Budget? Water resistance usually drives up the cost of a phone.
I would say Galaxy A52 5G, but the unlocked model appears to be out of stock (some carriers still have it). Galaxy S20 FE is still in stock though it's $600.
For prepaid you could get an unlocked phone the s20 fe is $550 new on Amazon.
SAMSUNG Galaxy S20 FE 5G Factory Unlocked Android Cell Phone 128GB US Version Smartphone Pro-Grade Camera 30X Space Zoom Night Mode, Cloud Navy https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FYTSXGQ/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_fabc_83963Z5T9MY3ASHCV1YR?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1
> which is better to prioritize? I know tmo uses b71 on 5g for long range, but is mmwave better to have outright, or simply having extra 5g bands but no mmwave better?
Low/mid band is usually better to prioritize than high band like mmwave. Indoor and rural coverage are better when you have more low bands like 71, mmwave is only useful in relatively few urban spots currently and it'll probably be years before that changes (if ever).
Galaxy S20 FE is the easiest to recommend and find under $600. If you can wait, S21 FE should launch in a month or two and will probably be priced around $600.
Thank you so much for the reply. Here is the link to the phone I'm looking at. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FYTSXGQ/ref=mh_s9_acsd_al_c2_x_2_i?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=mobile-hybrid-3&pf_rd_r=QYRWN0XJKPAH8QMHA7WC&pf_rd_t=1201&pf_rd_p=22c20b81-bfdc-4441-83ec-dc9d4636df31&pf_rd_i=23532677011
Sorry for the long post. This is a review of the S20 FE 5G.
Purchase link for the S20:
I would recommend the: <strong>Samsung Galaxy S20 FE</strong>, with
Price: $681.90
I would highly recommend the: <strong>Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G | Factory Unlocked Android Cell Phone | 128 GB | US Version Smartphone | Pro-Grade Camera, 30X Space Zoom, Night Mode | Cloud Navy.</strong>
For: $699.99
Let me know what you think.
It was on the Amazon page for the 128GB version and there was an option to select between 128 and 256. However I just checked the page and I do not see any such option so I am assuming they are sold out. I will link the Amazon page. Best Buy also sells the 256GB but YMMV.
https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Factory-Unlocked-Smartphone-Pro-Grade/dp/B08FYTSXGQ it's 599 again on amazon..
very tempting compare to the 5. speed vs camera... hmmmm
S21 is $600 with S9 trade-in direct from Samsung. They seem to handle screen burn somewhat randomly, sometimes ignoring it or sometimes reducing your trade-in value so YMMV.
A couple other Samsung alternatives are Galaxy S20 FE ($550) and A52 5G ($425). S20 FE uses last year's top chipset and slightly downgrades everything else compared to S20. It performs faster than A52 5G and 5a. A52 5G is a direct competitor to Pixel 5a. Similar features except instead of Pixel's stock android, it has the usual Samsung software and a 120hz amoled screen.
Midrange usually doesn't have wireless charging, so you'll probably have to spend a little more than you otherwise would without it.
Galaxy S20 FE or OnePlus 9. S20 FE is cheaper at $550 and has better battery life than OP9. Both are roughly the same size as 3a XL.
S21 FE and Pixel 6 will launch around October, pretty much the only things to look forward to this year.
Galaxy S20 FE is $550. Same chipset as OP8T, probably the fastest option you'll find in new condition.
There's also Motorola G100 and Galaxy S20 FE if you go above $400.
Motorola G100 is $500 and it has a headphone jack with snapdragon 870. Screen isn't the best however, just a 90hz LCD with lower max brightness than OP8, S20 FE, and A52 5G. Also not IP water resistant, just a splash proof coating. Motorola also doesn't really do long-term OS/security support, just one major OS update I believe.
Galaxy S20 FE is currently $550. It's IP68 water resistant, SD 865, 120hz amoled, long-term OS/security support, but no headphone jack. Some of them have glitchy touchscreens, so you kind of have to be prepared to return it if you get one.
Pixel 4a 5G if you can still get one, though I think they're mostly out of stock (or selling above MSRP of $500 which is dumb). Pixel 5a is expected to launch "soon" (probably next month), and it's expected to be much like 4a 5G but possibly at a lower price.
Galaxy S20 FE is a speedier alternative with better battery life. I would describe the camera as just ok. Galaxy S21 has a better camera but worse battery life.
I'll use an example available right now:
Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5g at Virgin.
