Best Android Device under $500

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2523 posts

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#2066827 2-Aug-2018 13:36

wratterus:

The Mi A2 looks pretty nice. 5.8" rather than 5.5", 19:9 aspect ratio. They also have a 6GB/128GB version with a Snapdragon 660 and a slightly larger screen, but a smaller battery.

The 3GB version of the A2 has the same processor as the old one, but 2280x1080 res, face unlock, 4000mAh battery, 2x SIM + SD card slot. Honestly I think you'd be hard pressed to do better for under $500, and one of those is well under $350.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Global-Version-Xiaomi-Mi-A2-Lite-3GB-RAM-32GB-ROM-Moblie-Phone-Dual-Camera-Snapdragon-625/32889642238.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.19.91114d0c4z7vzq&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10152_10065_10151_10344_10068_10342_10547_10343_10340_10059_10341_10548_10696_100031_10084_10083_10103_10618_10307_10624_10623_10622_10621_10620,searchweb201603_16,ppcSwitch_5&algo_expid=b7719237-0473-4bb8-b99e-a5eed7f9f7ce-2&algo_pvid=b7719237-0473-4bb8-b99e-a5eed7f9f7ce&priceBeautifyAB=0

I can't find if it does band 28 anywhere though, if it did that would really be the icing on the cake.

Would need to expand the memory - 32Mb doesn't store a lot of media. Looks like you can add a memory card?

wratterus

1687 posts

Uber Geek

#2066835 2-Aug-2018 13:41

32GB, and yes you can add a SD card.

They do make a 64GB/4GB model too.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Global-Version-Xiaomi-Mi-A2-Lite-4GB-64GB-Snapdragon-625-Octa-Core-5-84-Inch-19/32889746077.html?spm=2114.search0104.3.9.562828e2xCkYhr&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_5_10152_10065_10151_10344_10068_10342_10547_10343_10340_10059_10341_10548_10696_100031_10084_10083_10103_10618_10307_10624_10623_10622_10621_10620,searchweb201603_16,ppcSwitch_5&algo_expid=7824b5b7-736c-41a7-90dd-4e74d43eb186-1&algo_pvid=7824b5b7-736c-41a7-90dd-4e74d43eb186&priceBeautifyAB=0

Edit - looks like it doesn't do band 28. Probably to be expected.

kryptonjohn

2523 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#2066844 2-Aug-2018 14:03

Re no band 28 - does that mean no 4G/LTE out of cities? Does that depend on which carrier? Other than that looks pretty good for the money.

wratterus

1687 posts

Uber Geek

#2066856 2-Aug-2018 14:11

4G will still work in most places. My last few phones have had no band 28 and I've never had an issue.

Check Spark's coverage here and you can see the different locations that only have 4G on 700MHz. Doesn't mean in these locations you have no signal, just no 4G. I guess it would be a consideration if you lived/worked primarily in an area that did only have 4G on 700MHz.

https://www.spark.co.nz/4g/

I've just had a look myself and it looks like they've been expending the 700MHz since I last looked. There are actually a lot of locations now, but primarily lower population areas.

kryptonjohn

2523 posts

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#2066868 2-Aug-2018 14:47

Very interesting - thanks. I see my areas of interest outside town, Whangamata which has both 4G and 4G 700, and the ski lodge up on Mt Ruapehu only has 4G 700... so stuck with 3g there for watching the All Blacks on SkyGo!

RyanDre

59 posts

Master Geek

#2066885 2-Aug-2018 15:06

kryptonjohn:

Very interesting - thanks. I see my areas of interest outside town, Whangamata which has both 4G and 4G 700, and the ski lodge up on Mt Ruapehu only has 4G 700... so stuck with 3g there for watching the All Blacks on SkyGo!

