Ask HN: Which phone do you use?
17 comments
I switched from being on hyper-stock Android for a decade to the latest iPhone last year. I use OSX so wanted to get more out of the ecosystem by matching up.
Mostly I'm enjoying it, but I really hate the pointless infantilizations iOS puts on you. Like really, I can't type the word 'murder'?
It's not like this is the worst inconvenience in the world, but it's just so insultingly patronizing that it drives me crazy. There's not even a setting to confirm I'm an adult and let me type the no-no words.
Mostly I'm enjoying it, but I really hate the pointless infantilizations iOS puts on you. Like really, I can't type the word 'murder'?
It's not like this is the worst inconvenience in the world, but it's just so insultingly patronizing that it drives me crazy. There's not even a setting to confirm I'm an adult and let me type the no-no words.
I don't really use many "smart" functions because I'm here in front of a laptop most of my waking life anyway. And I'm not a gamer, so I don't care about a lot of the premium features that come with higher end phones.
Having said that, I got an LG K31, Canadian version that doesn't have the fingerprint reader.
It's probably not specifically a brand or model HN folks prefer, but I'm probably not alone in the preference for a simpler phone that doesn't have a ginormous screen and therefor unable to fit in a normal pocket. There are no delays / lag in what I normally do on my phone, so I'm pretty happy with it.
Having said that, I got an LG K31, Canadian version that doesn't have the fingerprint reader.
It's probably not specifically a brand or model HN folks prefer, but I'm probably not alone in the preference for a simpler phone that doesn't have a ginormous screen and therefor unable to fit in a normal pocket. There are no delays / lag in what I normally do on my phone, so I'm pretty happy with it.
I have an iPhone 12 pro, recently switched from Android in part to try something new and in part because of some Android "bugs" that were pissing me off.
It's fine, it took a bit to get used to the UI and there are some things that still piss me off (downloaded videos from the web going somewhere inaccessible from gallery uploads)
If I wasn't dependent on a hand full of modern smartphone apps, I'd probably try a feature phone or one of those open source phones.
It's fine, it took a bit to get used to the UI and there are some things that still piss me off (downloaded videos from the web going somewhere inaccessible from gallery uploads)
If I wasn't dependent on a hand full of modern smartphone apps, I'd probably try a feature phone or one of those open source phones.
I use a 4 year old Xiaomi phone that cost around $150, shipped with Android 6, and stopped receiving updates after 7. LineageOS and PixelExperience are really easy to flash onto it and supported well enough. It will likely receive Android 12 support via PixelExperience too. I don't use a phone enough to warrant replacing it or spending more than $150 when I do.
I use an iPhone 8 which i got 2 years ago for a good price, new. From work i have an iPhone SE 2. I cannot see myself moving to another phone soon as i really like the form factor, cameras and iOS. The iPhone specially coupled with the Apple Watch is excellent.
As much as i liked the philosophy of Android i don't see myself returning back. I used before the Galaxy Nexus, Android One model and a Samsung S9.
As much as i liked the philosophy of Android i don't see myself returning back. I used before the Galaxy Nexus, Android One model and a Samsung S9.
Galaxy Note 9. And frankly, upgrading from the 8 was a waste of money. I'd still have the 8 knowing what I know now. I'll upgrade if and when my carrier gets 5G, until then it's all the phone I need.
I seriously considered Pixel 5 when it was on sale over the holidays, but thankfully I managed to avoid temptation.
I seriously considered Pixel 5 when it was on sale over the holidays, but thankfully I managed to avoid temptation.
Pixel 4 XL
Got it when it came out, mainly because of the camera, the stock OS and the ongoing updates. I'm still loving these, but other than that, it's a pretty mediocre device.
Before that, I had the Galaxy S9+. The Galaxy series is great, but it cease to receive updates after a short while, and that's a deal breaker for me.
Got it when it came out, mainly because of the camera, the stock OS and the ongoing updates. I'm still loving these, but other than that, it's a pretty mediocre device.
Before that, I had the Galaxy S9+. The Galaxy series is great, but it cease to receive updates after a short while, and that's a deal breaker for me.
Nokia 8. Over 2 years old. Battery getting a bit rubbish, used to last 2 days, now 1 day. Last security update was Oct 2020, Android 9.
Best phone I've owned. Always buy outright never on contract. I don't need the features (gimmicks) of the high priced (rip-off) phones.
Will attempt to replace battery when it becomes too bad and install third party Android if I can.
Best phone I've owned. Always buy outright never on contract. I don't need the features (gimmicks) of the high priced (rip-off) phones.
Will attempt to replace battery when it becomes too bad and install third party Android if I can.
samsung galaxy note 9 ( before that, galaxy note 4 )
in a couple more years, probably the note 20 ( when 5g becomes the norm )... i always try to keep away from the latest and greatest ( to avoid the inflated prices as much as possible ) and move forward when i need some technology support.
in a couple more years, probably the note 20 ( when 5g becomes the norm )... i always try to keep away from the latest and greatest ( to avoid the inflated prices as much as possible ) and move forward when i need some technology support.
iPhone 7+
Needs replacing though as the microphone chipset died so I can only use Bluetooth headphones. I still like the grippy black though, if not as much as the 5/12 style of rounded rectangular prisml
Needs replacing though as the microphone chipset died so I can only use Bluetooth headphones. I still like the grippy black though, if not as much as the 5/12 style of rounded rectangular prisml
iPhone 7 Plus. Purchased it brand new on EBay about 1.5 years ago for a few hundred bucks. Works great, new software updates keep coming, and battery lasts a dang long while. I use it for web browsing, stocks and banking, and reading every day.
Blackberry Key2
-Soon the Pinephone, once I get the keyboard for it working.
iPhone 6S. Best phone I ever owned, by far. It’s almost 6 years old and still works amazingly well, all apps are plenty fast, runs the very latest iOS and the form factor is great.
I use a Oneplus 7T, and will probably upgrade to the new Oneplus 9.
iPhone 11 Pro Max
pixel 3
iPhone XS
All of these have been comparatively 'pure' and powerful phones. Even my first smartphone Huawei Ideos U8150 (Android, Froyo), while being on the low end, it's OS and apps were optimized enough to perform on its fullest unlike many phones these days.
I am interested in knowing which phone (or what kind of phones) does HN prefer. May be I get an idea what to buy next.