Smartphone choice

[gman88667733]

I currently have a Pixel 3a. My partner has an old OnePlus 5 with a crap battery that she is constantly killing whenever she goes out, so I'd rather she has something that she didn't need to charge multiple times a day. I want to give her my 3a as it is a really decent phone and then try something new myself.

I have been looking at the Samsung Galaxy A71, but I am unsure how well Samsung's perform nowadays? I only really use YouTube, Netflix and a few news apps, so i don't need anything crazy and I do find my Pixel 3a to be really fast for me. Does anyone have any experience with the A71?

I'm after good battery life, good screen for all the videos I watch and a decent camera.

Alternatively, I just get another 3a and we both have one?

If the A71 isn't likely to be slow or 'lag' a lot, then it seems perfect given the really good screen, apparently excellent battery and decent camera. £299 for a new one on eBay, which seems like really good value. Or, we just get a 4a and stick with Google... Decisions decisions...

Cheers

[stevoknevo]

Personally I get a 4a, once you're used to the Pixel software experience then other Android skins are a bit rough in comparison. And you won't beat the camera at that price point, plus battery life reports are good - only downside is the hole punch front camera, they really annoy me for video watching but they're pretty endemic now and hard to avoid.

[QuartzDad]

I've had an A70 for the last 18 months, still as snappy today as it was on day 1. If It broke, I'd buy an A71.

[gman88667733]

QuartzDad said:

I've had an A70 for the last 18 months, still as snappy today as it was on day 1. If It broke, I'd buy an A71.

That is good to hear! What is scrolling like? I found previous Samsung's years ago to be really stuttery and slow.

[QuartzDad]

gman88667733 said:

That is good to hear! What is scrolling like? I found previous Samsung's years ago to be really stuttery and slow.

Hopefully this works....starts with 'whizz to the bottom' and then a few up-and-downs.

I've not had a problem with scrolling speed, been absolutely fine.

[matchmaker]

If decent battery life is important, some models in the new Motorola G9 range come with a 5000mah battery which will easily last for 2 days.

[condor]

I'm also struggling to pick a new smartphone - so much choice.
Different for me as I don't have experience of smartphones as I rely on a very old Nokia and rarely make calls/texts. I'm wanting one to access the Internet outside of the home.
There are new smartphones coming out this month so have been reading it's a good idea to wait till when they come out and buy an older model then as it would be cheaper.

[LasseV]

gman88667733 said:

I currently have a Pixel 3a. My partner has an old OnePlus 5 with a crap battery that she is constantly killing whenever she goes out, so I'd rather she has something that she didn't need to charge multiple times a day. I want to give her my 3a as it is a really decent phone and then try something new myself.

I have been looking at the Samsung Galaxy A71, but I am unsure how well Samsung's perform nowadays? I only really use YouTube, Netflix and a few news apps, so i don't need anything crazy and I do find my Pixel 3a to be really fast for me. Does anyone have any experience with the A71?

I'm after good battery life, good screen for all the videos I watch and a decent camera.

Alternatively, I just get another 3a and we both have one?

If the A71 isn't likely to be slow or 'lag' a lot, then it seems perfect given the really good screen, apparently excellent battery and decent camera. £299 for a new one on eBay, which seems like really good value. Or, we just get a 4a and stick with Google... Decisions decisions...

Cheers

I searched a new phone for my wifes mum (she use her phone A LOT) and A71 was my choice. It is a very, very good phone. Some phones give you better specs in one way or other but as a whole package this is the phone to beat. Top notch display, big battery, samsung one ui is so good at the moment and it is as fast to use in everyday use as my s10e (and other high end phones). It is not a laggy phone at all. And it is a very pretty piece of kit. Overall i was very impressed. Makes me wonder why my wifes 11 pro and other high end phones costs so much...

Edited by LasseV on Thursday 8th October 12:57

[gman88667733]

This al helps a lot!
I think i'm going to order an A71. If I hate it, there is a return policy, so no risk really.

[Mr-B]

How did your wife manage to kill the OP5 battery? I have had an OP5 since launch (3+ years now) and can get a day plus out of it easily, usually charge it every other day. If she still likes the OP5 what about a replacement battery?

[2172cc]

I've got the A70, predecessor to the A71 and it's been faultless. I'm not a really big user so the battery easily lasts me 2 days and at a push almost 3. So the A71 should be better in that respect, everything else is pretty good, on a par with much more expensive phones. I certainly am a fan of it.

