Economical up-to-date Android handset
July 22, 2019 9:56 AM Subscribe
I'm a long-time iPhone user who needs to get an Android handset for a software development project. Please help me get the best phone for the best price.
The phone will be used for software development and user testing.
It should run the latest version of Android and ideally the next version of Android. I'd prefer something close to generic Android rather than something with significant OEM overlays and bloatware.
The screen should be approximately 5.5 inches or larger.
Used is fine, but it would be nice if it looked good and it needs to be reliable.
Other specs -- camera, storage, biometric security, etc -- don't matter. I won't be getting cellular service for the device, so that doesn't matter either.
A new Pixel 3A for $400 is tempting, but it'd be better if I could get something for half that.
The phone will be used for software development and user testing.
It should run the latest version of Android and ideally the next version of Android. I'd prefer something close to generic Android rather than something with significant OEM overlays and bloatware.
The screen should be approximately 5.5 inches or larger.
Used is fine, but it would be nice if it looked good and it needs to be reliable.
Other specs -- camera, storage, biometric security, etc -- don't matter. I won't be getting cellular service for the device, so that doesn't matter either.
A new Pixel 3A for $400 is tempting, but it'd be better if I could get something for half that.
Just get a Pixel 2 on eBay for like $250. Or even a Pixel XL, for even less - I still use an XL as my day to day phone and it's fine. Buying a slightly out-of-date Pixel is actually a great way to be able to run the latest OS while saving on hardware, since Google is pretty aggressive about releasing new OS's to their flagship handsets. I currently have Android 9 Pie installed but Wikipedia says 10 Q will run on it.
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 10:19 AM on July 22, 2019 [2 favorites]
posted by Joey Buttafoucault at 10:19 AM on July 22, 2019 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Quick update: I'm looking for handset recommendations and also recommendations on where to get the handset. For example, I love Gazelle for their simplicity and reliability, but it seems like there's a big price premium for that convenience.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 10:24 AM on July 22, 2019
posted by Winnie the Proust at 10:24 AM on July 22, 2019
I'd recommend a Nokia 6.1, or the rumoured-to-be-imminent 6.2. They're not the fastest phones out there, but they run stock Android without manufacturer overlays, get updates directly from Google, and should cost somewhere in the region of $180-250.
I've been running one for a year to replace my Nexus 5X, which got stuck in a bootloop the night before I had to travel to a major convention. I got one shipped via Amazon Prime to my hotel and was up and running 30 minutes after I got there.
On preview: If you want it right now, an unlocked 6.1 will set you back $229 at Amazon or $183 from BestBuy.
Hell, at that price, I'm tempted to go buy myself a spare to keep in the drawer...
The 6.2 and it's pricing hasn't been released for the US yet, but the rumour sites have it listed for similar prices, launching in August/September.
posted by Nice Guy Mike at 10:29 AM on July 22, 2019 [6 favorites]
I've been running one for a year to replace my Nexus 5X, which got stuck in a bootloop the night before I had to travel to a major convention. I got one shipped via Amazon Prime to my hotel and was up and running 30 minutes after I got there.
On preview: If you want it right now, an unlocked 6.1 will set you back $229 at Amazon or $183 from BestBuy.
Hell, at that price, I'm tempted to go buy myself a spare to keep in the drawer...
The 6.2 and it's pricing hasn't been released for the US yet, but the rumour sites have it listed for similar prices, launching in August/September.
posted by Nice Guy Mike at 10:29 AM on July 22, 2019 [6 favorites]
Go to your location on Google Maps. Search "nearby" for [used cell phones] -- you'll get a bunch of cell phone repair places popping up, and that's fine. Call some and find three that actually have unlocked (or your provider's) Android phones, make sure you're talking to the person who is best at recommending used phones, listen to what the semi-knowledgeable people say, and BOOM you're most of the way there.
posted by amtho at 10:52 AM on July 22, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by amtho at 10:52 AM on July 22, 2019 [1 favorite]
The Nokia 2.2 is exactly what you're looking for. I kind of want one myself.
posted by contrarian at 11:09 AM on July 22, 2019 [1 favorite]
posted by contrarian at 11:09 AM on July 22, 2019 [1 favorite]
I'll second the Nokia 6.1 recommendation. It's the closest you can get to a vanilla Android experience outside of the (flagship-oriented) Pixel line.
