Can't choose a smartphone

[TheinsanegamerN]

Guys, you all have to slow down. The guy is in the US. Every single suggestion I've seen here, outside of the galaxy S and pixel, are totally irrelevant, as none of them will work on the largest carrier, verizon, which is something OP wanted.

I think that in this price range and excluding Chinese brands, the Moto G84/MotoG82 is one of the most decent devices you can get.

Those are not available in the US. The imports do NOT work on verizon and are missing bands for ATT.

look in GSM Arena, china made phones brands POCO, xiaomi note, early bird discounts, coupons. Or used phones.

>user is in the US
>needs to work on all carriers.

Maybe you are not US based, but random chinese grey imports are the WORST suggestion here. NONE will work on verizon, most wont work on ATT either.

I think cheap Chinese phones are the only option. Samsung phones at this price don't have wireless charging. Neither do Pixel phones (they're also smaller at this budget, the bigger Pixels cost a fair bit more). Motorola phones at this budget don't have wireless charging OR NFC.

Guys read the OP. User is in the USA and needs compatibility with ALL carriers. Chineseium is not an option here.

Iphones are outta question, this guy wants only droids.

Samsung A series is kinda broad. What models are more worth consideration?

So, since your friend is in the USA, there are some things to consider. The biggest, US carriers are FAR MORE CLOSED IN then the rest of the world. Disregard all the suggestions of chinese or grey imports. If you want carrier compatibility, you must have a samsung, motorola, sony, apple, or other brand that sells in the US directly. Anything international will not support CDMA (so verizon is just out) and will be missing bands for ATT. Those are the two largest carriers. They also tend to get VoLTE blocked, so their ability to make phone calls can be zilch, depends on how moody ATT is.

At $300, your choices are limited. Wireless charging you can throw right out the window. You dont get it at this price range. Your two realistic choices are the moto G stylus 2023 5g, or the samsung galaxy A54 5g. Both of these fit the other requirements and have NFC (however the samsung is 6.4", only the motorola fall in your size requirement), but do not have wireless charging.

The closest you can get, at the moment, to all your specs is the google pixel 7a, which is currently on sale for $374. That has NFC and wireless charging, and works on all american carriers without issue. However, it is only 6.1". The larger Pros that are 6.5+ are going to run you $800 or more.

Pixel 6 or 6a is not a bad choice. They can be had for around $300, if you look around for a deal.

IDK about your country's pricing though.

Pixel 6 is no longer available new from google. New in Box is one of OPs requirements.

6a is still available, but it does nto have wireless charging, which is another of OPs requirements.

 

[Fizban]

Pixel 6 or 6a is not a bad choice. They can be had for around $300, if you look around for a deal.

IDK about your country's pricing though.

6a can be found for under $300 for sure, especially in a few weeks as black friday sales start popping up, but it lacks wireless charging and is smaller than the 6.5-6.9" display size he requested. Not sure about the Pixel 6 though, it meets the list of demands better, but not sure if it will drop below $300, or how many places still sell it new in box, as the official google store still sells the 6a, but not the 6 or 6 pro.

 

[santis]

I don´t know actual pricing in the US but Samsung S20 FE 5G or A54 would be a good fit.

 

[Fizban]

Guys, you all have to slow down. The guy is in the US. Every single suggestion I've seen here, outside of the galaxy S and pixel, are totally irrelevant, as none of them will work on the largest carrier, verizon, which is something OP wanted.

Those are not available in the US. The imports do NOT work on verizon and are missing bands for ATT.

>user is in the US
>needs to work on all carriers.

Maybe you are not US based, but random chinese grey imports are the WORST suggestion here. NONE will work on verizon, most wont work on ATT either.

Guys read the OP. User is in the USA and needs compatibility with ALL carriers. Chineseium is not an option here.

So, since your friend is in the USA, there are some things to consider. The biggest, US carriers are FAR MORE CLOSED IN then the rest of the world. Disregard all the suggestions of chinese or grey imports. If you want carrier compatibility, you must have a samsung, motorola, sony, apple, or other brand that sells in the US directly. Anything international will not support CDMA (so verizon is just out) and will be missing bands for ATT. Those are the two largest carriers. They also tend to get VoLTE blocked, so their ability to make phone calls can be zilch, depends on how moody ATT is.

