[aembleton]

With Android there is such a huge choice of different phones that you can find one close to the one you'd like. Many people would like a thin high resolution display and don't care about many of the things you care about. They can buy different phones to you.

Personally, I agree with your requirements and as a result have settled for the 2GB version of the Moto G (3rd gen) http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_moto_g_(3rd_gen)-7247.php

Sadly, the 4th generation isn't waterproof. So far I'm happy with it and as is it is close to stock should get updates sooner.

[mey]

After Motorola got sold to Lenovo by Google, I have not recieved a single software update for my moto x 2014

Killed the brand in my eyes

[pjmlp]

Google is no better for their own phones with their 2 year update window.

And good luck if a manufacturer decides to breach contract, e.g. TI, they won't enforce the updates.

[mey]

This honestly in general has me leery of Android as an ecosystem in general. I also don't like iOS's approach in other realms either. So it's essentially stuck between a rock and a hard place.

[Laforet]

In general avoid obscure models, more popular hardware generally have much better community support and development. Having an unlockable bootloader is a bonus but not essential in all cases.

[mey]

That's why I bought a Motorola flagship phone when they were owned by Google, with very few custom OS changes beyond ASOP... I've been bitten at least once by most mfgs at this point, HTC, Motorola, Samsung.

[smnscu]

The hardware is great, especially given the price, but I've never seen so many weird bugs and glitches (it's my first Android phone, funny enough). I've repeatedly had photos not saved, or corrupted, or otherwise other stuff fail randomly (my favorite is "Unfortunately, Android System has stopped"). The karate chop motion for the flashlight is brilliant, but triggers very randomly. Overall you just get an annoying feeling that you can't rely on this phone. My next phone will most likely be running iOS again.

[mastazi]

Are you using an SD card? Try replacing it, that may be the culprit. I'm saying that because:

1- Those seem to be storage-related issues

2- I've had that phone for a long time and the only issues I had were due to a HW failure in my SD (which I then replaced).

Also, when you insert a new SD choose the "portable storage" mode because in my experience it tends to be more reliable.

[XJOKOLAT]

Totally with you. Easily the best phone I've had. Unbelievably durable (I cracked 2 HTC and 1 iphone screen before this), waterproof, does the job I need it to do. Not ugly. Inexpensive. Reliable. Hope it lasts forever. It's so durable, it might.

[geofft]

> With Android there is such a huge choice of different phones that you can find one close to the one you'd like.

Except that that variety seems to be disappearing. The smallest Androids on the market are larger than the iPhone 5 / SE. The only Android currently on the market with a keyboard is the BlackBerry Priv, which is pretty high-end (and awkwardly sized). There are very few phones with removable batteries. And so forth.