Best High End Smartphone ($500 ⇆ $800) in 2021

scrimshaw on 03/05/2021 - 01:21
Last edited 03/05/2021 - 01:38

Moderators at OzBargain are now running yearly polls to decide the best products in popular categories that get asked repeatedly in the forum. Our aim is to have a central thread where users can vote on the items, suggest options and also change their vote throughout the year. For more information on how these polls work, or if you want to suggest a new poll that isn't covered already, please refer to our announcement thread here.

Question

What is your favourite high end smartphone, (priced between $500 to $800) in 2021?

The Winner of last year's poll for high end phone was the iPhone SE (2020) followed by the Google Pixel 4a and Huawei P30 Pro.

Remember: You can change your votes at anytime, and suggest more than 1 product over the course of the poll.

How do I suggest products to What Should I Buy polls?

If you have a product that you would like to suggest for the poll (that is currently not in the Poll Options), you'll need to make a top-level comment (i.e. not replying someone else's comment) and fill up "Suggestions" text box just above your comment:

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Do try to make a sensible suggestion (e.g make sure the phone is still available to purchase) and include a brief argument as to why you would recommend the product. You can only suggest 1 product at a time.

Poll Options expired

This is part of What Should I Buy poll for 2021. Check out other recommendations from the OzBargain community.
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Comments

  • Axelstrife on 03/05/2021 - 01:32
    +3

    Honestly i'd rather spend $49 more and get a Samsung Galaxy S21 than any of those phones.
    But if i had to pick based on specification the S20 FE 5G seems with the Pixel 5 close second imo.

    • jetblack on 04/05/2021 - 18:36

      What puts the S20 FE over the Pixel 5,in your opinion?

      • Axelstrife on 04/05/2021 - 18:54

        The specifications, 120hz vs 90hz, snapdragon 865 vs 765g

        Pixel 5 is still amazing phone i have one here as well as the new S21+ (used to have the S20+).
        120hz not only feels a quite a bit better the snapdragon 865 is a decent amount more powerful than the pixel 5's 765g which i do notice can be slow at times.

        • cydia9k on 17/09/2021 - 10:48
          +1

          It's easy to forget I paid $700 for the FE, indistinguishable from a current Samsung flagship most of the time.

    • XabiFernando on 08/05/2021 - 08:26

      Do you mean S20 rather than S21?

      • Axelstrife on 08/05/2021 - 15:02
        +2

        No, i'd never recommend the S20 series at all absolutely terrible battery life.

        • therealmandingo on 18/06/2021 - 11:56
          +1

          In all honesty, I switched from S20 FE to S21 and I regret it. The overall build of the S21 is much better but the battery life on the S20 FE is much better.

          • orly on 08/07/2021 - 18:39

            @therealmandingo: I agree that the S20 FE had better battery life but it was way too chunky for me, which is why I swapped.

    • furyou on 06/07/2021 - 20:29
      +2

      How are you getting only $50 more

      • theknight27 on 22/09/2021 - 15:03

        It was $679 during telstra day, was when I picked mine up.

  • derk on 03/05/2021 - 09:02

    iPhone SE (2nd Gen)

  • derk on 03/05/2021 - 09:03
    Suggested iPhone SE (2nd Gen)

    clearly I can't figure out how to add a poll item - but i got an iPhone SE in this price range and very happy with it

    • derk on 03/05/2021 - 09:04
      +2

      oh wait, i did it. look at me go

    • Sleuth on 03/05/2021 - 10:48

      Could use a bit more battery capacity.

      • derk on 03/05/2021 - 11:41

        agreed

      • GeneralSkunk on 13/05/2021 - 21:29
        -1

        Maybe. Mine lasts 2 full days and I pick it up all the time and probably do a couple of hours of screen time each day. I don't watch videos and stuff though. But use it for calls a fair bit too. I have location services and Bluetooth turned off usually, and turn off a lot of the background data for most apps I don't see have a need for it.

        I think these days 2 days is acceptable.

  • jetblack on 04/05/2021 - 13:20

    Interesting early results… I'm looking into the Pixel 5 vs Samsung A52 5G.

    I was originally dead set on getting the 5 (my trusty Pixel 2 has easily been the best phone I've ever had), but have just discovered there are apparently annoying sound issues… Considering I can get the A52 form the education store for $600, I'm tempted to sway from the Pixel.

