New Phone Recommendations

[nviz22]

So I am deciding on retiring my Nexus 5X and moving onto another android device. The idea I have in mind is having a fingerprint scanner, USB Type C, 3GB of RAM, nano SIM, clean software. A FP scanner and nano SIM slot are must haves. I am looking at several options, even some are extremely compromising:

Blu R1 HD: Lockscreen ad Amazon model, most cost effective, unlocked, but has no FP scanner and uses Micro USB. Also has a micro sim. $59.99 before my Amazon credit kicks in.

Moto X 2015: Same processor as the Nexus 5X, has only micro USB, 3GB of RAM, no FP scanner, has a Nano Sim, a lot of flagship worthy specs. $200-$250 range.

Nokia: Not too much out there, but I have seen phones ranging from $150-$250 potentially. The Nokia 6 is interesting with 4GB of RAM and FP Scanner. However, no confirmation on USB Type C enabled devices.

Nextbit Robin: Affordable at $160, 3GB of RAM, FP scanner, unlocked boot loader, worry free rooting, NFC enabled, meets most of my requirements. No idea if it will get Nougat. Offers USB Type C.

Moto G4/G4 Plus/Moto G4 Play: Either one works. However, no NFC means no Android Pay. The G4 Plus has 4GB of RAM plus a FP scanner though. None offers nano sim. Moto software features are awesome and a welcomed edition to my phone use.

Samsung A3 2017: Not much known in the US on this device. It's expected to have a 720p AMOLED display. Water resistant. Offers Touchwiz's nice software features. Samsung Pay, albeit unreliable since it was hacked before. 3GB of RAM and a fingerprint scanner. Seems pricey in Europe and counterintuitive for my desire to cost cut or stay at the $200 range. USB Type C as well.

Galaxy S6: 3GB of RAM, Exnyos processor, micro USB, nano SIM, could see Nougat this year, FP scanner, good camera, QHD screen, small battery. Touchwiz lag friendly.

ZTE Axon Mini 7: No NFC is a bummer. 1080p AMOLED screen works for me. Nano SIM, USB Type C, dual speakers. 3GB of RAM. Awful notification bell feature.

What I really want ideally is the USB Type C/Nano SIM/FP scanner/3GB RAM combo. Wi-Fi calling is a great edition as well. Borderline must, but I can go by without it. I am also considering waiting for the HTC 10 or GS7 to cross the $200-$250 mark. The LG G5 might be there soon, but it has boot loop issues...

 

[Tig Bitties]

What's with with your Nexus 5X ? My brother has one running PureNexus ROM 7.1.1 and it performs very well. It's not that old of a phone came out the year before the Pixel.

I could see upgrading if you were looking for something fresh and more powerful like a OnePlus 3T, but your looking for a budget phone, pretty much just like your 5X ? So I'm assuming your 5X was damaged ?

Anyways out of all those phones I'd say wait for the HTC 10 to lower in price, or see if you can get a good deal on Craigslist for a used Nexus 6P or OnePlus 2 ?

 

[nviz22]

What's with with your Nexus 5X ? My brother has one running PureNexus ROM 7.1.1 and it performs very well. It's not that old of a phone came out the year before the Pixel.

I could see upgrading if you were looking for something fresh and more powerful like a OnePlus 3T, but your looking for a budget phone, pretty much just like your 5X ? So I'm assuming your 5X was damaged ?

Anyways out of all those phones I'd say wait for the HTC 10 to lower in price, or see if you can get a good deal on Craigslist for a used Nexus 6P or OnePlus 2 ?

6P would be nice if it dropped in price. The 5X is in solid condition. I just want something newer at this point. I haven't rooted it. Mine is stock on the beta program. 7.1.1 with December patch. It runs fine per se, but the screen feels really washed out and the brightness isn't so great. I prefer a S7/Nexus 6P/ HTC 10, but who knows how long it takes for my budget range to be met. I would have to sell the 5X to get the $.

 

[MRU]

P9 Lite or the recently announced Honor 6X fit most of your requirements outlined in the OP too.

 

[nviz22]

P9 Lite or the recently announced Honor 6X fit most of your requirements outlined in the OP too.

Did they clear out the Chinese spyware problem on Huawei?

 

[Blaze4G]

I was looking for a sub 300 phone last month for my sister. The best options I found was the s6 active (for the larger battery) and the honor 8. Ultimately went with the honor 8 (got it on sale for 260) and it has surpassed expectations. I have a nexus 6p and I would switch to the honor 8 without feeling like I downgraded.

Edit: honor 8 seems to meet all your criteria, USB c, nano Sim, FP scanner. Toss in a really good camera and processor. Only draw back it is not "clean software". It isn't bloated IMO like the big manufacturers.

 

[MRU]

Did they clear out the Chinese spyware problem on Huawei?

I've only used a P9 Lite and a Honor 8 and there was no 'spyware' on them.

The 'rumors' of spyware are very dated going back to 2012 and indeed white house reports went on to say they found no evidence of Huawei spying.

https://www.cnet.com/news/white-house-reportedly-finds-no-evidence-of-spying-by-huawei/

 

[nviz22]

I've only used a P9 Lite and a Honor 8 and there was no 'spyware' on them.

