I'm currently using a Nexus 5, on stock android 5.1. I'm starting to have a few problems with it, the GPS is slow at best, battery life just gets me through the day, and i'm running low on space at 16Gb.
In my job I have been given a Windows phone for work, What i'd like to do is buy a Dual-Sim device so I can go back to carrying 1 device. I've been looking around and been quite impressed with the chinese offerings. The top phone on my list are the -
Ulefone Touch Be 2
Elephone P8000 (unable to post links)
So far, The features i'm looking for are dual sim (obviously) good camera, expandable storage & good GPS.
There are so many phones to choose from these days im just not sure what to choose.
Thanks In advance.
What model Huawei?
You can try one plus two 64gb.
Its the best. 25,000 rs. Better than nexus
Sent from my WT19i using XDA Free mobile app
I would really like that but its out of my budget.
Try one plus one. Nw u can buy for 15000-18000 rs range.
Sent from my WT19i using XDA Free mobile app
it has to be optimized!
Spardha said:
I'm currently using a Nexus 5, on stock android 5.1. I'm starting to have a few problems with it, the GPS is slow at best, battery life just gets me through the day, and i'm running low on space at 16Gb.
In my job I have been given a Windows phone for work, What i'd like to do is buy a Dual-Sim device so I can go back to carrying 1 device. I've been looking around and been quite impressed with the chinese offerings. The top phone on my list are the -
Ulefone Touch Be 2
Elephone P8000 (unable to post links)
So far, The features i'm looking for are dual sim (obviously) good camera, expandable storage & good GPS.
There are so many phones to choose from these days im just not sure what to choose.
Thanks In advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Before you buy a Ulefone, Elephone, Umi ... or any of these cheap Chinese brands. Please be aware that they do not optimize their Android OS!
This means, you may get worse performance as you had on your Nexus 5. I would say before you buy one of these brands, stick to your old Nexus 5.
If you want a good quality phone with optimized Android Rom on it, that offers good performance with a pretty good camera.
Get one of the following barnds only!
Oppo
Huawei
Xiaomi
Meizu
What is your budged btw? If a good camera is important to you, really stay away of not optimized Anrdoid!
All other small Chinese brands, put truly crappy not optimized Android on their devices!
TheUltrametricSpace said:
Before you buy a Ulefone, Elephone, Umi ... or any of these cheap Chinese brands. Please be aware that they do not optimize their Android OS!
This means, you may get worse performance as you had on your Nexus 5. I would say before you buy one of these brands, stick to your old Nexus 5.
If you want a good quality phone with optimized Android Rom on it, that offers good performance with a pretty good camera.
Get one of the following barnds only!
Oppo
Huawei
Xiaomi
Meizu
What is your budged btw? If a good camera is important to you, really stay away of not optimized Anrdoid!
All other small Chinese brands, put truly crappy not optimized Android on their devices!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the info, I'm looking at about $200 - $250 Max.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Spardha said:
Thanks for the info, I'm looking at about $200 - $250 Max.
Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a good price range, to start from.
You could check out the best prices if you want to at: kimovil . com
within this price range you could get, all of the following are dual sim:
Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 (only oppomart has it in stock right now) ~150$
Xaomi Mi4i ~220$
Asus ZenFone 2 ZE551ML ~200$
Asus ZenFone 2 ZE551ML ~260$
Meizu M2 Note 16GB ~150$
Huawei P8 Lite ~250$
I didn't list the following brand, but it's still a decent device:
Jiayu S3 (3GB version) ~180$
ZTE Nubia Z9 mini ~250$
The listed phones are just examples. All of them have their own downs and ups.
Meizu and Xiaomi are heavy skinned Android phones, they might remind you to iOS. I love my Xiaomi Mi4i, but it´s not for everyone.
I do assume that after using the true stock Android of your Nexus 5, you might want to stick to a phone that gets at least to close to stock Android.
So if you want the normal Android, you would have to go for the Asus Zenfone or the Huawei P8 Lite.
