Recommend a Mobile Phone

Hi guys. I'm buying a new phone and was hoping you could give me a good recommendation based on a few of the following points:

First things first, it has to be good as a phone. Whatever has the best battery life, long lasting with like a trillion charge cycles to burn through before messing up. That would be one characteristic of a good one, though probably not the only one.

Since I can't really think of much else a phone should have, I guess a few other things that I don't want from my new phone that my old phone had problems with; Speed. Been using a crappy Samsung with Android and less than 1 GB of RAM. Don't know the other specs but it sure had tendency to slow to a standstill and crash apps quite often. I read on Quora using Android doesn't help either because of the way it's implemented and what with being an open source OS there are too many cooks spoiling the broth, though I'll leave the decision on the OS to the more technically minded.

Quality collection of apps to choose from would also be nice. Read a bit of a debate earlier that basically went along the lines of there is a larger collection of apps on Google but it has been saturated with crap, apparently, while MS doesn't have nearly as many apps but isn't nearly as saturated with crap. Again, I don't meddle around too much with apps, so if you've had personal experiences with various app markets, feel free to recommend whichever market you believe may be better.

Security is pretty important, however. Then again, I'm not sure which phone would be good at providing that the most. Probably could be fine with an AV app and some smart practices. But seeing as I am only aware of most phones being either put out by MS, Apple or Android, and what with them being owned by corporations with an interest in helping out NSA or whoever, I don't know how a bit more security can be guaranteed. I don't have a target painted on my head for the government but I don't want them messing around with my phone because I let out a nasty fart near some senator. Probably can't do much about it but It'd be nice to know if somebody has a little reassuring suggestion.

Price should be reasonable for what is being offered. Basically, they shouldn't be asking for money that hasn't been earned with the item in question on sale and the price tag should make me feel like I'm buying a phone not a fighter jet.

Physical durability is also very important. My Samsung felt like a wafer I could snap between my fingers until I got it a casing that made it feel at least a bit more hefty.

Last and actually least; If possible, I would like to game on the go. I'll repeat, I still do want a phone, not a tablet or a netbook/ultrabook and gaming is not a necessity, probably less so considering battery life concerns, that is why this is the last and the least feature I require. It would be nice if possible but absolutely not important, that is all.

 

What's the budget?
For security I guess you could go with Android Blackberry phone (or if you're really hardcore a genuine Blackberry, though I don't really recommend it).
Or just install a custom ROM.

 

I've never really been good at setting a budget. I'm not a frequent buyer so I usually go all out since I buy like at least half a decade later every time. That and I don't know what are the proper specs as well as market conditions at the time are since I go shopping for tech so infrequently.

That is why the only condition I can place in that regard is what I said earlier: It should feel like I am buying a phone, not a fighter jet.

But if I really need to, and this is absolutely a wild guess, I'd say the $200-$300 range sounds right. Do you think I should put in a bit more?

 

@sidg666 I suggest Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro SE 3/32 if you want a mainstream smartphone (5.5"), or Xiaomi Mi Max 3/32 if you want a phablet (6.4"). Both are great devices based on Snapdragon 650 CPU. You should avoid 2GB RAM versions like plague, though - due to rather poor Android memory management on devices with 64bit CPUs. Also, I would not recommend purchasing Mi Max with more storage & RAM since it has different CPU (Snapdragon 652) which runs hotter and has worse ROM support yet provides no noticeable performance difference in real life. For improving security and getting rid of corporate telemetry crap, flash LineageOS ROM. Do not consider MTK-based Redmi Note 3 / Redmi Note 4 versions, they're terrible budget devices - Snapdragon-based Xiaomi are the only way to go. Each device will cost you $200 or less. While these smartphones all come with white front from the factory, it can be changed to Black or Gold by installing corresponding screen protector. I personally use Mi Max 3/32GB, fantastic smartphone, very happy with it.

 

@Starlight5

Which of the phones is easier to put in your pocket and feels less like putting a slab to the side of your head to receive calls? I've never used a phablet but some of the google images make it seem like it'd cover the entire side of your head when used. Seems sort of awkward and I'm not sure if it would fit in my pocket.

Also is flashing the Lineage OS ROM reversible or at least fail proof? I didn't jail break my last device, despite possible benefits, because I didn't want to mess up the software and ruin the utility of the phone.

EDIT: Sorry I forgot to mention this earlier. Probably should have put it in my original post. Anyway, is it possible that there might alternatives with replaceable batteries. As I said earlier, I buy once in a while so I'll probably be using this device until maintaining it becomes less efficient than buying a new device, some 5 years or so, probably.

 

@sidg666 5.5" Redmi Note 3 Pro is easier to put in the pocket, obviously. You can always roll back to Xiaomi MIUI Rom from LineageOS, or flash another custom ROM. Rooting the device is optional; you only need to unlock bootloader to flash custom ROMs, which is easy and risk-free procedure done via Xiaomi official website. All phones have replaceable batteries, but some need a bit of disassembly while other don't. Replacing battery on Redmi Note 3 Pro is reasonably easy, though you will need a pry tool to remove the back cover of the smartphone, and help the battery out of its compartment.

 

The only quality alternative in that range with a removable battery might be the Moto G5, unfortunately the Moto G5 Plus doesn't have one.

Now my main choice would be the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 Global Version 4GB RAM 64GB ROM with Snapdragon 625. It's a bit slower than the 650 BUT the battery lasts much longer, have a look at reviews and make sure it has the bands you need for 4G