Budget 10-15K Small Form factor Phone Without compromised spec

[greenhorn]

Looking for a phone with a smaller form factor - something with an approx 140*70mm size under 20K and with 4/6GB ram and 64/128GB storage
Unfortunately options are either crippled phones under 10K, or compact flagships.
I had a moto x4, now switched to pixel 4a I got on sales in the US. Wifey doesnt want to spend as much. she has a redmi4 which just died.
The only option i am able to get is the mi A3. but she's a bit fed up with the ads on redmi phones, and is looking at other options, particularly nokia, but not able to find anything decent there. the 5.3 is big, and the 2.x and 3.x are too underpowered

 

[?dOuBtFiRe?]

I could think of Samsung S10e which could be priced lower upon launch of S21 if you can source it in US.
Else your Pixel 4A is a g8 choice too. All other options are pretty old like Nokia Sirocco or 'crippled' phones or bugged phones.
Wish the phone companies think of smaller compact phones too.

 

[PoBoy]

AFAIK Mi A3 is a Android One phone. So stock Android and no ads.

 

[tech.monk]

The only option i am able to get is the mi A3. but she's a bit fed up with the ads on redmi phones, and is looking at other options, particularly nokia, but not able to find anything decent there. the 5.3 is big, and the 2.x and 3.x are too underpowered

Mi A3 doesn't have ads and you will be able to install custom rom easily.

Also for all Mi Phones there is a app/software which you can run it through PC and disable most of the annoying features - it is called Mi Debloater. This doesn't require to have rooted device. if you google it then people used it on range of phones (from basic to mid-range and higher).

 

[calvin1719]

I'm in the same boat myself. There are exactly 0 phones meeting these specs. The compact phone market is pretty much dead.

This is the result for Android phones, released in 2020, with a height < 145 mm.

it is called Mi Debloater.

Debloating MiUI only disables apps for the current user. It's not enough, IMO.

Also the Mi 3 is pretty underpowered at this point and won't perform well.

 

[nRiTeCh]

Xperia still makes those best in the world compact phones with power-packed features but thanks to Indian chu public who preferred only Mis, oppos, one+ and then shamesungs which killed it all.
Now soon be ready to use phones as big as laptops and suffer hand injuries in the long run... enjoy your chu chinese choices..

 

[tech.monk]

Debloating MiUI only disables apps for the current user. It's not enough, IMO.

Also the Mi 3 is pretty underpowered at this point and won't perform well.

Thats just an option and makes Mi phone still usable - if you are power user, root it and install custom rom (or get EU ROM based phone - assume no warranty in India) and work it out; it will be lot better with EU due to restrictions. One also have an option to go for Poco F1 or old pixel phones for cheaper.

 

[nRiTeCh]

And glad I still have that xperia z3 compact. One hell of a true flagship in a very handy style to cherish for a lifetime... bit old now to run latest apps but not selling it at all.

 

[icysmoke]

If you don't mind used, an iPhone 8 should cost more or less around 20k. Battery life would suck though. But would easily last 3 years while being much smoother than similarly price new droids. A used s10e should also cost around 20k. But wouldn't last as long as the iphone and have only a marginally better battery life.


If used isn't an option, then only real options are the ones you said,Nokia 6.1 plus,5.3, 8.1 etc and mia3

 

[greenhorn]

Turns out it's the display that's dead and not the mobo. I'll get it replaced. Should be roughly 2k given xiaomi official parts rates. Given its a 4/64gb phone, I think that's the most cost effective option until someone releases a new phone

 

[greenhorn]

So i finally found the best answer to this thread. Got a refurb pixel 3 off Flipkart. Cost me 12.x. works as nice as my 4a and costs less than half!

 

[Raghav_Go]

So i finally found the best answer to this thread. Got a refurb pixel 3 off Flipkart. Cost me 12.x. works as nice as my 4a and costs less than half!

How was your experience getting a refurbished product and how's it is performing?
Thinking of getting same for my mom due to its compact size

 

[greenhorn]

Phone was in very good condition (looked new except for a spot of paint gone on one of the buttons). No overheating/Lagging etc, but I don’t use it heavily (use it to install work related apps and take calls)
Phone was a Japan market phone and had some weird japan market apps installed (can’t remove)
Charger was a fake looking “Xiaomi” 2A charger (Should have been an 18W usb C unit)
Battery life is poor,but then all pixels have crap battery life (my Pixel 4A I bought new last year black friday from best buy in the US has the same life)