I am willing to spend a lot for technology but just don't see the point of spending $1000 for this generation of flagship phones. What can I do with a $1000 Snapdragon 855 phone that I cannot do with a $600 Snapdragon 845 phone? Hell, is there even a usage scenario where 845 makes that much a difference from a 660?
You're right. I honestly do not see the difference between S8 and S10. I'm still using a G3. To me, S8 is still brand new. The "lag" and scrolling problem has been more or less persistent in every Android release.. it's been a full decade now and we're still falling for the specs scam..
Everyone enable dev mode and turn off animations right now, suddenly your app-switching is light-speed, and you didn't even need to pay $1000 to upgrade.
Here's what I would actually pay $$ for: -REAL WIRELESS CHARGING, i.e. a little desk-lamp with a beam that tracks your device and charges with 1 watt anywhere on a 5ft surface, not in your pocket. -Unbreakable screen, or easy/cheap replaceable glass if it breaks. -Waterproofing with WATER DAMAGE WARRANTY, this will force them to really go hardcore with the sealing, and protecting the components with a new kind of gel. -Focus on making a plastic back that feels premium (no more glass) so we can wirelessly charge. -A phone with front stereo speakers that get louder than most laptop speakers. -A special screen with ultra-low-power modes, for 24hrs of screen-time. -Vita-style game controller phone case. I've seen what's currently out there and it's a complete joke. -IR blaster, which has been mysteriously removed from many phones. -Grippable phone, flat sides. -Tap-to-wake feature should be on every phone. -Wireless headphones should last for days before I even consider using them.
Can't think of anything else, besides the fold, which MAY come in handy in a few years, once all other problems are solved.
Android is a dog of an OS to run and Google have done very little to make it better. Not surprisingly though, as to fix Android's inefficiencies would require extensive work; at which point they might as well create a whole new OS. Android gives them money and control as it is anyway.
It's rather tiring seeing reviewers fawn over the 'smoothness' of new devices. They say that EVERY TIME. If it's smoother every time though, was ever really 'smooth'? Don't get me started on battery runtime. Almost none of them revisit devices either, which is not representative of how everyone else uses devices.
Current crop of high end games (Shadowgun Legends, ARK, RoS, PUBG) Emulators like Dolphin, Damon, PPSSPP, Citra. You will notice huge differences between a 660 and an 845. This will only be magnified more soon with new releases like Oceanhorn 2, Cod LoW, Payday. Big difference in browsing performance, decompression, etc.
Out of curiosity, what's the use case driving these really tall aspect ratios? When the Mi Mix popularized small bezels, I thought "sweet, now we'll get shorter phones with the same screen size" but they just kept stretching the screen taller and taller :( What apps benefit from this? Or is this another round of greater diagonal lengths for marketing while giving us the same or less screen area?
Everything but some videos and some photos? Many programs I use on my smartphone are text based (browser, messaging, news) even Youtube with comments can take advantage of the increased vertical real estate. Many cinema movies are in 21:9 or thereabouts and with photos and other pictures, it is of course all over the place. But increased real estate can help with keeping the photo totally in view while offering buttons to edit above and below it. With my current 16:9 phone, the photo gets zoomed out when certain buttons (share / edit etc.) appear beneath it.
Right, so we can use 17.5:9 or something. No need to go crazy and make the phone as long as a TV remote. Nobody can reach the top of the screen with their phone, they just accept it and use 2 hands. It's just bad design.
Because total width is limited by anatomic concerns (size of hand), and the only way to increase display area (once the "wide" bezels of the previous 10 generations are gone) is to lengthen the phone.
I would never buy a phone with such a RIDICULOUS screen aspect ratio. I still prefer 16:9 phone displays! 18:9 displays are horrid, and any taller/narrower than 18:9 (like 19:9 or 21:9) are absolutely unacceptable! If you choose to buy the Sony Experia 1, enjoy all that blank, wasted screen real estate and tiny images (relative to the screen size) that you'll get when viewing most videos and photos, and when playing many games.
