Topic: The Cell Phone Thread

[Jaeger]

Samsung cameras do particularly well with vibrant colours.

[valuator]

Looks great Bubba. 

I can't believe how far cell phone cameras have come.  I stumbled across my older, reasonable quality point-n-shoot camera in my desk drawer the other day....thought to myself, "I'll never buy one of those ever again".  Still would like to find the time to learn DSLR.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Looks great Bubba. 

I can't believe how far cell phone cameras have come.  I stumbled across my older, reasonable quality point-n-shoot camera in my desk drawer the other day....thought to myself, "I'll never buy one of those ever again".  Still would like to find the time to learn DSLR.

Yeah, cell phones overtook Point & Shoot cameras close to a decade ago.  They're coming after DSLR's now.  And, a DSLR will still take a better photo with a professional behind it, but for a rookie, or regular consumer, I think modern cellphones are just as good.  Most of the improvements cellphone manufacturers have been making these days are almost exclusively to the cameras. 

Plus, the best camera is the one you have in your pocket.  If you're out an about and see something interesting, but your DSLR is put away at home, it's not much good as a camera, right?

[Jaeger]

Looks great Bubba. 

I can't believe how far cell phone cameras have come.  I stumbled across my older, reasonable quality point-n-shoot camera in my desk drawer the other day....thought to myself, "I'll never buy one of those ever again".  Still would like to find the time to learn DSLR.

Yeah, cell phones overtook Point & Shoot cameras close to a decade ago.  They're coming after DSLR's now.  And, a DSLR will still take a better photo with a professional behind it, but for a rookie, or regular consumer, I think modern cellphones are just as good.  Most of the improvements cellphone manufacturers have been making these days are almost exclusively to the cameras. 

Plus, the best camera is the one you have in your pocket.  If you're out an about and see something interesting, but your DSLR is put away at home, it's not much good as a camera, right?

Yup.

[valuator]

Looks great Bubba. 

I can't believe how far cell phone cameras have come.  I stumbled across my older, reasonable quality point-n-shoot camera in my desk drawer the other day....thought to myself, "I'll never buy one of those ever again".  Still would like to find the time to learn DSLR.

Yeah, cell phones overtook Point & Shoot cameras close to a decade ago.  They're coming after DSLR's now.  And, a DSLR will still take a better photo with a professional behind it, but for a rookie, or regular consumer, I think modern cellphones are just as good.  Most of the improvements cellphone manufacturers have been making these days are almost exclusively to the cameras. 

Plus, the best camera is the one you have in your pocket.  If you're out an about and see something interesting, but your DSLR is put away at home, it's not much good as a camera, right?

Absolutely.  I dragged my old Olympus DSLR through 10-days in Chile back in 2011 and that cured me from packing something like that again, unless the point of the trip is photography.  I took way more snapshots with my cell phone when travelling.

[Bubba]

Plus, the best camera is the one you have in your pocket.  If you're out an about and see something interesting, but your DSLR is put away at home, it's not much good as a camera, right?

I should have taken the phone out of my pocket to photograph the rust-free Chrysler Sebring Coupe that was parked beside me at the mall. Just like this one:

[Bubba]

Parking lot picture. 

[valuator]

Gotta get a new phone.  Starting my new job in September, their policy is to re-imburse up to $200 a month for cell phone.  My current employer is fine with me taking my number with me, but I need to open an an account with a provider and get a phone.  My thoughts so far:

 - There are some good deals with Rogers if I add the phone onto our home services, however:
 - I always play hardball and switch back and forth between Rogers and Bell for home phone/internet/tv, and I want to keep that flexibility
 - I can't see a good reason not to finance the phone at 0% over 24 months and add it to my bill
 - My current phone is an iPhone 12 128gb with the 6.1" screen and I'm perfectly happy with it
 - I'm heavily invested in the Apple ecosystem at home....iCloud, apps I've paid for....I can't see moving away from Apple
 - I don't get good reception at home with the Bell/Telus towers, but Rogers coverage is great

The path of least resistance is to open a Rogers account that's not tied to my home services, get the $85 unlimited Ignite plan, and tack a $40-$60 hardware payment onto the monthly bill.

Finally, any reason to use Costco's mobile counter for this rather than dealing directly with Rogers? Is it worth it for the iPhone Pro? I'm only interested in the 6.1" form factor.

[Firm]

I'd just keep the current phone and negotiate the best deal you can with Rogers.

I did that recently; had a company phone with my old job, new company doesn't provide a phone, so I called up Rogers (already had an account for Mrs.Firm's phone, and my personal # which was setup as talk/text only) and just played their game for an hour or so to negotiate the best deal. I ended up with the 'Infinite 100+' package, but knocked the price down from $105/month to $75/month. Went with that plan because it covers all of North America (no roaming charges), but if you don't need that there are cheaper options. Brought my own phone, Samsung S22 - works fine.

