Let me start by saying, this phone punches WAY above its price tag. That 6.7" curved AMOLED display? Butter smooth at 120Hz - watching Netflix feels like I'm at the movies. And the green back? Chef's kiss for style points.

The Dimensity 7050 chip handles my PUBG sessions like a champ - no stutters even during intense firefights. Though fair warning: it does get warm after 30+ minutes of gaming (not burn-your-hands hot, but noticeably toasty).

Camera performance surprised me! Daylight shots are crisp with great color, though low-light could be better. The selfie cam's beauty mode is... aggressive (I looked like a wax figure at default settings). Pro tip: dial it down to 30%.

Battery life is a mixed bag. On light days (just texting/social media), I easily get 24hrs+. But gaming drains it fast - carry a charger if you're a mobile gamer. That random overnight drain some users reported? Haven't experienced it myself after disabling some background apps.

The dealbreaker for some: carrier compatibility. Works flawlessly on T-Mobile/Metro in my testing, but AT&T users should steer clear. Dual SIM is a lifesaver for my work/personal number setup.

Biggest gripe? The locked launcher situation is annoying AF. I'm stuck with the stock Android 14 skin because third-party launchers break navigation buttons - hope NUU fixes this in an update.

At under $300 though? For the specs you're getting? Unless you absolutely need Verizon or perfect low-light photos, this might be the best budget 5G phone of 2024. Just know what you're compromising on before buying.