Help recommend options for 5.5" midrange phone for my Mum

Forums › Mobile handsets › Help recommend options for 5.5" midrange phone for my Mum

timmmay

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Topic # 198198 30-Jun-2016 08:07

My Mum has an S4 mini and a 9" tablet, but wants to go with one device, partly because the tablet broke. Her specification is:

Must be suitable for both use as a phone and playing games like solitaire
No slower than the S4 mini - note that she doesn't need a flagship, but does want good quality
5.5" screen - needs to be a practical size for a 5 foot tall woman. The Galaxy note is too large for her.
$300 to $600. Prefer a very good phone at $600 to a good phone at $300.
There must be a decent quality case available, as Mum tends to drop phones on a fairly regular basis.
Update: A good camera would be useful, suitable for an overseas trip. Working overseas (Thailand / Cambodia) would be handy too.

Suggestions appreciated. Mauricio suggested the Huawei P8, which is 5.2", so probably not quite big enough but I'll put to her as an option.

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Reply # 1583243 30-Jun-2016 11:36

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Is the Vodafone Smart Ultra not an option?

timmmay

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Reply # 1583250 30-Jun-2016 11:49

Possibly, but Mum's on 2 degrees. Can you buy it and move it over?

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shk292

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Reply # 1583251 30-Jun-2016 11:50

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Meizu M3? I don't have one but they sound great

cshwone

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Reply # 1583252 30-Jun-2016 11:50

+1 for the Huawei P8. just got one for SWMBO and she is delighted with it.

vexxxboy

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Reply # 1583253 30-Jun-2016 11:52

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timmmay:

Possibly, but Mum's on 2 degrees. Can you buy it and move it over?

yes , it's not locked to Vodafone, it just wont work on the Spark network. Ideal phone.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

timmmay

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Reply # 1583268 30-Jun-2016 12:14

M3 sounds good, Smart Ultra sounds good. Can anyone compare them? I'll obviously look at reviews, but the Vodafone has limited reviews. A good case is really important.

How about when I add this requirement: a decent camera, suitable for being the main photo on an overseas trip. Oh and working overseas would be a bonus.

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jonb

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Reply # 1583281 30-Jun-2016 12:30

P8 Lite at 5" is a great phone for the price, with good camera.

timmmay

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Reply # 1583283 30-Jun-2016 12:32

jonb:

P8 Lite at 5" is a great phone for the price, with good camera.

Too small, but thanks for the idea.

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dickytim

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Reply # 1583299 30-Jun-2016 12:52

http://www.warehousestationery.co.nz/product/B217685.html#q=nexus+5x&start=1

shk292

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Reply # 1583301 30-Jun-2016 12:58

timmmay:

How about when I add this requirement: a decent camera, suitable for being the main photo on an overseas trip. Oh and working overseas would be a bonus.

I was about to say "don't be stupid, a phone will never substitute for a decent camera", then saw your signature

I'll still say that IMHO, using a phone as a primary camera for an overseas trip is not a good idea. Factors such as the limited optics and battery life inherent in a phone just don't stack up

timmmay

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Reply # 1583303 30-Jun-2016 13:01

Interesting idea, at that price. I've asked Mum if she'd rather have a good $300 phone (Smart Ultra, Meizu, etc) or a very good but slightly smaller $500 - $600 phone (P8, Nexus)./

One review of 5X says "The Nexus 5X is a phone that hasn’t stood the test of time all too well. Deteriorating battery and performance are a noticeable and ongoing frustration at the moment Hopefully a future Android update will fix the issues, but for now you’d be better of paying a little more and getting the larger Nexus 6P if you want the best unskinned Android experience.  You can read my original Nexus 5X review below.
Read more at http://www.trustedreviews.com/nexus-5x-review#QXpx0l4A6Omv2LKu.99"

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timmmay

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Reply # 1583308 30-Jun-2016 13:08

Yes, I told Mum to use her camera, but she wants to use a phone.

She's now said she's happy paying $500 - $600 if the phone will be significantly better than a $300 phone.

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jonathan18

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Reply # 1583849 1-Jul-2016 08:29

timmmay:

Yes, I told Mum to use her camera, but she wants to use a phone.

She's now said she's happy paying $500 - $600 if the phone will be significantly better than a $300 phone.

What about a LG G4? http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=3117839

I was kinda tempted by the Nexus 5X, rather than the G4, but in the end I've read similarly critical comments of the 5X, plus the smaller size and lack of SD card...

timmmay

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Reply # 1583885 1-Jul-2016 09:22

LG G4 looks like a great option. Bigger higher resolution screen, plenty of RAM, and reviews are generally good. It has a strange leather back, but cases are available that would hide it anyway. Costs $1100 at Harvey Norman but only $512 at Expert Infotech who have pretty good trademe feedback. Any thoughts on that as a place to buy?

Any thoughts on LG G4 vs Nexus 5X (comparison)? Nexus has slightly newer technology, USB C, standard back, and updates by Google regularly.

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jonathan18

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Reply # 1583895 1-Jul-2016 09:38

timmmay:

LG G4 looks like a great option. Bigger higher resolution screen, plenty of RAM, and reviews are generally good. It has a strange leather back, but cases are available that would hide it anyway. Costs $1100 at Harvey Norman but only $512 at Expert Infotech who have pretty good trademe feedback. Any thoughts on that as a place to buy?

Any thoughts on LG G4 vs Nexus 5X (comparison)? Nexus has slightly newer technology, USB C, standard back, and updates by Google regularly.

The G4 can be purchased with a standard back - the Pricespy link I included in my post is to that version. You can also purchase "Quick circle" cases for the G-series phones (eg from eBay) that replace the back cover of the phone, so add little in bulk (these are the ones with the round hole in the front cover).

I'm also planning on purchasing from Expert Infotech for the reason that they have a proper NZ presence, ie they're not an o/s-based drop-shipper.

Given this is for your mother - I'm getting the G4 for my wife, who's chosen to go with this over other phones including the 5X. She's used to a 5.5" inch screen and doesn't want to go smaller.

As it happens, I posted for advice on phone options at a similar price point a few months back, which may be worth your time reading - see http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=97&topicid=193645&page_no=1.

Note that the G4 has been superseded by the G5, but it's still an excellent performer. (Both the G4 and G5 are difficult to find at NZ high street retailers; HN is one of the few selling, but I'm pretty sure the price you quote there will be for the G5?)

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