Which phone to get/buy?

[GlassMirror]

Hi everyone, I'm hopping on the forum for some advice.

I'm currently shopping for a phone in the upper midrange to entry-level flagship territory to replace my ageing Huawei P8 Lite 2017. I'm looking at keeping my new phone for about
4-5 years as I generally upgrade to a generation behind the current generation.
My current shortlist is below:

1. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 128GB - Sort of torn between this and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, however, I can't ignore the value proposition of Xiaomi.
2. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE - The deal from Vodacom included the Buds Live and Samsung's guarantee of security updates for 5 years makes it a standout.
3. SAMSUNG Galaxy A53 - A favourite so far of all the Youtube reviews I've watched so far, especially when comparing it to the S21 FE.
4. Nothing Phone 1 256GB - Now the main reason I love this phone is the design and that it is something different the co-founder of OnePlus founded the company and they're going about their launch similarly to how OnePlus launched.

So that's my list and I'm really torn between these devices, my main concerns are device durability, regular OS and Security Updates and battery life.

Thanks, guys.

EDIT: I got the S21 FE

 

[Gravedigger]

Hi everyone, I'm hopping on the forum for some advice.

I'm currently shopping for a phone in the upper midrange to entry-level flagship territory to replace my ageing Huawei P8 Lite 2017. I'm looking at keeping my new phone for about
4-5 years as I generally upgrade to a generation behind the current generation.
My current shortlist is below:

1. Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Pro 128GB - Sort of torn between this and the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE, however, I can't ignore the value proposition of Xiaomi.
2. Samsung Galaxy S21 FE - The deal from Vodacom included the Buds Live and Samsung's guarantee of security updates for 5 years makes it a standout.
3. SAMSUNG Galaxy A53 - A favourite so far of all the Youtube reviews I've watched so far, especially when comparing it to the S21 FE.
4. Nothing Phone 1 256GB - Now the main reason I love this phone is the design and that it is something different the co-founder of OnePlus founded the company and they're going about their launch similarly to how OnePlus launched.

So that's my list and I'm really torn between these devices, my main concerns are device durability, regular OS and Security Updates and battery life.

Thanks, guys.

I seriously eyed the Nothing Phone 1, but I guess the hype and price was a bit overwhelming.

Plus, the camera quality is a bit bad, compared to the iPhone and Pixel phone, the design is cool with the 'glyphs' and everything, but since there's no support for the phone or parts yet in SA, should something break, you'll end up with a brick.
If you are in a little of a pinch, best to keep with Samsung. The A53 doesn't look half too bad, though.

 

[Herr der Verboten]

Nokia 3310.

 

[GlassMirror]

I seriously eyed the Nothing Phone 1, but I guess the hype and price was a bit overwhelming.

Plus, the camera quality is a bit bad, compared to the iPhone and Pixel phone, the design is cool with the 'glyphs' and everything, but since there's no support for the phone or parts yet in SA, should something break, you'll end up with a brick.
If you are in a little of a pinch, best to keep with Samsung. The A53 doesn't look half too bad, though.

Yeah that was my main concern about the Nothing Phone, should something go wrong with it, I would be in for quite a long wait time for repairs. Really cool design though

 

[Leisure Larry]

No matter how sweet the deal is from Vodacom, if that device ain't dual SIM unlocked, don't take it

You need dual SIM with all this load shedding and battery stealing nonsense.

 

[Van87]

All good options,

To be safe, I’d say A53,

I wouldn’t do the S21fe, it’s an ‘in the middle’ phone …

Xiaomi is solid, but I would also reccomend
From Takealot Poco M4 or X4 pro

 

[Keanu Leeves]

All good options,

To be safe, I’d say A53,

I wouldn’t do the S21fe, it’s an ‘in the middle’ phone …

Xiaomi is solid, but I would also reccomend
From Takealot Poco M4 or X4 pro

S21 fe runs circles around the a53, flagship cpu/gpu/more ram/ way better cameras

 

[Herr der Verboten]

All good options,

To be safe, I’d say A53,

I wouldn’t do the S21fe, it’s an ‘in the middle’ phone …

Xiaomi is solid, but I would also reccomend
From Takealot Poco M4 or X4 pro

Perhaps but the A52 5G is better if you want the 3.5mm jack.

 

[veggie_mane]

I have the S21 FE. The one big issue with it is locally we get the 6GB RAM model which I feel holds it back. It can get a bit slow at times. Otherwise I'm enjoying it. I don't think I can strongly recommend it though.

 

[GlassMirror]

No matter how sweet the deal is from Vodacom, if that device ain't dual SIM unlocked, don't take it

You need dual SIM with all this load shedding and battery stealing nonsense.

THIS! My main concern with Vodacom devices is and will always be that they seem to be locking their devices down to their network which is a bit kark considering I have a rain sim for data purposes

All good options,

To be safe, I’d say A53,

I wouldn’t do the S21fe, it’s an ‘in the middle’ phone …

Xiaomi is solid, but I would also reccomend
From Takealot Poco M4 or X4 pro

But does the S21fe not have a flagship chipset in comparison to the A53 as per @Keanu Leeves, however, if I am going to get a midrange device I'd save the extra bucks per month and get the A53

S21 fe runs circles around the a53, flagship cpu/gpu/more ram/ way better cameras

I have the S21 FE. The one big issue with it is locally we get the 6GB RAM model which I feel holds it back. It can get a bit slow at times. Otherwise I'm enjoying it. I don't think I can strongly recommend it though.

And that's the problem with the S21fe, it has the flagship chipset and better cameras, but most people feel like it is too much of an 'in the middle phone and most people that have felt the same way you feel about it

 

[soulie]

i got the note 11 pro last week .WoW .for the price .so far so good .im not a techno junkie but this thing has more settings than an all in one remote control.

 

[Mal79]

THIS! My main concern with Vodacom devices is and will always be that they seem to be locking their devices down to their network which is a bit kark considering I have a rain sim for data purposes

I agree. MTN also network lock devices which is k@k.
If you can afford it, buy a new dual sim, unlocked phone from Takealot.

 

[soulie]

I agree. MTN also network lock devices which is k@k.
If you can afford it, buy a new dual sim, unlocked phone from Takealot.

some of the phones only get sim 1 locked to voice and sim 2 is open to any data card but not voice .

 

[Nemus]

Samsung A53.
Lots of support, repairs are easy, covers and accessories available on every corner and generally great working phone.

 

[Mal79]

Samsung A53.
Lots of support, repairs are easy, covers and accessories available on every corner and generally great working phone.

Sadly, the Galaxy A53 does not have an adapter in the retail box. There’s only a SIM ejector pin and a USB-C to USB-C cable.

 

[Nemus]

Sadly, the Galaxy A53 does not have an adapter in the retail box. There’s only a SIM ejector pin and a USB-C to USB-C cable.

Same issue with iPhone 13 and watch series 7. Spent couple hundred on a type-c adapter that works for both. Also works for the A53, and dual output type c helps.

Although, I mostly charge my phone from my mbp or laptop…

 

[RiaX]

I would say the cheaper Samsung. Depends on what type of person you are. I personally don't give AF about what phone I have I only change it when it breaks

So I go cheapest or functional. Atm I'm using a z flip 3 I picked it because it fits nicely in my pocket before the flip I had a S6 edge.

If it takes decent pictures can access the internet and play YouTube and doesn't feel like i put a laptop in my pocket I'm good

 

[Crowley]

I agree. MTN also network lock devices which is k@k.
If you can afford it, buy a new dual sim, unlocked phone from Takealot.

I've had the S21 Ultra 5G, the S22 Ultra and now the Fold 4 with MTN. None of the sim slots were locked.

 

[Mal79]

I've had the S21 Ultra 5G, the S22 Ultra and now the Fold 4 with MTN. None of the sim slots were locked.

I did not know - the last time I upgraded at MTN was like 2018.

 

[GlassMirror]

Samsung A53.
Lots of support, repairs are easy, covers and accessories available on every corner and generally great working phone.

Sadly, the Galaxy A53 does not have an adapter in the retail box. There’s only a SIM ejector pin and a USB-C to USB-C cable.

I was leaning heavily towards the A53 but yup, as mentioned you only get the phone, ejector pin and a USB-C cable. No charging adaptor, no pre-applied screen protector. The Xiaomi and Nothing Phone offers this.

Same issue with iPhone 13 and watch series 7. Spent couple hundred on a type-c adapter that works for both. Also works for the A53, and dual output type c helps.

Although, I mostly charge my phone from my mbp or laptop…

It makes sense to get a fast charge adaptor , if you have other Type-C devices but, it's probably going to set me back between R1000-R1500 to get an adaptor and a screen protector plus a good quality case

I would say the cheaper Samsung. Depends on what type of person you are. I personally don't give AF about what phone I have I only change it when it breaks

So I go cheapest or functional. Atm I'm using a z flip 3 I picked it because it fits nicely in my pocket before the flip I had a S6 edge.

If it takes decent pictures can access the internet and play YouTube and doesn't feel like i put a laptop in my pocket I'm good

The only concern for me with the cheaper Samsung would be the lack of wireless charging as my current buds charges wirelessly and I have a wireless charger, for now, it seems it's a toss-up between the A53 and Xiaomi Note 11 Pro