Best mid-range phone options for camera and performance? (Dec 17)

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Tamara

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#226223 26-Dec-2017 15:53

Hi,

I'm hoping for some help finding a decent replacement phone on a budget of around $300. (Ideally less than, but I am prepared to pay a bit more if it really has an impact on the features I'm after)

The primary features I'm after:
- Good front and rear cameras for photos of and with kids (ie good quality, quick to load and access, true to colour)
- Fast enough processing to not have much lag
- Quality screen/colours and general user experience

I use my phone more than my laptop, and currently have a galaxy S4 which is in desperate need of an upgrade. I don't mind refurbished options, and would be happiest with some kind of warranty. My provider is 2 degrees and I am a prepay only user.

TIA

kyhwana2

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+1 received by user: 233

#1925379 26-Dec-2017 16:11

There's the Nokia 6 on special for $320 ATM. https://www.warehousestationery.co.nz/product/W2391618.html

Or you could look at the moto G5. Anything under $300 isn't going to have good cameras or be "lag free" or have good screens.

Tamara

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1925381 26-Dec-2017 16:29

thanks kyhwana2. Would there be anything decent under $400? I'm a bit anxious going that high, but I don't want something that's not much better than what I have either. :(

alasta

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#1925392 26-Dec-2017 17:09

When you say you want to take photos with kids, do you mean while they're in motion?

Even very expensive phones would struggle taking photos of a moving subject, unless there is very good ambient light so you might want to consider buying a standalone camera instead.

When you are on a tight budget sometimes old fashioned solutions work best.

Tamara

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1925419 26-Dec-2017 17:23

I'm not really worried about the action shots, but my current phone is so slow my kid has moved before it even loads lol. Or it takes so long to save it's missed the image. I try and get selfies when I'm trying to get both of us in the picture.

I was looking at the HTC u Play (about $370) and Sony Xperia Z5 (also around $370) on TradeMe. Would they be better options than the Nokia 6? or the overall differences not worth the extra $50?

okkii

23 posts

Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#1937567 12-Jan-2018 10:43

Both the htc U Play and xperia z5 are both near or close to end of update support, z5 is a 2 year old flagship and U play is mediatek based.

Tamara

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1937877 12-Jan-2018 21:08

I ended up getting a factory refurb galaxy S7 on 1-day for $499.... so fingers crossed it ends up being a good choice!

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

shk292

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Lifetime subscriber

#1955438 11-Feb-2018 21:33

Just reviving this thread rather than starting a new one. My two-year old Xperia M4 is getting slower and the battery is struggling to do a day, so looking at mid-range replacement options.

Looking at the 5" screen region, and around $400. Decided I need at least 3MB RAM, and Band 28 LTE is a must (I use this at sea where 700MHz carries further). Options so far:

- Nokia 6 - $360 to $450 depending on options

- Moto G5S Plus - $421 for the dual SIM version

- Kogan Agora 8 Plus (bit of an odd ball from the Dick Smith mailer) - $269

Anyone have any experience with these or alternative suggestions? I'm not very keen on the obscure Chinese ones - I like to be able to get cases etc and local CGA support is good.

Thanks

jonb

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#1960155 19-Feb-2018 09:33

Thanks for the thread. Was going to buy a Xiaomi Mi A1 for daughters new phone, who wants good camera. Will look at some of these, the Nokia 6 would be good if on special again.

Tamara

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#1961261 21-Feb-2018 00:25

The S7 has popped up on 1 day a few times now (factory refurb). The camera is so good. It does well with my wont stop toddler!