Which should be the next phone after being amazingly happy with Xiaomi MiA1 for 2 yrs now?

virhlpool on 25/01/2020 - 23:04
Last edited 25/01/2020 - 23:04

I generally use budget Android phones. I've been using Xiaomi MiA1 for almost 2 years now and I couldn't be happier - I bought it for around $270 when there were heaps of deals for it on OzBargain (some users would remember the time in late 2017 - early 2018). It doesn't have NFC and it doesn't support B28 but they don't affect my use.

What I've liked the most about it is Android One - the cleanest phone UI I could ever imagine and the first access to any Android updates. I didn't have to delete any app, nor I've to bother about any bloatware from company. All this for $270 has been an amazing value. I don't think I can move away from Android One now unless there's anything very close/ similar to it.

If I were to change my phone in the next 4-6 months, which phone do you recommend considering above, based on what's currently in market? I would prefer $250-$350 range (as an OzBargainer's price though RRP could be higher as always). I am not up to date with the recently launched phones, so any recommendation would be appreciated. Is Xiaomi MiA3 (of the same family as MiA1) a good choice or do you recommend anything else? I keep seeing recommendation for LG V30+ but my experience has been better with Xiaomi as compared to LG (remember LG G4 boot loop fiasco?), plus it doesn't have Android One. However, I am totally open to hear your views about any phone.

PS: Xiaomi MiA1 was a very popular phone on OzBargain. I don't see as many Xiaomi deals on OzB these days. Has anything changed except GST that I've missed?

Mobile Mobile Phone

Comments

  • Cheeper on 26/01/2020 - 05:46
    +4

    Note 8T @ $230ish.. Mi 9 Lite around $100 more…
    Both have B28 & NFC. Nothing wrong with MIUI 11.

    • virhlpool on 26/01/2020 - 08:32

      Thanks. Anything with a smaller screen?

    • Sutra on 26/01/2020 - 10:03

      I'm using MIUI 11 and I'm getting ads. Do you experience the same? How to get rid of them?

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 26/01/2020 - 12:11

        Global ROM should only have ads when installing something via the Play Store. There's a button in the corner to click and disable them.

        If you're not using the Global ROM then download it and flash it.

    • ATTS on 26/01/2020 - 11:37

      curious, what does B28 do?

      • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 26/01/2020 - 12:12

        B28 is the band Telstra uses for 4G in most areas.

        Makes no different to Optus or Voda.

        • ATTS on 26/01/2020 - 12:18

          Oh right thanks for pointing that out

          I was also wondering does boost use B28 aswell?

  • rendev on 26/01/2020 - 08:31
    +1

    In my experience, LG is not for long term use. Apart from the boot loops, I had issues with battery with two-year-old LG G6. Tried every other software tweaks, factory reset multiple times didn't help either. Software updates are another area of concern for LG flagship phones.

    I have a good experience with Oneplus. I've owned Oneplus one for 4 years and still in working condition(with Lineage OS builds). Currently using Oneplus 7 pro and loving its software optimization. They did better Android customization than Google itself.

    https://www.ebay.com.au/p/8019791027?iid=254476996803&chn=ps…

    Oneplus 6 is still a solid phone and its little more than your mentioned price range and I feel its worth it.

  • ozshark on 26/01/2020 - 08:37

    I have a similar question. I jumped on the OPPO F1 train and now regret it because lack of android updates are what is causing me to look for something new. Family has Xiaomi A2 lite. I'm aiming for $200-250.

    Wondering whether to go Note 8T, Samsung A20, or something else?

    • Typical16-bitEnjoyer on 26/01/2020 - 12:12
      +2

      Note 8T is far, far better than the A20. I own both.

  • payless69 on 26/01/2020 - 11:16
    -3

    username seems to use competing bulletin board?

    Buy anything Chinese, Huawei if you are a snapper, HTC for navigators Oppo's for selfie freaks. Then there is of course the most expensive Apple option if you need to bluff and do not care about old technology. I am a mid range user but waiting to get a good 5G phone to be future proofed.

    • virhlpool on 26/01/2020 - 11:17

      Thanks. Do they all have Android One / clean Android UI (without bloatware) though?

  • musicinbed69 on 26/01/2020 - 11:40
    -1

    If you can get an iphone for double the price that'd be great, just keep it for 4 years instead of 2! There's a budget iphone coming out very shortly.
    Works out to be faster, better quality and the camera is better too. That's the problem with cheap androids, they're okay in the beginning for the price but the lack of support and the bad cameras and poor standby battery life just make them kind of throwaways after a couple years. Just make sure you have the willpower to not get a shiny thing, or you have someone you can gift your old prisitine iphone to. I've saved a lot of money switching to iphone from android, no more cheap xiaomis!

    • StonedWizard on 26/01/2020 - 15:57
      +1

      “Budget iPhone” will be cheaper compared to current iPhones, but it will still be $800+

      As an iPhone user, I don’t really see why someone would switch from budget android to an iPhone? There’s be nothing to gain. If OP is happy with a $400 android then stick to Android.

  • netjock on 26/01/2020 - 13:06
    +2

    Xiaomi A3, pocket the savings and hope to retire early.

  • Oofy Doofy on 26/01/2020 - 15:52
    +1

    Umidigi F2. I have one. Pretty impressed.

    Otherwise something from Xiaomi.

    • virhlpool on 27/01/2020 - 00:23

      Nice. Its specs say "Latest Stock Android 10" - is it the same as android One? Pardon my naivety. The phone looks good - I prefer smaller screen though. iPhone 7 has my ideal screen size but hard to get that size of screen these days in any new Android phones.

      • Oofy Doofy on 28/01/2020 - 08:45

        I don't believe it is running Android One, simply a stock version of Android 10. I've had a few OTA updates the last few weeks, looks to be Umidigi specific tweaks, bugfixes and added security patches.

  • AdrianW on 26/01/2020 - 17:18

    Wait and see what specs the Mi A4 has. The A3 has lower resolution than the A1.

    • virhlpool on 26/01/2020 - 23:19

      The A3 has lower resolution than the A1.

      Really? How come? Sounds very unusual.

      • AdrianW on 27/01/2020 - 02:47

        No idea why. But the A1 is full HD 1920 x 1080 and the A3 is only 1560 x 720.

        The A2 had a higher res: 2160 x 1080.

        The A3 does have a super AMOLED screen compared to the regular LCD of the A1 & A2. So, perhaps the reason for the lower res is the increased cost of the better quality tech in the screen.

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