The 'rumors' of spyware are very dated going back to 2012 and indeed white house reports went on to say they found no evidence of Huawei spying.

https://www.cnet.com/news/white-house-reportedly-finds-no-evidence-of-spying-by-huawei/

Hmm, I think I will hold off on those ones because of the ROM they use. Prefer closer to stock android or something feature friendly.
[doublepost=1483922266][/doublepost]Could the Note 5 come down to $250 range?

 

[LIVEFRMNYC]

I am also considering waiting for the HTC 10 or GS7 to cross the $200-$250 mark. The LG G5 might be there soon, but it has boot loop issues...

I think you might see that happen with the S7 once the S8 comes out. Maybe more towards $300. The HTC 10 will definitely fall to that price quickly due to it's lack of popularity.

 

[nviz22]

I think you might see that happen with the S7 once the S8 comes out. Maybe more towards $300. The HTC 10 will definitely fall to that price quickly due to it's lack of popularity.

For $200, that would be quite the deal. I might even wait for the OP3 and just deal with that crappy alert slider.

 

[nviz22]

What's the cheapest phone with a Nano SIM?

 

[epicrayban]

@nviz22 Have you considered the OnePlus 3T?

 

[Lloydbm41]

What's the cheapest phone with a Nano SIM?

Nextbit Robin.
And Android 7.0 ROM is already out. I think the Nextbit developers worked directly with Paranoid Android devs to do the ROM for Nougat.
Link: https://www.xda-developers.com/nextbit-releases-a-nougat-beta-with-help-from-paranoid-android/

 

[nordique]

I know it wasn't one of your options but I just gotta give a shout out to the galaxy s7. It's worth every penny for a droid purchase Imo even though it doesn't have USB c.

If you can find one on Kijiji or eBay for cheaper than retail and within your target budget or close to, make that dip.

 

[verpeiler]

Oneplus 3T

 

[nviz22]

@nviz22 Have you considered the OnePlus 3T?

Way out of my price range for now. I would have to wait till mid summer to possibly get one.
[doublepost=1483992958][/doublepost]

I know it wasn't one of your options but I just gotta give a shout out to the galaxy s7. It's worth every penny for a droid purchase Imo even though it doesn't have USB c.

If you can find one on Kijiji or eBay for cheaper than retail and within your target budget or close to, make that dip.

I would have to wait till the summer for that as well. Had one before and it had too many issues, maybe my luck was bad with 3 units?

 

[nordique]

I would have to wait till the summer for that as well. Had one before and it had too many issues, maybe my luck was bad with 3 units?

Yikes....well 3 units in a row is either pretty bad luck or i've had really good luck with one unit haha

At 3 troublesome units in a row, I can certainly understand why you'd be hesitant to give it another go. That kind of experience always leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

That said, if you did happen across a unit without issues, its a fantastic device. One of the best phones released in 2016.

I would certainly choose it over the A3 or S6, provided you can find one on the cheap. I'm in Canada, and S7's in great shape can be had on kijiji for 400$, S6's even cheaper and those are great phones too...but I found the S6 battery life wasn't the best.

I've used Moto phones before and they are great but out of the phones you listed, I would edge towards Samsung, even considering TouchWiz (some disabling of the bloatware helps smooth things up), mainly because of their display quality being arguably the best in the industry (you're going to spend a lot of time looking at your phone non?) and their cameras being a notch above some of the ones you posted (or many notches above in some cases)

 

[IowaLynn]

Now that the Note 7 isn't an option I went for Huawei Mate 9
If 5.9" and $599 with 7.x then consider the newly available Huawei Mate 9

CNET: Pixel vs. Moto Z vs. ZenFone AR vs. Mate 9 Pro vs. Axon 7: Which new Daydream VR phone is right for you?

https://www.cnet.com/products/huawei-mate-9/review/#ftag=CAD-00-10aag7d

ZDNET:
Huawei Mate 9 review: Meet the new best Android smartphone for business users (RIP, Note 7)
http://www.zdnet.com/product/huawei-mate-9/

There is also a review u on Android Central

 

[Zaft]

How often do some of you switch phones? you are phone freaks

 

[epicrayban]

How often do some of you switch phones? you are phone freaks

Past few months? Went from S7E, to Pixel, to OnePlus 3T. Sticking with the 3T for now in part because it's fantastic, and in part because it'll save me money so that I can make decisions on this year's flagships.

=]

 

[nviz22]

Past few months? Went from S7E, to Pixel, to OnePlus 3T. Sticking with the 3T for now in part because it's fantastic, and in part because it'll save me money so that I can make decisions on this year's flagships.

=]

Almost stayed with the OP3, except the alert slider/lack of don't disturb/not too bright screen provided underwhelming stuff.

 

[Zaft]

Any news on the LG6? LG5 was pretty cool with the ammo clip lol. But I guess no one bothered to make any worthy accessories.

 

[nviz22]

Any news on the LG6? LG5 was pretty cool with the ammo clip lol. But I guess no one bothered to make any worthy accessories.

Wide QHD screen with a new 18:10 aspect ratio or something like that. No modules this time.

 

[sunking101]

How often do some of you switch phones? you are phone freaks

6S+ to 7+ to Xperia XZ. I'll be all over any new Note phone, and most probably the next iPhone.

 

[Ffosse]

Just in the past 6 months... Xperia XA, iPhone SE, Huawei P9 Lite, iPhone 7. I've still got the latter 2 as they are solid devices but am not buying a new phone for at least a year. I actually got bored with setting them up, the android ones, anyway.