Let's hope that phone accessory manufacturers do a better job of supporting the Experia 1 than they did with the 2018 flagship Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium. I would've gladly paid $1,000 for the Experia XZ2 Premium- if even one phone accessory manufacturer had bothered to make an ultra-protective belt clip case for it (an Otterbox Defender or the like). But I wasn't about to buy a $1,000 phone and put it in a cheap, flimsy, barely protective $15 case. I love the XZ2 Premium's 16:9 4K Display! I'd still buy one TODAY were it not for the unavailability of a protective belt clip case for it!
Agreed. I also don't like the square design, but to each his own. I had a much easier time holding my S3, LG G3, and Nexus 4. The sharp edges make the phone more difficult to manipulate.
If you choose to buy the Sony Experia 1, enjoy all that blank, wasted screen real estate and tiny images (relative to the screen size) that you'll get when viewing most videos and photos, and when playing many games.
This is absolutely not true. I have a 6.1" 19.5:9 screen with literally 0 wasted space. When playing games or watching videos (MXplayer, Youtube, Hulu, Netflix) the screen is filled and is absolutley an upgrade over any 16:9 display I have ever owned. The device has so many options for one handed use (LG UX) it is so much easier
I don't understand how you can watch a 16x9 video on Youtube (or Hulu or Netflix) on a 20x9 screen and fill up the screen at the same time. Unless you're clipping the top/bottom.
Too tall. Can't reach the top with one hand. 16:9 or 17.5:9 at most.
Snapdragon 8--anything does not matter anymore since Galaxy S6/S7. Neither does screen resolution. The useful features now are battery size/life, wireless charging, front speakers, waterproofing, in-screen fingerprint sensor, and microSD for storing video. Front speakers are mysteriously omitted from every phone except Pixel 3 which has useless supermassive bezels. I will never, ever buy a new phone again without front stereo speakers. It's like a little boombox with a kickstand you can use to watch TV, play games with a controller or show your friend a video. There is no reason NOT to have them when you are paying $1000.
Furthermore we've needed a real psvita-like phone with sim card, or at least a super-rock-solid psvita-style controller case for android/iphone that is a single piece, and not flimsy as hell. What is the hold up? It's been over 10 years?
Lmao this phone has a better screen than the s10.....the benchmarks DESTROY IPHONE XS MAX ..and get this ...NO HOLE OR NOTCH...SOLD. AND THE WINNER IS SONY. seriously....some of you ...lol large bezel...good luck holding a phone with all screen and not having a constant issue with duel touching. Ppl are just so idiotic its mind blowing. They have allowed companies to place tacky designs on there screens then lie to themselves and say they dont mind, or notice that God awful display intrusion. Also who cares about accessories.....and folks who are still using there flip phone. You are obviously really slow to catch on.....you just stay back there and do your thing sad as it may be....its funny how this phone is being downplayed so hard. If all the same things everyone is saying about this phone is true......2019 belongs to sony..
Let me guess...you use a iPhone xs max. Reason I say that is because iPhone users are usually extremely stupid and open there k. Hunt mouths when they shouldnt
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25 Comments
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wr3zzz - Friday, March 15, 2019 - link
I am willing to spend a lot for technology but just don't see the point of spending $1000 for this generation of flagship phones. What can I do with a $1000 Snapdragon 855 phone that I cannot do with a $600 Snapdragon 845 phone? Hell, is there even a usage scenario where 845 makes that much a difference from a 660?flyingpants265 - Friday, March 15, 2019 - link
You're right. I honestly do not see the difference between S8 and S10. I'm still using a G3. To me, S8 is still brand new. The "lag" and scrolling problem has been more or less persistent in every Android release.. it's been a full decade now and we're still falling for the specs scam..Everyone enable dev mode and turn off animations right now, suddenly your app-switching is light-speed, and you didn't even need to pay $1000 to upgrade.
Here's what I would actually pay $$ for:
-REAL WIRELESS CHARGING, i.e. a little desk-lamp with a beam that tracks your device and charges with 1 watt anywhere on a 5ft surface, not in your pocket.
-Unbreakable screen, or easy/cheap replaceable glass if it breaks.
-Waterproofing with WATER DAMAGE WARRANTY, this will force them to really go hardcore with the sealing, and protecting the components with a new kind of gel.
