Pixel 3a is on sale at Amazon for $349 plus a $100 Amazon gift card. Pixel 3a XL is $429 plus a $100 Amazon gift card. https://www.amazon.com/Google-Pixel-Memory-Phone-Unlocked/dp/B07RX2XX8N/ Pretty good deal for a solid phone.
I vote for any Galaxy, it seems to be very durable. I'm using S6 as I type this and will reading this on IPhone- for real.
I wouldn't trust any galaxy before S8. Those ones came with the bad Samsung skin which slowed down your phone down and made it laggy. They were still working through it on S6 and S7 and it seems they didn't finally figure it out until S8.
I'm using an S6, it has been at least 3-4 years and I have no hiccups except for screen problems likely from age. At the same time, I'm not like a lot of people that carry it 24/7. I've only used it for working out (1 hour) and listen to youtube music. I guess any phone would probaly last a long time for me because I've never had a crack screen ever, in any phones.
S9 - $256 with tax amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B07VV9HSGL/ref=olp_twister_all?ie=UTF8&m=A2L77EE7U53NWQ&mv_color_name=all&mv_pattern_name=0&mv_size_name=all&mv_style_name=all&qid=1579989007&sr=8-4
Click me Second from the top, it says "Used - Good", majority of the time I've bought stuff directly from Amazon Warehouse it's basically new.
Samsung Galaxy A20. It's basically a "light" version of the S series that retails for only $250. I've been using the precursor to the A20 (the J7) for about 3 years with no issues.
I got the 3a XL over Christmas on Google Fi and have enjoyed it. I normally wait to upgrade phones, but I wanted to give my Pixel 2 XL to my mom to replace her old Nexus 6P. The 3a's cost and camera sold me on the phone over the regular 3 XL. So far I have not noticed a difference in performance at all which is good. I've never used Android outside of the Nexus/Pixel lines, but I continue to read reviews that stock Android is preferable to other versions.
Second the Motorola phones. King of the bargain phones. I'm using a Nokia 7.1, also a bargain phone. I don't recommend it, it gives me trouble, but it is a pretty looking phone.
How is 250-300 dollars a cheap phone? Its sad to know that people will spend 1000 dollars or more on a phone they will only use 25% of its capability.
If you opt for galaxy s8. Make sure you get a rock solid case. Went thru 2 otterbox commuter and both failed to prevent cracks from minor falls. Settled on this one here and it worked best. Ripped out the screen protector film and it worked well
I have a Galaxy S7 for work and an LG V20 as my personal phone -- I bought the LG primarily for the removable battery and a longer life to get out of the 2 year cycle. There have been some bumps and glitches but the phone generally still works well but it's time for an upgrade. I'd like to get a top of the line phone but at least a year old or two old which would be a huge improvement over the LG but still reasonably priced.
Yeah, I was swapping phones rapidly previously, but currently on the note 9 (as mentioned before), and I'll probably wait for the note after the next one (so the 12 or whatever assuming the trend continues) or buy the 11 (assuming that's the name) at that time for a big discount... I use mine for a lot of car and tech work (as mentioned so I don't use it for social media really, hahah), family pictures of course... But yeah, Def agree it's getting to the point where the next incremental jump isn't worth paying the premium price. It's honestly become stagnant and I'm not buying my phone as a status symbol, I used to hack/root phones (even repair them like I mentioned), but honestly the new UI on Samsung, I don't even bother even putting a different launcher (Nova etc). I will tell you, the reason I got the note 9, was the whole BOGO deal, I got my wife to move to Android and it made sense since it was 2 phones for the 1k, I honestly am passed the point of spending crazy money for small incremental upgrades so I def agree on your route trying to get a 9 or what ever you decide on. I think you're absolutely right though, average users aren't using close to the potential of their phones, ie if it's not for work or making you money, you probably don't need it. I will say I did like the speed boost for the 9 for working on some of these newer cars (again this is side work but it pays good)
Looks like I am gonna go with hops recommendation I can get this phone for free if I switch carriers. I will wait until the Note 9 comes down. https://www.metrobyt-mobile.com/shop/phones/details/samsung-galaxy-a20/610214661197/32