At $300, your choices are limited. Wireless charging you can throw right out the window. You dont get it at this price range. Your two realistic choices are the moto G stylus 2023 5g, or the samsung galaxy A54 5g. Both of these fit the other requirements and have NFC (however the samsung is 6.4", only the motorola fall in your size requirement), but do not have wireless charging.

The closest you can get, at the moment, to all your specs is the google pixel 7a, which is currently on sale for $374. That has NFC and wireless charging, and works on all american carriers without issue. However, it is only 6.1". The larger Pros that are 6.5+ are going to run you $800 or more.


Pixel 6 is no longer available new from google. New in Box is one of OPs requirements.

6a is still available, but it does nto have wireless charging, which is another of OPs requirements.

I did read the OP. The reason I said Chinese brands are likely the only option is because the brands sold here frequently straight up can't meet all his other requirements at that price range.

Pixel 6 not being sold BY GOOGLE does not mean it can't be found new in box elsewhere though.

What bands the Chinese phones do/don't work on is something I know incredibly little about because I pay no attention to their phones for the most part, as they're not things I'd consider buying myself.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

>user is in the US

My bad, I know OP was from Europe and missed that bit.

I got my Pixel 6 for $300. It was not sold by Google. It was BNIB. With a bit of looking, I can find a lot of out of production phones BNIB.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

I did read the OP.

The reason I said Chinese brands are likely the only option is because the brands sold here frequently straight up can't meet all his other requirements at that price range.

Pixel 6 not being sold BY GOOGLE does not mean it can't be found new in box elsewhere though.

The pixel 6 is a rare find now, it's 2 years old and manufacturing is over. Finding one new in box will be difficult, and will likely be outside OP's price range anyway.

What bands the Chinese phones do/don't work on is something I know incredibly little about because I pay no attention to their phones for the most part, as they're not things I'd consider buying myself.

Well I'll lay it down for you. Chinese phones have 0 compatibility with CDMA. So no verizon, and no US cellular. Period.

They also do not have US band compatibility. This means severely limited wireless compatibility with ATT. T mobile, usually they will work, but they are missing several crucial bands, ESPECIALLY the low frequency bands, so your signal is gonna SUCK unless you can physically see a tower. ATT is also protective of their network. Features like VoLTE will only be allowed on approved devices. America's 3g network is being shut down right now. Once that is completed (and ATT is close) your chinese phones will have 0 phone capability, unless you can get them through the VoLTE block. This is very hit or miss.

This goes for all grey market imports. The moto G84 from europe is in the same boat. EVERYTHING not sold in the US is in the same boat. The only phones guaranteed to work on US networks today are those sold in the US by US retailers. Anything sold as the "international version" or not sold as a model in the USA is off limits, unless you specifically check every single band to make sure they have enough to work, and then you'll be stuck with t mobile, which has gotten better but is a far cry from Big Blue and Big Red.

Maybe I sound a little hot, and I apologize, but this would be like if OP asked for a good fruit with good fiber content and everyone recommended wheat bread because they saw the fiber requirement and dont really understand what the "fruit" requirement means, because they just dont pay attention to that kind of thing, you know. It's frustrating, since the US market is so closed off compared to europes, unfortunately that's what we are stuck with.

I don´t know actual pricing in the US but Samsung S20 FE 5G or A54 would be a good fit.

A54 would fit, but is missing wireless charging. S20 FE, unfortunately starts at $600 in the US. And the unlocked model is currently sold out. The carriers will only carry carrier branded, and locked, models.

 

[R0H1T]

Did you? Because he mentions that compatibility with ALL carriers is needed.

Well do you know all the LTE/5G bands available from all carriers everywhere in the US? What if the phone ends in a dead zone in some remote location in Hawaii/Alaska or Death Valley

 

[Beginner Macro Device]

@TheinsanegamerN

I re-asked my m8 and he told he can actually live without wireless charge but going below 6.5" is extemely unwanted. Going beyond $400 is also not quite an option.

