Goodbye OnePlus, hello Samsung

[Madchatthew]

So I am always looking around at different phones and such just to see if there are better ones out there and that sort of thing. Have any of you heard about this company. If a part goes bad you can simply replace it yourself by ordering the part. They guarantee that their phones stay supported for at least five years and you just replace a part that goes bad if it does. It doesn’t look like you can get them in the US though.

https://www.fairphone.com/

[phenomlab]

@Madchatthew yes, I’ve seen this. Pretty sure they are available in the UK.

[Madchatthew]

@phenomlab I just watched a video about fairphone and the guy in the video said that they support them for 8 years so you would definitely get what you pay for the phone out of it.

[phenomlab]

@Madchatthew definitely. Also good for the environment as it reduces landfill.

[Madchatthew]

Oh boy, I am having a really hard time resisting on getting this new phone. Being a Samsung fan, it is hard to resist, so I might not. But I should and go for a phone we have previously talked about when mine dies. But new, shiny, faster, fun…ooohhhh decisions, decisions

https://www.samsung.com/us/smartphones/galaxy-s25-ultra/buy/galaxy-s25-ultra-512gb-unlocked-sm-s938uakexaa/

[phenomlab]

@Madchatthew yes, I received the same via email and spent far too long drooling over it. I too am a Samsung fan.

[Madchatthew]

@phenomlab and what makes it extra hard is that our phone service carrier is offering a free one with a trade in, so how can I resist that? haha

[phenomlab]

@Madchatthew yeah, that’s tough, I’ll admit. You just have to stay strong

[Panda]

I’ve had some negative experiences with Samsung recently. Posting about a couple of the issues, as it might be useful info for others.

I had a flip 4 and the screen developed a fault. (This actually happens quite often). Although in ‘warranty’ the Samsung service department I took it to refused to repair, quoting nearly £400, saying ‘warranty void due to impact damage’!
The phone had never been dropped, and according to that service center’s reviews, they use this excuse often.
So my opionions on flip phones and Samsung Warranty not great.

Also I have a Samsung Galaxy watch, cellular model, with a cellular plan. Its supposed to work when not bluetooth connected to the mobile. However this cellular connectivity has never worked well.
This week the service provider tech people admitted to me that they have a lot of problem with this, and in the UK, cellular to Galaxy watch doesnt work well.
Sadly they say I cant cancel the 2 year airtime contract.

Pretty awful. The above is a quick summary of a very long process to get these things fixed.

[phenomlab]

@Panda ouch. They both sound like horrible experiences, and I’ve never gone in for the flip technology because of how fragile they look. However, I know several people in the UK with galaxy watches and they’ve not experienced this.

[Panda]

@phenomlab Next time you see one of your contacts with a Galaxy watch, ask them if it works on cellular network …
I will be amazed if any say yes. Of course they work when the phone is near over Bluetooth, but then for that functionality could get a much cheaper device, and not need an airtime contract.

One further thing, I have a google account of course, but didnt want a Samsung account. They make it for some addons you must set one up and log in, and it can be annoying!

Do you have a Samsung account, and does that bother you?

[phenomlab]

@Panda yes, I have to use a Samsung account myself - not that I mind so much because I have other tech from Samsung under warranty, so it’s needs must.

I know In the UK you need to be on the EE or Vodafone mobile network to use the 4G connectivity?

[Panda]

@phenomlab Ahh!!
So the watch and eSim for it, were from o2. If I can get proof that the watch wont work on their network it might help.

I like o2 because European roaming is free, but they are frustrating to contact for Customer service

[phenomlab]

@Panda yes, that’s true. They are the only network to avoid the roaming fees, but i can’t see how they will keep it that way forever.

[Panda]

@phenomlab o2 bills seem (for one reason or another) to be high. If they stopped the inclusive roaming many wouldn’t stay with them.

If I may ask, which is your preferred operator?
EE were ok but since Xmas they had a change in their roaming add ons, and now its £2.50 a day!
That change came in with short notice. Its no good if you travel out of UK a lot!

[phenomlab]

@Panda we use o2 at work, but for my personal phone, I’m with Vodafone.

[Madchatthew]

Now AT&T (our current provider) is offering a free S25 Ultra with trade in. I don’t think I can refuse this offer. Doh, I am weak weak weak! It’s like putting beer in front of Homer Simpson.

[Madchatthew]

So I caved on the Samsung deal. At least for this one and I will now be planning on probably going with the Nothing phone once these new ones will be end of life. I am hoping they will last at least 5 years or longer.

[phenomlab]

@Madchatthew I got something similar from Vodafone. As tempting as the early upgrade is, it’s also VERY expensive. I will abstain.

[Madchatthew]

@phenomlab Yeah the new phone isn’t cheap. My phone was a S23 Ultra and it isn’t costing me anything to trade up so it is free for me. My wife has an S22 Ultra so it costs a little bit for her, but they are still giving a $1000 credit for it. We could have just kept them until end of life and then went with the nothing phone or something similiar. What can I say, I am a sucker for Samsung Galaxy phones. Let the shaming being hahaha