Best High End Smartphone ($500 ⇆ $800) in 2024

scrimshaw on 10/04/2024 - 15:50
Last edited 10/04/2024 - 17:05

Moderators at OzBargain are now running yearly polls to decide the best products in popular categories that get asked repeatedly in the forum. Our aim is to have a central thread where users can vote on the items, suggest options and also change their vote throughout the year. For more information on how these polls work, or if you want to suggest a new poll that isn't covered already, please refer to our announcement thread here.

Question

What is your favourite high end smartphone, (priced between $500 to $800) in 2024?

The Winner of last year's poll for high end phone was the Google Pixel 7 with 176 votes, followed by the Samsung Galaxy S23 and iPhone SE 2022 (3rd gen). The Samsung Galaxy A54 took fourth place.

Google Pixel phones have consistently been chart toppers thanks to their frequent & deep discounts and long-term Android software update policies. Let's see if they continue the streak this year.

Remember: You can change your votes at anytime, and suggest more than 1 product over the course of the poll.

Do try to make a sensible suggestion (e.g make sure the phone is still widely available to purchase, supports Aussie networks (including VOLTE / VOWIFI) and include a brief argument as to why you would recommend the product. You can only suggest 1 product at a time.

How do I suggest products/providers to What Should I Buy polls?

If you have a product that you would like to suggest for the poll (that is currently not in the Poll Options), you'll need to make a top-level comment (i.e. not replying someone else's comment) and type in the “Suggestions” text box just above your comment:

Do try to make a sensible suggestion and include a brief argument as to why you made this recommendation.

Poll Options Wed, 01/01/2025 - 00:00

This is part of What Should I Buy poll for 2024. Check out other recommendations from the OzBargain community.
Mobile Mobile Phone What Should I Buy

Comments

  • altomic on 10/04/2024 - 16:05
    +2
    Suggested Poco X6 Pro

    Poco X6 pro

    • ab c on 17/10/2024 - 04:57
      +1

      Grey-import: impact from Telstra/Optus 3G shutdown?

  • WatchNerd on 10/04/2024 - 16:33

    Google Pixel 7a just creeps into this price bracket as it's currently $499 at Amaysim however you need to add a $30 sim as well.

  • simplystu on 10/04/2024 - 19:15

    Between $500-$800 ?

    Pixel 8 … currently $829 (@Kogan) - but if watch sales have seen it dip as low as $749.
    Samsung A55 … which sits in middle of your price range.

    those voting for Samsung S23 … only times seen it less that $800 - is a refurbished/2nd hand phone.
    SO why OP - is that even a poll option ???

  • shxhshzhz on 10/04/2024 - 19:34
    +1

    @scrimshaw should the S23 be here? It's rarely under $900.

    • simplystu on 10/04/2024 - 19:43

      100% agree

      sort of makes the whole poll null/void … useless.

    • scrimshaw on 10/04/2024 - 19:50

      I removed it, sorry I copied and pasted some text fields and somehow the S23 from the high end phone poll made it in here.

      • simplystu on 10/04/2024 - 20:05

        and what happens to those 14+ ppl that voted for S23 ???
        Bye bye / no more ?

        if those ppl had've known right from start of poll - perhaps they would've voted differently !!!
        just saying … due to this - it REALLY skews the poll results - and can't be used conclusively.

        IMO … whole thread should be removed +++ start from beginning.

        • scrimshaw on 10/04/2024 - 20:58

          You can change your votes, it's not set in stone. Just click the Revoke button at any time and you can vote on a different choice.

          We expect users to adjust their votes from time to time as the prices of mobile phones change, and in some cases price adjustments means that certain devices often fall into a lower price bracket close to the end of the year.

          Also: the poll has only been up for a few hours and will run till the end of the year. It's not going to make much difference, if any, in the long run.

