Please suggest the "best", "future-proof phone"(!)

[paperwastage]

True that there's no such thing as a "future proof" phone as the specs change over time.

What I'm(and maybe others) are looking for is for the best value that checks off most of the feature boxes. Sure I could just go for flagship Samsung or iPhone but since I'm on prepaid, I prefer to bring my own device without shelling out list price or buying a used previous generation phone.

not that many phones with >=5000mah

https://m.gsmarena.com/results.php3?...ions=2940,2930

If I were in your shoes, maybe wait for a54 Samsung to go below $300 (Samsung has the best update policy for Android, including the lower end A ). The unlocked a54 has esim too, should be working across the big3, will get updated until android 16 (2025)

https://www.reddit.com/r/GalaxyA54/c...a54_in_the_us/

Not to mention if there's any good trade-in. I got my a71 5g for ~$250 in late 2020, Samsung gave me $190 trade-in value this year (a71 5g final android upgrade to android 13 this year)

If you're willing to jump thru hoops, metro has pixel 6a or a54(should have esim though locked) for $90, need to sock drawer it for 6 months before it unlocks (don't need to pay for 6 months service. But ymmv if metro changes their unlocking policy)

[paperwastage]

Amazon has pixel 6a for $249(limited sale)

[Gotadimple]

Google Fi has the 6a for $199 (terms apply) but aren't hard to meet: must activate within 30 days of purchase and keep active for 120 days with out pausing or cancelling. See the website: https://fi.google.com/about/phones/pixel-6a

[ShredFred]

I'm taking a flyer on the pixel 6a. Let's see if I can become a convert. $249 was the upper limit of what I wanted to spend but to get a contemporary and more powerful phone, I guess I'll take the chance.

Had been looking at the Motorola 5g power 2022 for $199 these past few months hoping the price might drop for prime day. Was worried though that it wasn't going to be much of an upgrade to my existing phone.

Sent from my motorola one 5G UW ace using HoFo mobile app

[paperwastage]

I'm taking a flyer on the pixel 6a. Let's see if I can become a convert. $249 was the upper limit of what I wanted to spend but to get a contemporary and more powerful phone, I guess I'll take the chance.

Had been looking at the Motorola 5g power 2022 for $199 these past few months hoping the price might drop for prime day. Was worried though that it wasn't going to be much of an upgrade to my existing phone.

Sent from my motorola one 5G UW ace using HoFo mobile app

Power 2022 only has 4GB ram, so why are you even looking at it to side grade

Amazon has a54 Samsung for $350(limited time) too

[ShredFred]

I was looking at this one

Limited-time deal for Prime Members: Moto G 5G | 2022 | 2-Day Battery | Unlocked | Made for US by Motorola | 6/256GB | 50 MP Camera | Moonlight Gray https://a.co/d/b2eVzty

On sale for $189 but only 10$ difference is not enticing enough at this time.

Sent from my motorola one 5G UW ace using HoFo mobile app

[sillyette]

I'm taking a flyer on the pixel 6a. Let's see if I can become a convert. $249 was the upper limit of what I wanted to spend but to get a contemporary and more powerful phone, I guess I'll take the chance.
...

You can stay within your $249 upper limit by buying it from Tracfone instead of GoogleFi:

-- Buy at https://www.tracfone.com/phone/google-pixel-6a for $220,

-- Activate with $19.99 3-month airtime PIN from Target,

-- Please, please use my referral code to activate - will give you $27 in points and will help this literally-starving student!

-- Your Pixel will be unlocked in 61 days, as opposed to 120 days with GFi.

[ShredFred]

Just in case anyone is interested, the One plus Nord N200 5g is on sale for Prime Day at $142

Limited-time deal for Prime Members: OnePlus Nord N200 | Large 5000mAh Battery | 5G Unlocked Android Smartphone U.S Version | 64GB Storage | 6.49" Full HD+LCD Screen | 90Hz Smooth Display | Fast Charging | Triple Camera,Blue Quantum https://a.co/d/4Z0jYe6

I believe it's compatible with the big 3(Verizon, AT&T and T-mobile). I might have pulled the trigger on this one but only 4gb ram.

Sent from my motorola one 5G UW ace using HoFo mobile app

[paperwastage]

64gb and 4GB ram is not good , even if it supports microSD (unlike pixel 6a).

Save up for the unlocked pixel 6a/a54 or jump thru some hoops on the cheaper metro phone route (port in for 6 months then unlock if you're afraid. FCC mandate no later than 1 year unlock, so that's only so much that metro can do if they decide to change their policy)

Metro pixel 6a phone is $150 cheaper ($250-$100), how many months of service will it cover vs your current plan (as long as you're ok with TMobile network)

[ShredFred]

Just an update on some interesting developments

I switched my red pocket Verizon Sim to the Pixel 6a, i got nsa 5g on the apn it defaulted, no additional configuration necessary on my part. Seems like everything is working including Wi-Fi calling.

I put my legacy Freedom pop At&t Sim into the Verizon unlocked Motorola Ace 5g UW, it came up with a message that the Sim was not a Verizon Sim. But after adding the fp apn, got 4g internet. Right now got 4g on band 2. Will see if I get service on any other bands as I test.

Sent from my Pixel 6a using HoFo mobile app