Looking for recommendations and bargains for a Smartphone within $400 budget.
Recommendations for a Smartphone within $400 budget
anonymoususer on 18/12/2016 - 17:58
Comments
Probably want to stay away from LG phones, Nexus 5X is made by LG.
Would you like to provide some insight as to why they should? As this comment is quite pointless without it.
Many of LG's phones have bootlooping issues a few months after use, some OzBargain users have discussed their experience here. Presumably it was only happening on the LG G4 but users on the Nexus 5X subreddit have recently reported that they've started experiencing this bootlooping issue also.
This is a hardware issue and not a software issue, so if it's not happening now it's bound to happen later. Sure, the Nexus 5X is a great phone and has great software but with LG's track record, it's hard to recommend them.
I'm aware of the bootlooping issue that some LG phones have been experiencing lately, but that doesn't mean you should avoid them all together.
so if it's not happening now it's bound to happen later.
This is an unfair assumption, the majority of N5X's haven't had any problems.
I had boot loop issue on my LG G4. It occurs when the phone gets hot from running complex tasks like high end games. LG are doing repairs, but its 1-2 months without the phone. Its a fantastic phone otherwise! Great camera and screen.
What kind of phone do you want?
Windows /
Appleyou're not going to get a decent apple for $400 / Android /
Screen size? (5 inches => 5.5 => 6 inch)
Storage (16GB => 32 => 64GB)
SD card expandable?
Camera quality?
Processor? (Low end, quad core) (mid end, Octa core) or flagship (SD810/ 820 / MTK Helio X20)
Battery life — just enough to last a single day or two-three days?
Fingerprint reader?
NFC?
Contactless Payment (Android Pay) compatible?
Water resist / rugged design?
Stock Android or Skinned Android?Xiaomi Mi 5s
iphone 5s. Brilliant phone.
I agree! Don't see why your post was voted down. Mine will be too, I think. But I love my iPhone 5!
It was voted down because there are lot of anti-apple/iphone peeps on ozbargain. Which is funny because they'd prefer to use their androids with a substandard user interface.
Admittedly, android's interface has improved in the last year or so, but it's still garbage.
Right. Well, I still love my iPhone 5!!!
The problem is that Iphones do not represent any sort of bargain. I also find it kind of funny how people can recommend and iphone5… a phone that is ancient in real terms, in 2017.
I realise that's all you get for $400 but its like someone asking for a new car and you recommend a car thats been sitting in the dealership since 2014.
@tonyjzx: Actually I don't mind that analogy. It's like buying a brand new Toyota Kluger vs a 15 year old Porsche Carrera.
What would you buy: The 2002 Porsche Carrera or the 2017 Kluger?
Personally, I'd buy the Porsche.
Moto G4 or Moto G4+ best value phone there is, I currently use it as my daily phone, has so many capabilities including waterproof plus trustworthy android 6. Definitely recommend!
The Moto X Style/Pure is also quite good, although there is not much splitting the G4 and the Style on paper.
This is the real answer for this thread! Nice 5.5 inch screen, fantastic stock Google android software, GREAT cameras compared to budget xiaomi phones, guaranteed update to android O as well!
if you need BIG then huawei mate 8 second hand on ebay. most of them are just one or two months. get local stock with receipt.
If you don't already have a sim only plan perhaps Virgin $55 p/ month Samsung s7 is an option. Yes it's 24 month plan but they currently have $100 credit on top of cashrewards $50 off.
Includes unlimited calls/txt
4gb data with free data music streaming.
100 mins international calls.
Say the sim plan alone is worth $30 a month.
Phone would cost $25x24=$600
Minus credit & cashrewards $50 have to wait approx 3 months for process.
S7 aus stock for $450. Cheapest local stock previously was $699 optus lock.Might be worth spending that extra $50. Heres the link.
Lumia 950 XL cheapest octo-core, 5.7" Quad HD, 3GB ram and 4k recording for Australian stock with great customer support.
Where to get this cheap though? Wait for another eBay deal?
Yeah probably or when MS have a special promotion. Right now $475 on MS site
I have two Lumias but wouldnt recommened them since you get pretty much zero app support.
Oppo F1s $318 at JB.
I bought a 64GB iPhone 5 for $385 not long ago, with free shipping and one year warrantee, from eBay. The Singaporean company buys older, unopened iPhones and replaces the batteries, then sells them. This phone I got is excellent. I've had Samsungs, other Androids, but this iPhone takes the cake. If you are looking to spend under $400 this is very good value. The screen on my last phone was much bigger, yet it doesn't seem to matter with this phone, as it can do so many awesome things. The straight iPhone 5 is my recommendation!
PS: I can look up the company name if you need me to, tmro.
Dumb question: Do they also send you an Australian compatible charger, or do you have to source it yourself?
Oh… and the obligatory Band 28 question. :s
It has been ages since I checked my comments, hence this delayed response, HN Professional. Yes they do include an Aussei charger and also an extra power unit and a clear rubber protective back. They're called Tradeworx or Tradeworkz as I recall.
Hi DaTJo, thanks for your reply. I'm typing in "Tradeworkz Ebay" right now!
Thanks again!
Xiaomi Mi5S (32GB/4GB)(xiaomiui.aliexpress.com) $259 = AU $361
Is winner then?
Btw, howz its battery life compared to similar price range phones?SLightly above average.
no additional memory card is big let down tho
New Galaxy S5 for $300 at Gorilla Six mobile.
Checked the details it says :
THIS ITEM IS REMANUFACTURED PRODUCT
Did they specify that? Didn't think so…
Asus Zenfone 3 (ZE520KL)… for $350 you get very good battery life, SD card support, dual sim 4G+3G, full 4G support for Australia.
I dont think I can recommend much but IMO in 2017, its an android 6 phone w/3gb ram, 32gb nvram, FHD screen, 12mp or better camera hopefully with some pedigree (ie. Sony Exmor or Lumix etc.), SD card and hopefully some support for the next 18 months or so?
Anything like that?
4gb and 64Gb even better. I'm not terribly opposed to the offbrands like Huawei, Oppo etc. but would like a guarantee of no malware which even Xiaomi doesnt have.
iPhone SE (Maybe?) iPhone 5S or Nexus 5X