Best smartphone around the $200 mark?

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danepak

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#248057 8-Mar-2019 23:53

The wife wants a new phone.
She's currently got a Xiaomi Redmi 4X.
Although the performance of the phone is OK, the camera could be better. And the sound recording is terrible. Especially at concerts etc.
I know she's asking for a lot, but is there anything available around the $200 mark?

danepak

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#2194090 9-Mar-2019 00:06

https://m.banggood.com/NOKIA-X6-Dual-Rear-Camera-Face-Unlock-5_8-inch-4GB-64GB-Snapdragon-636-Octa-Core-4G-Smartphone-p-1333333.html

Are the specs OK?
Decent price.

Handle9

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#2194094 9-Mar-2019 00:31

At that price point the camera is going to be very average, at best. Second hand would be the best bet but it's a mine field unless you know the person you're buying from.

lNomNoml

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#2194095 9-Mar-2019 00:35

Might still be available?

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=77&topicid=243863

michaelmurfy

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#2194099 9-Mar-2019 01:01

Go for one of the Nokia Android One devices. Don’t go grabbing one from China or anything as you’ll find it’ll often never get updates and may come with some undesirable software preloaded or in the system partition.

I bought a Nokia 3.1 for $199 as an android phone for the times I need it. I’m impressed with it. Camera seems good, and it runs really quick.

If you can extend your budget a little more for the proper mid range Nokia’s. it’ll last well, and they come with decent cameras also.

Or if you can then an iPhone is totally worthwhile. It’ll get updates for some time to come and they run quick. The iPhone SE may be a go but there is a rumour it won’t be getting iOS 13. Ensure you get one that will be supported (iPhone 6a or above). You may have to stretch your budget a little more but it’ll last.

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danepak

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#2194122 9-Mar-2019 09:04

Thanks for the info.

The wife is very anti Apple, so iPhone isn't going to happen.

Is the Nokia X6 mid-range?

gzt

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#2194222 9-Mar-2019 10:18

Nokia 5.1 @279 warehouse stationary.

https://www.warehousestationery.co.nz/product/W2504467.html

be quick.

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danepak

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#2194321 9-Mar-2019 11:07

Thanks.
I'm certainly no expert.
Which one would you choose?
I can get the X6 for roughly the same price as the 5.1.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/m.gadgetsnow.com/page/amp_compareshow/compare-mobile-phones/Nokia-51-32GB-vs-Nokia-X6-2018

michaelmurfy

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#2194379 9-Mar-2019 12:17

If you can get the Nokia 6.1 Plus then grab it. It is a good phone.

I wouldn't parallel import these as there is a few different models. You're best to pick one that works with NZ frequencies.

danepak

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#2194383 9-Mar-2019 12:19

Unfortunately the 6.1 Plus is out of the price range at $370.

1101

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#2195701 11-Mar-2019 11:05

danepak: ......And the sound recording is terrible. Especially at concerts etc.

to be honest, expect to be dissapointed unless you buy a flagship phone.
Cheap phones will struggle recording vids of concerts . They cant cope with the loud volumes (may be some exceptions).

A high res cam doesnt mean it will cope with the wide dynamic range required for a night/indoor concert lit by bright lights (from experience with my LG)

danepak

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#2195704 11-Mar-2019 11:07

1101:
danepak: ......And the sound recording is terrible. Especially at concerts etc.

to be honest, expect to be dissapointed unless you buy a flagship phone.
Cheap phones will struggle recording vids of concerts . They cant cope with the loud volumes (may be some exceptions).

A high res cam doesnt mean it will cope with the wide dynamic range required for a night/indoor concert lit by bright lights (from experience with my LG)

OK, thanks. Valuable info.

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chunkybeats

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#2196789 12-Mar-2019 21:25

I got my wife one of these and she loves her phone. She's had hers for 2 years and hasn't missed a beat. Camera is good front and back. Doesn't have the latest software but runs on nougat. I have a spare one as a baby monitor I bought 2nd hand on the cheap and just had a faulty screen.

https://www.dicksmith.co.nz/dn/buy/sony-xperia-xa-16gb-black-sony/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=product_listing_ads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-pngkJb84AIVFhOPCh2nJww5EAQYASABEgL6oPD_BwE

danepak

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#2568774 20-Sep-2020 20:11

Ended up buying a Xiaomi Redmi Note 9 Pro for $350.
Very very good phone. Yes, more than $200, but fab camera and all around decent device.