So, my contract had expired almost two years ago, so I went to my cel provider (Claro Puerto Rico... uses GSM so I can use ATT phones) and they actually told me I could select either a Galaxy 5, LG G2 or the new Motorola Maxx. Since I was already using a Moto G, decided to stick with Moto... glad I did!!!

The Maxx is basically an updated Motorola Droid Maxx (Verizon) but for GSM use!
The difference in speed, responsiveness, etc. is awesome.
Still no microSD but I don't mind (comes with 64gb internal)
Battery life is kick-ass (huge ass battery so it better!), battery charges very quick, and all in all, I just love it!

http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_moto_maxx-6779.php

I really think it kicks butt. Specs seem to be better than most of what's out there...

Chipset    Qualcomm Snapdragon 805
CPU    Quad-core 2.7 GHz Krait 450
GPU    Adreno 420

Haven't really tested audio capabilities though since I usually don't use the phone as media player other than watching a couple of vids, etc.

Just another option to consider... if it's priced right!

My subscription with the iPhone 4S 16 gb is ending in a few months.

In general I still think it is a good phone. If I were to switch to a new phone, middle of the range with a slightly larger screen what do you recommend?

In the "no more smart phone" scenario I am considering going for a decent iPad or iPad Mini and a "dumb" phone that is simply functional.

So, my contract had expired almost two years ago, so I went to my cel provider (Claro Puerto Rico... uses GSM so I can use ATT phones) and they actually told me I could select either a Galaxy 5, LG G2 or the new Motorola Maxx. Since I was already using a Moto G, decided to stick with Moto... glad I did!!!

The Maxx is basically an updated Motorola Droid Maxx (Verizon) but for GSM use!
The difference in speed, responsiveness, etc. is awesome.
Still no microSD but I don't mind (comes with 64gb internal)
Battery life is kick-ass (huge ass battery so it better!), battery charges very quick, and all in all, I just love it!

http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_moto_maxx-6779.php

I really think it kicks butt. Specs seem to be better than most of what's out there...

Chipset    Qualcomm Snapdragon 805
CPU    Quad-core 2.7 GHz Krait 450
GPU    Adreno 420

Haven't really tested audio capabilities though since I usually don't use the phone as media player other than watching a couple of vids, etc.

Just another option to consider... if it's priced right!

Moto MAXX and the Droid Turbo are actually my favorite phones if you don't need a MicroSD card slot. GREAT devices and the battery life is absurd.

That being said, you're on on one of two carriers that are definitely getting Project Ara devices later this year, so look out for those . 

Still on the search for a new phone. Found a good source for service, Harbor Mobile. They resell T-Mobile business lines to the public and you are listed as a 'sole proprietor'. Their plans are T-Mobile plans exactly, but $20 cheaper per month. I found out about them on slickdeals on a thread that is quite old, so I'm guessing the service is legitimate and stable.

On the hardware side, I've been exploring offbrand phones like Blu's Studio Energy that just released today. Specs are not so amazing, except the 5000mah battery, but for $149 unlocked it looks reasonable. Most of my data use is on WiFi so LTE is not as important as I originally thought. Also, I'm not a power user, most of my use is webpages, music and audio books, so I'm thinking I can get away with something less powerful. At a price like this I'm willing to forgo wireless charging, though I hope that is a feature that eventually filters down to non-elite phones.

I'm confused about the bands it operates on, and which carriers I can get service with. Any help ZD?

You'll get HSPA+/UMTS support on T-Mobile AND AT&T which means meh internet speeds, but still serviceable (sounds like LTE isn't a priority for you). I get decent performance watching streaming video at medium/low quality on T-Mobile's HSPA+ in my area, but this is dependent on the network performance in your area. I really really like LTE, but I do consume a LOT of data and have a little ADHD when it comes to pages loading instantly and quick downloads when away from wifi networks.

This device looks really good for just basic usage. The screen isn't anyt hing to write home about, performance is meh, and it's not super future proofed with the limited RAM (1GB). For listening to music, browsing the web, and phone functionality, it looks like a good choice. Also, the Android team is dedicated to fitting the OS onto 512GB RAM devices so as long as Blue Studio provides updates, you'll get fresh Android builds over time.

The two biggest worries I have for this phone for you are:
1. Longevity with basic devices is hit or miss. Seems like people have a favorably view of their previous devices so this might not be a problem.
2. I see a couple complaints about mediocre wifi performance. Get it from Amazon with a decent return policy and you'll be set.

If you need a basic device for browsing, this looks solid. Especially if you're planning on gaming, etc from a tablet.

My subscription with the iPhone 4S 16 gb is ending in a few months.

In general I still think it is a good phone. If I were to switch to a new phone, middle of the range with a slightly larger screen what do you recommend?

In the "no more smart phone" scenario I am considering going for a decent iPad or iPad Mini and a "dumb" phone that is simply functional.

If you like Apple devices, why move away from them? The 5S is my favorite phone from them. Audio quality is better and the smaller size makes it more interesting to me.

In terms of middle of the road Android devices, I really like the Moto X if you can live without microSD cards and a mediocre headphone out, the Z3 Compact if you are fine with a 720p screen (I use this and a Nexus 6), the LG G3 and the HTC M8.

Okay so I have been playing around with the Z3c and iPhone 6. While I won`t say which is better since a phone is highly personal, I will say the camera on the Z3 is pretty horrific.

Conclusion? I bought a 5s 

Sounds like the right choice for you

Hey guys, I am getting my hands on a OnePlus One phone 64gb edition since I was one of those folks that got the 20,000 invites for their twitter promotion. I know when it came out it got some serious raves, but it's a year later now. Still worth the $349? I think so, but I'm just one data point. What do you fine folk think?

I still like this phone for $350. Darn good deal for that price if you don't want to deal with contracts.

Give the G Flex 2 some time on the market to see if there are any issues in actual use by real people. I've not seen it in person but will endeavor get ahold of one in the next couple of months to test for a few days to give you a real opinion.

If you're on Verizon, I still love the Droid Turbo.

It's interesting that you're getting crap touch latency with iOS. For years it was one of the biggest advantages Apple's OS had over Android.

What carrier are you on? That makes a big difference in terms of your options.

Zerodeefex, thank you for the tip.

I like the 4S as it still runs smoothly. One of my best friends has told me that the 5S is basically the best iPhone that is still compact enough and does everything you need it to do.

If costs remain an issue for me I consider keeping the 4S as a sim-only phone. I can switch to Android with ease but build quality and bloat ware are things I keep an eye on.

I have a love-hate relationship with smartphones. Nowadays I deal with people who prefer chatting over actual face-to-face conversations regarding important matters. So often people hide behind their screens and I do not want to become one of them. The smartphone rudeness is almost being accepted by some seniors nowadays.