Can't find a phone I like

[Thomas Condon]

I couldn't find a better section to put this in, but feel free to move this.

I am looking to buy a new phone, but it seems the market has really changed recently. My current phone is a Casio G'Zone Commando 3G, and it is ok. My two biggest gripes are that it has a horrible camera, and that it is a little flaky. It doesn't like to send pictures all the time, it kind of locks up sometimes, and its just overall outdated. My first concern with a new phone is that they seem to have grown to giant size. A "compact" phone is now under 4.5", and most are well over 5" screens. My commando has a 3.6" screen, and I consider that to be about perfect. The other smartphones I've had, have had similar screen sizes. I would really like to keep it smaller, but I guess I could deal with the bigger phones. I certainly don't want one with over a 5" screen. My main criteria for a phone are that its waterproof, and takes good pictures. Battery life is always good, but I've never had a problem with any phone, I don't play games for hours on end. Mine get used for work. I make calls/text, I use it for navigation, and I use it for pictures. I have found a couple of phones that meet my criteria, but are way above my price range. The Sonim XP7 is about as perfect as a phone could get for me, but is overkill, and at over $700 way too much money. I'm looking for something under $200.

Long story short, my criteria for a smartphone in order are price under $200, waterproof, camera quality, small size (weight does not matter to me in the least), and battery life. If anyone could give me some recomendations it would help me out a ton. I have been doing research for days and the best thing I have come up with is the kyocera brigadier.

 

[msm0511]

I couldn't find a better section to put this in, but feel free to move this.

I am looking to buy a new phone, but it seems the market has really changed recently. My current phone is a Casio G'Zone Commando 3G, and it is ok. My two biggest gripes are that it has a horrible camera, and that it is a little flaky. It doesn't like to send pictures all the time, it kind of locks up sometimes, and its just overall outdated. My first concern with a new phone is that they seem to have grown to giant size. A "compact" phone is now under 4.5", and most are well over 5" screens. My commando has a 3.6" screen, and I consider that to be about perfect. The other smartphones I've had, have had similar screen sizes. I would really like to keep it smaller, but I guess I could deal with the bigger phones. I certainly don't want one with over a 5" screen. My main criteria for a phone are that its waterproof, and takes good pictures. Battery life is always good, but I've never had a problem with any phone, I don't play games for hours on end. Mine get used for work. I make calls/text, I use it for navigation, and I use it for pictures. I have found a couple of phones that meet my criteria, but are way above my price range. The Sonim XP7 is about as perfect as a phone could get for me, but is overkill, and at over $700 way too much money. I'm looking for something under $200.

Long story short, my criteria for a smartphone in order are price under $200, waterproof, camera quality, small size (weight does not matter to me in the least), and battery life. If anyone could give me some recomendations it would help me out a ton. I have been doing research for days and the best thing I have come up with is the kyocera brigadier.

Under $200 is gonna be hard to find. Moto G or E are the only phones I can think of, and I think the G starts at over $200. Not waterproof though. The Sony Z3 Compact sounds like it hits everything you're looking for other than price. Maybe look for a used or refurbished one of those?

 

[Thomas Condon]

I'd gladly buy refurbished if I could find one. I do like the Sony Z3. Maybe I'll just have to save up longer.

 

[msm0511]

I'd gladly buy refurbished if I could find one. I do like the Sony Z3. Maybe I'll just have to save up longer.

What carrier are you on?

 

[ygenyk24]

Check out the Xiaomi Redmi phone. Runs on Andriod 4.2 Jelly Bean. 4.7 in screen size (hard to find really good phones less than 4 inches), 8 megapixel camera, and 8GB of internal storage.

Screen has resolution of 1280 by 720 pixels and its pixel density is 312 PPI which is substantially more than most phones released in 2014. 25 hours of talk time, but its average weight size (158 grams) is ok.

I believe price w/o contract is $135. Worth pursuing based on some of the criteria you mentioned. Hope this helps!

 

[32gig]

Give swappa a look.. usually have reasonable prices on most phones, including all the flagships.. it's the 1st place I look when I'm looking for a new phone or tablet..

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Thomas Condon]

Do people really want phones this big? It wasn't even 2 years ago and 3.5"-4" screens were everywhere it seems. As for carrier, I use Page Plus. I don't use cell data, so the $30 a month works great for unlimited talk and text. I'm not sure whether I need an unlocked phone for this. I could have sworn my commando was set as a verizon phone when I got it, it even says verizon on it. It took page plus no problem. Thanks for the heads up about swappa, I've never heard of it before. I'll have to search that for a while. Thanks

 

[Thomas Condon]

I think I finally found a phone I like. The Sony Xperia Z1 compact has everything I want. 4.3" display is a little large, but much smaller than anything offered recently. Its waterproof. It has a 20.7 MP camera, which I don't see how that does any good in such a small camera. It seems the 8 MP ones take good pictures. Even 5 MP is ok, the one in my commando is just crap. It has a decent battery in it, and should have a good battery life. I found one on swappa for $285 unlocked. Maybe I'll just wait and see if I can get one under $250.

edit: It looks like Amazon has them brand new for $280. I guess I'll just wait a couple weeks and get that.

 

[Oofa]

It's good to read that some people do not want a huge, ultra-featured, high end phone. I admire that in anyone.

I know you've found a phone and that you are probably looking for an Android phone but........ It sounds like you would do well with the Blackberry Classic. It has what you claim you need (except the waterproof thing) and can be found used for around $300.

 

[Thomas Condon]

It's good to read that some people do not want a huge, ultra-featured, high end phone. I admire that in anyone.

