Best non-phablet budget smartphone? (Pre-MWC thread)

[Diehlirious]

I wanted to know what everyone thought about this subject? I'm buying a smartphone for my aunt. She doesn't need all the bells & whistles since it'll be her first smartphone. Overwhelming her with a phablet might be a bit much since she has relatively small hands, that's why I'm thinking sub 5.5 inches for the display. Sub $300 would be ideal too. If you see something coming soon at MWC etc, lmk too. Right now if I had to choose a frontrunner it would be the HTC One A9..

Thanks for your opinions & any help )