New Android phone advice

yoyo

Hi folks,

I have been thinking about replacing my Europa with a much more decent phone :pac: . I would be willing to spend <€200 really so I wouldn't mind getting a second hand device. I have been thinking the galaxy s, htc desire, galaxy ace (is this a good one?). Any advice would be appreciated. I will probably put Cyanogenmod or similar ROM on it at some stage, I'm with Three and pay as you go if that matters.

Any advice appreciated

Nick

Jarren

If you could stretch a little bit more...

http://www.theorder.co.uk/simfree/offline/deals/LG/Optimus%202x%20Clearance

yoyo

Jarren wrote: »

If you could stretch a little bit more...

http://www.theorder.co.uk/simfree/offline/deals/LG/Optimus%202x%20Clearance

Looks like a nice phone, €233 inc delivery is a bit pricey, but having said that its new so I should probably take that into account. May be tempted by that alrite,

Nick

Kydos

If you're looking to spend less than €200 you'll struggle to get a Desire or Galaxy S. However, I got the HTC Wildfire S a few months ago for just €150 with Vodafone. I think the price is gone up to €170 now though that was a xmas offer as far as I know.

It's a fantastic phone though, has all the features of the Desire S just with a bit less processing power. I would highly recommend looking into one if you're thinking of buying Android, I don't know if you could get a second-hand Desire for less than €200. Don't have much experience with Samsung but definitely a big fan of the Wildfire S since I got it.

Meteor, Vodafone and O2 all sell it, not sure about Three didn't know they were still around

PogMoThoin

You'll get a Galaxy S on Adverts for 150, they ask 200 but in reality 150 is the price they are making. It's 18 month old technology at this stage

yoyo

Kydos wrote: »

If you're looking to spend less than €200 you'll struggle to get a Desire or Galaxy S. However, I got the HTC Wildfire S a few months ago for just €150 with Vodafone. I think the price is gone up to €170 now though that was a xmas offer as far as I know.

It's a fantastic phone though, has all the features of the Desire S just with a bit less processing power. I would highly recommend looking into one if you're thinking of buying Android, I don't know if you could get a second-hand Desire for less than €200. Don't have much experience with Samsung but definitely a big fan of the Wildfire S since I got it.

Meteor, Vodafone and O2 all sell it, not sure about Three didn't know they were still around

Hi Kydos,

Thanks for your reply . I'd be looking at going something a bit up from the Wildfire tbh, as I know of it that its similar and only a small bit superior to the Europa (smaller screen, memory, etc). The Optomus x2 LG one seems nice, may be able to go the extra for it. I agree getting a Galaxy s or Desire S in good used condition is probably not realistic for €200 or under. But the Optomus looks promising.
Just a quick q, that phone is all unlocked to all networks so I'm assuming Three payg will be ok with it? I'm 99% sure it means its grand but have to check

You'll get a Galaxy S on Adverts for 150, they ask 200 but in reality 150 is the price they are making. It's 18 month old technology at this stage

I know man, I had thought they were expensive but would be willing to negociate. Having said that many on Adverts are network locked, may have batteries reaching the end of their life (another expense) and so the LG seems to be a good spec to rival that of the S, if not better. I think I could push €233 although need to ask Dad if I can borrow his credit card to pay for it :pac:

Nick

Jarren

and more options..


http://www.expansys.com/mobile-phones/sim-free-phones/?filter=5|0|0-200|2|3233|Android
http://www.amazon.de/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_scat_3468301_ln?rh=n%3A3468301%2Ck%3Ahtc%2Cp_76%3A1-&keywords=htc&ie=UTF8&qid=1333464982&scn=3468301#/ref=sr_nr_p_n_operating_system_0?rh=n%3A562066%2Cn%3A%21569604%2Cn%3A1384526031%2Cn%3A3468301%2Ck%3Ahtc%2Cp_76%3A419123031%2Cp_36%3A389303011%2Cp_n_operating_system_browse-bin%3A1602276031&bbn=3468301&keywords=htc&ie=UTF8&qid=1333465004&rnid=1602003031

yoyo

Jarren wrote: »

and more options..


http://www.expansys.com/mobile-phones/sim-free-phones/?filter=5|0|0-200|2|3233|Android
http://www.amazon.de/gp/search/ref=sr_nr_scat_3468301_ln?rh=n%3A3468301%2Ck%3Ahtc%2Cp_76%3A1-&keywords=htc&ie=UTF8&qid=1333464982&scn=3468301#/ref=sr_nr_p_n_operating_system_0?rh=n%3A562066%2Cn%3A%21569604%2Cn%3A1384526031%2Cn%3A3468301%2Ck%3Ahtc%2Cp_76%3A419123031%2Cp_36%3A389303011%2Cp_n_operating_system_browse-bin%3A1602276031&bbn=3468301&keywords=htc&ie=UTF8&qid=1333465004&rnid=1602003031

