Upgrade time - what to choose!!???

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Franky03

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I have two contracts, one year apart which allows me to get a new phone every year. Im eligible for an upgrade on one of the contracts but not sure what to choose!!! I currently have a Sony Xperia Z which I got April 2013.....absolutely love this device!!! Originally I was planning on getting the Sony Xperia z2 but heard it might possibly be delayed so now im considering other devices also eventhough Im 80% set on getting the z2. I still plan on using my Xperia Z....I enjoy loading custom ROMS etc etc and will probably also still use it for general purposes such as calls,WhatsApp etc etc. Also I already have a tablet, Sony tablet z, so choosing a tablet is not an option. (yes Im a big sony fan)

Im not looking for any thing specific and just want a fun new device to play with.

Im considering the following DEVICES:
Sony Xperia Z2
HTC one m8
Samsung note 3
Sony z ultra
Nokia lumia 925

Would appreciate any comments/choices regarding the above list and also the reason why you would go for that device. Any other suggestions are welcome.

Thanks!!
Pls no "fanboy" comments
 
Sony Xperia Z2 - Nice but personally, I didn't like my Sony Z when I owned it... Got rid of it after a month, But since you like Sony so much, it is most probably your best choice, unless of course you are bored with Sony (which doesn't seem to be the case)

HTC one m8 - Absolutely beautiful. I'd say it is the one to go for BUT the camera is a deal breaker for me. I want quality pictures and I appreciate great detail... If you don't, I'd say its worth going for

Samsung note 3 - Considered to be old tech with the new processors but still brilliant. Might be a bit big but you will adapt... I moved from the Z to the Note 2 and managed without an issue. The s-pen is really nice but relies heavily on software (maybe not the best when it comes to custom ROMs)

Sony z ultra - Get the Z2 rather... IMO, its way too big anyway. Other than that, I don't see much good in this phone, rather get the Note 3

Nokia lumia 925 - WP is oaky if you can live with it. Great build quality and camera is very good. Processor isn't the best but it works well with WP 8.1...

Now for what's not on your list:

Samsung S5: Great specs, latest from Samsung with all the new software and hardware bells and whistles... Water resistant like your current phone

LG G2: Tiniest bezels. Good specs though considered old now... Great camera. I like the UI as well but that's up to you

LG G Pro 2: As per the G2 but phablet. If you aren't gonna use the s-pen, I rate this is a better buy

Huawei P6: Its really thin. Specs aren't the best but in my experience, it doesn't lag and is on par with the Xperia Z. The UI is extremely customisable (beyond anything I've ever used) and it will save you money as its price tag is much lower than the other devices

That's all I can think of for now:D
 
ahoudet said:
Sony Xperia Z2 - Nice but personally, I didn't like my Sony Z when I owned it... Got rid of it after a month, But since you like Sony so much, it is most probably your best choice, unless of course you are bored with Sony (which doesn't seem to be the case)

HTC one m8 - Absolutely beautiful. I'd say it is the one to go for BUT the camera is a deal breaker for me. I want quality pictures and I appreciate great detail... If you don't, I'd say its worth going for

Samsung note 3 - Considered to be old tech with the new processors but still brilliant. Might be a bit big but you will adapt... I moved from the Z to the Note 2 and managed without an issue. The s-pen is really nice but relies heavily on software (maybe not the best when it comes to custom ROMs)

Sony z ultra - Get the Z2 rather... IMO, its way too big anyway. Other than that, I don't see much good in this phone, rather get the Note 3

Nokia lumia 925 - WP is oaky if you can live with it. Great build quality and camera is very good. Processor isn't the best but it works well with WP 8.1...

Now for what's not on your list:

Samsung S5: Great specs, latest from Samsung with all the new software and hardware bells and whistles... Water resistant like your current phone

LG G2: Tiniest bezels. Good specs though considered old now... Great camera. I like the UI as well but that's up to you

LG G Pro 2: As per the G2 but phablet. If you aren't gonna use the s-pen, I rate this is a better buy

Huawei P6: Its really thin. Specs aren't the best but in my experience, it doesn't lag and is on par with the Xperia Z. The UI is extremely customisable (beyond anything I've ever used) and it will save you money as its price tag is much lower than the other devices

That's all I can think of for now:D
Click to expand...

