My LG G2 just bit the dust, what should I do upgrade-wise?

[Nimec]

I had a crazy hardware fail in my G2 tonight, I was just browsing some websites when it locked up, shut itself off, then got caught in a reboot loop.  After a couple hours playing with it and googling, seems I have a hardware failure and will need to get a new phone.

 

This seems like a terrible time to buy a new phone with new Android flagships just around the corner, I have been extremely satisifed with my G2 and was planning on upgrading to the G4 when my contract expires this November. Since I need a phone now, I am unsure what to do.

 

The G3 is a great phone, but it's a last year phone, it just seems so silly to buy a phone that will soon be 'previous-gen' once the new flagships come out.

 

Should I buy a temporary beater phone and use that until the next flagships come out, or should I just bite the bullet and snag up a G3?

 

One good thing about the G3 is there would be no fee, I would just have to renew my 2yr contract.  Looks like the S6 preorders list it at $250 and a renewed contract.

 

I would like my phone to have as good of a camera in it as possible, I have like $5-6k invested in Nikon gear which has spoiled me for wanting clear and sharp pictures even from my phone. It looks like the G3 camera is slightly better than the G2 with the new OIS and laser assist beam, but for the most part it looks like the same. I'm sure the new 2015 flagships will have better cameras, but the question is how much better.

 

I haven't used an iphone since my old iPhone 3g, I suppose I'm not against making the switch back but I haven't been following IOS for some time now.

 

Looking for some tips, any feedback is appreciated!

[Liana]

The Asus Zenfone 2 (32/64GB 4GB RAM model) is said to be releasing in the US/Canada in April. It seems to have pretty good specs all around and is supposed to retail for about $300USD. Has a 13MP camera.

[neo1911]

The phone self destructing in just 1.5 years is not a good sign. I have read many horror stories about several G2s who have met with the same fate.

LG G4 will be the logical choice if they don't release a curved version. You can also check out Samsung Galaxy S6 which is destroying all the smartphones in terms of speed and display quality.

[Draconian Guppy]

Beater phone, g4  is just out, which will lower prices (competition) 

 

I'm biased against iOS sadly can't even drag and drop music, whilst I like their design, build quality, their locked down software isn't for me.

 

I also was a previous samsung owner, s3 and s4... while the s6 has touchwiz slimmed down, all the review sites say it is still the heaviest of UIs  (backed up with benchmarks, not just words) and ultimately slow android down.  Samsung burned me in the s4... While good on bechmarks, I do not know it is the lack of proper software optimization, time, etc or just touchwiz itself, but any exynos variant i've tried (s4, note 4 and s5) just doesn't feel as zippy.  

 

Rocking a G3 as of now, loving it, not without its bumps also (headphone goes crazy if you don't use the type it likes, though fixable, still a nuisance )

[morebaker]

i have a nexus 5 wich was really cheap from google and i like it.

A nexus 6 is a awesome phone but really expensive for what you get.

i do not no what to say maybe a samsung note if you want horespower and screen size

IT just depends if you buy off contract or on.

btw i always buy off contract so maybe one plus one might be up your alley

[Noir Angel]

I'd go with the Nexus 6 if you're happy with a big display, the G4 if you want a medium sized display, I personally would be tipped towards phones that are closer to stock. That said though if you like photography the S6 might be a good bet as the cameras on the new Samsung devices are rumoured to be pretty sweet.

[The Evil Overlord]

If you have the pockets, the htc one m9 comes out the end of this month

[+Random Stranger Subscriber¹]

if you need it right now:

 

get a beater phone,  or get a used g2 for cheap?  then, when G4 or S6 or Z4 comes out, get one of them.

[techbeck]

Get a Moto G.  Little over $100 and would be a good phone to keep as a backup when you get something more high end.