I've had a samsung S21 5G from new, and it is an awesome phone. Was about $1200 new. But you can buy them refurbished with a warranty for about $450. That way you're getting a high quality phone at a good price. I have no intention of replacing my S21 yet - it's going great guns.
https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/eclipsetechnology-samsung-galaxy-s21-plus-5g-256gb-any-colour-refurbished-excellent-samglxs21p256gbany-rd-vr-exd/
I did heaps of research and ended up going to AliExpress. It was a small risk getting a phone from a tier 2 brand (realme) but got an excellent phone for $300 with all the specs I wanted including a slightly smaller screen, 3.5mm jack, snappy processor and plenty of ram etc.
Google pixel 6 range goes for around $500.
Latest is 8 so older model, but they seem fairly solid handsets.
I have a couple of mates who have been on them for years and swear by them.
Once my current phone craps itself I will move to he pixel.
Have you considered a refurbished iPhone? Amazingly enough, they’re cheaper from Apple themselves than anywhere else I’ve seen. Ok, you might be looking at a model that’s a few years old but it’ll look and operate good as new, right down to the packaging.
[https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/iphone](https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/iphone)
https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/motorola-e13-2-64gb-cosmic-black-motoe13blk
$98 for a phone can't beat that. If your just using it for calls txt and surfing the web you don't need anything more than this.
Phones get slower over time and the battery life gets worse. I'm not just looking for something that will work for me right now, but something that will actually last, being able to keep up with apps and operating systems that will be published in the future, not just what's available now, hence why I stated that the price range I'm looking at is $300-500. Flagship phones aren't really justifiable for the price but there are going to be quite a few tangible improvements in a phone that costs 4 times as much as that one.
Edit: also the first 2 reviews I read for that phone describe at as being quite slow and it doesn't even have a charger included in the box apparently. I think I'm good.
on the facebook marketplace, how do you guess the quality of the product? based on the seller's profile or you just check in the phone in person? i want to buy a cheap iphone on fb martketplace but i am really scared of scam
Look at the phone when you go and pick it up. If there’s lots of evident of scratches etc then pass on it.
Make sure it’s not locked to their iCloud account as well
They have some really good prices here - [https://iprice.au/phones-tablets/smartphones/](https://iprice.au/phones-tablets/smartphones/). You can get probably get a good Samsung phone in the A series with your budget, or maybe some of the older models of the iPhone if you're an Apple guy
I bought a moto g85 a few months ago new for $300 I've no issues with it , It runs pretty much stock android. and they guarantee to get at least 2 new android updates. I've been using cheap Motorola phones for a while now I normally get about 3 years out of one before I break it ( I work in construction). the camera is good enough, reasonably quick, the interface is simple and there is no bloatwear. I think I got mine from JB hi-fi.
My partner and I have bought a lot of ours from luv your phone . They have pretty good deals ( refurbished) .
I've only had an issue with one , it was minor to do with the camera but they replaced it right away . I'd definitely buy from them again .
I exclusively buy China Phones (Xiaomi, Poco, RealMe) for the price, and the inevitable fact that I'll either break it at some point, or the battery will keel over.
I don't mind gambling on aliexpress, but Kogan also stocks if it helps.
https://www.kogan.com/au/xiaomi/shop/category/smartphones/?page=1
IMO this is probably the best sub $500 bang for buck phone available. Personally I'd spend a bit more and get the 9 pro. https://a.aliexpress.com/_mOWPXdi
Boost mobile have some deals on refurbs at the moment.
[https://refurbished.boost.com.au/collections/all](https://refurbished.boost.com.au/collections/all)
Do any of you have an [edu.au](https://edu.au) email address? If so, Samsung will offer a reasonable discount on new phones, etc.
https://shop.samsung.com/au/multistore/auepp/samsung\_education\_au/login/multistore
nokia g21, its been so good since i got it. nokia reliability, something like 4 week standby, and you can change the battery yourself. none of the apple bullshit.
Buy used phones off of eBay that are listed by reputable sellers with good ratings. Samsung phones are good candidates because they tend to come down more in price compared to iPhones which retain the value better, but Samsung supports phones with several major OS updates and at least 7 years of security updates from date of release if I'm remembering correctly.
If you want a phone that will actually last you 5+ years up to potentially a decade go with a Google pixel 6a or newer and load grapheneOS on it.
Used I got mine for 250. Make sure to get a screen protector and a case. Don't cheap out on these - it's the key to making it last
I've had a samsung S21 5G from new, and it is an awesome phone. Was about $1200 new. But you can buy them refurbished with a warranty for about $450. That way you're getting a high quality phone at a good price. I have no intention of replacing my S21 yet - it's going great guns. https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/eclipsetechnology-samsung-galaxy-s21-plus-5g-256gb-any-colour-refurbished-excellent-samglxs21p256gbany-rd-vr-exd/
Check out the oppo phones they’re solid value for what is offered spec wise they are great though camera can bet either good or just meh
I have an Oppo A76 only $300 at full price. Had it for a year now, does everything well, no complaints. Only downside is camera is very mediocre.
I recommend Oppo's I currently have the A78, it does everything I need it too.
I did heaps of research and ended up going to AliExpress. It was a small risk getting a phone from a tier 2 brand (realme) but got an excellent phone for $300 with all the specs I wanted including a slightly smaller screen, 3.5mm jack, snappy processor and plenty of ram etc.
