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cell phone experts

TwistedKestrel said:
Gone since February

www.sammobile.com

Samsung quietly removes Qihoo 360 library from Device Care via update

Samsung appears to have listened to its community and has decided to remove the Qihoo 360 storage scanner with the ...
www.sammobile.com www.sammobile.com
Click to expand...
Good to know but I get annoyed by manufacturers including shady crap and only pulling it after their shadiness gets publicly exposed. Samsung is probably no worse than the rest though. I doubt you can get a clean phone from anybody.
 
GreyGhost said:
Good to know but I get annoyed by manufacturers including shady crap and only pulling it after their shadiness gets publicly exposed. Samsung is probably no worse than the rest though. I doubt you can get a clean phone from anybody.
Click to expand...

I think you can have reasonable confidence in specific products having no or limited spyware/telemetry. However, you can't trust any manufacturer to consistently sell products that are clean.
 
SunnY S said:
question 1: is it worth paying extra to get 5g capability?

question 2: can those kijiji sellers be trusted? why are their prices so much cheaper than retail. many of them are independent wireless shops with good prices, most claim "brand new in box", are they importing them? I noticed many are dual sim capable. Is this why they get them cheap?


looking at Samsung S20/Note series.....
Click to expand...
Question 1: 5G is not worth it today. That answer will change in a few short years. I can definitely see the need for high speed, low latency, low overhead protocols. As it is, 5G is being deployed on new frequencies only, 2600mhz (2.6ghz, aka, a little above old 2.4ghz wifi). It will need to be deployed on the lower frequencies like 650, 700, 850mhz to get the coverage(wall penetration) that everyone is used to. That won't happen till people let the carriers retire 2G/3G and deprioritize LTE. Its a legacy issue like switching to AC power, or away from Imperial measurements. End users need to spend money and accept change. The big benefit to 5g is the multiplexing (think increasing max occupancy limit of a room without any physical changes).

mmWave won't be good as its in the super high range of 60ghz-100ghz. At that frequency, you'd have to be putting more power into broadcasting. The current 'signal' limitations of 3G/LTE was never the cellphone tower's broadcasting strength but rather your cellphone's broadcasting strength. More strength needed(higher mhz = higher energy), more power consumption. There is the trade off where if you can do the job faster, you can rest faster (mmWave), but thats even more a fringe case where 5G is about optimization. mmWave is only really an option cause the spectrum is cheap and plentiful.

2. Yes, they can be trusted if you know what to look for. If you don't, well, its really no different from walking into a used bike dealership and asking the salesperson with the nicest smile.
  • Check if the phone was stolen. Check the Status of Your Device in Canada - DeviceCheck.ca Any seller who won't let you see what the IMEI is is not worth your time. Always try to check the IMEI from the phone software. Dial *#06# even if there is no sim card in the phone.
  • Kijiji phone sales in empty parking lots is one of the most common setups for a mugging.
  • Google everything. You can find model numbers and information on gsmarena.com including international models.
  • Assume no warranty, no refund, no exchange.
  • Dual sim is not a selling point. Its a feature requirement for those that require the feature.
Now you know why most people just suck it up and buy from a carrier or big box store.
 
Redflagdeals.com is a fairly reliable source for used devices. They have a feedback system like ebay.

I myself have bought, sold and traded everything from phones to cars. Not worth trashing 14 years of rep and 100% feedback on almost 60 deals to scam someone on a used phone.

Now you wont find bargin basement prices but you can get more peace of mind then say kijiji.
 
Aens said:
Question 1: 5G is not worth it today. That answer will change in a few short years. I can definitely see the need for high speed, low latency, low overhead protocols. As it is, 5G is being deployed on new frequencies only, 2600mhz (2.6ghz, aka, a little above old 2.4ghz wifi). It will need to be deployed on the lower frequencies like 650, 700, 850mhz to get the coverage(wall penetration) that everyone is used to. That won't happen till people let the carriers retire 2G/3G and deprioritize LTE. Its a legacy issue like switching to AC power, or away from Imperial measurements. End users need to spend money and accept change. The big benefit to 5g is the multiplexing (think increasing max occupancy limit of a room without any physical changes).

mmWave won't be good as its in the super high range of 60ghz-100ghz. At that frequency, you'd have to be putting more power into broadcasting. The current 'signal' limitations of 3G/LTE was never the cellphone tower's broadcasting strength but rather your cellphone's broadcasting strength. More strength needed(higher mhz = higher energy), more power consumption. There is the trade off where if you can do the job faster, you can rest faster (mmWave), but thats even more a fringe case where 5G is about optimization. mmWave is only really an option cause the spectrum is cheap and plentiful.

