Rock solid/dependable models of Android phones - recommendations?

April 6, 2018 1:41 PM

I've had a bad run in the last few years with my Samsung phones dying early deaths (< 1 year old, 6 months old, 1.5 years old...) and am tired of dealing with Samsung and the issues I've had with their phones. Seeking a new Android phone under $500 (CAD) that is less likely to die on me within a year - any recommendations? Must be water resistant, and aiming for a rock solid phone with a low device failure rate.

My latest phone, the Samsung Galaxy A5 bricked itself after downloading the latest Android update and won't boot. The one before that (my S5 Neo) overheated and melted the battery on normal use. Twice. Samsung is also denying the warranty on my latest phone for mysterious reason, so I'm on the hunt for a non-Samsung phone ideally (given my recent bad luck).

I'm also planning on getting an extended warranty this time just in case it's me not the phones who have an issue!

Must have:
- IPX rated Water resistant/durable - I work outside in the field and use my phone. It will get wet from rain at some point.
- 3+ GB ram - preferably 4gb +
- Under $500 CAD - I'm on a budget
- Decent processor - I'm by no means a power user but like when things are fast and not laggy.
- Decent battery life - last most of the day on light-moderate use (email, phone, texting, general web browsing)
- Dependable and has a decent build quality? This is subjective but I'm looking for a model that hopefully won't have any major issues with hardware or a company that is good at honouring their warranties. Would like my phone to last me 3 years or so.

Nice to have
- Ships with Android 7 - hopefully will get upgraded to the next OS for Android
- Decent camera - I like taking pictures with my phone
- Gorilla glass - I also use a otterbox case but its nice to have just in case
- Minimal bloatware on top of the Android OS
- Micro SD card access
- 3.5mm headphone jack - this might be going the way of the dodo but its a feature for me not to have to buy new headphones
- Not a phablet - I like a smaller sized phone (~5.5 inches - bigger isn't always better)

Don't care
- Fanciness - I'm happy with a rock solid/dependable mid range phone. Don't need the latest and greatest flagship phone

So far I was thinking of the Moto X4, HTC U11 life, Google pixel (if I can find one in my price range), OnePlus 5T, Moto G5S plus (shiny! but not water resistant), Moto Droid Z2, or LG 6. The brands I have been considering have been OnePlus Moto, HTC, Google (Pixel), Huawei, Asus, and LG.

Any one have any other suggestions or experiences with any of those models/brands? I'm willing to pay more for a device with a lower failure rate.

Thanks!

posted by snowysoul to Technology (15 answers total)

My moto x pure edition (basically the x2 if you use their later naming convention) was a piece of crap.

It's extremely difficult to get warranty service for them (very long lead times depending on whether they have refurbished models to send you) so I learned to live with a crackly headphone jack and janky charging port. When it started rebooting by itself 3 or 4 times a day I threw in the towel and got a new Samsung Galaxy S8+, which i love.

I used to have an HTC M7 which ran for like, three years across multiple OTA upgrades and custom roms and the only reason I got rid of it was that after a particularly bad fall it wouldn't register that there was a camera attached anymore.
posted by Oktober at 2:06 PM on April 6, 2018

I would not recommend a OnePlus phone, as they go through models super fast and quit making the old ones, making it harder to receive updates/repairs. They are releasing new phones every 6 months. I had a OnePlus 3T for a year and never learned to like it; the specs are great on paper, but I changed to an LG phone that was released around the same time and felt like the build/software was significantly better quality (it doesn't meet several of your qualifications, however).
posted by possibilityleft at 2:09 PM on April 6, 2018

I'll put in a vote for OnePlus5. I really love mine and my SO has had his OnePlus3 since it came out and still loves it. It hits all your notes, lowest bloat you can bloat, and the camera is really nice.
posted by moons in june at 2:12 PM on April 6, 2018

Outside of your pricerange, but I am very impressed with the Galaxy 8. Hits all of your points except 'midrange.'

It asked me if I wanted to update to the latest Oreo a few days ago - upgrade was flawless.

Since you mentioned CAD, Rogers were giving away S8s for a contract extension. Might still be.
posted by porpoise at 2:14 PM on April 6, 2018

Honestly I would just get one you like and not worry about failure rate. I've owned five different Android phones from essentially all the major makers over the last decade and not a single one has survived two years without a glitch.

My current phone is a Moto G4 which is about two years old and works fine except that I can't turn on auto brightness because it then registers countless phantom touches. That's actually the most durable a phone has been for me.
posted by selfnoise at 2:23 PM on April 6, 2018

Do you have Oppo in Canada? I am very pleased with my Oppo R9s. Has everything you are after.
posted by Thella at 2:32 PM on April 6, 2018

I just bought a new phone today! My needs are different than yours, but i purchased my third Motorola in a row.