[AJB88]

Going from Pixel Android to Samsung Android wont be a good experience. stick to Pixel, look at the 4a or 3a.

[LasseV]

AJB88 said:

Going from Pixel Android to Samsung Android wont be a good experience. stick to Pixel, look at the 4a or 3a.

Personally i prefer one ui over pure android. It is fluid and intuitive to use and has a ton of features.

[stevoknevo]

LasseV said:

AJB88 said:

Going from Pixel Android to Samsung Android wont be a good experience. stick to Pixel, look at the 4a or 3a.

Personally i prefer one ui over pure android. It is fluid and intuitive to use and has a ton of features.

To each their own and all that but I find One UI very cartoonesque/appeals to a younger demographic in terms of looks - and I've never seen the appeal of all the software additions that slow the OS down when you can get better/more functional apps to do the same?

And AOSP is the base Android software, Pixel UI is Google take on what there take on it should be (mostly classed as stock Android as they own it/distribute the base version!) And Samsung have One UI as their take on it, which they mostly try to cover up - if they could get away with running Tizen on it they would. But the software experience on the Pixel is excellent - if you want the 'new phone experience' then going from one Pixel to another isn't really going to give you that, it's newer hardware with virtually identical software - they've finally cottoned on that the hardware is just a portal to services, predominantly their own, and the hardware is more than good enough for that nowadays. But the software on them is slicker and smoother than any of the other Android manufacturers.

An interesting take on the 'war' behind the scenes between Google/Samsung - https://youtu.be/0MNiUQz7ed4

[Gandahar]

I got a Samsung A71 and it is slick and the OLED screen is nice, had decent battery life. The extra Samsung bits improved Android rather than was bloatware. It is a good choice at that price of £300.

Camera quality is good for that price, nice ultrawide in addition to the standard.

I dropped mine down the toilet, it's not water proof

Wife now happily using one.

[gman88667733]

Just to update this. I've got an A71 arriving in the next couple of days. £249 for a customer returned one. I have 14 days to decide if either of us do like it.
I'm sure it will be VERY different to my Pixel, but change isn't always bad.
I'll try to be open minded!
At the end of the day, if my partner really likes it and it keeps her happy, then it's worth it entirely
I expect I will like it for myself though, I'm after a big screen for YouTube etc and a big battery.
We shall see!

[gman88667733]

A71 is here.
The screen is incredible. Best feature by far. Camera is worse than the 3a, but doesn't seem bad. It doesn't seem slow, not quite as smooth as the 3a, but that's to be expected. I expect I'll pass this on to my partner once the novelty wears off. Do really love the screen though, it really is good.

Edit - seems smoother now I've finished setting it all up and it's had a few hours to settle. Maybe I could get used to this...

Edited by gman88667733 on Saturday 10th October 19:35

[gman88667733]

gman88667733 said:

A71 is here.
The screen is incredible. Best feature by far. Camera is worse than the 3a, but doesn't seem bad. It doesn't seem slow, not quite as smooth as the 3a, but that's to be expected. I expect I'll pass this on to my partner once the novelty wears off. Do really love the screen though, it really is good.

Using my 3A after the A71 feels so weird. The screen is small and dull and dim. Bit disappointing actually! I wish I could take this screen and plant it on my phone. I'll try and stick it out with this though, it'll make watching videos and films much easier.

[LasseV]

gman88667733 said:

A71 is here.
The screen is incredible. Best feature by far. Camera is worse than the 3a, but doesn't seem bad. It doesn't seem slow, not quite as smooth as the 3a, but that's to be expected. I expect I'll pass this on to my partner once the novelty wears off. Do really love the screen though, it really is good.

Edit - seems smoother now I've finished setting it all up and it's had a few hours to settle. Maybe I could get used to this...

Edited by gman88667733 on Saturday 10th October 19:35

https://youtu.be/HJ0Lkax0QSs

There is a few tricks in that video if it helps.

[gman88667733]

Still going well. Battery so far is on par with the 3a, I did expect more to be honest. But I have just done a big update so it'll take a couple of days to settle. I'll see how it goes during my work days this week.
The screen really is the stand out feature of it still.
If the battery can hold up, I think I'll keep it.