[Question] Which Phone Should I Buy?

[JoshMcMadMac]

I found this forum recently after getting my wife a new phone. This place has really opened up a lot of options! Now I have the itch to get a new one, and would like some input and advice.

• I want to keep it under $300, preferably around $200.
  
• I am on AT&T, so I believe 850MHz and 1900MHz are my frequencies. It would be really nice to have LTE, although I know that limits my options quite a bit.
  
• I want to stay 5.5" and under. I would prefer 4.5"-5", but some of the 5.5" offerings are really tempting. I am not hooked on ppi, so long as the resolution is decent. Gorilla glass is definitely a plus.
  
• I do not need tons of performance, but would like something capable and able to stay competitive for at least a year. I think this puts me at 1GB RAM minimum, preferably 2+. I am not picky about dual/quad/octa cores as long as it is reasonably quick.
  
• I appreciate being able to add a microSD card and have a removable battery, but it is not a deal breaker.
  
• I need a decent camera!
  
• I would also really like something that has at least a little developer support. Any of my phones so far have had a good following, with most ending up on CyanogenMod. I know that is not a reasonable expectation for Chinese phones, but at least having a presence on XDA, a custom ROM/recovery or two, and root is a huge plus for me.
  
• I like having a good fit/finish quality, and metal is a plus for me as opposed to plastic.
  

I have come across quite a few options. I would like feedback on what I have, along with any other ideas.

• Xiaomi Mi3
  
• KingZone K1 Turbo
  
• iNew V8
  
• THL T11
  
• Doogee DG550
  
• Clones? Like the Orient Deal S5.
  

[scrivz69]

Have a look at reviews mate, that is probably the best way to make your mind up, so many choices it is mental, keep away from clones as they are pretty bad, so stick with the ones you have listed, I have a xiaomi redmi note as well as a iNew V3 and a Doogee 2014 Turbo which I won, they are all good, the xiaomi is my daily driver and I love it to bits.

[GizBeat]

As already mentioned, stay away from clones. For some reason, manufacturers refuse to make a decent one. I just reviewed the NO.1 S7 and tested the goophone s5. They are impossible to recommend given the other options out there.

I think the Xiaomi mi3 is your best bet, but most expensive.

THL T11 had issues with deep sleep when using ROMs other than stock, but I had one of the first units released... This may have been fixed. Physically it is super solid and has a metal chassis.

The iNew V8 is a great choice as well if okay with all plastic. Official 4.4 is available and the phone will likely have a solid following.

[JoshMcMadMac]

As already mentioned, stay away from clones. For some reason, manufacturers refuse to make a decent one. I just reviewed the NO.1 S7 and tested the goophone s5. They are impossible to recommend given the other options out there.

I think the Xiaomi mi3 is your best bet, but most expensive.

THL T11 had issues with deep sleep when using ROMs other than stock, but I had one of the first units released... This may have been fixed. Physically it is super solid and has a metal chassis.

The iNew V8 is a great choice as well if okay with all plastic. Official 4.4 is available and the phone will likely have a solid following.

Thanks for the input, I will stay away from clones. I have seen a lot of your reviews, and my wife has a DG800 partially because of it.

I have also come across the Huawei Honor 3C, which should give me LTE. Any thoughts? Do any of these offerings have an ambient light sensor?

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The iNew V8 is a great choice as well if okay with all plastic. Official 4.4 is available and the phone will likely have a solid following.

At this point I am pretty much torn between the iNew V8 and the Doogee DG550. The DG550 is about $40 less, but does not seem to lack anything I would want. I know the iNew V8 has 2GB of RAM vs the DG550 1GB, and the camera is probably a touch better. Having reviewed both, do you feel strongly about the iNew V8 being the better phone? If so, why? Thanks again for all your help.

[WuddaWaste]

The DG550 lacks 1900 MHz. For an extra $40, I'd get the 2GB + 1900 MHz HANDS DOWN if I were given the option.

In my opinion, in regards to your preference above I'd look primarily at the iNew V8 vs THL T11. The T11 is closer to the size you want, has a lot of ROMS already, and has 2GB of RAM.

(That said, I think I have a DG550 coming for me in the mail. So my point is moot. Haha.)

In all seriousness, you've done your research and picked some amazing bang-for-the-buck phones. I'm really happy you found the site and hope you stick around in the community.

Quick Summary (ranked in order of preference if it were me):
1. iNew V8: 5.5", 6-Core, 2GB, 1900 MHz, KitKat
2. THL T11: 5.0", 8-Core, 2GB, 1900 MHz, JB (but with several ROMs out on NEEDROM), potential for bugs tho.
3. DG550: 5.5", 8-Core, 1GB, no 1900 MHz, KitKat

(Let it be known that I'm on T-Mobile USA, so 1900MHz makes a huge difference for me whereas it may be a smaller difference for you.)

