Note 4 Not Worth Upgrade, need some help

So I have been out of the loop on phones as of the purchase of my note 2, siii, before that a bionic and og droid. I am in need of an upgrade due to giving my dad a note 2 and getting a new birthday gift (sony vaio fit flip 15a; stylus support) which is why I dont need a note stylus device.

With money spent nearly 1000, some from birthday money and some from spent by myself. I am limited to 50 dollars or less. If I get a 50 dollar phone Ill get a decent but inexpensive case with it. If I get a free phone it will more than likely come with an accompanying sdcard + case or bike handle bar holder. I would prefer for future use and largest capacity (future backup device when I get a new phone)

Here is what I have selected so far, you can add some if you want give insight on the ones in the thread.

1. LG G3 $50 32gb 13mp - my number one pick, but would be costly compared to the lesser priced ones

http://www.amazon.com/LG-G3-Metallic-Verizon-Wireless/dp/B00L9OTQMY/ref=sr_1_10?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1409763401&sr=1-10

2. HTC One M8 $50 32gb - only added for capacity and unibody-esque design

http://www.amazon.com/HTC-One-M8-Gunmetal-Wireless/dp/B00IZ1W8JW/ref=sr_1_4?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1409763401&sr=1-4

3. LG G2 $0.01 32gb 13mp - good alternative to g3, but crappier build material and lower res display (i want 2k, this would compare to the one plus one)

http://www.amazon.com/LG-G2-White-Verizon-Wireless/dp/B00GCM57NK/ref=sr_1_9?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1409763401&sr=1-9

4. Samsung Galaxy S 4 $0.01 16gb 13mp - on here because i would prefer a 13mp shooter. however this is lesser than the g2 in almost ever shape (size, camera, onboard stoarge, customization) 

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-S4-Verizon-Wireless/dp/B00HWEJJSQ/ref=sr_1_6?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1409763401&sr=1-6

5. Samsung Galaxy S 3 $0.01 16gb 8mp - I used to own this so I have screen protectors and a case already (could get an expensive sd card

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-Galaxy-S4-Verizon-Wireless/dp/B00HWEJJSQ/ref=sr_1_6?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1409763401&sr=1-6

6. Nokia Lumia Icon $0.01 32gb 20mp - added for camera and only the camera, I havent used mobile windows before so i have nothing purchased, so i would have to start all over again on app/game collection.

 

Primary use of this

Phone

Text

Music (Riding Bike, Running, Walking, Car Ride, Parties, etc)

Web Browsing

Mobile Video

Pocket Gaming Device (in a lounge etc)

Secure Wireless Backup (Bittorrent Sync)

Camera

GPS/nav bike and car

 

I've used a windows phone before and thoroughly enjoyed it, but if playing games and downloading many apps is a high priority for you it might not be as suitable. 

Because you have the opportunity to go with a G3 / S4, I don't see any real reason to get the G2 / S3. The higher specs and only slightly higher price will go a long way after you buy them.

It would seem that the reason question you have is whether to buy the LG G3 or the HTC One. Unless you actually have a preference for one of the $0.01 phones for a certain reason, I'd strongly suggest avoiding them as the spec loss is minimal but still not worth the lower price (in MY opinion). Of course, if you want to buy a cheaper phone and dish out some more cash for a nice high quality case, then an LG G2 or Samsung S4 would be a great option. There are many YouTubers who make high quality videos on a lot of the phones you mentioned (MobileTechReview, Android Authority, MKBHD, TechnoBuffalo, etc.) so I strongly suggest you watch some of those videos so you can get to know the phones better and make a more educated decision.

If you can find a used Samsung Galaxy Note II that's running 4.2ish Android, I'd pick it up fast. I've got mine running Android 4.4.4 Cyanogenmod and I LOVE it, I've never been satisfied with my previous phones until this one. I don't see myself upgrading until I run this thing into the ground.

 

But that's just my two cents