Please advise - Moto G vs. Mi 4 vs. Wileyfox vs. Infinitry KO vs. Nexus 5X vs Moto X

[bobbyb]

Hi there

I have just dropped my Zest T1 and cracked the screen (I know - not a good opening at all - I'm not proud , and this is undoubtedly a blessing) and need to get a new phone pronto.

I know that I am asking across at least two fairly different price levels and would prefer to spend less rather than more. So I mention Nexus 5X and Moto X. Please tell me if there are compelling reasons to consider or stick in a lower price range?

From what I have seen on reviews, the Moto G 3rd gen 2GB is a smoother running phone than the Xiaomi Mi 4, even though the latter is quite a beast on paper.

I have also seen that the Wileyfox and Hisense Infinity KO are around. for all of these phones, comments on reviews appear to have question marks on local support.

So as someone who doesn't play games and spends a fair amount of time on the various social media platforms, which phone makes most sense for user experience, reliability and value-for-money?

 

[ahoudet]

How long do you keep a phone for? I think the Moto G is a good option if you don't keep one forever - in the long run, a higher spec phone lasts longer of course

 

[bobbyb]

Thanks for that thought. I hadn't thought about that and it makes sense to me. I think it's an excellent point!

The Zest seems to have a life of about a year or less (at least 10 months). Ideally I would want a phone to last for at least 2 years. I'm not sure how long higher spec phones can go for (as far as power, battery, breakages, storage, changing needs)?

A friend that has a Moto G says it is good because it is fairly free of bloatware. How long would you expect it to reliably go for?

Do you have any ideas as well as suggestions on how long different things can expect to last for and which devices are great value in each of these phone lifetime bands?

 

[Ancalagon]

What sort of budget do you have?

Personally I think the gap between high end phones and low-end/mid range phones is smaller than it has ever been. Something like a Xiaomi Redmi 2 or Mi4 is really unbeatable value for money. I would personally never spend more than R3500 on a phone.

Will it last for 2 years? Depends on what last means to you. I'd rather buy a cheaper phone and be able to replace it earlier if I wanted to, than buy an expensive phone that I can't really afford to replace when I want.

Another thing to consider - I was a victim of theft last week, and my Xiaomi Mi4i is sadly gone. I didn't have phone insurance. Imagine if I had a Galaxy S7 or something! That would be a R14000 loss as opposed to a R3200 loss.

My home contents insurance may or may not cover the loss, but that isn't the point. The point is I could easily have just dropped the thing onto my tiled floor. It happens.

 

[bobbyb]

Thanks Ancalagon - it seems like we are on the same wavelength as far as price-range (and preferred budget) and reasons for it.
I can probably afford up to R5k but I would prefer to spend R3.5k or less.

I have really been thinking about the Moto G vs. the Mi 4. The Moto G appears to be a little bit cheaper and runs stock android. From these reviews, there doesn't seem to be that much between them. What are your thoughts?

http://www.gizbot.com/mobile/news/m...motorola-challenge-apple-of-china-027143.html
http://www.pc-tablet.co.in/motorola-moto-3rd-gen-xiaomi-mi-4i-specs-comparison/12677/
http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/fea...-xiaomi-mi-4i-which-one-should-you-buy-730555

 

[Ancalagon]

Where can you get a Moto G from?

Bear in mind that the first article you linked is comparing the Moto G to the Mi4i, not the Mi4.

The Mi4 is available for sale in South Africa whereas the Mi4i is not. The Mi4 is the higher end version - it has a metal body as well as a more powerful CPU, compared to the Mi4i.

Comparing the Mi4 to the Moto G, it looks like the Mi4 has much more CPU power, a better screen, and possibly better battery life.

Yes, the Moto G will be using a version of Android closer to stock. It will probably also get updated to the newest version of Android more often. While I had a Mi4i, Xiaomi did often upgrade the firmware though. The OS was pretty stable and I never really had many problems with it. I much preferred my Mi4i to my Galaxy S4.

Point being, Xiaomi's MIUI isn't the latest version of Android, but it is pretty good.

 

[bobbyb]

Thanks, I appreciate your clarification of Mi4 and your break-down of the OS comparison.

This is the only place to get a Moto G from http://store.orange.com/za/mobile-p...a-moto-g-3rd-gen-16gb-white-origin-eu-287918/

and there is a 9 day expected delay until stock arrives. So am unable to even order yet.

 

[backstreetboy]

Hi there

I have just dropped my Zest T1 and cracked the screen (I know - not a good opening at all - I'm not proud , and this is undoubtedly a blessing) and need to get a new phone pronto.

I know that I am asking across at least two fairly different price levels and would prefer to spend less rather than more. So I mention Nexus 5X and Moto X. Please tell me if there are compelling reasons to consider or stick in a lower price range?

From what I have seen on reviews, the Moto G 3rd gen 2GB is a smoother running phone than the Xiaomi Mi 4, even though the latter is quite a beast on paper.

I have also seen that the Wileyfox and Hisense Infinity KO are around. for all of these phones, comments on reviews appear to have question marks on local support.

So as someone who doesn't play games and spends a fair amount of time on the various social media platforms, which phone makes most sense for user experience, reliability and value-for-money?

Special at Incredible Connection until 8 May.

redmi 2 Pro. R1849
Redmi Note 2. R2699
Mi 4. R 3499.

All come with a Telkom data sim 200 mb x 12

Clearance for new models mabe?

Yes I know it expired but keep your eyes on www.guzzle.co.za. It'll be on special again most probably.

 

[bobbyb]

Thanks - much appreciation

 

[Icemanbrfc]

Have the Redmi Note 2. Value for money vs specs is pretty unbeatable as a combination.

 

[bobbyb]

Thanks Iceman, the Xiaomis, Moto G and Wileyfox all sound like great value. Difficult to know which one best. But for us consumers a great place to be

 

[AlphaJohn]

Moto G, well that is what I opted for.

Waterproof, Marshmellow & custom flip cover with Gorilla Glass. What more do you want. Also with Android 6 you can now format SD cards as system memory so you not limited to 8/16 gig of system space anymore. Personally have a 64 gig Class 10 in mine and can not be happier. Battery last on avrige 2-3 days and if my phone shows wear I can simply get a new flip cover so I recon its good for more than 2 years.

Other option is the Sony Xperia M range. Not as fast on the updates but has a stylish finish and also water resistant. 3rd party covers are ok but I had to replace my M2 cuase a machine at work ate mine. (Replaced it with the G3 Last year)

Can not comment on the others much but can reccoment the ones I know.

PS: Note that Motorola is about to release the G4 in the next month or 2. also See the XIAOMI REDMI NOTE 2 16GB at IC for R3000 as I hear its not a bad phone either.

 

[bobbyb]

Thanks so much AlphaJohn,

Moto G 3rd gen is where I am leaning towards. I wasn't aware of that SD card system memory formatting functionality with Android 6 and that is definitely an issue I've had with Kit-Kat that sways me even further. I'll also look into info around G4 launch as well as Xperia M. From your perspective on the Moto G (4), is the Orange Store the simplest viable option or are their other avenues to look into?

On Xiaomi, I was looking at the Mi4 rather the the Note 2 because it appears better made and I think would probably serve me longer. Any thoughts on that?

 

[Pooky]

MotoG looks SO nice.

Kinda regretting ordering the Nexus 5X when the MotoG is so much cheaper.

 

[bobbyb]

It looks like the G 4th gen is likely to cost upwards of R4k and specs look like there will be a G4 plus model that will have the necessary power. Orange Moto G 3rd gen stock on the 16GB white from Europe has just come in, if anyone is interested...