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I wish someone tried to compete with iphone 12 mini instead of producing these utterly niche phones: - just make it comfortable using with one hand (5 inch or

I wish someone tried to compete with iphone 12 mini instead of producing these utterly niche phones: - just make it comfortable using with one hand (5 inch or less) - don't put 100W 32 core processor and 16 gigs of RAM - place a decent camera without 5 eyes staring from the back panel (I get anxiety from looking at the back of that Samsung Galaxy that has these) - burn the fucking monobrows or cutouts for a cam on a front panel, place everything you need (cam, front speaker, sensors etc) above the goddamn screen - if you provide a fingerprint scanner, for fucks sake, don't make me lift up this 200g brick so I can grope the scanner on the back - 3.5mm audio jack? hello? I don't wanna bother about having my earcocks charged I'm looking for a decent substitute to my 4.5 yo Zuk Z2 and I shit you not, there is no single phone that satisfies everything I described. The closest is Xperia 5 II with 6.1 inch screen, but at least it has audio jack and normal looking front panel...

mackrevinack 5y ago
are you me!?
- kartoshechka 5y ago
  I'm glad we're not alone :)
vladvasiliu 5y ago
I usually skim these threads looking for tips for a phone like this. I'm actually thinking of buying the iPhone 12 mini because I haven't seen anything else like it. Something that's important to me is a good camera and long support (I don't care to change my phone every year) or else I'd just get one of the ~200 usd cheap phones. I pretty much have the same requirements you do, aside from the audio jack, because I actually enjoy not having to deal with the wires. I don't use the headphones for long periods at a time, so battery life isn't an issue. Bonus points for audio quality being good when I use them on my shitty HP laptop.
- user-the-name 5y ago
  Don't think there really is anyone other than Apple that actually offers any kind of longer-term support.
  - vladvasiliu 5y ago
    I was looking at the Android One thing, which on paper is supposed to provide exactly that. I'm not following this scene particularly closely, but I've seen somewhere that this program is unlikely to continue for too long...
- kartoshechka 5y ago
  I've considered 12 mini too, but... I'm too addicted to the openness of (a rooted) Android: I can delete whatever I want and potentially get a bootloop, I can throttle the CPU and GPU so the phone isn't a hot potato in my hands while surfing or get critical screen minutes when I can't charge the phone, I can have whatever files I want on the storage and managing them from PC is as easy as managing the USB flash drive. Plus the whole CSAM thing is just beyond my understanding. But I do enjoy wireless headphones with PC at home, it's quite handy to be able to talk at the daily meeting while making a coffee or watering the plants :)
  - vladvasiliu 5y ago
    I understand the openness angle, but personally, I don't feel it with my phone. To me, it's basically an appliance. I have next to no apps installed. I only use it to call people, listen to music, take pictures and as a GPS (on a motorcycle, so its being waterproof is important). I currently own an iPhone 7, but before that I had multiple Galaxy Ss, each with a custom mod. The iPhone is the first one I don't get the itch to modify. It just gets out of my way. The Samsung android install would always end up getting on my nerves. That's why I'm actively avoiding Samsung phones now, and I'm looking at models with Android One or that can easily support some aftermarket ROM. Trouble is, my hardware requirements (good camera + waterproof) pretty much exclude those phones...
dmlerner 5y ago
Pixel 4a is as close as I know of, albeit 5.8" screen. $350 is hard to argue with, too.
- kartoshechka 5y ago
  Cutout and fingerprint scanner on the back is the hard pass for me, unfortunately. I had been exposed to the phones that didn't have to sacrifice usability so the normies can enjoy 5% more screen space of a IG/TikTok content
  - shaicoleman 5y ago
    You should be able to hide the notch on most phones [1] Dedicated fingerprint scanners on the front are gone, and won't be coming back. A dedicated fingerprint on the back is the next best thing, as they are fast and super reliable. The alternative, under-display fingerprint scanners are much wonkier. There are some phones with side fingerprint scanners, but they are not so common. I've avoided big phones as long as possible, but you get used to larger phones pretty quickly. Just get an accessory that helps to use with one hand, e.g. a ring case. You'll have to compromise on one aspect or another, sooner or later. The closest phones for your requirements are Sony Xperia 5 III (available Sep/2021), Asus Zenfone 8 and the Pixel 4a. 1. https://mashtips.com/hide-display-notch-and-cutouts-on-pixel/ https://mashtips.com/hide-display-notch-and-cutouts-on-pixel...
    - kartoshechka 5y ago
      By them just existing (hiding options and ring cases) it is evident, perhaps in the most ironic way, that notches and enormous dimensions are fucking dumb and user-hostile. Notches are irritating people so much devs have to include option to make them less irritating. Phones got so fat and large that it is impossible to not drop them, and case manufacturers descended from the above with ring cases (do you have to get engaged to the smartphone these days?) Fingerprints on the back make no sense to me precisely because of how I'm using the phone: it rests with screen upwards within my vision range while I'm working, and when I see the LED blip (I also can't wrap my head around that most phones don't have LED anymore and instead light up the whole fucking screen on any notification), I double tap the screen to see if it's important, if it is, I put finger on my super reliable and fast fingerprint on the front, and resolve whatever "emergency" with just one finger. If we talking fingerprint on the back, I have to either always place the phone screen downwards and rely on sound/vibration, or exercise in heavy lifting. I'm content with fingerprint on the side because it allows to have the same workflow as before, although I'd have to unlock the phone with two fingers at least. I share your distaste to the underscreen fingerprints because I've experienced myself how slow and unreliable they are. I'm leaning towards Xperia 5 II because some time ago I've bought Z5 mini for mom and she's been using it with much pleasure. 5 III seemingly is locked 4K and I doubt it will result in a respectable SOT
luke2m 5y ago
And not just a decent camera, decent camera software is needed as well.
netizen-936824 5y ago
How about just no front facing camera? Why do we need a camera pointed at our faces constantly whenever we use our devices? For someone who never takes selfies, the whole concept is absurd
- mankyd 5y ago
  I find it particularly useful for video calls - both social and work. I agree I use it for little else, so a cheaper lens/sensor would suffice.
ksec 5y ago
>(5 inch or less) The iPhone 12 mini, at 5.4" is already smaller than the iPhone SE at 4.7". Which means it is actually the smallest iPhone in the lineup. And is actually smaller than your Z2. I dont like the notch, but it isn't much of a concern during usage, especially when iOS has left right swipe down short cut. I do sort of wish ( or at least used to wish, now I am figuring out how to move off Apple ) Apple made a iPhone SE with what you said, place camera and speaker above the screen and uses Touch ID on the side. i.e a slightly taller iPhone 12 mini with Touch ID instead.

