Budget android phone under £70? (payg/sim free)

Richard_T_

I know someone who is after a "cheap android smartphone" for under £70 or less.
Two models that i have found are the Samsung Galaxy europa and the Galaxy mini from the carphone wherehouse website, but both are pay as you go locked to three, and require a £15 top up.
and both only have 600mhz CPUs.

Idealy something with at least a 800mhz CPU+512mb Ram and a decent screen will do, but at under £70 this may be hard to find of not impossible.

any recomendations?

grumbler

The cheapest phone with "a decent screen" costs £90 and the CPU speed is still 600. Be prepared to pay £100+ for 800.

Refurbished Galaxy Europe and Mini are available on any network PAYG from e2save and are very unlikely to be locked anyway unless it is '3'.
http://www.omio .com/phones/samsung/galaxy-apollo/deals/pay-as-you-go

Unfortunately, OOS, but they suggest you to "Place your order, stock expected soon".

thegoodman

Samsung galaxy Y can be picked on O2 for £84.99 on Amazon with £10 credit. As far as I know the phone is unlocked.
The CPU is over 800

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-Galaxy-£10-airtime-credit/dp/B0067MSBU6/ref=sr_1_43?ie=UTF8&qid=1333976114&sr=8-43

markdoc_2

Both the Europa and mini are dreadful, with low res screens

Phones4 u have a fantastic Huawei one for £59
its Android 2.3 too
its brilliant with a reasonable resolution screen

mattyprice4004

Still only 600MHz.

The Orange San Francisco II is 800MHz and has a higher res screen. Costs £89.99.

Probably the best you'll get for your money.

markdoc_2

Matty the Orange San Fran II is good, and does have a high res screen which is great for that price but its locked to Orange.

Yes you can unlock an OrangeSan Fran but if you do it through them it takes months and isnt free

mattyprice4004

You can unlock it for free by reflashing the phone with alternative firmware.

grumbler

...and void the warranty.

markdoc_2

Matty have you got a link for a replacement firmware ROM and instructions how to do it. I would be interested in a San Fran that way.
Have you actually done it on your one, did you get any clitches?

grumbler

See T-Mobile Vivacity Black (PAYG) - £99.99 including £10 top up @ T-Mobile
It's the same OSF2 in a different body.

foreign_correspondent

I'm also looking for a cheap sim free android phone - I currently have the LG Optimus, which cost me about £70 18 months ago, I am looking for something a bit quicker, it's been fine, but has started switching itself on and off for no reason... can anyone advise on a replacement?