Help me pick a $200 budget phone

[tendoboy1984]

Zenfone 4 Max (unlocked)

Pros: Huge 5000mAh battery, 32GB storage, 3GB RAM, fast camera, fluid UI, solid metal build, bright display, bottom speaker, fingerprint sensor

Cons: No NFC, Snapdragon 430, 720p 5.5” screen

Moto G5 Plus (unlocked)

Pros: Snapdragon 625, 32GB storage, plain stock Android, lightweight metal/plastic build, Moto actions, good camera, 1080p 5.2” screen, front speaker, 3000mAh battery, fingerprint sensor

Cons: No NFC, 2GB RAM, somewhat dim display, huge ugly camera

Moto G5S Plus (unlocked)

Pros: 5.5” 1080p display, bright screen, Snapdragon 625, 3GB RAM, 3000mAh battery, fingerprint sensor, pure stock Android, full metal build, Moto actions

Cons: Huge ugly camera, no NFC

ZTE Blade V8 Pro (unlocked)

Pros: 5.5” 1080p display, Snapdragon 625, 32GB storage, 3GB RAM, fingerprint sensor, NFC, USB-C, 3100mAh battery, solid metal/plastic build

Cons: Stuck on Android 6.0

Alcatel Idol 5S (unlocked)

Pros: 5.5” 1080p screen, Snapdragon 625, 32GB storage, 3GB RAM, dual front facing speakers, USB-C, fingerprint sensor, Android 7.1

Cons: Glass back (few cases available), 2700mAh battery, no NFC

LG Stylo 3 Plus (T-Mobile)

Pros: Removable battery, 32GB storage, built-in stylus, huge 5.7” 1080p display, NFC, 3080mAh battery, fingerprint sensor

Cons: Snapdragon 435, 2GB RAM, rear speaker, cheap-feeling plastic build

Galaxy J7 Prime (T-Mobile)

Pros: Bright screen, side speaker, removable battery, typical Galaxy UI and features, 3300mAh battery, solid plastic build

Cons: 16GB storage, 2GB RAM, 720p 5.5” display, no NFC, no fingerprint sensor

Nokia 6 (unlocked)

Pros: 5.5” 1080p display, NFC, 3GB RAM, pure stock Android, 3000mAh battery, solid metal build, fingerprint sensor

Cons: Snapdragon 430, HMD is a new and unproven company

 

[Jhayzone]

SD625 is more than enough pro to pickup th G5 Plus over the other phones. If you can shell out a bit more I highly recommend getting the 4gb ram version but the 2gb variant is also just fine.

On the other hand, if updates are important to you then consider the Nokia 6, HMD already committed Android P to all their current handsets.

 

[tendoboy1984]

SD625 is more than enough pro to pickup th G5 Plus over the other phones. If you can shell out a bit more I highly recommend getting the 4gb ram version but the 2gb variant is also just fine.

On the other hand, if updates are important to you then consider the Nokia 6, HMD already committed Android P to all their current handsets.

But HMD is an unproven company compared to the others. If they go out of business in the future due to their phones not being popular then I’m stuck with a useless device.

 

[Inferior Being]

Unless NFC is something that you actually need, then it's not worth caring about. Also, screen size and resolution aren't as important as you think - 720p is perfectly fine and not 'low resolution' at all. In fact, a lower resolution phone will do better in terms of battery life.

Something you should know, is that all these Chinese phones will try to lure you in with low prices and seemingly good specs. Also gimmicks like 'curved screens', when in reality they just curve the glass to give the illusion of a curved screen. They are also often filled willed with bloatware, spyware and unnecessary apps used to make more money.

Moreover these cheap phones are designed to not last long and break extremely easily.

Your best option is probably a Motorola phone, though their new Lenovo-made phones don't seem that great either...

And also, NEVER BUY A SAMSUNG PHONE!

 

[lunatic59]

If you're buying on spec's only then it's just a matter of choosing the highest overall rating. But there's far too much personal preferences and specific features that will determine if a phone is a right fit for someone, whether it's $200 or $800.

What do you want in a phone? Something that meets your needs or has bragging rights with specifications? (or both )