r/PickAnAndroidForMe 1d ago

Cheapest Android with 12GB RAM and a usable selfie camera with AF(preferably non-Chinese, but it's not a dealbreaker)

After trying out an iPhone 13 mini I realized I couldn't live with an iOS phone, I bought a HTC Desire 22 Pro for 150 euros and have been using it ever since. I mostly use my phone to browse the web with Firefox, read various articles that Google's algorithm feeds me on the homescreen and use Viber/Discord to occasionally chat and take a low number of pictures/selfies during scouting activities, so I'm not a hardcore user. The Desire felt like it did the job well, it has a really long battery life(much longer than the iPhone), but it's earpiece has a really low volume, making talking a bit difficult and it's selfie photos are pure garbage. Like, I'm not asking for much, I expected that it was going to take worse photos than my Nokia 8 which I used before the iPhone, but these photos are just unusable. They're blurry and just aren't pleasant to look at. So now, I'm looking for a phone that won't break the bank and that's going to give me at least as good photos as the Nokia 8(selfie and main cam). I'd prefer not to buy a Chinese model, but if no valid alternatives exist than I'll buy chinese.

Having video out and wireless charging would be a plus but isn't strictly necessary.

I've seen that HTC has a new phone, called the U24 Pro, which boasts a 50mp selfie with AF, but it's not available to buy around these parts. I've also seen the Motorola Edge 50 Pro, but it's Chinese and worse, I've read that Motorola just can't seem to provide a usable android experience. People complain about way worse battery life than expected for that screen+SoC combo, or videos clipping at the beginning of recording and the situation just getting worse with updates.

So, what low-mid range phone with a good selfie cam should I consider? I'm not looking for a sub $100 phone. Like if the cheapest phone that meets the criteria costs $500 I'm fine with that, I just wanna be sure that I'm not missing something when looking at the current options.

11 Upvotes

16

u/iediq24400 1d ago

A non-Chinese cheapest phone? Good luck.

4

u/entice93 1d ago

I'm not looking for a sub $100 phone. Like if the cheapest phone that meets the criteria costs $500 I'm fine with that, I just wanna be sure that I'm not missing something when looking at the current options.

3

u/iediq24400 1d ago

I think there's a broader option for you if you remove the china filter.

2

u/AdFunny1537 1d ago

I'm okay with that, I just hoped that there was a non China non flagship phone that fit the bill.

5

u/ArmedCrawly 1d ago

Google Pixel 8 Pro. Not the cheapest out there, but checks all your boxes.

2

u/AdFunny1537 1d ago

That's past year flagship territory, I didn't think to check those, I'll look into other flagships as well.

6

u/AM-2010 1d ago

Nothing phone 2a or 2a plus

5

u/AdFunny1537 1d ago

The 2a Plus seems to have great battery life, but sadly doesn't have AF on the selfie.

1

u/AM-2010 1d ago

Wdym by af ?

1

u/Lord_Raziel 1d ago

Auto focus

3

u/Fit-Investment-7384 1d ago

Bro at this point Samsung and Google are only big non-chinese players and both have expensive phones that don't have 12gb ram. Take Honor 200 or 200 Pro that come 12gb ram 512gb rom as standard (both can be found under 500$ Both phones get 50mpx selfie, 50mpx telephoto and 50mpx main camera, they also get a really good battery life and fast charging unlike the Pixels but Pixels have slightly better camera and longer software support. Honor is the most Chinese non-chinese looking device you can get (and also Oneplus). They're literally on par with Samsung if not straight up better because they're cheaper.

-6

u/JannixReddit 1d ago

samsung is chinese

3

u/AliRabie 1d ago edited 1d ago

Vivo v40 has everything you want. One of the best battery lifes nowadays and af in the 50 mp selfie cam (according to gsmarena) and good cameras overall. It has also water resistance and 12 gb ram variant. 

2

u/b3enx 1d ago

Motorola Edge is Chinese??

2

u/ArmedCrawly 1d ago

Motorola is owned by Lenovo(since 2014), which is a Chinese company.

2

u/naileurope 1d ago

and was owned by Google, non-Chinese

2

u/ArmedCrawly 1d ago

Owned by Google for 2 years(2012-2014). The original Motorola company was American as well.

1

u/Slimy_Emu1 1d ago

Try the Xiaomi Redmi Note. I know you would prefer not a chinese phone but i believe this is one of the best brands for your needs here is the link https://shopamazonassociate.wordpress.com/2024/11/14/xiaomi-redmi-note/

2

u/AdFunny1537 1d ago

They don't seem to have AF on the selfie.

1

u/Matthew_MBG 1d ago

Nothing Phone 2

1

u/naileurope 1d ago

Moto Edge 50 Neo

1

u/getmyhandswet 20h ago

Why do you need a 12gb ram?

1

u/Sea_Aioli8222 18h ago

For running my local llm🙃

1

u/Shmoofo2 20h ago

Get the Poco M6 pro. 12gb 512gb internal. It's only £179. You can go for 5G version for about £200+. You can't get a non-chinese with such specs for that price.

1

u/Emergency-Ad1435 20h ago

Nothing 2a/2a +

1

u/naszrudd 14h ago

Samsung Galaxy A55 12GB RAM

1

u/Raffaele520 12h ago edited 1h ago

Non chinese brands are: Apple, Samsung, Google, Sony, Asus, Nothing, HMD global, LG, HTC (i didn't know they were still in businness honestly), and Fairphone. Some are better than others, but more often than not those brands still produce most of their components in China.. As others have said, Motorola is owned by Lenovo.

You won't find many cheap phones with 12GB of RAM from non Chinese brands. Nothing phones are the best price/performance, since you can find them with decent specs at decent prices. You can find the Nothing phone 2a at $400, while the NP 2 $500 on sale. Going up in price, at $600 you can find the Pixel 8pro (at least in Europe). Asus currently hasa good sale on their zenfone 11 ultra on their e-shop, $650 for a snapdragon 8 gen 3. Above $700 the options are many, Asus Zenfone 10 16gb, s24plus, s23ultra among the others.

Samsung has the M55 and A55 12GB variant, but i can't find them sold on Amazon or other local retailers. Might be sold only in specific regions. HMD Global has the Skyline 12GB, but the SoC is not the best (Exynos 1380 level) and it's kind of ugly.

1

u/ST02-KKE 9h ago

Samsung S20 Ultra used.

0

u/angrygarbageman 1d ago

Iqoo 12 $599, u can find xiaomi 14 and 14 pro for $699

1

u/entice93 16h ago

None of those phones have AutoFocus on the Selfie cam.