Author Topic: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?  (Read 5279 times)

Offline ExGingi

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Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« on: May 08, 2019, 02:29:51 PM »
DW is always having problems with her phone. Part of it is her lack of tech savvy, and it seems like a major part is a buggy or faulty phone.

I currently have her on a Moto G6 which I bought her based on reviews, thinking it would be a very decent price/performace option. But unfortunately, it is constantly freezing and crashing. I suspected full storage, but that doesn't seem to be the case, as there's about 5GB free.

That's besides for the fact that I suspect the proximity sensor isn't so good, as she says it doesn't work well at the ear, so she is always using it on speaker.

I must get her a working phone, and was thinking the Pixel 3 or 3a, but looking at the specs, the 3a doesn't seem to be that much ahead of the Moto G6. What I really need is something reliable that will work for her, without too much of a learning curve. What are the recommendations out there?

My other option would be to switch her from the H2O prepaid plan she's on now, to share my plan with VZ, and get her an iPhone, which I find to be built much better than most other phones, though iOS isn't as flexible and won't have the same apps she has on the G6.

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Offline ~King Lake~

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Re: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« Reply #1 on: May 08, 2019, 02:43:49 PM »
the iPhone is definitely a good option as you cant play around to much with it, people call it "the phone for dummy's"
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Offline whYME

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Re: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« Reply #2 on: May 08, 2019, 02:45:42 PM »
I currently have her on a Moto G6 which I bought her based on reviews, thinking it would be a very decent price/performace option. But unfortunately, it is constantly freezing and crashing.
I also always had issues with DW's Moto G6. I got her a moto x4 a few months ago and it's been much better.

Offline yoshyosh

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Re: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« Reply #3 on: May 08, 2019, 02:49:50 PM »
I must get her a working phone, and was thinking the Pixel 3
The pixel 3 is amazing and very simple to use.

Offline ExGingi

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Re: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« Reply #4 on: May 08, 2019, 02:59:47 PM »
The pixel 3 is amazing and very simple to use.

Is it worth the premium over the 3a?
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Offline sky121

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Re: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« Reply #5 on: May 08, 2019, 03:01:29 PM »
Is it worth the premium over the 3a?

Depends for who.

What apps does she use on android that she needs that she won't have on IOS?
I'm an Android user myself and prefer it to iphones but phones are less likely to be messed up by those that aren't tech savvy IMO.
"Not all who wander are lost"

Offline Definitions

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Re: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« Reply #6 on: May 08, 2019, 03:05:03 PM »
DW is always having problems with her phone. Part of it is her lack of tech savvy, and it seems like a major part is a buggy or faulty phone.

I currently have her on a Moto G6 which I bought her based on reviews, thinking it would be a very decent price/performace option. But unfortunately, it is constantly freezing and crashing. I suspected full storage, but that doesn't seem to be the case, as there's about 5GB free.
Where did you buy the phone? Was it a third party seller on Amazon?
My Tapatalk notifications don't always work.

Offline ludmila

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Re: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« Reply #7 on: May 08, 2019, 03:12:44 PM »
the iPhone is definitely a good option as you cant play around to much with it, people call it "the phone for dummy's"
Are you calling me a dummy? :) :)
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Offline aygart

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Re: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« Reply #8 on: May 08, 2019, 03:33:22 PM »
That's besides for the fact that I suspect the proximity sensor isn't so good, as she says it doesn't work well at the ear, so she is always using it on speaker.

This can often be caused by screen protectors
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Offline ExGingi

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Re: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« Reply #9 on: May 08, 2019, 03:39:58 PM »
Depends for who.

What apps does she use on android that she needs that she won't have on IOS?
I'm an Android user myself and prefer it to iphones but phones are less likely to be messed up by those that aren't tech savvy IMO.

I was asking Pixel 3 vs Pixel 3a.

She uses WhatsApp, some Gmail, Jewish apps (zmanim, siddur, tehillim etc. - better free options available on Android), CashApp, and not much more. However while iPhones might be less likely to be messed up, the on-screen keyboards on Android are superior to what's available on iPhone (I know SwiftKey is available on iPhone, but I can't tell you how many problems I have with it, and the phone switching on its own between SwiftKey and native keyboard).

