I have no idea, do you?

Soldato
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I've had a Nexus4 since release but its time for a new phone. Battery is losing its edge and the camera is awful.

However, I know I don't want a phablet or iPhone but can't work out what I need from the myriad of options on sale. Mainly because I don't want a big phone, but I also don't want low spec.

What's the best 5" smartphone, what are the best options?

I buy outright/offline so carrier/contract doesn't matter.

Thanks for your help.
 
Nexus 5 maybe. I put a new battery in mine and its been great since. The camera has improved a bit with the new camera app. I have taken some lovely pictures on holiday last week. I didn't take one picture on my actual camera as I was happy with my phone pictures.
It's still a fast phone too.
 
Normally I would say the Nexus 5 due to the stock Android. However I agree with Space Monkey as the N5 has been around a few years now so the S6 (Even with sucky TouchWiz) will still run rings around it. This is providing money is no object.
 
I'm in the same situation. Still using a Samsung Galaxy S 2, infact. But I'm looking for a new phone around 5 inches (small hands) that will last me at least a couple of years. Looking to buy outright so money is an object - currently aimming around £300. Oh and stock/close to stock android. Absolutely no Touchwiz. The only phone worth looking at right now is The Z3c. But even then it's getting on.
 
Last year's Motorola Moto X can be had still i think for £229 on Motorola site for the plain black 16GB or £269 for the 32GB, near to stock Android you can get, quick updates & camera much much better than the Nexus 4.

Edit looks like that deal now finished. :(
 
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LG G3 32MB version - good battery life, good camera, not heavy on the UI
It's 5.5", but with very small bezel on the sides and a lovely curved back. My Mrs finds it easier to handle than an old HTC Sensation!
 
32MB is tiny :p.

Personally I would say try to wait for a few more months, the upcoming Nexus devices looks good and should be a much more reasonable size if rumours are true.

This isn't a Nexus/S6 device - It has the facility to plug in a 128GB SD card, unlike the devices from other manufacturers ;)
Plus, you can change the battery - so you can carry a spare around with you if needed :)
 
Personally I was going to replace my Nexus 4 with a Z3C or maybe a Z3, but still haven't got around to it and the trusty old Nexus is still chugging along so gonna wait and see what else comes along, maybe a sensibly sized new Nexus or something else from Sony (ignoring the Z3+)
 
This isn't a Nexus/S6 device - It has the facility to plug in a 128GB SD card, unlike the devices from other manufacturers ;)
Plus, you can change the battery - so you can carry a spare around with you if needed :)

I was actually pointing out you used MB instead of GB ;).

The Z3C is a good shout, that would be my choice as well if it has to be now. The recent flagships aren't that miles ahead compared to H2 2014 flagships.
 
Thanks for the comments. Call me old fashioned but the Nexus 6 is big!

Not worried about memory restrictions, I use the phone as a phone, web browser, email and camera. I rarely install apps.

Not wishing to sound obnoxious but money isn't an issue, I'll pay for the right phone.

I do like the look of the S6 edge, but also off to research the newest Nexus device - wasn't even aware there was one due!
 
I went for the LG G3, got it sim free for under £230 off the rain forest place, has 32GB internal and I have another 64GB SD in it, running on Lollipop and not had a single issue with it.

Will be waiting for the Nexus refresh before I swap again, Rumours have it they are going to 2 tier with a larger screen by Huawei (Phablet Nexus) and then LG making a refresh of the 5 or a Nexus with a 5" - 5.3" screen. Might be worth waiting until October when they will likely be announced.
 
but also off to research the newest Nexus device - wasn't even aware there was one due!

You'll be waiting till September/October, as that's generally when the Nexus phones are announced.

I've got an M8, but if I were to get a new phone I'd go for a Z3. The camera on the M8 is absolute pants.
 
If it's improved battery life you're after, Z3 Compact is class leading (but 4.6").

For a high-end 5 incher, I'd import a Xiaomi Mi4 LTE (not Mi4i - althought if you don't mind 3g only there are some great deals on the non-lte versions). Probably best bang for buck 5" phone in the world, with none of the quality compromise you might expect from Chinese phones. http://www.ibuygou.com/p-xiaomi-mi4-2gb-ram-16gb-rom-fdd-lte-black-and-white-6698.html
 
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i had an N4 and got tired of the declining battery life and instability (frequent crashes, prompting to enter SIM pin etc). I replaced it a few weeks ago with a Z3C and have no complaints. Battery life is great, performance (web browsing and a few apps, no games) is fine. I've already had a Z2 tablet for a while so am used to the Sony addons (some are useful compared to stock android with the N4).
 
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