Top 10 Flagship Smartphones That You Can Buy For Less Than $900
- 15 February, 2019 09:59
Tech is all about exciting new products, especially in the smartphone space. However, when it comes down to it, not everyone necessarily needs to spend over a grand for this year’s cutting-edge flagship device. For plenty, last year’s best will do the job just as well - and there’s never been a better time to scoop up devices like the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Huawei P20 Pro.
Here are ten solid smartphones that released in the last year (or so) that have already seen their price-tags slashed.
Nokia 8 Sirocco
Credit: Samsung What is it?
HMD’s flagship Nokia handset for 2018. In our review, we found that “for all its charms and unique design choices, the Nokia 8 Sirocco struggles to feel worthy of that $1199 asking price.” Thankfully, it’s since dropped in price and now looks a whole lot better. The device features a 5.5-inch cuved OLED display and a Snapdragon 835 processor.
You can read our full review of the Nokia 8 Sirocco here.
How much was it?
At launch, the Nokia 8 Sirocco was $1199.
How much is it?
At JB Hi-Fi, the Nokia 8 Sirocco is priced at $699. On Kogan, it’s currently going for $739.
Samsung Galaxy S9
Credit: Samsung What is it?
Samsung’s 2018 flagship. In our review, we said that “Even if the moment-to-moment experience of using the Galaxy S9+ is every bit as solid as its predecessor and the new camera does cut a sharper silhouette, it rarely feels like the kind of triumph that a Galaxy flagship like it probably should feel like.”
“That said, if the contract on your current handset has just run out, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ are a pair of super-compelling options worth considering. Unless the biggest additions to the formula here - AR emojis, the variable aperture lens and super-slow-motion - sound like a slam dunk for your specifically, it feels difficult to hail the S9+ as the same kind of slam-dunk that the S8 and Note 8 were.”
You can read our full review of the Galaxy S9+ here.
How much was it?
At launch, the Samsung Galaxy S9 was $1199.
How much is it now?
On Kogan, you can snap up the Galaxy S9 for a cool $909 and on eGlobal, we’ve seen it as low as $694.
LG V30+
Credit: LG What is it?
LG’s 2017 winter flagship. In our review, we said that “The V-series has always been LG’s playground for the more ambitious fare left out of their more-mainstream flagship G-series - and all the better for it. The V30 continues that trend in good form.”
You can read our full review of the LG V30+ here.
How much was it?
At launch, the LG V30+ was priced at an RRP of $1199.
How much is it now?
JB Hi-Fi are currently rushing spare units of the V30+ out the door to the sum of $479. Catch also have the device for a pricier $713.
LG G7 ThinQ
Credit: LG What is it?
LG’s 2018 flagship smartphone. In our review, we said that “LG's G7 ThinQ is a by-the-numbers hardware play that - while perfectly adequate - utterly fails to be anything more than a raw, arithmetical, sum of its parts.”
You can read our full review of the LG G7 ThinQ here.
How much was it?
At launch, the LG G6 was priced at $1099.
How much is it?
At JB Hi-Fi, the LG G7 ThinQ is currently going for $899. At Becextech, you can find it for as low as $599. Catch have it for $728.
Huawei P20 Pro
Credit: Fergus Halliday | IDG What is it?
Huawei’s 2018 installment of its popular P-series of smartphones. In our review, we said that “When it comes to the camera, it’s hard not to praise what Huawei have managed with the P20 Pro. Even as someone with a fair amount of reservations about the core software experience here, that awe-inspiring camera counts for a lot. Of course, it’s only when you see the price of the P20, that the pieces really fall into place” and the value-proposition has only gotten better with time.
How much was it?
At launch, the Huawei P20 was priced at $1099.
How much is it now?
JB Hi-Fi are selling the P20 Pro for $899. MobileCiti have it for $898, as do Catch.
Oppo R15 Pro
Credit: Huawei What is it?
The second-most recent installment in Oppo’s flagship R-series. In our review, we said that “The R15 Pro sees Oppo bring more of that flagship experience to the sub-$800 smartphone space than ever before to generous effect.”
You can read our full review of the Oppo R15 Pro here.
How much was it?
At launch, the Oppo R15 Pro was priced at $779.
How much is it?
These days, you can find the Oppo R15 Pro on Catch for $599 or on MobileCiti for $639.
Google Pixel 2
Credit: Google What is it?
Though it technically came out in the tail-end of 2017, the Google Pixel 2 isn’t that old of a device and well-worth considering in 2019. In our review, we said that “If you want a smartphone that’s as clean as they come and brilliantly-effective at tackling the everyday problems it sets out to solve, the Pixel 2 is a clear-cut winner.”
You can read our full review of the Google Pixel 2 here.
How much was it?
At launch, the Google Pixel 2 was priced at $1079.
How much is it?
These days, the Google Pixel 2 can be found for $735 on Catch. It’s also on TobyDeals for $648.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
Credit: Samsung What is it?
Samsung’s 2017 flagship phablet. In our review, we concluded that “The road to Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8 has been an undeniably fraught one. Fortunately, at the end of that road lies what is easily one of, if not the, best smartphone Samsung have ever brought to market. However, that commendation has to come tempered with the reality that the Note 8 is also one of the most expensive smartphone you can buy.”
“Ultimately, whether or not it’s going to be worth that price-tag money is basically going to come down to the S-Pen. It’s the one feature that the Note has that can’t be aped - and if you plan on making use of it, there’s simply no substitute out there that even comes close.”
You can read our full review of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 here.
How much was it?
At launch, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 was priced at $1499.
How much is it?
These days, you can snap up the Galaxy Note 8 for $649 on eGlobal, $869 on Kogan and $599 on Becextech.
Sony Xperia XZ2
Credit: Sony What is it?
The Xperia XZ2 is Sony’s 2018 flagship smartphone. In our review we said that “The Sony Xperia XZ2 is a good phone but, for the price and compared to the competition, it’s difficult to really call it good enough to make the case for choosing it over the other options.” Several price drops later, and the case is a little stronger.
You can read our full review of the Xperia XZ2 here.
How much was it?
At launch, the Sony Xperia XZ2 was priced at $1099.
How much is it?
These days, you can find the Sony Xperia XZ2 on BuyMobile for $709. It’s also on eGlobal for $624.
OnePlus 6
Credit: OnePlus What is it?
The second most-recent installment in OnePlus flagship series of smartphones. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the chance to review it ourselves but the device features a slick notched OLED display, a Snapdragon 845 processor and a super clean version of Android called OxygenOS.
How much was it?
At launch, the OnePlus 6 didn’t have an Australian RRP. Overseas, it started life at $529 USD.
How much is it?
These days, you can find the OnePlus 6 for $899 on Kogan, $800 on Catch and $714 on Becextech.
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