Non Nexus phone running stock / close to stock android - USD 250 or so

[Subu]

Hi

* I've been using Iphone for long, never an Android
* Recently, when I needed a second phone, I said i'll try android & ppl told "go for stock" android (skins spoiled performance etc) and so I went out to buy an Nexus 5x (or 6 )
* I couldn't get a nexus 5X / 6 at reasonable prices. They R either overpriced for specks (by default) or probably NOT very promoted (so costly here )
****So *****
* What's the NON Nexus alternative / combination that runs Stock android or near stock ?
* or what's the NEXT best to Nexus 5x / 6
* Budget $ 250 - max $ 300
* I'm looking for specific user experiences

*THANKS in advance* !!
Best regards
Subu

Note
* what do I mean by overpriced : the ones priced approx 250 + are 16 GB, no card slot ones, LG Nexus ...and I' scared of LG
* then there are some Huawei Nexus that are way above

 

[Mernak]

I'd probably suggest either a OnePlus or a Moto G/X as the closest to "pure" Android and are all pretty reasonably priced, and the Nexus 5 (which is LG, but it's a solid phone) or Nexus 6 are still decent. You might not be able to get the most OnePlus Two or current Moto X Pure for $250 unless you find a good deal on Craigslist, but the OnePlus One, current Moto G, or previous Moto X should be well within your price range and are good phones. The OnePlus X got a lukewarm reception and I don't know anyone with it, but it's one of the few reasonably powerful yet smaller Android phones on the market. But I know a number of people who still have the first gen Moto Xs and are pretty happy with them (and those were a great form factor if you like smaller phones), but they have been starting to age for a couple of people.

 

[Subu]

I'd probably suggest either a OnePlus or a Moto G/X as the closest to "pure" Android and are all pretty reasonably priced, and the Nexus 5 (which is LG, but it's a solid phone) or Nexus 6 are still decent. You might not be able to get the most OnePlus Two or current Moto X Pure for $250 unless you find a good deal on Craigslist, but the OnePlus One, current Moto G, or previous Moto X should be well within your price range and are good phones. The OnePlus X got a lukewarm reception and I don't know anyone with it, but it's one of the few reasonably powerful yet smaller Android phones on the market. But I know a number of people who still have the first gen Moto Xs and are pretty happy with them (and those were a great form factor if you like smaller phones), but they have been starting to age for a couple of people.

thanks a ton for the detailed reply

much appreciated

 

[nj-morris]

The latest Moto G is pretty good. For $220 you get 16GB expandable storage, 5-inch display, 2GB RAM, and a fairly decent camera. Snapdragon 410 might hold you back a bit, but if you're just doing simple stuff there shouldn't be a problem. Overall the best phone $250 can buy in my opinion. Plus, it has the closest to stock android you can get, with very timely updates in comparison to OnePlus phones.

 

[ozaz]

Moto G, or a used Moto X Pure

 

[Fernandez21]

For $299 you can get a new 32gb moto x (second gen) it came out fall of 2014.

You can also find a ton of used options, I would suggest the Nexus 5, HTC one M8 GPE, or Moto X, those are stock or very close to stock options. Just be aware the cameras on all those aren't too great, though the only great camera on a stock phone would be the current Nexus 6P.