    • Axelstrife on 05/05/2021 - 03:50

      I have a Pixel 5 and have not had any sound issues or any issues at all tbh.
      What sound issue are you talking about?

      • jetblack on 05/05/2021 - 06:52

        Design issue rather than software/hardware, from what I can tell. A recent thread people were saying it's a speaker under the screen (so it works kinda like using the screen as the speaker itself) , and it can be difficult to hear people in louder environments…

  • utopia on 08/05/2021 - 13:11

    Perhaps this should be split to 2 subcategories non5G vs 5G phones

  • soob on 10/05/2021 - 17:32

    Why is the Pixel 5 in this list, it's a $999 phone, so well above the price threshold?

  • dmac on 12/05/2021 - 09:12
    Suggested OnePlus 7T

    Very similar to 8T but about $200 cheaper.
    8T has slightly bigger battery ~ 8h SoT vs 6h, 865 vs 855 cpu and 5g.
    I have the 7T and am very happy with it.

  • zrmx on 17/05/2021 - 01:22
    +1

    Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, if can be purchased in the $500-$800 price range. (Not sure if the recent voucher stacking deals can make it eligible.)

    • bargaino on 09/06/2021 - 22:01

      Voucher stacking put it in the sub-$500 range, so eligible for the mid-range category :-)
      Wins my vote at that price!

  • Techie4066 on 01/06/2021 - 21:48

    S20 FE is rubbish, do not buy or risk getting a defective touch digitiser and Samsung Australia dodging Australian Consumer Law. 5 software updates to address the issue proves it's a manufacturing defect.

    • Jonc on 15/06/2021 - 13:02

      I heard about issues but I've never faced it myself over the 2x S20 FE units we have… (they have been a fantastic phone, feels more snappy than my previous S10+ which is strange).

      A few friends also have the S20 FE phone and don't report any issues so perhaps the number of affected units is very small or we have all just been lucky perhaps?

      • Techie4066 on 15/06/2021 - 15:49

        Samsung is giving me a full refund so it seems they know something's wrong. It's likely a hardware defect, and not an isolated one at that, neither is it a small percentage affected considering the high amounts of complaints - perhaps it's not obvious to some people. Your S10+ probably had an Exynos chip, which explains things.

        • Jonc on 15/06/2021 - 16:37

          Yup agree, Samsung I believe did come out to release some updates for the issue in the past so some phones must definitely have it although what I'm saying it perhaps it's only a very small percentage of them might have the issue… Did they not offer you a replacement to try out as it's actually a really great phone and you might have been unlucky enough to get a dud perhaps…

          • Techie4066 on 15/06/2021 - 16:57

            @Jonc:

            Samsung I believe did come out to release some updates for the issue in the past so some phones must definitely have it

            What I wrote above:

            5 software updates to address the issue proves it's a manufacturing defect.

            _

            although what I'm saying it perhaps it's only a very small percentage of them might have the issue…

            I'd highly suggest searching the issue up on Google to see the complaints for yourself. They're everywhere and the software updates did not resolve the issue for some people (despite the Reddit megathread being closed).

            I would not be willing to use a phone which has an inherent defect. Samsung may have changed the touchscreen hardware in production, but that's not good enough. You don't buy a model of Samsung washing machine that can catch fire, just because of the off chance that risk won't affect you.

            • Jonc on 16/06/2021 - 09:58

              @Techie4066: No idea what's going on… All I can report is the units we have are 100% great (and friends have no complaints either)…

              I found the many reports you mentioned with a google search about issues but it's really hard to say how many are affected (wish Samsung release numbers/data on this).

              I use swype input (keyboard) with absolutely no issues, pinch and zoom across many apps (Instagram, Maps, photo editing..etc) never had a single issue on my copy of the phone it's always been buttery smooth (I prefer it over my S10+ as you say perhaps it was due to the Exynos, I have no idea but really enjoy the S20 FE unit)…

              Overall just very happy with the phone….. It really sucks you and others are having these issues and I truly hope Samsung addresses them (as they should) but I just wanted to say the 2 copies we got are fantastic (I also checked with one of our friends last night and they said they have not noticed any issues at all but also use Swype keyboard input so I guess some units must work others have issues and hope it gets sorted out and good to see Samsung offering credits/replacements from reading online although it's always a really PITA having to switch phones).

