Smartphone wanted / but don't know which :-( / now with poll

[7bit]

I need something new. Any suggestions about a smartphone?


It should be a smaller one which can be carried everywhere.


I thought about the iphone 5 but it is not possible to take the flash card out and put it into a card reader. Ideally it takes normal SD cards, otherwise micro SD would be fine.


It should come with a rough shell (non-glossy) which looks like as if it where from the early 1990s, preferably in black or dark grey.


In fact a ThinkPhone whould be it, if it existed.

[rindorbrot]

There is a Thinkpad tablet with Android, you should be able to use it as a Phone, too *if there is a version with UMTS

[7bit]

There is a Thinkpad tablet with Android, you should be able to use it as a Phone, too *if there is a version with UMTS

But it is too big!

I've got some thing like this in the cellar:

I really must dig it out one day.

[rindorbrot]

All the hipsters will envy you with that!
How small should it be?

[7bit]

You carry the phone unit in one hand and the receiver in the other when you telephone.

I also have a Hirschmann GSM antenna for a W124.

[Acanthophis]

I personally would take a Android based phone without software branding or firm UI (TouchWiz by Samsung, Sense by HTC, etc. pp.).
So, the Google Nexus 4, or any other one with stock Android.

If you feel tinkery, you can always go for custom ROMs on Android. Or even code yourself a rom


I personally like HTC phones, if they weren't so big. I have such small hands :/

[ne0phyte]

None of the current Nexus devices have a microSD slot.

[webwit]

If you're considering an iPhone 5, then consider a Galaxy S4 or HTC One instead in that price range, because these are currently a step ahead, or wait for next gen iPhone. The S4 has removable microSD, not sure about the HTC One which I haven't got. Personally I hate smartphones, because I have some different ones to test web sites and web apps, and it's IE6 all over again. Although the S4 may change that. Damn fine kit of hardware.

[mintberryminuscrunch]

I would recommend the nexus 4,but has same issues as iPhone 5

[rindorbrot]

As I also like stock Android. The S4 Google Edition would be my favourite high-end phone with that. Problem is I don't know if and when it will be available outside the US.
Maybe the Motorola Razr I is also interesting. It has nearly standard Android.

[002]

Ill be the loser and suggest Windows Phone I have a Lumia 800 which is OK, although I'm not really a power user of phones - in fact, the 800 was the first mobile phone I owned...ever. I think I'll go Android for my next choice. I really like the look of the Xperia Z but by the time my contract is up, I'm sure some more interesting things will be out.
BTW webwit, Windows Phone 7 - 7.8 crashes to "desktop" when browsing DT threads that are heavy on images . A Windows product crashing...like father, like son.

[7bit]

If you're considering an iPhone 5, then consider a Galaxy S4 or HTC One instead in that price range, because these are currently a step ahead, or wait for next gen iPhone. The S4 has removable microSD, not sure about the HTC One which I haven't got. Personally I hate smartphones, because I have some different ones to test web sites and web apps, and it's IE6 all over again. Although the S4 may change that. Damn fine kit of hardware.

Thanks!

Isn't Galaxy S4 and HTC One running Android? How comes that they have IE6 installed?

The iPhone 5 comes with the best camera, but otherwise might be a problem if not running any other apple hardware.

Galaxy S4 or HTC One have removable flash cards, but shitty design and have IE6 installed.

Nexus 4 runs with stock Android (what ever that means) and comes with gorilla glass surface on both sides, but no removable flash cards.

Windows Phone crashes all the time and runs with IE6 that will not be removable. Also, popup windows will ask me all 3 seconds if I really want to do this and that and the phone might catch fire if I press OK.

Motorola Razr I runs nearly standard Android (what ever that means) and comes in a nice design, has a micro SD slot, but comes with intel inside instead of a Motorola 68k.

[CeeSA]

The iPhone 5 comes with the best camera, but otherwise might be a problem if not running any other appple hardware.

S4 provided the better camera over all.

[ne0phyte]

There is no smartphone for you.

[Acanthophis]

How come Android phones have IE6 preinstalled?
Not even Chrome is (which may be, because it's still in "beta").

[7bit]

How come Android phones have IE6 preinstalled?
Not even Chrome is (which may be, because it's still in "beta").

Webwit said so.

I will run a HyperPhone group buy right after the HyperKeyboard group buy.

The features:
- real number dial
- real bell
- runs Debian

[ne0phyte]

How come Android phones have IE6 preinstalled?
Not even Chrome is (which may be, because it's still in "beta").

This is wrong. Chrome is stable and it is pre-installed on all current Nexus devices.

[CeeSA]

@7bit - I think a Blackberry is maybe something for you.

[ne0phyte]

The features:
- real number dial
- real bell
- runs Debian

You sound like you'd want the stock Android experience withou 101248 Services, pre-installed Apps and bloatware from Samsung, HTC, Sony and so on.

I suggest you wait for the HTC One Nexus oder the Samsung Galaxy S4 Nexus variant. Those are 1:1 the same hardware as the branded/bloated ones but run stock Android which gives you more control, fast and painless updates and lots of custom roms and community support.

[webwit]

IE6 as in shite browsers with shite extensions and bugs.

[Muirium]

Touchtone numberpad must be Cherry MX, Alps, or Hall Effect.

[7bit]

The features:
- real number dial
- real bell
- runs Debian

You sound like you'd want the stock Android experience withou 101248 Services, pre-installed Apps and bloatware from Samsung, HTC, Sony and so on.

I suggest you wait for the HTC One Nexus oder the Samsung Galaxy S4 Nexus variant. Those are 1:1 the same hardware as the branded/bloated ones but run stock Android which gives you more control, fast and painless updates and lots of custom roms and community support.

OK, are they planned, or do I have to wait forever?

The currently best candidate is the Motorola.

Just need a sticker to cover the Intel inside logo.

[Muirium]

Here you go.

[ne0phyte]

Just read that the S4 Nexus will only be available in the US and no idea when the One will be available.
Personally I'd go with a Galaxy S3 and install a custom Rom to get rid of the Samsung Crapware.

But if you want a sturdy, industrial looking phone with a replacable battery, memory extension slot, not too big and current hardware... well I guess you're out of luck.

Get rid of 1 or 2 of those requirements and you get more options.

[7bit]

How is that done:
"Galaxy S3 and install a custom Rom to get rid of the Samsung Crapware"


For the sticker:

68k outside

[Muirium]

What are you looking for then, PowerPC?

A G5 phone would be pretty hot, that's for sure.

[ne0phyte]

How is that done:
"Galaxy S3 and install a custom Rom to get rid of the Samsung Crapware"

Root phone, install a custom recovery bootimage and install one of the Roms available for the Galaxy S3 (CyanogenMod, Paranoid Android, etc.)
The roms are basically zip files with the linux rootfs and Android system.

Sounds a bit complicated but it's rather easy and you can't really break anything.

[7bit]

Soarer, is that you?

[ne0phyte]

Nope. But I've been running custom roms on my Android devices (phones & tablets) for 3.5 years now

Feel free to PM me if need any help with that once you decided on a phone
BUT only if you ship my Matias switches I ordered 3 weeks ago first!

[Halvar]

It should come with a rough shell (non-glossy) which looks like as if it where from the early 1990s, preferably in black or dark grey.


In fact a ThinkPhone whould be it, if it existed.

The Lenovo K800 came pretty near to that design-wise IMO, but afaik it's not available in Germany. Maybe other Lenovo phones?