Recommend a compact Android phone 2022 NZ

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timmmay

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#296093 20-May-2022 20:24

Can anyone recommend a compact Android phone for my wife? Thoughts on options:

Fairly small - something about the size of the Google Pixel 4a would be good
Must look ok / good
Major brand
Support NZ standards such as VoLTE
Prefer not parallel imported, available in NZ
Price prefer max $500 - $750
Good performance, good camera, don't need high end

I'm not sure there is anything. Current thoughts are Samsung A33 / A53, both larger than preferred

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#2916612 20-May-2022 21:37

Pixel 5, 5a, Xperia 10 iii, Galaxy S10

Pixel 5 would be my first choice.

MaxineN

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#2916613 20-May-2022 21:49

ech3lon: Pixel 5, 5a, Xperia 10 iii, Galaxy S10

Pixel 5 would be my first choice.

And 3 of those are parallel imported and will not do VoLTE or 5G.

VoLTE is the more important one when only on 4G towers and there's no 3G tower to fall back on and you need to make a call.

I'm not sure you're going to get a compact phone in these days unless you raise your budget and get a S22 or you join team Apple(iPhone 12 mini or 13 mini which also requires raising your budget).

Ramblings from a mysterious lady who's into tech. Warning I may often create zingers.

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#2916628 20-May-2022 22:50

The S21 FE 5G is $1,099 so over your budget but I would argue the fact make a good long term investment could make up for that. I am really pleased with my S21 and can't see myself replacing it anytime soon. Failing that the Samsung A-series could be good alternative options.

Strongly support avoiding any phones that do not support VoLTE such as the Pixels. Really not worth the risk that you end up with a phone that can't make phone calls when you need it most e.g. lots of new rural and highway coverage coming online are 4G only. Save yourself the hassle.

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#2916631 21-May-2022 03:13

iPhone SE on special.

timmmay

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#2916637 21-May-2022 08:46

Thanks all for your thoughts. S21 / S22 would be a good size but you only save about 1cm and it costs and extra $500 to $600. I did ask my wife if she wanted an iPhone but she said no.

I think Samsung A series is going to be the best option, it's not small but from the specs the performance should be quite good (better than my Pixel 4a) and they're well supported. A33 and A53 are the two that look like they might be about right. I'll find a store with the phones so she can have a look.

Any more opinions are welcome :)

MaxineN

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#2916697 21-May-2022 10:06

timmmay:

Thanks all for your thoughts. S21 / S22 would be a good size but you only save about 1cm and it costs and extra $500 to $600. I did ask my wife if she wanted an iPhone but she said no.

I think Samsung A series is going to be the best option, it's not small but from the specs the performance should be quite good (better than my Pixel 4a) and they're well supported. A33 and A53 are the two that look like they might be about right. I'll find a store with the phones so she can have a look.

Any more opinions are welcome :)

Don't get the A53. SoC is significantly worse than the 778G that was in the A52s. The A52s is also cheaper and you still get that headphone jack and microsd support! https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/MPHSAM2352803/Samsung-Galaxy-A52s-2021-5G-Dual-SIM-Smartphone-6G

Ramblings from a mysterious lady who's into tech. Warning I may often create zingers.

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timmmay

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#2916780 21-May-2022 12:55

MaxineN:

Don't get the A53. SoC is significantly worse than the 778G that was in the A52s. The A52s is also cheaper and you still get that headphone jack and microsd support! https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/MPHSAM2352803/Samsung-Galaxy-A52s-2021-5G-Dual-SIM-Smartphone-6G

Good point thanks. Benchmarks do say the A52s can be 25% faster, single and multi-core.

timmmay

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#2916883 21-May-2022 17:32

My wife has veto'd the A52 / A53 size as too large at 159mm. The S22 is $1200 and about 1cm smaller at 146mm, she'd like even smaller than that. I might have to look at a Pixel 6a, but even that is pushing it at 152mm. She liked the Moto G1 which is 130mm, I'm not sure anything that small exists any more.

nzkc

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#2916884 21-May-2022 17:34

My wife has a Samsung A52 (currently $438 @ PBTech). Was bought a year ago or so. Its a great phone at that price. Sure the A52s and A53 have 5G, other than that you're not getting much more phone for quite a bit more in $$$. Depends if 5G is a must have a I suppose.

shk292

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#2916886 21-May-2022 17:42

You could get a Galaxy S10E but not sure how long they will have support. I've had mine for 2 years and it's an excellent phone

https://www.mobilestation.co.nz/brand-new-samsung-galaxy-s10e-128gb-with-gift.html

timmmay

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#2916954 21-May-2022 20:18

S10 is a good size, but I'm not sure I'd buy something that's probably not going to be supported for much longer.

I sent my wife a link to this 2.5" phone... ;)

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bazzer

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#2950690 4-Aug-2022 14:57

What did you decide on, if anything?

MaxineN:

Don't get the A53. SoC is significantly worse than the 778G that was in the A52s. The A52s is also cheaper and you still get that headphone jack and microsd support! https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/MPHSAM2352803/Samsung-Galaxy-A52s-2021-5G-Dual-SIM-Smartphone-6G

I like the look of the A series too, and would definitely have followed MaxineN's advice above, but it looks as though I'm too late and I can only find parallel import stock of the A52s. Tempted for the A73, bit pricier than I cared for and doesn't really seem like much of an upgrade over the A52s (plus it doesn't come with a charger!).

Any other options these days?

timmmay

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#2950691 4-Aug-2022 15:03

We haven't gotten anything yet, but Samsung A series is probably what we'll get once the current phone dies.

bazzer

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#2950883 5-Aug-2022 11:33

Same. My need isn't dire, so I will keep an eye out for specials or updates. I think the A73 is definitely worth $100 over the A53. Maybe there'll be an A73s soon?

Edit: Actually Noel Leeming has the A52s for $499. That's me, I reckon. 👍

mrgsm021

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#2950888 5-Aug-2022 11:52

Mmmm...the new Asus Zenfone 9 is getting good reviews on YT but might be a bit of a long shot in terms of availability and support for NZ 5G/VoLTE/VoWiFi

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