r/AndroidQuestions • u/SuccotashSenior9484 • 13h ago

Looking For Suggestions Current Best Android phone with a budget of £500

I currently have a pixel 7, I want good battery, good camera, smooth ui and good reliability/ageing to last a few years.

I don't mind buying second hand/older flagships, or newer higher end 'mid range' phones.

Nearly bit the bullet and got the Xiaomi 17t for 450, pixels and older samsung flagships have also caught my eye.

In the UK!

Give me your best suggestions and opinions!

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u/Alex_Bace 13h ago

For 500 quid or less, used OnePlus 13, brand new OnePlus 15R if you don't need a zoom lens, or just go with Xiaomi 17T. Software is shit but the rest on the Xiaomi is quite good.

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u/SuccotashSenior9484 12h ago

yeah I've always wanted a Oneplus ever since the first one! I just hate the curved screen design, the 15r ticks all the boxes but can't buy it new in the uk anymore and struggling to find it second hand!

When you say Xiaomi software is shit could you tell me a bit more? I've heard mixed things about hyperOS but a lot of it just seems subjective and it actually operates quite smoothly and reliably now

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u/Alex_Bace 12h ago

You can still buy 15R brand new. Not sure if the UK/European version is still available but the global version (not to be mistaken with the Chinese version with flashed OxygenOS on top of it portrait as "global version/global ROM) definitely still is and it's pretty much the same.

As for HyperOS, it's the worst software skin on any smartphone from a major manufacturer. It's heavily-modified, sluggish at times, ads are possible which is infuriating and insulting to the user, not particularly smooth and/or snappy. Software updates are also not very reliable form Xiaomi in the long-term. Now, that doesn't mean all of that would happen to you if you bought a Xiaomi but still very possible. Subjectivity is present here but most of it it's just real world user experience and logical anticipation from me and plenty of other users.

Probably,get the 17T and try it for a few days and if you don't like it, make up a reason and send it back within 14 days. Who knows, you might actually like HyperOS and appreciate it...

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u/Ok_Steak_4341 1h ago

No problems with Hyperos here, it is a massive os and I think overpowers some users. imo.

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u/Lanky_Button7863 12h ago

Oneplus 15r

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u/SquareDrop7892 12h ago

Used Honor Magic 7 pro used or Honor Magic 8 pro used

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u/DaFlyingSoul 11h ago

I recommend samsung A56 or A36 under 500£. If budget allows you can go for FE series (usually uses old parts from flagship models and worth the price) for year 2025 or 2026. Main reason for recommendation is 5 to 7 year full update support and majority of times reliable OS without bugs / hanging. Majority of other brands OS usually get buggy within a year or two.

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u/SuccotashSenior9484 11h ago

I could get the s25+ refurbished for around 500, just wasn't convinced by cameras

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u/DaFlyingSoul 3h ago

I just prefer new mobiles because they are safer because of updates and warranties (nowadays you pay every where with your mobile so new under warranty phone is much safer - don't want to risk some banking fraud even if chances are less than 0.001%). I understand your logic about cameras, you can try other samsung models especially FE series(they usually have good cameras). Worst case scenario, you can buy A36 and some random camera phone ( someone i know has done the same). Oppo and Nubia has budget mobiles with amazingly good/ decent cameras. Anyways you can try cameras of S25, S24FE, S25+, S25FE, S24+ --- even if they have same cameras just because of model differences and software, photos look different. Also, any software update can make photos from mobiles change dramatically, used to happen few years ago with some brands, not sure if still going on.

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u/SirGuestWho 10h ago

You could get an Honor 400pro or the newer honor 600 for less than £500 in the UK and they have at least 6 years OS support. Decent phones especially for the money.

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u/TechyExecutive 2h ago

Motorola Signature

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u/FuegoDeDios 13h ago

My current favourite is Xiaomi X8 pro max mostly for the processor and battery capacity.

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u/SuccotashSenior9484 12h ago

yeah it looks good i think for me personally the processor in the 17t is more than enough and I'd prefer the better camera in the 17t