Budget 20-25K Smartphone with great audio via 3.5mm out

BIKeINSTEIN

BIKeINSTEIN

Skilled
I am looking at buying a new phone for use as an audio source primarily.
  • Has to offer great (and as neutral as possible) audio quality via 3.5mm out, out-of-the-box
  • Should have enough volume/driving power as is, without requiring an additional amp. A phone with another box banded to it is not too appealing, especially inside the pant pockets.
  • Doesn't matter much if Android/WP8 but prefer Android.
  • Price is not a big issue but 20K-25k is what i am considering mainly. If there's something aavailable for less, superb. If there is something pricier for minimal gain, depends on other features. If there is something significantly better for more, worth considering.
  • Other notes: Want to avoid SAMOLED but Galaxy S3 might be one of top the contenders, so not stressing much on that.
Please help. :)
 
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Yes, I too have considered getting an iPhone 4S.
From whatever little i could understand from gsmarena reviews, the 4S is definitely one of the best, if not the best and better than the 5 too.
It also offers maximum volume with most not-too-demanding HPs/IEMs i think.

I have to use 2 phones and that's why checking if there is something as good or better from the Android or WP8 camps.

2 suggestions i have till now from a few friends are the Samsung Galaxy S3 and the Oppo Find 5
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_i9300_galaxy_s_iii-4238.php
http://www.gsmarena.com/oppo_find_5-5161.php
terence_fdes said:
Err I yam curious n interested in knowing why " AUDIO" is an absolute priority ?
Click to expand...
To be used as a portable audio player, so as not to miss calls while travelling or maybe using at work.
vivek.krishnan said:
Samsung S, Captivate, S3. They have Wolfson DACs. Some say that HTC Beats too - but that's a software solution.
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S3 (non-US) has a Wolfson DAC chip too i think.
Note II uses Wolfson too?
How to check/confirm if an S3 uses the Wolfson DAC?

A liitle off-topic but i found this online while checking up on the Wolfson pages. Cute little thing. :p
http://www.sharp.co.jp/products/sh07d/index.html#prContent

SH-06E and SH-07E on their product page- Wolfson and nice specs overall :)
http://k-tai.sharp.co.jp/lineup/docomo/
 
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BIKeINSTEIN said:
Note II uses Wolfson too?
Click to expand...
Yeah looks like the Note II and even the SIII has a Wolfson DAC (WM1811) inside. The company has mentioned this on their press release:

The GALAXY Note 10.1 and the GALAXY Note II are the latest Samsung devices to feature Wolfson’s audio technology inside, with Samsung having previously designed Wolfson’s Audio Hubs into several of its leading-edge smartphones including its best-selling Samsung GALAXY S III, and its earlier Wave and GALAXY S smartphones.
Click to expand...

http://www.wolfsonmicro.com/media_c...dio_to_samsung_galaxy_note_10.1_and_samsung_/
 
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OK... Not starting a new thread but please help

Need a phone with the following-
4.6-4.8" screen
IPS or similar (colour accurate) screen (No SAMOLED)
microSD slot
removable battery
fast dual or decent quad core CPU
1GB RAM min, preferably 2GB

What are my choices? :p
 
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BIKeINSTEIN said:
OK... Not starting a new thread but please help

Need a phone with the following-
4.6-4.8" screen
IPS or similar (colour accurate) screen (No SAMOLED)
microSD slot
removable battery
fast dual or decent quad core CPU
1GB RAM min, preferably 2GB

What are my choices? :p
Click to expand...

I think you should go with whatever is the equivalent of Nexus 4 from LG, Optimus something. It should have similar specs, with the micrpSD slot.
 
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I would not either, but there are loads of people here with ibasso amps, DAC fiddlers etc.

Since he wants audio then getting clear audio out regardless of the phone and then tweaking it as you like might be attractive. Just needs to work out which phones output clear audio through USB and work with OTG.

What got me on this path is some phones put out 48khz instead of 44khz. They upsample. Finding out which do and don't is tricky. I heard the S4 does this despite having a wolfson DAC. Now why would samsung go and do that.
 
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Thanks guys. No USB+OTG DAC for now.
Some people have good success with Note2 as read on HeadFi.
Not that i might be able to differentiate between the AQ of a Nexus4 and S3 but knowing it's better out-of-the-box helps maybe. :p
 
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