Reliable, refurbished/used smartphone options?
July 27, 2020 6:09 PM Subscribe
I have been an iPhone person for many years, after originally being a Samsung Galaxy owner. My last Galaxy had lots of glitches, and when I switched to iPhones, I found them to simply work much better. However, I'm fed up with Apple generally, and I'm thinking about returning to Android. Looking for any recommendations on best bang-for-your-buck smartphones available on Swappa or other resale platforms.
Reading product reviews on my own hasn't been particularly helpful, since they're so focused on the latest features and things I don't care about. Some more details on my preferences:
My current phone is an iPhone 6s, but after 3.5 years of use, the screen finally broke. My main complaint with this phone has been the poor battery life (I did replace the battery once, but it was a bit difficult to do myself, and it degraded quickly). I generally hate dealing with apple products (the iPhone is the only one I've kept).
My top priorities would be reliability and battery life. Additionally, I'd need to get an unlocked version and it would need to work with European and US networks. I'd like a phone that is relatively easy to replace the battery, and something that will last a couple years after purchase, even if I buy one that is already lightly used (off Swappa). I'm a huge ThinkPad fan for this reason, since I can usually buy them refurbished and then fix any issues that arise quite easily. I'd love to know if there's a smartphone equivalent to the ThinkPad laptops.
My budget is around $200 refurb., could possibly go $250-300. Of course I'd like at least iPhone 6s equivalent features (wrt camera quality, speed, etc.), which shouldn't be too difficult since the 6s is quite an old model now. I'm not looking for any state-of-the-art camera technology or anything like that. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
Reading product reviews on my own hasn't been particularly helpful, since they're so focused on the latest features and things I don't care about. Some more details on my preferences:
My current phone is an iPhone 6s, but after 3.5 years of use, the screen finally broke. My main complaint with this phone has been the poor battery life (I did replace the battery once, but it was a bit difficult to do myself, and it degraded quickly). I generally hate dealing with apple products (the iPhone is the only one I've kept).
My top priorities would be reliability and battery life. Additionally, I'd need to get an unlocked version and it would need to work with European and US networks. I'd like a phone that is relatively easy to replace the battery, and something that will last a couple years after purchase, even if I buy one that is already lightly used (off Swappa). I'm a huge ThinkPad fan for this reason, since I can usually buy them refurbished and then fix any issues that arise quite easily. I'd love to know if there's a smartphone equivalent to the ThinkPad laptops.
My budget is around $200 refurb., could possibly go $250-300. Of course I'd like at least iPhone 6s equivalent features (wrt camera quality, speed, etc.), which shouldn't be too difficult since the 6s is quite an old model now. I'm not looking for any state-of-the-art camera technology or anything like that. Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
I would look at the Motorola line of products. I bought a new unlocked Moto E5 play for$150 new off Amazon approx. 2 years ago and as a budget smartphone it has served me very well. They have a wide range of options/prices and the newer models run the most recent version of the Android OS. On the majority of them, you can change the battery yourself by simply popping off the back cover (there is a small notch to make it easier). Depending on which model you go for, you may need to buy a micro SD card, which is easy to slip in the back as well. There are some drawbacks ie) amount of preinstalled RAM and the camera in low light levels; depending on what you are looking for. You can respond to texts on in a browser on a pc at @ https://messages.android.com and follow the prompts.
posted by googlebombed at 6:54 PM on July 27, 2020 [2 favorites]
posted by googlebombed at 6:54 PM on July 27, 2020 [2 favorites]
Look at the new Samsung midrange A series. I got the A71 and it is just stellar. Brand new on Amazon $365, the A51 is going for around $100 less and has all the same features just slightly smaller screen and 48 vs 64 MP main camera. (There's also a superwide angle and macro camera... The pictures look amazing!) I've been playing Mario Kart Tour on it and the graphics/sound (with headphones, it has a headphone jack, which are getting rare) are like console quality. It seems like all the bells and whistles that Samsung has been coming up with this last decade all seem to work now. Check out the reviews on YouTube. A51 or A71 if you can swing it (it even came with a free case :)
posted by sexyrobot at 7:09 PM on July 27, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by sexyrobot at 7:09 PM on July 27, 2020 [1 favorite]
If you use Chrome as your primary browser on your laptop, look into a Pixel 3a (or 4/4xl). One of the killer apps of Pixel phones (and the Google Messages app in general, but Pixels have great cameras, if that's important to you) is that you can set them up to text via Chrome as well - you can get notifications of incoming texts, and use a dedicated site (messages. google. com) the same way you'd use a messaging app on your phone.
