Best current unlocked value phone?

[SaltyNuts]

I'm on the sprint network. I had a Nexus 6, loved it, but dropped it and now its no-go. So had to revert back to my old Samsung Galaxy S4.

Is there any preference around here for a relatively powerful phone for not a lot of money? Would like to spend $100ish or somewhere thereabouts and wait a bit to upgrade. Obviously I'd want something better than the S4.

Thanks!

 

[poofyhairguy]

$100 on sprint? M8, Nexus 5, LG G3 is the best at that price on Swappa.

Pure value on Sprint? Galaxy S6s for $230, Note 4 for sub $200, M9 $180.

 

[SaltyNuts]

Well, an unlocked phone works just fine - I got them to make the Nexus 6 work on the sprint network. Also, forgot to mention, I'm looking for a new rather than a used phone.

Thanks!

 

[poofyhairguy]

Well, an ulocked phone works just fine - I got them to make the Nexus 6 work on the sprint network.

You have to be careful assuming that. The Nexus phones are special, they have radios for both GSM and CDMA networks built in. A lot of Android phones are not like that, they only work on one or the other even unlocked. In fact most unlocked phones sold (your cheap Blus or Zenphones) will NOT work with Sprint.

Edit: I looked it up and the only unlocked GSM phones Sprint will activate are Nexuses and iPhones. You got lucky your first time was in that group.

Also, forgot to mention, I'm looking for a new rather than a used phone.

Thanks!

I can just straight up tell you it will be hard to find a better new phone for $100 that beats a Galaxy S4. The cost of Android phones have fallen, but sub $150 new phones are mostly just junk still. At double your budget (so around $200) your goal is much more attainable.

 

[SaltyNuts]

Ah, got it Poofy. Are those ones you listed here:

"Pure value on Sprint? Galaxy S6s for $230, Note 4 for sub $200, M9 $180."

These will all work with sprint correct? Prices you listed are for new phones? And I take it they are all better than the G4?

Thanks!

 

[SaltyNuts]

Shoot, those look like used prices. Crazy how there are not cheaper android phones out there worth a darn (at least that work with sprint).

 

[poofyhairguy]

These will all work with sprint correct? Prices you listed are for new phones? And I take it they are all better than the G4?

Yes, I got those prices off of Sprint Swappa.

No, but there are some Mint condition ones on there. What is the difference really if you want to save a buck?

Yes, all better (even though I loved the S4).

 

[SaltyNuts]

Thanks Poofy. Yea, I just worry about getting a phone that isn't what is represented, not really a sprint phone, or more banged up than represented. That sort of thing. Think I'm going to stick with the S4 for awhile.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Sounds good.

Just FYI I expect by Marchish next year (maybe even by Xmas this year) we will have $100 new phones that are better.

 

[RollWave]

Iphone SE is so good.

 

[Artdeco]

I've not had a bad experience on swappa yet.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I've not had a bad experience on swappa yet.

Agree 100%.

 

[SaltyNuts]

Sounds good.

Just FYI I expect by Marchish next year (maybe even by Xmas this year) we will have $100 new phones that are better.

Interesting Poofy, why do you think that? A decent phone for $100 is right up my ally!

 

[SaltyNuts]

Iphone SE is so good.

What is it? And what makes it so good? Cost? I'm guessing it will work on Sprint network.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Interesting Poofy, why do you think that? A decent phone for $100 is right up my ally!

Because current $100 phones are about equal to the S4 or a little worse.

Stands for figure in a year just SoC upgrades will get current low end devices to a new level.

The new Qualcomm midrange SoCs look awesome.

What is it? And what makes it so good? Cost? I'm guessing it will work on Sprint network.

It is the highest value iPhone ever made, and it works on any network. When I saw this thread without I was going to post that, but your budget made me stop. It's a great value for an iPhone, but it's still $450 new.

 

[SaltyNuts]

Ah, makes sense Poofy. Yep, definitely going to stick with the S4 for awhile then. I can wait until Marchish next year no sweat!

 

[stlc8tr]

It is the highest value iPhone ever made, and it works on any network. When I saw this thread without I was going to post that, but your budget made me stop. It's a great value for an iPhone, but it's still $450 new.

The SE is missing a few LTE bands that the regular 6S/6S+ supports.

The SE supports 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19 , 20, 25, 26, 29.

It's missing 7, 27, 28, 30, 38, 39, 40, 41.