$20/month or buy at $1,200 upfront. Link
That same phone is available for $600 on Amazon. Link
When you buy from Virgin, you're paying down the $1,200 tab which goes to $0 after 2 years.
But the phone is actually only worth $600. So say you break your contract day 2, you'll pay $1,200 for the phone. When you could have had it for $600. There's a $600 markup on the phone that is essentially a contract breaking penalty since you have to buy the phone at their ridiculous price to escape.
So although you're not "locked in", you just have to buy the phone to opt out.... You're actually locked in and the penalty is baked into the cost of the phone.
The S21 is a solid choice too, However I would go with the: <strong>Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G</strong>
Instead, It is a Factory Unlocked Android Cell Phone | 128 GB | US Version Smartphone | Pro-Grade Camera, 30X Space Zoom, Night Mode | Cloud Navy.
All for just: $699.99
You save more plus there's no great difference between this and the S21. Just small changes and very overpriced.
If you are still interested in the S21, <strong>THE ONE FROM THIS SELLER WOULD BE MY PICK.</strong>
Unfortunately it is sold out on Amazon. It was on the page for the S20 FE and there was an option to choose between 128 or 256. I see that Best Buy still has the 256GB for sale and the same price Amazon had theirs, but I don't know what RAM capacity you will receive. I will link both the Amazon and Best Buy pages.
Deal link: Amazon
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Here are the best choices (in order) for under $700:
s20 FE : essentially a flagship with a high quality plastic back instead of glass. Amazing 6.5 inch 120hz display with good cameras, great battery, snapdragon 865 chip, (reverse) wireless charging, IP 68 rating, only 6gb of RAM (not too much of an issue), and decent stero speakers. (on sale on Amazon right now for $600)
Pixel 5: pure stock android with a capable, but limiting processor. Has a plastic-auminum hybird on the back and has a great 6 inch 90hz display with good battery, snapdragin 765g chipset, the BEST cameras on any android, (reverse) wireless charging, IP 68 rating, 8 gb of RAM (plenty), and poor stero speakers. ($700, wait for the price to drop during black friday).
OnePlus 8 (NOT the 8t as it is overpriced): a flagship phone disguised as a midrange phone. Feels exactly like a flagship but is missing a few important features that hold it back. Has a glass back and a great 6.5 inch 90 hz display, decent battery, snapdragon 865, very mediocre cameras, no wireless charging, no IP rating, 12 gb of RAM (overkill but great to have), and good stero speakers. ($700)
Pixel 4a 5g: a cheaper Pixel 5 (also not available yet). Its has the same software, similar plastic back, a good 6.2 inch 60hz display, a decent battery, snapdragon 765g, the same AMAZING cameras as the Pixel 5, no wireless charging, no IP rating, 6 gb of RAM (the minimum for good performance on Android), and (surprisingly) battery stero speakers than the Pixel 5. ($500)
Deal link: Amazon
Deal link: Amazon
Well the samsung S 20 FE is $600 on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Factory-Unlocked-Smartphone-Pro-Grade/dp/B08FYTSXGQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=samsung+fe&qid=1603817725&sr=8-3
The Samsung S20 + (non 5G) is $649 on amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SM-G985F-Display-Unlocked-International/dp/B085F3VMT8/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=samsung+s20+%2B&qid=1603817828&sr=8-4
So if you really don't need 5G you should consider the S 20+ aswell like I'm doing.
Try amazon smile to donate to charity automatically at no cost to you!
https://smile.amazon.com/Samsung-Factory-Unlocked-Smartphone-Pro-Grade/dp/B08FYTSXGQ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=s20+fe&qid=1601442055&sr=8-1
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Odd. I asked them earlier on samsung.com and they said they only had the 6gb version. Also, for the model code SM-G781UZBMXAA amazon says it has 8gb ram. However, best buy says it has 6b ram. Amazon could be wrong.
Here is a conversation about it with a samsung employee that seems to think the US only has 6gb ram: https://imgur.com/a/WQGErfI
thread discussing it
Amazon says that the version they are offering has 8gb ram (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FYTSXGQ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_fab_.1DCFbJVC664N) but bh photo says the version they are offering is 6gb ram (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1595232-REG/samsung_sm_g781uzbmxaa_galaxy_s20_fe_5g.html)
Are there two different variants of the phone? I keep seeing the spec listed as 6gb on various sites, but Amazon is saying 8gb.
Came out this month, unlocked
If you need financing, there are other options. And you can still get a financed phone on a carrier without it being locked to it. I don't see your point