Look at the new Nokia 7.2 at about $550 each.

go to jbhifi

look at samsung a10 a20 a50 a70 a80

note: check it has the radio bands needed for your carrier

d3Xt3r: OnePlus 6. It's a much better option than regular budget phones, as it's basically a flagship with no bloatware that doesn't artificially slow down over time like other bloatware-ridden phones. Snapdragon 845 (octacore), 8GB RAM, fast UFS 2.1 storage, headphone jack, stock Android, dual-SIM, global LTE, decent camera.

You can get a 256GB model for $699 (Mobile Station), but even the 128GB is worth getting if you don't need that much storage.

d3Xt3r: OnePlus 6. It's a much better option than regular budget phones, as it's basically a flagship with no bloatware that doesn't artificially slow down over time like other bloatware-ridden phones. Snapdragon 845 (octacore), 8GB RAM, fast UFS 2.1 storage, headphone jack, stock Android, dual-SIM, global LTE, decent camera.

You can get a 256GB model for $699 (Mobile Station), but even the 128GB is worth getting if you don't need that much storage.

ermat: Mobile Station have mixed reviews. Can they be trusted. Has anyone here had experience with them.

Seek and yea shall find...

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=97&topicid=236173

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=97&topicid=243838

The general gist of most feedback on Mobile Station is avoid doing business with them.

I bought a OnePlus 6 last year from ExpertInfotech; I see they're selling the 6T 128GB for $677 - https://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=4974209 (Note - this is the one they took out the headphone socket, if that's important to you.)

I'm pretty sure I have also read some pretty damning things about their warranty honouring, so would be careful about them, as I would about most of these types of retailers; one advantage with this firm, though, is they're an NZ based firm with a physical presence (shop on the North Shore), so you have CGA coverage (but the potential hassle of having to use the Disputes Tribunal).

I got xiaomi mi 9 lite just a week ago. and my lord. for $383 delivered - it's a beast! the only thing I miss is stock android. but MIUI is not that awful as it used to be 4-5 yrs ago.

pretty good camera 48M in PRO mode, NFC, quick change, but no wireless charge, awesome screen, onscreen finger print scanner.

Another thing that annoys me, all new devices are so slim, they slip out of my hands in no time! I'm forced to use non-slippery case :( make 'em fat and 10000 mAh batteries :D

kobiak:

I got xiaomi mi 9 lite just a week ago. and my lord. for $383 delivered - it's a beast! the only thing I miss is stock android. but MIUI is not that awful as it used to be 4-5 yrs ago.

pretty good camera 48M in PRO mode, NFC, quick change, but no wireless charge, awesome screen, onscreen finger print scanner.

Another thing that annoys me, all new devices are so slim, they slip out of my hands in no time! I'm forced to use non-slippery case :( make 'em fat and 10000 mAh batteries :D

ermat:

kobiak:

 

I got xiaomi mi 9 lite just a week ago. and my lord. for $383 delivered - it's a beast! the only thing I miss is stock android. but MIUI is not that awful as it used to be 4-5 yrs ago.

 

pretty good camera 48M in PRO mode, NFC, quick change, but no wireless charge, awesome screen, onscreen finger print scanner.

 

Another thing that annoys me, all new devices are so slim, they slip out of my hands in no time! I'm forced to use non-slippery case :( make 'em fat and 10000 mAh batteries :D

 

Did you buy from Mobile Station ?
How was the service and quality ?

nope. from aliexpress. took about a week for delivery.

Look at their price spy reviews and the thread that asked the question.