New Phone Advice Request with Specific Requirements

LElias11 on 13/09/2017 - 08:05

Good morning members,

I noticed while looking at mobile phone suggestion topics, I was unable to find what I am looking for.
Currently using a galaxy S5, sadly due to planned obsolescence, I am struggling with high lag times with Google maps, FB messenger, time to change.

I might be asking for too much or impossible with the specs listed, but given gearbest, neweggs, banggood's way of filtering, it makes it rather difficult to filter the listings.
If you could please, guide me to a mobile phone with or closest to the following requirements:

  • Android
  • Budget: up to AU$400 (with delivery). If I get away with sub $300, it is a bonus.
  • Size: 5 to 5.5" inch (5.5" preferred)
  • Removable battery (min 3000mAh) (not really essential for removable, but I know in a year's time, I will need to replace the battery as it won't hold charge well)
  • min 3gb ram
  • min quad core
  • FHD display (AMOLED hopefully)
  • best NIGHT time camera, max f2 on both front/rear (if possible). I don't care about how many megapixels. Quality over qty. (no need 4k, 1080p is enough)
  • I am with Jeenee (Optus network), band 28 (700mHz) would be good (using oztowers.com.au shows I have access to them at home and work) I struggle at work with reception as it is.
  • NFC but not essential (I can give up this feature)
  • LED notification
  • Dual band wifi (not essential)
  • NO ADWARE
  • OPTIONAL: Waterproof min 0.5m and min 15s (enough time for me to pick it up if it fell in water hahaha)

Don't care about:
- looks,I will have it in a case, so looks are hidden anyways
- Not 'all glass' body. I will sit on it one day and yeah.
- Brand names
- more than one rear lens.

I understand this might be asking a lot, but want to try, maybe there is a phone out there that matches the requirements. Maybe not.

Thank you in advance.

Mobile

Comments

  • Caped Baldy on 13/09/2017 - 08:29

    A lot of that is becoming standard nowadays. I think the Motorola play series or lg v20 meets a lot of the needs (not sure about LED notification and not waterproof). Could go for one of the Chinese phones but you'll need to flash the firmware otherwise you'll be sending your details to the Chinese gov.

    There's usually a trade off with removable battery and water resistance.
    Btw, not an expert but most of the camera features are BS compared to proper cameras due to the smaller sensor size and physical lens size.

    • Elias11 on 13/09/2017 - 09:09

      Regarding the waterproof and battery removal, you are right with most phones these days.
      The S5 is removable and waterproof but not many with that option anymore :(

      Wasn't aware of the Chinese rom and government relation, but I will make sure I will flash it!

      Regarding the camera, yes, seems you are correct, a lot of it are sale pitches.

  • ESEMCE on 13/09/2017 - 08:29
    +1

    Xiaomi Mi Note 2 is pretty close to ticking all your boxes.
    https://www.gearbest.com/cell-phones/pp_476952.html

    • Elias11 on 13/09/2017 - 09:06

      This one is a good choice, I was concerned about the 'phablet' size, but it's pretty much the size of my current S5!
      Thank you, I will add it to the shortlist.

      • ESEMCE on 13/09/2017 - 10:57
        +1

        Yeah the shrinking bezels are allowing big screen phones fit into "small screen" bodies. Mi Mix 2 squeezes essentially a 6" screen into the same body!

      • O O on 13/09/2017 - 12:58

        How about Xiaomi Redmi Note 4x, even cheaper.

  • CyberMurning on 13/09/2017 - 08:29

    ups almost say iphone X…..

    • Elias11 on 13/09/2017 - 09:10

      haha yeah nah. Not paying over $1k for a phone.
      I don't understand how people are ok with that.

      • CyberMurning on 13/09/2017 - 09:48

        amending your post :
        "not paying over $1.5k for a phone"

        • Caped Baldy on 13/09/2017 - 09:55
          +1

          well the post does have a $400 budget

      • stirlo on 13/09/2017 - 10:04

        I use my phone a minimum of 2-3 hours per day and it's my primary computer. I'm okay with paying ~$1 per hour for it.

        • Elias11 on 13/09/2017 - 10:21

          interesting point of view.
          365 days at $3/day = $1095
          hmmmm….
          But hey, we are on this website for bargains so why not bringing that down to $1 per day :P

        • CyberMurning on 13/09/2017 - 10:32

          the s8 with the dock is that good enough to be primary sole main computer?
          (well of course plug in to monitor at home but no other desktop, laptop, tablet, nas, tv box, etc)

        • stirlo on 13/09/2017 - 11:07
          +2

          @Elias11: Minimum 2-3 hours per day. Also the phone doesn't have zero value at the end of 1 year. You can generally sell second hand for at least 50% of what you paid. Or just keep it a couple of years. Either way $1 per hour is probably vastly over stating the cost.

