Which Android Mid-Range Phone to Buy?

Lpennypacker on 23/01/2020 - 19:29

TLDR;

  • $300-500
  • Stock Android with updates
  • NFC
  • 4GB or 6GB RAM minimum
  • USB-C

Nice to haves

  • dual SIM
  • SD Card
  • buy locally (not a must have, I can live with a grey import)

Hi there. I was using a Nokia 6.1 with few complaints (fingerprint reader was shite) until I broke it. I was very happy with Android One - stock Android with monthly updates. The metal frame was classy, size was good, battery life good. Value was awesome, I got mine for $300 locally. I'd buy another but it's already a year old so that's a year less updates.

Looking for a replacement, I went straight for a Nokia 6.2, but the reviews aren't glowing. Same goes for the 7.2..

So, I then found the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro. Looked great (value, design, performance, camera), until I found out about MIUI (bloatware, ads!).

Then I found the Realme XT and 5 Pro. Again, looks great, but no NFC and also OS issues (uninstallable bloatware). I could possibly live without NFC, but the ColorOS would soon annoy me I'm sure.

I've previously had a Moto G5+, and the value was great at the time, but the lack of updates was infuriating. Never Moto again. Have had a couple of Nexus devices too, but the Pixels don't really float my boat (too expensive).

So, where to from here? Advice? TIA.

Mobile Mobile Phone Android

Comments

  • HolyFosh on 23/01/2020 - 19:33

    I got a Mi 9T 3 months ago and I'm really happy with it.

    Cost me 470, but should be closer to 400 now for the regular version.

    Could also go for the Pro.

    That's gray import. It's 600 at JB for a local store.

    • pennypacker on 23/01/2020 - 19:36

      Thanks. What about my concerns with the adware? Does it affect the Mi 9T?

      • HolyFosh on 23/01/2020 - 21:21

        No adware. It's the international version.

        However missed the bit about the SD card.

        • pennypacker on 23/01/2020 - 21:49

          So the international versions don't have ads, just the Chinese/Indian etc versions?

    • JJ31 on 23/01/2020 - 20:54

      Happy with my Mi 9T Pro too that I bought from MyMobile based in Brisbane
      Haven't had any issues with Xiaomi adware, but doesn't fit some of OP's requirements: No updates since October and also no SD card slot.

  • askme69 on 23/01/2020 - 19:46
    +1

    LG v30+

    • pennypacker on 23/01/2020 - 19:51

      That's a two and a bit year old phone, isn't it?

      • askme69 on 23/01/2020 - 23:10
        +1

        Not sure.

        Great screen
        Camera
        Battery
        Best headphone sound quality.

        2 year Oz warranty.

        Under $400

        Faster and better in every way than the Samsung s8+ it replaced.

    • virhlpool on 25/01/2020 - 22:54

      Does it have stock Android (Android One)?

  • hackseed on 23/01/2020 - 19:48

    Check out the XIAOMI Redmi Note 7/8 series. Some have the NFC, some have lower and higher rams. good luck

    • pennypacker on 23/01/2020 - 19:51

      Me

      So, I then found the Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro. Looked great (value, design, performance, camera), until I found out about MIUI (bloatware, ads!).

      You

      Check out the XIAOMI Redmi Note 7/8 series.

      Thanks but no thanks.

      • hackseed on 24/01/2020 - 00:04

        There is NO bloatware… and if it does, nothing near what a samsung has.
        I installed Nova Launcher and have been using xiaomi phones for 5 years now and they are constantly supported in updates unlike the usual 2 years you get with other manufacturers.

        You may also want to consider the price of replacement LCD and the accessories for this very popular brand in china/india.

  • DASHCAM NOW DUDE on 23/01/2020 - 19:52
    +1

    Samsung a70.

    Huge 6.7 screen.
    Huge 4500mah battery.
    USB-C
    NFC
    SD card slot.
    6GB RAM
    Near stock, I deleted most of the Samsung apps and use Nova launcher.

    Fingerprint scanner on screen is only okay. Takes a good 3/4 of a second.
    Face lock is slightly faster.

  • ESEMCE on 23/01/2020 - 20:01

    You're going to have to either
    1) forego some if your feature list
    2) consider Custom ROMs

    • pennypacker on 23/01/2020 - 20:06

      I think you could be right. Suggestions for either;

      a) best compromise, or
      b) best phone to get to flash? For example, if I flash I want to be able to lock the bootloader so I can still use Google Pay.

