Digital or most such stores don't offer discount on co-branded cards unless it's one of their own and irrespective of full/emi based payments.

[ss11011988]

Originally Posted by IamNikhil

The choice between 12 or 16 GB depends entirely on your use case. If you are a heavy gamer, then the obvious choice would be 16 GB, so as to ensure future-proofing as well. If you are a regular user, 12 GB will more than suffice for a vast majority of the users.

Going by what you mentioned, the deal that you are being offered is a sweet one. Ultimately the choice is yours- whether you want to make the switch to Apple or continue with Android. I don't think price point is an issue for you in that case. One Plus might not stand out from the rest of the Chinese brands, but reliability wise, I would still prefer an OP over the rest of the lot.

Thank you for your reply. As far as my use case is concerned, I'm not at all a mobile gamer. I would rather do that with my gaming laptop. My use case is more towards browsing (a good amount of that being spent in TeamBHP and tech sites), content consumption, streaming to a good extent, and the like without getting bogged down due to low memory or an average processor as the years pass by. You are correct, it indeed is a tempting deal. I'm not that desperate to switch to Apple, it's more of a curiosity to experience the platform than an absolute necessity.