              Good luck to you and I hope you have better luck with whichever new phone you get.

    • aidenh37 on 18/08/2021 - 23:33
      +1

      Same here. Wish I stuck with the Pixel 5.

  • repeat on 29/06/2021 - 07:51

    I have been happy with the S20 FE (5G 256 model)
    Upgraded from a LG v30, most important feature for me was the display as it bright, clear, usable outdoors and appears to have no flicker above 30% brightness.
    Most appreciated features:
    Screen
    Speakers
    Cameras
    Zero wifi issues
    Zero Bluetooth/Android Auto issues

    Least appreciated "feature"
    Absolute joke of a fingerprint reading system.

    Aspects I miss moving away from the LG v30
    I miss a working, reliable fingerprint reader. LG Fingerprint/power button was an order of magnitude superior to the woeful and total shyte fingerprint scanner on the S20 FE screen. I still consider the switch back to the LG solely due to this.
    S20 FE is 20% heavier, generally feels cheaper/thicker/bulkier and more clumsy to handle. Adding a glass screen protector and case magnifies this.
    DAC/Headphone jack was bliss
    wider/squatter screen was preferable for me

  • Chunto612 on 06/08/2021 - 10:45

    Hi All, just hoping to get some insight for buying a new phone.

    Currently using a Oneplus 7T. Considering to update to either Oneplus Nord 2 or Oppo Find X2 Pro.

    Currently Nord 2 is around 700-800. And Oppo is mid 600.

    Do you think the upgrade is worthwhile? If so, which one should I go for?

  • aidenh37 on 18/08/2021 - 23:30
    Suggested Oppo Reno4 5G

    Adding Oppo Reno because the Find X3 Lite is here too, why not?

    Anyway, the Pixel 5 shouldn't be here as it's $999 and barely available. Huawei shouldn't be here because they aren't officially sold here and the P30 Pro was never in this price bracket new. OnePlus shouldn't be here with 3G being shut down in 2024 and no sign of wider VoLTE support. The Reno5 Pro is not in this price bracket, even once it launches here. The Find X2 Neo is going and was always $999.

    This is the $500-$800 poll, yes? Yikes.

  • tms846 on 20/08/2021 - 11:07

    Does Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro qualify?

  • Nillionaire on 14/10/2021 - 05:33
    Suggested iPhone XR

    Wonder why the iPhone XR isn't here.

    64 GB - $599
    128 GB - $679

    @ JB HI-FI

  • ItsAlwaysOutOfStock on 19/10/2021 - 21:11
    Suggested Samsung Galaxy A52s 5G

    128GB/6GB RAM - $649 @JB with $50 gift card

    Got one for my dad for $530 with worker discount.
    Should be cheaper in education store with coupons once it lands in education store.

    Perform similar to SD 855-865.

  • jje on 09/12/2021 - 13:22

    I've had the S20 FE 5G since it came out. Here's my thoughts on it:
    - The camera is pretty good, but having come from mostly Pixel phones I find that the default saturation is too high, and photos look a bit too "gaudy" for me
    - Samsung bloatware: I absolutely hate Samsung's changes to the stock Android experience, and found myself changing out their replacement photos, calendar, keyboard etc apps for Google's, fixing the backwards bottom menu bar and various other things.
    - The app drawer is just plain annoying
    - The fingerprint scanner is slow
    - The power and volume buttons are reversed compared to Pixels
    - Recently I started getting a "moisture in charge port" indicator, which refuses to go away. When it does this, you cannot charge via cable. The port is clean and dry, and looking on Google I can see this is a common problem with Samsung. None of the suggestions clear the alert, so I'm limited to wireless charging now.

    In short, I'm never touching another Samsung in my life and massively regret this purchase. I've gone back to a Pixel.

  • Andard on 30/12/2021 - 20:28

    I have a S20 FE 4G (non snapdragon) and it's friggen excellent. Camera is great (there's a dxo mark review for this specific model) and it's quick and snappy for what I use it for.

    Don't let people talk you out of the 4g non snapdragon if you want to save a few bucks it's worth it. 👌

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