OK, I hit the wall with my old A71 which has been great until recently.

I was planning to replace this year anyway so the acceleration in timing isn't a big deal at all.

What happened was that I got the dreaded vertical green line on it. Then tried all the suggested troubleshooting things short of a factory reset with no luck.

Starting over from factory reset is a huge hassle and I strongly suspect that it's a hardware problem (phone drops, heat, age) that wouldn't fix it anyway.

So now it's time for shopping.

It's got to be a Samsung for me.

I had assumed it was time to go for a flagship this time but started to do some basic research and so far it's all pointing me to the mid range A56.

Probably makes sense as I've been very happy with my mid range A71 and can't blame it because it's aging out now after a very long time for phone.

I can afford a flagship but on the other hand why throw out money for features I won't really use (or need) and also there is the stress of carrying around something that expensive.

Of course the price comparisons depend on the market so that can influence decisions. In other words if something  higher end is not much more money in your local market, it might make more sense to spend more.

I'll probably buy on Lazada from a trusted seller as that's been fine for before.

So this topic is for people in my boat.

Wanting/needing a new Samsung phone choosing among currrent models in THAILAND. Or recent buyers.

Also for those have bought an A56, are you loving it?

 

Samsungs are great. 

I recommend going to a Samsung store so you can actually try the phone and feel it in your hands before buying it.  Samsung makes very fine phones and I've been happy with them for many years now.  Also, they will set it up for you, install the latest software, do the configuration and transfer all your data, apps contacts, messages, etc. from your old phone.

 

Ditch the Samsung, time to move on

Get the latest Galaxy. Treat yourself. 

Get out of Samsung!

 

I was brand-loyal for many years too. I have an S21. It has the green lines (since about 2 days after warranty finished, incidentally) and they just keep spreading. "Customer service" in BKK just actually laughed when I showed them, and agreed there isn't a replacement screen this side of Finland but it would cost B7000 if there were.

 

NB a factory reset does nothing for the screen lines. That screen is history.

 

As someone above said, time to move on. Samsung product and service have both turned to brown stuff.

 

Plus, Android 14, whch I was stuck with after the reset, is CRAP. Screwed half of my apps, moved my settings around and is generally a heap of poo.

 

My next phone will be used (from a relatively trusted local source), android 13 latest and almost inevitably Chinese. But I will NEVER go Samsung agan.

1 hour ago, scubascuba3 said:

Ditch the Samsung, time to move on

I'm not feeling that.

58 minutes ago, EVENKEEL said:

Get the latest Galaxy. Treat yourself. 

A56 is a latest Galaxy.

Perhaps you mean go for the flagship S21 Ultra (Galaxy).

 

29 minutes ago, isaanistical said:

Get out of Samsung!

 

I was brand-loyal for many years too. I have an S21. It has the green lines (since about 2 days after warranty finished, incidentally) and they just keep spreading. "Customer service" in BKK just actually laughed when I showed them, and agreed there isn't a replacement screen this side of Finland but it would cost B7000 if there were.

 

NB a factory reset does nothing for the screen lines. That screen is history.

 

As someone above said, time to move on. Samsung product and service have both turned to brown stuff.

 

Plus, Android 14, whch I was stuck with after the reset, is CRAP. Screwed half of my apps, moved my settings around and is generally a heap of poo.

 

My next phone will be used (from a relatively trusted local source), android 13 latest and almost inevitably Chinese. But I will NEVER go Samsung agan.

I tried Chinese off brands three times before I graduated to Samsung. No thank you.

I agree the screen on my old A71 is toast.

I will admit there is one not Samsung phone that I will consider. Pixel. Based on the recommendation from a friend in the US who switched from Samsung to Pixel. It's not that he doesn't like Samsung but for some reason the Pixel looked like the best value and performance choice when he was last shopping.

9 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I'm not feeling that.

Samsung is on the decline, maybe because quality has gone down, perhaps caused my moving production to other countries. My AC binned, phone binned, I loathe my Samsung TV, looking forward to it dying

Just now, scubascuba3 said:

Samsung is on the decline, maybe because quality has gone down, perhaps caused my moving production to other countries. My AC binned, phone binned, I loathe my Samsung TV, looking forward to it dying

Hilarious.
I love my Samsung tv as well!

I have a new Samsung would highly recommend it.  

 

 

I have a Samsung Galaxy A14, the latest update is terrible, but I suppose you could say that with most phones. 

I used to always buy Iphone but since the samsung S2 i have kept to them
Now got a S24
Had a S20 for 4 years and never had a problem and keep it as a spare
Got a Samung washing machine thats lasted about 10 years

 

Told to keep away from Samsung AC though 

Starting point check out the samsung website as many places on Lazada and Shopee selling over and above the prices that Samsung quote

also look at Galaxy A17 5G released last week ram 8GB storage 128GB/256GB priced with headphones and charger for B7,499 see how that stacks up against your A71

comes with Android 15 and 6 years of os and security updates

On the A series A36 and A56 don't have a microsd slot only available on A26 and below

Top model in A series A56 has monthly updates models below get updates each quarter

3 hours ago, Jingthing said:

so far it's all pointing me to the mid range A56

 

If I had to buy another phone, if I lost my A55...then I would be a fool to buy the A56.