Only a month in, but so far I've been impressed with coverage in the US - was worried about that, but it looks like Rogers is using AT&T network and I've had no issues running video calls or whatever anywhere that I've been in the US.

[PJungnitsch]

I'd get a new phone though too, if (as it sounds) the company will pay for it

Likely the 15 won't be quite out yet, but if not there should be good deals on a 14 pro

I have the 12 pro and vs the wife's regular 12 it seems to take noticeably better pictures, plus having more capability with a wider zoom range

[valuator]

Yeah, I gotta give my iPhone 12 back...company cycles older phones into the hands of the maintenance crew, so it would have gone to them in a few more months anyway.

[Jaeger]

Had to replace my Fold 3. Screen cracked in the fold of the crease. Awesome phone, but the tech isn't fully baked on the durability side of things.

[HeliDriver]

Yeah, if they’re giving you $200/month, just get a new phone and finance it. It’s not even a taxable benefit, right? Just an expense reimbursement? I only get $3/day. 

I’m still using an XR. Think I bought it in 2019? Still works okay, battery life isn’t great anymore, but would probably just buy a new one instead of getting a new battery for this one.

Think I might get a 14 Pro this fall if prices go down when the 15 is introduced. Still have an iPad mini with the lightning connector, so would like to keep phone and iPad the same (15 is supposed to be USB C.)

[EV Dan]

Replaceable batteries are coming back to phones and other things thanks to the EU:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fo-k-Qosy8A

[ktm525]

I hate large phones. Currently have an Apple SE 2nd gen which is 8 sized but has the 13 chip. Hoping Apple brings back the mini.

[Jaeger]

Returned my Fold 3 at end of contract and upgraded to a Fold 5.  Basically, I'm completely sold on the form factor.  That huge bright main screen has spoiled me for any kind of media consumption.

Significant improvements over 2 generations: more usable outer screen (slightly shorter and wider); upgraded quality in both inner and outer screens; much better hinge design - folds flat now; much more advanced processor that does more, faster while using less power, so; increased battery life even though the battery itself remains unchanged; lighter overall etc..

Plus I ran into a crazy combination of promotions that will not only see my monthly bill go down by $18, but landed me a free set of wireless noise-cancelling ear buds (the latest Samsung Ear Buds 2 Pro); a free set of wireless noise-cancelling over-the-ears headphones (some brand I never heard of, but not complaining), and a dual pad wireless charger that can charge both the phone and the buds at the same time.  I kept waiting for the catch, but it never came. Walked out of the store kind of gingerly, waiting for them to realize that they had made a massive error. 

I didn't expect much from the buds - I've used any number of different kinds over the years - and I was completely blown away.  The amount of base these things kick out is unreal, and the clarity is beyond next level.  Maybe those used to the very latest tech in buds would be less impressed, but I've never felt like spending real money on something so loseable.  I'll have to be careful with these. 

[TheHire]

Got the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Went to the larger size for the first time in many years... really liking it so far.

[valuator]

Got the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Went to the larger size for the first time in many years... really liking it so far.

I'm totally torn between the 15 /15 Plus / 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max.  I find the bigger form factor REALLY nice if I'm actually using my phone for productivity (I had a 7 Plus way back when...), but as mostly a call/text/Spotify device, I think I'm leaning towards the smaller form factor....it just fits in my pocket better.  Got a few weeks to decide, anyhow.

Are you liking the USB-C charging? That's a big plus for me, since my iPad Pro uses that....

[TheHire]

Got the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Went to the larger size for the first time in many years... really liking it so far.

I'm totally torn between the 15 /15 Plus / 15 Pro / 15 Pro Max.  I find the bigger form factor REALLY nice if I'm actually using my phone for productivity (I had a 7 Plus way back when...), but as mostly a call/text/Spotify device, I think I'm leaning towards the smaller form factor....it just fits in my pocket better.  Got a few weeks to decide, anyhow.

Are you liking the USB-C charging? That's a big plus for me, since my iPad Pro uses that....

Yeah, I like the USB-C thing - all my devices (MacBook Pro, iPad Air, etc.) use USB-C so it's nice to not worry about Lightning anymore.

I use the living sh*t out of my phone for work purposes, all day, every day, so I'm happy to spend on it.

[HeliDriver]

Yeah, USB-C on the new iPhones is going to be handy, but I still think I’ll miss Lightning. Call me crazy, but I really like the way Lightning plugs in and out with a satisfying click.

I’ve got other USB-C devices and it’s just not the same.