The Asus is more powerful but might not get an update, because it features an Intel SoC. The Huawei on the other hand has a weak SoC compared to the ASUS Zenfone 2.
It comes down to what you prefer, what would you use the phone for?
Do you want stock Android, do you want a phone that is at least as good as your Nexus 5 is, or are you willing to compromise just to have dual sim phone?
Within the price range of 200$ to 250$ there is a lot of good stuff to choose from.
That's some great info, thanks for taking the time to help me out. I was hoping someone in the know would be able to shed some light on this for me. I've been looking for a few weeks.
The idea is to replace my current personnel Nexus 5 and works Windows Lumia 635 (Rubbish), so thats what the Dual Sim is needed for. Then I like to use it to take photos on when I'm out with family and travelling for work, Im reasonably satisfied with the Nexus's camera so I'm not looking for a DSLR replacement but something competent. Then when I travel I use it for GPS to get around in Europe and the US. Next is to play music in the car so expandable storage for music and apps. 4G connectivity. Then for work emails etc. i think thats it really.
regarding good GPS signal you would have to stay to Qualcomm or Intel SoC's, those devices paired with a good brand are a save call.
For what you do the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 16GB chinese Version with dual sim and micro SD Card should be good enough. It's a big 5.5 inch phone.
It has the MIUI7 on it, it will be a completely different Android experience. There are no reviews about the GPS quality and the phone uses a fast MTK SoC, it is hard to say how good it is, usually Xiaomi places really good antennas in their phone, but as of now there is no review of it.
The battery is average ~3000mhA thing, paired with the Octa Core it will last for a day and maybe a bit more, should be better than the Nexus 5.
Advantage: it's cheap, it's Xiaomi so great quality with great support.
Downside: it has MIUI7 on it a very heavy Android modification.
You could get it for about 150$ from many different pages or straight from oppomart a bit more expensive.
The Asus Zenfone both version the 2GB/4GB is really good specification wise. The 4GB Ram version is just overkill, in my opinion.
The build quality is good, the performance is great. The only downside would be the battery life and the camera, neither is horrible bad.
GPS should be fine.
You could get the 2GB Version from pandawill for 210$ and the 4GB is at gerabest for 240$
Worth mentioning, not all dual sim phones support the full speed on both slots, as of now only the Xiaomi Mi4i has 4G net on both sim card slots!
The Redmi Note 2 and the Asus Zenfone 2 are 5.5" devices
If you want a pretty nice powerful device without a micro SD card extension, at 5" you could consider to get the Xiaomi Mi4i, the only downside of it is that a optical camera stabilization is missing. I don't see this as a problem, as I do make loads of pictures and it rarely bothers me, but it is worth to be mentioned.
I'm pretty sure i looked at the Redmi Note 2 previously, but didn't think it support expandable storage so dismissed it.
I understand most only support 4G on 1 sim this is fine. Also the size of 5.5 although is a little bigger than the Nexus I'm fine with it but would be the limit.
I also looked at the Zenphone but the camera put me off.
Spardha said:
I'm pretty sure i looked at the Redmi Note 2 previously, but didn't think it support expandable storage so dismissed it.
I understand most only support 4G on 1 sim this is fine. Also the size of 5.5 although is a little bigger than the Nexus I'm fine with it but would be the limit.
I also looked at the Zenphone but the camera put me off.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Chinese 16GB Version has a microSD extension slot you just have to find one. I read on gearbest that they sell this version with 16GB and microSD slot, but it's hard to say if they provide the right information.
If you don't need the extra performance, the Zenfone might be the wrong phone.
You could also consider the Jiayu S3 3GB Version (or Jiayu S3 Advanced), some people like the phone! It is available for about 180$
It's a really good all-rounder with amazing GPS and a pretty good camera
Search on youtube for a review of the Jiayu S3 by ITXtutor, it should cover all you want to know about the phone.
If i could push the budget to $300 what could you recommend? Im from the UK too.
Meizu MX5? Just found out no SD and the 32gb is closer to $400..
