Ugh. Cell phones...

So I did a good number on my Note 10+ screen. Had it in a cargo short leg pocket and apparently sat on it. There's a difinitive spot where pressure was applied to a dime sized area at the side of the screen and it's spidered from there. I know many people who keep/use shattered screens that are worse than this, but I can't do that. I'm not OCD about everything, but this is one area that drives me nuts.

On to the bane of my problem with this situation, I am not impressed with cell phone offerings nor their exhorbitant prices for what is essentially the same thing we've all had for the last 10 years (minus the headphone jack ). I've not been impressed with this Note 10, my old Note 3 was better. I'd still be using that if the bastards wouldn't stop updating devices after 2-3 years.

So to my question, has anyone downgraded to a more entry level device and regretted it? It's not that I can't afford a flagship device, but rather that I don't want to spend the money on one - especially when I don't see the value in what they're offering. I'd love the Sony Experia 1 V for what sounds like an awesome audio experience, but again, $1300 for a high tech walkman? I dunno.

What I am considering is the Samsung Galaxy A series. I think the A14 still has a headphone jack. I've mentioned that several times, and if you've caught on you'll recognize I find bluetooth headphones to be a PITA and generally shit sound quality (in my experience). Doubt the A series has decent sound processors, so I guess it wouldn't matter anyway. I am concerned about the small memory, even though it's expandable via sd card.

Any feedback from others who have gone down this road is welcome. I'm really wrestling with this in my mind. I mostly just cruise the web, emails, and reject a half dozen or so spam calls daily, although I have found the stylus/notes to be handy on occasion. I would like something with decent security as I do log into banking/investment apps sometimes.

We use Verizon, btw.

 

You can go to a cellphone store and they can replace the screen. About $100.

 

Can't help with the phone but don't forget to apply plenty of lube before entering the store as they prefer to go in dry.

 

Really? I figured they'd want more than that, which is why I hadn't considered it. Off to google I go, another option. Bad thing is the Note 10 only has 3 years of updates, so I'm at the end of the road there. Android 12 is the the last this line will get, and that's been out a while. Not sure about security updates. I see Samsung has announced updates out to 4 and even 5 years on some newer models (including the A series line).

 

That's no joke!

 

Here’s what I do;
My plan is 15+ years old and in order to keep my benefits ( not throttled on data ). It’s so old in fact I have minuets, 450 to any land line to be exact. So for the past 10+ years I’ve purchased phones out of pocket. I’ve had great success with eBay and prior Craigslist.
Apple products are like Toyota and tend to hold greater value. If you are an android fan those can be pursued very cheaply on the used market.

A screen replacement isn’t really worth it on a note series unless you are locked into it. Also you need to make sure when trying to downgrade its voice over LTE compatible. Most basic phones have limited radio bands and thus won’t be able to use a lot of features.

Look at the Sony line in the V series. They are a niche market for phones and from what I’ve read after this year Sony is going to phase away from cell phones in North America.

 

I liked my S5 better than my A5 but not enough to justify the cost difference. The A5 was just fine.

I think the Pixel is one of the cheaper phones on the market (or it was here 3 years ago, anyway) if you're willing to consider another brand.

 

Awhile ago I had just got a Galaxy S7 Edge when they first came out, and about a week in the thing broke, got it warrantied and then it broke again a month later. Ever since then I've stuck with the budget phones.

Cheap phones are good, good phones are cheap nowadays--unless you want to show off you have a fancy phone that is a little bit faster. I had been using a Pixel 4a (the "a" is the cheaper version) for the past few years, and just broke my second one last week so "upgraded" to a Pixel 6a (which is like a year old) and was $300 on Amazon, a big step up over the $100 4a I had been using! I don't have to worry about it breaking when I'm in the shop, or it drowning, or losing it, the thing is cheap and does 99% of what a flagship does at 95% the speed.

 

I'm not ready to go that far back! lol I do use my phone extensively for surfing the web and texting, but not so much for shooting and editing video. OK, I never do that. I do take some pics, but nothing that requires Leica level optics.

We just received a promotion piece that claims Verizon will give me $400 for this broken screen Note 10+ (since the battery is still good) if I upgrade to an S23 model (regular, +, or Ultra). Wife can get $400 for her old S10 to do the same upgrade. Good thing about the S23 line us they are reported to receive 5 years of security updates from Samsung (vs the 3 we had and have exhausted on the 10 series). Basically it would net out to be a BOGO, which is tempting.

I did find a solution to my headphone gripe during my reserch. Should have looked for it a long time ago. $14 on the Jungle site.

 

That and the camera was/is phenomenal.

With that said....soon as the 15 comes out, I'm trading in the 14 Pro for it. Why? Simple - I use it as as *phone* a ton, and there's a noticeable weight difference between the 14 and the 14 Pro. We just went overseas and took a ton of pictures, and while those from the 14 Pro are fantastic, truthfully, they're not *that* much better than my wife's pics from her 14. The battery life, camera and Dynamic Island thing are the main reasons for the Pro. Dynamic Island I could take or leave (plus it's coming to all the 15's), and battery life isn't THAT much better, so there you have it.

 

I personally moved to the A series and haven't had any issues. I have the A51 I believe and it's been doing well for me. I still get online, social media, text, calls, GPS, etc and it works well for me. I got tired of paying high prices for a glorified version of something I don't need or use.