Recommendations for phones

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dclegg

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#240226 27-Aug-2018 16:16

It's time to help my Dad upgrade his aging Samsung Galaxy Mini. He's told me he'd be happy paying up to $400. I'm a bit out of touch with good mid-range Android offerings, so what do you all recommend for this budget?

He's reasonably tech savy, and has indicated that he doesn't care if it's not another Samsung. Personally I'd prefer to steer him towards something with as close to stock Android as possible, but it's not a deal breaker.

It will be important that the phone can be purchased from a local brick and mortar retailer (including Telco branded stores), as Dad likes to speak in person when seeking technical assistance. So nothing that can only be imported or purchased online. He lives in Tauranga, so bonus points for retailers that have a presence there.

MikeAqua

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#2079850 27-Aug-2018 16:43

I have Samsung Galaxy Ace J-something. I use it as my fishing phone. You wouldn't use it for entertainment, but for texting, calling and the odd app it works. Also Chromecasts just fine.

Mike

timmmay

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#2079856 27-Aug-2018 16:50

Read the recent under $500 thread, it will have some under $400.

shk292

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#2079877 27-Aug-2018 17:38

I've been very pleased with my Moto G5S Plus - mine is the Dual SIM model from dse, but you can get the single SIM version from Noel Leeming or JB for less than $350

dazhann

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#2079901 27-Aug-2018 18:06

+1 for the moto g5s nice phone for the money,plus its close to stock android, they have only added some moto actions which are quite handy

timmmay

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#2079955 27-Aug-2018 20:29

My wifi has a Moto G5 (not S) and she likes it. It's fast enough, not as fast as the Huawei P9 but plenty fast for most people. Battery life is great. The G6 (not plus) is US$250, that just make the NZ$400 cut-off. You'd have to find an unlocked GSM version.

Amazon also recommends the Nokia 6.1, though it only gets 3.7/5.

amiga500

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#2079996 27-Aug-2018 21:16

If the phone is going to be used for anything sensitive such as on-line bookings or banking, get a phone that is going to get regular updates for the next 2 years at least. Nokia seems to be doing a good job with this.

Bung

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#2080002 27-Aug-2018 21:21

shk292:
I've been very pleased with my Moto G5S Plus - mine is the Dual SIM model from dse, but you can get the single SIM version from Noel Leeming or JB for less than $350

Having the dual sim version handy when Herself has one of those " i can't find my phone and by the way did you know the toilet is blocked?" moments - priceless.

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NikT

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#2080054 28-Aug-2018 08:21

Moto is a solid choice in this space. E5 or G6 Play will be fit for purpose with pleasant modern designs and exceptionally large batteries.

Alternatively stretching a little for the recently released Huawei Nova 3i is well worth it for the storage and performance bumps.

shk292:
I've been very pleased with my Moto G5S Plus - mine is the Dual SIM model from dse, but you can get the single SIM version from Noel Leeming or JB for less than $350

All local Moto stock is dual SIM FYI.

Product Manager @ PB Tech

Smartphones @ PB Tech | Headphones @ PB Tech

dclegg

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#2080057 28-Aug-2018 08:28

NikT: Moto is a solid choice in this space. E5 or G6 Play will be fit for purpose with pleasant modern designs and exceptionally large batteries.

Alternatively stretching a little for the recently released Huawei Nova 3i is well worth it for the storage and performance bumps.

I'm a bit wary of Motorola after getting my daughter a G3 a few years back. It started having performance issues (locking, severe lag opening camera, camera app crashing) not long after a year. Granted, she is a far heavier mobile user than my Dad will be, but he will also be wanting this phone to last quite a few years.

dclegg

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#2080058 28-Aug-2018 08:31

Thanks for the advice, all. The Nokia 6.1 looks like a leading contender at this stage. Harvey Norman are advertising theirs as a 'Spark' variant, but I can't see any band information on their page. Is this really only suitable for Spark, or would it also work on Vodafone?

NikT

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#2080064 28-Aug-2018 09:01

dclegg:
NikT: Moto is a solid choice in this space. E5 or G6 Play will be fit for purpose with pleasant modern designs and exceptionally large batteries.

Alternatively stretching a little for the recently released Huawei Nova 3i is well worth it for the storage and performance bumps.

I'm a bit wary of Motorola after getting my daughter a G3 a few years back. It started having performance issues (locking, severe lag opening camera, camera app crashing) not long after a year. Granted, she is a far heavier mobile user than my Dad will be, but he will also be wanting this phone to last quite a few years.

I can't speak for the G3, but Moto are quite proud of their sub-1% RMA rate and there have been no issues with sizable enterprise deployments of G5/G5s/G6 in NZ.

I have my parents using Moto G devices in part for the reliability. Little things like quality microphones and speakers can make a big difference day to day.

dclegg:
Thanks for the advice, all. The Nokia 6.1 looks like a leading contender at this stage. Harvey Norman are advertising theirs as a 'Spark' variant, but I can't see any band information on their page. Is this really only suitable for Spark, or would it also work on Vodafone?

The 6.1 will work fine on Voda, that effectively means 'supplied by' Spark as Spark currently holds exclusive distribution of Nokia phones in NZ.

Product Manager @ PB Tech

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dclegg

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#2080068 28-Aug-2018 09:06

NikT:

I can't speak for the G3, but Moto are quite proud of their sub-1% RMA rate and there have been no issues with sizable enterprise deployments of G5/G5s/G6 in NZ.

I have my parents using Moto G devices in part for the reliability. Little things like quality microphones and speakers can make a big difference day to day.

Thanks Nik, I'll dig a bit deeper into the current Moto range. They were the head of the pack when researching for my daughter. But like I said, her experience soured me a bit. Then again, she treats all her stuff with teenager contempt. :-)

DeepBlueSky

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#2080259 28-Aug-2018 12:57

I know a little more than $400 but this circa $300 USD / $447 NZD phone looks awesome for the price; Xiaomi Pocophone F1

https://www.androidauthority.com/xiaomi-pocophone-f1-892949/

butlerboy

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#2080364 28-Aug-2018 17:50

I picked up an Oppo A75 from PBTech for $389 last weekend and am very happy with it so far. It's a great phone for the money.