Best phone for 500$

[BIGLEX911]

So, I am on the market and looking for a new phone to upgrade from a N5, the logical upgrade would be the 6p, but honestly IMO it is hideous and is a huge turn off, love the specs but the phone isn't something I would like to look at. Who knows maybe I will get it and learn to love it but atm I just ain't feeling it. My next choices would be either a G4, or a Xperia z5. I would love a Xperia z5 premium, but those are well above my current price point. I also looked into a OP+2 but the screen is a turn off and the software i heard is spotty, the price is amazing, but I don't think as an upgrade it is worth it. I don't mind buying used or refurbished, again just looking for recommendations until i can learn to like the 6p, but until then what do you guys think?

 

[Mooncatt]

The G4 is an awesome performing phone. I love it for the non-AMOLED screen, sd card support, IR blaster, removable battery (basically everything Samsung isn't), the customization options of the on screen buttons, and excellent camera. The biggest down side is the community consensus is there's a defect in batches made before September and especially May. LG hasn't formally acknowledged this that I'm aware of, but there's a troubling number of reports where the phones either just go dead or into a boot loop. The good news is no one seems to have issues claiming warranty and I haven't heard about post Sept batches doing this.

If you go with G4, I wouldn't recommend a used or even refurbished phone. Then again, I hate refurbs with a passion across the board. I'd suggest going new and look for one from a newer batch.

You may also want to look at the V10. It's a little bigger than the G4, and has a few extras like more RAM, manual controls for both photos and video recording (the G4 manual controls are for photos only with the stock app), and the ticker display. It'll be on the upper end of your price range, though. It's supposed to be built to a higher impact standard, so it may be worth the cost difference vs the G4.

 

[kenorian]

Personally, I think the Nexus 6P is a pretty sexy looking phone. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder I guess.

 

[BIGLEX911]

I just can't get over that camera. lol Looks like a scanner at a store or R.O.B from smash bros. Still a beast of a phone and I give it all the respect.

 

[BIGLEX911]

I heard about the V10, but never paid any mind to it enough to do research. Needless to say I just ordered one and got it from what i believe is a fair price (T-mobile, mint condition for $480) Thanks for bringing up the V10, again just gave me enough of a push to look into it and I love it. I do use my camera a lot for pics so this is def a good upgrade. I have to admit, i will miss my N5, got it in 2013, and although there were some hiccups (software bugs) it was and still is a great phone. Although the new software is giving me a weird bug where the phone will shutoff and lose a chunk of battery, if i got on heavy apps. Just started with new update. Guess i will make a new thread about that lol.