$200 and Below Suggestions

[ValerieAnne]

Hey all. I am in the market for a new phone. I am looking to keep it under $200 and will be looking on eBay, Amazon and other sites for reviews of any phones you may mention.

Currently have a Samsung S4 and realized I need a slightly bigger screen. I currently use 'Tello' a Sprint MVNO. I'm open to change providers.

My "need" list:

- Screen size - 5.2"-5.5"
- Working GPS
- Headphone Jack

"Want"

- at least 8MP camera
- Replaceable battery
- Unlocked (or easy to unlock)
- 2015 to 2017 model (again, depending on phone)

I may be open to other Samsung phones with their slightly smaller (5.1") screen, if you can tell it's a bigger screen.

What I use my phone for:

- A few calls and text a week (very light user)
- Check e-mail on phone 2x a day
- Hustle Puzzle (game) a few times a day
- Uber / Lyft (rider app)
- Use a light facebook app a few times a day
- Take between 20-100 photos a week

I'm mostly on WiFi, which is why I like Tello, as at the moment I'm paying $6 a month for unlimited internet (slow though), as I can use an app (such as textnow) for free calls/texts.

So, if suggesting a GSM unlocked phone as well, please suggest companies. I would only need about 100 text and minutes a month as well as the littlest internet package. I mostly have an actual cell provider in case of emergency and I need 911 or something like that.

Thanks in advance!

 

[B. Diddy]

The Moto G5 Plus is an excellent value, and is around $200. No removable battery, though, but it has good battery life (my wife's often goes 1.5-2 days before needing another charge).

 

[worldspy99]

There is a fire sale going on for LG G5 on Sprint for $145 brand new. If you can snag that device, it will work on the MVNO and probably checks off every box on your list. Good luck.

 

[Tmason2]

I got an HTC Bolt for under $150 at twigby. There service is verizon and sprint. The phone was well worth the money. They let me teather 4g as well.

 

[br77494]

Might take a look at the Huawei/Honor 6X for $139.99 at B&H (no tax and free shipping), or the brand new Huawei/Honor 7X at $199.99 (limited time sale on honor's website). Both great phones that check all your boxes except for the removable battery. Both have great battery life though.

The Moto E (USA) version has everything you want (including removable battery and a fingerprint sensor), but it's a pretty low powered device that will not see any updates. You can get it with the Amazon lock screen ads for $99.99, or $129 without.

I agree with others, the Moto G 5 Plus is another great device similar to the Honor 6X and 7X, but the Honor phones have the advantage with quality dual cameras.

Best of luck!