How would you consider the G2 old now when it still has some of the best hardware compared to current phones being released now? I've had my G2 for 5 months now and still feels like a brand new phone, not like my previous phones where it would feel outdated after like 2 months,I think higher end smartphones now have a longer lifespan.
 
ahoudet said:
Sony Xperia Z2 - Nice but personally, I didn't like my Sony Z when I owned it... Got rid of it after a month, But since you like Sony so much, it is most probably your best choice, unless of course you are bored with Sony (which doesn't seem to be the case)

HTC one m8 - Absolutely beautiful. I'd say it is the one to go for BUT the camera is a deal breaker for me. I want quality pictures and I appreciate great detail... If you don't, I'd say its worth going for

Samsung note 3 - Considered to be old tech with the new processors but still brilliant. Might be a bit big but you will adapt... I moved from the Z to the Note 2 and managed without an issue. The s-pen is really nice but relies heavily on software (maybe not the best when it comes to custom ROMs)

Sony z ultra - Get the Z2 rather... IMO, its way too big anyway. Other than that, I don't see much good in this phone, rather get the Note 3

Nokia lumia 925 - WP is oaky if you can live with it. Great build quality and camera is very good. Processor isn't the best but it works well with WP 8.1...

Now for what's not on your list:

Samsung S5: Great specs, latest from Samsung with all the new software and hardware bells and whistles... Water resistant like your current phone

LG G2: Tiniest bezels. Good specs though considered old now... Great camera. I like the UI as well but that's up to you

LG G Pro 2: As per the G2 but phablet. If you aren't gonna use the s-pen, I rate this is a better buy

Huawei P6: Its really thin. Specs aren't the best but in my experience, it doesn't lag and is on par with the Xperia Z. The UI is extremely customisable (beyond anything I've ever used) and it will save you money as its price tag is much lower than the other devices

That's all I can think of for now:D
Click to expand...

How would you consider the G2 old now when it still has some of the best hardware compared to current phones being released now? I've had my G2 for 5 months now and still feels like a brand new phone, not like my previous phones where it would feel outdated after like 2 months,I think higher end smartphones now have a longer lifespan.

Also nothing wrong with HTC's camera, just because it is less MP doesn't mean it takes worse photos, that shouldn't be a deal breaker.
 
I have been eyeing the Z2 for a while now. I will be upgrading from a S3. Been looking at something a bit different as previous owner of the S2 as well I think other manufacturers has caught up with Samsung. The floor is open and all of them seem on par specs wise.

I think the HTC M8 and Z2 are going to give you the more premium feel from the new flagships that has been released the last month and a bit.

Now my fighting my own demons is another story. I am keen as to see what Apple has to offer with the new iPhone later this year and as a new Macbook Pro owner I dont think buying into the Apple ecosystem is all that bad as allot of people make it out to be. I can always get the Z3 then as Sony will be pumping em out every 6 months now by the looks of things.

Anyhows happy hunting. They all look like smashing phones. It just comes down to personal preferences on looks and how they feel in your hand.
 
Saltex said:
How would you consider the G2 old now when it still has some of the best hardware compared to current phones being released now? I've had my G2 for 5 months now and still feels like a brand new phone, not like my previous phones where it would feel outdated after like 2 months,I think higher end smartphones now have a longer lifespan.

Also nothing wrong with HTC's camera, just because it is less MP doesn't mean it takes worse photos, that shouldn't be a deal breaker.
Click to expand...

I said the G2 is considered old technology now. By that, I mean that it isn't running the latest Snapdragon 801 but rather the previous generation 800. I am by no means saying it is slow or crap, just that it isn't the latest technology. It is an extremely capable device! Hell, its much faster and uses newer technology than my phone (Huawei P6) and I have no lag whatsoever with mine. I was just putting it out there that its not the latest technology, if you're spending money, unless the older stuff is cheaper, it makes more sense to go for faster and newer technology.

As for the M8 camera, have a look at the shots on the GSM Arena review. I agree with your statement on less MP count, I've said it before that the P6, Note 2 and iPhone 5 (all of which had) have taken better photos than the Xperia Z that I used to have as well as a Z1 (friend's) I compared my pics to. So yes, its not just about MP count but if you zoom in on the finer detail on the M8, it lacks that clarity you will get from a 8/13/16 MP camera with a good sensor & lens - the colours and all are great but it isn't sharp enough for my liking.

I don't often upload my photos on social media and will view them on HD screens as well as a projector and that's when you see the difference between the 4MP and the 8MP... I also do crop my photos sometimes, that makes a difference as well
 
Franky03 said:
Im considering the following DEVICES:
Sony Xperia Z2
HTC one m8
Samsung note 3
Sony z ultra
Nokia lumia 925
Click to expand...

Any particular reason that the S5 is not in that short list? I was also caught up in the inflated expectations and subsequent disappointment at the launch of the S5 but as the phone is making it into the market and getting tested I am getting excited to own one.

I am also deciding. Upgrade was due on 1 March already. The Note 3 was in my sights along with the S5. Many argued in favour of the former and I started believing the S5 could not possibly better it. Now I am seeing camera reviews, battery tests and screen tests ("best display he has ever tested") that show otherwise.

The Z2 came into my sights because of the pure spec based improvement in the camera. As shown in a thread I posted in here though the real world samples showed they were worse than the S5. So that was that advantage squashed. The 3GB RAM is the only thing that still plays on my mind...