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I have edited the above post like 5 times since writing it. My ability to just stick with a decision is hard without backing/convoluting it with more and more and more and more data. Short answer, though, is that I'd go with the V8.

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BLAAARGGH. Super Summary.
- You already had it narrowed down to the Doogee or iNew.
- Both are really awesome choices.
- The major difference is "1900 MHz and RAM" vs $40.

If the extra data speed and memory is worth $40 to you, go with the iNew.
Otherwise, pocket the extra skrilla and go with the Doogee.
Either way, you win!

[JoshMcMadMac]

The DG550 lacks 1900 MHz. For an extra $40, I'd get the 2GB + 1900 MHz HANDS DOWN if I were given the option.

In my opinion, in regards to your preference above I'd look primarily at the iNew V8 vs THL T11. The T11 is closer to the size you want, has a lot of ROMS already, and has 2GB of RAM.

Great input, thanks so much. I cannot remember why the T11 slipped off of my list...perhaps mediocre camera reviews and deep sleep concerns? It definitely seems like a great option, so I am putting it back in contention.

So now I have the THL T11 that looks to be ~$220, the iNew V8 ~$195, and the Doogee DG550 ~$150. The T11 definitely looks to have the ROM support out there which is great, along with a 5" screen...but I am having a hard time going for it over the iNew V8! Then throw in the mix the substantially less costly DG550 that is a strong compromise of features and it is a tough decision. That said, am I missing any other viable options?

[GizBeat]

Don't worry about 1GB vs 2GB and don't let ROM selection be any sort of factor. iNew V8 is only a couple of weeks on the market and should have plenty of custom ROMs coming. I normally stick with stock ROMs anyways unless there is some substantial fix (which is very rare).

It's unlikely the Honor 3C will have LTE for Americas, so nix that as a factor as well.

If you know you can use 850 for 3G or if you won't be using SIM data for anything other than chat and email, go with the DG550. It is $150 at Gearbest now.

Otherwise, If you will be using SIM data for more and/or require 1900, then it's between THL T11, iNew V8 and the Mi3. The Mi3 has greater brand recognition, but lacks expandable storage, is only single-SIM and substantially more pricy, but these negatives may not concern you. This is a really tough choice and I can't call it.

All this being said, I just opened my 2nd iNew V8 and it was no less great than the first time opening it. It hasn't withstood the test of time yet though like the THL T11 has build wise. One reason I initially said THL T11 was because you said you liked solid, metal and preferred 5.0". The iNew V8 is a fairly hulking piece of plastic, but excellent design that still leaves it looking great and will turn heads.

[JoshMcMadMac]

Don't worry about 1GB vs 2GB and don't let ROM selection be any sort of factor. iNew V8 is only a couple of weeks on the market and should have plenty of custom ROMs coming. I normally stick with stock ROMs anyways unless there is some substantial fix (which is very rare).

It's unlikely the Honor 3C will have LTE for Americas, so nix that as a factor as well.

If you know you can use 850 for 3G or if you won't be using SIM data for anything other than chat and email, go with the DG550. It is $150 at Gearbest now.

Otherwise, If you will be using SIM data for more and/or require 1900, then it's between THL T11, iNew V8 and the Mi3. The Mi3 has greater brand recognition, but lacks expandable storage, is only single-SIM and substantially more pricy, but these negatives may not concern you. This is a really tough choice and I can't call it.

All this being said, I just opened my 2nd iNew V8 and it was no less great than the first time opening it. It hasn't withstood the test of time yet though like the THL T11 has build wise. One reason I initially said THL T11 was because you said you liked solid and metal. The iNew V8 is a fairly hulking piece of plastic, but excellent design that still leaves it looking great.

All excellent points. I will probably go with the T11 this afternoon...I might ask for your help making sure it gets going quickly from Gear Best. The Mi3 is nice, but I do not know that I would get any more out of it than the less expensive options. The iNew V8 is awesome, I am just not sure I am willing to go to 5.5" yet. Honestly I was happy with the size of my iPhone 5, and since there is a good option at 5" it is definitely pulling my vote. I do like the black/metal finish of the T11 a bit better, and they both seem to be about the same thickness. You are right about the iNew V8 though; if I was not worried about the size I would have already ordered it.

[GizBeat]

Yea, if you're looking for compact, the V8 is not the way to go.

For THL T11, use 'chinaphonearena' shaves $6 off. Post your order # here after ordering or email [email protected] and I'll do my best to make sure it's processed at the head of the queue.

[JoshMcMadMac]

Well, a slight shift in plans. I figure best case the 3G is not an issue around here on AT&T and I like the 5.5". Worst case I do not like the phone and I flip it back on eBay, and then I will know if I would want the larger iNew V8 or the smaller THL T11 without gambling with the ~$200 on either.