Nokia 3/5/6 - or help me choose an Android Phone

[TedLasso]

Hi Guys,

Been a long time iPhone User since the iPhone 3G days. My current driver, a 128GB iPhone 6 plus has died and I need to buy a new phone. I am tired of dealing with iStore and hence no longer want to support them directly or indirectly.

So I want to try an Android Phone this time - after being swayed by the S8 but which I can't afford due to other commitments

As a side note, even though I have been in the Apple ecosystem for many years (tablets, laptops) - I conciously never used their locked in solutions and always used device independent services such as OneDrive/DropBox, Deezer, Office365, Google Photos,etc - so my switch to Android should be relatively painless except for missing iMessage. Whatsapp will do fine regardless.


Things that concern me wrt to Android:-
1) Security of devices/OS
2) Timely updates of OS - must not be dictated by Mobile Operator

What I need in my phone (in addition to the above)
3) Camera quality (not the Selfie side!)
4) Min 64Gb on board storage.
6) Dual sim would be a nice to have.

Budget: R4.5K Max - no contract - prefer to buy phones outright

Doing research I see Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 are in the country and are competitively priced even if they are not the greatest spec wise wrt processor. Nokia delivering phones with a pure Android experience means I can be assured of a close to Nexus/Pixel experience from OS side with local hardware support should something happen. Updates should be regular too.

I am veering towards the Nokia 6 as it seems to tick all the bells for my current needs but I am unsure I can do better?

What are your opinions on the Nokia 6 or can you recommend another better device that could hopefully meet most or all of my needs?

Thx
IL

 

[Tsepz_GP]

This is one of the better phones I can think of for that price, Xiaomi Note 4:
http://m.bidorbuy.co.za/item/285324...CR3NSEVAxaXtM3oq_Q8r0lS5bgvHcT6YaAmzcEALw_wcB

It has 32GB internal but takes MicroSD cards, so you can get it and then with the money left over get yourself a 128GB, 200GB or 256GB MicroSD card.

 

[CamiKaze]

Xiaomi Mi5 S Plus

 

[Tsepz_GP]

Xiaomi Mi5 S Plus

Yep, they have a great deal on them here:
http://m.geekbuying.com/item/Xiaomi...FkB6pFyTOemRU28n_6FAKklRYYK7ha0UaAmMKEALw_wcB

No MicroSD slot, but it has 64GB internal if that's enough for you OP.

 

[ash17]

I would say Nokia 6 is your best bet right now and from the reviews I've read its pretty awesome.
Only downfall is the processor but that should not be a problem really.
Then there's the security updates you'll receive as google release them.

 

[TedLasso]

Yep, they have a great deal on them here:
http://m.geekbuying.com/item/Xiaomi...FkB6pFyTOemRU28n_6FAKklRYYK7ha0UaAmMKEALw_wcB

No MicroSD slot, but it has 64GB internal if that's enough for you OP.

Can you confirm if these phones already have the latest Android version available to them? Some reviews seem to say they still on Android 6. While I was into Jailbreaking iPhones in my youth, I am not keen to sideload firmware myself as I think that's where the android holes start appearing from.

That Xiaomi phones and the OnePlus phones look good. Specs appear to be good ... just the lack of updates that concern me!

 

[TedLasso]

I would say Nokia 6 is your best bet right now and from the reviews I've read its pretty awesome.
Only downfall is the processor but that should not be a problem really.
Then there's the security updates you'll receive as google release them.

So far, it appears to be so unless the other recommendations allow one to install a clean android OS and then just get OTA updates after that. My android knowledge = 3/10

 

[Dairyfarmer]

Doogee Mix 6/64Gb @R2845 delivered from Banggood.
Second SIM slot can be used for SD card
Dual Samsung rear cameras 1x16Mp RGB +1x8Mp Monochrome
5.5" bezel-less Samsung AMOLED screen (yes it's only 720p but fine for the size)
Android 7.0
Doogee have very good build quality

Not the highest spec phone but at less than R3K it is very good.

Look at needrom .com (The Mix is only officially shipping tomorrow so there won't be one for a while) to see how many custom roms are available. Also Doogee phones are relatively easy to root. My other Doogee phones get OTA updates very easily.

 

[WaxLyrical]

Grab that Nokia 6. Best bang for buck phone atm.

And we know Nokia don't make shyte cameras.

 

[WaxLyrical]

Yep, they have a great deal on them here:
http://m.geekbuying.com/item/Xiaomi...FkB6pFyTOemRU28n_6FAKklRYYK7ha0UaAmMKEALw_wcB

No MicroSD slot, but it has 64GB internal if that's enough for you OP.

Will far exceed the 3.5k budget of OP when it lands.

 

[TedLasso]

Doogee Mix 6/64Gb @R2845 delivered from Banggood.
Second SIM slot can be used for SD card
Dual Samsung rear cameras 1x16Mp RGB +1x8Mp Monochrome
5.5" bezel-less Samsung AMOLED screen (yes it's only 720p but fine for the size)
Android 7.0
Doogee have very good build quality

Not the highest spec phone but at less than R3K it is very good.

Look at needrom .com (The Mix is only officially shipping tomorrow so there won't be one for a while) to see how many custom roms are available. Also Doogee phones are relatively easy to root. My other Doogee phones get OTA updates very easily.

That's a good site.. thanks - will use for other things. Are they reputable?

As device security is important , I think I will stick to a Nokia in the absence of Pixel phones being generally available in South Africa.

 

[TedLasso]

Grab that Nokia 6. Best bang for buck phone atm.

And we know Nokia don't make shyte cameras.

Does anybody know where I can get a Nokia 6 - been to the big three mobile operators. They don't have them on display and don't know when they coming in .. ?

 

[Dairyfarmer]

Are they reputable?

Look at the comments for each ROM. This will give you an idea of how well they work or not.