samsung is the only smartphone manufacturer that still makes phones (though not many) with all the features I want: microSD slot, dual physical sim, side-mounted fingerprint reader, headphone jack, nfc, and regular (long-lasting) security updates

they also have service centers pretty much everywhere in the world, so I can always get my phone fixed (for a reasonable price, as a result of their ubiquity) if and when I inevitably break it

would I also prefer the option to unlock my bootloader? yes. if I'm honest with myself, is it a deal-breaker? sadly, no, I no longer use custom ROMs

▲ cosmic_cheese 8 days ago | parent | next [-]

They seem to skip some years when bringing updated models to the US for some reason, but Sony Xperia phones check most of these boxes. I have an Xperia 1 V that I use as an app dev test device and as a backup phone and have found it pretty nice. The hardware feels great and their Android build isn’t nearly as junked up as Samsung’s. I’m always surprised they aren’t more popular.

	▲	8 days ago \| parent [-]
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▲ jjani 8 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Which of their phones have all of these?

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spankibalt 8 days ago | parent | next [-]

There are no smartphones or pocket computers that tick these boxes anymore, since general-purpose computing is an anathema to the modern, specialized enshittification slop. For a modern device to serve most, if not all, relevant features, it takes a company that is built around principles that go beyond just shareholder satisfaction. You see the dilemma...

AFAIR, the Samsung Galaxy Note9 was the last device that deserved to be called general-purpose pocket computer. EMR stylus, 3.5 mm audio, mSD card slot, USB-C 3.1, good CPU, adequate memory for the time (8 GB), good cameras. If you're willing to forgive the non-removable battery, the only suck was the screen if you were sensitive to PWM, especially with regards to lower flicker frequencies.

Alas, seven years ago Samsung got the itch and divorced from good pocket computer design. The Note9 seems almost like an accident, given Samsung's market policies of today.

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catlikesshrimp 8 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

https://m.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a06-13265.php This year, no NFC.

https://m.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_a15-12637.php Last year, but they removed 3.5mm this year

That I know, in Latin America, they don't have all that anymore. And there is only one left with 3.5mm.

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jjani 8 days ago | parent [-]

That's what I expected, especially the 3.5 mention made me suspicious.

	▲	bjord 7 days ago \| parent [-]
		check out the XCover line, though apparently this year's model makes you choose between fingerprint and headphone jack (XCover7 vs XCover7 Pro) you do give up a lot camera-wise, though

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DuncanCoffee 8 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

I have an xcover 6 pro with dual sim, 3.5 jack, removable battery and micro sd support, it works great (except buying an original battery is not super easy). I know the 7 is out too but I think its reviews were worse on amazon

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dotancohen 8 days ago | parent | prev [-]

Other than the side mounted fingerprint meter, I replaced my Note 10 Lite with another Note 10 Lite because it had all the other features.

	▲	jjani 8 days ago \| parent [-]
		Yup, and it was released 6 years ago and is no longer getting security updates.

▲ dotancohen 8 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

  > samsung is the only smartphone manufacturer that still makes phones (though not many) with all the features I want

Not to mention the built-in EMR stylus. That makes such a difference in using the device, I cannot believe they are not more common. And they are a terrific backup for the not unusual case of a broken screen being unresponsive.

▲ sva_ 8 days ago | parent | prev [-]

> microSD slot

That stopped from S21 on.

> side-mounted fingerprint reader

It is in the screen since S10?

> headphone jack

Not since S20.

Just speaking of the Galaxys of course.

	▲	bjord 7 days ago \| parent [-]
		you're just speaking of the Galaxy S line, there are at least four other Galaxy lines, some of which dropped these features only this year and one of which has all of them (XCover), though it looks like this year's release makes you choose between fingerprint and headphone jack (XCover7 vs XCover7 Pro)