What is the best $200 smart phone I can get?

[Charmonium]

I'd like to get something like the LG G4 but I rarely use my cell phone and even when I do it's mainly for notifications and texts.

However my current carrier is Virgin which runs on Sprint's network and it SSSUUUUUUCCCKKKKS moose dick. Also their coverage map is a lie.

So I'm thinking of buying an unlocked phone on Amazon and then going with Metro PCS which uses Tmobile's network. Thoughts, suggestions?

 

[GreenOrbs]

I'm using a Asus Zenfone 2 at the moment which I am very satisfied with. The $200 version was quite sufficient for my needs. Offers impressive specs for the price if you are looking for a 5.5" phone. Overall, a great phone for the price.

That said, I prefer stock android (used to have a Moto G and Nexus 7). Might be worth waiting for the new Moto G if you don't like bloatware and custom UI's.

 

[RossMAN]

Moto G although I would upgrade to the 2GB RAM/16GB model.

Idol 3 + smart watch sell the watch for $100 - there are several people in that thread who are interested in buying the watch.

My wife's Moto G should be here tomorrow, I'm probably more excited than she is.

 

[Charmonium]

I'm using a Asus Zenfone 2 at the moment which I am very satisfied with. The $200 version was quite sufficient for my needs. Offers impressive specs for the price if you are looking for a 5.5" phone. Overall, a great phone for the price.

That said, I prefer stock android (used to have a Moto G and Nexus 7). Might be worth waiting for the new Moto G if you don't like bloatware and custom UI's.

Thanks. Right now I have an LG Volt so I'm thinking about getting a sim card from MetroPCS and seeing how that goes.

I like the Volt since it's the perfect size. Not sure how I feel about a phone that significantly bigger and an ounce heavier.

Here are the stats on the Zenfone from phonescoop.com

http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=4802

Here is the LG Stylo which I'm considering

http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=4722

I like that it can handle 128gb sd cards since I tend to load a lot of movies to watch while I'm waiting.

 

[Charmonium]

Moto G although I would upgrade to the 2GB RAM/16GB model.

Idol 3 + smart watch sell the watch for $100 - there are several people in that thread who are interested in buying the watch.

My wife's Moto G should be here tomorrow, I'm probably more excited than she is.

Idol 3 looks promising but a little more than I want to spend. Seems to be about $250 on Amazon

http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=4745

 

[RossMAN]

How is AT&T coverage in your area? If it's good, I would consider their version of MetroPCS which is Cricket.

 

[GreenOrbs]

For me, I make use of the dual SIMs on the Zenphone to run T-mobile and H2O prepaid (which is AT&T) for 5c/minute or text. Have not yet found any instances in which both T-mobile and AT&T happened to have bad coverage in the same spot.

 

[Charmonium]

How is AT&T coverage in your area? If it's good, I would consider their version of MetroPCS which is Cricket.

I don't know but I will check out what Cricket has to offer. Thanks.

For me, I make use of the dual SIMs on the Zenphone to run T-mobile and H2O prepaid (which is AT&T) for 5c/minute or text. Have not yet found any instances in which both T-mobile and AT&T happened to have bad coverage in the same spot.

So how does that work exactly - with dual sims? The phonescoop profile doesn't say anything about dual sim capability so do you just swap out sim cards?

 

[GreenOrbs]

The Zenfone has two SIM slots. One is full featured with which you can use data and the other supports only phone/text (no 4G). Both SIMS are in the phone at the same time and I can just select which one I want to use when I dial/text. Basically the UI has two enter buttons that say SIM 1 and SIM 2 when dual SIMS are enabled. No swapping needed.

I run the 100min/5 GB plan from T-mobile for $30 bucks and then just buy a $10 H2O refill when I need it.

 

[Charmonium]

The Zenfone has two SIM slots. One is full featured with which you can use data and the other supports only phone/text (no 4G). Both SIMS are in the phone at the same time and I can just select which one I want to use when I dial/text. Basically the UI has two enter buttons that say SIM 1 and SIM 2 when dual SIMS are enabled. No swapping needed.

I run the 100min/5 GB plan from T-mobile for $30 bucks and then just buy a $10 H2O refill when I need it.

Thanks. Sucks that phonescoop doesn't list which phones have dual sim.

 

[soccerballtux]

I'm using a Asus Zenfone 2 at the moment which I am very satisfied with. The $200 version was quite sufficient for my needs. Offers impressive specs for the price if you are looking for a 5.5" phone. Overall, a great phone for the price.

