A bit of a nitpick, but the current iPhone SE is basically an iPhone 8 with upgraded internals, so these complaints are solvable, also while saving a bit of money (though not now the cost is sunk,...
Now it doesn't fit in my hand properly, all new iPhones are veritable tablets. I also miss TouchID. The new camera is fine.
A bit of a nitpick, but the current iPhone SE is basically an iPhone 8 with upgraded internals, so these complaints are solvable, also while saving a bit of money (though not now the cost is sunk, I suppose).
I am slowly embracing the r/dumbphone and it's interesting to see how software support doesn't impact people's choices - to the point where I can't help but think "is that even safe?" I don't have a grand point to make about this, it's just interesting to see the contrast.
Dumb phones have become somewhat impossible for me to even consider because of all the 2FA stuff. I literally cannot access my bank account without my phone, and it needs to be a smartphone,...
Dumb phones have become somewhat impossible for me to even consider because of all the 2FA stuff. I literally cannot access my bank account without my phone, and it needs to be a smartphone, because the 2FA is proprietary inside my bank's app.
I feel you there, and I think the main thing I've taken away from that is that a 'dumbphone' is - as the name would imply - purely software based. Something like grapheneOS on the cheapest pixel...
I feel you there, and I think the main thing I've taken away from that is that a 'dumbphone' is - as the name would imply - purely software based. Something like grapheneOS on the cheapest pixel they still support could get you 80% of the way there, even if it doesn't look like a dumbphone.
Also, and this one is an important one for a lot of people: GrapheneOS can't do NFC payments, because Google won't sign it as a secure release. Somebody here clued me in to Unihertz Jelly Star...
Also, and this one is an important one for a lot of people: GrapheneOS can't do NFC payments, because Google won't sign it as a secure release.
Somebody here clued me in to Unihertz Jelly Star which would let you serve the purpose as a dumb phone, being incredibly tiny but still filling all the needed features. I'm considering getting that for my "mandatory wallet replacement" (2FA, payments, parking apps, EV apps) and just using my GrapheneOS Pixel 7 for handheld entertainment/computing.
It's too late for the linked poster, but for posterity: you can jailbreak iphones. You wouldn't be able to install a new ios version that doesn't support the hardware but there are other OS...
It's too late for the linked poster, but for posterity: you can jailbreak iphones. You wouldn't be able to install a new ios version that doesn't support the hardware but there are other OS options that work.
In terms of software support, google actually leapfrogged Apple last year with 7 years of support (up from their previous policy of 3 years for OS versions and 5 years of security updates)....
In terms of software support, google actually leapfrogged Apple last year with 7 years of support (up from their previous policy of 3 years for OS versions and 5 years of security updates). Obviously though Apple has the track record of seeing their support periods out while Google hasn't reached the end of their previous 5 year policy for any devices since that was announced, so they haven't yet proven they'll follow through.
I really feel for this guy. I used an original iPhone SE (iPhone 6S generation, so older than this) up until earlier this year. But the iOS update march pushed me to change phones when more and...
I really feel for this guy. I used an original iPhone SE (iPhone 6S generation, so older than this) up until earlier this year. But the iOS update march pushed me to change phones when more and more apps stopped working on the last supported OS.
I wound up 'sidegrading' to my partner's old Pixel 4a. I wanted a headphone jack, a fingerprint sensor, and a reasonable form factor. I got the first two, though somehow the 4a is still significantly smaller than every modern phone. And it still feels like a dinner plate to me!
At least Google, and Samsung are lengthening support windows to 5-7 years now. It's insane to me that some people upgrade their phone yearly. But, I guess I'm a bit unusual, in that no phone has actually tempted me to upgrade since the original SE.
I'd kill for a small phone. With a headphone jack. And a fingerprint sensor, since face ID kind of sucks if you wear transitions glasses or frequently bundle up for winter weather. But phone companies seem to just make a slightly larger phone with fewer features each year. Personally, the one thing phone companies could do to tempt me is create a combination ereader phone. Instead of a second larger OLED screen inside, give me e-ink! Then I could whip out my ereader anywhere, on the go, and even use it to read longer articles instead of my phone screen.
But who am I kidding. Next year we'll just get another four to six ~6.5" iPhones that don't fit in my pocket, and even larger Galaxy and Pixel phones. And US carrier compatibility + software support will continue to make every other brand a complete nonoption. At least my 4a works well.
Apple heard us a few years back and delivered the mini. I have one and i loooovvvveee it. But there’s so few of us who really want it apparently, it didn’t sell much, and they discontinued it with...
Apple heard us a few years back and delivered the mini. I have one and i loooovvvveee it. But there’s so few of us who really want it apparently, it didn’t sell much, and they discontinued it with the 13 :(.
Regarding the blogger’s complaints about size: Apple, I’m begging you, please make a new iPhone mini! I bought a 15 this year and the only reasons I bought the 15 over the older mini is USB-C, a...