Well do you know all the LTE/5G bands available from all carriers everywhere in the US? What if the phone ends in a dead zone in some remote location in Hawaii/Alaska or Death Valley

That's a bit extreme. He wants to use everything available in urban Pennsylvania and Maryland.

 

[R0H1T]

And it'd be unrealistic to expect avg Joe to know of all the network bands needed to operate optimally in another country, heck even I don't know all the major 5G bands available over here.

If compatibility is a major issue then you're probably limited to the iPhone.

 

[Fizban]

I used to use Motorola phones, but they started to majorly annoy me with their lack of software updates, lack of NFC, poor cameras, etc.
I switched from a Moto Z Play, to a Pixel 4a 5G, and then from the 4a 5G to a 6 Pro, and currently now have a 7 Pro.

I kept my Moto Z Play for 4 years, but have changed fairly quickly since then, though not out of necessity. My Pixel 4a 5G is still in use, but I gave it to my mother when I bought the 6 Pro. The 6 Pro was still plenty usable as well, but when the 7 Pro launched I was enticed by its trade-in offers, so traded it in.

The 7 Pro was $899, they gave me $480 for my 6 Pro. They also gave me $290 in in-store credit for buying the 7 Pro, I used that $290 towards a Pixel Watch, so I paid $10 for the watch, and $419 for the phone upgrade. Or, put in other terms, I paid full price for the watch, and $129 for the phone upgrade with it.

If I were to just pick the best sub-$300 phone, I'd tell the OP to get a Pixel 6a, or maybe a 7a if it drops that low on a sale around the holidays (it probably will). But they are both smaller than what they're looking for.

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

@TheinsanegamerN

I re-asked my m8 and he told he can actually live without wireless charge but going below 6.5" is extemely unwanted. Going beyond $400 is also not quite an option.

If that is the case, then the moto G stylus 5g 2023 is 6.6" and costs $399, but has been on permanent $299 sale on motorola's website. Others have been having luck apparently finding pixel 6's new in box for cheap, if he can find a NIB pixel 6 pro that could also work. I cant guarantee availability.

I'd also recommend he get a case, otterbox makes a commuter case for the stylus that is quite good. Make sure he gets the stylus 5g and not the "moto g stylus" as that is a different model. Easiest way to tell is the 5g 2023 has the snapdragon 6 gen 1, and is the only moto phone to do so.

Best Smartphone With Stylus | moto g stylus 5G | motorola US - Motorola

Looking for a smartphone with a high-capacity battery and a built-in stylus? Meet moto g stylus 5G - 2023.

www.motorola.com

moto g stylus 5g (2023) Commuter Series Case

Thin green moto g stylus 5g (2023) am case that’s a perfect fit for your pocket and built to beat the daily grind. Commuter Series, guards your phone against drops, scrapes and bumps.

www.otterbox.com

Well do you know all the LTE/5G bands available from all carriers everywhere in the US? What if the phone ends in a dead zone in some remote location in Hawaii/Alaska or Death Valley

And it'd be unrealistic to expect avg Joe to know of all the network bands needed to operate optimally in another country, heck even I don't know all the major 5G bands available over here.

Ha Ha your joke sure is funny . Missing compatibility with the two largest US carriers is TOTALLY the same as edge cases where signal may not be available /s.

No, I would not expect the average joe to know "every US band". you dont need to know every single one, what you do need to know is that, for US carriers, only US sold phones are guaranteed to work, and 99% of the time grey market imports do not work right and are for tinkering only. specific bands USUALLY dont matter, most unlocked US phones will either use qualcomm snapdragons or use qualcomm modems, so compatibility wont be an issue. But I would also expect, if you dont know the network requirements of a country, that you wouldnt start throwing around recommendations like you DO know. I, for instance, would not be giving recommendations for Euro users, as I do not know the specifics of European carriers.

Realistically the only gray market phones that have a decent chance of working have snapdragon processors. But then you do need to look up the bands for each carrier and check manually.

