Dual-SIM 4G/4G Android Phone under $500 - Regional VIC

LaHug on 23/07/2019 - 14:37
Last edited 23/07/2019 - 22:11

Another user helped me get my head around what to look for on this thread: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/472145/ but I'm struggling to work out which phone is right for me.

Important info:

  1. I like Android and I like what I'm used to. Past two phones are a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and a Google Pixel. I found both very easy to use. I have a Galaxy Watch and am now used to using the Samsung Health app (which I assume I can get on any Android phone…).

  2. My work SIM is Telstra and I'll probably change my personal SIM to the Boost one linked above. I live and work in Warrnambool so there are some awful reception spots on my trips into Melbourne. I think B28 is almost a requirement these days but I don't know much about other bands and if the country areas require a specific one.

  3. Do I need 4G/4G? For some reason I think I do but I don't know why. If I want to be able to make calls and text readily from either SIM, is that a requirement? Most of my data will be just from the one SIM.

  4. NFC is something I really don't use it very much. I still pay with a physical card and can use my watch if I really want to be fancy. So that's not required by any stretch (still nice to have, I guess).

  5. I want the best overall specs I can get that tick the above boxes. I've looked at LG (V30+, V40, G7), Huawei (P30 seems too expensive), Samsung (A70 or international models of S9/S10e), OnePlus models, Oppo models, and Xiaomi Mi9 varieties but I'm absolutely struggling to work out which comes out on top. My biggest concern is getting one for a good price but not having it be user friendly like my previous phones (see point 1).

  6. A good camera would be nice because my girlfriend's S8 takes way better photos than my S7 edge and I don't like being inferior…

Any help or even a push in the right direction would be really appreciated.

Cheers!

Edit:

Done some more digging. This comparison makes the Xiaomi Mi 9T look the best of the phones I've found under $500. Thoughts? https://www.smartprix.com/mobiles/compare.php?ids=pd1shiila5…

Mobile Mobile Phone

Comments

    • LaHug on 23/07/2019 - 14:57

      Yeah, seen that one. My two concerns are:
      1. No Band 28 which might be an issue in regional VIC.
      2. Only 4G/3G (if that's a real issue).

      • Caped Baldy on 23/07/2019 - 15:03

        This does have B28. See the tech specs at the bottom
        https://www.lg.com/au/smartphones/lg-LGH930DS-v30-smartphone

        • LaHug on 23/07/2019 - 15:18

          My bad! Must have got confused with one of the different threads I read!

          In that case, is it one of the best I can get that ticks the boxes?

          • ngengerous on 23/07/2019 - 16:34

            @LaHug: Definitely best value at that price. Plus, if you listen to music, the DAC is great to have.

            • LaHug on 23/07/2019 - 17:05

              @ngengerous: Looks like it might be a winner. Also had my eyes on the Xiaomi Mi 9T here: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/470940 but is this a better phone (or at least better value at $100 less)?

              • ngengerous on 24/07/2019 - 08:37

                @LaHug: Hmm, the Xiaomi looks pretty great… At 100 bucks less, that could be the way to go. Bigger battery + more efficient CPU should mean better battery life also. One other thing that may affect your decision - the front cameras on V series phones are more than often pretty average. This doesn't matter for a lot of people, but it can definitely make a difference for you if you see yourself using that often.

                • LaHug on 24/07/2019 - 08:44

                  @ngengerous: Meant to say that the V30+ is $100 less. But the specs on the Xiaomi look really good. Problem is that I've never used a Xiaomi phone and am unsure if the UI is difficult or not.

                  • ngengerous on 24/07/2019 - 09:00
                    +1

                    @LaHug: Ah I see - the Xiaomi would be more futureproof as the LG is getting a little long in the tooth.

                    I've heard good things about MIUI recently - I think it had its bad days but now it's pretty decent. If you don't like the layout of the launcher, you can always install Nova Launcher to customise it.

                    • LaHug on 24/07/2019 - 09:13

                      @ngengerous: Just read through some reviews that detailed the MIUI and it looks like it'll take a small learning curve but is pretty good. I reckon I've decided on the Mi 9T. Thanks for the help!

      • ESEMCE on 23/07/2019 - 15:07

        What makes you think it doesn't have Band 28?

        • crentist on 23/07/2019 - 16:58
          +3

          128gb
          128
          one 28
          on 28
          no 28

          easy mistake

    • LaHug on 23/07/2019 - 17:49

      Is this better than the Huawei P30 Lite? If I don't really care for or need NFC?

  • ESEMCE on 23/07/2019 - 15:08

    4G/4G is only going to be especially important if you are passing through areas that do not have good Telstra 3G coverage, which seems unlikely going Warnambool to Melbourne!

    • LaHug on 23/07/2019 - 15:19

      Ah k. Good to know. Thanks for that. And looks like I was mistaken with the no Band 28 thing. My bad!

  • Hithere on 23/07/2019 - 16:42
    +2

    Have you considered the ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M2 ZB631KL? Under $400.

    It's 3G/4G has band 28 and is an all round solid easy to use phone.

    I'm biased - it's the second Zenfone I've owned having updated from an earlier model recently.

    Ebay seller QD-AU is a long time seller of ASUS phones with a quick turnaround. Not the cheapest seller but IMO the most reliable.

    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NEW-ASUS-ZenFone-Max-Pro-M2-ZB63…

    Disclaimer - I have absolutely nothing to do with QD-AU apart from buying my last 2 phones from them.

    • LaHug on 23/07/2019 - 16:56

      Never heard of it but I'll look into it tonight. Cheers!

  • brotherfranciz on 23/07/2019 - 18:26

    Yeah, the V30+ JB Hi-Fi deal is the way to go in my opinion.

    I bought the V30+ for my sister in one of the Mobileciti promos for around $438 a month ago. She loves it and hasn't got any complaints (I keep asking her because I want one too!).

  • NotAnAudiophile on 23/07/2019 - 20:20

    Left field suggestion. OPPO Reno Z.

    • LaHug on 23/07/2019 - 20:22

      How do the specs compare?

    • onggie on 23/07/2019 - 20:35

      I was looking at this phone today while pretty, the camera performance was ok. I still hear ColorOS is a mess and they really haven't dealt with the battery drain issues, all the OS does is kill apps it isn't meant to kill.

      I don't understand why Oppo don't use OxygenOS from the OnePlus, they are from the same parent company. Oppo Reno Z would be my pick if it used Oxygen.

  • LaHug on 23/07/2019 - 20:23

    Is the V30+ or the Huawei P30 Lite better? I like the camera in the P30 Lite! And I don't care about NFC really…

  • LaHug on 23/07/2019 - 22:10

    Done some more digging. This comparison makes the Xiaomi Mi 9T look the best of the phones I've found under $500. Thoughts? https://www.smartprix.com/mobiles/compare.php?ids=pd1shiila5…

    (Updated into OP too.)

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join