-Focus on making a plastic back that feels premium (no more glass) so we can wirelessly charge.
-A phone with front stereo speakers that get louder than most laptop speakers.
-A special screen with ultra-low-power modes, for 24hrs of screen-time.
-Vita-style game controller phone case. I've seen what's currently out there and it's a complete joke.
-IR blaster, which has been mysteriously removed from many phones.
-Grippable phone, flat sides.
-Tap-to-wake feature should be on every phone.
-Wireless headphones should last for days before I even consider using them.
Can't think of anything else, besides the fold, which MAY come in handy in a few years, once all other problems are solved.
flyingpants265 - Friday, March 15, 2019 - link
Oh yeah, and a banana curve (Samsung Galaxy Nexus, LG G Flex) makes it a lot easier to hold. You know, like old house phones were curved..Notice I didn't mention 4k screens or 7 cameras...
I also didn't mention any feature that already exists... because they already exist...
Tams80 - Saturday, March 16, 2019 - link
Android is a dog of an OS to run and Google have done very little to make it better. Not surprisingly though, as to fix Android's inefficiencies would require extensive work; at which point they might as well create a whole new OS. Android gives them money and control as it is anyway.It's rather tiring seeing reviewers fawn over the 'smoothness' of new devices. They say that EVERY TIME. If it's smoother every time though, was ever really 'smooth'? Don't get me started on battery runtime. Almost none of them revisit devices either, which is not representative of how everyone else uses devices.
Wardrive86 - Sunday, March 17, 2019 - link
Current crop of high end games (Shadowgun Legends, ARK, RoS, PUBG) Emulators like Dolphin, Damon, PPSSPP, Citra. You will notice huge differences between a 660 and an 845. This will only be magnified more soon with new releases like Oceanhorn 2, Cod LoW, Payday. Big difference in browsing performance, decompression, etc.BedfordTim - Friday, March 15, 2019 - link
Sadly the short 16:9 version that I actually want to order never made it.hybrid2d4x4 - Friday, March 15, 2019 - link
Out of curiosity, what's the use case driving these really tall aspect ratios?When the Mi Mix popularized small bezels, I thought "sweet, now we'll get shorter phones with the same screen size" but they just kept stretching the screen taller and taller :(
What apps benefit from this? Or is this another round of greater diagonal lengths for marketing while giving us the same or less screen area?
Death666Angel - Friday, March 15, 2019 - link
Everything but some videos and some photos? Many programs I use on my smartphone are text based (browser, messaging, news) even Youtube with comments can take advantage of the increased vertical real estate. Many cinema movies are in 21:9 or thereabouts and with photos and other pictures, it is of course all over the place. But increased real estate can help with keeping the photo totally in view while offering buttons to edit above and below it. With my current 16:9 phone, the photo gets zoomed out when certain buttons (share / edit etc.) appear beneath it.flyingpants265 - Friday, March 15, 2019 - link
Right, so we can use 17.5:9 or something. No need to go crazy and make the phone as long as a TV remote. Nobody can reach the top of the screen with their phone, they just accept it and use 2 hands. It's just bad design.Calin - Monday, March 18, 2019 - link
Because total width is limited by anatomic concerns (size of hand), and the only way to increase display area (once the "wide" bezels of the previous 10 generations are gone) is to lengthen the phone.flyingpants265 - Monday, March 18, 2019 - link
Height is also limited by the size of your hand.kawmic - Friday, March 15, 2019 - link
AWESOME!! Gimme!techWASgood - Friday, March 15, 2019 - link
I would never buy a phone with such a RIDICULOUS screen aspect ratio. I still prefer 16:9 phone displays! 18:9 displays are horrid, and any taller/narrower than 18:9 (like 19:9 or 21:9) are absolutely unacceptable! If you choose to buy the Sony Experia 1, enjoy all that blank, wasted screen real estate and tiny images (relative to the screen size) that you'll get when viewing most videos and photos, and when playing many games.Let's hope that phone accessory manufacturers do a better job of supporting the Experia 1 than they did with the 2018 flagship Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium. I would've gladly paid $1,000 for the Experia XZ2 Premium- if even one phone accessory manufacturer had bothered to make an ultra-protective belt clip case for it (an Otterbox Defender or the like). But I wasn't about to buy a $1,000 phone and put it in a cheap, flimsy, barely protective $15 case. I love the XZ2 Premium's 16:9 4K Display! I'd still buy one TODAY were it not for the unavailability of a protective belt clip case for it!
