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Question

Best Budget-Cell-Phone Right Now

Aug 26, 2015 5:26PM PDT

I know about cell phones about as much as the average user… which is laughably little.

Experience with electronics has taught me that although the more expensive is usually superior, and generally more reliable, some less expensive products can offer equal (or almost equal) performance at a much lower price. Those are the brands/models I’m seeking out right now. Additionally, a lot of the modern, fancy smartphone functions don’t appeal to me, so I don’t think finding a suitable phone should be too difficult.


The new phone I am planning to get, I expect to serve me well for the next two years (or so). I can afford about $200. I’m looking for a smartphone that:

- Has the screen size and resolution for comfortable reading (e-books and comics/graphic novels). I don’t mean Kindle-quality – my old Alcatel M’Pop was generally ok for reading, assuming the books were properly formatted. But I could use a bigger screen.

- Has a solid keyboard (screen response, size) for efficient typing. I like to write stuff on my phone; I sometimes write up to 2000 words, so I do need comfortable typing.

- Reliable as a PHONE. As in battery life, connection, making calls, texting… not prone to crashing…

- Okay performance online. I don’t use a lot of apps and widgets; I don’t even use Instragram and Snapchat (or whatever); but I do use the internet for communication, Googling things, checking forums, and occasional entertainment.

- (Optional): Good camera. I want to able to take decent pictures and videos. Again, optional, but I wouldn't mind having a solid camera.

I hope those are not the qualities that make a phone really expensive. As I said, I don’t know much about phones.
I am not asking the community for a specific model, as much as a good brand and insight on what specs I should look for in order to meet my requirements. At the moment, I am looking at LG, Lenovo, Nokia, and Huawei. Have these been performing well lately? I will look into other brands if you can recommend any (assuming they are available).


Up until now (for about two years), I’ve been using an Alcatel One Touch M’Pop. For the most part, during the first 12-15 months, I was very pleased with it. Being my first smartphone, I found it very enjoyable. It was fast, accurate, and generally reliable. I have no comparison references, so I might be wrong, but I thought it was a good model.

That is what I mean when I mention cheaper brands/models that offer good performance for a lower price. It may not boast the “really-impressive, super-cool: water-resistance, voice-command unlocks, motion sensor, defibrillator-pocketknife-flamethrower-dragontamer features”, but when it comes to being a phone bred with a portable computer, it gets the job done.


And about Nokia – I’ve had good experience with Nokia phones. I know they still have the reputation of being extremely tough, endurant, and reliable. I’ve never tried out a Nokia smartphone, however, and I only recently learned that these are all Windows Phones.
Does that matter, though? What does Microsoft have to offer in the phone-market? I have noticed some seemingly quality models, but I don’t know how to feel about a Windows phone…
How limiting is the software, anyway? How fairly do they treat their users? My most used apps in Android are Writer, Perfect Viewer and Viber. Does Microsoft have these (or solid replacements) – and are they free? What about privacy? How does it communicate with other software (Android and Apple)

And one more thing. When the store mentions a default OS version, does that mean that the specific phone can ONLY use that version, or it works best with that specific version… if I have a phone that comes with Lollipop, and I decide I would rather use KitKat – is it advisable to downgrade (and vice versa)?
I’ve noticed that phones that come with KitKat are generally cheaper. Does this indicate performance, or is it simply about them being older models – and if so, should them being older worry me?


Thanks.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Nothing out today unless?
Aug 26, 2015 5:51PM PDT

What if I add a bluetooth keyboard? For 2000 words even the few phones with keyboards would Medieval torture devices.

As to the Lollipop and downgrading this really turns this into an Unicorn hunt. That is I've never found a need to go back. I find the latest Android to be fine. And those BLU smartphones on Amazon run far less than 200 so there is room for a keyboard and maybe a battery pack.

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Reply
Aug 27, 2015 1:53PM PDT

I don't need a Bluetooth keyboard. I only use my phone for writing in situations where a keyboard is impractical. The M'Pop was not bad in this regard; I could still type, and if the day was right, do so without making many mistakes.
What I need for comfortable writing is a good, responsive, and accurate touch technology, so I can write without having my thoughts and immersion thrown off by unfair typos.
That is what I meant in that regard.

About the systems - some phones are sold with KitKat; these are usually cheaper. Does that mean that they will have trouble running Lollipop, or perform unwell with new software - or perhaps suffer in longevity?
Speaking of systems, does Microsoft live up to the negative rumors? Will a Windows Phone fit my needs?

I don't have access to BLU smartphones. The company I am getting my new phone from has a relatively small array to offer.
At the moment I am looking at LG Spirit. I am somewhat interested in some cheap, Chinese brands (Lenovo and Huawei), and the specifications of the Microsoft Lumia 535 are rather appealing.
Any insights?

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Odd. Here I got a pair of BLU's for 99 bucks each.
Aug 27, 2015 2:19PM PDT

Both have Lollipop so I doubt I'd want to spend less. That would push me to look at less ram and memory. These have 1GB RAM, 8GB Flash so to spend less I'm really looking at Androids that press me to fiddly far too much with app and space.

I'm having to guess you may be in some country with less choice?

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I guess you could say that...
Aug 27, 2015 5:11PM PDT

It is more about the provider where I'm getting the phone. There is decent choice, but I do agree it is objectively less than what one might expect.

I am currently thinking between the LG Spirit and the Microsoft Lumia 535. Which one would you say matches my requirements better? I keep hearing how superior Windows is to to Google these days. It is a question I am likely to post in another thread.

Which one of these would you recommend - and do you know of another Android phone in my price range that is superior to the LG?

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The GSM models I noted run on
Aug 27, 2015 5:20PM PDT

Tmobile, ATT, TING and more use that standard so I'm not locked to phone or carrier.

A quick refresher and list is at http://www.makeuseof.com/tag/gsm-vs-cdma-difference-better/

As to Windows, I meet a lot of people and there are more Blackberry users than Windows. Microsoft and folk that talk it up, must put their money where their mouth is. Even if I could get them for free, Microsoft's Draconian stance on apps means we can't deal on that platform.

The LG G4 is very nice. I have one of those too.