Alternatives to Amazon Fire Phone?

November 27, 2015 7:13 AM

Are there any good alternatives to the Amazon Fire phone and its custom Android OS?

I just read that Amazon has stopped selling its Fire Phone. I have been using one since last year, and have been very happy with it. I particularly like the clean interface and the lack of Google integration in its modified Android OS.

Thinking ahead, software-wise, are there any good alternatives to this product? I don't want to use iOS, and I don't want to use a Android phone, but I'd like an attractive smartphone interface. (My thoughts last year were that Amazon was one of few companies that could support a reliable alternative interface, and I was planning on purchasing the next version.) Thanks.

posted by amxr to Technology (7 answers total)

You don't mention an app ecosystem in your list of things you like - why not take a look at a Windows phone? Reviews of it have generally been summed up as 'Good interface, nice design, terrible app availability since it's not Android or iOS." If that's not a serious concern, it could be a good option.
posted by Tomorrowful at 7:31 AM on November 27, 2015

That's a very good idea: thanks. I hadn't thought of Windows phones at all. I don't use many apps (I have a handful installed on my phone, and they're probably all available for Windows), so that may be the right solution.

One thing I like about the Amazon phone as compared with Android or iOS phones is that I feel like I'm using a phone rather than an operating system when I interact with it. I'll try a Windows phone and see: hopefully it's similar.
posted by amxr at 7:51 AM on November 27, 2015

To be clear, an Amazon Fire phone is an Android phone albeit one that has been materially modified. There is a sight that will tell you what app to use on a Windows phone as an equivalent to ones used on an Android or iOS phone and generally how to make the switch. Here is a link.
posted by AugustWest at 8:43 AM on November 27, 2015

If Google integration is your main issue with Android, there is Cyanogenmod, which is an open source, non-Google version of Android. It can work with Google, but only if you set that up yourself. It doesn't do that by default.

You can get it preinstalled on the OnePlus One phone, or you can install it yourself on a supported device.

It's still Android, but it's another option to keep in mind.
posted by ernielundquist at 9:26 AM on November 27, 2015

Firefox OS maybe.
posted by BungaDunga at 11:49 AM on November 27, 2015

AugustWest: I agree, and thanks for clarifying that. Amazon's modifications are so substantial as to make using the OS an entirely different experience: that's why I like the phone so much. The Windows Phone site looks very helpful.

Ernielundquist: I had heard of Cyanogenmod but didn't know it is preinstalled on commercial phones. I once had the time to tinker with Android, but nowadays I like things to work out of the box, so it sounds like a good option.

BungaDunga: very interesting and will investigate. Would be great if it is as good as the browser.
posted by amxr at 12:12 PM on November 27, 2015

Fwiw, I have a OnePlus with Cyanogenmod and will definitely install CM (whatever version) on my next phone. The thing about CM or using a Moto X pure is that there are very few mods from stock Android. THey are most like the pure Android experience. I had a Galaxy S4 before my OnePlus, and it is night and day as to the usability of the interface. I hated Touch Wiz, all the bloat added by Samsung and the locked down limitations they put on numerous built in Android features.
posted by AugustWest at 5:37 PM on November 27, 2015