Phone Recommendations, down to 3

DriversEd · 22-01-2018 08:10PM #1

Hi All,

I'm torn between the below three dual sim options, and any help would be appreciated.

HTC U11
OnePlus 5T
Note8

I need a dual sim phone, and would love a dual active phone, but i think they are like hens teeth, most everything in this market seems to be dual standby, or am i wrong?
I'm favouring the Note 8, after seeing a couple of people use the stylus, for taking notes on the fly in meetings, and to annotate photos before sending them onto someone, although its mental money. I need an unlocked version, and have found PhonesOnline.ie have them at 899, whats is that like??

also, as an aside, trying to get info from the manufacturers is just torture...
all three have told me there phones are dual active, and then also, that they are dual standby, and as for trying to buy a samsung here from themselves, or a major store, forget about it, or does someone have a suggestion?
at least with HTC + Oneplus, you can buy direct, unlocked phones, at least i hope thats what they are offering??!!

Mantis Toboggan · 22-01-2018 08:14PM

Isn't the one plus alot cheaper than the other two?

That's the one I'd be going for.

22-01-2018 08:21PM

Is the Note 8 an imported model? Will you have issues with insurance and warranty?

I've owned the U11 and now the Note 8. Note 8 is the better overall phone. All 3 devices are decent, though.

micks_address · 22-01-2018 08:26PM

Basil3 wrote: »

Is the Note 8 an imported model? Will you have issues with insurance and warranty?

I've owned the U11 and now the Note 8. Note 8 is the better overall phone. All 3 devices are decent, though.

HTC will probably have the best headphone audio. Note probably the best camera, one plus cleanest and fastest implementation of android and should be cheapest

DriversEd · 22-01-2018 08:32PM

thanks Lads, much appreciated.
the cost, although always an issue, the best fit for me, and the best device is the issue really.
as for whether its imported or not, i'm not sure, as its not stated, but its stated its unlocked and i assume its for use here.

if you don;t mind me asking Basil3, is the note 8, dual standby or dual active, or is your a dual sim device?

DriversEd · 22-01-2018 08:34PM

And Basil3, i'm going from a HTC one M9, will i think its like carrying around a brick, with the extra size??!!

micks_address · 22-01-2018 08:34PM

DriversEd wrote: »

thanks Lads, much appreciated.
the cost, although always an issue, the best fit for me, and the best device is the issue really.
as for whether its imported or not, i'm not sure, as its not stated, but its stated its unlocked and i assume its for use here.

if you don;t mind me asking Basil3, is the note 8, dual standby or dual active, or is your a dual sim device?

The one plus is definitely unlocked

DriversEd · 22-01-2018 08:34PM

thanks Mick

22-01-2018 08:35PM

DriversEd wrote: »

thanks Lads, much appreciated.
the cost, although always an issue, the best fit for me, and the best device is the issue really.
as for whether its imported or not, i'm not sure, as its not stated, but its stated its unlocked and i assume its for use here.

if you don;t mind me asking Basil3, is the note 8, dual standby or dual active, or is your a dual sim device?

I only have single SIM.

22-01-2018 08:36PM

DriversEd wrote: »

And Basil3, i'm going from a HTC one M9, will i think its like carrying around a brick, with the extra size??!!

I don't think the size is a huge issue. I think the main issue with the note is the length rather than the width.

davo2001 · 22-01-2018 08:37PM

Bare in mind the OnePlus has a 2 yr warranty, the others only have a one year AFAIK.

DriversEd · 22-01-2018 08:38PM

Length is always the problem Basil...;-)

DriversEd · 22-01-2018 08:39PM

But you're are happy with the Note8 anyway, a good phone in the round?
I can;t fault the reliability of the HTC, but must admit the Note has taken my fancy, are Samsung reliable, and how is the build quality?

tedpan · 22-01-2018 08:53PM

What about the LG V30? Absolute brilliant phone, with a class leading camera, audio and SD 835 processor. It's 631euro on eglobal central. Watch a few YouTube videos, definitely my next phone when I have the cash..

micks_address · 22-01-2018 08:56PM

DriversEd wrote: »

Length is always the problem Basil...;-)

Even the 5 t is long.. You can use the back finger print sensor to pull down notifications which is handy.

