Next Closest Equivalent to Note7

[_BrianZ]

From what I've seen so far, the next closest thing to a Note7 in terms of hardware is the ZTE Axon 7, so I'm wondering, why isn't Verizon fast-tracking that to make it available?  Or better yet, allow it as a BYOP without all the Verizon garbage, crippleware & malware?  Seems like the only feature lacking is a stylus, which is still a big deal for many, but otherwise equal in terms of processor, display, memory capacity, RAM, & external SD slot capacity.  Maybe not as capable in the camera though.  And if you get it, Verizon, please don't cripple its menu like you did to the Note7.

[Ann154 · Accepted solution]

Verizon Wireless can't fast track anything if the manufacturer doesn't make it compatible in the first place. The ZTE phones are not compatible with the Verizon Wireless network.

Why isn't the Pixel XL not a contender? It is similar in size and hardware. It is also running a newer version of the Android OS and will definitely receive updates faster and longer than the Note 7 ever would if the recall and subsequent cancelation hadn't happened.

[tc2013]

question:  will PixelXL get update directly from google? (like Apple's)

Or through Verizon (involving delays + bloatware)?

[tikibar1]

tc2013 wrote:

question: will PixelXL get update directly from google? (like Apple's)

Or through Verizon (involving delays + bloatware)?

Update: Verizon says its Pixels will get updates at the same time as Google’s | Ars Technica

[rgang50]

Only 32GB, no SD storage and no pen.  The larger memory model too expensive. Dont like clouds never trusted them. too many times corps have said trust us and then sold out (reference senate testimonies under immunity by telecom execs). Everything else about Pixel is good, but nothing close to Note7. My preference is for S8+ or the possible Note8 next year.

[Ann154]

Not willing to pay extra for the 128 GB model then? Here I thought every time someone purchased a iPhone 7 128 GB for the same price was loco. Oh guess what they are a hit and sell out and the Pixel phones are the same price as iPhone and the 128 GB Pixels are sold out too.

[rgang50]

Since you ask - I grant you the 128GB should cost more than the 32GB but Google has 128GB Pixel XL priced same as Note 7. So for me the equation to resolve is:

Pixel XL (128GB) without S-Pen == Note7 with 64GB and expandable with external SD.

It does not work for me maybe because I have quantities of high performance micro SD cards in 32GB, 64Gb and 128GB denominations sitting in my storage bin.

I have enormous respect for Google and the designers there. But their decision to drop the external storage is a head scratcher, more so after Samsung's experience with Note5 and criticism they faced.

[Weth]

rgang50 wrote:

their decision to drop the external storage is a head scratcher,

Not really.   Google is all about the cloud, so it makes perfect sense they designed a phone to fit that vision. 

[rgang50]

Agreed, but you dont see me buying into that logic for a variety of reasons. Consequently, I question the wisdom of consumer product design based solely on corporate vision while ignoring public opinion, specially the results of a similar past experiment (Note5) and its critiques.

[Ann154]

And what about the "grand experiments" known as the iPhone, Nexus 6, 5x, 6p, Moto X models, various Galaxy S models, etc etc? All of those came with a set amount of storage without the ability to expand the memory.

[rgang50]

Spot on Ann154, they all form the sample population from which to draw the next design clue. If we were to list the numbers who favor the ext storage facility why ignore them when one could have easily incorporated that requirement to give the product wider appeal.

[_BrianZ]

Pixel is immediately disqualified in my book if it has no external memory card slot to expand storage up to 256GB.

I read somewhere that the Axon was tested in Verizon & worked fine.

[Weth]

There are reports of an already active Verizon SIM being put in the Axon 7 and people are seeing it function with a few "quirks" Therefore it is not fully compatible but can be made to work. However since it is not fully compatible, it cannot be recommended on an official Verizon site. You may want to read some of the quirks on sites such as xda developers and decide if it is worth it to you to put up with them and knowing you will not have support from Verizon.

Also look here for information from another member on this forum

ZTE Axon 7

[Ann154]

Why do you need 256 GB of extra storage?

[Weth]

Ann154 wrote:

Why do you need 256 GB of extra storage?

Especially in 2016 - all your "stuff" should be in the cloud, you don't need it locally. Unless you need 320 GB of apps, which seems rather excessive.

[_BrianZ]

Weth seems to know what is best for everyone.

I require lots of storage locally without  total dependence on cloud storage & data plans.  Sorry if this doesn't fit your concept, but this is true for many users.

It's unfortunate if the Axon isn't compatible with Verizon, but maybe a good reason to switch to T-Mobile.

[Weth]

Laugh once in a while. Truth is the reliance on local storage is much less important in 2016 than it was 5 years ago. Of course I appreciate everyone has individual needs and you should always get what fits your needs. However, I do think you will see less and less phones with add on storage due to the increasing ubiquity of cloud storage.

[tk3765]

In my case I like the further backup to the local storage as I found out, when I upgraded to my Note 4 two years ago, that the Cloud didn't backup all of my content properly.  Fortunately, in my IT and phone upgrade paranoia state that I possess , I had the full contents backed up to my PC prior to activating the 4 so I was able to fill in the holes left by the Cloud.  I would have lost some 20 contacts if I hadn't done the backup to my PC and at the time, most were critical for work.

I don't completely trust the Cloud as yet.  Security can still be iffy at times and the experience with an incomplete backup just has me a little wary to rely on it 100%.

[tc2013]

Same here.... external memory (mirco sd card) is a must-have for me.

Since the smartphone inception days, I've been having 4 generations of cellphone photo albums on my phone, transferring from older ones to new ones on a bi-yearly basics by moving the physical memory cards. (Currently about 150GB+)

I think most ppl had changed their usage habit of not using any digital-camera or DSLR these days; it was so crazy convenient to have years of photos on your palm (phone) to share with any family members, anywhere, anytime. 

...unless the cloud storage cost is significantly dropped, otherwise, it's still to expensive for yet another monthly payment to our fixed household-income.

[tc2013]

i doubt if anyone here ever experienced the limitation of "cloud storage", especially if you're away from the States and out of the country with no LTE nor WiFi.  It's too hard to share all those memorable videos to friends and families while visiting them overseas, but without any international data-plan or free wifi.

Eg. in rural area of Europe, free wifi was not easy to get.

...so, to avoid further limitation, i would think "external memory" being a must-have for ppl like me.