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I usually skim these threads looking for tips for a phone like this. I'm actually thinking of buying the iPhone 12 mini because I haven't seen anything else like it. Something that's important to me is a good camera and long support (I don't care to change my phone every year) or else I'd just get one of the ~200 usd cheap phones.

I pretty much have the same requirements you do, aside from the audio jack, because I actually enjoy not having to deal with the wires. I don't use the headphones for long periods at a time, so battery life isn't an issue. Bonus points for audio quality being good when I use them on my shitty HP laptop.

Don't think there really is anyone other than Apple that actually offers any kind of longer-term support.

I was looking at the Android One thing, which on paper is supposed to provide exactly that. I'm not following this scene particularly closely, but I've seen somewhere that this program is unlikely to continue for too long...

I've considered 12 mini too, but... I'm too addicted to the openness of (a rooted) Android: I can delete whatever I want and potentially get a bootloop, I can throttle the CPU and GPU so the phone isn't a hot potato in my hands while surfing or get critical screen minutes when I can't charge the phone, I can have whatever files I want on the storage and managing them from PC is as easy as managing the USB flash drive. Plus the whole CSAM thing is just beyond my understanding.

But I do enjoy wireless headphones with PC at home, it's quite handy to be able to talk at the daily meeting while making a coffee or watering the plants :)

I understand the openness angle, but personally, I don't feel it with my phone. To me, it's basically an appliance. I have next to no apps installed. I only use it to call people, listen to music, take pictures and as a GPS (on a motorcycle, so its being waterproof is important).

I currently own an iPhone 7, but before that I had multiple Galaxy Ss, each with a custom mod. The iPhone is the first one I don't get the itch to modify. It just gets out of my way. The Samsung android install would always end up getting on my nerves. That's why I'm actively avoiding Samsung phones now, and I'm looking at models with Android One or that can easily support some aftermarket ROM. Trouble is, my hardware requirements (good camera + waterproof) pretty much exclude those phones...

I got to use briefly some iphones starting from 3GS, and honestly, I like how smooth they feel in day-to-day usage, but the biggest drawbacks for me is absence of full featured adblocker (ublock origin), itunes hassle, and no alternative way to install apps (app store only).

I also consider my phone to be a pretty dumb tool, but I also occasionally browse web and do banking with it, so I'd love to use iphone if Jailbreak wasn't so fragile. Instead, I have to set the phone aside myself from the scratch :)

For ad blocking, 1Blocker has been the best for a while: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/1blocker-ad-blocker-privacy/id...

iTunes is dead and its "Music" replacement doesn't need to be used for the phone anymore anyway.

App Store is the only main constraint.

Get the iPhone 12 mini -- you won't regret it. It's a safe assumption that most HN members spend a lot of time on their computers, so their phone should embody what a mobile device truly is: a very small, mobile computing device. Why have a big one if you're operating a big computing device most of the day, anyway?

My mini is so transparent to me, I often have to check if it's still in my pocket, and I absolutely love that. It has the same computing and photography capabilities as the larger iPhone, so you don't miss out on any of those benefits either.

I've been waiting for this size device for years, and it's sad to hear they apparently don't sell well. It's the best iPhone I've ever owned.

The 12 mini is my favorite iPhone since the 5. I’d definitely recommend it if you think you might like it.

How about just no front facing camera? Why do we need a camera pointed at our faces constantly whenever we use our devices? For someone who never takes selfies, the whole concept is absurd

I find it particularly useful for video calls - both social and work. I agree I use it for little else, so a cheaper lens/sensor would suffice.

Pixel 4a is as close as I know of, albeit 5.8" screen. $350 is hard to argue with, too.

Cutout and fingerprint scanner on the back is the hard pass for me, unfortunately. I had been exposed to the phones that didn't have to sacrifice usability so the normies can enjoy 5% more screen space of a IG/TikTok content

You should be able to hide the notch on most phones [1]

Dedicated fingerprint scanners on the front are gone, and won't be coming back. A dedicated fingerprint on the back is the next best thing, as they are fast and super reliable. The alternative, under-display fingerprint scanners are much wonkier. There are some phones with side fingerprint scanners, but they are not so common.

I've avoided big phones as long as possible, but you get used to larger phones pretty quickly. Just get an accessory that helps to use with one hand, e.g. a ring case.

You'll have to compromise on one aspect or another, sooner or later.

The closest phones for your requirements are Sony Xperia 5 III (available Sep/2021), Asus Zenfone 8 and the Pixel 4a.

1. https://mashtips.com/hide-display-notch-and-cutouts-on-pixel...

By them just existing (hiding options and ring cases) it is evident, perhaps in the most ironic way, that notches and enormous dimensions are fucking dumb and user-hostile.

Notches are irritating people so much devs have to include option to make them less irritating. Phones got so fat and large that it is impossible to not drop them, and case manufacturers descended from the above with ring cases (do you have to get engaged to the smartphone these days?)

Fingerprints on the back make no sense to me precisely because of how I'm using the phone: it rests with screen upwards within my vision range while I'm working, and when I see the LED blip (I also can't wrap my head around that most phones don't have LED anymore and instead light up the whole fucking screen on any notification), I double tap the screen to see if it's important, if it is, I put finger on my super reliable and fast fingerprint on the front, and resolve whatever "emergency" with just one finger. If we talking fingerprint on the back, I have to either always place the phone screen downwards and rely on sound/vibration, or exercise in heavy lifting.

I'm content with fingerprint on the side because it allows to have the same workflow as before, although I'd have to unlock the phone with two fingers at least. I share your distaste to the underscreen fingerprints because I've experienced myself how slow and unreliable they are.

I'm leaning towards Xperia 5 II because some time ago I've bought Z5 mini for mom and she's been using it with much pleasure. 5 III seemingly is locked 4K and I doubt it will result in a respectable SOT

It's probably a good habit to put your phone facing down, or even far away when you're working, and only check it periodically every hour or two. [1]

If there are any urgent/important notifications/calls you need to deal with urgently, consider using something like PushBullet to mirror them on your computer.

The Xperia 5 III resolution is 1080x2520 [2]

1. https://www.njlifehacks.com/smartphone-productivity/

2. https://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_5_iii-10851.php

>The Xperia 5 III is 1080p

I must've confused it with other model, the naming on this series is atrocious, thanks for clearing that out!

>It's probably a good habit to put your phone facing down

I'm not really bothered by the smartphone addiction, in fact, my daily usage is 2 hours at most, where half an hour is reading before the sleep and the rest is me using it outdoors

> Notches are irritating people so much devs have to include option to make them less irritating.

No, I think they've always been optional. I quite like it - Android just puts the usual top bar up a bit higher than before, with the notch in the middle, and then the app just gets a big screen to occupy. Doesn't work so well in landscape mode, but I don't really use that.

Conversely, fingerprint sensor on the back is very convenient if you mostly carry the phone in your pocket, and only occasionally pull it out - it's very easy and convenient to hit it with your finger as you do so.

>(5 inch or less)

The iPhone 12 mini, at 5.4" is already smaller than the iPhone SE at 4.7". Which means it is actually the smallest iPhone in the lineup. And is actually smaller than your Z2.

I dont like the notch, but it isn't much of a concern during usage, especially when iOS has left right swipe down short cut.

I do sort of wish ( or at least used to wish, now I am figuring out how to move off Apple ) Apple made a iPhone SE with what you said, place camera and speaker above the screen and uses Touch ID on the side. i.e a slightly taller iPhone 12 mini with Touch ID instead.

And not just a decent camera, decent camera software is needed as well.

are you me!?

I'm glad we're not alone :)