Need help choosing a phone

So in a couple of weeks, I leave my current job which supplies me with a phone. This means that for the first time in roughly 4-5 years, I'll need to buy a phone and I'm kind of at a loss.

I'm definitely wanting to stick with Android, I see nothing appealing about either iOS or WP.
I've been using Samsungs the past few years as that's what work has supplied me with and I generally like them, certainly having borrowed a Huawei P8 from a friend to try out, I find there are certain aspects of Samsung's UI that sit better with me. However I will give any/all brands reasonable consideration as I'm acutely aware that you get a lot of bang for your buck with some of the Chinese OEMs.

Beyond that I'm at a stage now whereby I don't feel the need to have the very top of the range simply because it's the top of the range - I've used an S6 and an S6 Edge+ lately and while they're undoubtedly lovely handsets, I can't really see the difference between a 1080HD screen and a QHD screen at that sorta size. I also don't tend to take a huge number of photos on my phone, don't really need a crazy-powerful SoC either as I use my phone as a communication tool, I'm not needing to render 3D CAD models on it or anything like that.

The only other thing is that a dual-SIM handset would be preferable - I'd prefer not to have to use my personal number as a point of contact for work, so I'll be getting myself a second SIM to use but I'd prefer not to have to carry 2 handsets (it's a pain just now) - not to mention not have to purchase 2 handsets.


To that end, I'd found a dual-SIM version of the Samsung A8, which I figure is a reasonable starting point.
Can anyone recommend anything else worth comparing it to?

 

Check out the Asus Zenfone 2.

 

There's the OnePlus Two, which you can buy it from the 27th to 30th without an invite. It's a high end spec phone at a cheaper price. 64GB for $389.

 

Thanks both for the recommendations.

There's quite a price difference between the two phones so I'll need to do a bit of research.

 

Oh, if you're considering the $300 price range you should also look at the higher-specced version of the Zenfone 2. It comes with a slightly faster processor and 4 GB of RAM as opposed to 2.

 

The Nexus 5X was $80 off at the Google Store and Amazon, and it still is $80 off at B&H Photo Video, granting it a starting price of $299. There's also the Moto X Pure Edition in the sub $400 category. Both have nice cameras.

http://www.androidcentral.com/photos-showdown-iphone-6s-plus-vs-nexus-5x-vs-galaxy-s6-vs-lg-g4
http://www.phonearena.com/news/Best...-LG-G4-Moto-X-Pure-Edition-HTC-One-A9_id75496

The Xiaomi Mi 4c is possibly the best mid-ranger out there right now. The 2GB RAM 16GB ROM model is $240, while the 3GB RAM 32GB ROM model is $280. For that kind of money, it offers a lot. Xiaomi also just announced the Remi Note 3. I'm not convinced it'll be quite as good, but it has a larger display, is made out of metal, and is even cheaper. Check out Honorbuy or iBuyGou if you're interested in either.

http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_4c-review-1328.php
https://www.androidpit.com/xiaomi-mi-4c-review

 

It's the UK I'm in, so those prices don't apply unfortunately.

It was always the higher-specced version of the Zenfone I was looking at, it comes in under £200 (~$300) whereas the OnePlus2 is £300 (~$450) here.
In fact, I've seen the higher-specced ZenFone pushing as low as around £150 online, so it really is a considerable price difference between them.

As above, unfortunately US prices aren't any help.
Plus, I don't think either of them are dual-SIM, are they?

Thanks, I'll have a look at that too.
The Xiaomi handsets don't seem to support all the UK LTE bands though, which probably isn't a major issue (the network I'm on covers all 3) but is a little less than ideal as they're likely to be rolled out in different areas.

I'll definitely consider them though.

 

Even if importing isn't free, I thought it would be worth mentioning. I forgot about the dual SIM requirement.

You can add the following phones to your list: Meizu M1 Metal, Oppo R7s, and the Huawei P8 Lite. All of them are inexpensive and dual SIM, but I don't think either of those brands offer the same bang for the buck that Xiaomi does. One thing worth mentioning regarding Chinese import phones is that you may have to sideload the Google Play Store. Another point goes to the Mi 4c in the custom ROM department with its Qualcomm SoC; you'll be able to flash, say, CyanogenMod and Open GAPPS for a near Nexus experience. If you intend to keep the stock software, then the Redmi Note 3 might be better. Hard to say without a proper review.

EDIT: Actually, Huawei's Glory Play 5X may be worthwhile. Globally, Huawei has been performing better as a premium than budget manufacturer lately, proof being the likes of the P8 Lite and G7 Plus. The Glory Play 5X appears to be intended as a domestic model, so it may be a bit hard to get hold of, but out of the phones mentioned, it has the most appealing spec sheet in its price category if you ask me. No reviews are out yet, but if its list of supported bands is more appropriate for the UK market, perhaps it's worth considering.

That being said, I'm not sure Phone Arena did get the specs right. Some report S615, others S808. Some use the Glory name, others use the Honor name exclusively. Few details, including availability, makes this an elusive one.

 

You can now get the Redmi Note 3 32GB and 16GB for $199.99 and $179.99 with coupon codes 32Note3 and 16Note3 respectively over at Everbuying.

http://www.gizchina.com/2015/12/07/xiaomi-redmi-note-3-on-discounted-sale-coupons/

 

Nooooooo..... Terrible reliability. Also, terrible camera compared to what you're used to (S6). I still don't believe Intel belongs in this market.

I would honestly go with the One+ One. The two lacks NFC... IDK how much you guys across the pond use NFC payments, but that was a deal breaker for me on the One+ 2.

Personally, I would go with the G4 if you can find a good deal on one. LG usually prices their flagships considerably lower than others. I LOVE my G4... even with the LG software, which for me is unheard of.

 

The OnePlus 2's decision to leave out NFC was quite stupid, what's the point of the fingerprint reader and Android Pay without NFC?

 

What on Earth leads you to believe it's unreliable? I've used the phone before. Construction is solid, and it definitely feels like it can take a beating. And the camera isn't that bad. Obviously you're not getting flagship quality, but it should be decent for a casual Instagram user. If you do want a better camera at the price though, I'd go with the Moto G.

 

I think he was talking about software reliability, not build quality. I haven't looked too much into the Zenfones, but I believe I've bumped into a thread or two about apps crashing. The less stellar than flagship camera performance can also be linked to the Intel SoC powering it, namely Intel's ISP.

 

Well that's odd. I've heard people complain about bloatware, but never software instability.

 

Since we're not North America, Android Pay isn't available, nor am I holding my breath.
Odds are Samsung Pay will be the first major Android payment system over here, which won't be any good on a OnePlus device anyway.

The OnePlus One was only single SIM, wasn't it?
That's a deal breaker right there.

Thank you but no.
I never had a positive experience with any LG handsets and whilst I know they're supposed to be better but I still hear enough horror stories from guys I know in phone shops not to be willing to gamble my money on one.



I actually went for a OnePlus X in the end, should be arriving tomorrow (well, later today technically). The 2 is the better handset, I know, but the focus on design with the X appealed, as did the slightly smaller size.
Plus it's that bit cheaper, which given this is a stop-gap as I'm almost certainly going to want the S7 when it comes out, is definitely a plus.

I know there are various Xiaomi handsets and devices from other Chinese OEMs that would represent better value as well but the fact that I'm able to buy directly from OnePlus and get a UK handset, instead of some sort of grey import or buying from a retailer I've never heard of based out of Hong Kong, is also a plus IMO.


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As a complete aside, this happened today:




A mere 15 times faster than my home broadband...

 

I suggest One Plus Two..