Android Thread v2

[Knoyleo]

Here's what I thought of it back in September when Poser asked me on my opinion of it:

It's brilliant, but I upgraded from a pixel 1. It's the same size as the pixel 1, but all screen apart from the camera dot which doesn't bother me as it never blocks anything (if you have it landscape videos don't go wide enough to touch it). Screen is really, really vivid. Lack of 90 Hz doesn't bother me since I've never used a phone that has that feature, and this already feels smoother than my previous phone.

It's a bit heavier so feels sturdier. Might feel a bit smaller than your pixel 2, even if the screen might be bigger - but personally I've moved away from the larger form factors now that it's possible to get a phone that's basically all screen - to me this is the best of both worlds; something I can control with one hand easily, not too bulky for pockets, but still a decent screen size.

Has stereo speakers when landscape (although one of the speaker holes by the charger port are just there for symmetry), headphone jack and a back fingerprint reader - all of which are pluses in my eyes. This is my first phone using gestures rather than the 3 buttons at the bottom, which is taking a bit too get used to but not too bad.

The camera is the same hardware they've been using since the pixel 2, but going by reviews it's still top of class so they must keep updating the software. Seems good to me, but I don't have modern phones to compare to. Selfie cam is much, much better than my old pixel's. Big square on the back for the camera is ridiculous, but doesn't get in the way.

Lack of water resistance doesn't bother me. I've not tried Android pay yet.

It's already got Android 11 which has some minor changes, and fast updates is one reason why I went for this over the Nord.

After a few months of using it I still agree with this. Battery life is fantastic, it's not often I use half of it in a day.

Cheers man.

Didn't realise the Nord had no headphone jack. Pass. Really not interested in wireless headphones or faffing about with additional adapters.

[ignition]

Unsure of all the details, but pretty sure Huawei phones don't have access to the Google Play store/Google apps. So while technically excellent products, particularly for photography, they're probably not a good option for a lot of people.

[Errkal]

Unsure of all the details, but pretty sure Huawei phones don't have access to the Google Play store/Google apps. So while technically excellent products, particularly for photography, they're probably not a good option for a lot of people.

Yeah recent ones dont, they have their own store so like Fire tablets you are relying on app makers uploading the app to those stores as well which tends to not happen.

[Jenuall]

Can you not still just side load the Play Store these days?

That's what I've always done on devices that didn't come with it

[ignition]

How does that work when the app needs updating? Do you need to sideload each time?

[Carlos]

How does that work when the app needs updating? Do you need to sideload each time?

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/sideloading-android-huawei-p40-pro-plus

Sideloading Google Play Services and the play store lets you keep everything updated and let's you continue to use apps that rely on Google services like Uber.

If you just sideload the app without GPS and the play store you will need to reinstall the app each time which will erase all the data.

[ignition]

Ah, excellent! Will keep that in mind next time I'm in the market.

Been on my Oneplus 6 now for a couple of years or so and, despite the storage always eeking to capacity, it's still as quick as day one. Love it.

Does anyone find that the Onedrive app takes up a ridiculous amount of space? I have no files downloaded to my phone, all in the cloud, yet the app info states I have about 750mb in app data (and only 6mb in cache). What data is this? I dare not delete it in case it does impact any files!

[Chocolate-Milk]

I just got an S20+ through work, and I've spent the evening swapping over from my S8. Pretty pleased so far!

Does anyone if there's a way I can hide the navigation bar inside of certain apps on Android 10? I remember there used to be a button on one side that would lock/unlock the bar in fullscreen apps, but it seems to have been abandoned in favour of either a persistent bar, or no bar with gestures only.

The problem is, gesture navigation sucks gooseberry fool, but the persistent bar pushes the Game Pass screen way off-centre, and I'll be damned if I'm switching back and forth each time.

Any suggestions?

[Errkal]

I just got an S20+ through work, and I've spent the evening swapping over from my S8. Pretty pleased so far!

Does anyone if there's a way I can hide the navigation bar inside of certain apps on Android 10? I remember there used to be a button on one side that would lock/unlock the bar in fullscreen apps, but it seems to have been abandoned in favour of either a persistent bar, or no bar with gestures only.

The problem is, gesture navigation sucks gooseberry fool, but the persistent bar pushes the Game Pass screen way off-centre, and I'll be damned if I'm switching back and forth each time.

Any suggestions?

Does this help?? https://www.howtogeek.com/660147/samsun ... ton-order/

[Chocolate-Milk]

Does this help?? https://www.howtogeek.com/660147/samsun ... ton-order/

Sadly not, that's about as far as I'd got already. I can turn the bar on and off easily enough, but I was hoping there was an option to hide it when using certain apps.

Netflix, for example, will show the bar when browsing the library, but hide it when playing a video. Maybe it's just up to the app developer, and we don't get a say.

[Errkal]

Does this help?? https://www.howtogeek.com/660147/samsun ... ton-order/

Sadly not, that's about as far as I'd got already. I can turn the bar on and off easily enough, but I was hoping there was an option to hide it when using certain apps.

Netflix, for example, will show the bar when browsing the library, but hide it when playing a video. Maybe it's just up to the app developer, and we don't get a say.

Yeah it is done in the app and there doesn't seem to be any override, there might if you are rooted but I would say probabyl something thats easier to just live with.

[Chocolate-Milk]

Ah that's a shame. I'll just learn to live with it, then. I'm not keen on the thought of rooting it just for that, that sort of thing never goes well for me.

[Carlos]

Google added Apple Music support for Home devices on Monday but I'm not seeing it in the Home app yet. Can someone else check if it's in theirs? Ta.

[aayl1]

Alright gang - what's the best phone for under £300 these days, you reckon?

I've really liked my Huawei Honor 10 but after 2.5 years the charging port is dodgy and will only charge if the cable is in just right and then you can't even look at it funny or it'll stop.

[Alvin Flummux]

The Moto G9 Power looks pretty great for a budget phone. If it comes stateside, I'll be picking it up this coming year.

[aayl1]

Thanks Alvin - doesn't look like it's available here either.

I have gone for the Galaxy M31. It was between that and the Realme 6 Pro but battery life and OLED screen won out.

Don't care about 90hz refresh rate for now and the Chinese bloatware and UI really annoyed me on my honor 10 so don't want to deal with that again.

[Lagamorph]

My mum just got a Galaxy M31 to replace a nearly 4 year old Sony Xperia. It's really snappy/responsive so far and from the reviews I read it has one of the best battery lives of any phone going, even beating out flagships. I think I read one review that got about 31 hours of continuous video playback from a single full charge.

[aayl1]

Ooh that's good to hear.

Noone say anything bad about it so I don't get buyer's remorse.

[Rocsteady]

I'd go for a refurb. I got a Samsung S8+ for 310 over a year ago and it's been great. Bought from Amazon with supposedly minor scratches on the back - phone looked brand new without a mark on it.

[Rocsteady]

Oh wait sorry I've only just realised you've already the purchase. Sure it was a good choice!