This can often be caused by screen protectors

I don't think it's the issue in this case.

Are you calling me a dummy? :) :)

The other alternative is Tech Savvy. I consider myself such, and for years avoided anything Apple due to the perception of it being made for dummies and the closed garden wall. However, after switching due to the fact that at a certain time it was the only option to access corporate email, I've come to appreciate the build quality, and other technical advantages, while conceding its disadvantages.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Offline Yonah

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Re: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« Reply #10 on: May 08, 2019, 03:44:24 PM »
I am a big fan of the oneplus devices. I bought me and DW the OP3 when it came out in 2016 - so I've been using it for nearly 3 years, no problems and love the fast charging.

They're launching the OP7 next week - not sure what the Pixel 3a means for their price point, but in all likelihood they'll drop prices on the OP 6T -which is still a pretty good phone - I think that the OP6T at $450 is probably better than the Pixel 3a

Offline aygart

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Re: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« Reply #11 on: May 08, 2019, 03:46:06 PM »

I don't think it's the issue in this case.

When it was happening with my phone I didn't think that was it either until I cut away a bit more of the protector and it stopped being a problem.
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Offline ExGingi

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Re: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« Reply #12 on: May 08, 2019, 03:51:23 PM »
When it was happening with my phone I didn't think that was it either until I cut away a bit more of the protector and it stopped being a problem.

I don't think there's a screen protector on it.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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Offline ~King Lake~

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Re: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« Reply #13 on: May 08, 2019, 03:57:28 PM »
Are you calling me a dummy? :) :)
To a certain extend ;)
« Last Edit: May 08, 2019, 05:43:45 PM by ~King Lake~ »
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Offline ExGingi

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Re: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« Reply #14 on: May 08, 2019, 03:58:16 PM »
To a certain extend ;)

I guess that goes with that spelling. ;)
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Offline Naftuli19

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Re: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« Reply #15 on: May 08, 2019, 04:05:52 PM »
Iphone, iPhone, iphone ;D
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Offline ~King Lake~

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Re: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« Reply #16 on: May 08, 2019, 05:44:52 PM »
I guess that goes with that spelling. ;)
:( :-[
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Offline cozmohoot

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Re: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« Reply #17 on: May 08, 2019, 06:13:33 PM »
I got a g6 for my mom and it's been great for her. No lagging and awesome battery life.

Offline Zalc

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Re: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« Reply #18 on: May 08, 2019, 10:04:02 PM »


I was asking Pixel 3 vs Pixel 3a.

She uses WhatsApp, some Gmail, Jewish apps (zmanim, siddur, tehillim etc. - better free options available on Android), CashApp, and not much more. However while iPhones might be less likely to be messed up, the on-screen keyboards on Android are superior to what's available on iPhone (I know SwiftKey is available on iPhone, but I can't tell you how many problems I have with it, and the phone switching on its own between SwiftKey and native keyboard).

I don't think it's the issue in this case.

The other alternative is Tech Savvy. I consider myself such, and for years avoided anything Apple due to the perception of it being made for dummies and the closed garden wall. However, after switching due to the fact that at a certain time it was the only option to access corporate email, I've come to appreciate the build quality, and other technical advantages, while conceding its disadvantages.

Based on this, I'd recommend the 3a.

Especially with the $100 gift card offer from B&H (and 3 months free service).
Worth a shot, return if you don't like it.

You didn't mention photography, but this phone will blow her current one out of the water.

Bonus: it has a headphone jack!

Nothing as smooth will come close to that price, and they tend to stay un-messed up.

(Maybe the new one plus 7? Who knows)

Offline ExGingi

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Re: Which phone to get for the Tech unsavvy?
« Reply #19 on: May 09, 2019, 08:07:08 AM »
Iphone, iPhone, iphone ;D

The i is like the אל״ף of ויקרא.
I've been waiting over 5 years with bated breath for someone to say that!
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