Dream Superphone (2017)

This is my response to this article from Droid Life

Nick T
Nick T
Aug 25, 2017 · 2 min read

I don’t think I want anything that doesn’t already exist. Here’s the full, long list with each feature annotated with the OEM who has released (or plans to release) a commercial smartphone with the feature.

  • LG V30 body (dimensions, screen size, & construction) [LG]
  • 4K HDR AMOLED (we have 1440p AMOLED and 4K LCD (Xperia XZ Premium)… 4K AMOLED can’t be far behind). [Samsung [AMOLED characteristics]/LG [HDR]/Sony [4K HDR]]
  • STRETCH GOAL: whatever magic is in the screen of the RED HYDROGEN [RED]
  • S-Pen functionality or equivalent [Samsung]
  • Stock Android look + software tweaks to support added features [Moto/Essential]
  • Android OS platform updates same-day as Pixel/Nexus (hey, you said dream!) [Google]
  • 64+ GB of internal storage [All]
  • microSD slot [Samsung/LG/HTC/ZTE/Moto/etc]
  • water resistance [Samsung/LG/Apple]
  • headphone jack with upgraded DAC [LG]
  • NFC with Android Pay support [All]
  • Latest Bluetooth (Currently 5.0) [Samsung/HTC]
  • Wireless charging (Qi + PWA + latest “fast” standard) [Samsung]
  • Latest Quick Charge standard (currently QC 4+) [ZTE]
  • STRETCH GOAL: Removable battery (not sure we can fit this into the V30 body, but it would be very nice) [LG 2016]
  • IR blaster [LG 2016]
  • dual speakers (perhaps like the Essential phone with the top and bottom slits VERY tiny) [ZTE 2016]
  • Daydream support [Pixel/Samsung/ZTE]
  • GearVR support [Samsung]
  • Type-C connector with the latest USB standard (Currently USB 3.1 but 3.2 is on the horizon) [Samsung/LG]
  • SlimPort support (with latest HDMI standard, currently 2.1) [LG]
  • DeX support or equivalent [Samsung]
  • Modular expandability. Essential’s wireless “2 pin” seems like the best implementation [Moto/Essential]
  • 360 camera add-on [Moto/Essential]
  • Dual rear cameras, both individually at least iPhone/Pixel/GS8 quality, one normal FOV and one super wide-angle [Samsung (quality)/LG [configuration])
  • Lightning fast camera launching from locked state [Samsung]
  • 960 FPS video recording [Sony]
  • Dual front-facing cameras, again one portrait length and one wide angle, equivalent or better to current market leader [LG 2015]
  • Innovation Required: Great support for switching between the 4 cameras, even in apps that don’t natively support it.
  • Fingerprint scanner in the middle of the back [LG/HTC/Pixel/ZTE/Huawei/etc]
  • Very fast fingerprint readout [Huawei/Apple]
  • STRETCH GOAL: fingerprint scanner underneath display (Qualcomm tech) [Vivo]
  • STRETCH GOAL: Project Tango support [Lenovo/ASUS]
  • STRETCH GOAL: Dual SIM support without giving up the microSD slot [Sony]
  • STRETCH GOAL: WiGig support for wireless HDMI @ 4K60 [Saygus]
  • 3000+ mAh battery (more is better!) [All]
  • Cutting edge network support (600 MHz for T-Mobile, Gigabit LTE upcoming) [Samsung/LG]

Whew! I know it’s a long list, but every feature is on one phone or another. The reality is I’m pretty comfortable with big phones so I’ll tolerate the dimensions of the LG V20 or maybe even a little bit larger if it gets me everything on the list. Any extra space can go into more battery.

How much would I pay? $999 for sure, but if it actually hits the whole list I could probably do $1200+. Now, let’s see how funny this list looks in 4 years…

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