Phones Looking for a good upgrade to my SGS3

[Sensamic]

A family member wants to buy my SGS3. Right now I'm thinking about it. I would use a free upgrade I've got and the money to buy a new phone.

The thing is I don't see very good options. I'm tired of the plastic feel of my SGS3. It's got a few scratches on the borders and let me tell you this thing has always been protected, so I just don't know where this came from...

I would want something like the HTC One, mainly because of the better materials. Something that's solid and doesn't feel cheap. Probably would have chosen that if it weren't for the camera.

Nexus 5 is probably the other option, but it would cost 400$ and I'm only getting 150$ for my SGS3. I really don't want to pay much.

Tried the Note 3 last week and it was nice, but too big and I want to try something better than Samsung. LG G2 looked good also but still plastic feel (the back was very very slippery).

Overall it has to be a nice upgrade from the SGS3 in all its areas if possible: better battery life, camera, screen would be great if it's IPS, etc.

I know there's not much choice if I take out the Note 3, LG G2, Samsung, etc. I just don't like the materials used in many Android phones these days. Too much plastic and glass (Sony).

Only two top phones I see in this aspect are Nexus 5 and HTC One.

Suggestions?

 

[T5BRICK]

I owned a HTC One for 6 months and the camera is a deal breaker. If you're going to buy a phone right now, even though it's expensive, the N5 is the way to go.

 

[appledes7]

Spend your upgrade on an iPhone 5s, sell it, and buy a Nexus 5. Thats what I did.

 

[Sensamic]

Spend your upgrade on an iPhone 5s, sell it, and buy a Nexus 5. Thats what I did.

Yeah, that's one option I was thinking of. The 5S 16GB would cost me here 250€. On eBay I'm seeing people selling them unlocked for 500€. Mine would be from Vodafone, so maybe I could sell it for 400-450€ I guess. That would leave me just 150-200€ of benefits, with the 150 I'm getting for my SGS3 makes 300-350.

The thing is I could get the LG G2 on contract for the same 150 I'm getting for the SGS3, so I wouldn't need to pay anything else, but I'm not too excited about that phone. 50€ more and I can get the Note 3, HTC One, SGS4, etc. But don't want those either.

 

[tbayrgs]

Spend your upgrade on an iPhone 5s, sell it, and buy a Nexus 5. Thats what I did.

I'd vote for this option as well. Otherwise, if you can go to a retail store and take a look at the Moto X. Regardless of what the specs say on paper, it is by nearly all accounts as quick and smooth an Android device as anything else out, has very little bloat over a very lightly skinned version of stock Android with what I personally consider very useful functionality added by Motorola.

I know it isn't an IPS display as you specified you'd prefer and yes, it's only 720p resolution but I feels great in hand and is noticeably smaller than most other devices with at least a 4.7" display. I personally wasn't a fan of the woven back style but the custom plastic back plates you can choose if you're on AT&T feel and look much better. And while the camera was initially considered lackluster, the software update that was released last month seems to have improved performance dramatically.

UPDATE: Just saw your latest post and as you're not in the US, ignore my second suggestion.

 

[nickchallis92]

I was in your position and thought id try and get something nice and elegant. Eventually I went into the Three store and my heart ruled over my head and I forked out for a Galaxy Note 3.

Never been happier, incredible device.

 

[Sensamic]

UPDATE: Just saw your latest post and as you're not in the US, ignore my second suggestion.

Yep, Moto X is nice, mainly because it's very close to stock Android. Unfortunately Motorola hasn't released it yet outside the US. I think they said they were gonna release a variant or something, but still no news.