Compact high end phone

[BowlOfSomething]

Hi!

 

I'm having some issues with my Xiaomi 11T Pro and I'd like it to replace it with a newer device. 
I'd like a device that:

- is somewhat compact (cca 150mm tall)

- have a decent SOC that will remain snappy after 4-5 years (so far SD888 works great for me)

- has a good camera setup

- ideally be about 600€ (but I know that both devices I am eyeing are significantly more expensive)

- support wireless charging
- decent battery life and USB 3.0 are also bonsues

- I have a preference for non-optical fingerprint sensors

 

So far I've narrowed down the search to the Xiaomi 17 and Vivo X300 (non-pro) - any other recommendations? The Samsung S25 looks alluring, but I'm not that big on One UI...
My friend did offer me to try out an older iPhone, if it goes well (I have my doubts), the iPhone 17 will also be an option

[Commodus]

34 minutes ago, BowlOfSomething said:

Hi!

 

I'm having some issues with my Xiaomi 11T Pro and I'd like it to replace it with a newer device. 
I'd like a device that:

- is somewhat compact (cca 150mm tall)

- have a decent SOC that will remain snappy after 4-5 years (so far SD888 works great for me)

- has a good camera setup

- ideally be about 600€ (but I know that both devices I am eyeing are significantly more expensive)

- support wireless charging
- decent battery life and USB 3.0 are also bonsues

- I have a preference for non-optical fingerprint sensors

 

So far I've narrowed down the search to the Xiaomi 17 and Vivo X300 (non-pro) - any other recommendations? The Samsung S25 looks alluring, but I'm not that big on One UI...
My friend did offer me to try out an older iPhone, if it goes well (I have my doubts), the iPhone 17 will also be an option

You have a few options, especially if you're willing to stretch your budget a bit.

 

To start: do consider the iPhone 17. It's one of the best-balanced flagships as it's fast, finally has a good display, and has great cameras both front and back. Face ID is sometimes better than fingerprint readers as your phone can unlock before you've even touched the display.

 

On the Android side, I can't speak to the Vivo X300 but can say the Xiaomi 17 is a good all-rounder that's fast, has good cameras (the 2.6X native zoom on the telephoto is strange), and otherwise fits your bill very well. The regular Galaxy S25 should be a good deal now, but I will admit it's pretty plain.

 

I would also consider the Google Pixel 10 if it's available in your country. A good overall camera mix and otherwise ticks your checkboxes. The Tensor G5 isn't as fast as modern Snapdragons, but it's faster than you think.

[BowlOfSomething]

5 minutes ago, Commodus said:

You have a few options, especially if you're willing to stretch your budget a bit.

 

To start: do consider the iPhone 17. It's one of the best-balanced flagships as it's fast, finally has a good display, and has great cameras both front and back. Face ID is sometimes better than fingerprint readers as your phone can unlock before you've even touched the display.

 

On the Android side, I can't speak to the Vivo X300 but can say the Xiaomi 17 is a good all-rounder that's fast, has good cameras (the 2.6X native zoom on the telephoto is strange), and otherwise fits your bill very well. The regular Galaxy S25 should be a good deal now, but I will admit it's pretty plain.

 

I would also consider the Google Pixel 10 if it's available in your country. A good overall camera mix and otherwise ticks your checkboxes. The Tensor G5 isn't as fast as modern Snapdragons, but it's faster than you think.

Thanks for your recommendations. 

I am indeed a bit worried about the performance of Tensor G5, and doesn't the Pixel 9 have a better camera setup than Pixel 10?

The VIVO X300 should have a better camera setup than the Xiaomi, and it's got good reviews, but it's an unknown brand to me.

[spacepickle]

The iPhone 16e sounds perfect your you other than the singular camera. Perfect size, high-end soc, $600.

Camera might be a dealbreaker though.

[Commodus]

1 hour ago, BowlOfSomething said:

Thanks for your recommendations. 

I am indeed a bit worried about the performance of Tensor G5, and doesn't the Pixel 9 have a better camera setup than Pixel 10?

The VIVO X300 should have a better camera setup than the Xiaomi, and it's got good reviews, but it's an unknown brand to me.

On the Pixel: yes and no. The Pixel 10 has a telephoto lens the Pixel 9 doesn't, but I undersand the other cameras on the 9 are slightly better. The Pixel 10a is an option as it still takes good photos and runs reasonably well... but costs considerably less.

 

Vivo is a huge brand, so don't worry about that; it's just a question of whether there's official sales and support where you live.

[BowlOfSomething]

4 hours ago, Commodus said:

Vivo is a huge brand, so don't worry about that; it's just a question of whether there's official sales and support where you live.

Support would be a concern, but I don't think it's *that* big

As for official sales; I'd be looking to buy it from Aliexpress or Taobao most likely - the global version is about 700€ on Taobao (not including shipping + import fees). I could get it online from Amazon or something, but that would be a bit more expensive. I don't have a phone plan which would have a discount on a new phone so that's not a concern (and even if I did, the carrier deals are sooo bad here that it's usually cheaper to just buy the phone elsewhere)