Just a quick shout for this phone which I picked up for â,¬300.
https://www.asus.com/Phones/ZenFone_2_ZE551ML/
https://www.asus.com/Phones/ZenFone_2_ZE551ML/specifications/
So far its been fun and fast. I also picked up the ZenWatch 2 as well. Early days but what's to not like about that price!
My interest is very piqued
The default image, whilst not AOSP, has apps that are resourceful. Like RAM clearing, startup app control, screen control etc. There are a lot of non-AOSP apps but this is an Intel Powered phone so it has optimizations both on sound and graphics control. It's also possible to uninstall the pre-installed apps easily. So far, no root needed.
That's my only issue with buying a non Google Play phone. I need to be able to remove/disable all the pointless crap, updater's, launchers etc they install and get back to the stock Google Now Launcher, keyboard etc. It would be nice not to have to root it just to clean it up so this sounds even more interesting.
So far all I've found is one app I can't remove with simple uninstall via the settings. Their built in apps are actually Play store delivered so can be removed and readded as required.
There is a full version of Trend Security on there as well.
I cannot overcome the non-authorized apps writing to the external SD so far as the only fix is for rooted phones but thats a bug in KitKat and lollipop up to v5.02. The stock file manager writes to the extSD fine though and apps use it fine, like music from Spotify is on there.
Sound through headphones is way louder and clearer than my LG G2 with CM.
So far I think this is a step up from anything I've ever owned.