          • simplystu on 10/04/2024 - 21:07
            -6

            @scrimshaw: how many of those PPL that have already voted - will come back and look at thread/poll at a later date ??? … almost NONE !!!

            which again - means that the poll is skewed - you have removed 14+ votes (of which ppl may have voted differently) … Which may I remind you - S23 was actually the leader in the polls by a HUGE MARGIN.

            You have accepted that you stuffed up - when starting thread/poll … BUT clearly poll will ALWAYS be UNJUST/UNFAIR from here on in.

            [EDIT] : HENCE the credibility of poll will be worth nothing.

            [EDIT #2] : in your 2023 poll - your 3rd place phone had less votes OVER A WHOLE YEAR than what your INVALID poll votes had in less than 3 hours in 2024 … saying something ???

            • adante on 18/07/2024 - 18:47

              @simplystu: good lord, this conspiracy goes right to the top - someone call the AEC!

  • shxhshzhz on 10/04/2024 - 19:53
    +1
    Suggested Google Pixel 8

    Has been under $800 before and probably will again

  • silenthillrocks on 11/04/2024 - 13:05
    Suggested Samsung Galaxy A55

    Samsung Galaxy a55 5g
    8gb ram, esim, metal and glass body

  • bNiNja on 23/04/2024 - 01:14

    Google Pixel 7 Pro

  • ezarc on 26/04/2024 - 03:45
    +2

    I bought a Pixel 7 from JB for $430 earlier this year and I'm pretty happy with it.

    Pixel 8s are currently $799 at JB and will have 8 years of OS updates (until 2032)

    Pixel 7 has OS updates until 2027, then I plan to buy something with a replaceable battery as it will be mandatory in the EU and likely the norm for most manufacturers.

    • ozhunter68 on 29/04/2024 - 20:03

      How did you get it for $430? Maybe that $499 sale less $30 off Perks and then paying with discounted gift cards?

      I snared one for $469 and thought that was a good deal. https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/825452

    • Captain Cheapskate on 29/05/2024 - 21:35

      The 7-8 years OS updates isn't really factor one should take into consideration for a few reasons.

      1. The battery definitely will not operate efficiently for that long.

      2. Software and features will have advanced so much that even in 5-6 years time, it won't run smoothly on older hardware. (Believe me I've tried many times)

      3. Certain software features will require particular hardware features this phone won't have. So your interaction with society will be handicapped.

      I believe 4-5 years is the ideal/maximum time to hold off from upgrading phones

      • ab c on 17/10/2024 - 05:20

        Outlier do exist: a friend is using his iPhone-SE since new (2016) & plan to use until it die.

        With many-models on annual-releases, heavy-discounting & consumption, not sure if my NEW-phone continue to-function (have features to do what I need & want) in 3 yrs time?

    • HaydosK on 07/08/2024 - 00:42

      Ifixit sell them already https://australia.ifixit.com/products/google-pixel-8-battery…

  • LimeAlz on 23/06/2024 - 22:06
    +1
    Suggested Motorola Edge 50 Fusion

    599$ currently 549$ in Mobile Citi

    Snapdragon 7s Gen 2, IP68 , 12 gb Ram 256 GB storage

  • auna on 16/07/2024 - 04:25

    I never considered <$800 phone as high end. After all you can’t even get a high end Oppo phone.

  • Hugh G Rection on 23/07/2024 - 21:45

    I actually was considering this too, and i just received my POCO X6 Pro from Aliexpress for $377AUD

    this is the best money spent, best value ever.

    I already have an iPhone pro max that i use for the daily and social media. i wanted to get a gaming phone, so after careful review, i went with poco x6 pro. I am actually enjoying it more then my iPhone for gaming. 120hz is super smooth for gaming, even has a gaming mode and it really is awesome. i am probably going to buy another one for my child so they stop playing on my iPhone and i can just tether my internet to them.

    • chugsta on 24/07/2024 - 08:59

      Hi mate, good to hear you are happy with the X6. Would you mind sharing the link for the Aliexpress seller you used? Thanks.