posted by tobascodagama at 11:41 AM on July 22, 2019
posted by tobascodagama at 11:41 AM on July 22, 2019
Thirding the Nokia 6.1. I got my wife one to replace her Nexus 5X and I'm frankly amazed how much phone you get for that little money. Plus, it's a completely vanilla Android and gets regular updates.
posted by parm at 12:08 PM on July 22, 2019
posted by parm at 12:08 PM on July 22, 2019
I'd say the essential phone is what you want. $239 on Amazon. Constant updates. Built like a brick clad place to poo.
posted by chasles at 1:40 PM on July 22, 2019
posted by chasles at 1:40 PM on July 22, 2019
Although I'd add the caveat to my recommendation that if you're getting into Android development then most of your customers will have Samsungs rather than anything close to generic Android.
posted by tobascodagama at 2:07 PM on July 22, 2019 [3 favorites]
posted by tobascodagama at 2:07 PM on July 22, 2019 [3 favorites]
The Nokia 7 Plus (TA-1062) is a solid midrange phone that's easily available on Amazon. Updates are reasonably quick, but US LTE band support is somewhat limited, though plenty usable. That's not really an issue if you're just using it for development/testing, though. Since it launched with Oreo, you can downgrade it for testing if you need to test on older releases.
Since it has NFC, multiple cameras, a fingerprint reader, and some other stuff the cheaper ones don't have, it may be more useful to you as a development platform than a less expensive device that is missing some or all of those hardware features, but without paying the flagship tax.
The only downside, which shouldn't be an issue for your purposes, is that the bootloader isn't easily unlockable like it is on a Pixel. There is a version (TA-1046) that has different LTE bands and is less usable in North America.
The 7.1 is probably equally useful for your purpose and is only $250 new, but I can't personally vouch for it since I hate the notched display and stuck with the old one as a result. ;)
posted by wierdo at 6:30 AM on July 23, 2019 [2 favorites]
Since it has NFC, multiple cameras, a fingerprint reader, and some other stuff the cheaper ones don't have, it may be more useful to you as a development platform than a less expensive device that is missing some or all of those hardware features, but without paying the flagship tax.
The only downside, which shouldn't be an issue for your purposes, is that the bootloader isn't easily unlockable like it is on a Pixel. There is a version (TA-1046) that has different LTE bands and is less usable in North America.
The 7.1 is probably equally useful for your purpose and is only $250 new, but I can't personally vouch for it since I hate the notched display and stuck with the old one as a result. ;)
posted by wierdo at 6:30 AM on July 23, 2019 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thank you for all of these suggestions. There are some great inexpensive options out there.
The Nokia 2.2 makes sense on paper, but I want to wait until the reviews come out. If it is very slow and laggy that could be a problem. In that case I might go with the Nokia 6.1 or its successor.
It's tempting to get something nicer that I could actually use, but I really don't need that. I just need to be able to do some generic Android development and user-testing on it.
I appreciate that Samsung is the most common platform out in the world, but we're not planning to sell anything immediately and for our near-term goals being close to the generic operating system is the priority.
Thanks again. I'll keep watching this in case anyone else has a suggestion. (Is there a cheap phone with a great camera? Tempt me!) When I get something I'll report back.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 9:58 AM on July 23, 2019
The Nokia 2.2 makes sense on paper, but I want to wait until the reviews come out. If it is very slow and laggy that could be a problem. In that case I might go with the Nokia 6.1 or its successor.
It's tempting to get something nicer that I could actually use, but I really don't need that. I just need to be able to do some generic Android development and user-testing on it.
I appreciate that Samsung is the most common platform out in the world, but we're not planning to sell anything immediately and for our near-term goals being close to the generic operating system is the priority.
Thanks again. I'll keep watching this in case anyone else has a suggestion. (Is there a cheap phone with a great camera? Tempt me!) When I get something I'll report back.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 9:58 AM on July 23, 2019
This thread is closed to new comments.
i would get a $400 pixel 3a over the $300 Moto g7 if I were making the decision, longer and more timely updates, and better hardware. I still might upgrade to the 3a, it wasn't available when I bought the g7.
posted by TheAdamist at 10:04 AM on July 22, 2019 [2 favorites]