Pixels also get Android platform releases as soon as they're out, and on-time security updates for several years. But even if you don't get a Pixel, as long as you use Google Messages, you should be able to get/send texts from your Chrome browser without a problem.
posted by pdb at 8:20 PM on July 27, 2020 [1 favorite]
Pixels also get Android platform releases as soon as they're out, and on-time security updates for several years. But even if you don't get a Pixel, as long as you use Google Messages, you should be able to get/send texts from your Chrome browser without a problem.
posted by pdb at 8:20 PM on July 27, 2020 [1 favorite]
I love love love my Google Pixel 2. It's getting a little long in the tooth so when it retires I'm hoping to get a Pixel 3A (as pdb suggests), having read that the Pixel 4 is not as nice and has poor battery life. I feel about the P2 like I used to about my Thinkpad when I was a developer: it's good!
With a Google phone you get the latest Android (until the phone's a few years old of course). The Pixel 2 is scheduled to stop getting the latest Android come October I think, which could push me to the 3A (though I think the P2 will still get security updates, just not the latest/greatest OS).
My P2 was above your range at $400 new in January 2018, but it's a really excellent phone, takes the BEST photos, and still has very good battery life; using the AccuBattery app has helped keep the battery in good shape.
Google's Messages for Web makes texting super easy.
posted by anadem at 10:00 PM on July 27, 2020
With a Google phone you get the latest Android (until the phone's a few years old of course). The Pixel 2 is scheduled to stop getting the latest Android come October I think, which could push me to the 3A (though I think the P2 will still get security updates, just not the latest/greatest OS).
My P2 was above your range at $400 new in January 2018, but it's a really excellent phone, takes the BEST photos, and still has very good battery life; using the AccuBattery app has helped keep the battery in good shape.
Google's Messages for Web makes texting super easy.
posted by anadem at 10:00 PM on July 27, 2020
I am biased, but IMO the Pixel 3 or 3A are really nice. There's a lot of talk about a Pixel 4a which some rumors say is coming out next week (although there have been rumors about a Pixel 4a release next week for the last 2 months).
I have a Samsung S9, but I am not going to stay with Samsung after this phone because of all their extra uninstallable apps and because of Bixby. If it weren't for Bixby I would consider staying with Samsung.
posted by coberh at 10:52 PM on July 27, 2020
I have a Samsung S9, but I am not going to stay with Samsung after this phone because of all their extra uninstallable apps and because of Bixby. If it weren't for Bixby I would consider staying with Samsung.
posted by coberh at 10:52 PM on July 27, 2020
Since you mentioned Europe: if it's a model where replacing the battery means taking the phone apart and if you intend to go to a technician to do that, then check whether it's a commonly sold model in the various locations where you intend to be using the phone. I had a model that wasn't actually sold where I lived and when I needed to get it serviced it was a real undertaking to find someone willing and able to deal with it and obtain the necessary parts.
posted by trig at 12:13 AM on July 28, 2020
posted by trig at 12:13 AM on July 28, 2020
Ive been happy with the moto g series, inexpensive without the compromises of the e series. G power 2020 is the standard one in the series i believe (the new naming scheme is awful). Around 250$.
I have a g7 and liked it on the os it came with, after the recent os upgrade its got a few minor issues that will probably be cured with a factory reset, that im putting off. But the google pixel 4a might be announced next week, which im interested in, although its expected to be above your budget at 350-399.
At least for the g series, moto provides one os upgrade and 2 years of security updates. Google pixels will get the most.
User serviceable parts dont commonly exist anymore on cellphones.
posted by TheAdamist at 4:14 AM on July 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
I have a g7 and liked it on the os it came with, after the recent os upgrade its got a few minor issues that will probably be cured with a factory reset, that im putting off. But the google pixel 4a might be announced next week, which im interested in, although its expected to be above your budget at 350-399.
At least for the g series, moto provides one os upgrade and 2 years of security updates. Google pixels will get the most.
User serviceable parts dont commonly exist anymore on cellphones.
posted by TheAdamist at 4:14 AM on July 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
I bought a refurb Pixel 2XL for about $300 last year and love love love it. Clean Android experience, none of the weird extras from the other big manufacturers. (Although I like Motorola phones generally.)