That said, I prefer stock android (used to have a Moto G and Nexus 7). Might be worth waiting for the new Moto G if you don't like bloatware and custom UI's.

this is what I would recommend

 

[kaerflog]

LG G2 /end thread.

 

[cardiac]

Yep, exactly what kaerflog said.

/Close thread..

 

[JeffMD]

For the past 5 months or so the sprint prepaid version of the LG Flex was selling for $199, I picked it up in the begging. It seems however that stock has dried up. I feel fortunate to come upon the sale and I don't think any other phone could touch it at that price. The G2 offers a higher resolution, but the flex has a bigger screen, UHD video capture, and better durability.

 

[Charmonium]

G2 doesn't seem to support microSD cards.

 

[JeffMD]

yea neither does flex. I have been able to adjust for the 20gb of storage but just in case, I picked up one of those dash micro's with a 64gb micro sd card if I need to move data off or store large videos. I store it with my earbuds in a pouch.

 

[stlc8tr]

Why is there so much love for two-year old LG phones in this thread?

Surely something like Zen Fone 2 or Idol 3 would be a better choice these days?

 

[npaladin-2000]

Why is there so much love for two-year old LG phones in this thread?

Surely something like Zen Fone 2 or Idol 3 would be a better choice these days?

Because it's still to this day one of the best phones in existence. If they'd put Band 12 on there I'd buy another one.

 

[JeffMD]

Why is there so much love for two-year old LG phones in this thread?

Surely something like Zen Fone 2 or Idol 3 would be a better choice these days?

Because neither of those have seen $199? They also dont see much press. Spec wise they look nice. I like the zen fone, typical good specs from asus although i couldn't help but notice neither phones camera go beyond 30fps 1080p video which is unusual for good phones in the past year, let alone 2 years.

 

[Charmonium]

What I care most about is good reception. The LG Volt is ok but for some of these 3rd tier providers like Virgin, you need a phone that can really suck the signal out of the air.

Between the Zenfone and Idol 3 I'm liking the Idol better. Does Alcatel have a good reputation for signal strength?

I'd still rather not pay more than $200 but maybe that's asking too much.

 

[stlc8tr]

Because it's still to this day one of the best phones in existence. If they'd put Band 12 on there I'd buy another one.

I haven't used a G2 but I have a N5 and while I like it fine, I wouldn't buy another one for $200. I'd go for a ZenFone 2 at that price point. I would be sure to root and debloat though.

 

[RossMAN]

Why is there so much love for two-year old LG phones in this thread?

Surely something like Zen Fone 2 or Idol 3 would be a better choice these days?

1) Because of certain person(s) who have made it abundantly clear they LOVE this phone.
2) The numerous eBay deals for refurb LG G2 anywhere from $150 - $200
3) Awesome bang for your buck factor.
4) Yes it's former flagship (2 years old) but solid ROM support, 32GB and great battery life= worth considering

However for certain people (like me) they prefer vanilla Android experience, quick updates without any tinkering (XDA) and mSD support hence my support for the Moto G 3rd gen.

Received ours today and wow it feels nice and entry level premium in the hand. At least compared to Moto G 1st gen. Unfortunately I'm a little busy so we won't be able to play with it for a few days. It's charging right now, came charged at 54% which is interesting. Do I need to reformat the 32GB microSD card or just pop it in? How does Android 5.1.1 handle installing apps (not data) on the mSD or is that only available in upcoming M?

 

[sbpromania]

+1 for the Zenphone, after all, a new phone is a new phone. Also, it has nice specs for the money.

 

[jchu14]

LG G2 is a very nice phone if you don't need the micro-sd slot. I used it for a few days and the phone is still very fast and has awesome battery life for a phone that came out 2 years ago. The bezel is very small for its screen size. I was tempted to sell my Oneplus One get a G2 instead because of its size.

If you can get one in the $150 range, i think it's a no brainer.

But if you're interested in the $200 Zenphone 2, there is currently a $25 off $200 promotion at Newegg with Visa checkout. Just get a filler item and $175ish for a zp2 is pretty good.

http://promotions.newegg.com/bts201..._mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_-cables-_-na-_-na&cm_sp=

 

[stockwiz]

S4 Active is nice and can be found refurbished for under $150. Mine's running android 5 which I had to manually apply to it. No burn in on the screen because it's LCD, replaceable battery, microsd slot, water resistant.