Spardha said:
If i could push the budget to $300 what could you recommend? Im from the UK too.
Meizu MX5? Just found out no SD and the 32gb is closer to $400..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Haha yeah I would have recommended the MX5, I had the MX4 Pro for a bit and that was an awesome phone! But yeah the 32GB Version retails for about 390$
The Lenovo Vibe Shot Z90, has only a SD 615, an awesome camera dual Sim and a SD Card Slot. the 32GB is around 300$.
At leats in my Xiaomi Mi4i I have no trouble with this SoC, in daily use it doesn't get hot or anything, I am not a gamer so it's a great SoC for my needs.
The Huawei P8 Lite ships with the same SoC for 240$, it's worth a thought too. I would probably go for this one. The only downside I know about is the screen brightness, it could be better and I am not sure if it has Android 5 by now.
TheUltrametricSpace said:
Haha yeah I would have recommended the MX5, I had the MX4 Pro for a bit and that was an awesome phone! But yeah the 32GB Version retails for about 390$
The Lenovo Vibe Shot Z90, has only a SD 615, an awesome camera dual Sim and a SD Card Slot. the 32GB is around 300$.
At leats in my Xiaomi Mi4i I have no trouble with this SoC, in daily use it doesn't get hot or anything, I am not a gamer so it's a great SoC for my needs.
The Huawei P8 Lite ships with the same SoC for 240$, it's worth a thought too. I would probably go for this one. The only downside I know about is the screen brightness, it could be better and I am not sure if it has Android 5 by now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could you recommend where to purchase the Lenovo Vibe from? its not on oppomart.
Ive been looking at the one+two and i think that is the phone i really want.. the OS is more what I'm used to the hardware is up there, the only downside i can see would be the price for the 64gb model. Im going to see if I can purchase via my work and if need be pay some towards it.
Spardha said:
Ive been looking at the one+two and i think that is the phone i really want.. the OS is more what I'm used to the hardware is up there, the only downside i can see would be the price for the 64gb model. Im going to see if I can purchase via my work and if need be pay some towards it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes that is the best thing to do!
There are two version of the Vibe Shot the Z90-3 and Z90-7, the -7 is more expensive, but supports the right bands to be used outside of japan/china!
aliexpress would have the Z90-7 for 330$, but it's always a bit risky to buy from aliexpress
TheUltrametricSpace said:
regarding good GPS signal you would have to stay to Qualcomm or Intel SoC's, those devices paired with a good brand are a save call.
For what you do the Xiaomi Redmi Note 2 16GB chinese Version with dual sim and micro SD Card should be good enough. It's a big 5.5 inch phone.
It has the MIUI7 on it, it will be a completely different Android experience. There are no reviews about the GPS quality and the phone uses a fast MTK SoC, it is hard to say how good it is, usually Xiaomi places really good antennas in their phone, but as of now there is no review of it.
The battery is average ~3000mhA thing, paired with the Octa Core it will last for a day and maybe a bit more, should be better than the Nexus 5.
Advantage: it's cheap, it's Xiaomi so great quality with great support.
Downside: it has MIUI7 on it a very heavy Android modification.
You could get it for about 150$ from many different pages or straight from oppomart a bit more expensive.
The Asus Zenfone both version the 2GB/4GB is really good specification wise. The 4GB Ram version is just overkill, in my opinion.
The build quality is good, the performance is great. The only downside would be the battery life and the camera, neither is horrible bad.
GPS should be fine.
You could get the 2GB Version from pandawill for 210$ and the 4GB is at gerabest for 240$
Worth mentioning, not all dual sim phones support the full speed on both slots, as of now only the Xiaomi Mi4i has 4G net on both sim card slots!
The Redmi Note 2 and the Asus Zenfone 2 are 5.5" devices
If you want a pretty nice powerful device without a micro SD card extension, at 5" you could consider to get the Xiaomi Mi4i, the only downside of it is that a optical camera stabilization is missing. I don't see this as a problem, as I do make loads of pictures and it rarely bothers me, but it is worth to be mentioned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can I access google play/google services on this phone if I purchase and use it in China?
