What is a good android phone?

[Green Man]

Haven’t kept up with android phones since I switched from my S6 to an iPhone. Currently have an XR but have a desire to switch as the iOS file system has been getting on my fucking nerves recently.

Looking for something that has the same form factor of say, the iPhone 8. The XR size is fine but I’d like something that I can use one-handed with ease. Leaning towards the LG G8 as I enjoyed time with LG phones before I got my S6. Anyone have other suggestions?

 Trying to stay around the $300 - $400 range.

[Tasty]

Even as a Pixel fan it's hard to argue against the new iPhone SE. Tremendous value, not sure how they did it since Apple is known for high margins usually. It's a $400 phone with a CPU that'll be better than $1000 Android phones... from 2022. It's that far ahead (or rather, Qualcomm/Samsung/Google are that far behind.) There's some hope with rumors saying Google will start to make their own Pixel chips like Apple with the Pixel 6, but that's a whole 1.5 years away, and assuming it didn't get derailed by COVID...

Current phones, there's the mid-range Pixel 3a (May 2019) at $400, the flagship Pixel 4 (Oct 2019) at $500 (was almost double at launch, has since been heavily discounted), and the Pixel 4a will probably be released for $300-400 sometime soon maybe? Again assuming COVID doesn't delay it.

[Tripon]

Apple just released the iPhone SE, which uses the iPhone 8 body frame with their latest chip for $400.

If you're looking for an Android phone around $400 and can use with one hand, you'll probably want a phone that is 5 inches or smaller, look at high end phones released in 2018 or 2019. Android phones go way cheaper once the latest version is released.

Umidigi has a series of phones that are decently priced with some of the latest firmware, but their specs aren't the latest. Also, you might want to wait until 5G is more available on Android phones.

[Human Snorenado]

In that price range the Pixel 3a/3aXL are tough to beat for Android.

[brawndolicious]

In that price range the Pixel 3a/3aXL are tough to beat for Android.

On that note, the Pixel 4a is supposed to be announced on May 12th I believe and will probably be out by the end of next month. Typically, the Pixel series has the best cameras and the most unencumbered Android software. It'll probably be about the same size as the iPhone SE/8/XR.

The iPhone SE is a great phone for $400 but it's so ridiculous that they kept the bezels big for no reason, no other modern phone I can think of does that. The CPU I believe has a higher clockspeed than any Android device but I'm not sure when that would really be noticeable. I would think a >60 Hz display is more important which the 4a might have.

I dunno, it's all about priorities I guess. Personally, I just want a phone with a popup selfie camera but good luck finding that outside of China.

[bork]

Pixel is just simple Android without any of the shit on top of it, like what Samsung does.  No bloat.  Exactly what I wanted.

[Human Snorenado]

If you're looking for serious IP water resistance certification you're probably shit outta luck at that price point. Costs a good chunk of change to get certified. That said, there may be some phones you can snag, who knows. Motorola has a fucking fleet of phones in that price range all with different features, and their android skin is generally among the least awful (along with OnePlus's Oxygen OS) you can get from a "no bloatware plz" standpoint.

[Beezy]

Recording video on Pixel has always been average compared to other flagship phones though.

[Tasty]

Video quality has improved but photo quality has stagnated, from anecdotes I've heard of the Pixel 4.

[thisismyusername]

Unless Joe is starting a porn site with 4K photos of his dick, I doubt it's that big of a deal.

[bork]

I’ll probably end up going with the Pixel 4 or 4a depending on what the 4a ends up being officially. Google has some pretty incredible camera software and that is definitely super appealing.

If you get a 4, make sure it's the XL model- the regular size version doesn't have good battery life.

[Tripon]

I’ll probably end up going with the Pixel 4 or 4a depending on what the 4a ends up being officially. Google has some pretty incredible camera software and that is definitely super appealing.

If you can wait until the end of the year, the Pixel 5 might be cheaper this year with a less high end chip that will allow Google to drop the price.

[Mr Gilhaney]

Fuck Google services. Get huawai 

[Tripon]

https://twitter.com/slickdeals/status/1253791080669016064

Specs:
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Octa-Core 2.7GHz Kyro 385 Processor
6.4" 3120x1440 QHD + QLED w/ Gorilla Glass 5 Dust/Water Resistant Display Screen
64GB Internal Storage
6GB RAM
WiFi w/ Bluetooth 5.0
Android 8.1 Oreo
3,300 mAh Battery
Unlocked Smartphone (GSM/CDMA)
Includes:
64GB LG V40 ThinQ Unlocked Smartphone (Aurora Black)
Earphones
Quick Charge 3.0 USB Charger
USB Type-C Cable
Limited 1-Year Warranty

2018 SOC. And stuck on Android 8.1, so learn how to flash a rom, I guess.

[Tripon]

Someone offered to sell me the essential phone for $50. Is that a good deal? I know the company is dead but it got updated to android 10 so that should be okay, yeah?

I got the Essential (it's the phone I'm using right now), it's a good phone but yeah because the company is dead. The last update was Android 10 with February security updates. Or you learn how to flash roms for it. If you're going in with the phone should last you a couple of years, I think you'll be fine.

[Tasty]

I could see Joe Biden using an Andy Rubin phone.

[thisismyusername]

Someone offered to sell me the essential phone for $50. Is that a good deal? I know the company is dead but it got updated to android 10 so that should be okay, yeah?

If you don't care about security updates, I guess. 

You could always flash it... I guess...

[brawndolicious]

Recording video on Pixel has always been average compared to other flagship phones though.

Google's engineers always focused on dick pics over dick flicks. Market gets what it demands.

Someone offered to sell me the essential phone for $50. Is that a good deal? I know the company is dead but it got updated to android 10 so that should be okay, yeah?

I have that phone too. It was an amazing value in 2017 but compared to your XR, I think the only thing it does noticeably better is having a file manager. Its camera was always mediocre.

[Transhuman]

S7 edge



It's got a great camera, headpjone jack, sleek design, and it does everything you need it to.

[Occam]

Samsung released a pretty cool phone earlier this year: Samsung Galaxy XCover Pro.
It has a headphone jack and a replaceable battery. Didn't think we'd see that again in 2020.
Dual sim / micro SD.
Only downside, it is huge. 6.3" display.
Price: $500.

[VomKriege]

The OnePlus 5T I have is the best smartphone I owned. New models are above your budget but maybe you can track an older model which in turn should have a jack. Only internal memory and no accessible battery though.

OnePlus OS layer is very transparent and the thing runs like a dream (though I can't say for very high usage like intensive videogame). I guess battery life is what will be the first to fail noticeably.

[Propagandhim]

Motorola has a fucking fleet of phones in that price range all with different features, and their android skin is generally among the least awful (along with OnePlus's Oxygen OS) you can get from a "no bloatware plz" standpoint.

Yeah, I've been impressed with the Moto G/Z series.  I don't really get a boner for phones, so I tend to not spend a grand on one...that said, I don't think there are any phones better for the price point.

[Nintex]

My S10 is pretty cool. I just buy a new Samsung every 2 years as that is how long these phones seem to last now.
Smartphones are pretty much all the same, the only big upgrades are the cameras and more storage/battery life.

[Transhuman]

My friend wants to sell me his OnePlus 7 Pro for $200 but it doesn't have expanded storage, or a headphone jack. Plus it's fat.