Android phones, apps and tablets

I would love to but it always borks apps...

Zero issues with any apps here. Even Google pay just kept on working, which is a first for any android major version upgrade I have ever done.

I can never get into my bank's app on beta, which is a major drag...

Installing beta now (Pixel 3XL - wireless charging FTW!!!). I used the beta for 11 and had to roll back because of a few apps misbehaving, so not worried if I have to do that for 12

where are all the apps?

Ah, slightly different gesture

No issue with any apps so far, including banking

Is data more... datery these days? I never used to use anything close to my limit and I'm not aware of using any more than usual. I use wifi at home and, funnily enough, have been mostly at home. I've had a couple of days where I've used it to tether a laptop but nothing major - not downloading docs / not watching films etc but for the past 3 months I've used more than my allowance. I'm fucked if I'm giving Vodafone even more money so I just go without data for a week or so until it renews. Is there a way to track data usage?

within your phone there will likely be a data tracker, plus you can set alerts for when you get within a certain limit.

edit:
Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > App Data Usage
(Moto G7plus)

For Samsung it's

settings > connections > data usage> wifi data usage or mobile data usage (depending on which you want to see an app breakdown for)

Is data more... datery these days?

Yes, in the sense that there is an astonishing amount of bloat in seemingly light web pages. This has been a steady progression for at least two decades, so if your view is over a timescale of only months you shouldn't see a massive change.

Coming from an LG G4, last October,
I was pleasantly surprised to find my £200 Moto G 5G
received an update, yesterday, to Android 11.

What...Is this normal?

https://www.gov.uk/alerts/planned-tests

Tuesday 22 June 2021
Across the UK
Some mobile phone networks in the UK are testing emergency alerts between 1pm and 2pm.

If you have an Android device, there’s a small chance you may get a test alert. Your device may make a loud siren-like sound.

The alert will say:

This is a mobile network operator test of the Emergency Alerts service. You do not need to take any action. To find out more, search for gov.uk/alerts

What...Is this normal?

Not normal for the UK afaik. Pretty common in other countries in Europe and also the US at a state level. Perhaps the UK is playing catch up on civil contingency planning.

Some European countries test their civil defence sirens every week and mobile and landline alerts twice yearly.

What's the best new/unused Samsung phone I can get for under £200? I'm tired of Huawei and I just want compatibility with everything.

Ideally:

• Screen between 5.5-6.0"
  
• Water resistant
  
• Earphone/aux 3.5mm port
  
• Wireless charging
  
• Camera not terrible
  
  

Maybe an S9 or something like that? Is it better to buy newer low-spec or older high spec?

I'd normally buy new, but would consider buying second hand from some trusted LFGSS person (rather than an eBay chancer), so if you have something do let me know. Thanks.

I don't know but I'm currently plugging in options on GSM Arena to replace the grrl's phone...

https://www.gsmarena.com/results.php3?nYearMin=2018&nPriceMax=500&fDisplayInchesMin=4&fDisplayInchesMax=6&chkUSBC=selected&sIPCerts=2&sOSes=2

These are awesome and well worth considering. 256GB storage. 12GB RAM, so apps can stay open. Screen is "to die for". Stunning camera performance.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/393070298622?epid=3041269317&hash=item5b84d0c5fe:g:3PwAAOSwqtJf5RWv

https://www.oppo.com/uk/smartphone-find-x2-neo/specs/

Never heard of Oppo. Are they waterproof/shockproof?

Oh, 6.5", that's basically a tablet. Out. :)

It's IP68 water resistant, and comes with a shockproof clear case, fairly standard in most high end phones currently.

The size put me off too, I didn't want an even bigger phone, but the more I looked, the more I realised that there was nothing that could meet the same spec for the price, so I compromised and went for it. I've had one of these for about a month now and it's easily the best phone I've owned.

Having said all that, a phone's a very personal thing, and it's each to their own really. Good luck!

Sounds pretty good but I'm not going bigger again. I really like the 4" Sony Z3 Compact and went to Samsung XCover and now XCover 4S which are more like 5" with hardware buttons (good for on the bike). They have to fit between aerobars and going up in size makes that impossible.

My Samsung S9 is pretty dead, so before it lets me down 100% I am going to replace it.

I need: very good camera, good battery life, rugged, screen that might work a little wet, micro sd port, cable headphone compatibility, duel sim would be nice. indifferent to cost, just need those specs

I could live without SD card port, if I can plug one in via adaptor

Suggestions?

i've plugged everything in on gsm and can't find something. I guess a rugged phone with brilliant camera doesn't exist.

Or get a decent phone and a Spigen armoured case?

I guess a rugged phone with brilliant camera doesn't exist.

Correct.

But don't you have a camera for your "nice" photos? I just deal with the shitty phone camera and take the Sony camera out when I want nicer stuff.

rugged

This is probably what's tripping you up, and Pifko is right - choose your phone and find a case to ruggedise it. There are at least 30 Android 10/11 phones with SD slot (sometimes occupying the second SIM slot), 3.5mm jack, IP68 ingress protection and >4Ah battery, some of them must have reasonable cameras.