Phone "dangerously full", but how do I deal with it?

[Andy in Germany]

Fluff in the charging socket? A cocktail stick or other non electric conducting tool that’s small enough to get in there usually does the job.

Another more determined attack with a fine poking stick and the magnifier unearthed some fluff and it seems to have helped for now...

However, the Google phone is still being awkward. This is less important as it's been unreliable for so long it has already been relegated to "camera and podcasts" status, but I was hoping the magnetic charger would halp.

 

[Alex321]

Another question for those more electronically savvy than I, which is to say pretty much everyone.


My "smart" phone is increasingly reluctant to notice that I've plugged a charging cable, but once said cable is in place and sufficiently waggled about, it generally works. It has been suggested that I get one of those newfangled magnetic chargers to try and reduce the problem.


I suppose it would be too simple for this to be usable for data as well?

Indeed. The wireless chargers are only for charging. And they only work if your phone can deal with it. If it is a "not very high end" Samsung, it likely can't.

Mine can, my wife's can't. Mine is a Galaxy S24, hers is an A25 5G.

 

[ColinJ]

I find wireless charging very handy. It saves wear and tear on the phone's USB socket from repeatedly inserting and removing cable plugs.

As for fluff... I got my previous phone (a Pixel 5) at a bargain price because the microphone didn't work. That problem turned out to be caused by fluff in the microphone socket!

 

[Andy in Germany]

Refurbished Samsung then with bigger storage and better camera?

Yes, but if you go for a slightly older model, refurbished or second hand on ebay, you can limit the amount of money you would need to spend. You can get the space and a better phone without having to spaff a grand on the latest iphone :-) I'm using a Pixel 7 pro which is excellent and cost £800 when new. They are down to around £250 on ebay. PIxel 4a around £75 - still 128gb of storage. Similar reductions will be available on Samsung. Samsung Galaxy A5 has 128Gb - it's about £25.

The recommendation from the local independent phone shop was a Samsung A7 (?) or later, as that has the better camera and better parts. His opinion on Pixels was all show and no substance: nice camera, but things like the charging plug were cheap tat and couldn't be fixed. Is that a reasonable summary?

 

[Andy in Germany]

Egads, I've read the last post and realised the true horror of the situation...

I've become the sort of person that discusses 'smart' phone prices online.

 

[ColinJ]

The recommendation from the local independent phone shop was a Samsung A7 (?) or later, as that has the better camera and better parts. His opinion on Pixels was all show and no substance: nice camera, but things like the charging plug were cheap tat and couldn't be fixed. Is that a reasonable summary?

I really liked my Pixel 5. The main reason that I have upgraded to a Pixel 8 is that support for the 5 has now stopped. Google will update the 8 until at least 2030. It is even better than the 5.

The cameras in both are great.

I like the size of both phones. They are not as big as many modern phones - biggish, but not huge.

Oh, and the 5 didn't seem to support wifi-calling, which was a pain when I visited my sister's reception blackspot cottage in Devon. The 8 does support it.

The 5's screen was a bit difficult to read in bright sunlight. That is less of an issue on the 8, which got a big boost in maximum brightness.

The phones have much less unwanted software ('bloatware') preinstalled than other types such as Samsungs. Google put clean Android on their phones, and they get updated as soon as new security fixes are available.

As for the USB socket... I treat them as vulnerable on every device I own. I have problems on many different devices from different manufacturers. Wireless charging deals with that issue. Sockets should be okay for occasional use but assume that all will fail eventually if you use them often enough.

The Pixels are the first phones that I owned and actually liked rather than just put up with.

The 8 is quick loading apps such as Amazon which are very slow on the Samsung tablet that I am typing on now.

The 8 has just had an update which lets the phone stop charging at 80%, which is good practice for conserving battery life. Constantly charging a Li-ion battery to 100% dramatically shortens its life. Now I can just leave the phone sitting on the wireless charger and pick it up to use it. If I am going to be away from the house for a long time I might charge to 100% just beforehand. By protecting the battery I am hoping that this phone will last me until end of support in 2030.

 

[icowden]

The recommendation from the local independent phone shop was a Samsung A7 (?) or later, as that has the better camera and better parts. His opinion on Pixels was all show and no substance: nice camera, but things like the charging plug were cheap tat and couldn't be fixed. Is that a reasonable summary?

I think there *may* be some bias. I've had pixels right from the Pixel 3 and never had an issue with the usb port on any of them. Worst fault I've had is a smashed screen, but that was my own fault for using the phone before the case arrived (well partly google for making the phone exterior out of butter apparently).

I did have a samsung (still have it in a draw) but the amount of bloatware always annoyed me. I've much preferred having the original, uncontaminated version of android, and getting the OS updates first, which is why I've stuck with them. The Pixel's camera is superb, although the Samsung is usually pretty close and often does better in portraits. Pixel tends to be better with distance. There isn't much between them though. If you like the Samsung customised android UI they are great phones.

My least favourite phones are Apple because they are so bl**dy difficult to work with. Just copying a photo to the PC via USB is turned into a major operation. Upgrading to a new phone is a pain and things don't get copied across properly. In comparison android is a dream. All my passkeys, 2fa authentication, etc get copied across properly (with the exception of Microsoft authenticator because Microsoft are a pain in the posterior).

 

[Gwylan]

I used several.

Not good then. Sorry.

 

[Gwylan]

Don't ignore Motorola in any beauty contest. They are generally good value and perform.
Unless you want the very latest features, things that other people tell you are very important

 

[ColinJ]

Don't ignore Motorola in any beauty contest. They are generally good value and perform.
Unless you want the very latest features, things that other people tell you are very important

I didn't realise that they were still making phones!

I considered buying one of theirs years ago, but I forget which model.

 

[Gwylan]

I didn't realise that they were still making phones!

I considered buying one of theirs years ago, but I forget which model.

Well they had a dark period. But the brand is back.
I reckon on a 2 year life, before I drop it, drown it or ride over it.
But at £100 a piece it beats some Mickey Mouse deal from the usual cowboys.