Going to smart phone, prolly

[cmac2012]

Yeah, I'm one of those guys still using a flip phone. It's been good for me as it's an unlocked TM model, Sony-Ericsson, that I can tether with - good price.

But T Mobile is offering me a good deal - smartphone plus much bandwidth for a little less than I've been paying.

I'm on the fence about which phone to go with. Can't be an iPhone so it's down to:

Sony Xperia Z1S
Samsung Galaxy S5
LG Flex

The Sony has a 20.1 megapixel camera. Almost hard to believe. A client has an iPhone that will take magnified photos. Pretty handy. We killed a pest in alcohol and took such a pic of it. Very clear photo, way blown up. Turns out it was a termite, as I thought. He thought it looked different. I'm hoping that such a feature can be had with that sort of megapixel capability.

So, anyone have an opinion on this?

[MTI]

Don't be taken by "megapixel" counts, it's the size and sensitivity of the sensor that matters for digital.

[JB3]

be prepared to start surfing the web everywhere. Using the toilet? check web. Having coffee? check web. Wife talking about important relationship issues? check the web. Supposed to be working? check the web.


I have an LG something or other in an "Otter" protective case, which is pretty good, protected the phone from some nasty spills. However, make sure you put that phone somewhere else if you are sanding drywall. impregnated the camera, speaker, audio out, ect with drywall dust, even in my pocket. All those sexy features now partially functional or not working at all.

[Can't Know]

I think the bigger question is battery life. Smartphones, even when just idling, drain the battery pretty quickly.

That's the biggest adjustment/tradeoff IMHO. Not only will you not be able to just let it sit for a couple of days on a shelf and still be usable, but you have to turn off lots of stuff in order to be able to just leave it alone all day and still have some battery in the evening.

So if you go to a smartphone, be prepared to have chargers everywhere and be plugging that sucker in all the time. Or you'll be buying a portable backup/charging device, or both.

Aside from that, the conveniences are really quite nice.

Oh, and if you are using an android device, you can get the TORQ app and pair it with a little ELM bluetooth interface to the OBD-II port on cars and pull lots of real-time data as well as clearing codes, etc. Kind of sweet.

As far as brands, Samsung has had little other than very positive reviews. My personal phone is an older LG, and it has worked very, very well.

Good luck.

[spdrun]

I have an L3 F3. Small, good battery life, not much storage (remedied via apps on an SD card, but you probably don't need that), cheap to buy, and made in South Korea not China.

[Mölyapina]

Originally Posted by cmac2012

Yeah, I'm one of those guys still using a flip phone.

You're ahead of me, then . My phone has no internet access or camera, but it does have a built-in FM radio that you can listen to with one tiny earphone!

[Jorn]

Going from a flip phone to a "smart" phone is going to be shocker battery wise.

[JB3]

Originally Posted by Jorn

Going from a flip phone to a "smart" phone is going to be shocker battery wise.

maybe not.

My smart phone outlasts my old samsung flip phone by about twice as far as battery life. Even with me on the phone and searching reviews all day for contractors web surfing.

[cmac2012]

Originally Posted by JB3

be prepared to start surfing the web everywhere. Using the toilet? check web. Having coffee? check web. Wife talking about important relationship issues? check the web. Supposed to be working? check the web.


I have an LG something or other in an "Otter" protective case, which is pretty good, protected the phone from some nasty spills. However, make sure you put that phone somewhere else if you are sanding drywall. impregnated the camera, speaker, audio out, ect with drywall dust, even in my pocket. All those sexy features now partially functional or not working at all.

I'm a bit concerned about the over-surfing thing. Could be a problem.

Dry wall dust. Yeah, I've been known to be around that stuff. Good tip.

*EDIT* OTOH, this one might be part resistance to dust - they claim it's waterproof:

http://www.techradar.com/us/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/sony-xperia-z1s-1221942/review/8

They also claim the battery is strong in this one.

[BAVBMW]

I have a home phone. Hardly anyone calls. I'm happy.

MV

[cmac2012]

My phone ringing is $$ in my pocket.

[elchivito]

Originally Posted by cmac2012

Yeah, I'm one of those guys still using a flip phone. It's been good for me as it's an unlocked TM model, Sony-Ericsson, that I can tether with - good price.

But T Mobile is offering me a good deal - smartphone plus much bandwidth for a little less than I've been paying.

I'm on the fence about which phone to go with. Can't be an iPhone so it's down to:

Sony Xperia Z1S
Samsung Galaxy S5
LG Flex

The Sony has a 20.1 megapixel camera. Almost hard to believe. A client has an iPhone that will take magnified photos. Pretty handy. We killed a pest in alcohol and took such a pic of it. Very clear photo, way blown up. Turns out it was a termite, as I thought. He thought it looked different. I'm hoping that such a feature can be had with that sort of megapixel capability.

So, anyone have an opinion on this?

Get ready to start posting semi-intelligible short cut messages and blaming it on predictive text.

[TwitchKitty]

I used a Galaxy S3 some and thought it was pretty cool but I didn't use it enough to justify the cost of owning one. It was big also and I don't like carrying stuff with me.

If I got one I would get an Android phone.

[JB3]

Originally Posted by cmac2012

My phone ringing is $$ in my pocket.

doesnt necessarily relate only to smart phones, but it sure is easier on smart phones to text business associates. I love it. I text plumbers, electricians, flooring guys, mostly younger guys who also love text communications. I also have seen my communications with tenants start to become almost wholly text based after initial meet and greets. Its allowed me to be both more communicative while at the same time less intrusive.

Everything written down already, conversation easily reviewable. Just like the NSA, I enjoy reviewing everything such and such person said about this or that job or issue.

Ive been texted PDFs of quotes, was able to bring them up on my phone, and text back acceptance to the contract. Its amazing the speed and ease of technology.

Im only on the fringe too, I don't deal with contractors all the time. I can imagine if thats your true field, its super useful.

[Air&Road]

Originally Posted by elchivito

Get ready to start posting semi-intelligible short cut messages and blaming it on predictive text.

That is the absolute truth.