Best phone to buy outright under $400?

[MathBunny123]

Hello! I'm currently the owner of an iPod Touch 5th Generation 64GB, and I want to purchase a phone. I've been looking at the Nexus 5 and the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini, and I've been wondering what I should do. What is the best phone under $400?

Oh, and do you think it's stupid to buy a smartphone alongside a iPod Touch? Is it better to purchase an iPad instead?

 

[Vetvito]

Nexus 4 or 5 hands down.

 

[MathBunny123]

Nexus 4 or 5 hands down.

I was very intrigued by the form factor of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini because I like smaller devices, will I be ripped off for the specs?

 

[thejadedmonkey]

I'd go with one of the Nokia Lumia phones.

 

[Vetvito]

I was very intrigued by the form factor of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini because I like smaller devices, will I be ripped off for the specs?

I meant Nexus 4 from last year.


The S4 mini is just the normal S4 in a small package. No ripoff.

 

[Technarchy]

The S4 mini is just the normal S4 in a small package.

No, it isn't.

 

[MathBunny123]

I meant Nexus 4 from last year.


The S4 mini is just the normal S4 in a small package. No ripoff.

Isn't the Nexus 4 like 4.7''? Oh, and the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini has a dual core 1.7GhZ processor instead of the quad core in the Galaxy S4 (normal)...

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I'd go with one of the Nokia Lumia phones.

Which Nokia is good for under $400?

 

[Vetvito]

Isn't the Nexus 4 like 4.7''? Oh, and the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini has a dual core 1.7GhZ processor instead of the quad core in the Galaxy S4 (normal)...

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Which Nokia is good for under $400?

Lumia 521 is around $99 off contract.

Sorry about the s4 mini. I didn't know.

 

[MathBunny123]

Lumia 521 is around $99 off contract.

Sorry about the s4 mini. I didn't know.

It's fine, and thanks

Would you guys say a 1.7GHZ Dual core is slow for Android?

 

[Truefan31]

Nexus 5 32 gb 399. It's a really good price for 5 inch, 1080p phone. Snapdragon 800, lte capable, and unlocked. I'm not the biggest android fan but man that's a good price for the phone

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

Nexus 5 32 gb 399. It's a really good price for 5 inch, 1080p phone. Snapdragon 800, lte capable, and unlocked. I'm not the biggest android fan but man that's a good price for the phone

I agree. And if it had an SD slot, I'd buy in an instant. I usually get phones from my family member's upgrades. I can't justify spending close to a grand for any latest phone off contract.

 

[Alfuh]

Nexus 5 for sure.

If $400 is your budget then snag a 32gb

That's exactly what I have and it's great so far. I would say that if you are at all price sensitive and want an unlocked phone then you really can't beat a Nexus

 

[Technarchy]

I can't justify spending close to a grand for any latest phone off contract.

These days, their is almost no reason to pay full contract on any phone.

Between craigslist and trade-in for store credit, phone costs can be shrunk by nearly 50% in many cases.

My iPhone 5, Galaxy S4 and iPhone 5S were all done off contract and cost almost nothing after selling another device.

I agree with you though, no way in hell I would pay full pricing for a phone that's north of $400.

 

[WilliamBateman]

I can't justify spending close to a grand for any latest phone off contract.

Under $400 is awfully limited for solid phones new, used is much better. The HTC One is only $550 new off contract and as low as $300 used. Its arguably better than the N5 too.

 

[maxwelltech]

Nexus 5 for sure. Galaxy S4 mini is just a cheap version of the Galaxy S4 with low end specs, plus any phone with TouchWiz comes with a large amount of lag, let alone low end devices. With the Nexus 5 Google is pretty much selling these high-end hardware at a loss.

 

[daveathall]

I have a Nexus 4 and would recommend it in a heartbeat, I have had no experience with the new Nexus 5 but if my time with the N4 is anything to go by, it will be a stunner, hopefully I will be picking up a N5 close to Christmas.

 

[appledes7]

I have a Nexus 5 and I love it. But if it is too big for you, have you considered the HTC One Mini?

 

[mattopotamus]

Nexus 5 hands down. The mini version of other flagships you lose specs and other features. At least with the n5 you are getting a beast of a phone at a great price.

 

[ucfgrad93]

Nexus 5 32 gb 399. It's a really good price for 5 inch, 1080p phone. Snapdragon 800, lte capable, and unlocked. I'm not the biggest android fan but man that's a good price for the phone

Agreed, the Nexus 5 is a great phone for the price.

 

[Eddie Bombay]

S4 Mini

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Better camera, better speaker, looks better and feels better in the hand.

 

[MathBunny123]

Alright, thanks a lot guys. Is the AMOLED screen good in terms of colour reproduction? Is the Nexus 5's screen better due to the higher PPI and colour accuracy?

I probably won't use it a lot for games, mostly just calling & reading articles.

 

[alex2792]

Nexus 5 if you like android, Nokia Lumia or HTC 8x if you want to try WP8.

 

[blackhand1001]

Just get the nexus 5. It fits in pockets and in the hand fine. Its no bigger than the nexus 4 or the galaxy nexus.

 

[MathBunny123]

I'm really skinny, do you guys think the Nexus 5 will still be good for me? I'm 5'10 in height but I only weigh ~100 pounds... so I'm scared because my pockets are generally small and I sometimes have difficulty with my 4'' iPod Touch.

 

[Alfuh]

Maybe get a Nexus 4 used and spend the rest on a gym membership and food?