If compatibility is a major issue then you're probably limited to the iPhone.

No, as established, any US sold Android phone will work fine.

 

[R0H1T]

So something like this?

OnePlus Nord N30 5G

OnePlus Nord N30 5G. The most affordable mode into OnePlus's fast & smooth experience powered by outstanding 5000mAh, 50W SUPERVOOC fast and smart charging, 108MP high-res camera system, large 6.72 inch display and dual speakers hardware essentials for entertainment all-day.

www.oneplus.com

 

[TheinsanegamerN]

So something like this?

OnePlus Nord N30 5G

OnePlus Nord N30 5G. The most affordable mode into OnePlus's fast & smooth experience powered by outstanding 5000mAh, 50W SUPERVOOC fast and smart charging, 108MP high-res camera system, large 6.72 inch display and dual speakers hardware essentials for entertainment all-day.

www.oneplus.com

OOOOH I forgot about oneplus! That's a good idea, @Beginner Micro Device. It'll have a better camera then the moto will.

 

[R0H1T]

I'd get the 10t if you could get it along with some offers, much better overall specs & last gen flagship chip 8+ gen1 ~

Buy OnePlus 10T 5G | OnePlus United States

Meet OnePlus 10T 5G, starting from $499, featuring 125W SUPERVOOC fast charging, Snapdragon® 8+ Gen 1 mobile platform, HyperBoost gaming engine, 50MP triple camera system, 120 Hz smart display, and OxygenOS based on Android™ 12.

www.oneplus.com

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

Anecdotally, the only guy I know with a OnePlus has awful connectivity.

 

[Fizban]

If that is the case, then the moto G stylus 5g 2023 is 6.6" and costs $399, but has been on permanent $299 sale on motorola's website.

Glad to see this actually has NFC. That was one of my biggest beefs with a lot of Motorola's cheaper phones. I use GPay like 95+% of the time I pay in stores and most of the cheap Motorola's (Moto G Series) lack NFC.

 

[Beginner Macro Device]

Anecdotally, the only guy I know with a OnePlus has awful connectivity.

And the only guys I know with OnePluses have never been to States. xD

If that is the case, then the moto G stylus 5g 2023 is 6.6" and costs $399, but has been on permanent $299 sale on motorola's website.

Okay, thanks. Thrown into the "to consider" list.

 

[Denver]

If that is the case, then the moto G stylus 5g 2023 is 6.6" and costs $399, but has been on permanent $299 sale on motorola's website. Others have been having luck apparently finding pixel 6's new in box for cheap, if he can find a NIB pixel 6 pro that could also work. I cant guarantee availability.

I'd also recommend he get a case, otterbox makes a commuter case for the stylus that is quite good. Make sure he gets the stylus 5g and not the "moto g stylus" as that is a different model. Easiest way to tell is the 5g 2023 has the snapdragon 6 gen 1, and is the only moto phone to do so.

Best Smartphone With Stylus | moto g stylus 5G | motorola US - Motorola

Looking for a smartphone with a high-capacity battery and a built-in stylus? Meet moto g stylus 5G - 2023.

www.motorola.com

moto g stylus 5g (2023) Commuter Series Case

Thin green moto g stylus 5g (2023) am case that’s a perfect fit for your pocket and built to beat the daily grind. Commuter Series, guards your phone against drops, scrapes and bumps.

www.otterbox.com

Ha Ha your joke sure is funny . Missing compatibility with the two largest US carriers is TOTALLY the same as edge cases where signal may not be available /s.

No, I would not expect the average joe to know "every US band". you dont need to know every single one, what you do need to know is that, for US carriers, only US sold phones are guaranteed to work, and 99% of the time grey market imports do not work right and are for tinkering only. specific bands USUALLY dont matter, most unlocked US phones will either use qualcomm snapdragons or use qualcomm modems, so compatibility wont be an issue. But I would also expect, if you dont know the network requirements of a country, that you wouldnt start throwing around recommendations like you DO know. I, for instance, would not be giving recommendations for Euro users, as I do not know the specifics of European carriers.

