Help with new smart phone purchase.

OFC Ranger

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Its about time to retire my iPhone 7+ as ghost touching and general poor performance is growing by the day even after doing everything but a straight up factory reset.

I am looking at the Kyocera DuraForce PRO 2 with Sapphire Shield as its going to be roughly half the price of a new iPhone and it comes already packaged up for rugged use. I've had Kyocera's in the past, mainly their rubberized mil spec flip phones some years back.

My concern is going from iOS to Android, having no experience in this category. SHould I be able to transition without much issue? How about performance? If all I do are basic functions on my phone (email, video, text, etc etc) should I not waste money on the more expensive iPhone?

What is the android version of siri? Is it as good? I utilize this feature quite often due to nature of my work and wanting to remain hands free on the move.

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Fawnbuster

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My wife was an apple gal before we married, she used my android and loved it. We just had delivered our new Note 20's this morning. It's her 2nd note and she (as I) loves it. I had Blackberry in the past until they got Ran into the ground. Then I had a Samsung Galaxy, S4, S7 edge Note 9 and now Note 20. Samsung has the best cameras I've ever used. I don't even bother using my old digital camera, I don't even know where it is lol. Plus with Qi wireless charging I've never had a connection issue with cables since switching to Qi.

Less money also compared to Apple. Also we go with whatever carrier gives us the best deal on phones and plans when our phones are paid off. Switching back to Verizon fromAT&T, much better plan and we get several premium streaming channels included that we can stream from phone or smart tv.
Just my humble 2 cents worth.
 

AzScorpion

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My gf use to have a Samsung Galaxy S6 and I never like it. To me it seems like in some instances you have to do 2-3 times as many steps as with an iPhone. Maybe this has changed but once she switched to an iPhone she likes it better. Now I'll also admit I'm a creature of habit and use all IOS devices now. There's still some things I don't like about Apple but I like the way Apple is so simple to use but you might it a lot easier to transition over. Anyone you know have an Android you could play around with before switching over?

As far as carriers I've had Verizon for years and while they're a little bit more than the others I always get a signal unless up in the mountainous areas. Even out in the desert where we shoot, my friends who have other carriers can't get a signal and I'm still getting a couple of bars. I've noticed their prices have come down some and I just got a good special for unlimited data being over 55.
 
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Jon Olivier

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Even out in the desert where we shoot my friends who have other carries
Wait! You shoot your friends that have other carriers?!?! Brutal!
 


slowmachine

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I've been using a Google Pixel 4a (on Google Fi service) for the past two months, after having iPhones for 11 years. I'm still getting used to the Android way of doing things. Google Assistant, "Hey Google" is the equivalent of Siri, but it works better than Siri in many ways. iMessage on IOS is more convenient than Messages on Android. I'm happy with the switch. The "killer app" for me is cloud services. I have struggled for a long time with iCloud failing to sync between multiple devices. So far, I think Google does a better job of it.
 

Trigganometry

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Still on my 7+ ? Has original battery and just like a timex watch. Just keeps on ticking. In fact I posting this using it ?
 

Anthony

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I've got an XS MAX. and I'm very happy with it. Now granted, I'm an Apple guy in an Apple family. We all use Macs, iPads, iPhones, Apple TVs and Apple Watches. I like the ecosystem and we all love the new Fitness +. I haven't worked out regularly in years and now I put in at least 45 minutes a day. Gotta close those rings!

That being said, I realize the limitations Apple puts on people who really like to customize their devices. I've never really had a hankering to do that, so I'm good. But totally understand why others don't like Apple (and not only for the Apple tax).
 

troutspinner

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I don't think you would have an issue switching, as you've mentioned, they have their own solutions for everything just like iPhone. Now the BUT! ;). I've switched back and fourth between Android and iPhone for many years. One year I like this, the next that, so I switch but you know what has really become apparent to me, privacy. I am so tired of being the product and Google / Android literally track every thing you do whereas Apple has taken a stance on privacy, especially of late.

With Android, a computer and an algorithm listens to every word you say. I could care less if big brother knows everything about me, I don't do much for them to be concerned about but If I talk with my wife about a pair of boots I'm think about buying, why is there an ad on my browser for boots the next time I open it up. Why are many of the videos in my YouTube feed now showing me boots. I didn't search for boots on the web or even ask Hey Google about boots, I just spoke about them in passing in a private conversation. I've grown very aware this and you'll find videos on YouTube of people testing exactly this and in just an hour of using an Android Device, the internet is now targeting you something they think you'll buy just because you had a private conversation.

Even if you do have an Apple device, you're not totally protected until you uninstall every Google and Social Media App and just use their web interface variants. That however is the "of late" thing I mentioned in the first paragraph, Apple is forcing these companies to alert you on the iPhone exactly how they are collecting and using your data and giving you the choice to truly opt out in their next release. Sorry, probably much more and different than the response you wanted but it's just something that irks me. ;)
 
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OFC Ranger

OFC Ranger

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I think later today I am going to pull the trigger on getting a Sonim XP8. Keep in mind I am after a specific category of phone. Besides the purpose built ruggedness of it, it has some really cool plug and play modules.

I think I am also going to make the switch to ATT for their FirstNet program that has been offered to me on numerous occasions and port my number over from Verizon.

I've had zero issues with Verizon, but I can get 3 months free of FirstNet and I'll get network priority in the event of any major disruption (environmental or otherwise).

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Anthony

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I think later today I am going to pull the trigger on getting a Sonim XP8. Keep in mind I am after a specific category of phone. Besides the purpose built ruggedness of it, it has some really cool plug and play modules.

I think I am also going to make the switch to ATT for their FirstNet program that has been offered to me on numerous occasions and port my number over from Verizon.

I've had zero issues with Verizon, but I can get 3 months free of FirstNet and I'll get network priority in the event of any major disruption (environmental or otherwise).

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That looks really cool!
 

Chris M

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Wait! You shoot your friends that have other carriers?!?! Brutal!
Things are a little bit different out here in Arizona.... ;)
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