 

The A55 has 12GB of RAM....

And A55 has 256GB of storage....

And, A55 has removable microSD card with expandable storage.  (not available in A56)

A55 is a much better more versatile phone.

 

So, I will not change the A55 for another phone before I die, two decades from now.

 

I would never buy the overpriced GARBAGE Apple is offering to their Chinese customers, mostly.

 

The A55 is a good phone with battery life longer than the A56, so it has been reported.

However, the only thing I would improve is the volume of phone calls.... I think the A55 volume is not as loud as my NOTE4.

 

 

 

6 minutes ago, kwak250 said:

Told to keep away from Samsung AC though 

 

I agree 110 percent.

I would NEVER buy a Samsung AC.

 

Samsung refrigerators and washing machines are good deals for the money.

And, same with Samsung phones.

 

Apple is overpriced GARBAGE that is totally locked down.

Why people buy Apple is crazy.....and unknown.

3 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

If I had to buy another phone, if I lost my A55...then I would be a fool to buy the A56.

 

The A55 has 12GB of RAM....

And A55 has 256GB of storage....

And, A55 has removable microSD card with expandable storage.  (not available in A56)

A55 is a much better more versatile phone.

 

So, I will not change the A55 for another phone before I die, two decades from now.

 

I would never buy the overpriced GARBAGE Apple is offering to their Chinese customers, mostly.

 

The A55 is a good phone with battery life longer than the A56, so it has been reported.

However, the only thing I would improve is the volume of phone calls.... I think the A55 volume is not as loud as my NOTE4.

 

 

 

Security updates will stop. You're being silly.

7 minutes ago, kwak250 said:

I used to always buy Iphone but since the samsung S2 i have kept to them
Now got a S24
Had a S20 for 4 years and never had a problem and keep it as a spare
Got a Samung washing machine thats lasted about 10 years

 

Told to keep away from Samsung AC though 

Absolutely true regarding the Samsung AC, nothing but problems. I have had several Samsung phones, never a problem. The same goes for my Samsung washing machine.

8 minutes ago, vinny41 said:

Starting point check out the samsung website as many places on Lazada and Shopee selling over and above the prices that Samsung quote

also look at Galaxy A17 5G released last week ram 8GB storage 128GB/256GB priced with headphones and charger for B7,499 see how that stacks up against your A71

comes with Android 15 and 6 years of os and security updates

On the A series A36 and A56 don't have a microsd slot only available on A26 and below

Top model in A series A56 has monthly updates models below get updates each quarter

Yeah the build quality on the A56 is better.

Of course always shop around for prices.

I find that I don't use SD cards on phones so not an issue for me. 

I'm not looking for the cheapest but even though I can afford it the expense of an S21 Ultra seems kind of silly for what more it would actually bring me. 

Any opinions on Google Pixels?

Bought one for my 16-year-old daughter in June — it hasn’t left her hand since.
Reasonably priced, runs the latest One UI 7 / Android 15 with Gemini AI, and comes with six years of updates — better than most rivals in this range.
Picked it up at Telewiz with a ฿1,000 discount.
She had an iPhone before, but is happier with this

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Security updates will stop. You're being silly.

 

You always say I am being silly when I am not, and not saying I am silly when I am.

 

Anyway, this time, I am not.

 

A55 updates will last through

54 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

A56 is a latest Galaxy.

Perhaps you mean go for the flagship S21 Ultra (Galaxy).

 

S21 Ultra? Is this post from 50 minutes or 5 years ago?
 

I’m in the Apple camp (can’t be bothered to move everything I have there to the other side) but if I wasn’t, I’d go Oppo

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Security updates will stop. You're being silly.

 

Now who is being silly????

 

 

 

FIVE YEARS FROM NOW...I will find a much better phone for less.....

No Problemo....

1 minute ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

You always say I am being silly when I am not, and not saying I am silly when I am.

 

Anyway, this time, I am not.

 

A55 updates will last through

As I said, they will stop. 

3 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

I agree 110 percent.

I would NEVER buy a Samsung AC.

 

Samsung refrigerators and washing machines are good deals for the money.

And, same with Samsung phones.

 

Apple is overpriced GARBAGE that is totally locked down.

Why people buy Apple is crazy.....and unknown.

I only hear good things about Apple phones quality wise, but I had an Ipod years ago and decided never to get another Apple product as their proprietary policies are bloody inconvenient and annoying.

3 minutes ago, GammaGlobulin said:

 

Now who is being silly????

 

 

 

FIVE YEARS FROM NOW...I will find a much better phone for less.....

No Problemo....

You're arguing for the sake of arguing. 

4 minutes ago, SamSpade said:

S21 Ultra? Is this post from 50 minutes or 5 years ago?
 

I’m in the Apple camp (can’t be bothered to move everything I have there to the other side) but if I wasn’t, I’d go Oppo

Sorry. Correct -- number outdated.

But you know what I mean.

The current S XX Ultra model.

Expensive.

Hard to justify.

Check out the Samsung website to see if you can trade your old phone in?... 

I just bought an S25+ on sale and they gave me an additional 6k off for trading in my 5 yo S20...

 

You might look at the S24FE... The new S25FE will be  released next week and my bet if you can get a great clearance price for the S24FE...