which phone for playback? (1 Viewer)

Never had a "modern" phone before, but hoping to finally get one for Christmas.

I'm told an android one, whatever that means. Having failed to see more birds than is fashionable on a recent trip to Peru, I've decided it's time I stopped trying to find birds by the time-honoured caveman method, and started using playback like everyone else! Any advice welcome on what phone to get. What I want is one that is capable of pumping out bird calls loud enough to attract them, without having to attach an additional speaker.

Many thanks,

Larryosaurus

Most Samsung smartphones do the trick for songbirds. For big birds like chicken I use Bluetooth speaker Scotsche Boombottle.

If in doubt, download three sounds: Northern Cassowary, Sombre Pigeon and Goldcrest (lowest and highest bird sounds) and try if they call.

Just a tip: download an app which allows loop playback (I use Pulsar on Samsung). Then you can put your phone somewhere in the undergrowth, and watch from distance. It is much easier to see the bird this way, because it will hide from the phone, not from you.

<insert disclaimer that birds should not be taped in place where birders go regularly for repeated taping is very bad for birds, but surely you know.>

I suspect most modern smartphones will be reasonably good for this. HTC have a reputation for good speakers, though I don't know if they're louder than other phones. Would guess that larger phones may also be able to produce better sound on the whole, though I've never tried to assess this. I have a Moto X Force, which is fairly big and loud enough for the sound to carry a good distance. It can work well for playback, so long as the original recording is of reasonable quality.