Looking for a phone replacement

[OSULugan]

My wife's Galaxy S3 has some weird dots showing on all pictures it takes, plus the battery life isn't what it used to be.

We have T-Mobile, so no contract renewal period, etc.

I'm trying to find a decent replacement for her without spending a lot of money. She's iffy on the LG G2 because of the back-button placement. She doesn't need all of the bells and whistles of the current generation (i.e., not worth spending $600+ on a Galaxy S5 or S6). She primarily uses the phone for web-surfing, facebook and for the camera to take pictures of our 6 month and 4 year olds (needs to have the capability to take pictures of fast movers clearly)

I've looked at the Nokia Lumia 1020, but I'm not sure she's wild on a switch from Android to Windows phone, even though it has the best camera option. Any recommendations on a phone that is reasonably priced (~$300 or less) and meets the above criteria for T-Mobile usage?

 

[ImDonly1]

The G2 for $200 (eBay refurbished or $250 direct from t-mobile).
You don't even need the power button since the G2 has double tap the screen to wake feature.

If buying used then S5 or HTC One M8.

 

[poofyhairguy]

Good fast camera, modern phone and for $300 or less? That is the G2's wheelhouse. Sucks she doesn't like it.

I recommend against a M8. The camera is rough. To me it's G2 or up the budget to a swappa S5. Or maybe a swappa iPhone 5s honestly. Great phone and camera.

 

[Harry_Wild]

I would go for pre-owned 32GB iPhone 5C! It polycarbonate so it can take more punishment; comes in a variety of colors and is fashionable. Camera is good, small size - 4" but does the job. Has the "best" apps of any mobile platform. Can get support by making an appointment and going to your local Apple Store at your convenience.

Otherwise; if you want to stick with Android - Motorola has several new models that are under $200 that would work too! A 5" Moto G is an example.

http://www.motorola.com/us/smartphones/moto-g-2nd-gen/moto-g-2nd-gen.html

 

[Yuriman]

If she doesn't want something as big, a Moto X isn't a bad choice. The camera isn't as good as the G2's overall but the low light performance is better than average and it's fast.

EDIT: Here are some sample pics I threw together. Some are at night, others are in dark rooms, and some are best-case brightly lit landscapes. The landscapes I made slight tweaks on using picasa (I don't have the unedited versions anymore) while the others are unmodified.

http://imgur.com/a/ZXQQa

 

[Artdeco]

Good fast camera, modern phone and for $300 or less? That is the G2's wheelhouse. Sucks she doesn't like it.

I recommend against a M8. The camera is rough. To me it's G2 or up the budget to a swappa S5. Or maybe a swappa iPhone 5s honestly. Great phone and camera.

I second looking around of swappa for something used.

 

[soulcougher73]

If she doesn't want something as big, a Moto X isn't a bad choice. The camera isn't as good as the G2's overall but the low light performance is better than average and it's fast.

EDIT: Here are some sample pics I threw together. Some are at night, others are in dark rooms, and some are best-case brightly lit landscapes. The landscapes I made slight tweaks on using picasa (I don't have the unedited versions anymore) while the others are unmodified.

http://imgur.com/a/ZXQQa

That is one hell of a zoom on that moon shot for a cell phone camera That a 2014 X or 2013 X? I have the 13 and overall id say the camera sucks lol

 

[Yuriman]

2013 Moto X, and I stuck it up to a small (2.5") refractor for the moon shot.

I notice some color artifacts from time to time, but overall I'm not unhappy with the pictures mine takes.

 

[IamDavid]

1020 is a great phone but slow camera. Look at the Nokia 1520. I was blown away when making the switch. Can't move away from now. Picked up a flawless white 1520 off eBay for $225.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Alcatel idol 3

 

[poofyhairguy]

Alcatel idol 3

Good option.

 

[alexeus]

You could try Sony Xperia Z1, it goes for around 300$ and it has an awesome camera.

 

[Crono]

1020 is a great phone but slow camera. Look at the Nokia 1520. I was blown away when making the switch. Can't move away from now. Picked up a flawless white 1520 off eBay for $225.

I'll second the 1520 recommendation.

The G2 is good otherwise. And the M8 doesn't have a bad camera, but you have to know it's strengths and weaknesses: it's fantastic for macro shots and pretty good for low light (indoors) but not great versus the competition for anything at distance or requiring cropping in bright light. The G2 is better overall and more balanced, though. The M8 is excellent in all other regards (battery life, display, speakers, headphone amp, speed, features like the remote, etc).

 

[OSULugan]

Wow, thank you all for the recommendations. I hadn't even looked at the Alcatel or Sony options. I also figured with all the hype/advertising for the Nokia 1020 about it's camera, that it would be a clear winner in that department, but it's good to hear some feedback on it.

T-Mobile has the Z1S on-hand, which looks to be a newer version of it?

I'm skeptical of the M8 and the "Ultrapixel technology". I've seen one up-close and it seemed okay, but I wasn't really evaluating it for its camera at the time (more for a possible replacement for my own aging S III).

 

[sweenish]

Alcatel Idol 3 with a Snapdragon 615 driving a 1080p screen is not a fantastic solution.

As reviews have stated, it chugs. They are willing to forgive it because it's cheap.

 

[isekii]

chugs during installation of apps and such overall the review on the Alcatel is positive.

 

[RossMAN]

I wish I had known the Alcatel Idol 3 was available for pre-order @ $199.

 

[gregulator]

Another vote for used 2013 MotoX. I got one for $90 and love it. I too mostly use it for web email and camera. The stock camera is OK, fast to load with the shake to open. But you get better images with the Google camera so you have two options. I used a Note 2, Nokia 925 and iPhone 5 before and have enjoyed this phone the most.