  • Lit Homie on 26/07/2024 - 14:26
    +1

    Pixel 8 Pro still obtainable for $900 with cancellation techniques. Best phone I've used comparing it to S23 Ultra and Iphone 14 Pro Max

  • havequick on 27/08/2024 - 12:33

    Considering I just got a Pixel 9 through Telstra with a min cost of $598.68 - a Pixel 9 whilst this deal is still on.

    • newtz on 28/08/2024 - 09:32

      Is that possible to get the phone outright for <$600 then go to a different carrier?

  • Velau on 04/09/2024 - 16:27

    Curious what people may recommend in this price range, if I was to prioritise camera, battery life and "stock" (or closer to) Android?
    The Poco X6 looks very tempting at the price point, and was also looking into the Nothing Phones + Motorola.

  • srhardy on 25/09/2024 - 14:48

    For a start a HIGH END smartphone is seriously subjective as now its the Ai part that sets a phone apart but for Andriod I look for a clean OS with little or no bloatware/subscription ware! So that rules out Samsungs every model! The iPhone SE3 should be out soon in Octobers anouncments at sub AU$800 and will be an instant winner although Im hoping it uses the now removed MINI size as its so pocketable and friendly! Assuming its Ai ready like its bigger sibblings the 16 series it will be worth a look for sure too soon!

    Until then, the Moto range are bang4buck the best with local sales and support. The reason why I cant recomend the POCO is its chinese heritage and lack of known support ongoing with security and andriod updates (I await someone clearing that up for me and others) even though the chip and specs in it are first rate!

  • AdrianW on 12/10/2024 - 22:58

    OK, where can I get a Pixel 8 for less than $800? As far as I can tell they're well over 1K.

    • scrimshaw on 12/10/2024 - 23:06

      The Pixel 8 is less than $1000 now. Were you looking for the Pixel 8 Pro or the new Pixel 9?

      • AdrianW on 13/10/2024 - 15:34

        But this thread voted Pixel 8 best in the $500-$800 range. Seems incorrect if it's actually $1000.

        I'm not actually looking at a Pixel 8 (or 9) because they're too small and the Pro versions are way too expensive.

  • frameshift on 20/10/2024 - 09:57
    Suggested OnePlus 12R

    No A-tick, be very careful as there are listings of the OnePlus Ace 3 fraudulently listed as the OnePlus 12r global rom, the OnePlus Ace 3 will be IMEI blocked. The CPH2609 listings often describe it as OnePlus 12r global (note: not "global rom").
    Still fails the AMTA 3G check, since it passes the SMS 3 to 3498 check on Optus, Vodafone and Telstra I think the AMTA 3G check is just out of date:

    Optus: https://www.reddit.com/r/oneplus/comments/1dwzaj3/comment/lo…

    Vodafone: "Thanks for using our 3G device checker. Our records as at 05 Oct 2024 indicate the device in use for your service was CPH2609.

    Good news. Your mobile phone is compatible with our 4G/5G network Please remember to keep your device software updated."

    Telstra: "As of 30 September 2024 our records indicate your mobile phone identified in use for this service number 04XXXXXXXX is a OnePlus CPH2609. If you have changed phones since then, please check again soon.

    Thanks for using our Telstra 3G checker. Good news – your device will work as normal after the 3G closure from 28 October 2024, so you don't need to do anything."

    • frameshift on 24/10/2024 - 21:36

      OnePlus 12r global TAC number 86549806 now passes the AMTA checker: "OnePlus CPH2609. OK – you don’t need to do anything. Your device will work normally after the 3G closure."

  • softkun123 on 31/10/2024 - 14:17
    Suggested Google Pixel 8a

    I would go for pixel 8a

  • abuseyourdna on 29/11/2024 - 11:06

    Xiaomi 15 is the best in this range

  • rumblytangara on 05/12/2024 - 18:56

    TIL I'm using a high end(?!) smartphone.

    I haven't noticed my pixel 8 being much better than the pixel 6 that it replaced. Only the new phone has a noticeably smaller screen.

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