        • stirlo on 13/09/2017 - 11:10

          @dragonindespair: I'd say yes, but I'd also define "primary computer" as the one you perform most tasks on. In which case mobile phone wins hands down even without a dock/monitor.

          Personally all I've used my laptop for is writing my resume in the last year.

        • CyberMurning on 13/09/2017 - 11:46

          @stirlo:
          "Personally all I've used my laptop for is writing my resume in the last year."
          same here.
          plus for me:
          - accessing NAS
          - doing tax return

        • Elias11 on 13/09/2017 - 12:12

          @stirlo: that's true, didn't think of resell value.

        • pantsparty on 13/09/2017 - 13:50
          +1

          @Elias11: This calculation assumes you only keep the phone for 1 year. Realistically it will probably be totally fine to use for 3 years. $1 a day?

  • Elias11 on 13/09/2017 - 09:13

    I forgot to mention bluetooth with Aptx (but this is standard with bluetooth 4.2)

  • mtrkr on 13/09/2017 - 10:41
    +2

    a great value droid about $400, with now rare removable battery, NFC, lots of RAM (4), very good night time photography using Google Camera HDR+ app, etc: https://www.dwidigitalcameras.com.au/lg-v20-h990-dual-sim-64…

  • Irate Monk on 13/09/2017 - 15:04
    +1

    Look at this. Checks all the boxes except the water resistance.

    Available at absolute bargain prices.

    I'm personally getting this, moving from my current Note5.

    Note 4 is that good!

    Why?

    WAS THE GALAXY NOTE 4 THE LAST GREAT SAMSUNG PHONE?
    Probably yes.

    Refer below.

    Best
    Phone
    from Samsung
    ever

  • wobbuffet on 13/09/2017 - 15:14
    +1

    http://www.gsmarena.com/results.php3?nCPUCoresMin=4&nRamMin=…

    Most requirements met???

    Tweak the search settings and boom.

  • Presence on 13/09/2017 - 17:03
    +1

    Motorola G5 from Officeworks for $250 ticks the right boxes.

    Android YES
    Budget: up to AU$400 (with delivery). YES $250
    Size: 5 to 5.5" inch (5.5" preferred) 5"
    Removable battery (min 3000mAh) 2800 removable
    min 3gb ram 2GB
    min quad core OCTA
    FHD display (AMOLED hopefully) IPS FHD
    best NIGHT time camera, max f2 on both front/rear (if possible). f2.0
    band 28 (700mHz) would be good YES
    NFC NO
    LED notification NO
    Dual band wifi YES
    NO ADWARE YES

    It has a SD card slot and is dual sim (at the same time) and fingerprint sensor.
    Downsides are no compass and no QI.
    I have one and its great.

    • Elias11 on 14/09/2017 - 07:16

      Awesome, added to the shortlist.
      Thank you

  • Irate Monk on 13/09/2017 - 17:54
    +1

    Note 4 is also among the rare flagship phones out there sporting dual SIM and an independent mSD card slot. Dunno why cheap ass budget phones Samsung makes are such endowed, wherein the top end eschews this. Thanks presence mentioning this feature on a phone.

    Aside the G5 doesn't have NFC??
    How do you then control your Sphero Ollie Darkside, now available BNIB at Radio Rentals for $94?? They don't have these clearance stuff on the website, so gotta rock up to your nearest "clearance" store. Ollie is quite fun.

    (:{)

    • Elias11 on 14/09/2017 - 07:15

      wow ok, the note $ is a good option too and good price. I've always had the Samsung range, have always been satisfied with their products.
      Added to the shortlist.
      thank you

  • Irate Monk on 13/09/2017 - 18:07
    +1

    Sorry for the accidental duplicates…

  • terrys on 14/09/2017 - 07:55
    +1

    You've pretty much described the LG V20, especially with the camera part. If the Motorola G5 is an I30, the LG is a Lexus. There were a few reports of boot-loop about 9 months back which haven't been repeated, and people would have been sensitive to such claims after the G4 debacle.
    This is 2 models on, and few problems reported.
    DWI have it for $420 atm, and with the frequent discount offers, it should drop under your upper limit soon.

  • ESEMCE on 14/09/2017 - 12:39
    +1

    Zenfone 3 - $249.05
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/329577

    I think might be the winner!

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