topic Re: New smartphone options in Electronics

New smartphone options

Laura14 — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 20:02:14 GMT

My current smartphone has updates ending this month so it's time to upgrade.

I calculated I am spending not much less than a flagship phone which has some longetivity to it since I am being forced to upgrade every 2-3 years with Motorola.

As a result, I kind of want the techies here to give me your best recommendations for mid-range to flagship on a great sale.

I kind of have a heart attack around the $700-800 range, but if the phone truly will last me 5-7 years with updates, I can maybe get behind $100-$150/year.

To start, I have never had an iPhone. I understand they require batteries every 2-3 years and I honestly would rather stay android.

My entire family has Apple and they seem to hate them. I don't want to get into paying for storage I really don't need. If I did this, and that's a big if, I would probably go 17e so I've got that covered.

I have researched some and I know the big two in Androids are Pixel and Samsung.

I loved my Pixel ten years ago, got another and it bricked the very first time Google updated. As a result, I just don't have a trust factor with them.

That leaves Samsung. I have gone back and forth between S25 FE and S26 and some others around that tier.

I see OnePlus recommended but also rumors they are leaving the US market.

With AI coming, to me 8gb doesn't cut it for the 5-7 years I want to keep my phone. I'm thinking 12gb minimum which looks to be the next step up with 256gb minimum in storage.

As for me, I take practically no photos or videos. It's a a phone so it's way overkill I know, but I'm tired of spending $300-400 on Motorola and then doing it again 2-3 years later because they don't keep up with updates.

I do use my phone on hikes and for some note taking, social media with a picture here and there so I wouldn't be a total non user of some of the higher end tricks.

And I have no problem getting my money's worth with learning a few new tech things for marketing and social media for a hobby of mine.

What say you, technology peeps? Am I thinking correctly with what my options are?

My current phone is 6gb 128gb and still working fine. Maybe I'm being dramatic with not wanting the 8gb but with AI being rolled out everywhere, I don't want a new phone that will frustrate me in a year or two.

Re: New smartphone options

debfau — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 20:28:37 GMT

I am in the same boat as you as needing a new phone - I currently have a Moto G Power that was bought in Aug 2020 (so it's six years old).

I am planning to get the new Moto G Power 2026 which has 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage but this can be expanded with a microSD card inserted. This phone is currently $300 on Amazon.

Re: New smartphone options

Meowingkitty — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:03:09 GMT

IPhones do not need new batteries every couple of years. Mine is 4 years old and runs great and battery life is still there. I love Apple products and have had them for many years and have never bought a battery. They are very intuitive and easy to use. I don't pay for extra storage either. You could check out the low end iPhone like you said.

Re: New smartphone options

Laura14 — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:03:34 GMT

@debfau I had that phone before this one. It was a favorite. If I can't talk myself into the higher price tag, we'll probably be twins.

Re: New smartphone options

Laura14 — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:04:28 GMT

@Meowingkitty That's good to hear! They made it sound like every 2-3 years, you guys are in an Apple store swapping out.

Re: New smartphone options

santorini — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:11:48 GMT

@Meowingkitty wrote:
IPhones do not need new batteries every couple of years. Mine is 4 years old and runs great and battery life is still there. I love Apple products and have had them for many years and have never bought a battery. They are very intuitive and easy to use. I don't pay for extra storage either. You could check out the low end iPhone like you said.

I agree with everything said here. I've never had to replace a battery. I'm still using an iPhone 14 (the largest one for that year) and it's still very strong. At one time I heard that the ones with the smallest storage "go bad" sooner. I use my camera a LOT so I make sure I get the largest capacity. Mine is 1T. I know they now make a 2T but I think it's way more expensive that the 1.

Re: New smartphone options

Sooner — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:12:25 GMT

@Laura14 wrote:
@Meowingkitty That's good to hear! They made it sound like every 2-3 years, you guys are in an Apple store swapping out.

@Laura14 Only if we want to. I have had Apple phones for gosh decades I guess. I had a terrible experience with a Motorola I paid an arm and a leg for way back (first handheld after my bag phone if that dates me).

I honestly wouldn't be afraid of a refurbished one, but even those are very pricey at $600 but you can pay them out and get money back if you have an Apple Card. We are at the Apple store frequently because it's good to trade them in on a new one, and get apple care updated and credit for your old phone.

Re: New smartphone options

Laura14 — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:15:48 GMT

@Sooner I am always afraid of trade ins because I do banking and other stuff with my phone, but that's very helpful to consider. My family does refurbished Apple all the time. Thank you!

Re: New smartphone options

Laura14 — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:16:39 GMT

Wow, @santorini ! You must be a videoing, photo taking influencer to use that kind of storage. You go!

Re: New smartphone options

lynnie61 — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:22:24 GMT

@Laura14 Not a techie, AT ALL, but I've never had a battery issue with an iPhone. I don't replace often either. I had a 5, 8, a 14, and now a 17. I only upgraded to the 17, because I only had to pay $130 to upgrade to the 17. I went from about $90 bill to $15 a month for a year. After the year, I think my bill will be 40 ish. ATT to Xfinity. Changed in December not one service issue. Glad I made the change.

Good luck..........

Re: New smartphone options

geezerette — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:25:28 GMT

@Meowingkitty wrote:
IPhones do not need new batteries every couple of years. Mine is 4 years old and runs great and battery life is still there. I love Apple products and have had them for many years and have never bought a battery. They are very intuitive and easy to use. I don't pay for extra storage either. You could check out the low end iPhone like you said.

Mine is a 2020 model and still charges to 100%. It does drain a little faster with the latest updates than it did new, but I only charge every other day since I don't use it much.

I am going to get a new one soon (when I get around to it), but I'm sticking with the small, less expensive iPhoneE which is the updated version of the iPhoneSE I have now.

Re: New smartphone options

Laura14 — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 22:17:45 GMT

Okay, I think I was asking the wrong question after all.

Apple AI is supposedly more privacy and assistant based, while Google AI is more for business tasking and research.

Apple can do it with 8gb while Google has set 12gb as their benchmark going forward.

That means an 8gb Apple phone will last longer than the Android which is what I was seeing and made me think of jumping up.

I miss my $20 landline.

Re: New smartphone options

geezerette — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 22:19:43 GMT

@Laura14 wrote:

I miss my $20 landline.

@Laura14

Boy, I do too!

Re: New smartphone options

shoesnbags — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 22:32:55 GMT

@Laura14 I'm definitely not a techie and I would never presume to tell someone else what type of phone is best for them, but but but I don't understand the things your relatives have told you about Iphones. I've used them for years and never ever had to replace a battery. Also not paying for extra storage. I save a bit by not buying the latest model and then I don't replace it until that model is no longer eligible for security updates - quite a few years. I like my Apple phone because I'm no tech whiz and I find it user friendly.

Re: New smartphone options

Tori3569 — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 22:53:42 GMT

I've had iPhones and iPads since the originals came out and have never had to change a battery or even had an issue with a battery. In addition I don't know anyone who has an iPhone and hates it, but that's just me.

i don't know anything about Android phones, so I'll just wish you luck!