Need a new phone. Best phone for $200-300?

[Zeze]

My galaxy S4 is fine but it's a Sprint phone. My new place gets zero reception with Sprint so I'm happy to leave them.

Turns out it's unreliable to take Sprint S4 to MetroPCS or Cricket. They said they can't do it.

I just want to get a new phone then- but at least matches Galaxy S4 specs. And does not use Sprint.

At least 1920 x 1080 & picture quality similar or better than S4.

What's a good deal out nowadays? I've been checking out Slickdeals, nothing particularly interesting.

 

[Commodus]

Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3? It's not too hard to find the 5.5-inch model for less than $300 unlocked. If not that, I'd consider ponying up extra for Google's own Nexus 5X.

 

[linkgoron]

Oneplus X? It's ~250$ and if I recall correctly you don't need an invite to buy one during Tuesdays.

I know that it has some US LTE bands missing, so you should double check it, but my GF has one (not the US version) and she's happy with it (she doesn't game on it though, which I've heard it doesn't do well).

Note that it is missing NFC and ac wi-fi, if that's important to you.

 

[lsd]

Have you looked into straight talk instead? They accept sprint phones.

 

[paperwastage]

Have you looked into straight talk instead? They accept sprint phones.

yeah, but you're still stuck on sprint service (where he has no signal)

no domestic unlock available for the S4 AFAIK

zenfone comes to mind.... nexus 6 would work too if you want something cleaner/AOSP-ish with wifi calling/VoLTe on t-mobile, but both are large phones

DON'T get the OnePlusX... missing LTE bands = bad for future compatibility

 

[monkey333]

Nexus 6 on sale at amazon.

 

[npaladin-2000]

Nexus 6, definitely.

 

[boomhower]

Agreed Nexus 6. Of 5X if you want to up the budget. I am huge proponent of stock Android phones. I'm an Apple guy but if went Android it would be a nexus without a doubt.

 

[Zeze]

Ended up getting a new LG G3 for $180 shipped for T-mobile.

Nexus 6 was a very close call, but I saw that camera is considerably worse than G3 and camera is important to me, second most thing I use next to internet on the phone.

 

[vi edit]

$300 Nexus 6 with 64GB. Fo sho. Would take that over the G3 any day. If you aren't opposed to used, then Swappa a like new G4 for $300.

 

[happy medium]

Lumia 1520.

 

[holden j caufield]

nexus 6 for sure but if that is too big the Note 4 is still the best phone I've used.

 

[danu4u]

Which brand you're interested in? Samsung itself or others too? If others, then you can think of Nexus and OnePlus smartphoes...they surely are worthy buying!

 

[mobifree]

Motorola and Nokia devices would result you in best reception at this price point.

Historically Blackberry, Nokia, Motorola and iPhones have better RF capability than other brands such as LG, Samsung, HTC, Huawei and etc...

 

[GoodEnough]

Ended up getting a new LG G3 for $180 shipped for T-mobile.

Nexus 6 was a very close call, but I saw that camera is considerably worse than G3 and camera is important to me, second most thing I use next to internet on the phone.

"considerably worse?"
How were the cameras so different?
f/2 vs, f/2.4 ?

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/compare/Google-Nexus-6,LG-G3/phones/8626,8347

 

[paperwastage]

"considerably worse?"
How were the cameras so different?
f/2 vs, f/2.4 ?

http://www.phonearena.com/phones/compare/Google-Nexus-6,LG-G3/phones/8626,8347

you're looking at the lens specs

the imaging processor makes a huge difference.... look at sample pics to see why

 

[Raduque]

Nexus 6 is a slamming deal at $300 for the 64gb if you don't care about uSD cards.

 

[danny123]

I will recommend Nexus 6. It is best for you

 

[pete6032]

Does the S4 support all the Sprint 4g bands? I had an HTC one on Sprint and it was missing 2/3 4g bands so the service was crappy. Got a Nexus 5X, which supports carrier aggregation on Sprint and it's night a d day difference.

 

[AMDisTheBEST]

Get Blu Life One x. It's 149 dollars right now, used to be 99 dollars during the 3 day opening sales. 1080 display, 2900mah battery, mt6753 SoC featuring 8 cores cortex A53 cpus and 720p mali gpu which makes it on par with Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 5.5 in performance. Works with all major carriers, sprint included. 16gb internal, 2gb ram with SD micro expansion slot for 64gb.
http://www.amazon.com/BLU-Life-One-Smartphone-Unlocked/dp/B0189RMNTG

 

[stockwiz]

Nexus 6.

/thread

 

[AMDisTheBEST]

Nexus 6.

/thread

too bad that all the sub 300 dollars are sold out on Amazon

 

[stockwiz]

I got mine off ebay when they were doing the 4x ebay bucks or whatever it was... you can find them new there.

 

[ignrock]

Ended up getting a new LG G3 for $180 shipped for T-mobile.

Nexus 6 was a very close call, but I saw that camera is considerably worse than G3 and camera is important to me, second most thing I use next to internet on the phone.

How's your experience with this phone? I want to get a new one because my old Blackberry finally died. I like phones that last, but I don't think they're producing durable phones anymore. Also, I don't want to spend that much on a phone... after all I'm going to use it for basic tasks only.