Looking for a New Smartphone (Budget $300- $400) - Opinions reqd

Empharand on 27/03/2016 - 16:31
Last edited 27/03/2016 - 16:48

Hi everyone,

Long story short, I'm in the market to buy a new smartphone. Currently rocking the Galaxy S3, safe to say it's time to upgrade.
I have had a look at what phones are available between -$300 - $400 (or less)

What I'm basically looking for is:
- 4G Capability
- Will work with Amaysim
- At least 3GB Ram (4GB preferable)
- Something reliable

Thus far, I have found two that stand out, which are
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 (3GB)
- ASUS Zenfone 2 (4GB)

Aside from those, can anyone either recommend one of the above, or recommend another phone taking into consideration what I have written above.

Thank you in advance.

Mobile

Comments

  • Empharand on 27/03/2016 - 16:49

    Deleted comment

  • [Deactivated] on 27/03/2016 - 16:49

    Moto G3 XT1550.

    • Empharand on 27/03/2016 - 16:53

      Nice suggestion, however I would prefer to go for a 3 or 4GB phone.

    • aboabo on 27/03/2016 - 17:18

      ..S2 running CyanogenMod 12.1 and a 128GB card.

      Does that fix the 2GB app limit?

    • Empharand on 27/03/2016 - 17:21

      Yeah, very good timing!!
      LG G4 looks good, the Nexus models are 2GB Ram.

      I'm in no rush, just looking to do the research and get the opinions in advance, so I know what I want when the times comes.

    • aboabo on 27/03/2016 - 17:41

      Thanks for the link.

  • extract on 27/03/2016 - 17:41
    +1

    HTC M8

    • eatwell365 on 27/03/2016 - 21:23

      M8 vs G2

      • codename47 on 30/03/2016 - 14:44
        +1

        I did comparison too, LG G2 compares well with HTC M8

        • extract on 30/03/2016 - 17:01
          +1

          Can confirm had an LG G2 before my M8. If LG would make a G2 with a Micro SD slot and updated specs to today's standards i would be first in line to give them my money.

        • codename47 on 30/03/2016 - 21:34

          @extract: yeah that is one amazing phone.

  • eatwell365 on 27/03/2016 - 21:16

    school asked kids to bring a phone for camping. did not want something too expensive - was looking for Samsung Galaxy S4. Then read review LG G2 is better.
    Bought brand new 32Gb on eBay, paid £ with Paypal in AUD, $170 delivered. Asked friends to buy too. Very happy.

    Upgrade OS software to lollipop.

  • darkchoc on 31/03/2016 - 09:07

    Xiaomi mi4c, mi4i, redmi 3. With checking out sale on ali express app.

    Otherwise lg g4, samsung s5.

  • codename47 on 31/03/2016 - 09:33

    How is the Nexus 5x ? will it replace the lg g2 which has now gone pretty old?

  • lovepeoplenotmoney on 20/04/2016 - 09:44

    I use the Zenfone 2, best value for money phone at the time and possibly still. There is no lanyard hole for added drop security, definitely buy a silicone/TPU shock absorption skin, tempered glass screen. I bought a waterproof pouch to give myself a lanyard hole, and use 3 thin lanyards to disperse the weight. The accessories or parts are really cheap compared to other handsets.

    The stock keyboard UI doesn't predict so well like an old version of Baidu IME I need to find. Marshmellow 5.0 UI was strange to get accustomed to coming from Samsung Note 3 Android 4.0. Need to turn off background app activity to prevent your data from being drained, and disable as much unneeded bloatware as possible.

    Compare with current and about to be released models, after a year, there maybe something better value than the Zenfone 2. Ensure you get a Qualcomm CPU like snapdragon for better compatibility with QC 3.0. If you haven't got a power bank, get a Xiaomi 20000mAh for ~$35, the bidirectional pro version (<$50) would only suit a really heavy user for simultaneous charging.

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