£300 budget for SIM free Android phone - recommendations please

[i know nothing]

As the title suggests, I'm looking for a phone around the £300 mark (+ or - £50).

Initially i was interested in paying far more for a "flagship" brand, but that never happened and i have to say that with the current economic climate i'm pleased i didn't spend so much on a phone!

recently got great advice from this forum for a phone for the missus (ended up buying a realme 6 for her) and i'm back for some updated recommendations for myself.

i've seen a Xiaomi Mi 10 Lite 5G Dual Sim 8GB/256GB for £290 and I'm leaning that way. Really wondering what my alternatives are and I'm hoping people will be kind enough to suggest some. Unlike before, I need one asap, so looking to order one in the next few days, certainly before the end of next week.

Camera probably the single most important feature. I mess about with cars and often find myself taking photos to show on forums of engine parts etc. I do use social media to share photos of family etc. Apart from that I'm not a gamer, use various everyday apps ranging from favourites like Google maps to banking etc. Like the idea of something that has 5G as I tend to keep things like phones for a few years, I'm not one to chop and change every year.

Tips on where to buy would be useful, some of these websites concern me, not sure how legit they are.

 

[i know nothing]

Headphone jack is something I do occasionally use as I prefer over-the-ear headphones to ear buds, I just find them far more comfortable.

I've been reading about the One Plus Nord, that seems like a contender. Pixel 4 (not sure of difference between 4/4a/4XL) looks good but not sure it would be worth stretching budget for.

One of the threads I was reading someone mentioned size. My current phone is 6" long and that seems plenty to me, I think most of these new ones are bigger? I wouldn't want one too big.

 

[i know nothing]

I've just got a Poco f2. Loving it so far.

I bought it from AliExpress with my credit card. I ordered from Spain and it took 4 days. I originally ordered from China and got messed about for weeks and I ended up canceling the order and reordering

It compares very favourably on paper, thanks for bringing it to my attention. Did you get the Poco F2 Pro? There appear to be different versions.

How could I find out the difference in camera performance between say the Mi 10 lite and the Poco F2 Pro? Apart from looking at specifications.

 

[i know nothing]

Another +1 for the Poco F2 Pro. Can be had for just over £300 on AliExpress. Just make sure you get one that ships from Spain. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/400...earchweb0_0,searchweb201602_,searchweb201603_

I take it AliExpress are safe to order from? Do you get any type of warranty?

 

[i know nothing]

Paying with credit card is essential.

Safe, yes. As long as you pay by credit card...

No credit card I'm afraid. It's either Paypal or Debit card for me. Glad I asked!

 

[i know nothing]

The Oneplus Nord looks good camera wise.

 

[i know nothing]

I bought a Xiaomi Poco F2 Pro.

/thread.

 

[i know nothing]

Have you considered the Pixel 3A?

I did look at it, yes. The camera looked great, but it's already a 2 year old phone and I just felt I should go for something more modern. I tend to keep phones at least 3 years.