Comparing "Midtier" Smartphones -- October 25, 2020

Readers may recall this article from The WSJ regarding the new iPhones. 

Now, from The WSJ, but this time by Nicole Nguyen: the case for a $700 smartphone. The sub-head:

Four-figure phones have become standard, but the best value can be found in less-expensive models that still deliver great cameras, long-lasting batteries and future-proof 5G connectivity.

So, let's see what she has to say.

Maybe you need the best of the best, or maybe even $700 is too high. The analytics firm IDC forecasts that due to pandemic-related belt tightening, smartphone spending will be reduced, with the $400 to $600 range as this year’s fastest-growing category. Apple’s iPhone SE, Samsung’s Galaxy A51 and Google’s Pixel 4a are all $400 or less.

Ms Nguyen then goes through the new models, providing thoughts on what you gain, and what you give up if  you settle for the "midtier" phones.

The midtier phones she reviews: the Apple iPhone 12 Mini; the Google Pixel 5; and, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE. 

To her credit, Nguyen doesn't dwell on comparing apples and oranges. For the most part, she doesn't compare the Apple product with the Androids. She compares midtier phones within their own families. This is incredibly important. Good for her.

Things that caught my eye:

This is an exception to the "comparing Apples and oranges comment above: Apple’s official policy supports repair service and software updates for five years from the device’s release date. Samsung and Google guarantee just three years of updates. That's huge. 

Ms Nguyen does not show any preference. The article ends with the upgrades and downgrades for each of the three phones but does not make a recommendation.

I think she realizes that folks, by now, have decided to which family they belong: the Apple family or the Android family. She is simply letting the buyer know how the midtier phone in each respective family compares with the least expensive model and with the most expensive model.  

For Apple:

• it appears a whopping 21 models of Apple smartphones are supported by Apple (link here)
• the two I would consider for myself, I currently have the iPhone SE, first generation:
• the iPhone 12 mini (5.4 inch Super Retina XDR display); starts at $699
• the iPhone SE, second generation (4.7-inch Retina HD display); starts at $399