mackrevinack 5y ago

are you me!?

kartoshechka 5y ago
I'm glad we're not alone :)

vladvasiliu 5y ago

I usually skim these threads looking for tips for a phone like this. I'm actually thinking of buying the iPhone 12 mini because I haven't seen anything else like it. Something that's important to me is a good camera and long support (I don't care to change my phone every year) or else I'd just get one of the ~200 usd cheap phones. I pretty much have the same requirements you do, aside from the audio jack, because I actually enjoy not having to deal with the wires. I don't use the headphones for long periods at a time, so battery life isn't an issue. Bonus points for audio quality being good when I use them on my shitty HP laptop.

user-the-name 5y ago
Don't think there really is anyone other than Apple that actually offers any kind of longer-term support.
- vladvasiliu 5y ago
  I was looking at the Android One thing, which on paper is supposed to provide exactly that. I'm not following this scene particularly closely, but I've seen somewhere that this program is unlikely to continue for too long...
kartoshechka 5y ago
I've considered 12 mini too, but... I'm too addicted to the openness of (a rooted) Android: I can delete whatever I want and potentially get a bootloop, I can throttle the CPU and GPU so the phone isn't a hot potato in my hands while surfing or get critical screen minutes when I can't charge the phone, I can have whatever files I want on the storage and managing them from PC is as easy as managing the USB flash drive. Plus the whole CSAM thing is just beyond my understanding. But I do enjoy wireless headphones with PC at home, it's quite handy to be able to talk at the daily meeting while making a coffee or watering the plants :)
- vladvasiliu 5y ago
  I understand the openness angle, but personally, I don't feel it with my phone. To me, it's basically an appliance. I have next to no apps installed. I only use it to call people, listen to music, take pictures and as a GPS (on a motorcycle, so its being waterproof is important). I currently own an iPhone 7, but before that I had multiple Galaxy Ss, each with a custom mod. The iPhone is the first one I don't get the itch to modify. It just gets out of my way. The Samsung android install would always end up getting on my nerves. That's why I'm actively avoiding Samsung phones now, and I'm looking at models with Android One or that can easily support some aftermarket ROM. Trouble is, my hardware requirements (good camera + waterproof) pretty much exclude those phones...

