$300ish Phone Options

tryagain on 05/04/2016 - 13:35

I know phone threads are a dime a dozen but am after a phone for the wife as her Moto G2 is dying/dead and its an ever changing landscape, especially where value is concerned. Budget is a bit flexible but wouldn't really want to go over $400. A decent camera is a requirement, my one regret with my Moto G is the amount of very average low light photos I have of my kids growing up. As my wife takes even more its probably the top priority. Currently looking a some of the following options, although most are from over seas as I can probably borrow one for a bit but would pay a bit of a premium for local stock. The order I am thinking of at the moment are,

LG G4
Motorola Moto G 3rd Gen local stock so that's a bonus
Nexus 5x although no expandable memory
Redmi Note 3 Pro Cheaper but camera at low light kinda kills this one though.

looking for others opinions if they have recently been down a similar road or others I should be considering, we are on boost if it makes any difference.

Mobile

Comments

[Deactivated] on 05/04/2016 - 13:39

Motorola Moto G3. 'Nuff said.
- tryagain on 05/04/2016 - 14:05
  
  Any reasons as to why, Part of me is struggling with paying up to $100 more than it has recently been had for, if it was less than $300 I probably jump on it.
  - moar bargains on 05/04/2016 - 21:56
    
    How urgently do you need it? You could wait for the next ebay 20-25% off sale (which is sure to be only a few weeks away) and nab it then? I almost pulled the trigger on the last round for about $270, but resisted… For now…
pyramid on 05/04/2016 - 13:40

How about huawei P8. It captures decent photographs.
- R4 on 05/04/2016 - 14:50
  
  I have this phone ($350 in DSE fire sale)
  
  It has a great camera
miarn on 05/04/2016 - 14:24

qd_au on eBay (well regarded on Whirlpool) have the 16GB Nexus 5X for $350 delivered: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/131655091839

Alternatively Expansys have the 32GB for $415: http://www.expansys.com.au/google-nexus-5x-lg-h791-au-versio…

Both are cheaper than Kogan and better to deal with.

Personally I have similar criteria as you and I'm currently tossing up between 5X or G4. The G4's big advantages are its SD slot and removable battery, whereas the 5X has USB-C and vanilla android, so hopefully better long-term support. It's also cheaper…
- tryagain on 05/04/2016 - 15:18
  
  if only the 16GB 5X had an SD slot.
  - miarn on 05/04/2016 - 15:27
    
    Yeah, that would probably make it my ideal phone. 16GB just isn't enough as I store a fair bit of music from Play Music on my phone. Even 32GB is pushing it.
lukey159 on 05/04/2016 - 15:05

Is she keen for another android?, Get heaps of windows phone ( yes I know, insert bad thing here) for that cash and they have pretty decent cameras. Other than that going android and cheap I'd try to go for the LG G4 as it's known for their good camera and auto focusing.

Not personal but mate had the Motorola Moto G 3rd Gen and thought the camera was just meh, average. I can't really comment on it though.

Also might be worth looking at this little fella, Reviewers loved its camera: HTC One Mini 2 can be found for $330 - $400ish.

It's hard to find but is out there, I haven't brought from the link I'm posting its just a site I found it on so I could show you, please do your research if you buy.

https://www.catchdeal.com.au/htc-one-mini-2-4g-lte-16gb-andr…
tryagain on 05/04/2016 - 15:19

Don't think she really cares what OS as long as it works.
- lukey159 on 05/04/2016 - 15:32
  
  Then I'd be saying go windows phone, They are cheap and have a good camera thanks to ZEISS optics. Only down side is all the stuff regarding Microsoft's platform which a quick Google search can tell you about but basically, the 'app' store having nothing main stream etc.. If she doesn't care for apps and can live without them then its a solid choice but as always do your research on it before buying.
  
  I've found, and my view, if your going cheap with android your giving up on certain features or aspects of the phone, Camera is usually high in this list of features though bargains can be had on older outdated flagship phones, such as the LG G4 etc.
  
  The Microsoft Lumia 640 XL is an excellent phone for what it is and the camera is pretty dam good, just look at its reviews and youtube videos. Retails for roughly $400 but can be brought cheaper..
  
  http://www.harveynorman.com.au/phones-accessories-gps/phones…
  
  Side note; These phones are good also and cheap plus meant to be very good bang for your buck, would recommend checking these outs as well if you haven't already.
  
  https://oneplus.net/
  
  Models
  
  https://oneplus.net/oneplus-2
  https://oneplus.net/x
  https://oneplus.net/oneplus-one
  
  Cheers!
  - lost69 on 05/04/2016 - 15:42
    
    Windows Phone is rubbish. You probably bank online right? CBAs app was updated last I checked in 2013 or 2014. The other banks are little better (except NAB which seems updated) and the same applies to other apps. Windows Mobile is dead and any smartphone that no one cares about and doesn't have apps is worthless. I'd say Huawei G8 or Sony M4 Aqua. If you import you run the risk of getting a phone without the right 4G bands.
    - lukey159 on 05/04/2016 - 15:55
      
      Yup while I agree as I've said research what you need / want, the only good thing about them is their camera, in this price range.
      
      To help with bands, heres a list taken from the Australian Band Summary (https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/mobile_phone_frequencies)
      
      2G bands:
      
      900Mhz – Telstra, Optus & Vodafone
      1800Mhz (Telstra, Optus & Vodafone all use this band for 4G instead)
      
      3G bands
      
      850MHz (B5) – Telstra, Vodafone
      900MHz (B8) – Optus, Vodafone –
      2100MHz (B1) – Telstra, Optus, Vodafone
      
      4G bands
      
      Australia is currently using these LTE bands
      2100Mhz – Telstra (a handful of sites), Optus (Tasmania)
      1800Mhz – Telstra, Optus, Vodafone
      900Mhz – Telstra (a handful of sites, utilises spectrum previously used by 2G)
      2300Mhz – Optus (Vivid wireless spectrum)
      700Mhz – Telstra, Optus
      850Mhz – Vodafone
      
      Note the 2300mhz listed above is for Vivid only and is only available in some of the Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane metro areas. Ie not in NBN fixed wireless areas.
tryagain on 07/04/2016 - 13:14

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Motorola-Nexus-6-XT1100-32GB-4G-L…
Maybe another contender, altohugh what on earth does "New: Never Used
This item is not 'brand new' and sealed." actually mean
locosam on 07/04/2016 - 23:17

Im in the same boat.
Wife with Moto G2 and new baby. The camera is horrible and slow.

LG G4 is what suits the best.
The camera is the best out of all of those you listed.

Everything else doesnt matter.
Whatsapp, browsing, facebook etc can be done on any phone.
tryagain on 19/04/2016 - 15:56

Just updating, went with the G4 mainly for the camera, took a chance and went through Android enjoyed and received it in 5.5 working days without any hassle for $403 shipped, the camera at low light is a vast improvement which was my main requirement so am happy so far.
- lukey159 on 31/05/2016 - 10:41
  
  glad to hear, happy wife happy life ;)!

$300ish Phone Options

Comments

New Forum Topics