Is there a phone around $400 (or under) with good sound?
March 26, 2023 11:38 AM Subscribe
I have only had Motorolas and the music always sounds tinny. I just got a new one and it has a speaker now but the sound is no better, just louder. Other than that it's a great phone. I have Spotify on high resolution or whatever they call it, doesn't help much. I guess earphones exist that improve the sound, but I don't like bothering with earphones and how they feel and even if I did, I would still want my phone to sound good without earphones.
Even a small, cheap external speaker is 100 times better than any phone’s built-in sound.
posted by rd45 at 1:46 PM on March 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by rd45 at 1:46 PM on March 26, 2023 [2 favorites]
Yup, Nthing a bluetooth speaker. Even the cheapish ones are darn good.
posted by bluesky78987 at 2:40 PM on March 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by bluesky78987 at 2:40 PM on March 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
Is there a phone that you've heard and like the sound of? My experience is that the best you can hope for is louder sound and/or more clear sound, but you're just not going to get very good sound out of a phone directly. If this needs to be portable, there are portable bluetooth speakers that are pretty decent and can clip on things like a belt loop, or there's bone-conducting headphones that don't go in or on the ear, or neck speakers (which are worn around the neck).
posted by Aleyn at 3:29 PM on March 26, 2023
posted by Aleyn at 3:29 PM on March 26, 2023
According to Android Authority, the only phone close to that price range is Motorola Edge Plus (2022) which is on Amazon for a little under $500. It supposedly supports Dolby Atmos. Everything else is very expensive.
As others said, get a BT speaker. Neck speakers (wear it around your neck/shoulders) are quite comfy if it's a portability factor.
posted by kschang at 5:09 PM on March 26, 2023
As others said, get a BT speaker. Neck speakers (wear it around your neck/shoulders) are quite comfy if it's a portability factor.
posted by kschang at 5:09 PM on March 26, 2023
If I were you I'd buy this Anker Bluetooth Speaker, I bought it in March 2019 and really like it. It's $40 and then you are released from having to wag the dog (phone) with the tail (audio). And if you don't like it return it to Amazon within the time window. I put it on the bathroom vanity, kitchen table, basement workbench, etc.
posted by forthright at 5:47 PM on March 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by forthright at 5:47 PM on March 26, 2023 [1 favorite]
You haven't said in what kind of environment you'll be using your phone. That could make a difference to sound reproduction.
I'll just throw in a plea here: Please don't play music on your phone speaker on public transit.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 7:08 PM on March 26, 2023 [6 favorites]
I'll just throw in a plea here: Please don't play music on your phone speaker on public transit.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 7:08 PM on March 26, 2023 [6 favorites]
The sound output on my Pixel 6 is fantastic, maybe the best I have experienced on a phone. You can grab a Pixel 6 or 6a (same speakers, slightly slower cpu) for cheap now. It's a great phone.
As others have noted, depending on your use case, headphones or a solid bluetooth speaker is going to improve your experience a million fold.
posted by 0bvious at 4:25 AM on March 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
As others have noted, depending on your use case, headphones or a solid bluetooth speaker is going to improve your experience a million fold.
posted by 0bvious at 4:25 AM on March 27, 2023 [1 favorite]
2nding the Pixel suggestion. Pixel 6a is a great phone all-around! Maybe try it out in person at a Google store if there's one near you?
posted by Taro at 3:11 PM on March 27, 2023
posted by Taro at 3:11 PM on March 27, 2023
This thread is closed to new comments.
An external Bluetooth speaker is probably your best bet for good sound.
posted by aubilenon at 11:46 AM on March 26, 2023 [16 favorites]