Is there a phone better than Samsung Galaxy S5 for price?

[Remobz]

Hi all,

I am buying a phone for a birthday gift. I need an UNLOCKED and I repeat UNLOCKED phone for less than $450.00 USD.

I am thinking of the Samsung S5 because it is well known brand.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...eld-keywords=Samsung+Galaxy+S5+G900H+Unlocked

As you can see the prices range from $400 to $450 USD.

As of today, does a BETTER unlocked phone exist for that money and samsung s5 specs? Something cheaper maybe?

 

[Megatomic]

One+ 1 or One+ 2. Both are WAY better than Samsung.

 

[Remobz]

One+ 1 or One+ 2. Both are WAY better than Samsung.

Look into it.

Anyone else?

 

[cronos]

If you really like Samsung and can wait a month or two, the Galaxy S6 international version (unlocked, naturally) has been as low as $480 on eBay, brand new. With a good timing of quadruple (or more) eBay bucks + 50% eBay bucks bonus if paying with Paypal Credit, that's about ~$60 in eBay bucks we could get back, with in the end the phone essentially cost you only $420.

The good thing is, price keeps going down on this one, so if you start keeping tabs now you'll probably get a good deal on it soon.

 

[Trader05]

I'd suggest the OnePlus also or the newer Moto X http://www.engadget.com/2015/08/12/moto-x-pure-edition-us-launch/

Also make sure you look at the different models for Samsung international devices, some models only have certain LTE bands.

 

[ThisIsChrisKim]

One+ 1 or One+ 2. Both are WAY better than Samsung.

My own personal experience with Oneplus One wasn't great mostly due to major issues with CyanogenOS stability. Oneplus 2 might be different with a new software package. But it is a lot of phone for the money.

OP: I personally have had great experiences with Samsung. But I don't necessarily think the GS5 is necessarily the best option out there. I really like the Moto X--great software, good hardware, but not great camera. It's quite a bit cheaper. The new one might get that great camera, finally. Nexus 5 was a great phone, although you can't get it new anymore.

That's the phones I have personal experience with.

 

[cronos]

Just wanted to add that the OnePlus' aren't bad but read up a bit in this thread to see why some people aren't a fan of them.

If I had to suggest another phone at that price point, I'd say you should wait for Moto X Pure Edition straight from Motorola. It is also not available yet right now, but it will be great.

 

[s44]

OnePlus is a poor choice, given warranty issues and lack of availability of the Two (which is a downgrade from the One in a number of ways anyhow).

But given the vagaries of US cell service, the question to ask is: what carrier?

 

[Megatomic]

OnePlus is a poor choice, given warranty issues and lack of availability of the Two (which is a downgrade from the One in a number of ways anyhow).

But given the vagaries of US cell service, the question to ask is: what carrier?

I bought 3 OPOs and had 3 friends also buy OPOs. None of us had a bad experience with them. Try to take my spouse's phone away from her, you'll draw back a stump.

 

[Chocu1a]

Alcatel Idol 3
http://www.amazon.com/ALCATEL-ONETO...qid=1439433319&sr=1-1&keywords=alcatel+idol+3
http://www.androidcentral.com/five-reasons-buy-alcatel-idol-3
$250 for all that. Will be my next phone when Verizon contract is up.
It also just got an update to the camera that made it even better
http://www.androidcentral.com/update-alcatel-idol-3-promised-better-camera-and-it-delivered

 

[jchu14]

If refurbs are okay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Samsung-Gal...-Black-/311329003988?var=&hash=item487ca799d4

manuf refurb Galaxy Note 4 ATT unlocked for $400.

 

[Insomniator]

The S5 is a nice phone but I don't know it its worth $450 still. I'd possibly consider an LG G3 over it.

 

[core2slow]

Huawei ascend mate 7.

 

[smitbret]

Got my wife an LG G3 to replace her Nexus 4 and we wish we had done it sooner.

 

[jchu14]

This refurb unlocked ATT S5 is only $230.

I think it'll be hard to beat the phone for the price.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Samsung-Gal...E-16GB-AT-T-Factory-Unlocked-FRB/381277298197

 

[Red Storm]

If you consider water resistance an important feature, few phones match the feature spec of the S5.