flyingpants265 - Friday, March 15, 2019 - link
Agreed. I also don't like the square design, but to each his own. I had a much easier time holding my S3, LG G3, and Nexus 4. The sharp edges make the phone more difficult to manipulate.Kamides - Saturday, March 16, 2019 - link
In person the phone looks really beautiful in picture or camera it does look really ugly not gonna lie and holding it feels nicer than the XZpKamides - Saturday, March 16, 2019 - link
Honestly that phone is super powerfull you can slam it with no case and be fine, a shock absorbing 15 dolla clear case is more than enoughKamides - Saturday, March 16, 2019 - link
Sony also makes an official case for it looks really nice imoPeachNCream - Saturday, March 16, 2019 - link
I can probably pay you more to mow my lawn and clean my toilet than Sony is giving you right now to shill for them.Wardrive86 - Sunday, March 17, 2019 - link
If you choose to buy the Sony Experia 1, enjoy all that blank, wasted screen real estate and tiny images (relative to the screen size) that you'll get when viewing most videos and photos, and when playing many games.This is absolutely not true. I have a 6.1" 19.5:9 screen with literally 0 wasted space. When playing games or watching videos (MXplayer, Youtube, Hulu, Netflix) the screen is filled and is absolutley an upgrade over any 16:9 display I have ever owned. The device has so many options for one handed use (LG UX) it is so much easier
erple2 - Wednesday, March 20, 2019 - link
I don't understand how you can watch a 16x9 video on Youtube (or Hulu or Netflix) on a 20x9 screen and fill up the screen at the same time. Unless you're clipping the top/bottom.flyingpants265 - Friday, March 15, 2019 - link
Too tall. Can't reach the top with one hand. 16:9 or 17.5:9 at most.Snapdragon 8--anything does not matter anymore since Galaxy S6/S7. Neither does screen resolution. The useful features now are battery size/life, wireless charging, front speakers, waterproofing, in-screen fingerprint sensor, and microSD for storing video.
Front speakers are mysteriously omitted from every phone except Pixel 3 which has useless supermassive bezels. I will never, ever buy a new phone again without front stereo speakers. It's like a little boombox with a kickstand you can use to watch TV, play games with a controller or show your friend a video. There is no reason NOT to have them when you are paying $1000.
Furthermore we've needed a real psvita-like phone with sim card, or at least a super-rock-solid psvita-style controller case for android/iphone that is a single piece, and not flimsy as hell. What is the hold up? It's been over 10 years?
HOLYMUNGDIVER - Saturday, March 16, 2019 - link
Lmao this phone has a better screen than the s10.....the benchmarks DESTROY IPHONE XS MAX ..and get this ...NO HOLE OR NOTCH...SOLD. AND THE WINNER IS SONY. seriously....some of you ...lol large bezel...good luck holding a phone with all screen and not having a constant issue with duel touching. Ppl are just so idiotic its mind blowing. They have allowed companies to place tacky designs on there screens then lie to themselves and say they dont mind, or notice that God awful display intrusion. Also who cares about accessories.....and folks who are still using there flip phone. You are obviously really slow to catch on.....you just stay back there and do your thing sad as it may be....its funny how this phone is being downplayed so hard. If all the same things everyone is saying about this phone is true......2019 belongs to sony..iPhone 11
Samsung galaxy s10
Hahaha
Sony - " hold my beer"
flyingpants265 - Saturday, March 16, 2019 - link
Sorry it kinda looks like shitHOLYMUNGDIVER - Sunday, March 17, 2019 - link
Let me guess...you use a iPhone xs max. Reason I say that is because iPhone users are usually extremely stupid and open there k. Hunt mouths when they shouldntflyingpants265 - Monday, March 18, 2019 - link
Brilliant comment, the phone still looks bad