Yep - just bought one of those at that price from Noel Leeming last week.  It was the best deal I could find at that price point.

It appears to be a good phone - was looking for something smaller than the standard 5" screen for the missus.

It actually feels like a premium phone with the slim metal casing, has a nice screen and the camera seems to be decent.  The missus is not a power user so it's great for her.

I'm quite impressed by it.

Replacing a Sony Xperia which has been nothing but trouble.

Rappelle:

I'd personally be going for a Nexus 5X at that price point. It's going to be updated for a while to come yet, and has much better specs in general.

Rappelle:

 

I'd personally be going for a Nexus 5X at that price point. It's going to be updated for a while to come yet, and has much better specs in general.

 

I did consider the 5X (I have a 6P) but can I ask where you can get a 5X for around $500?

http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=3341561

d3Xt3r:

Rappelle:

 

I'd personally be going for a Nexus 5X at that price point. It's going to be updated for a while to come yet, and has much better specs in general.

 

Seconded. Unless OP is really keen on a 4.7" screen and can't handle a 5.2", there's no reason to go for the Galaxy A3. Also, Samsung is pretty terrible at updating non-flagship phones.

Btw OP, if you *are* keen on a small phone, then I'd recommend the Xperia Z3 Compact - it's a much better choice than the Galaxy A3, which is still stuck on Lollipop whereas the Z3C is already on Marshmallow. Plus, better specs too.

Looked at the xperia z3 compact as an option too but can't find anyone selling it (at least not at any of the major retailers and based on a very quick google search)

I would probably go for the Moto G 3 if $500 is your limit. Wife loves hers and it has already had the update to Marshmallow. Get the 16GB one with 2GB ram and it flies along. I really like the battery life and it feels great in your hand as well with the curved back. $450ish from any big retailers and can be found cheaper online.

*EDIT* Pricespy link for Moto G 3: http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=3262955

I picked up the Nexus 5x for $575 last week from gadgets online and I really like it. Great phone too if you want the extra power and features.

n95:

 

d3Xt3r:

Rappelle:

 

I'd personally be going for a Nexus 5X at that price point. It's going to be updated for a while to come yet, and has much better specs in general.

 

Seconded. Unless OP is really keen on a 4.7" screen and can't handle a 5.2", there's no reason to go for the Galaxy A3. Also, Samsung is pretty terrible at updating non-flagship phones.

Btw OP, if you *are* keen on a small phone, then I'd recommend the Xperia Z3 Compact - it's a much better choice than the Galaxy A3, which is still stuck on Lollipop whereas the Z3C is already on Marshmallow. Plus, better specs too.

 

Looked at the xperia z3 compact as an option too but can't find anyone selling it (at least not at any of the major retailers and based on a very quick google search)

 

The reason I chose the A3 is because the missus wanted a sub 5" screen.   She initially had a Galaxy S5 but just found it was a bit too large for her.

Also we wanted something with expandable storage so we can store plenty of music on the phone and still have room for video etc without having to transfer stuff off every other day, so that would have counted the 5X out even if the screen was the right size.

I wouldn't touch another Xperia Z3 Compact - that's what we're replacing with the A3.

The reason we bought the Z3 was the size andy the camera which was supposed to be good, but we have found it average.

On top of that, voice calls are muffled to hell and the missus always sounded like she was talking from the bottom of a swimming pool with her head wrapped in a blanket.

And to top it all off, the design of the thing with a fragile glass back and front, is unbelievably easy to damage, so much so that her's is cracked to buggery all over the back and the screen has cracks too (that's with screen protectors on both the front and the back), and that's just from day to day use with no drops or misadventures.  Unfortunately, after having these problems ourselves, then doing some research on the net, it seems the sound quality and the damage to the glass back and front are regular occurrences.  Google it and you will see how prevalent these issues are with the Z3 compact.

So yeah, if 5" screen and no expandable storage suit you then go the 5X.  But caveat emptor on the Sony......

Thanks everyone for your opinions. Just purchased the 5x