Been out of the game, help me choose a phone?

bk2the6ix wrote: ↑ Requirements:
- Android
- Dual SIM (will consider eSIM if device supported by Bell)
- Top 5ish camera quality
- compatible with 5G in Canada (Bell/Rogers/Telus)
- Budget - $1000ish, but will consider mid-tier budget phones

Note: I'm open to east Asian market phones (Xiaomi) as long as they are well supported and it isn't too restrictive in terms of locking out features and come with Google Play, etc.

Whatchu got folks!?

Current Phone: Note 8

If 5G wasn't a requirement for you, I would recommend a OnePlus phone as it satisfies all your other requirements including the fact that it has 2 SIM slots. The OnePlus 8T is (excluding taxes) slightly above your price point. The OnePlus 8T has 5G but I'm not sure if it is compatible with the Canadian carriers that you've mentioned. The lower/base end OnePlus 8 might also satisfy your needs (beyond the 5G requirement) as it is under your price point (excluding taxes).

If you are going for the full price upfront, then get a Samsung exynos device. No second SIM restriction, though i'm not certain if Bell allows Volte features for non-Bell devices. Might as well wait for the S21 at this point. Preordering in Canada gets you some nice discounts, then flip it and go for an international version... but you've been out of the game for so long, don't know if you've got the stomach for this.

Gangsta101 wrote: ↑ If you are going for the full price upfront, then get a Samsung exynos device. No second SIM restriction, though i'm not certain if Bell allows Volte features for non-Bell devices. Might as well wait for the S21 at this point. Preordering in Canada gets you some nice discounts, then flip it and go for an international version... but you've been out of the game for so long, don't know if you've got the stomach for this.

My current phone is the Exynos dual-sim variant of the Note 8, so I'm most comfortable with that. But my googling tells me that the Exynos variants of the new Samsung devices (S20 FE, Note, etc) aren't compatible with Bells 5G networks.

Thats why I was approaching this group.

The perfect devices that will satisfy your requirements would be either the Pixel 5, or the 4a 5G, both have eSIM.

bk2the6ix wrote: ↑ My current phone is the Exynos dual-sim variant of the Note 8, so I'm most comfortable with that. But my googling tells me that the Exynos variants of the new Samsung devices (S20 FE, Note, etc) aren't compatible with Bells 5G networks.

Thats why I was approaching this group.

You are right, the Exynos models (including the upcoming S21) all lack Band n66 which Bell uses. Wonder how difficult it is to source non-NA Snapgragon Galaxy phones.

LeifS39303 wrote: ↑ The perfect devices that will satisfy your requirements would be either the Pixel 5, or the 4a 5G, both have eSIM.

Came here to say this. I would definitely go for a Pixel device. Uptodate security patches, simple UI (stock android), probably one of the best camera.

Thanks guys.

Looks like Pixel 5 it is. I wanted to future proof the phone a bit so getting 5G. The price difference between 4a 5G and the 5 makes it easy to choose the 5.

bk2the6ix wrote: ↑ Thanks guys.

Looks like Pixel 5 it is. I wanted to future proof the phone a bit so getting 5G. The price difference between 4a 5G and the 5 makes it easy to choose the 5.

Really, they're almost the same phone. They could've called it the Pixel 5a and been pretty accurate. Loses 90hz, gains a speaker and headphone jack, but most of the other specs are basically identical. I like larger screens, so 4a 5G wins for me. Neither phone is bad, though. They just have slightly different strengths. Full Disclosure: I bought one too! It's just weeks and weeks and weeks late arriving.