If I were to do it today, I'd go for a refurb Pixel 3 or Pixel 3XL. Looks like refurbs are going from $250-$300.
posted by nosila at 6:40 AM on July 28, 2020
If I were to do it today, I'd go for a refurb Pixel 3 or Pixel 3XL. Looks like refurbs are going from $250-$300.
posted by nosila at 6:40 AM on July 28, 2020
Another vote for the Pixel. However do not do the Pixel 2. I would do 3 and up and if possible wait for the 4A.
It is a fantastic, fantastic device and the camera (even on the 3) works just as well than on iPhone. It is very stable and doesn't have any bloatware (which I think is the issue with Samsung).
Cheers,
AM.
posted by The1andonly at 6:56 AM on July 28, 2020
It is a fantastic, fantastic device and the camera (even on the 3) works just as well than on iPhone. It is very stable and doesn't have any bloatware (which I think is the issue with Samsung).
Cheers,
AM.
posted by The1andonly at 6:56 AM on July 28, 2020
Before you switch, a few quick notes:
You do have a 4 year old iphone now. A 4 year old android phone is unsupported and junk. It's something to consider as you look at an upgrade.
If your keyboard is glitching, I recommend you give the stock keyboard a try. They recently added swype functionality.
If the issue is apps closing or opening slowly, I recommend you 1: reboot your iphone, delete your main-stay apps and reinstall them. Clear your safari and google chrome caches.
I think you'll find your phone will last you until november for the next iphone release, at which point, buying a new iPhone 11 might be a good option for you for a lower price.
I've gone back and forth between both phone types, and while the Pixel 2 is nice, there's actually a lot of annoying things that it CAN'T do that some of my friends have been frustrated with, as well as slowing down dramatically over two years of ownership.
posted by bbqturtle at 7:32 AM on July 28, 2020
You do have a 4 year old iphone now. A 4 year old android phone is unsupported and junk. It's something to consider as you look at an upgrade.
If your keyboard is glitching, I recommend you give the stock keyboard a try. They recently added swype functionality.
If the issue is apps closing or opening slowly, I recommend you 1: reboot your iphone, delete your main-stay apps and reinstall them. Clear your safari and google chrome caches.
I think you'll find your phone will last you until november for the next iphone release, at which point, buying a new iPhone 11 might be a good option for you for a lower price.
I've gone back and forth between both phone types, and while the Pixel 2 is nice, there's actually a lot of annoying things that it CAN'T do that some of my friends have been frustrated with, as well as slowing down dramatically over two years of ownership.
posted by bbqturtle at 7:32 AM on July 28, 2020
I think you would be happiest if you purchase the new iPhone SE, and a MacBook, and use iMessage, because it has a great support for responding to messages on your laptop - it supports both Apple devices and non-Apple devices using SMS or MMS, and is actually better than what you will find on android.
Then, just run windows in a virtual machine for whatever purposes you need windows for.
posted by soylent00FF00 at 7:49 AM on July 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
Then, just run windows in a virtual machine for whatever purposes you need windows for.
posted by soylent00FF00 at 7:49 AM on July 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
I have a Moto G7 Power. Fantastic battery life makes it a champ. Nice camera. On Swappa, I look for Mint condition.
posted by theora55 at 8:33 AM on July 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
posted by theora55 at 8:33 AM on July 28, 2020 [1 favorite]
I ported a number to google voice which 'forwards' it to my phone or I can login and respond there. It's device agnostic and that addresses responding to messages from where you want.
Then I would get an Iphone SE.
I've been impressed with OnePlus phones - like the 500$ 7T which gets decent reviews, its Pro sibling or their new Nord, which isn't available stateside.
The above Motorola's are also fine devices - I've got some G series for testing at work, but I just use an Iphone.
posted by zenon at 12:42 PM on July 28, 2020
Then I would get an Iphone SE.
I've been impressed with OnePlus phones - like the 500$ 7T which gets decent reviews, its Pro sibling or their new Nord, which isn't available stateside.
The above Motorola's are also fine devices - I've got some G series for testing at work, but I just use an Iphone.
posted by zenon at 12:42 PM on July 28, 2020
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posted by unid41 at 6:11 PM on July 27, 2020