Smartphones

[Mark A]

Hi chaps,

My 3-year-old Samsung Galaxy S4 died back in the summer and I've been making do with an ancient brick-like lump I found stored in a shoebox under the stairs until now. It was like discovering a time capsule!

I don't follow technology like I used to so suggestions would be very helpful. My budget is maximum £150, but cheaper if possible.

My requirements:

*Android Operating System
*Unlocked/Vodafone network
*4G connectivity
*Large screen (my fingers aren't compatible with mini touchscreens)
*Bluetooth


Over to you!

 

[RobinBHM]

I would say the Moto G4 would be a great contender -Ive got the original motoG and its been great for the price.

 

[MattRoberts]

Are you looking to buy just a handset? Or can you get a deal with a tariff? You don't mention if you pay monthly or not.

 

[Beau]

Huawei Ascend Y550. Picked one up for £50 of Ebay SH. I break phones so not prepared to spend a lot and it's the best phone I have had to date. Fast, stable, long battery life and good signal when other big brands struggle. Not very flash but works a treat. Weakest point is an average camera by modern standards but hay it's phone and very good one IMO.

 

[Mark A]

Are you looking to buy just a handset? Or can you get a deal with a tariff? You don't mention if you pay monthly or not.

Handset only - I have a contract with Vodafone.

I'll take a look at Motorola and Huawei Now.

Cheers,
Mark

 

[AndyT]

Same answer as Robin - Moto G4. £159.95 at John Lewis. Make sure you get the 16Gb version not the 8Gb.

You'll like the absence of unremovable bloatware compared to your Galaxy. Also a nice big screen, excellent camera and audio.

 

[david123]

Shame they don't make a GPO candlestick mobile, not a lot to go wrong with them.

 

[selectortone]

Another vote for the Motorola Moto G4. The best budget smartphone by miles. Google it and read some reviews.

 

[Jonzjob]

I too have a Moto G and if the 4 is as good then that's what I would get.

Galaxy 7 ? OK, I'll get me coat :mrgreen: :mrgreen:

 

[pcb1962]

Another vote for the Moto G4, my children have had all the Moto Gs since the first one, all great phones and excellent value for money.

 

[oakmitre]

If you are comparing prices of the Moto G4, make sure you are looking at the G4, not the G4 Play.

I have had a couple of the earlier Moto G series, they are very good for the money. However they both had problems with the headphone jack socket wearing out very quickly (a matter of weeks).

 

[Mark A]

Hi chaps,

Just read a review of the Moto G4 and it looks good. Thanks for the suggestions!

Mark

 

[MrDavidRoberts]

Another vote for Moto G, we have 3 of 1st gen ones in house ( still being used everyday,cracking phones indeed) and I have the 3rd gen, I had a look at the 4th gen as well however the build quality of the 4th gen seriously put me off compared to 3rd! + the 4th gen doesn't really have any real upgrades in it, If I had to choose today I would choose another Moto g 3rd - just because the quality isn't that good for the 4th once they were taken over by the chinese and started to skimp on everything...

Perhaps when you are near some phone shop Just go inside and test it out to see if you like it?

 

[RobinBHM]

Having looked further, I would advise readjng the good and bad reviews on amazon. It seems the G4 may have some issues to do with ghost touching

 

[MrDavidRoberts]

yes but don't use it as deciding factor whatever to buy or not to buy the phone, only read the negative points to find faults with the product.
If you look at a £20 phone and a £500 phone both of them would get good 5 star ratings even they are 2 completetly different products, yet for both the reviewers would say that it's the best thing ever if it's any good...
Same for everything as well, You can find well rated £20 DIY tool with just as good reviews as a £200 tool but obviously the one will be much much better than another one and the £20 DIY tool would get a 1star if they had a chance to use the proper £200 tool

 

[Phil Pascoe]

" ... the £20 DIY tool would get a 1star if they had a chance to use the proper £200 tool "

Why? The person rating it is rating it for what it is and what was paid for it, not rating it against something else.

 

[Mark A]

Hi chaps,

Just ordered a Moto G4 from John Lewis.

Regarding reviews, I always take the polarised comments with a pinch of salt as I find they're more often than not posted by people who have an agenda. How many times have you seen one-star reviews online with no mention of the actual item, just snidey rantings about a missed delivery?

Thanks for the advice, it's much appreciated!

Cheers,
Mark

 

[Helvetica]

I bought a doogee (I know) X9 Pro for my mum this xmas. It's fantastic. €100 from dx dot com + delivery. I'm an iPhone 6 man myself but I'm blown away by the spec that can be had with android, and without giving the profit to car phone warehouse or whoever. They also have a returns policy, unusual for a chinese online retailer. I thought the phone was DOA but it turns out there was a protective label on the battery terminal! the shame. My local repair guy spotted it, but they were happy to replace or give store credit. good luck!