I know my GF's phone cannot install google play store app (Huawei Ascend Y511).
NapoleonWilson said:
Can I access google play/google services on this phone if I purchase and use it in China?
I know my GF's phone cannot install google play store app (Huawei Ascend Y511).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes there are a lot of threads about this topic in the official Xiaomi MIUI Forum. Link: en.miui.com
Have a look there and you will find all you need to know
If they release the device globally or in India, it will get a ROM with google installed per default. Xiaomi makes no difference between their devices.
Rom download page: http://en.miui.com/download
Like I have the Indian/global version of the Xiaomi Mi4i and can install the official Chinese ROM or the global ROM, as I like.
Would you recommend any 5inch phones in the $150 dollar region?
5.5 is just a little too big for me.
Ok, Whyred is a solid midrange, great dev community, tons of custom Roms & kernels, no notch and LED notification light... :laugh:
But there will always come the time where you'll have to move on. Redmi Note 6 didn't cut it for me, Note 7 didn't bring much difference in my own opinion but the Redmi Note 8 Series has caught my attention.
I am still not comfortable with the pro version with MTK processor.
Then there is the K20 and the K20 pro, Mi 9 and Mi 9t but I am not planning to spend more than $230 on midrange phone for now.
The thing I will look out for is screen - preferably AMOLED
Good CPU?GPU that is dev friendly and way better than whyred.
Battery 4000mah and above.
I am looking at Note 8pro but want to wait a bit to see more reviews and Dev community response.
Until then, my whyred is still kicking fine with Havoc OS and Kangaroo X OC kernel and GCAM 6.3 working perfectly.
Want to hear your own view.
WHAT'S YOUR NEXT PHONE AFTER WHYRED?
A Xiaomi for sure. Which one? I don't know. As long as my RN5 is in good shape and fit my needs, I'll keep it. I really need the call recording function, and with EMUI you have it, thus no android one for me. And I want to stay with Redmi phisolophy : good feature, good hardware and good price. Perhaps redmi note 9. [emoji4]
Envoyé de mon Redmi Note 5 en utilisant Tapatalk
Well there is a phone suggestion thread to ask whats your next phone
https://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1846277
Right now happy with Redmi Note 5 Pro and will not buy any phone till 2020 (or 2021) My next phone will be from Xiaomi only, Maybe i will consider buying Mi A4 or Redmi Note 9 (If it comes with 5G)
I use my phone over 8 months now, Headphone Jack, no Notch, long lasting battery and a big screen, with very decent performant hardware. I will use my phone at least 2 years before I buy a new one. And hopefully when I buy a new one, there will be a mid range phone in the same price range as the Note 5 without any Notch. (I didn't like any types of Notches)
Sent from my Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 using XDA Labs
My note 5 is an amazing device and does everything I need it to to I doubt it will be replaced for a long while unless something special catches my eye
I recently purchased a note 7 and although it is a slight upgrade to the note 5 it's extra speed is hardly noticeable at all in day to day use I do like the 7's screen a little more even though I hate the notch.
Personally I'm planning to import a Redmi K20 Pro from China on 11.11 (big sales at that day), costs $300 right now
renoxtv said:
Personally I'm planning to import a Redmi K20 Pro from China on 11.11 (big sales at that day), costs $300 right now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
HOW can you and I be thinking the same thing?
I watched Jerryrig durability test on K20 pro right now and realised it doesn't have micro SD card slot
But 128Gb is nice. I am still not planning on spending $300 on a midrange phone since my whyred still serves me faithfully.
I will buy a new phone after 5 years or until I can no longer get the latest android version through custom ROMs.
I bought my Rn5pro 3 months ago and while the Rn6 and Rn7 are available but I choose it and really like it, no plan to buy another one for 2 or 3 years :laugh:
hameedf said:
I bought my Rn5pro 3 months ago and while the Rn6 and Rn7 are available but I choose it and really like it, no plan to buy another one for 2 or 3 years :laugh:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally, the upgrade provided by Redmi not 6 and 7 are not worth it. Even the Redmi note 8 (non pro) version is not a worthy upgrade.
