Budget / midrange Android phone recommendation (Nov 2022)

[ozaz]

Hi,

It's probably been 5 or more years since I last used an Android phone, but I have the itch to try one again.
I generally buy budget/midrange handsets (currently using iPhone SE 2020).

I suspect I will be happy with a Pixel 6A.

Requirements

* Must support 5G - other than the itch to try Android again, this is the main reason I want a new phone.
* Don't want to pay more than I would pay for a new Pixel 6A (currently on sale for $299 / £299).
* Don't want a phone which is physically larger than a Pixel 6A (which is already slightly larger than I would like).
* I'd be happy to consider used/refurb phones, but I want there to be at least 2 more years of security updates due on the phone.

Anything other than Pixel 6A worth me considering?

Thanks

 

[Heat_Fan89]

You can't go wrong with the Pixel 6a at $299 and it supports 5G. Starting with the Pixel 6 lineup all Pixel's now support 5G. The 6a is a solid midrange phone.

 

[TechRunner]

The Samsung A53 would be worth considering, and it's currently on sale for $349 at Best Buy. But the Pixel 6a for the current sale price of $299 would be tough to pass up.

 

[The_Interloper]

Are you in the UK? If so, the Pixel 6A is currently available at £199 (£299 with minimum £100 trade-in; people buy an old iPhone 5C off eBay to get this discount). Currys also have the regular Pixel 6 at £299 without trade-in; Amazon have it at £349 with Pixel Buds A-Series.

 

[ozaz]

Are you in the UK? If so, the Pixel 6A is currently available at £199 (£299 with minimum £100 trade-in; people buy an old iPhone 5C off eBay to get this discount). Currys also have the regular Pixel 6 at £299 without trade-in; Amazon have it at £349 with Pixel Buds A-Series.

Yes, had noticed the trade in boost for the 6A, thanks.

 

[ozaz]

Are you in the UK? If so, the Pixel 6A is currently available at £199 (£299 with minimum £100 trade-in; people buy an old iPhone 5C off eBay to get this discount). Currys also have the regular Pixel 6 at £299 without trade-in; Amazon have it at £349 with Pixel Buds A-Series.

I ended up getting a Pixel 6A. Paid £299 and received £138 trade in for an old iPhone 6S I had as a spare. That's probably £100 more than I would have got selling it on eBay.

Been using for 2-3 weeks now and am very happy with it. Although I'd used some Android phones a few years ago, this is my first experience of a Pixel phone and software experience feels just as refined as iPhone to me.

Only thing I miss is Airplay. That's mainly because I frequently used Airplay to send audio to Sonos speakers (bypassing Sonos app). Unfortunately Sonos doesn't support Chromecast. As there are other ways to control Sonos, I think I can live with it but it's a shame Chromecast isn't supported.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

Only thing I miss is Airplay. That's mainly because I frequently used Airplay to send audio to Sonos speakers (bypassing Sonos app). Unfortunately Sonos doesn't support Chromecast. As there are other ways to control Sonos, I think I can live with it but it's a shame Chromecast isn't supported.

See if this works for you.

Use Google Home to Control Your Sonos Speakers

Sonos wireless speakers with Google Assistant is a match made in heaven. And since it's easy to connect Sonos to Google Home, you'll be rockin' out in no time.

www.lifewire.com

 

[ozaz]

See if this works for you.

Use Google Home to Control Your Sonos Speakers

Sonos wireless speakers with Google Assistant is a match made in heaven. And since it's easy to connect Sonos to Google Home, you'll be rockin' out in no time.

www.lifewire.com

Thanks for suggestion. However, I don't like using voice services to control music playback (particularly when it comes to initiating playback). Have tried in the past, including with Google Assistant.

 

[Heat_Fan89]

However, I don't like using voice services

Yeah, I get your point. I don't like saying Okay Google or Hey Siri. That's cringe worthy to me.

 

[ozaz]

Yeah, I get your point. I don't like saying Okay Google or Hey Siri. That's cringe worthy to me.

For me its not really that. It's more that I just find it much easier to locate what I want through an app compared to voice commands. Also, the voice services only support a limited number of apps.