I also considered the Lumia range primarily because of the lure of the exceptional cameras but also for a change of scenery. Upgraded every year means you have more room to play around and experiment. I was not sure I wanted a WP for 2 years at the moment. They are moving the right way for sure though. Being camera centric I was favouring the 1520 and the 1020 though. The former when I was in a big screen or nothing phase.
 
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Franky03 said:
I have two contracts, one year apart which allows me to get a new phone every year. Im eligible for an upgrade on one of the contracts but not sure what to choose!!! I currently have a Sony Xperia Z which I got April 2013.....absolutely love this device!!! Originally I was planning on getting the Sony Xperia z2 but heard it might possibly be delayed so now im considering other devices also eventhough Im 80% set on getting the z2. I still plan on using my Xperia Z....I enjoy loading custom ROMS etc etc and will probably also still use it for general purposes such as calls,WhatsApp etc etc. Also I already have a tablet, Sony tablet z, so choosing a tablet is not an option. (yes Im a big sony fan)

Im not looking for any thing specific and just want a fun new device to play with.

Im considering the following DEVICES:
Sony Xperia Z2
HTC one m8
Samsung note 3
Sony z ultra
Nokia lumia 925

Would appreciate any comments/choices regarding the above list and also the reason why you would go for that device. Any other suggestions are welcome.

Thanks!!
Pls no "fanboy" comments
Click to expand...

It's really only between:

Sony Xperia Z2
HTC one m8
Click to expand...

I'd say play with both then make your decision. I loved the build quality of my friends HTC One m7, but love the waterproofing of my Xperia Z.
OrbitalDawn said:
You can always wait a month and get the Samsung Galaxy S5.
Click to expand...

I know it's 1st April but come on.
 
I cringe at the though of what either of those phones will add to a monthly payment, especially when people take something like a AnyTime 100 (R55, SIM only) but happily pay R400+ just to get a "nice phone"
 
lcbxx said:
I cringe at the though of what either of those phones will add to a monthly payment, especially when people take something like a AnyTime 100 (R55, SIM only) but happily pay R400+ just to get a "nice phone"
Click to expand...

I did the math on another thread....

What is the cash price for the S5? I've seen R9,815 mentioned on here. Over 24 months the phone on the MyChoice100 contract will cost me R11,736. Let's take the cash price for the phone off there, so R1,921 for the contract. I see the SanDisk Ultra 16GB is priced at Dion Wired at R260, so let's take that "freebie" off the price, so R1,661 for the contract over 2 years. That is R69.20 per month for 100 minutes call time, 300MB data and the useless 100 SMS.
Click to expand...

Yet people still recommend rather buying a phone cash and not having a contract. Why? What am I missing*?

(*Besides the fact that you may be able to shop around and get it a little cheaper than the quoted cash price).
 
Dubes said:
I did the math on another thread....



Yet people still recommend rather buying a phone cash and not having a contract. Why? What am I missing*?

(*Besides the fact that you may be able to shop around and get it a little cheaper than the quoted cash price).
Click to expand...

You're absolutely right.
 
Hey if you can pay R400+ for a R70 MyChoice100 contract just so you can have a S5 then you should not bitch about high cell call rates, no? I prefer to buy whatever handset I fancy cash and save on the monthly contract and have more Randelas in my pocket every month, and have the benifit of moving between providers whenever I please since there is not claw-back for cancelling.

It's your money at the end of the day, though.
 
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lcbxx said:
Hey if you can pay R400+ for a R70 MyChoice100 contract just so you can have a S5 then you should not bitch about high cell call rates, no?
Click to expand...

And your solution is what? Buy an S5 cash? You end up paying more.
 
Last edited:
Dubes said:
I did the math on another thread....



Yet people still recommend rather buying a phone cash and not having a contract. Why? What am I missing*?

(*Besides the fact that you may be able to shop around and get it a little cheaper than the quoted cash price).
Click to expand...

I see FNB has it at R399 per month. MTN on the Anytime 100 is R489... If you're on FNB, that's probably the better option if you don't need the contract. No mention of LTE on FNB though
 
ahoudet said:
I see FNB has it at R399 per month. MTN on the Anytime 100 is R489... If you're on FNB, that's probably the better option if you don't need the contract. No mention of LTE on FNB though
Click to expand...

Yeah, but people need airtime anyway. So might as well ake the contract. You get much more that way for the extra R90 you pay. Will probably have to double that for the same benefits on prepaid.
 
Chevron said:
And your solution is what? Buy an S5 cash? You end up paying more.
Click to expand...
Take the contract without a handset, wait for the S5 launch hype to die down in 3 months or so, find it on special. I got my S2 like that back in the day for 40% less than MTN wanted for it over 20 months.

Some people can't wait, hence me saying they can do as they please..
 
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