Regarding the blogger’s complaints about size: Apple, I’m begging you, please make a new iPhone mini! I bought a 15 this year and the only reasons I bought the 15 over the older mini is USB-C, a better camera, and a few more years of potential support. Please someone just make a 5” or smaller smart phone that has modern function. At this point, I kinda wish that I did go with the mini and just live with the lightning connector.
I got force upgraded when the 4G thing happened a year or more back. My Oneplus 3T had 4G but apparently didn't make the cut for ATT >_> But I do like my Pixel 4a because it was smaller.
I got force upgraded when the 4G thing happened a year or more back. My Oneplus 3T had 4G but apparently didn't make the cut for ATT >_> But I do like my Pixel 4a because it was smaller.
A bit of a nitpick, but the current iPhone SE is basically an iPhone 8 with upgraded internals, so these complaints are solvable, also while saving a bit of money (though not now the cost is sunk, I suppose).
I am slowly embracing the r/dumbphone and it's interesting to see how software support doesn't impact people's choices - to the point where I can't help but think "is that even safe?" I don't have a grand point to make about this, it's just interesting to see the contrast.
Dumb phones have become somewhat impossible for me to even consider because of all the 2FA stuff. I literally cannot access my bank account without my phone, and it needs to be a smartphone, because the 2FA is proprietary inside my bank's app.
It sucks, but I get it. But it sucks.
I feel you there, and I think the main thing I've taken away from that is that a 'dumbphone' is - as the name would imply - purely software based. Something like grapheneOS on the cheapest pixel they still support could get you 80% of the way there, even if it doesn't look like a dumbphone.
Also, and this one is an important one for a lot of people: GrapheneOS can't do NFC payments, because Google won't sign it as a secure release.
Somebody here clued me in to Unihertz Jelly Star which would let you serve the purpose as a dumb phone, being incredibly tiny but still filling all the needed features. I'm considering getting that for my "mandatory wallet replacement" (2FA, payments, parking apps, EV apps) and just using my GrapheneOS Pixel 7 for handheld entertainment/computing.
It's too late for the linked poster, but for posterity: you can jailbreak iphones. You wouldn't be able to install a new ios version that doesn't support the hardware but there are other OS options that work.
I understand this guy. (Using an iPad Pro 1st gen perfectly fine, but stuck on iPadOS 16.)
In terms of software support, google actually leapfrogged Apple last year with 7 years of support (up from their previous policy of 3 years for OS versions and 5 years of security updates). Obviously though Apple has the track record of seeing their support periods out while Google hasn't reached the end of their previous 5 year policy for any devices since that was announced, so they haven't yet proven they'll follow through.
There's also a rumor that the Pixel 6 is getting Android 16 as well since it's on the dev preview.
I really feel for this guy. I used an original iPhone SE (iPhone 6S generation, so older than this) up until earlier this year. But the iOS update march pushed me to change phones when more and more apps stopped working on the last supported OS.
I wound up 'sidegrading' to my partner's old Pixel 4a. I wanted a headphone jack, a fingerprint sensor, and a reasonable form factor. I got the first two, though somehow the 4a is still significantly smaller than every modern phone. And it still feels like a dinner plate to me!
At least Google, and Samsung are lengthening support windows to 5-7 years now. It's insane to me that some people upgrade their phone yearly. But, I guess I'm a bit unusual, in that no phone has actually tempted me to upgrade since the original SE.
I'd kill for a small phone. With a headphone jack. And a fingerprint sensor, since face ID kind of sucks if you wear transitions glasses or frequently bundle up for winter weather. But phone companies seem to just make a slightly larger phone with fewer features each year. Personally, the one thing phone companies could do to tempt me is create a combination ereader phone. Instead of a second larger OLED screen inside, give me e-ink! Then I could whip out my ereader anywhere, on the go, and even use it to read longer articles instead of my phone screen.
But who am I kidding. Next year we'll just get another four to six ~6.5" iPhones that don't fit in my pocket, and even larger Galaxy and Pixel phones. And US carrier compatibility + software support will continue to make every other brand a complete nonoption. At least my 4a works well.
Apple heard us a few years back and delivered the mini. I have one and i loooovvvveee it. But there’s so few of us who really want it apparently, it didn’t sell much, and they discontinued it with the 13 :(.
Regarding the blogger’s complaints about size: Apple, I’m begging you, please make a new iPhone mini! I bought a 15 this year and the only reasons I bought the 15 over the older mini is USB-C, a better camera, and a few more years of potential support. Please someone just make a 5” or smaller smart phone that has modern function. At this point, I kinda wish that I did go with the mini and just live with the lightning connector.
I got force upgraded when the 4G thing happened a year or more back. My Oneplus 3T had 4G but apparently didn't make the cut for ATT >_> But I do like my Pixel 4a because it was smaller.