Need help picking a phone

[aisle9]

I'd like to tell you a quick story about my Xperia X Compact. Earlier this year, I went to see the solar eclipse. My DSLR picked the second totality hit to take a dump, so I went for my phone's camera as a backup...and my phone's camera froze. And stayed frozen. I managed to miss about 75% of totality trying to get a picture of it because my phone's camera was frozen solid. Fast forward to this morning, and it snowed in Tallahassee. This is highly unusual behavior. Tallahassee is in Florida. So, of course, I went to take a picture of it. My camera took the first picture...then froze trying to process it. I ended up rebooting, and the same thing happened. I ended up borrowing my wife's phone to get my pictures.

 

Bottom line, f this phone. I've had issues with general lack of snappiness and the iffy 720p display before, but for someone who does as much work with pictures as I do, having an unreliable little brick has finally pissed me off that much.

 

I like the Xperia X Compact's size, but I recognize that I'm going to have to go bigger. Ideally, nothing bigger than the old Note II, but again, if it fits in my pocket while in a case and I can comfortably one-hand it, I'll consider it. Camera and display, at least a high-quality 1080p, are top priorities for me. GSM compatibility. I'd like at least 4GB of RAM, but the processor isn't as important. Let's say Snapdragon 625 or equivalent, as I do value battery life over 3D performance. I don't really play any intense 3D games on my phone. Goat Simulator is probably the most intense I use now, and I would imagine Roller Coaster Tycoon is as intense as I'm likely to get anytime soon, but I would prefer not to downgrade from my X Compact to something with a Snapdragon 430 or some crazy Mediatek 20-core monstrosity. My budget is $400. Less if possible. Much less, if possible.

 

Ideas?

[Droidbot]

carrier? I'd recommend a Mi A1. Dual cameras, 5.5" 1080p, 625, 4GB RAM, stock android with minimal bloat and Oreo coming soon™

 

 

[michaelsreign]

Unlocked Google pixel 1s are under your budget on eBay now that the Pixel 2 has been released.  12mp camera, snapdragon quad core 2x2.15GhZ . 2x 1.60..  I've always enjoyed devices actually designed by Google..  If unlocked you can get plans 50 unlimited data talk and text.  Affordable all the way around

[aisle9]

20 minutes ago, Droidbot said:

carrier? I'd recommend a Mi A1. Dual cameras, 5.5" 1080p, 625, 4GB RAM, stock android with minimal bloat and Oreo coming soon™

 

 

AT&T, checking that phone out now. Xiaomi doesn't usually carry the right LTE bands for the US, or I'd have switched to them long ago

[aisle9]

14 minutes ago, michaelsreign said:

Unlocked Google pixel 1s are under your budget on eBay now that the Pixel 2 has been released.  12mp camera, snapdragon quad core 2x2.15GhZ . 2x 1.60..  I've always enjoyed devices actually designed by Google..  If unlocked you can get plans 50 unlimited data talk and text.  Affordable all the way around

 

I try to avoid used cell phones. They fall into the keyboard and mouse category for me--I don't know what you were doing with that thing before you sold it, and why's the front glass sticky?

[michaelsreign]

1 hour ago, aisle9 said:

I try to avoid used cell phones. They fall into the keyboard and mouse category for me--I don't know what you were doing with that thing before you sold it, and why's the front glass sticky?

Lol..  Definitely Understandable.  I see new ones for $400 or a little less on good days.. Refurbished (can be sketchy) for $320 range.  I bet on a good day you could find new for $350..  I know it might be a little more than you want to spend but I'm an big advocate for paying a little more for good software/hardware compatability.  The phone was designed by Google from the ground up,  the camera is a strong suit,  my friend loved hers, and it has above average reviews. Anywho..  Happy hunting man! 

[aisle9]

@Droidbot @michaelsreign What do you guys think about the Honor 7X? Particularly if I could finagle an international version with 4GB of RAM?

[Droidbot]

2 minutes ago, aisle9 said:

@Droidbot @michaelsreign What do you guys think about the Honor 7X? Particularly if I could finagle an international version with 4GB of RAM?

Go for it. EMUI is pretty eh though

[dizmo]

I've gotta say, the Pixel XL is likely your best bet. There's one ending tomorrow on eBay for $300 with 0 bids, and I imagine there will be many others on there as we near MWC. I'd suggest the Zenfone 3 Zoom, but the pictures are...soft. To me, at least, and compared to the Note5 I had (best pictures so far). Battery life is to die for though.

Have you considered the Axon 7? I believe it's gotten excellent updates since it's release. It's getting older though.

The HTC 10 is also available for about $300 new. The Xperia XZs is also pretty cheap on Amazon.

 

[Snikerdoodlz]

On 1/3/2018 at 7:59 PM, Droidbot said:

carrier? I'd recommend a Mi A1. Dual cameras, 5.5" 1080p, 625, 4GB RAM, stock android with minimal bloat and Oreo coming soon™

 

 

I wouldn't count on it. The Moto X4 with Android One, although it does have stock Android, is very poorly optimized and actually appears to perform worse than regular Moto phones, according to this reviewer.

https://www.droid-life.com/2017/11/13/moto-x4-review-regular-vs-android-one/

I have my heart set on a 2016 Pixel 128GB, but they're still too expensive for me. However, used, they all on eBay fit into your $400 budget. They have an awesome camera that launches very quickly (I tried it using a friend's Pixel), not to mention the Pixel's overall generall smoothness.

[Droidbot]

25 minutes ago, Snikerdoodlz said:

I wouldn't count on it. The Moto X4 with Android One, although it does have stock Android, is very poorly optimized and actually appears to perform worse than regular Moto phones, according to this reviewer.

https://www.droid-life.com/2017/11/13/moto-x4-review-regular-vs-android-one/

I have my heart set on a 2016 Pixel 128GB, but they're still too expensive for me. However, used, they all on eBay fit into your $400 budget. They have an awesome camera that launches very quickly (I tried it using a friend's Pixel), not to mention the Pixel's overall generall smoothness.

The Mi A1 =/= Moto X4. 

 

Software isn't handled by Google instead the OEMs and it's clear Lenovo don't know what the fuck they're doing. 

 

This shows the Mi A1 vs the Mi 5X, same hardware just different OS. 

The A1 makes the 5X into toast.