Upgrading from Galaxy S7 Edge (Budget around $500- $700). Help Me Choose

Lddhar on 01/09/2020 - 10:02

Use: Browsing, YT/Netflix and Photography (Flickr & LR). No gaming.
Want: Good camera (have a mirrorless but appreciate a good mobile camera), headphone jack (have good IEMs I can't just throw out), SDcard slot (have always stored all my files on card for ease of transfer)

I have been considering the following:
- Galaxy S10: Open to buying refurbs for ~$650-700. Similar dimensions to the S7 Edge, with improved cameras. It has all the features I can think of and it will still get software updates for a while.
- Pixel 4a: Largely available at RRP ($599) but happy to wait a few months if it will come down in price. Similar dimensions to the S7 Edge with reportedly superior camera to the competitions. Not sure if the lack of sdcard expansion will be an issue.
- Galaxy A71: Choice between grey import (~$500 from Tobysdeal) or EPP portal ($636). An outlier in terms of dimensions but I suspect I will like the large screen. Not sure if the lower dpi and lesser cameras will be an issue.

Appreciate your thoughts on my thoughts. :)

Cheers!

Mobile Mobile Phone

Comments

  • Orico on 01/09/2020 - 10:05

    eww….buy a new phone. Samsung S10 is good

    • ddhar on 01/09/2020 - 10:09
      +1

      I presume you are referring to my considering to buy a refurb? I'm actually trying to understand this. I bought my S7 Edge as a refurb too and I have had it for more than 3 years now. Condition was flawless and even now battery life is still respectable.

      • Orico on 01/09/2020 - 10:16
        +1

        Lucky you. My S7 Edge died on me after 26 months. Lost all the content that was on the phone but luckily most of my photos were on the cloud and in the micro SD

  • Presence on 01/09/2020 - 10:12
    +1

    Boost sell the Note 9 used for about $600. Would be a better bet than Gumtree or random fly by night eBay sellers.

    • ddhar on 01/09/2020 - 10:37

      Looks like the Note 9 goes back to 2018. I prefer to get something that will still get software updates for another 2 years or so.

      Thanks for the recommendation.

      • cheapdude on 01/09/2020 - 11:29
        +1

        There is also the Note 10 Lite that may be worth checking out (can be had for less than $600 delivered from international sellers).
        It appears to have pretty good cameras (including a 2x telephoto), a headphone jack, microSDXC slot, and the same SoC as the Note 9 but was released early this year (outside Australia) so it starts with Android 10 and should get two or possibly three OS updates given this:
        https://www.sammobile.com/opinion/why-samsungs-three-year-an…

      • lost in transit on 04/09/2020 - 12:05

        I’m running as a second phone the note4 Duos.
        Apart from not using the pen im using lineage 16 with Android 9 pretty good for a 2014 mobile phone…

  • ramb9 on 01/09/2020 - 10:22

    100% One Plus Nord @ Amazon

    • ddhar on 01/09/2020 - 10:51
      +1

      Thanks. I did look up this phone briefly but it has no headphone jack and camera performance is reportedly average. Hence, I have not included it in my consideration.

  • Headless on 01/09/2020 - 11:15
    +1

    Huawei P30 or P30 lite - great phones
    Or A71 if I had to choose from your selection

  • sjtem3 on 01/09/2020 - 11:26
    +1

    I recently upgraded from my trusty S7 edge to a Mi 9 lite. I went that direction because it was well priced, and it fit all of the specs that I cared about (many of which you share here). Have a good look at it.

    In my first week of owning it I broke the screen, and it cost almost the entire price of the phone to replace the screen, so when a deal came up for a new S10 for 650ish I grabbed that. It was a sensible decision, and the S10 is great but I actually miss the Mi 9 lite. I thought it was a cracker of a phone.

    Moral of the story, check out the Mi 9 range (I was most fond of the Lite, though its less popular), wait for a new S10 on sale or go with whatever else your heart desires. I've heard great things about the Oneplus range, but cant personally attest.

    Happy to answer any/all questions to the best of my ability.

    • Decollete on 04/09/2020 - 11:12

      Hi, how'd you break the screen on the Mi 9?

      I've always bought Samsung (Note 4, S7, S10e) and iPhones before that, but I'm considering getting another phone because the S7 is on its way out.

      I was thinking of going for a different brand this time that are reported to be on sale here from time to time (Oppo/OnePlus/Xiaomi or a Samsung budget range line) but I'm concerned about the build.

      • sjtem3 on 04/09/2020 - 11:55

        Managed to have it slip out of my pocket at sitting height directly onto the metal base of my desk chair. It was a reasonable break.

  • dust on 01/09/2020 - 14:07

    Pixel 4a? Doesn't have card slot but if the camera is similar to the Pixel 4 then it's fantastic.

    Also, can't recommend Tobysdeals. Just have a search of other people's experience of the site on here.

    • ddhar on 02/09/2020 - 11:50

      I am strongly considering the Pixel 4a just for the camera. Any idea if prices will fall further in a few months time? Happy to wait especially since my S7 Edge is still working fine.

  • cruiserbruiser on 01/09/2020 - 15:23

    keep an eye out for a deal on a new S10. Had mine since launch and its been great. It's also going to get updated to android 12

  • gbones on 06/09/2020 - 09:07

    Im in similar situation with my s8 plus. Very tempting for the Huawei p30 pro https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/562647 but no headphone jack but not deal breaker. Thinking about pixel 4a as well but will wait for pixel 5 to decide cos no wireless charging on pixel 4a. The Huawei mate p20 pro for 599 https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/562647 is good for u if p30 pro is is outside your budget.
    I even having thoughts of changing to apple cos android auto is having so many drop offs when i plug to my car but my wife apple iPhone 7 has never dropped off. Will check out iPhone 12 to make a decision too

  • Medrad on 10/09/2020 - 11:40

    Wife just purchased the A71 after her Galaxy S8 started to die. Bought it from The Good Guys, got it within 24 hours, was less than $700. Australian retailer, Australian model and stock. No issue with warranty in the future.
    It's HUGE screen wise. Phone wise, it's great. Super fast charge, clear screen, not really drastically noticeable difference to the Galaxy S series.

    Enjoy!

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