Posted on 06/22/2020 8:25:52 AM PDT by ClaytonForester
I apologize if I posted this in the wrong place. I'm in dire need of a new phone. I've narrowed my choices to the Galaxy S20, the OnePlus 8, or the OnePlus 8 Pro. Does anyone have experience with anyone of these? Which would you recommend? Is there something else better in the same price range?
Agreed, though there are no privacy concerns.
It seems to me that we pay either cash, or personal information. This cost is all cash.
It was something similar to this that someone else posted:
Went into a T Mobile store just prior to the Covid shutdown and inquired about changing to their service. They ran a credit check and afterwards told them I would consider changing. Then Covid struck and the store was closed. A month or so later I get a bill from T Mobile stating I was overdue on my payment. Called customer service about it and was told I would have to go back to the store to get it taken care of. I told them it would be rather difficult since the store was closed. After a couple more calls to customer service the problem was resolved. Not sure I’ll ever switch to them. How can you be past due when you have never purchased their product or service?
What happened in my case was that T-Mobile ported my phones over from Verizon before I'd even received the new phone and 2 SIM cards. So I woke up one morning with no phone service at all. Nightmare to get it undone, then it screwed up the account so badly that it was like pulling teeth to get the accounts eventually switched over to T-Mobile when the phone and sim cards finally arrived.
At one point, my son went in to get his phone activated, and my phone suddenly changed numbers to become his phone. Yes -- that's as nuts as it sounds. My phone number was deactivated, and I was getting his calls on a phone I'd been using for two days.
The worst part about it was unlike Verizon -- which was far more expensive -- I had an extraordinarily difficult time understanding the customer service reps, who apparently are all outsourced. Perhaps 1 in 3 did not have a headache-inducing accent.
I'm just hoping that after the two weeks it to finally get everything switched over correctly, I never have to speak to their customer service again.
“I’ll let you know how it is working in a few days.”
—
Thanks, sound like it could be a handy app. I’d go with the free version tho, I’m a cheapskate. And if it’s just ad-supported as the only difference, I can live with that.
Absolutely cool. I won’t have a phone without a microSD card holder. If I go with the S20, I’ll do the unlocked version directly from Samsung. The one from Verizon doesn’t have the card holder!! That’s just crazy.
Thanks!
Hi.
My One Plus 8 has been good for one year so far. No problems...
Problems like my G7 melting down.
5.56mm
What most don't realize is that ISPs may and often do change the specs from the mfr's base product to different degrees.
Example: AT&T Blackberry Passport model had changed the housing corner radius slightly requiring special cases, which weren't on offer.
Example: Boost mobile offers various LG Stylo versions that don't have the Qualcom Snapdragon processor, nor the Q-USB 3 quick charge feature. Their processor is of a different make & slower, thus the USB-3 quick charge port is not available. Big difference in day to day life on that one point alone. So, yeah, read the specs in depth and compare different provider offerings before committing to a contract or purchase....the reason for a low price just might be a some what crippled version of what seem to be identical phones.
As always, caveat emptor, buyer beware.
https://wiki.lineageos.org/devices/
https://doc.e.foundation/
Lineage and e OS are both Android based (they take the open source parts of Android) and are largely (depending on options installed) Google free. This does mean that not all apps and functions will work as per full Andoid (soem depend of specific Google functions such as Google Location Services, or Play Services for app store).
You need an unlocked phone and have to install it yourself but there are good instructions. They are not available for all phones.
You could by a used phone at somewhere like Swappa and install one of these OSes. You would have a fairly modern phone with a mostly google free experience.
If you have an old unlocked phone you could experiment with that first (there is a - small - chance of bricking the phone).
Try the free version. If you like it, the pro version is about $10, and it’s not an annual fee.
What does it mean to root an Android Phone. I’ve heard the term, but don’t really understand it much, other than it allows you to access hidden programs or load up games you wouldn’t otherwise load up.
But, could you please explain it better than that. Appreciated.
Yes. You have to turn off the locator if you don’t want to be tracked.
Blackberry phones are still being made. They use android, but they use a blackberry shell on top to ensure your privacy.
https://www.lifewire.com/best-blackberry-phones-577404
Rooting is when you are able to bypass the phone’s internal security and install your own modified Operating System (Linux). There are usually a few different versions to install, including one that is called Lineage (which is the original installed OS, minus all of the bloatware and spy crap (Google, etc).
It gives you control and freedom to use the phone the way it should be, but some of the versions may have setbacks, like some options may not work (Bigzy, or whatever it’s called, for example)..
In my case, the Euro version of this same phone (Samsung S10) has the version of Lineage (which I want) for S10, but, since I have the different build/chipset (SnapDragon, made for USA), Samsung made the security too good, so that it can’t be Rooted :/
Thanks for the link. I have had 3 or so Blackberry phones... don’t often think about them anymore but it would be worth another look.
I just read elsewhere that Verizon base S20 phones don’t have a space for an SD card.
Just a heads up.
I noticed that, thanks. But I think you can get the S20 with a card holder thru Samsung, but it has to be the unlocked version.
If you opt for the Verizon version, it’ll be the no-card holder type. Might just wait to spend my $750.
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