22-01-2018 08:59PM

davo2001 wrote: »

Bare in mind the OnePlus has a 2 yr warranty, the others only have a one year AFAIK.

They all have 2 years

DriversEd · 22-01-2018 08:59PM

i think they've all gotten bigger again this time around!
LG V30 looks very good also, now you're really confusing me...;-)

the stylus is the thing that most interests me, for the reasons i stated above, and if i go for the note, i hope i'd use it?!

DriversEd · 22-01-2018 09:00PM

so, has anyone had any dealings with phonesonline.ie then?

randomgar · 22-01-2018 09:01PM

OnePlus 5T would get my vote, a fantastic phone.

micks_address · 22-01-2018 09:10PM

DriversEd wrote: »

i think they've all gotten bigger again this time around!
LG V30 looks very good also, now you're really confusing me...;-)

the stylus is the thing that most interests me, for the reasons i stated above, and if i go for the note, i hope i'd use it?!

The LG has quad audio dacs if audio quality is important to you.. The audio quality on the one plus is poor. I bought a dragon fly red external USB dac to use with my sennheiser headphones. Again depends on whether you care about audio. People complain about the quality of the one plus camera.. I find it grand but camera quality isn't my number one priority when choosing a phone.. Screen quality, speed, audio quality, size, camera probably in that order...

DriversEd · 22-01-2018 09:19PM

anything on the reliability and build quality of the samsung note 8?

Alanstrainor · 22-01-2018 09:19PM

Oneplus 5T owner here. Fantastic device; blisteringly fast, incredible battery life, great screen and camera. The audio is grand to my ear, definitely no complaints anyway.

Do you find you take notes often? You would probably be best trying to use a Note 8 to see how it feels for taking notes, and anything stylus related. It really does set it apart from the competition.

DriversEd · 22-01-2018 09:21PM

thanks, i do take a lot of pics an video for work. not masterpieces, not in the media world, just use them a lot, like others i'm sure, for explaining issues related with plant and machinery in work. so thats why the stylus 'might be interesting, as i can make annotations on the pics and videos?!?!

micks_address · 22-01-2018 09:25PM

DriversEd wrote: »

thanks, i do take a lot of pics an video for work. not masterpieces, not in the media world, just use them a lot, like others i'm sure, for explaining issues related with plant and machinery in work. so thats why the stylus 'might be interesting, as i can make annotations on the pics and videos?!?!

Hmm if it's in good light then the one plus be fine re videos but if low light you might be disappointed.. Samsung probably have the best screen and camera bar the pixel on android. I just hate the Samsung bloatware.. If you really want to add confusion have you thought of a Google pixel 2xl?
Might not have dual sim..

DriversEd · 22-01-2018 09:27PM

thanks Mick, and its HTC manufactured isn;t it...?
samsung bloatware....now thats something i would not like, can this be removed or turned off?

micks_address · 22-01-2018 09:28PM

micks_address wrote: »

Hmm if it's in good light then the one plus be fine re videos but if low light you might be disappointed.. Samsung probably have the best screen and camera bar the pixel on android. I just hate the Samsung bloatware.. If you really want to add confusion have you thought of a Google pixel 2xl?
Might not have dual sim..

Isn't it frustrating that no matter how much you want to spend there's no ideal android option?

DriversEd · 22-01-2018 09:29PM

yes, i totally agree.
and the prices are getting out of hand again too!

micks_address · 22-01-2018 09:30PM

DriversEd wrote: »

thanks Mick, and its HTC manufactured isn;t it...?
samsung bloatware....now thats something i would not like, can this be removed or turned off?

Some Samsung apps can be disabled.. Not removed. They still run quite a heavy skin on android.. One plus performance is better in use..

DriversEd · 22-01-2018 09:35PM

do you know if the samsung is reliable, normally? and is the build quality up to what i'd be used to with the HTC's I've had?

micks_address · 22-01-2018 09:37PM

DriversEd wrote: »

do you know if the samsung is reliable, normally? and is the build quality up to what i'd be used to with the HTC's I've had?

I'd say similar build quality.. A lot of durability will come down to how you end up protecting the phone with a case etc

DriversEd · 22-01-2018 09:39PM

true, looking at the spigen case. i've always had the otterbox, but they've only one for the note, the biggest one, that has gotten bad reviews. and i don;t want to make this thing any bigger...;-)

Phone Recommendations, down to 3

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