u/Alongsnake

But based on the posts I have been seeing, I feel like people here would say don't do it?

I am in need of a new phone, going from a Note8 to a Moto G Stylus.

I see the 2026 model just came out, but I can't really see anywhere in Canada to buy it (other than their main website) but it's also 700$ CAD, which is a bit more than what I wanted to spend, but ok if it will last a while.

2025 model is 600$ and 2024 model is 500$, though, I see the 2024 model on Amazon as renewed for 250$

The 2024 model would be upgradable to Android 15, 17 for 2025 and 18 for 2026, so I guess I have that to take in to consideration as well. I don't buy new phones often, my last being my Note8 that I have had for at least 6+ years.

My screen on my Note8 just died, so I need to get something new. I do have a bricked Note8 that maybe I can move the screen from that one to this one, but I think it may be worth just to get something new?

I was looking at the Xiaomi Redmi Note 15 (the Note 14 seems out of stock where I am) and I can pick it up at a store today.

Otherwise, I am looking for something relatively inexpensive. The Redmi Note 15 is about 500$ CAD, so I don't think I would go too much higher than that.

I do need something with an SD card slot

My Note8 may have just kicked the bucket, so I am looking for something new.

I do like the screen size of it (Large screen size is nice) and I would want a microSD slot too. I don't think I need an audio jack, as much as they were nice back in the day, I just use bluetooth now. Though, I have used my emergency wired headphones once or twice.

I don't do too much on my phone, maybe just watch some videos, listen to music, basic games like PoGo and such, but I would want it to be Android (or at least not iOS).

I would say I would be looking in the 600$ CAD/500$ USD. Less is fine too; I did see the A17, but I feel with maybe 50$ more I might get something a lot better. I haven't purchased a phone for quite some time (Note8 purchased around when it came out), and I would normally just go to the store to get one. Where would you look to get a new phone (that isn't carried by retailers) now? Amazon?