Best mid range android phone?

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teamsteve

59 posts

Master Geek
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#132342 18-Oct-2013 10:17

My wife's phone is slowly dying and is frustratingly slow even when it's working ok

I'm looking to buy her a new one, preferably under $350 and not big (she isn't into big phones)

I've had a quick look around around and the Sony Xperia M or HTC Desire X seem to be the nicest options

Does anyone have any experience with these phones, or any suggestions for other ones that I haven't seen?

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282 posts

Ultimate Geek
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#916942 18-Oct-2013 11:21

Have you looked at the Samsung Galaxy SIII Mini - IIRC these were around the $300-$350 mark recently, although I am not sure how it compares to the devices you mentioned in terms of specs.

vexxxboy

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#916957 18-Oct-2013 11:28

i bought a LG optimus 7 for my son for $200 and the L9 at around $300 both are good phones for the price and the specs are really good for the price.

Common sense is not as common as you think.

Kopkiwi

2617 posts

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#916981 18-Oct-2013 12:14

http://www.1-day.co.nz/products/AFMFAUP05

Good timing. Still a great phone.

ajobbins

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#916983 18-Oct-2013 12:16

Might be a bit on the big side, but I would seriously consider a Nexus 4.

They are a good price (Especially at the moment!) and it will mean she will continue to get OS upgrades for longer and faster than almost every other phone.

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aim

247 posts

Master Geek
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#916990 18-Oct-2013 12:31

+1 for Nexus 4. I'd convince her that a 4.7" is about right and get her one of those. Worst case scenario she doesn't like it and you can give it to me :)

teamsteve

59 posts

Master Geek
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#916995 18-Oct-2013 12:52

Oh yea I use a Nexus 4 and love it, bit I know for sure that it's too big for her

That Galaxy S2 on oneday might be a great option though (edit: it's sold out already, ha ha)

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Wade

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#917006 18-Oct-2013 13:23

Is she firm on Android? could be worth considering the WP8 phones in that price bracket as well

Android OEM's generally don't seem to care too much about keeping their mid range offerings up to date whereas the WP8 will be a current model with up to date OS and more likely to stay current for longer

Paulthagerous

698 posts

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#917009 18-Oct-2013 13:35

S3 mini is a very good all round phone - it may not excel at any one thing but is a very nice overall device. Great for someone who isn't a power user but wants a solid, reliable device.

timmmay

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#917016 18-Oct-2013 13:55

The S3 is a good size for smaller women's hands. It doesn't have gorilla glass, and it's not super fast, but it's fine. The S4 mini is a better device but it's almost as expensive as the full S4.

There's a midrange Sony which looks decent, I forget the model but the Sony stores have it in stock. The camera's a bit rubbish is all.

teamsteve

59 posts

Master Geek
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#917022 18-Oct-2013 14:10

She uses google maps a lot and wasn't impressed with Nokia maps when I had a windows phone, so even though the mid range Nokia's look really nice for their price, I think that isn't an option

The S3 mini looks like it would be great for her though

kiwijunglist

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#917098 18-Oct-2013 16:09

Nexus 4 was recently on sale for $199 USD.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

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1eStar

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#917126 18-Oct-2013 17:11

My friends just bought two of these recently. Samsung S2 plus. Very happy with them, they do quite a bit of photography and are impressed by the pics. $400
http://www.einfo.co.nz/shop/samsung-galaxy-ii-plus-i9105-blue-grey-special-while-stock-p-28020.html

epic

9 posts

Wannabe Geek
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#917200 18-Oct-2013 20:30

My 2 oldest boys have an s2 and an S3 mini respectively. Both are good phones and I like the fact that using them after using my S3 is so easy. If you are after a smaller phone it is hard to beat the S3mini.

linw

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#917219 18-Oct-2013 21:48

Another plug for the SIII mini. I bought one a few weeks ago for just over $300 from Noel Leeming. Great device. Not too big and not too small (goldilocks phone!). Nice screen as well.

lokhor

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#917301 19-Oct-2013 09:58

My wife has very tiny hands but I bought her an HTC One and she finds it easy to use, no problems with the size at all.

I think the Nexus 4 is pretty sweet considering the price and the specs.

All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

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