I have Mi A1 on spark and my wifes is 2degrees. Honestly I dont have an issue with no band 28, I get 4g in every town (including Whangamata if i remember correctly, or is that only over xmas period when they beef up coverage there?...), but really 3g is more than good enough to stream skygo or youtube etc if you need to. i think there is very few xiaomi phones with band 28 and when there is it is in the redmi range. And I was at Ruapehu (Tukino) a few weeks back and had 4g as well

amiga500

1484 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user

#2067174 2-Aug-2018 21:42

I'd suggest having a look at Nokia models. I've found the updates on my Nokia 5 have been coming through perfectly and on time each month. I only paid $250.00 for mine just over 2 months ago. In that time I have had 3 of the monthly updates. I'm not suggesting you buy a Nokia 5 but have a look at the next model or two up from that.

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driller2000

935 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#2067862 4-Aug-2018 08:41

Have just ordered this for my partner for $298 NZD shipped:

https://www.gearbeXt.com/cell-phones/pp_1660531.html?wid=1349303

Note replace X with s

Looks well specced for the price - and it replaces a Xiaomi Redmi 3 Pro which has been good value as well.

IMO decent Chinese (like Xiamoi) sourced phones are hard to beat on a bang for buck basis.

kryptonjohn

2523 posts

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#2067869 4-Aug-2018 09:09

That site looks like an AliX sub-site with a different skin!

driller2000

935 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#2068015 4-Aug-2018 16:28

kryptonjohn:

That site looks like an AliX sub-site with a different skin!

I don't believe so - standalone Chinese electronics retailer.

Have purchased probably $2k NZD worth of gear from them over the last couple of years without issue - phones, tablets, quadcopters, minipcs etc.

Specs FYI:

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 as a phablet features 5.99 inch display afford you a vivid and different visual experience. Triple cameras, 12.0MP + 5.0MP dual back cameras and 13.0MP front camera, you can enjoy images with high resolution. It comes with most of the features we've come to expect from a phablet, including 4GB RAM and 64GB ROM storage equipped with MIUI 9 OSand4000mAh big capacity battery that you can play games faster.

Main Features:
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 4G Phablet 5.99 inch MIUI 9 Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 Octa Core 1.8GHz 4GB RAM 64GB ROM Dual Rear Cameras Bluetooth 5.0 Fingerprint Recognition 4000mAh Battery
Display: 5.99 inch, 2160 x 1080 Pixel Screen
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 Octa Core 1.8GHz
System: MIUI 9
RAM + ROM:4GB RAM+64GB ROM
Camera: 13.0MP front camera + 12.0MP + 5.0MP dual back cameras
Sensor: Proximity Sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, E-compass, Fingerprint Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor, Hall Sensor
SIM Card: dual SIM dual standby, 1 x Nano SIM + 1 x Nano SIM / TF card
Feature: GPS, A-GPS, Glonass, Beidou
Bluetooth:5.0
Network:
2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz
3G: WCDMA B1/B2/B5/B8
4G: FDD-LTE B1/B3/B4/B5/B7/B8/B20
TDD-LTE B38/B40

Vapour

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2076691 21-Aug-2018 12:21

Hi,

I'm also looking for a good phone under $500, for my mum.

I was thinking Galaxy S7 Edge, wouldn't that be better than a Nokia 6.1? My thinking is that I want something with a decent size screen, S7 Edge is nice and big, waterproof, and has wireless charging and a great camera... just doesn't have USB-C which would be a nice touch (hard to see if plug is the right way up at her age)....

Keen for feedback.

Thanks.

kryptonjohn

2523 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2076706 21-Aug-2018 12:37

That would be more than $500 wouldn't it?

Vapour

8 posts

Wannabe Geek

#2076708 21-Aug-2018 12:46

$480 from Mobile Station, but yeah still $110 more than the Nokia, which seems like a great phone for under $400.

Dairyxox

1594 posts

Uber Geek

#2076743 21-Aug-2018 12:56

Just because not having band28 worked for you, doesn't mean it will suit other people in other parts of the country.

Careful recommending this.

I.e. Tauranga with Spark is pretty much band 28 or no/very limited coverage.

kryptonjohn

2523 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#2076751 21-Aug-2018 13:04

Dairyxox:

Just because not having band28 worked for you, doesn't mean it will suit other people in other parts of the country.

Careful recommending this.

I.e. Tauranga with Spark is pretty much band 28 or no/very limited coverage.

Should have full 3G coverage there... no?

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