      Or, maybe I just give up on NFC/Google Pay and get a Realme XT and be done with it.

      • ESEMCE on 24/01/2020 - 21:27

        Xiaomi Snapdragon handsets all have excellent Custom ROM support.
        There even debloated MIUI ROMs like MIUI EU

        • pennypacker on 24/01/2020 - 22:18

          Maybe I've got the wrong end of the stick re: MIUI.

          Are you saying the EU factory ROMs don't have the bloat and ads of the Chinese/Indian ROMs?

          E.g.

          https://www.xda-developers.com/xiaomi-miui-ads-hamper-user-e…

          • ESEMCE on 28/01/2020 - 10:15

            @pennypacker: MIUI EU is a "Custom ROM" modified to remove all the bloat and adware.

            TBH, my Mi9T is running stock AU firmware with no ads.
            It's nice to have CUstom ROM support for the eventual time where MIUI grinds to a halt on the Mi9T though.

  • JJ31 on 23/01/2020 - 20:55

    Can pick up a brand new Samsung S9 for $550 when on sale. Probably the best phone for your needs and not too old either.

    • pennypacker on 23/01/2020 - 21:48

      OK, something to think about, cheers…

  • cheaplee on 23/01/2020 - 22:06

    To be fair the pixel 3a around $550 is a mid-range phone. Top of the line are $1000+ and cheap, but smart, around $180 when on sale.

    Not sure about how the battery stacks up as I don't own one, but there is stock android that is simple and works might be worth paying a bit more for. I certainly don't like ColourOS. It is full of quirks and some things just don't work properly. Like how an alarm can't over-ride quite mode on my wifes reno z, but it does on mine…Aren't they literally copies of the same firmware and software…

  • AlienC on 23/01/2020 - 22:12

    Not gonna lie the gap is either get a 4gb ram phone for almost $100-150 or get one with more than 4gb ram for over $300… personally unless you know you will be destroying your phone with apps and ram usage the 4gb should do you fine.

    I can't fathom expensive phone purchases anymore but then again I was drooling over the ROG Phone 2 with 12gb ram and 1TB of internal storage so yeah haha you do you.

    Some random links that may or may not show what I have been looking over the past few weeks/days.

    https://www.asus.com/au/ROG-Republic-Of-Gamers/ROG-Phone-II/

    https://au.pcmag.com/asus-rog-phone/63352/asus-rog-phone-ii-…

    https://www.techradar.com/au/news/best-phone-for-gaming

    https://www.techradar.com/news/this-is-the-cheapest-256gb-sm…

    Elephone U3H | $184.89 (about £142, AU$268) at Aliexpress

    You can bag yourself an Elephone U3H for a rock-bottom price of just under $185, which includes free delivery and a $6 new user discount. This is an mid-range smartphone running Android 9.0 (upgradable to 10), with 8GB of RAM, a 48-megapixel camera, 256GB onboard storage and a massive 6.6-inch, 3.7-megapixel screen.

    (I have mixed feelings about Elephone mainly that they sound or feel very low end or cheap/untrustworthy like LeEco but who knows they may have made a secret winner with this one but this is your gamble to make so choose wisely)

  • Bargain80 on 24/01/2020 - 10:58

    I have pocofone f1 but don't notice any adware from MIUI.

    Although pocofone won't suit your requirement because the lack of NFC.

    • pennypacker on 24/01/2020 - 13:15

      Yeah, NFC is pretty much a hard requirement. If I don't need this, I'd buy a Realme.

      • pernunz on 24/01/2020 - 13:35

        Galaxy A50?

      • Bargain80 on 24/01/2020 - 14:23

        how about Oppo R17 Pro.
        the only problem is the second SIM uses the same slot as the SD card.
        It's same to majority of android phones at the moment.

      • pennypacker on 24/01/2020 - 16:44

        @pernunz and @Bargain80
        Thanks for the suggestions, I'll investigate

  • pennypacker on 11/02/2020 - 19:45
    +1

    Update. So I was reassured that the Xiaomi Global roms are ad-free, and leapt on the Xiaomi Mi 9T for $399 from JB HiFi today.

    Cheaper than a grey import, AU charger and warranty etc, plus ticked all my feature requirements.

    I was sold on the 9T as I can flash a ROM if needed, unlike the Note 8 Pro.

    Thanks all for the advice.

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