Recommendations for phone $200-$300

daffyd on 02/09/2018 - 11:02
Last edited 02/09/2018 - 14:57 by 1 other user

Looking for an Android phone ~$200-300. Some contenders are:

At the top end of the range:
Nokia 6.1 (grey import)
Moto G5s Plus (Australian stock)

At the lower end of the range:
Meizu M6 Note (Australian stock)

It's for someone who just wants it to work, so there's probably greater value in (relatively) local warranty and support than there would be for me. I'd like them to have Band 28 too.

Any other recommendations/thoughts on the above? I've found it hard to get much information on the Meizu but it does seem to tick the boxes while at a lower price point. Main concern is flymeOS being fiddly to override if the default apps aren't liked.

• 

  CLoSeR on 02/09/2018 - 11:10

  +2

  Software experience will be better with the Moto over Meizu

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  azvc on 02/09/2018 - 11:19

  +4

  These threads have some pretty good suggestions

  Best Android Budget Phones for 2018 (Under $250)

  Best Mid-Range Smartphones for 2018 ($300 ⇆ $500)

  • 

    daffyd on 02/09/2018 - 11:27

    Thanks, I did see those (and the Nokia and Moto seem reasonably supported by those threads) but fall somewhat in the middle. Pricing has also moved a bit through the year, and the Aquos is no longer available at previous bargain prices.

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  altomic on 02/09/2018 - 11:49

  +2

  I have the Meizu M6 Note, been using it for 2 months.

  I really like it. Great battery life. Very good camera. The flyMe OS doesn't bother me at all.

  Of all the inexpensive china droids I have owned then this would easily be the best.

  I paid au$157 delivered from Aliexpress from this deal https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/387125

  • 

    Aniseed Steed on 02/09/2018 - 12:11

    Between Flyme and MIUI, which would you say provides a more intuitive experience?

    • 

      altomic on 02/09/2018 - 13:40

      +1

      I think they are on par.

      • 

        Aniseed Steed on 02/09/2018 - 13:41

        Thanks!

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  loropy9 on 02/09/2018 - 11:59

  +2

  Huawei nova 2 lite can be found for $279. It looks good on paper, but I haven’t used it.

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  Savas on 02/09/2018 - 12:56

  +1

  I have the Lumia 640 XL, its getting pretty shit now.

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  oscargamer on 02/09/2018 - 16:49

  I've got a Moto G5 plus - not the S. Good phone. Stuck on Nougat at the moment though.

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  azonki on 03/09/2018 - 10:16

  Just bought a Moto E5 to replace an LG G4 which has gone into boot loop outside of the extended warranty.
  Paid $240 from Kogan. AU stock.
  It has updated itself to Android 8 and I am more than pleased, especially with the lack of bloatware.
  It also has dual sim slots and will accept an SD card up to 128GB.
  I get better 4G reception than the LG inside the house and the battery life is very good.