Pls Help me decide on the most cost effective phone when my biggest deciding factor is a nice camera but I'm not paying $800 for a dang phone
I've made a spreadsheet with a bunch of phone options. Mostly Samsung, Pixel, but there's a couple Motorola and One Plus. I'm most comfortable with Samsung Galaxy but I'm open to changing. I looked up the main considerations and it seems like Megapixels is pretty much the biggest factor but I want something that can zoom in and still get a decent focus.
I can't bring myself to spend $800 on a phone, I think the most I've ever spent is $350 and it felt painful but I'm also tired of being disappointed in my camera quality so I'm willing to go a little higher. My point being that I'm not asking for the best camera on the market because I'm sure I can't afford it. Even used S53s are being sold for like $700 lol. So I'm guessing something a couple years older. Please advise π
If camera is your main concern, any Pixel phone you can afford is probably your best bet. Having said this, I've personally switched to Motorola a while ago. Currently on Edge Plus 2022. I personally feel it's the best all-rounder out there for the price. At $400 it's got decent camera, good battery life, wireless charging and a great screen.
Check out Sony phones. Xperia 10 is their low-end model but it's really nice in every way, including camera. They are fairly debloated (and most of the bloat can be uninstalled), very clean interface, nice features (5G), and the battery lasts forever.
The latest iteration (Xperia 10 V) just came out but the differences from IV (2022) and III (2021) are very small and they all got Android 13, so you can probably find the older models (much) cheaper (I was recently able to find a 10 III for 200β¬).
If you want even better features the Xperia 5 is their mid-range and Xperia 1 is their flagship. Their iterations are labeled the same way (III, IV, V etc.)
An used Pixel 6 is probably the best bang for your buck. I got lucky and found one for $185 in good condition on backmarket.com. I've also bought used phones from swappa.com and have had a great experience.
I have fared well by buying 1-year old used flagship phones in good condition.
Cost is a fragment of original price, battery is still fresh, and specs are great, being last year's flagship.
Also, I tend to buy large-brand models, like Samsung. Not because I have a particular affinity but because it's stupidly easy to get accessories for, say a Samsung Galaxy S10, as compared to a cheap Xihuawii Z2H or whatnot.
If Camera is your big thing, get a Pixel. It destroys quality of the Galaxy cameras. You can get a used P6P for very cheap on eBay. P7P also is down in price and P8 is on the way
The Pixel 'a' line of phones has always been my go to - able to be unlocked/rooted easily, decent cameras, reasonably priced (7a starts $500 at the moment, and 6a is $350 new), although I have heard that the 6a and 7a using Google's processors can really kill your battery life.
I'm writing this from a 5a that I have been quite happy with myself, but it's getting a bit older now, so you might now want to go that many generations back.
I'm looking out for the new 8a, might be my next phone, not sure yet.
I would definitely suggest either something like a Pixel 7a or an older flagship. I bought a galaxy S20 FE when it was about 1.5 years old and I haven't regretted it one bit. It doesn't have the best camera though, which is why I suggested a "Pixel a" series phone. I would still buy a Samsung phone because I love OneUI, but that's something for you to decide.
I have had an s20 FE for about 3 years no with no issues. The non-beveled screen is a must imo. I had the s-series phones with beveled edges and cracked every screen. The s20 fe is still as fast as day one and I love it. I will probably get another when this one takes a shit. The camera is good enough for me. I'm no photographer, but the images look great.
Edit**- just looked it up. 3 cameras at 12mp, 12mp, and 8mp...... honestly don't know what that means but I hope someone will.
Here is a photo I took a couple days ago as reference. (I hope it hasn't been compressed at all)
It definitely takes good enough photos in the day, but it's quite average when it gets a little darker. And for some reason, it gets blurry with any kind of movement. That I noticed day 1. If someone moved their hand slowly in front of a camera, it produces a blurry image. That doesn't happen even in my old budget phone lol. But I'm very happy with it otherwise, and have taken some photos that I love as well.