Cheers Jarren,

Are theorder relyable? Really think I'll go for the LG at this stage, seems to do well in the reviews and a decent spec for the price . Will likely flash it with Cyanogenmod when I get it

Nick

Ste-

yoyo wrote: »

I know man, I had thought they were expensive but would be willing to negociate. Having said that many on Adverts are network locked, may have batteries reaching the end of their life (another expense) and so the LG seems to be a good spec to rival that of the S, if not better. I think I could push €233 although need to ask Dad if I can borrow his credit card to pay for it :pac:

Nick

The Galaxy S can be software unlocked. "There's an app for that"
You'd only need a new battery which shouldn't set you back that much.
You can also get a custom rom of Ice Cream Sandwich if you desired, coz it won't officially get it.

yoyo

Ste- wrote: »

The Galaxy S can be software unlocked. "There's an app for that"
You'd only need a new battery which shouldn't set you back that much.
You can also get a custom rom of Ice Cream Sandwich if you desired, coz it won't officially get it.

Ahh I know but isn't doing phone unlocking more "risky" than os flashing? Thats what I heard anyways, I've been looking up the Optimus 2x and most people seem to be happy with it, the letdown being the pre-loaded os (I will likely install a custom ROM anyways). It does seem quite big, so that might be a concern for me but it seems to be near the same size as a Galaxy S2 and once it fits in my pocket that is not a big deal.
Also I've looked on adverts but many of the people selling the Galaxy S arn't dublin based (or asking too much).

Nick

Jarren

Adverts ie are pretty good for a brand new/second hand items.

For example I purchased a brand new and still sealed SGS2 for 300 Euros last September,
Week old Htc desire S last May for 250 Euros.
2 devices came with receipts obviously.

Make an offer ,the worst sellers can do is to say no.

http://www.adverts.ie/for-sale/mobile-phones-accessories/mobile-phones/188/q_android/price_100-250/

yoyo

Gonna order the LG Optimus 2x later, looks like a great phone! Bit concerned with the height but my m8 has the Sensation and doesn't find its an issue.

Nick

Jarren

How about this one?
For 40-45 Euros more

http://www.theorder.co.uk/simfree/offline/deals/LG/Optimus%203D%20Clearance/3504/10

yoyo

Jarren wrote: »

How about this one?
For 40-45 Euros more

http://www.theorder.co.uk/simfree/offline/deals/LG/Optimus%203D%20Clearance/3504/10

Way Way over budget, tbh €233 is 33 over what I'd have paid but it does seem like a decent phone and its new . Lets hope this theorder crowd are good, mixed views on the ole web :rolleyes::rolleyes: , although people rarely do leave positive over negative reviews, so I'll give them a chance.

Nick

yoyo

Missed that phone . Had to wait until Dad was available (dont have credit card) and now its out of stock . So still looking for a phone around the 200 mark, a good bit pissed off I am!

Nick

Jarren

free delivery with that

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HTC-Evo-Sim-Free-Smartphone/dp/B0058FQL4Q/ref=sr_1_12?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1333476706&sr=1-12

it's really worth it a few extra bob IMHO

yoyo

Jarren wrote: »

free delivery with that

http://www.amazon.co.uk/HTC-Evo-Sim-Free-Smartphone/dp/B0058FQL4Q/ref=sr_1_12?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1333476706&sr=1-12

it's really worth it a few extra bob IMHO

Thats around €275, tbh I can't afford that at all, I put an offer on for one on adverts (desire hd) so will wait and see :rolleyes: . Pritty pissed off I missed that one, theres no others around the 200-240 mark anywhere you know of?

Cheers,

Nick

GreenWolfe

http://www.expansys.ie/motorola-milestone-2-android-smartphone-203426/

There's a Motorola Milestone 2 for €210 on Expansys. Don't have one myself, but it might be worth a look. Afaik there won't be an ICS upgrade and all of the internal memory is allocated to apps only. GSMArena review here.

yoyo

EarthlyPangaea wrote: »

http://www.expansys.ie/motorola-milestone-2-android-smartphone-203426/

There's a Motorola Milestone 2 for €210 on Expansys. Don't have one myself, but it might be worth a look. Afaik there won't be an ICS upgrade and all of the internal memory is allocated to apps only. GSMArena review here.

