Cheap but good smartphone????

FirstTimer4Me

Having read all the replies, I'm now totally confused :rotfl:

I have a Samsung S3, but looking to upgrade I'm after something similar to S4 although it doesn't have to be a Samsung, phone is for internet, calls, texts, odd music video.

Doesn't have to be brand new, I looked on ebay, but confused with all the brand names & specs, price range £80.00, no idea if I'll get anything decent for that price.

MillicentBystander

If you're after a cheap smartphone I would seriously consider getting one direct from China. Totally accept the warranty will be an issue but when you see what just £50 can get you then may decide it's a risk worth taking.

http://m.gearbest.com/cell-phones/pp_234310.html

5.0 inch DOOGEE X5 Pro Android 5.1 4G Smartphone MTK6735 64bit Quad Core 2GB RAM 16GB ROM OTG OTA Bluetooth 4.0
Main Features:
Display: 5.0 inch IPS HD Screen
CPU: MTK6735 Quad Core
System: Android 5.1
RAM + ROM: 2GB RAM + 16GB ROM
Available Memory: 12GB
Talk Time: 680minutes
Standby Time: 72Hour
Camera: Back camera 5.0MP (SW8.0MP) + front camera 2.0MP (SW5.0MP)
Bluetooth: 4.0
GPS: GPS/AGPS
OTG: Yes
OTA: Yes
SIM Card: Dual SIM dual standby,dual Micro SIM
Network:
2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz
3G: WCDMA 900/2100MHz
4G: FDD-LTE 800/900/1800/2100/2600MHz

FirstTimer4Me

Thanks Mil, that looks OK, I'll check the reviews

sillygoose

MillicentBystander wrote: »

If you're after a cheap smartphone I would seriously consider getting one direct from China. Totally accept the warranty will be an issue but when you see what just £50 can get you then may decide it's a risk worth taking.

http://m.gearbest.com/cell-phones/pp_234310.html

Couldn't agree more. I have on order a Lenovo S820E currently for my daughter. Not the highest spec. but exactly what I was looking for, slim, 4.7" IPS 1280x720, gorilla glass, quad core 1GB ram, 8.9mm thick, SD slot, 8MP camera. Ideal first phone for £50. As its somewhere between an original Moto G and a 2nd generation Moto G. Bought via Ebay as the buyer protection is a bit stronger for this sort of thing.

Having it sent by cheap Chinapost for two reasons,
1. customs are rarely interested in such items.

2. I already learnt a lesson about the high cost of returning defective goods and got lightly burnt, in this case it would be half the cost of the phone!

Cheap post won't be 'signed for' so I intend to fully inspect the phone first. All being good I will accept it. If its damaged or faulty I will be going the DNR claim route and they can send a working replacement at their cost or refund.

Its not an approach I would prefer to take but if Ebay or Aliexpress had a mechanism to guarantee refund of postage for returning defective international goods it wouldn't be sadly necessary.

WannaBLoaded

Don't you have to mess around with imported phones to get the uk networks to work? And the import tax.

I have read a lot about people who import cheap hoping to save money and get stung with tax and then the customer service of the company that you buy it from will be a nightmare if there are any problems.

I think you should make your 80 budget bump up to £139 and join the moto g 3rd gen crew with me.

I am a fine one to talk though, i lowered my budget!

Only gripe with the phone may be the speaker is a bit crap but i have not tested it with headphones yet, it comes no frills in the box, just phone and usb charger.

mac.d

If I only had around £80 to spend I wouldn't want to risk the possible hassles of import charges, never mind any issues with the phone itself, even if it does only cost £50.

Wouldn't something like the Moto E be a safer bet for someone on a tight budget?

NiftyDigits

J_B wrote: »

We already have a Huwaei Ascend G300 that we use (I think the gsm arena comparison said they were similar) .... shall we stick, twist or buy?

Stick.....

sillygoose

I buy a lot of stuff from China other than phones. The sellers are generally experienced in how to fill out the customs form to not attract tax.

As Chinese goods don't really have a 'list price' its too hard for customs to check anyway.

If something is sent by China Post or one of the other bulk carriers like Hong Kong post or Netherlands post (who happily ship China to UK) then its handled by Royal Mail here. The sheer volume is too much for customs to even try and tackle. Only downside is your looking at 2 to 6 weeks possibly.

The exception is if you pay extra and have something sent express by a fast courier like DHL or Fedex. A high proportion of these are looked at by customs and these couriers know they can make a few quid in fees for handling the admin on charges. So basically don't do it!

As to warranty, nothing is 'free' the more expensive brand phone you walk out of Argos with was made by one of the many Chinese players with the same parts and lines, your paying a margin to the retailer as an insurance policy in effect that you can take it back.

Will let you know how the Lenovo turns out in about 2/3 weeks at a guess with current shipping times.

NiftyDigits

mac.d wrote: »

If I only had around £80 to spend I wouldn't want to risk the possible hassles of import charges, never mind any issues with the phone itself, even if it does only cost £50.

Wouldn't something like the Moto E be a safer bet for someone on a tight budget?

Not really. Better to maintain a PAYG SIM, then to get a PAYG upgrade. That way a much more reasonable £40.

The_Last_Username

You know, I'm amazed.
Why?
Well, why risk the (almost inevitable) problems with importing a phone from China?
Why look at Motorolla etc. which - good though they may be at their price - are too expensive to be truly classed as "budget"?
Scrounger was on the right lines, with his recommend of the Vodafone Smart First 6.
I see earlier in the thread the Microsoft Lumia 635; a pretty good phone tbh, 4G too and available sim-free from about £80 if you hunt for it.

Let's be honest though; if your budget is (say) £50 to £80 you are not going to get an all-singing, all-dancing super-fast latest-tech Apple-munching mobile; you will have to compromise.

With that in mind, a really good budget alternative is the Microsoft Lumia 435.
£40 (plus £10 top-up) at Carphone Warehouse and comes sim-free.
http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/phones/microsoft-lumia-435/ppay?colourCode=ORANGE

specs here:
http://www.gsmarena.com/microsoft_lumia_435-6942.php

Yes, it has a poor camera and no 4G but it is nonetheless very capable and has a micro-sd memory slot.
PLUS it will soon be running the very latest operating system (Windows10).
Now that is a bargain budget phone, IMHO.
:money: