~£450 Android Phone

Alexrose1uk · 7 Jul 2022 at 20:14

Hi Guys
After a lot of back and forwards, my employer has authorised me to go out and go out and pickup an Android phone locally in the UK for about the price of an Iphone SE, to replace my current work mobile which is dying, and they will then reimburse me. They are based overseas, so it saves both me and them hassle this way (both in terms of local warranty, local power adaptor etc). There is no strict budget, just 'around the price of an Iphone SE', so ~£450. I really want to stick with Android over Iphone due to apps I've purchased, ease of migrating apps/contacts etc, so I am hunting for the best mid-tier phone I can find. I unfortunately cannot wait another month or two, as the current handset is dying so needs replaced sooner rather than later, realistically I need to have ordered within the next week or two.

I notice the rainforest place has its PRIME NUMBER DAY next week, so I am thinking probably worth seeing if anything comes up there, but so far I've narrowed the choice down to the following:

Realme GT2 (12GB/256GB version) - £430 Rainforest Place
Xiaomi 11T Pro 256GB (8GB/256GB version) - ~£430 from big department store

Are there any other models I should be keeping an eye on, or seeing if they drop in next weeks' sale before making a move? (I had been thinking maybe the GT2 Pro?)
Realistically, camera is second fiddle here, this will primarily be a work phone, so performance, battery life, decent screen etc are the key criteria, which is where both the above come in with 5000MAH batteries, fast charging and nippy processors, as well as 120Hz AMOLED screens. Decent security updates would also be a bonus for obvious reasons.

I am also hoping there is MAYBE a chance something with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 might fall into the 450 range on the sales, but I'm not holding out hopes, they all seem to be £550+.

Alexrose1uk · 7 Jul 2022 at 20:36

Thanks, I'd completely forgotten about the S21 FE!
I wouldn't touch the others really due to the Exynos which I just dont like, and historically have a tendency to be slower and more power hungry, but the S21 FE has a Snapdragon 888 also.

Only downside is at current pricing (£480), it has less RAM, storage and a 4500MaH battery, compared to the 5000MaH of the other other two options which are actually a bit cheaper, but I'd hazard a guess it'd get better software support, and probably a slightly better screen.

Alexrose1uk · 8 Jul 2022 at 11:27

I will throw that into the comparison hoop also. The benefits I can think of for that would be software updates; that said I'm not in need of the strongest camera, so maybe not the first choice here.

Alexrose1uk · 11 Jul 2022 at 13:06

I have to admit I am leaning towards the Realme GT2, even though the 12GB model has gone to 499, and now the 8GB/128GB model at £420. The combo of specs, 5000MaH battery, and apparently reasonably decent cooling on the 888 (meaning it drops less performance sustained than some other phones with this processor) just have me leaning towards it.

I was also really interested in the Realme GT Neo 3, as the Dimensity 8100 inside seems to have great efficiency and sustained performance under load, but the cheaper 80W charging version doesn't seem to be available in the UK right now, and the 150W charging version is just too expensive. (It's over £100 more than the GT2).

I have been thinking about the Xiaomi, but they have a tendency to be a bit sloppy on software, and often have very hot running phones, which paired with a Snapdragon 888 seems to be a recipe for throttling and decreased battery lifespan. My current work phone is a Mi8 with a dying battery which has further added to my thoughts there.

I have also reconsidered the Pixel 6, but the problem I'm having there is its still meant to be a bit buggy (despite google software updates), the processor is a bit slower, and it's real pro is the Pixel camera proficiency, which I really don't need in a work phone. I do suspect it'll get longer software updates, but realistically I'm unlikely to be using the phone more than 2-3 years, so longer software updates aren't a major driver to me, especially if the overall software package can be buggy.

I am waiting to see however if any bargains appear over the Rainforest's 'Optimus' days, as that may change the status quo. I also looked at the Moto G200, but slower charging, and apparently very subpar performance for a Snapdragon 888+ (which somehow performs worse than a lot of 888s) put me off. I suspect maybe subpar cooling so its just perma throttled? Who knows, shame but bad choice.

Unfortunately it seems like Mediatek's new high end stuff is not very available in the west, which is a shame, as the various reviews I've seen from Asian phones puts it right around the 888's performance in the 8100, bit better in some cases, but with better battery life and efficiency, and more consistent performance due to lower temps and thus low throttling, and the 9000 being a 8 Gen 1 competitor. I'd have been very interested in a Dimensity 8100/9000 based phone, as lower temps often translates into longer lifespan overall.

That is one thing leaning me towards the GT2, it does appear to relatively speaking tame that 888 in terms of temps (and thus throttling) compared to other phones using it, and in turn that'll mean less heat on the battery etc.

Samsung unfortunately appears a bit underpowered compared to the other options in the A53, and the 21 FE is more expensive than the GT2, and unfortunately heading out of the rough budget I've been given.

Alexrose1uk · 12 Jul 2022 at 21:23

I saw that one, I very [VERY] nearly went for it, but when I check the model out, it apparently is utterly horrendous in throttling, to the point that it rapidly throttles to slower than a well cooled Snapdragon 888 or Dimensity 8100, along with having buggy software. Again heat and software being Xiaomi's biggest issues, and not a good move as a work phone. I expect that is the reason for the rather substantial drop!

I ended up ordering the 8GB/128GB Realme GT2 for just shy of £420, which'll be reimbursed by my company. A little sad I missed the offer on 12GB/256GB, but realistically I don't need it for a all rounder work phone. After watching and reading a load of content, it sounds like a very very solid phone, that apparently has very, very good battery life for an 888-based phone, decent throttling statistics compared to most except the active cooled models, and that has a not overtly heavy Android skin and basically sounds like a decent all round phone to use.

Should be perfect replacement for the dying Mi8!