New smartphone

TheSkints

Hi guys, just looking for some advice. My one and only smartphone (Samsung Galaxy mini II) which I bought back in 2012 has finally broken so I need to get a new one asap.

I'm not too bothered about fashion so I don't need to have the very latest. As long as it works for internet and calls, isn't too big, is unlocked for use of any sim card it should be okay.
Also, if possible I'd like to buy something that isn't loaded with crap that you can't uninstall (is that even possible?); My Samsung had stuff I never ever used taking up space like ChatOn and SocialHub and I couldn't get rid of them.

Also I'd like some kind of light on it and perhaps - though not that necessary a camera with some kind of flash. Budget is around £150 (I think I paid £110 for my Samsung back in the day).

Also anything else I may have missed?

Thanks guys. Hoping to buy this weekend or Monday after a bit of advice as i don't fancy getting blagged downtown without any knowledge.

grumbler

Have a look at http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=7247

You can get 8Gb+1GB version for as little as ~£90.
16Gb+2Gb is closer to £150.
I don't have it, but I like that it's water-resistant. The main disadvantage is, IMHO, a non-removable battery.

Neil49

Argos have quite a good range of sim free phones.

You haven't said whether you want to stay with android or try out a Windows phone but they have both.

You can also take a look at user reviews to see what others think of them.

TheSkints

Not really sure about the advantages/disadvantages re Android v Windows. I've only ever had one smartphone (Android) so have no previous experience on which to base any comparison.

As for Argos reviews - I'm not really sure they can be trusted so much as Argos itself seems to chose which ones to publish or not.

As far as the posted phone. The non removable battery might be a problem - especially as I get out and about sometimes and generally carry a charged spare battery for any 'emergency' map needs or similar.

grumbler

Unfortunately, many phones have non-removable batteries nowadays even Samsung Galaxy S6.

If you don't mind trying a less impressive brand with pretty impressive specs, see this dual-sim one: Doogee X5 Pro 5" 4G Smartphone 1280x720 Android 5.1 Quad-core 2GB & 16GB - Black - BangGood £48.46 after 10% discount using BangGood Mobile App

TheSkints

grumbler wrote: »

Unfortunately, many phones have non-removable batteries nowadays even Samsung Galaxy S6.

You have to wonder why 'progression' often makes things worse for the consumer.

In times of need I've actually powered my powerless smartphone off a Nokia battery and a bit of ripped off cigarette packet (not mine - I don't smoke ). So I'd like to keep that degree of flexibility.

BadBehaviour

grumbler wrote: »

Unfortunately, many phones have non-removable batteries nowadays even Samsung Galaxy S6.

If you don't mind trying a less impressive brand with pretty impressive specs, see this dual-sim one: Doogee X5 Pro 5" 4G Smartphone 1280x720 Android 5.1 Quad-core 2GB & 16GB - Black - BangGood £48.46 after 10% discount using BangGood Mobile App

I wouldn't suggest that OP gets a phone from BangGood, which are based in China (I bought from them a couple of times). OP doesn't seem an expert user so a phone with a UK warranty is better suited to him because if things go wrong with a phone bought from China, then he can't ship it back there for a repair as with China they don't allow you to send batteries via post. Read more than person who had problems with their Chinese phone pointing this out.

I know BangGood has an EU warehouse but still practically no warranty as you'd have to send the phone back to China and that doesn't seem possible.


OP Moto G 3rd Gen would be perfect for you I think.
Practically stock Android so you wouldn't have all those apps you can't uninstall. Timely updates, waterproof as well.

If you plan to use it for a few years, then the non removable battery could be a drawback, though as Grumbler pointed out.

grumbler

BadBehaviour wrote: »

If you plan to use it for a few years, then the non removable battery could be a drawback, though as Grumbler pointed out.

I don't think that it's very expensive to have the battery replaced after a couple of years. The OP was more concerned about having a spare charged battery.

I have never had a phone with a non-removable battery, and my main concern is that with my current phone sometimes the only way to bring it back to life is to remove the battery for a few seconds.

BadBehaviour

grumbler wrote: »

I don't think that it's very expensive to have the battery replaced after a couple of years. The OP was more concerned about having a spare charged battery.

I have never had a phone with a non-removable battery, and my main concern is that with my current phone sometimes the only way to bring it back to life is to remove the battery for a few seconds.

Probably not, but still a bit annoying.

I have an S6 now, coming from an S4 with a removable battery and the non removable battery concerns me a little but still I think I got a very good deal at well under £300 and I love the phone.

I remember going for the S4 because I planned to tether a lot and a non removable battery would have deteriorated very quickly with that kind of usage.

I'd probably carry a small battery pack if I was worried about battery not lasting through the day but it's not as convenient as just swapping batteries. As you say, Grumbler, it's also good to have a removable battery in case the phone is playing up.

.

diamonds

Try CPW payg upgrades route, most handsets are unlocked, own brand Voda/EE handsets are not.

TheSkints

BadBehaviour wrote: »

I wouldn't suggest that OP gets a phone from BangGood, which are based in China (I bought from them a couple of times). .

Good point. I read on the reviews that some phones took 1 month to arrive. I should have also mentioned that I need to get one within the week.

And add that I need one with a removable battery. Otherwise I probably would have got one of those already recommended here.