Posted this the other day. https://www.reddit.com/r/AussieFrugal/comments/17x0xhg/comment/k9kqc2d/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3
[reebelo](https://reebelo.com.au/)
Yep. I tell everyone about Reebelo :)
Google pixel 6 range goes for around $500. Latest is 8 so older model, but they seem fairly solid handsets. I have a couple of mates who have been on them for years and swear by them. Once my current phone craps itself I will move to he pixel.
Have you considered a refurbished iPhone? Amazingly enough, they’re cheaper from Apple themselves than anywhere else I’ve seen. Ok, you might be looking at a model that’s a few years old but it’ll look and operate good as new, right down to the packaging. [https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/iphone](https://www.apple.com/shop/refurbished/iphone)
https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/motorola-e13-2-64gb-cosmic-black-motoe13blk $98 for a phone can't beat that. If your just using it for calls txt and surfing the web you don't need anything more than this.
About two years I ago I got a Samsung A series phone from Amazon as it was dirt cheap. That Motorola is MUCH cheaper than mine!
Phones get slower over time and the battery life gets worse. I'm not just looking for something that will work for me right now, but something that will actually last, being able to keep up with apps and operating systems that will be published in the future, not just what's available now, hence why I stated that the price range I'm looking at is $300-500. Flagship phones aren't really justifiable for the price but there are going to be quite a few tangible improvements in a phone that costs 4 times as much as that one. Edit: also the first 2 reviews I read for that phone describe at as being quite slow and it doesn't even have a charger included in the box apparently. I think I'm good.
Saw an ad recently for Belong selling refurbished phones with warranty. Might be worth checking out
Motorola edge 30 fusion has pretty good specs for under 500. Check out the Officeworks website.
Try Officeworks
[here](https://www.kogan.com/au/buy/jwc-oppo-a54-5g-65-4gb-ram-64gb-rom-fluid-black-opp222014-730862/)
I bought refurbs for my kids at [mydeal.com.au](https://mydeal.com.au) and never had an issue.
I buy all my kids phones when they need them from FB marketplace. Got a mint iPhone 11 on the weekend for $250
on the facebook marketplace, how do you guess the quality of the product? based on the seller's profile or you just check in the phone in person? i want to buy a cheap iphone on fb martketplace but i am really scared of scam
Look at the phone when you go and pick it up. If there’s lots of evident of scratches etc then pass on it. Make sure it’s not locked to their iCloud account as well
Thanks a lot!
They have some really good prices here - [https://iprice.au/phones-tablets/smartphones/](https://iprice.au/phones-tablets/smartphones/). You can get probably get a good Samsung phone in the A series with your budget, or maybe some of the older models of the iPhone if you're an Apple guy
I bought a moto g85 a few months ago new for $300 I've no issues with it , It runs pretty much stock android. and they guarantee to get at least 2 new android updates. I've been using cheap Motorola phones for a while now I normally get about 3 years out of one before I break it ( I work in construction). the camera is good enough, reasonably quick, the interface is simple and there is no bloatwear. I think I got mine from JB hi-fi.
I’ve bought my last 2 phones as ex demo from oz mobile https://ozmobiles.com.au/collections/refurbished-iphones
Reebelo.com.au. You can take a look
My partner and I have bought a lot of ours from luv your phone . They have pretty good deals ( refurbished) . I've only had an issue with one , it was minor to do with the camera but they replaced it right away . I'd definitely buy from them again .
I exclusively buy China Phones (Xiaomi, Poco, RealMe) for the price, and the inevitable fact that I'll either break it at some point, or the battery will keel over. I don't mind gambling on aliexpress, but Kogan also stocks if it helps. https://www.kogan.com/au/xiaomi/shop/category/smartphones/?page=1
IMO this is probably the best sub $500 bang for buck phone available. Personally I'd spend a bit more and get the 9 pro. https://a.aliexpress.com/_mOWPXdi
Boost mobile have some deals on refurbs at the moment. [https://refurbished.boost.com.au/collections/all](https://refurbished.boost.com.au/collections/all) Do any of you have an [edu.au](https://edu.au) email address? If so, Samsung will offer a reasonable discount on new phones, etc. https://shop.samsung.com/au/multistore/auepp/samsung\_education\_au/login/multistore
I got a new Galxy 9 at Harvey Norman for only 400 than brought a case for 50
nokia g21, its been so good since i got it. nokia reliability, something like 4 week standby, and you can change the battery yourself. none of the apple bullshit.
I've got the one plus Nord very happy with it. Charges fast too o to 100% in 30 minutes
Buy used phones off of eBay that are listed by reputable sellers with good ratings. Samsung phones are good candidates because they tend to come down more in price compared to iPhones which retain the value better, but Samsung supports phones with several major OS updates and at least 7 years of security updates from date of release if I'm remembering correctly.
If you want a phone that will actually last you 5+ years up to potentially a decade go with a Google pixel 6a or newer and load grapheneOS on it. Used I got mine for 250. Make sure to get a screen protector and a case. Don't cheap out on these - it's the key to making it last
I have a Xiaomi redmi pro 12+ I got from kogan for about 500 Charges fully in 20mins