The Redmi Note 8pro is a no for me because of MTK chipset could have been a good upgrade.
So, I'll still have to wait for poco F2 or Redmi Note 9 series
A substantial upgrade isn't really in order in that price point yet. It'll be a minor upgrade at best. Go with Note 7 pro. Has good dev support, got USB-C and processor is a decent bump too.
bhargavbuddy said:
A substantial upgrade isn't really in order in that price point yet. It'll be a minor upgrade at best. Go with Note 7 pro. Has good dev support, got USB-C and processor is a decent bump too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
SD675 is not a decent processor but high-class processor in midrange
SunilSuni said:
SD675 is not a decent processor but high-class processor in midrange
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still don't feel the substantial need to upgrade
To another SD 6** series bc whyred with OC Kernels is doing just fine in performance dept.
Would have gone for Mi 9t but lack of SD card and the Cost of 128Gb type puts me off. Not to talk about missing IR and front facing flash. But I love the Amoled screen but that won't be enough bc I don't like pop up camera. There is also poor development for Mi 9t & K20 here on Xda..
Redmi note 8 would have been the best upgrade if not for MTK Soc. If I sell my whyred, I might be forced to get 7pro while waiting for Redmi note 9 series to drop prices
Having done plenty of research and fully analyzed what I needed for my next midrange upgrade I will place my top priority for the next below and the next option.
#1 Pricey - Value for money is another reason why it will be Xiaomi but Realme is giving them a go in the midrange value for money. I still feel $250 range of phone should be fine for most purpose even strong gaming nowadays.
#2 Display - as a long time Samsung Galaxy Note user (Note 2 & Note 4) whyred screen didn't just cut it for me plus me noticing ghost image on the 3rd day of usage. The next phone has to be a clear upgrade on my Redmi note 5 ai
#3 Camera - decent camera is sure banker. Thanks to Gcam won't be a big problem.
#4 4000mah battery + Quick charge
#5 Not a pop up camera - I hate notches too but tear drop is fair in my eyes.. Dot is worse, Apple/pixel 3 type is worst. I don't like pin hole too. Seriously fell in love with Meizu screen design.
#6 sufficient LTE bands - band 3,7 and 28 are great but can live without (28)
Here are the top 3 I considered since Redmi note 8pro ruled itself out thanks to MTK processor. Mi 9t was close but outside my budget of $250, no SD card and that pop up camera... Redmi note 7 pro could have won the race if not for LCD screen
TOP 3 Considerations
#3 Realme 3 Pro - got almost everything I needed apart from the screen is still not an upgrade to my whyred. Still a good upgrade.
#2 Meizu 16XS - That Amoled screen and design is what I needed right now.
#1 Mi A3 - this one got my attention after all considerations. Super AMOLED, global LTE bands triple camera and stock android? Oh yeah! Bring it on... Till I say 720p screen. It is still not easy to say if it's an upgrade on whyred considering it's AMOLED but that resolution made me restless and led me to my final decision...
C
A
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Y
O
U
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U
E
S
S
I
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?
O
K
A
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!
H
E
R
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I
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I
T.
Xiaomi Mi CC9 is my next upgrade!
It has it's draw backs (like China Rom and less Int'l LTE bands) it fits my bill and ticks all my boxes.
The Good news is - CC9 global version is launching next week (16th September 2019) in Spain but rebranded as MI 9 lite.
Even without the global version, I'll still get CC9. But I'll have to wait a little to see how the Sept 16 goes. Yeah I did a lot of considerations, and research to get here.
I hope this could help someone analyze better or make a better decision for their next phone.