I know you've found a phone and that you are probably looking for an Android phone but........ It sounds like you would do well with the Blackberry Classic. It has what you claim you need (except the waterproof thing) and can be found used for around $300.

The waterproof part is kind of important. I do a lot of hunting and fishing, and being able to bring my phone with is huge. Not for the phone part (I actually put it on airplane mode so I'm left alone), but I use GPS all the time, and its important to have a way to contact help just in case. In the past I've just had it in a plastic bag or something, but it never worked well. Since I got the commando, I have loved having a waterproof phone. Last year I even went swimming with my phone, not on purpose, but the commando came out just fine. I have so much money in android apps, I won't even consider anything else.

About the high end phones, I completely understand wanting a fast phone. But a 6" screen? If I wanted a tablet, I'd get a tablet.

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[msm0511]

The waterproof part is kind of important. I do a lot of hunting and fishing, and being able to bring my phone with is huge. Not for the phone part (I actually put it on airplane mode so I'm left alone), but I use GPS all the time, and its important to have a way to contact help just in case. In the past I've just had it in a plastic bag or something, but it never worked well. Since I got the commando, I have loved having a waterproof phone. Last year I even went swimming with my phone, not on purpose, but the commando came out just fine. I have so much money in android apps, I won't even consider anything else.

About the high end phones, I completely understand wanting a fast phone. But a 6" screen? If I wanted a tablet, I'd get a tablet.

Thanks for the help everyone.

I'm with you on the larger phones. I think 5 inches is about as large as I like to use. Once phones get too wide for me to type on one-handed comfortably, they're a no go for me.

 

[mdk32014]

Samsung avant 4.5 inch screen

 

[cooper simith]

Long story short, my criteria for a smartphone in order are price under $200, waterproof, camera quality, small size (weight does not matter to me in the least), and battery life. If anyone could give me some recomendations it would help me out a ton. I have been doing research for days and the best thing I have come up with is the kyocera brigadier.

You probbily like the xiaomi-redmi-2, which costs only $128 with a 4.7 inch screen, back camera of 1300 pixel, 8G ROM, 1G RAM, battery 2200 mAh. Fast and perfect one hand operating experience!

 

[gfederline9]

Do people really want phones this big? It wasn't even 2 years ago and 3.5"-4" screens were everywhere it seems. As for carrier, I use Page Plus. I don't use cell data, so the $30 a month works great for unlimited talk and text. I'm not sure whether I need an unlocked phone for this. I could have sworn my commando was set as a verizon phone when I got it, it even says verizon on it. It took page plus no problem. Thanks for the heads up about swappa, I've never heard of it before. I'll have to search that for a while. Thanks

alcatel pop s3 only cost £25 in UK and it take another £5 to unlock the phone

so it cost £30 ( about 70 usa dollars ) in total , very cheap phone

 

[n_dominique]

I think I finally found a phone I like. The Sony Xperia Z1 compact has everything I want. 4.3" display is a little large, but much smaller than anything offered recently. Its waterproof. It has a 20.7 MP camera, which I don't see how that does any good in such a small camera. It seems the 8 MP ones take good pictures. Even 5 MP is ok, the one in my commando is just crap. It has a decent battery in it, and should have a good battery life. I found one on swappa for $285 unlocked. Maybe I'll just wait and see if I can get one under $250.

Well, Sony camera sensors are mostly good but surprisingly they couldn't nail it in Xperia series. Photos on 20Mpx are average really and on auto 8Mpx are... ok. But battery life, water/dustproof and performance should be enough to your needs.

Just keep in mind its back can be slippy (that foil wasn't the best idea) and it catches scratches like a boss.

 

[Thomas Condon]

See, I don't find a 4.7" screen to be good for one hand use. I'm a guy with big hands, and I still like reasonable sized screens. I'm going to deal with the 4.3" of the xperia because its the best option, but I would much rather have something closer to a 3.5" screen. I'm sure the camera will be more than good enough, I just hate crappy fish photos. About the slippery back and scratches, I'm sure I will put a case on it.

 

[syspry]

I think I finally found a phone I like. The Sony Xperia Z1 compact has everything I want. 4.3" display is a little large, but much smaller than anything offered recently. Its waterproof. It has a 20.7 MP camera, which I don't see how that does any good in such a small camera. It seems the 8 MP ones take good pictures. Even 5 MP is ok, the one in my commando is just crap. It has a decent battery in it, and should have a good battery life. I found one on swappa for $285 unlocked. Maybe I'll just wait and see if I can get one under $250.

edit: It looks like Amazon has them brand new for $280. I guess I'll just wait a couple weeks and get that.

Keep in mind that you only get the 20mpx camera on manual mode, auto mode is only 8mpx. Manual mode shots are really great but they pretty much require you to almost need a freaking guide of some sort on what settings to use for each type of condition to pull off if you're not a photographer. That being said, the auto mode was good enough for me for its time. Nowadays current flagships are taking amazing shots on auto mode

 

[Thomas Condon]

Well, maybe someone can compare it? I used to have an HTC One V that I thought took really good pictures. They were nothing to brag about, but I liked it. Looking at specs, it only had a 5 MP camera. My Commando also states 5 MP, but even under ideal conditions the pictures are crap, and you cant even zoom at 5 MP. I can only imagine the Xperia being better than the One V. It looks like the Xperia takes good video too.

 

[mlbrowninsc]

I currently use a sony Z3 compact and find the camera to be excellent. I came to this phone from a blackberry Passport which had a terrible camera. The Sony is great and I use it as my work camera as well. Auto is 8mp and does a fine job most if the time. Only time I go to manual is for some night or low light shots