Realistically the only gray market phones that have a decent chance of working have snapdragon processors. But then you do need to look up the bands for each carrier and check manually.

No, as established, any US sold Android phone will work fine.

Moto G stylus is very similar to the G84, with the exception of the screen and more efficient CPU; It looks solid so far

 

[bug]

Moto G stylus is very similar to the G84, with the exception of the screen and more efficient CPU; It looks solid so far

Or maybe the Moto G Power, if he wants a heftier phone with extra juice (which I always welcome, but this isn't about me).

 

[de.das.dude]

I did read the OP. The reason I said Chinese brands are likely the only option is because the brands sold here frequently straight up can't meet all his other requirements at that price range.

Pixel 6 not being sold BY GOOGLE does not mean it can't be found new in box elsewhere though.

What bands the Chinese phones do/don't work on is something I know incredibly little about because I pay no attention to their phones for the most part, as they're not things I'd consider buying myself.

chinese is never the only option these days, the koreans have matched features and performance on their products. i can see samsung equivalents for the cheapo phones that my parents use for the same price-points.

Anecdotally, the only guy I know with a OnePlus has awful connectivity.

one plus has fallen quite a bit. no wonder the guy wanted to make something else with that nothing phone, which, is also just average.

 

[Readlight]

Motorola- lenovo sister, xiaomi- poco, oneplus, oppo, vivo, realme, zte, tecno, infinix.

 

[Fizban]

Or maybe the Moto G Power, if he wants a heftier phone with extra juice (which I always welcome, but this isn't about me).

Moto G Power does not have NFC.

chinese is never the only option these days, the koreans have matched features and performance on their products. i can see samsung equivalents for the cheapo phones that my parents use for the same price-points.

This isn't accurate.

These phones are both $300:

Galaxy A23 5G:
6.6" 2408x1080 120 Hz LCD
4 GB RAM
64 GB storage
Snapdragon 695 5G
50 MP wide lens
5 MP ultrawide lens
2 MP macro lens
2 MP depth sensor
8 MP selfie camera
25W wired charging
5000 mAh battery

OnePlus Nord N30:
6.72" 2400x1080 120 Hz LCD
8 GB RAM
128 GB storage
Snapdragon 695 5G
108 MP wide lens
2 MP macro
2 MP depth sensor
16 MP selfie camera
50W wired charging
5000 mAh battery

Same price, the OnePlus has double the RAM, and storage, and charging speed, a much higher quality main sensor, and a better selfie camera.

 

[bug]

Moto G Power does not have NFC.

Missed that..

This isn't accurate.

These phones are both $300:

Galaxy A23 5G:
6.6" 2408x1080 120 Hz LCD
4 GB RAM
64 GB storage
Snapdragon 695 5G
50 MP wide lens
5 MP ultrawide lens
2 MP macro lens
2 MP depth sensor
8 MP selfie camera
25W wired charging
5000 mAh battery

OnePlus Nord N30:
6.72" 2400x1080 120 Hz LCD
8 GB RAM
128 GB storage
Snapdragon 695 5G
108 MP wide lens
2 MP macro
2 MP depth sensor
16 MP selfie camera
50W wired charging
5000 mAh battery

Same price, the OnePlus has double the RAM, and storage, and charging speed, a much higher quality main sensor, and a better selfie camera.

Like I said, those 64GB of storage on the Samsung mean you'll have about 32GB to play with, because of the crapware Samsung preinstalls).
On the other hand, you'll be able to service that OnePlus device if you send it back to China.

 

[FoulOnWhite]

Missed that..

Like I said, those 64GB of storage on the Samsung mean you'll have about 32GB to play with, because of the crapware Samsung preinstalls).
On the other hand, you'll be able to service that OnePlus device if you send it back to China.

The a23 has a card slot which will take a 512gb card

 

[erocker]

I'm just sticking to Google phones from now on. All phones run Android and from a hardware standpoint they're all quite similar. Why would I bother buying a different brand only to load the phone up with their software as well? I'll keep it simple.