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 🙏
Pixel 6a won the MKBHD camera contest. It’s very good, and is $329 new but often goes on sale, or is cheap used too.
Also has lots of custom ROM support, if that’s something you’re interested in.
Yeah, you really don’t need the exact latest generation when they’re released yearly.
A Pixel 6a sounds like the perfect use case.
Pixels have phenomenal cameras, especially for their price point.
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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.
I suggest a $20 flip phone and a $300 digital camera
You different
Pixel 7a ?
I have the 7. My adult son has the 7a. We’re both happy with them. Also, they were offering good trade-in deals.
Gonna agree with the others, if you want really good cameras, get the Pixel.
Yeah and to add to this, buy the pixel 7a to save some money or a discounted 7 pro if you really want some good pictures
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
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.
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.
Ya I’m not well versed with the camera aspect. Honestly when I got it I was just looking for a galaxy phone without a beveled edge. That was my main reason for getting it.
And it’s perfect for that. I don’t regret buying it one bit. I’m just sad that I don’t know what to do about my next phone. The FE series is uncertain and anyway I can’t afford a flagship when it’s new.
I’ve always enjoyed the midrange Motorola phones. Starting with my Moto X4 and on with the Moto one series.
Cameras aren’t usually seen as Motorola’s strength
The pixel camera is superior, but I’m currently using a Moto one 5g and it’s quad camera setup hasn’t let me down.
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 200€).
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.)
The best value proposition a used Pixel. Get 5 years of security patches, much better point and shoot camera for basic everyday stuff.
And 40% cheaper at MSRP compared to Samsung and they don’t have mid-range phones with bad chips like a54.
Pixel 6 Pro can be found on the resale market for like $275 bucks. It’ll still get three more years of software support. r a Pixel 6a for 200 on Amazon renewed will get four more years.
You just can’t get the same kind of value with Samsung because once you’re down to 300 400 bucks you’re stuck with the a series. The a series just doesn’t retain the stuff that makes Samsung worth it like dex.
