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The Best Old Phones to Buy In 2021
Posted by surecall on 16th Dec 2021
We often can't help but feel that phones are the extensions of our hands. Thus, when picking a model, you'll want to dig deep to find exactly what you need. Many have great features, and a couple more models will come out on the market by the time you decide which one to get. Knowing that approximately 600 phone models are released yearly, you'd want to opt for a safe and quality older version. Even though new phone generations are an attractive option now, soon they will be a mid-range basic model. For the same amount of money or less, you can get a flagship with top-notch features. Usually, they have better cameras, screen resolution, wireless charging, and other qualities new phones are still experimenting with. If you don't know where to start your search, here are the best old phones to buy in 2021.
iPhone 11 Pro
If you are looking for a phone that will fulfill all your desires in terms of design, great camera, safety, and practicality, the iPhone 11 Pro is the perfect choice for you. The iPhone 11 Pro is water and dust-resistant. The 5.8-inch OLED screen (Super Retina XDR) has a wide range of colors providing excellent visibility from an angle, which is delightful when watching photos and videos with others. It has a triple rear camera system with 12 MP, 2x optical zoom, and the famous "Night mode".
Like the previous X series, this flagship phone also has a Face ID option for secure authentication and unlocking of the phone. Moreover, the new update allows the phone to recognize your face even while wearing a protective mask. Easy use and many magnificent and practical features make this phone an excellent choice for seniors and other age groups.
![Person holding iPhone 11 Pro](https://blog.surecall.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/The-Best-Old-Phones-to-Buy-In-2021-2-1024x768.jpg)
Samsung Galaxy S9
The cell phone history shows us that if a device is not revolutionary and inventive, it's easily replaced with something else. Still, if any phone can resist this "test of time," it's the Samsung Galaxy series. Once you take Samsung Galaxy S9 in your hands, you'll realize this is the best flagship money can buy. Its frame is made of rounded glass and aluminum, which gives an impression of luxury that few phones can match. It's also water-resistant, and it supports some great features like wireless charging and NFC.
For more demanding users, Samsung Galaxy offers a MicroSD slot so you can expand the memory up to 400GB. Its 5.8-inch display and super AMOLED panel make watching any content an absolute pleasure for the eyes, providing a QHD + resolution. Although the S9 has only one rear camera, the 12MP sensor has a dual aperture. In short - the camera takes fantastic photos in all lighting conditions and automatically adjusts the aperture so that each one turns out perfectly.
Xiaomi MI 10
Compared to some other brands, Xiaomi phones are relatively unknown in the US market. However, even despite that, they have a solid fan base. The main characteristics of this brand are quality features and affordability. Still, of all Xiaomi's best old phones to buy in 2021, the choice falls on the Xiaomi MI 10. This phone is the first smartphone with a 108 MP camera (quadruple-camera), later applied to the phones of some competitors.
The shiny glass body with metal frames is the first thing that catches the eye of Xiaomi phone fans. Beneath the sleek design, Xiaomi Mi 10 has more than a decent processor. This feature allows the phone to run smoothly in applications, games, and more demanding tasks. This phone gives you a long-lasting battery with a capacity of 4780mAh which can be raised from 0% to 100% in 57 minutes. The bottom line is, Xiaomi MI 10 has an excellent premium design, great sound, and more than decent battery life. In addition to the affordable price, all of the above features are a big plus.
![Person showing 108 MP Xiaomi MI 10 camera features](https://blog.surecall.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/The-Best-Old-Phones-to-Buy-In-2021-3-1024x798.jpg)
OnePlus 7T
The OnePlus 7T delivers three essential innovations over its predecessors. The first one is the new Snapdragon 855+ processor that is slightly faster than its OnePlus predecessors. More specifically, the phone offers up to 15% better graphics performance than before. Another novelty is the upgraded fast charge that OnePlus calls the WARP Charge 30T. Compared to its 30W charger, this one is 23% faster than before.
Finally, in addition to the 48 MP primary cameras, 16 MP ultra-wide-angle camera, an 8 MP telephoto camera, there is now a Macro feature available on the OnePlus 7T. The phone comes in configuration - 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of internal memory with a high-speed UFS 3.0 memory. With it comes a decent battery and fantastic AMOLED screen features.
Sony Xperia XZ2
Over the years, Sony has proven to be a safe and quality choice for everyone who enjoys optimized performance and fantastic design. However, the model that stands out is Sony Xperia XZ2. It’s the first Sony with reduced frames, adapting to the standard 18: 9 format.
Even though it only has a 19 MP camera in the back, it can record in 4K HDR, which makes it unique. It also can record at 960 fps in 1080p. There is no better choice than this phone if you prioritize photography functions in phones. Both photography and video are of amazing quality, but only during the day. Unfortunately, the night option doesn't give quality results. The battery of XZ2 could be stronger since it's only 3,180 mAh, but it's highly optimized with fast and wireless charging options available.
![A man holding a Sony Xperia XZ2, one of the best old phones to buy in 2021](https://blog.surecall.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/The-Best-Old-Phones-to-Buy-In-2021-4-1024x683.jpg)
Why choose the old phones over new models
Collecting old phones has a fantastic perk if you're among the patient. The movie industry is always on the lookout for old phones that fit the specific era. So if you own old phones that need storing, make sure your collection is safe for when the time comes to cash it.
Regardless of some quality choices current technology trends offer, flagship phones are the safest option when buying a phone. Back in the day, top-tier models used to be the only ones with excellent designs. Nowadays, you'll find cheaper and less than optimal models that are copied flagship phones. The same goes with midrange processors you'll find in new models. These processors can be decent, but the best old phones to buy in 2021 can offer top-notch flagship processors. If you try to compare such older and new versions, you'll see that any two-year-old phone outperforms the midrange device of today's market.