 

[gmaster456]

Galaxy S5 Refurb: $230

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Samsung-Gal...os=1&clkid=8272994437790352508&_qi=RTM2144662

 

[ericlp]

If the camera with OIS and screen resolution isn't important to you, than get whatever phone you like. If they are, you can't beat an S6.

 

[shady28]

Hi all,

I am buying a phone for a birthday gift. I need an UNLOCKED and I repeat UNLOCKED phone for less than $450.00 USD.

I am thinking of the Samsung S5 because it is well known brand.

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_n...eld-keywords=Samsung+Galaxy+S5+G900H+Unlocked

As you can see the prices range from $400 to $450 USD.

As of today, does a BETTER unlocked phone exist for that money and samsung s5 specs? Something cheaper maybe?

You can order an unlocked brand new Moto X 2014 model from Motorola with custom colors for $299 direct from Motorola. The specs are very similar to the S5, and Moto doesn't skin their Android so it's pretty close to pure Android. They have some neat always on voice recognition that works with google now, plus active alerts on the display, which is about all they add to stock Android (they have some special hardware to support those features).

In a couple of weeks you'll be able to order the new Moto X style - a bigger phone with 5.7" display and the faster Snapdragon 808 - direct from Motorola for $399.

These are both high end phones spec-wise, for midrange prices.

 

[Remobz]

Thanks for all the replies. The person I am getting this for is very picky and particular. They know the Samsung brand and want me to get that type of phone.

Looks like I have to bite the bullet on this one. Water resistant is really important as well since the person works on a dive boat.

Personally, I have MOTO G and I love it. Motorola all the way for me

I found a link on Amazon but it says Korean Samsung 5 for some reason?

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SM-G9...s=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin:11611153011

 

[shady28]

Thanks for all the replies. The person I am getting this for is very picky and particular. They know the Samsung brand and want me to get that type of phone.

Looks like I have to bite the bullet on this one. Water resistant is really important as well since the person works on a dive boat.

Personally, I have MOTO G and I love it. Motorola all the way for me

I found a link on Amazon but it says Korean Samsung 5 for some reason?

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SM-G9...s=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin:11611153011

If it must be an S5 / Samsung, you can order them new from Newegg for $399.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...y9r81uOqroH6vShB-vWXVRoCo0_w_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Liga]

Galaxy s6

 

[SAWYER]

lol@spending that much on an S5 when you can get an S6 for not much more

 

[Chocu1a]

Thanks for all the replies. The person I am getting this for is very picky and particular. They know the Samsung brand and want me to get that type of phone.

Looks like I have to bite the bullet on this one. Water resistant is really important as well since the person works on a dive boat.

Personally, I have MOTO G and I love it. Motorola all the way for me

I found a link on Amazon but it says Korean Samsung 5 for some reason?

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-SM-G9...s=p_n_feature_keywords_browse-bin:11611153011

Sigh...reminds me of the days of "apple is the best". Marketing DOES really work. Not the best quality or experience, but commercials and brand recognition say it is. smh....

 

[Remobz]

Sigh...reminds me of the days of "apple is the best". Marketing DOES really work. Not the best quality or experience, but commercials and brand recognition say it is. smh....

Tell me about it. You know what pisses me off? This is for an older woman in her 40's who is NOT one of those tech savy people. She had a Samsung Ace 2 for 4 years and the only reason she needs a new phone is because her grandchild threw it on the ground and possibly damaged something in the process.

A cheaper Motorola phone would of been perfect in my opinion considering her needs. She does not game, watch movies or anything that is RAM intensive. Mostly she just texts, phone calls and minor web surfing. The S5 is serious overkill in my opinion but her daughter and sister has one and they rave about it all the time.

For the guy in this thread that said why not pay more for the S6? Why the hell would I pay more money for something that is even MORE of an overkill phone than the S5 already is. Unless, he wants to give me the money difference then sure I will buy the S6

I have to bite the bullet on this one and I am spending way too much money as is for an over hyped phone.