Should choosing a new phone be difficult today?

[camelot1971]

I'm on O2 and just upgraded from the Xperia Z1 to the HTC One M8. I've always found the Z1 to be a bit sluggish - it would take ages to connect to a bluetooth receiver for example, but the HTC just flies along, even with the same apps on it.

I like the O2 refresh idea - I can pay off the £360 the HTC cost me over 24 months interest free or pay it off quicker then I'm free to get another phone.

[technodup]

THL 5000 arrived today!

Managed to evade the £38 customs VAT & handling fee

Seems a pretty impressive phone tbh. The back is one of those thin plastic jobs like an old HTC but it's textured so no fingerprints. Main two buttons again are plasticy but all in all seems well put together. No hard camera shutter button which might be a bit annoying.

Came with extra screen protectors, a clear silicon case and a mini USB-USB adaptor.

Everything else seems normal Android fare, with good spec and a huge battery (the battery is as big as an iPhone). Haven't figured how to connect to PC yet, might need drivers or something. Only other oddity so far is Baidu is the default (changeable) browser option and you can change the font into Mandarin (or something).

Best compliment you can pay is to compare it with S5, iPhone, One X etc. Remember this is a £150 phone.

Anyone going for it definitely get the priority shipping. Chinavision live chat were very good too, quick, polite and as helpful as they could be.

[Polarbert]

Sounds like a good bit of kit. I can't understand why on this review: http://www.androidauthority.com/review-of-thl-5000... they only give it 7 out of 10, when pretty much everything in the review is positive, I'd have thought at least an 8 would be in order.

[dudleybloke]

Glad you like it.

[ZesPak]

technodup said:

THL 5000 arrived today!

This 5 inch, full HD phone includes a 2.0Ghz MediaTek octa-core processor, 2GB of RAM and a 13MP camera. But most importantly it has a 5000 mAh battery.

That's about double what current flagships have.

[Silver940]

Polarbert said:

Sounds like a good bit of kit. I can't understand why on this review: http://www.androidauthority.com/review-of-thl-5000... they only give it 7 out of 10, when pretty much everything in the review is positive, I'd have thought at least an 8 would be in order.

Does slate the GPS a bit. Sounds simialr to the Wife's HTC One S that would get a lock when in the car.

[rob0r]

I have an HTC One M7 for 17-18 months and I can't fault it, I certainly don't have an urge to get something newer and can't see the advantage of getting a new one. It seems brand new as it's always lived in a tough case with a screen protector (I can't be trusted...).

[technodup]

ZesPak said:

This 5 inch, full HD phone includes a 2.0Ghz MediaTek octa-core processor, 2GB of RAM and a 13MP camera. But most importantly it has a 5000 mAh battery.

That's about double what current flagships have.

And it's fking sweet. Left this morning at 94%, normal day of use, using maps several times, music player, calls, internet etc. Now 8pm and sitting at 60%, where the iPhone would by now be in the red.

PC connection was easy too, I just didn't switch the selection to media drive. Memory card is proper Sandisk, camera is Sony. Can't fault it.

I work in marketing so far be it from me to have a go at Apple et al but it just shows how much of the Apple experience is hype. Four times the price and for what exactly?

[dudleybloke]

You tried any graphicaly taxing games on it yet?

[pad58]

Got a SG 5 mini ,and I like it.

[technodup]

dudleybloke said:

You tried any graphicaly taxing games on it yet?

No, I don't play games on phones (or anywhere else).

[ceebmoj]

Are there any android phones that don't have a camera?

[ZesPak]

ceebmoj said:

Are there any android phones that don't have a camera?

? Not that I know of. There are some in the £100 or cheaper range without front facing camera though.

[dudleybloke]

http://www.noncamerasmartphones.com

[ceebmoj]

ZesPak said:

? Not that I know of. There are some in the £100 or cheaper range without front facing camera though.

unfortunately I want no camera at all

dudleybloke said:

http://www.noncamerasmartphones.com

Thanks.

[imagineifyeswill]

I got my first smart phone a year ago, read the reviews and went for Iphone 4s, first and last Apple device I,ll ever have, absolute piece of crap cant wait to get rid off it.

[FlossyThePig]

imagineifyeswill said:

I got my first smart phone a year ago, read the reviews and went for Iphone 4s, first and last Apple device I,ll ever have, absolute piece of crap cant wait to get rid off it.

Care to elucidate.

[TheJimi]

FlossyThePig said:

imagineifyeswill said:

I got my first smart phone a year ago, read the reviews and went for Iphone 4s, first and last Apple device I,ll ever have, absolute piece of crap cant wait to get rid off it.

Care to elucidate.

FlossyThePig's profile said:

Occupation: Professional Pedant

Here, you'll be needing one of these - ?

[paul99]

Glad I read this thread, was about to get a Moto G 4g to replace my old HTC one x which is suffering with low battery life now. Just ordered one of those ThL 5000's instead, seems like a no brainer at that price! Went for DHL shipping which says 2-6 days for delivery. Will report back once I receive it.

[rossmc88]

where is the best place to buy a THL 5000?