Business, Technology and Society

Upgrading My Phone

9 Comments

I’ve sworn that I’ll give up my mechanical keyboard when they take it from my cold, dead hands, but my Droid 4 is on its last legs, with an OS that’s becoming incompatible with too many apps. I’ve given up hope of continuing to have one, and am shopping for a new (used) phone. I’m not a power user, and can’t see spending $500+ on the latest and greatest, but I would like to get an older high-end machine. I was looking at the Moto G4+, but when I asked Verizon if the network supports it, they said no (which surprised me). They have a web page that says “Bring your own device,” but in order to check compatibility, you have to enter the device ID, which is kind of hard when one doesn’t actually have a device.

Anyway, I had a chat session with someone else at Verizon, who finally came up with a list of compatible devices for the past few years. I don’t know why it should be this hard, though.

9 thoughts on “Upgrading My Phone”

  1. I’m still using a Samsung Galaxy S Relay I got in November 2012. I really like having a good mechanical keyboard. Before I spotted an ad for the model I was looking at a phone and separate bluetooth keyboard to replace my old G1 first generation Android phone. I haven’t seen a new design with a hardware keyboard since then.

  2. I don’t know why it should be this hard, though.

    Because the cell companies want to sell everyone a new phone at least once a year is why. I’ve still got a flip phone with no keyboard.

  3. Verizon uses a different sort of radio encoding tech than other US and AFAIK all foreign networks. Many cellphones won’t have the correct sort of modem unless they’re Verizon-specific models

    YMMV.

  4. I use an LG G5 and like it a lot. Got it for $1 brand new right after it was released. It was a tossup between the LG G5 and an year older Galaxy Note. Sometimes I regret not getting the note. Being able to write on your phone and have it converted to type text is a nice feature.

    One thing to consider besides all of the technical specs, will it fit in your pocket comfortably? How about with a case on it? This is an important consideration because larger screens are really nice.

    If you haven’t got a new phone in a while, wont they have a special for you through Verizon to get something free or dirt cheap? Consider waiting until one pops up. Sometimes you can get a new phone plus a TV or tablet for free.

    1. I don’t want to commit to a contract renewal (I’ve been off contract for years) and the newest phones are rarely the best deal (e.g., a Galaxy S7, let alone an S8 is over $500). I found that Best Buy had a sale this weekend on unlocked Moto G5s for $200, and went out and got one.

      1. Samsung has good quality but they’re seldom the best bang for your buck. Samsung is almost as expensive as Apple.

  5. Welcome to the horrible world of software keyboards, Rand. I had to replace my Stratosphere 2 2 years ago and got a G6. Was looking forward to 2nd gen Pixel XL when Google frogmarched their ideologically diverse engineer out the door. Guess I’m looking at a Note.

  6. In the past I sent you links on the Blackberry KEYone. What do you think of that phone?

    Somehow this comment is setting off a “duplicate comment” error.

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