Except something dramatic happens (which I'll let you know if it did) Mi CC9 with ($250 (deal on Aliexpress) is my best decision for now
I am done with miui.... Moreover stock android 10 now comes with dark mode and miui like gestures... So thinking to go with a stock android phone next.... I was eagerly waiting for A3, but then the 720p thing happened... For time being am waiting for a worthy stock android phone below 14k... Not sure, but Nokia 8.1 may b the nxt one... Let see how its priced during big billion days and Great Indian festival...
rashied said:
I am done with miui.... Moreover stock android 10 now comes with dark mode and miui like gestures... So thinking to go with a stock android phone next.... I was eagerly waiting for A3, but then the 720p thing happened... For time being am waiting for a worthy stock android phone below 14k... Not sure, but Nokia 8.1 may b the nxt one... Let see how its priced during big billion days and Great Indian festival...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Its better to wait for a phone launching with Android 10
k20 Pro or simple. Most probably I would go for simple 9T. But I will wait for dev community and see for which phone out of these two(s) their love will go.
SunilSuni said:
I think Its better to wait for a phone launching with Android 10
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's a great advice but the reason I joined xda is to get the latest android version (custom ROMs) and never depended on OEMs. But some OEMs are now great with software updates.
I usually go for SD processor not more than 1 year old with great dev community that way you might be getting updates for 2+ years after the OEM drops the device. I usually don't use phone more than 1 year or at most 2 years after which I resell (because I take good care of my phones) add some money and buy a better one.
The mi 9 lite (rebranded) Mi CC9 was launched today in Spain for €319 6/64G that will buy me a mi 9t (with better processor) and left with some change.
The way Xiaomi prices there device can be confusing.
Awais Malik said:
k20 Pro or simple. Most probably I would go for simple 9T. But I will wait for dev community and see for which phone out of these two(s) their love will go.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great idea!
9t is a great choice if not one of the best for midrangers but I feel K20 Pro is somehow in
Flagship range even though it has midrange price.
Either way, your choice is great and availability of funds will be the deciding factor.
Both devices have great dev community too
Bolumstar said:
Ok, Whyred is a solid midrange, great dev community, tons of custom Roms & kernels, no notch and LED notification light... :laugh:
But there will always come the time where you'll have to move on. Redmi Note 6 didn't cut it for me, Note 7 didn't bring much difference in my own opinion but the Redmi Note 8 Series has caught my attention.
I am still not comfortable with the pro version with MTK processor.
Then there is the K20 and the K20 pro, Mi 9 and Mi 9t but I am not planning to spend more than $230 on midrange phone for now.
The thing I will look out for is screen - preferably AMOLED
Good CPU?GPU that is dev friendly and way better than whyred.
Battery 4000mah and above.
I am looking at Note 8pro but want to wait a bit to see more reviews and Dev community response.
Until then, my whyred is still kicking fine with Havoc OS and Kangaroo X OC kernel and GCAM 6.3 working perfectly.
Want to hear your own view.
WHAT'S YOUR NEXT PHONE AFTER WHYRED?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go for mi a3
Hello Friends
I am planning to buy Asus 6z, can anyone tell me is it worth to buy or not?
Here I tried everywhere didn't find Demo
Which one should buy - Redmi K20 Pro or LG G8s Thinq or Asus 6z
Please tell Honestly
Hows the Screen Quality, Camera, overall Performance, Software Update Track
sunnymodh said:
Hello Friends
I am planning to buy Asus 6z, can anyone tell me is it worth to buy or not?
Here I tried everywhere didn't find Demo
Which one should buy - Redmi K20 Pro or LG G8s Thinq or Asus 6z
Please tell Honestly
Hows the Screen Quality, Camera, overall Performance, Software Update Track
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Asus zenfone 6.
I've 2 pieces, working on since june, migrated from redmi note 4 (4/64, snap).
Soft is better than miui 10.
I bought a Zenfone 6 and faced with a manufacturer defect (more info: https://forum.xda-developers.com/zenfone-6-2019/help/camera-crash-artifacts-photo-t4007099).
I liked the phone though and I am going to buy another one after refund.
Phone is great good camera all day battery life great battery saving options, updates are usually pushed every month or every 2 at the latest I'd recommend it
Sent from my ASUS_I01WDX using Tapatalk
Thank you for all
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