Think I might go with that one, the slide keyboard could be a handy feature as well, not sure I want to go the second hand route, with regards to warranty etc :P

Nick

yoyo

Right thanks all for your help. I don't think I'm going to go for the Motorola, I would really want to get a phone where installing a custom rom/cyanogenmod is possible. Just too used to being on a custom ROM now to go back to a stock one . Also been reading the milestones are hard to root/unlock the bootloader.
Back to the drawing board, I may go for a second hand one, my only worry with this is warranty/if the phone were to break. Didn't think this would be so hard in finding a new phone, :$

Nick

Mr.Biscuits

Xperia Ray are around the €240 mark delivered from Amazon.

pigeon999

What about waiting until the end of the month for the HTC One V?

Slunk

I got two desire HD on adverts a few months ago, both rooted and custom roms for in around 200 each. Probably going for less now. Just be patient. Great phones

yoyo

Slunk wrote: »

I got two desire HD on adverts a few months ago, both rooted and custom roms for in around 200 each. Probably going for less now. Just be patient. Great phones

I made an offer for €190, Im only concerned that if it was to brake I'd have no comeback, and €200 is a pritty expensive gamble (I'm sure I'll have nps but you never know).
Is the HTC One V gonna cost <the €200 mark?

Nick

GreenWolfe

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/9989365/art/sony-ericsson/xperia-mini-st15i.html

How about an SE Mini st15i? Approx €169 excl delivery.

yoyo

EarthlyPangaea wrote: »

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/9989365/art/sony-ericsson/xperia-mini-st15i.html

How about an SE Mini st15i? Approx €169 excl delivery.

Kinda looking for something with a bigish screen, its mainly for when I'm still in bed to use the net :P . Also just want a faster device in general. Wouldn't be a Sony fan but if push comes to shove and they offer the best deal I'll probably take it .
What would you guys think of a second hand Desire HD? Worth the risk?

Nick

Mr.Biscuits

EarthlyPangaea wrote: »

http://www.pixmania.ie/ie/uk/9989365/art/sony-ericsson/xperia-mini-st15i.html

How about an SE Mini st15i? Approx €169 excl delivery.

Have this phone myself and it is excellent - best phone I have ever owned.

Can be had for €114 (€99 on O2 and €15 to unlock )

aliaslinden

Get the Sony Xperia Mini from 02. Such good value for a really well specced and well built phone.

You can get fat cheese cash back as well if you buy online and an unlock is 15 euro. Total cost around 90 euro.

I have a Samsung Galaxy S II and the Xperia Mini. I actually find the Xperia more comfortable to use in one hand as the the Galaxy is too large and thin for me. However, for things like reading ebooks and web browsing the Samsung is slightly better. Still think Xperia is an amazing deal on 02.

pigeon999

yoyo wrote: »

Slunk wrote: »

I got two desire HD on adverts a few months ago, both rooted and custom roms for in around 200 each. Probably going for less now. Just be patient. Great phones

I made an offer for €190, Im only concerned that if it was to brake I'd have no comeback, and €200 is a pritty expensive gamble (I'm sure I'll have nps but you never know).
Is the HTC One V gonna cost <the €200 mark?

Nick

Yeah €150 in USA but by the time it gets here could be dearer. HTC One V

zom

JUST BE AWARE BUYING LG OUTSIDE IRELAND/UK!!
LG Support for Ireland (UK based) don't cover any device bought outside Ireland/UK. If you buy phone in Germany or Spain you loose your warranty (unless you have address in that countries and you can send/receive your broke device from that address).

yoyo

All good advice, cheers folks. Will probably put it on hold until after easter. May still go the second hand route, will play it by year,

Cheers,

Nick

Jarren

well , if you are looking to customise your smartphone then Android is your best friend ,if not....
http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mobiles/mobile-phones/NOKIA-LUMIA-710?affiliateId=47868

Smashing Value IMHO(check pricing in Ireland)


From time to time they post decent offers

http://www.handtec.co.uk/

yoyo

Jarren wrote: »

well , if you are looking to customise your smartphone then Android is your best friend ,if not....
http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mobiles/mobile-phones/NOKIA-LUMIA-710?affiliateId=47868

Smashing Value IMHO(check pricing in Ireland)


From time to time they post decent offers

http://www.handtec.co.uk/

Looks good man, would really prefare to go the Android route though, actually have The Samsung Galaxy Europa and just want something better, its a bit slow, small low res screen and the wifi and 3g is a bit hit & miss, particularly the wifi. Its a decent budget phone and has Cyanogen mod available for it though,

Nick