Looking for a smartphone

[RikuoAmero]

Hey guys,

I built my gaming rig about two weeks ago and so far since then, its been running like a dream. The only thing I don't like is the fact I can't put in my sound card but I'm not gonna complain. I've installed and played Batman Arkham City, was playing it on the absolutely highest settings (Fullscreen 1080p, V Sync, 32x Nvidia CSAA, DirectX 11 MVSS and HBAO (dunno what those are) with Tessellation on High, and everything else on highest. I've completed the main storyline, and gotta say, its a cracker of a game, there is nothing really worth complaining about (I personally would have liked to play as Robin/Nightwing in the city, but gameplay wise, they would have played too similar to Batman, so I can see why they're just in the challenge modes).

On Friday, I'm going to do some benchmarks, will do some videos and will upload them. Just note, they will be recorded with my handheld camera, I'm not going to do Fraps because that will lower my FPS. I'm going to do benchmarks of Arkham City, Crysis 2, Skyrim (if there's a benchmark program, please let me know where!) and maybe a few others that you guys can suggest to me.

Okay, on with the purpose of this thread. I'm now interested in getting a smartphone. Please note, I have never had a smartphone before, I've only ever used dumbphones. Because of Apple's "Must Control Everything" attitude, I'm leaning in the direction of Android. So, a few questions

1) What is the best Android smartphone I can get for maybe a few hundred quid?

2) How easy is it to hack/root it?

3) Are there any Android apps that will let my computer communicate with the phone via Bluetooth (my motherboard has bluetooth built in). I'm interested in using the phone as a temperature display while I'm doing some high end gaming.

4) I can buy a sim card separate for my chosen mobile network, can't I? Here in Ireland, we have Vodafone, O2, Meteor, Emobile and Tesco Mobile as the biggest mobile networks. I can buy the smartphone without a sim card, meaning I can get the sim card seperate and just go pay as you go (I don't want to be stuck with a monthly bill, since I rarely call people).

[Kasoivc]

I can't really say much since I'm a new android user myself, but I dished out about $300 for my Droid Razr (For another $100 I could've gotten the Maxx, which all the difference I was told was a MUCH larger battery capacity; and I've seen how long it lasts, and for $100 it might be one hell of a deal; but like all tech-savvy people, technology always moves forward and prices on older parts always deteriorate so in theory, I'm waiting out my contract before I mess with any of the hardware; I've seen videos on how to get the stock battery out and use a Maxx's battery + case to increase batter power.)

I like it so far, I have not rooted it yet but since I own a Ipod Touch 3g (Which I have Jailbroken) I honestly don't know what apps to put on my Razr. It does have an HDMI capability, and it does have bluetooth capability - however I don't know how that works. I currently pay $50 for all of my share in my family's Verizon Family Plan (I joined during a Double Data Promotion so I pay for 2gb and get 4gb, $25 for data and 25$ for my share of service; i.e. unlimited text/xxx amount of minutes during the day for a month).

It also has an extremely high quality camera, I'll have to check how much MP but I know it's capable of catching my cat with her eyes open when she's running around being wild, which was pretty hard with my old phone which was a pretty basic data phone.

My brother owns a Droid X (as a result of my previous phone upgrade) and he's got that thing rooted for over a year or two now. Only thing that my Razr tops on it is probably the new hardware; possibly a better battery otherwise they're practically similar as a result from being off the Motorola line.

As far as applications; I prefer android for more day-to-day use since I've come across apps that keep track of day to day activities, I picked up a Gas Station App that apparently many folks around here use, constantly updated gas prices tell me where to go to get the cheapest gas. (Three cents builds up after awhile. That makes the difference between a few extra gallons of gas every month.)

[Subman®]

http://forum.xda-developers.com/index.php is the hub of all things Droid IMHO. I have the HTC Incredible which is now long in the tooth by todays standards. So I will upgrade it soon. However I use this site to get mods and Roms. I also research other potential replacement phones at it. Look around and see what may suit you and read the opinions.

[ZeroPenguins]

^O.o lol he asked for a smart phone.

If you can grab a Galaxy S II, it's has one of best hardware in any smart phone, if you can't since it's too expensive I say grab the Nexus S since it's still a good phone, even the old Galaxy S is still decent. Any Android phone is easy to root, but the question comes down to how popular it is among developers. By developers I mean if you want the latest android version or a better ROM/customization options you have to get a popular phone. Because they tend to last more in the long run. Also there probably is already an app for that (computer temperatures), since I got this OBD app for my car with bluetooth and works like a dream. Shows air temps, coolant temps, oil temps, air intake, fuel mixture, mpg, RPM, error codes, speed, etc etc.

Yes any unlocked phone you can use any sims, as long as the band is supported by the mobile network, but lucky most smart phones are in quad band so you can use it any country.

Nice about your computer, FRAP does benchmarks and it doesn't reduce FPS only when it records. Many people use FRAPs to benchmark the FPS in games.

[RikuoAmero]

^O.o lol he asked for a smart phone.

If you can grab a Galaxy S II, it's has one of best hardware in any smart phone, if you can't since it's too expensive I say grab the Nexus S since it's still a good phone, even the old Galaxy S is still decent. Any Android phone is easy to root, but the question comes down to how popular it is among developers. By developers I mean if you want the latest android version or a better ROM/customization options you have to get a popular phone. Because they tend to last more in the long run. Also there probably is already an app for that (computer temperatures), since I got this OBD app for my car with bluetooth and works like a dream. Shows air temps, coolant temps, oil temps, air intake, fuel mixture, mpg, RPM, error codes, speed, etc etc.

Yes any unlocked phone you can use any sims, as long as the band is supported by the mobile network, but lucky most smart phones are in quad band so you can use it any country.

Nice about your computer, FRAP does benchmarks and it doesn't reduce FPS only when it records. Many people use FRAPs to benchmark the FPS in games.

Thanks, I'll set my eyes on the Galaxy S II, although I think I heard they're releasing a new phone soon.

[ZeroPenguins]

Yep Galaxy S III is coming out very soon, it's gonna be a quad core and might cost over 700 dollars at first. The Galaxy S II you can find for around 450 dollars so it isn't that bad.

[OriginOfWaves]

u also might want to check out the Galaxy Note smartphone

[megaman007]

Honestly, I'd be looking at Motorola's offerings, Motorola tends to build quality phones and they always get great reception.

[Badguys]

u also might want to check out the Galaxy Note smartphone

Samsung is always good in the technology sector, but that's just me.

[albin1997536]

i had an galaxy S3 and after it got stolen i bought and S4, i definitely recommend any of them. i had no problems with neither of them and the S4's screen is even better than my PC's led screen so it awesome for youtube and it got a fast processor so you can play almost any phone game or game emulator without any lag at all.