Low-priced Android phone? And where to buy one?
January 11, 2021 4:13 PM Subscribe
I am looking for good reception, good camera, and no more than $400!
Moto G Power, E5 Plus? Decent reviews.
My plan is T Mobile, where else can I buy from? Should I? Will they accept it?
I was just coming here to say the Pixel 4a. I have a Pixel 3a & the only reason I haven't upgraded is that it's still going strong (I bought it in May 2019). I am also on TMobile & I live in a basement and I get good reception on the 3a -- I imagine the 4a is better. The camera is excellent.
posted by edencosmic at 4:23 PM on January 11, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by edencosmic at 4:23 PM on January 11, 2021 [1 favorite]
If you have the option of buying Google-branded hardware at this price point, take that option. It's really the only way to be confident you're going to get updates for something like the life of the device.
posted by mhoye at 4:39 PM on January 11, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by mhoye at 4:39 PM on January 11, 2021 [2 favorites]
It's really the only way to be confident you're going to get updates for something like the life of the device.
Even that's getting pretty short. My Pixel 2 is still perfectly adequate for running anything I care to but was EOLed ~3 years after release.
When the budget is <$200, Motorola is my goto for cheap phones, but with $400 in play, the Pixel 4a is pretty compelling, particularly if you want a pretty good camera.
posted by Candleman at 4:45 PM on January 11, 2021
Even that's getting pretty short. My Pixel 2 is still perfectly adequate for running anything I care to but was EOLed ~3 years after release.
When the budget is <$200, Motorola is my goto for cheap phones, but with $400 in play, the Pixel 4a is pretty compelling, particularly if you want a pretty good camera.
posted by Candleman at 4:45 PM on January 11, 2021
G power is a great phone for the price. You can find them sub 200 on sale. I don't know that there's a better phone at the price point.
The e series is typically crippled pretty bad in comparison, wouldn't recommend.
Moto promises one os upgrade and 2 years of security patches. G power is about a year old at this point? G7 is almost 2, so wouldn't recommend.
If you can swing the 4a, it's a better phone. I wanted one for the camera but it wasn't available when I had to get a new phone.
I have the g power, although not on tmobile. If you have specific questions feel free to ask.
posted by TheAdamist at 4:51 PM on January 11, 2021
The e series is typically crippled pretty bad in comparison, wouldn't recommend.
Moto promises one os upgrade and 2 years of security patches. G power is about a year old at this point? G7 is almost 2, so wouldn't recommend.
If you can swing the 4a, it's a better phone. I wanted one for the camera but it wasn't available when I had to get a new phone.
I have the g power, although not on tmobile. If you have specific questions feel free to ask.
posted by TheAdamist at 4:51 PM on January 11, 2021
I just bought an LG G8 (not the G8X): it's a flagship smartphone which retailed for $800 18 months ago, but you can now get it Amazon Renewed for $270 (mine - on AT&T - was $230, and didn't have a mark on it). It's an amazing phone, it just didn't stack up against the Galaxy and the iPhone in the flagship price bracket - but for this price, it's a steal.
posted by my log does not judge at 5:04 PM on January 11, 2021
posted by my log does not judge at 5:04 PM on January 11, 2021
Your budget is higher than mine was, but I recently purchased a Samsung A50 (their midrange line) on Back Market in good condition for $179. I don't use T-Mobile, but the camera is good.
posted by coffeecat at 5:35 PM on January 11, 2021
posted by coffeecat at 5:35 PM on January 11, 2021
I had T-mobile on my old phone. A few months ago I bought a used LG G8 Thinq in good condition within your price range. It was on Swappa, and there were lots available that work with T-mobile. I did have to go into a T-mobile store to switch out the card because my old one was a different size, and I didn't trust myself not to break it. But they did it for free and ported over all my data and apps and so on. I think this model has the features you're looking for, but if not, there are a kajillion other phones on Swappa.
posted by prewar lemonade at 6:00 PM on January 11, 2021
posted by prewar lemonade at 6:00 PM on January 11, 2021
If you want new, buy it off Amazon.
If you are okay with gently used, buy it off a used market like Swappa or Gazelle.
posted by kschang at 6:24 PM on January 11, 2021
If you are okay with gently used, buy it off a used market like Swappa or Gazelle.
posted by kschang at 6:24 PM on January 11, 2021
If you don't particularly want to hit your $400 number, I recently bought a Pixel3a XL refurbished on amazon ($180), which we use on tmobile, and it's honestly completly great
posted by jaymzjulian at 8:39 PM on January 11, 2021
posted by jaymzjulian at 8:39 PM on January 11, 2021
If you want to switch carrier, Google Fi offers the Pixel 4a for $9/month for two years then you own the phone. Camera is great. I'm also very happy with the coverage and price of Google Fi. Otherwise, I would recommend a refurbished Pixel 4a.
posted by Ferrari328 at 4:09 AM on January 12, 2021
posted by Ferrari328 at 4:09 AM on January 12, 2021
Response by poster: So do I can buy off Amazon (from who is reliable?) then take it to TMobile? I have my account with them, so they would switch it over?
posted by ebesan at 3:45 PM on January 12, 2021
posted by ebesan at 3:45 PM on January 12, 2021
Depending on where you're buying from, you may be able to get (or ask the seller for) the unit's IMEI number, which will allow you to visit https://www.t-mobile.com/resources/bring-your-own-phone, scroll down to "Check compatibility", and see if that phone can be used on T-Mobile's network.
Myself, I recently bought a new Moto G Stylus direct from Motorola. (Naturally, now that I've had it for half a week, a new one is available….) My phone was sold unlocked—indeed, it looks like most of the phones Motorola sells themselves are, which means it should be possible to use them with any compatible carrier. If you already have a T-mobile SIM card, you should be able to just drop it in and go — though admittedly I have Ting, which uses T-Mobile's network but is not T-Mobile, so YMMV.
posted by FlyingMonkey at 4:03 PM on January 12, 2021
Myself, I recently bought a new Moto G Stylus direct from Motorola. (Naturally, now that I've had it for half a week, a new one is available….) My phone was sold unlocked—indeed, it looks like most of the phones Motorola sells themselves are, which means it should be possible to use them with any compatible carrier. If you already have a T-mobile SIM card, you should be able to just drop it in and go — though admittedly I have Ting, which uses T-Mobile's network but is not T-Mobile, so YMMV.
posted by FlyingMonkey at 4:03 PM on January 12, 2021
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by signondiego at 4:16 PM on January 11, 2021 [5 favorites]