Like you, I also don't have any need for a prestige phone, I just want something that works. My original MotoX lasted two years before the battery quality decreased past what's useful to me, but I still use it as a phone to play dumb games on and it runs pretty great, now I think almost 5-6 years after purchase. My current phone is a Motorola Droid Maxx 2 and it's also been pretty all right. I got it in December 2015 and within the last month it's started displaying some weird behavior (cell signal cutting off occasionally, some lagginess) and I've decided to replace it and not have to worry about it. Battery on it is still great.

When I started looking at new phones I wasn't intending to be brand loyal (necessarily). But wheb I saw how well the Moto G5 Plus has been rated, I knew that's the one I was going to get. I've had two good experiences with Motos and I don't know why this would be any different.

Like you said, though...not waterproof. If Motorola makes a waterproof phone, I'd be looking at that one if I were you.
posted by phunniemee at 3:04 PM on April 6, 2018

Many phones that aren't IP rated, especially $500+ ones, have a water resistant coating that will certainly protect against non-immersive water ingress and often will even prevent significant damage from a short dunking, but it's not guaranteed. The Nexus 6 is one old example.

The point is that you need not restrict yourself to IP rated devices if you're only looking for splash protection.
posted by wierdo at 6:25 PM on April 6, 2018

Nokia 6 checks a lot of your boxes. I like it because it runs straight android without any manufacturer customization, and the maker claims they will support it "long term". It's built pretty solid physically too with a full metal frame, including a plate behind the screen. Teardown.
posted by paper chromatographologist at 4:03 AM on April 7, 2018 [1 favorite]

Might want to add Caterpillar to your list of possible candidates. They make some pretty damn tough phones.
posted by flabdablet at 5:24 AM on April 7, 2018

I had an HTC one, it was reliable and study, with just a jelly case. Camera was poor but I expect that's been fixed. 2 years with it, replaced when I left Verizon.
I currently have a Moto something, great audio, good camera, decent battery life, 2 years old and the battery is now lasting less, but still reliable. I bought it outright at best buy for a no contract carrier, so No Bloatware. The No Bloatware is really nice. I bought a not-super-new model, cost @ 250.
posted by theora55 at 6:46 AM on April 7, 2018

Samsung Galaxy C7 Pro here. I know, "not Samsung", but I've had it for a year and I am a heavy, heavy, heavy phone user, and this thing puts up with all my crap. Multiple drops, cracked screen, there's a little bloatware but I never feel it, 4gb RAM, 3.5mm jack & Android 7 upgradeable, multiple countries and SIM's (it's a dual SIM), and I didn't check water resistance specs, but it's survive shower splashes and one dunking. Most crucial, I did crack the screen, brought it into a different-country retailer, it was fixed in an hour. Battery is quck-charging and super solid so far.

I got mine for $300 2ndhand from a friend who paid $400 usd for it new & unlocked. I don't know that it will last 3 more years, since the design is a 1.5 years old already, but it's really not a bad phone, and if you can find a functional 2ndhand one, I bet you it's a tried and tested device. Spec sheet.
posted by saysthis at 7:30 AM on April 7, 2018

Also, a Samsung feature since the S8 that's been making me itch is USB-C to HDMI direct output. This means, with the native Bluetooth mouse & keyboard support, that with the right monitor, this phone could be my laptop too. That is something that's just out in the last year or so. Yes I also know Miracast and Chromecast have existed for a while but the reviews tell me the new Samsungs are capable of full HD video output, and I've had laggy performance on the wireless screen front in the past. Other than as a slideshow projector, wireless video is kind of a toy to me, but wired video? Hmmm! Also, quick charge! The C7 Pro has it, and I have stopped carrying a power bank! It's 0-65% battery in an hour on a 3300 battery, and 65% lasts me all day unless heavy use, in which case it's 8 hours. I don't know how other big flagship makers stack up, but I would honestly hold up and deep dive some of the features on the S9 and S9+, and then look at how other big brands makers compare. The S9+ has a dual lens camera with mechanically adjustable FPS, the iphone X has facial recognition, image stabilization seems like they've made some big leaps...

2018 seems like a year to be actually excited about buying the latest and greatest phone. Again, I am no expert, but maybe get a placeholder gadget or try to hang on to yours for another 6 months and wait for some of these features to get tested + prices to come down.
posted by saysthis at 7:47 AM on April 7, 2018

I've owned a number of Sony Xperia phones and had little to no problems with any of them. They have a number of waterproof models with great cameras and are solidly built. I haven't checked to see theres a model that meets your criteria for RAM and price but I'd say its worth looking into.
posted by *becca* at 11:54 AM on April 7, 2018

Response by poster: After a couple more weeks of research, I'm the proud owner of a Nokia 6 (2018)! Should be here next week - thanks again for all the suggestions.
posted by snowysoul at 9:27 PM on April 20, 2018