Cheap easy to use Smart Phone

Blue_Doggy

I already have a phone for private calls, texts, photos etc, (I haven't connected it to the internet) but it looks as though I’ll need an internet connection for the various apps that seem to be being required for “new normal” life.
 
I’d rather use a different device from my private one. It would also be useful to be able to use it for Facebook for local businesses and activities which don’t have websites (I don’t want Facebook etc poking their sticky fingers into my private stuff).

 
Looking for something easy to use but not Apple (my other kit is Apple and I don’t want the devices swapping notes). Also recommendation for network (I don’t necessarily need to use the thing as a phone, just a portable mini-computer). Both as inexpensive as possible while being reliable.
 

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
 

(Paranoid about privacy? Me? Never! Lol 😀 )
 

ballyblack

Motorola G range around £130 - £200. Stock android and very little bloat

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorola-Display-Qualcomm-Snapdragon-Electric/dp/B08FTCFGDS/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=EDB6USZW05D&dchild=1&keywords=motorola+g9&qid=1618385722&sprefix=motorola,aps,179&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFTSThBMktCTUlMREMmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAzNDgwMTkxV0k4M01MREFBVlJJJmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAzNTA0OTgxTVRJUDYwNDFSTkhQJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==

Cisco001

Motorola if you want close to pure android
Have a look at Motorola G9 Plus or Motorola G 5G if you look for something under £200



Xiaomi if you want good value for money.

I have Xiaomi Mi 10t lite at the moment. 
https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/mi-10t-lite-ps189-with-free-1000mah-power-bank-3703752

Poco F3 is good value for its spec if you prepare to pay £300
https://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/xiaomi-uk-poco-f3-early-bird-deal-starts-16th-april-3706328

getmore4less

Whatever you pick you may accidently open up unless you create a different you for that phone.


if going android a new google account with no connection to the real you is a start along with all the others accounts you plan to use as another you.
Just be careful you use info you can remember,  I lost a Microsoft account for a windows phone using not me data and forgot the DOB I used.



I have been impressed  with my Xiaomi Poco X3 NFC  and they have cheaper phones that get good reviews

Can get a decent phone under £100 for your sort of use


Xiaomi range the redmi are good value but read up on the deal profile that they use and the self referrals there are all sorts of discounts

https://www.mi.com/uk/
https://www.hotukdeals.com/vouchers/mi.com


as for network

Depending how much data you will end up using there are a few options.

you could look at the MSE £5pm  deal on Lebara 3GB month  (4 months 1/2 price)

https://mobile.lebara.com/gb/en/msm/exclusive-monthly-plan-500/p/441174



if £5pm is too much then some PAYG options

The 3 data reward with 200MB per month might be enough extra data not so cheap.

There are still some O2 classic PAYG 321 sims about  1p/MB 


cheapest contract/rolling 
 
Sky mobile £42 for 3 years(inc calls and text) 100MB month that rolls over,  1GB is £6 extra and that rolls over.

If you moved your other phone to sky you can share the data


Those are the top of my head.

Blue_Doggy

Thank you all for your suggestions. Plenty there to research.
 

Extra thanks to getmore4less for advice about using a different identity.

J_B

Do you want to use this phone away from home?

If not, just get a sim free Android one and just use it on WiFi

RumRat

Blue_Doggy said:

I already have a phone for private calls, texts, photos etc, (I haven't connected it to the internet) but it looks as though I’ll need an internet connection for the various apps that seem to be being required for “new normal” life.
 
I’d rather use a different device from my private one. It would also be useful to be able to use it for Facebook for local businesses and activities which don’t have websites (I don’t want Facebook etc poking their sticky fingers into my private stuff).

 
Looking for something easy to use but not Apple (my other kit is Apple and I don’t want the devices swapping notes). Also recommendation for network (I don’t necessarily need to use the thing as a phone, just a portable mini-computer). Both as inexpensive as possible while being reliable.
 

Any thoughts? Thanks in advance.
 

(Paranoid about privacy? Me? Never! Lol 😀 )
 

I think probably one of the most paranoid posts I've seen on here and that's saying something......

Blue_Doggy

J_B yes, to use outside the home.
 

RumRat lol! 🤣 My data, my choice. 😀

Laz123

I got a ZTE Blade for about £120 a couple of years ago. You couldn't do worse.

RumRat

Blue_Doggy said:

J_B yes, to use outside the home.
 

RumRat lol! 🤣 My data, my choice. 😀

Agreed, but, I think you think that someone will do something they won't to whatever you have. Carry on regardless...

moneysavinghero

Blue_Doggy said:

J_B yes, to use outside the home.
 

RumRat lol! 🤣 My data, my choice. 😀

Just make sure you keep it turned off when you come home. One sniff of your WIFI signal and it will work out you are the same person as your other profile and start swapping those notes.

So a person called Blue Doggy wants to conduct secret activities outside - will this phone be used mostly in car parks late at night by any chance?