2. Yes, they can be trusted if you know what to look for. If you don't, well, its really no different from walking into a used bike dealership and asking the salesperson with the nicest smile.
  • Check if the phone was stolen. Check the Status of Your Device in Canada - DeviceCheck.ca Any seller who won't let you see what the IMEI is is not worth your time. Always try to check the IMEI from the phone software. Dial *#06# even if there is no sim card in the phone.
  • Kijiji phone sales in empty parking lots is one of the most common setups for a mugging.
  • Google everything. You can find model numbers and information on gsmarena.com including international models.
  • Assume no warranty, no refund, no exchange.
  • Dual sim is not a selling point. Its a feature requirement for those that require the feature.
Now you know why most people just suck it up and buy from a carrier or big box store.
Click to expand...


1. Thanks for the info. I ended up going with 5g. This way when I sell the phone again in a few years, it will stay "relevant"


2. no need to suck it up and pay big box store or ridiculous carrier prices. I ended up buying off kijiji. my phone new lists for $1400 plus tax on amazon.ca I was able to get it for under 1000 inc tax, brand new unopened box. and everything checked out clean. NO bs, and upfront, let me inspect the phone, IMEI clearly printed on the box. Even gave me a receipt and a warranty!

Highly recommend Flip a fone. check out their near perfect google reviews. They are mainly on kijiji and a trusted seller.

flipafone.com

Sell Your Phone In-Store or Online - Fast & Secure.

Looking to sell your iPhone, Samsung, iPad, camera, lenses or more? Visit Flipafone for fast, easy payments! Get an instant offer for your device today!
flipafone.com flipafone.com
 
SunnY S said:
1. Thanks for the info. I ended up going with 5g. This way when I sell the phone again in a few years, it will stay "relevant"


2. no need to suck it up and pay big box store or ridiculous carrier prices. I ended up buying off kijiji. my phone new lists for $1400 plus tax on amazon.ca I was able to get it for under 1000 inc tax, brand new unopened box. and everything checked out clean. NO bs, and upfront, let me inspect the phone, IMEI clearly printed on the box. Even gave me a receipt and a warranty!

Highly recommend Flip a fone. check out their near perfect google reviews. They are mainly on kijiji and a trusted seller.

flipafone.com

Sell Your Phone In-Store or Online - Fast & Secure.

Looking to sell your iPhone, Samsung, iPad, camera, lenses or more? Visit Flipafone for fast, easy payments! Get an instant offer for your device today!
flipafone.com flipafone.com
Click to expand...
What did you end up getting Sunny? I assume you bought from flip-a-fone?
 
Evoex said:
sheesh, get a job you bum!
Click to expand...

Still... even with a job, dropping $2000 for a phone? I couldn't do it.

I'll overspend on motorcycles and cars, but smartphones are just not a priority in my life. I'd be like: "That's a nice set of supermoto wheels right there..."

Interesting thread to see what's out there though.

Chacun son gout.
 
mimico_polak said:
Miss my RAZR and Mr. Skinny phone from Clearnet. Still have the same number from 1996....
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My brother has my old number, which was my dad's old number.
It was with CanTel which was bought out by Rogers.
When we call in it always goes like this " thanks for confirming your identity and thank you for being a Rogers customer since OMG 1988?!?!" LoL

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk
 
My work finally allowed BYOD(evice), so i'm no longer forced to use Apple products (or carry 2 phones). I got a Samsung s20+ and couldn't be happier - it's an amazing piece of hardware and if you can score it for under 1k it's definitely worth it.
 
I am looking at upgrading my phone. I am presently using a Samsung Galaxy 8 which has some burn in on the screen and some cracks and chips. Other than that it is still a good phone.

I usually go for the previous year's flagship and then keep for 2 years and change. So, S10 would be keeping with getting the S8 when the S9 was new and the S5 before that with the S6 being new at that time.

However, the Samsung Smart 20 FE (fan edition?) has me pondering. 5G ability, larger screen than the S10 (which is larger than my S8), ability to get one in a "fun color", 120 Hz screen refresh etc.

I have liked the Samsung phones for several reasons. They integrate well with my Samsung smart tvs and tablets. The waterproof ratings has been nice as I have not drowned a phone since. Expandable storage is still something I use. I have been using a 128 Gig micro SD card for years which has a whack of music on it.

Thoughts? My wife has the Apple XR which is working well with her.

Then there is LG, Google Pixel etc.

Would a S20 FE be an interesting value play versus my usual strategy of going with the previous year's flagship. I would gain some futureproofing with the 5G and an extra year of support from Samsung as apparently it has 3 years versus 2 on the S10.

Hmmmm..

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk
 
The S20 FE is a compromise. The price is hard to fault but there are a lot of differences between it and the S20/S20+/S20 Ultra 5G. The phone is not good value, its priced exactly where it should be for what its specs are.

Compare Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G vs. Samsung Galaxy S20 vs. Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G - GSMArena.com

www.gsmarena.com www.gsmarena.com

Same Processor. Same Software. Screen resolution is lower. Plastic construction. Not Gorilla Glass 6. Lower spec Cameras. Price difference in the 20% range.

Android there is no future proofing. Samsung only guarantees 2 years of feature upgrades(1 major android version) and a few more years of security updates.

Pixel 5 isn't really a challenger to what you listed as its even further down the spec sheet. This year's phone is not a flagship phone and its a return to Google's Nexus line of affordable value oriented phones. The only thing the new Pixel gets you is 'first party' software support but hardware has always been dodgy.

LG Velvet is very bad. Its a mid range phone (pixel 5) for a flagship price.

End of the day though, your money, your decision. A good comparison of the S20 vs S20 FE would be an iPhone XS vs XR.
 
Interesting insights. Thx...

Bear in mind I have never been a flagship guy.

S20 FE is compared to a S10; not compared to an S20. If you want bleeding edge; current tech then neither would fit the bill.

So, mid range or so is fine. I guess I could check out the site listed a few posts back with the refurbs etc.



Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk
 
Zoodles95 said:
I am looking at upgrading my phone. I am presently using a Samsung Galaxy 8 which has some burn in on the screen and some cracks and chips. Other than that it is still a good phone.

I usually go for the previous year's flagship and then keep for 2 years and change. So, S10 would be keeping with getting the S8 when the S9 was new and the S5 before that with the S6 being new at that time.

However, the Samsung Smart 20 FE (fan edition?) has me pondering. 5G ability, larger screen than the S10 (which is larger than my S8), ability to get one in a "fun color", 120 Hz screen refresh etc.

I have liked the Samsung phones for several reasons. They integrate well with my Samsung smart tvs and tablets. The waterproof ratings has been nice as I have not drowned a phone since. Expandable storage is still something I use. I have been using a 128 Gig micro SD card for years which has a whack of music on it.

Thoughts? My wife has the Apple XR which is working well with her.

Then there is LG, Google Pixel etc.

Would a S20 FE be an interesting value play versus my usual strategy of going with the previous year's flagship. I would gain some futureproofing with the 5G and an extra year of support from Samsung as apparently it has 3 years versus 2 on the S10.

Hmmmm..

Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
FE looks great. I snagged the note 10+ at a steep discount in the spring. Finding the stylus very useful for the impromptu hallway meetings to get some notes down. i'm very much a samsung person but ive had TWO (s7, s9+) phones with that moisture charging port software glitch. ****** me off, so i went oneplus 7 prior to the note. Loved it.

Also, just got the wife the oneplus Nord to replace the oneplus 7 she lost :rolleyes: seems very much like the oneplus 7 with a better selfie snapper.
 
You are a flagship guy based on your posts. Not the latest gen but still flagship phones. Construction and Screen resolution are painfully obvious. Plastic vs Glass/Aluminum to the touch. Lower resolution/different technology screens. Its not just the camera and the internal specs. Its why Motorola and LG have fallen so far behind. Flagship fit and finish. While you may be able to adapt and see no problem with it, a direct side by side comparison will yield a lot of immediately obvious differences. Do those differences matter? Who knows, but don't kid yourself about 'old' flagships.
 
My wife and I normally buy last gen flagships and put them in good cases (UAG, otterbox defender, etc) to protect them from the monsters. Currently we have a Note 8 and S8+ (~three years old). These are the first phones we have ever had that sustained physical damage. Mine has a cracked rear glass and my wifes fell on the corner and has chipped front and rear glass. Her charging port lit on fire two years ago so she has been wireless ever since. The protective glass over the camera on mine has shattered twice. I have never had an issue with any previous phone.

I want the good screen, I would like the keep the stylus, I would love to have a plastic back as glass back adds nothing useful to me.
 
Zoodles95 said:
Interesting insights. Thx...

Bear in mind I have never been a flagship guy.

S20 FE is compared to a S10; not compared to an S20. If you want bleeding edge; current tech then neither would fit the bill.

So, mid range or so is fine. I guess I could check out the site listed a few posts back with the refurbs etc.



Sent from my SM-G950W using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


Listen, I researched this crap very well fairly recently.

The FE is an OUTSTANDING phone for what you pay and what you get.

I just bought a brand new sealed box NOTE 20 from the link below for cheap!

They have an even better deal on an FE model. $750 I believe retail is $1000?? NO tax, and they give receipt.


NEAR PERFECT GOOGLE REVIEWS. buy with confidence.

www.kijiji.ca

Kijiji - Buy, Sell & Save with Canada's #1 Local Classifieds

Visit Kijiji Classifieds to buy, sell, or trade almost anything! New and used items, cars, real estate, jobs, services, vacation rentals and more virtually anywhere.
www.kijiji.ca www.kijiji.ca
 
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