dmlerner 5y ago

Pixel 4a is as close as I know of, albeit 5.8" screen. $350 is hard to argue with, too.

kartoshechka 5y ago
Cutout and fingerprint scanner on the back is the hard pass for me, unfortunately. I had been exposed to the phones that didn't have to sacrifice usability so the normies can enjoy 5% more screen space of a IG/TikTok content
- shaicoleman 5y ago
  You should be able to hide the notch on most phones [1] Dedicated fingerprint scanners on the front are gone, and won't be coming back. A dedicated fingerprint on the back is the next best thing, as they are fast and super reliable. The alternative, under-display fingerprint scanners are much wonkier. There are some phones with side fingerprint scanners, but they are not so common. I've avoided big phones as long as possible, but you get used to larger phones pretty quickly. Just get an accessory that helps to use with one hand, e.g. a ring case. You'll have to compromise on one aspect or another, sooner or later. The closest phones for your requirements are Sony Xperia 5 III (available Sep/2021), Asus Zenfone 8 and the Pixel 4a. 1. https://mashtips.com/hide-display-notch-and-cutouts-on-pixel/ https://mashtips.com/hide-display-notch-and-cutouts-on-pixel...
  - kartoshechka 5y ago
    By them just existing (hiding options and ring cases) it is evident, perhaps in the most ironic way, that notches and enormous dimensions are fucking dumb and user-hostile. Notches are irritating people so much devs have to include option to make them less irritating. Phones got so fat and large that it is impossible to not drop them, and case manufacturers descended from the above with ring cases (do you have to get engaged to the smartphone these days?) Fingerprints on the back make no sense to me precisely because of how I'm using the phone: it rests with screen upwards within my vision range while I'm working, and when I see the LED blip (I also can't wrap my head around that most phones don't have LED anymore and instead light up the whole fucking screen on any notification), I double tap the screen to see if it's important, if it is, I put finger on my super reliable and fast fingerprint on the front, and resolve whatever "emergency" with just one finger. If we talking fingerprint on the back, I have to either always place the phone screen downwards and rely on sound/vibration, or exercise in heavy lifting. I'm content with fingerprint on the side because it allows to have the same workflow as before, although I'd have to unlock the phone with two fingers at least. I share your distaste to the underscreen fingerprints because I've experienced myself how slow and unreliable they are. I'm leaning towards Xperia 5 II because some time ago I've bought Z5 mini for mom and she's been using it with much pleasure. 5 III seemingly is locked 4K and I doubt it will result in a respectable SOT

luke2m 5y ago

And not just a decent camera, decent camera software is needed as well.

netizen-936824 5y ago

How about just no front facing camera? Why do we need a camera pointed at our faces constantly whenever we use our devices? For someone who never takes selfies, the whole concept is absurd

mankyd 5y ago
I find it particularly useful for video calls - both social and work. I agree I use it for little else, so a cheaper lens/sensor would suffice.

ksec 5y ago

>(5 inch or less) The iPhone 12 mini, at 5.4" is already smaller than the iPhone SE at 4.7". Which means it is actually the smallest iPhone in the lineup. And is actually smaller than your Z2. I dont like the notch, but it isn't much of a concern during usage, especially when iOS has left right swipe down short cut. I do sort of wish ( or at least used to wish, now I am figuring out how to move off Apple ) Apple made a iPhone SE with what you said, place camera and speaker above the screen and uses Touch ID on the side. i.e a slightly taller iPhone 12 mini with Touch ID instead.