Mid-Range Android Advice Please

Forums › Android › Mid-Range Android Advice Please

Rob8

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#245079 17-Jan-2019 16:33

Hi, I'm looking to move myself and wife to Android (from an iphone 5S & 7).

Handset budget ~$500-$750

Fairly standard usage.

Priorities: good camera (>= iphone7) and no buggy OS (esp. for wifey), longevity of updates/ decent warranty.

Can be different phones for each of us as long as charger is the same.

Fromm previous posts and reviews the following seem to come up regularly.

- Galaxy S8
- Nokia 7.1
- LG G7

Not set on any of these in particular, happy for it to others I have missed.

Appreciate your input!

1 | 2

831 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2162655 17-Jan-2019 16:35

Have a look at

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=97&topicid=242980

and

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=97&topicid=243731

MyHeritage DNA

Affiliate link

Affiliate link: MyHeritage DNA test kit helps you discover your ethnicity results, DNA genetic groups, family relatives.

Rob8

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2162849 17-Jan-2019 23:25

Thanks, got the S8 and Nokia 7.1 on the list from those threads.

But they are mostly talking to sub $500 options.

Interested in thoughts on options in the $500 - $750 range.

gzt

13736 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2162851 17-Jan-2019 23:40

Pixel 2 might be closer to $800 in a month or two with a little luck.

lNomNoml

1680 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#2162852 17-Jan-2019 23:46

Most mobile cameras around that price point will be the same IMO.

You need to look out for the software experience and warranty.

Nokia 7.1
LG Q7
Huawei P20
LG V30

gzt: Pixel 2 might be closer to $800 in a month or two with a little luck.

Would be my first recommendation but I highly doubt the price drop sadly, it would be the best option for the OP to go to a pure Android experience from iPhone

timmmay

18593 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#2162875 18-Jan-2019 07:27

Beware of Huawei for updates. They're improving better, but not awesome.

Google, Nokia and Moto are meant to be the best for updates. The Moto G6 will be below what you're looking for, but look at their higher range stuff. My wife's Moto G5 still gets regular updates, both security and major android versions.

Jase2985

11654 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#2162877 18-Jan-2019 07:52

timmmay:

Beware of Huawei for updates. They're improving better, but not awesome.

They are fine now on their new ranges of phones, bi monthly or better

maoriboy

837 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#2162893 18-Jan-2019 08:40

timmmay:

Beware of Huawei for updates. They're improving better, but not awesome.

My P20 Pro is on Android Pie so they aren't that bad at updates. They feel a lot snappier than Sony when it came to updates, and even Samsung for that matter.

timmmay

18593 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Subscriber

#2162906 18-Jan-2019 08:56

Good to hear Huawei is improving. Shame though a very powerful phone won't be updated, though it's three years old so understandable.

ratsun81

426 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2162910 18-Jan-2019 09:02

Very happy Nokia 7 Plus user here.

I looked at the other nokia devices but didnt like the notch and the small battery in the 7.1

NzBeagle

936 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#2162920 18-Jan-2019 09:13

Pixel 2 would be a great option if you can find the price you want.

Android One would be worth getting to ensure longevity of updates, you may be lucky with some brands as discussed, HTC U11 Life is on 9.0, that's a year old, but speaks to the AndroidOne programs effectiveness.

Moto G series, you may find the camera disappointing after your iPhone 7.

Buggy OS, this can be subjective, some people might tolerate things that others won't.

nzkc

1066 posts

Uber Geek

#2162953 18-Jan-2019 09:55

TheWIFE™ bought an Oppo R15 Pro the other day ($699 - though she got a discount). Got to say I'm very impressed with it. Before that she was using a Nexus 5x (I still am). AMOLED screen is the big standout at that price range. Disappointing feature is the Micro USB for such a recent phone. USB C should be standard now. Not a major, more of a surprise than anything else. Dual sim if thats your thing. Can also take a micro sd card (in place of a sim) though it has 128GB of storage already so not likely needed. NFC too. Headphone socket (plus or minus depending on your point of view). Also came with a clear case in the box and a screen protector already fitted as standard which i thought was a nice touch.

ColorOS is OK...actually...better than OK. I'm definitely in the stock Android camp, however, I have to say I could live with ColorOS. Its currently Android 8.1 but I understand 9 is on the way.

Wade

2225 posts

Uber Geek

#2163041 18-Jan-2019 11:27

I would also have a look at what phones are well supported by the LineageOS community, get a well supported phone, swap over lineageOS once manufacturer support slows down and you can be fairly sure of regular updates for realistically the lifetime of the phone

jonb

1675 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#2163046 18-Jan-2019 11:33

Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite at PB Tech would be a good choice at the lower end of your budget, I actually prefer the Miui UI to stock android, especially coming from iOS. And they are good for updates.

Edit: Pocophone F1 looks like great specs for the price: https://www.mi-store.co.nz/product/MZB6758EU/Pocophone-F1

kingjj

1725 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

#2163603 19-Jan-2019 10:33

jonb:

Xiaomi Mi 8 Lite at PB Tech would be a good choice at the lower end of your budget, I actually prefer the Miui UI to stock android, especially coming from iOS. And they are good for updates.

Edit: Pocophone F1 looks like great specs for the price: https://www.mi-store.co.nz/product/MZB6758EU/Pocophone-F1

Just received my Poco F1 and I'm in love. It's a great phone for the price. I Paid $579 and got it 2 days after ordering from PI (despite being a Hot Deal with a 7-12 work day turn around). Within an hour had it upgraded to Android Pie and MIUI 10. Phone is fast, light and the finger print scanner is fantastic. Only 2 days in but it is certainly shaping up to be a great phone. I went for specs over looks and with a decent case (which I've got coming) you won't even notice the plastic design.

Rob8

10 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2165855 22-Jan-2019 22:46

Thanks all, appreciate the advice.

To wrap up where I got to in case it's useful for others -

Came very close to getting the Pixel 2 mainly due to such a good camera reviews.

But kept seeing the Galaxy S9 come up with what seemed to me to be a lot more hardware for only slightly more dollars. Both slightly above my original budget however.

Also the S8 ($690) seemed a great price for what you get.

In the end went with the S9 ($870). Yes, above my budget but couldn't help myself.

I understand the samsung sw is a potential downside. Hopefully a bit of set up customisation can sort out this out.

Other thoughts - Played with a Poco F1 (~$500) and Oppo R15 (~$680) and both seem great value options to consider.

1 | 2