Smartphone with Good Overall User Experience Around 15K

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Realme

Realme

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Hi,
I am looking for a smartphone with good overall user experience around 15K

Hard Limit:17K
Phone Life Expectancy : 3 yrs.

What do I mean by good overall user experience?
I'm going for Pixel like user experience, with good software support ,security updates for 1-2 yr.
Fluid UI transitions, no hanging(as low as possible UI latency), minimum bloatWare , reliable.( Latest and Greatest Android Version is not required)
If these are not present then reliably FLASHABLE with good mainstream ROMs support both software and hardware wise.
There are certain strict requirements like:
1.) No Ads (I've recently heard that Xiaomi offerings in this range have Ads)
2.) Build Quality- Phone must be durable and comfortable to use(shouldn't be too much heavy)

What do I expect in hardware/specs?
This phone will be mostly used for Calling, Social Media, Internet eXploring, Reading.
So not a strong or say 'over the top' specs are required.
I do not believe that you can deliver a buffet of hardware specs at this price, without comprising on quality and I feel companies do bundle on a lot of low quality hardware to allure 'specs-focused' Indian customers. So give me just good enough reliable HW not the latest and greatest.

A good enough camera for document scanning is enough.

What are top 3 things you expect in hardware?
1.) Build Quality
2.) Processor with good thermals
3.) RAM

ENDING NOTE: The phone doesn't have to be the best. It should be just good enough.
 
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Why do you want to get a phone that looks 5 years old? It will suck you into Apple ecosystem, and slowly get you to spend more.

Just get a poco X3 and set private dns to dns.adguard.com, boom no ads anywhere in the phone.

You won't get a good refurb of flagship at 15k.

If your usage is not very heavy, a sd 7x series can serve you very very well.
 
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@Rajdeep: I already specified the requirement : Calling, Social Media, Internet eXploring, Reading.
Here ecosystem doesn't matter as no heavy customisation is intended: Only smooth and good overall user experience matter + Updates(Security)

Thanks for the info I didn't know about refurb market, anyway what should I expect for a refurb?

@shashankb : Mostly intended for home use. 4 Hr backup is good.

@Samuel : JB says the same about availability, any reasons why stock are so low?

@JB701 : Is battery life of OnePlus3 still good? Also the software support?(Like not every other app will badger me for latest android)
What about UI latency. and lastly thermals(battery/processor overheating when using things like youtube or facebook)

Also would you consider selling it to me?
 
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@Realme Unfortunately I can't sell it because I currently use it. Last official OxygenOS is 9.0 Pie but I'm using EvolutionX Android 10. Its very smooth tbh, UI Latency is fine. YouTube at 1080p 60FPS at double speed does stutter, but it generally doesn't overheat. The battery on this "refurb" wasn't replaced so it does need to be charged occasionally but compared to new phones its very easy to open up, just two screws and back pulls off with some pressure. Can't complain much, the 6GB RAM is really useful and the SoC is fairly fast for my usage.

As for refurbs, both my OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 2 has mild scratches. The display on OnePlus 3 looks like it might've been replaced on refurb. OnePlus 3 has tons of scratches on the back but none on the screen.

The OnePlus 2 refurb I have came in even better condition. Only one small dent at top left rest was perfect.

I have used OnePlus 6 myself as well and it was very smooth. OnePlus 3 comparatively less smooth ofc due to it having way older chip but still fine. Unfortunately I dropped OP6 and broke the screen a month back (hence currently using OP3).
 
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Realme said:
Looks like consensus here is POCO X3, here are some of my questions:

@horz :
Source
-- This guys says POCO X3 has ads or am I misreading your post?
Also given they have stashed price so much at this hardware conf. with strategy of using ADs to makeup for the margin.
I doubt they must have made it hard to flash them?

Do I have to debloat or change ROMS to remove ads?

Again you guys are expert here and I'm not aware of the latest developments in the field.

@Tejas01 : Hello Mr.Archer, nice choice for an Indian alibi name. I've heard that Samsung makes Snapdragon chipset phones for America only . They serve Asia with their in-house Exynos product-line?
Click to expand...

Thanks Linus... Appreciate it.
An open secret.. tool this inspiration from your DP.😛
While Samsung may give SD for American folks, M51 has SD 730Soc. So it's another bonus being power efficient.
You can check YouTube or XDa for various list of custom roms. That is their main selling point..
You can debloat and even remove "msa" and other code which are responsible for ads and minig data.
If you are getting poco, met me know.. will share screenshot of the apps I debloated and what I have disabled.
Using this phone for a week, no hint of ads or notification anywhere.
Even if you get notifications, you can disable it under "Advanced settings--disable recommendations". It's that simple.
 
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Tejas01 said:
I was impressed with poco brand when I first got Poco M2 for my aunt. It's still decent with good battery and suits her needs With No ADS.
Click to expand...
Planning to gift the Poco M2 for mom. No additional apps other than WhatsApp, Hotstar and some video calling apps would be the extra apps. Do you think it's the best one in that range or do you have any other options?

Don't know even after watching tons of reviews and stuffs I couldn't find any valuable information from them to choose one phone. Every YT videos look vague and boring. Also I think some good reviewers stopped reviewing a couple of phones and brands. Anyways can you please share your opinion on M2? Did you find any particular con/s in this phone?
 
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