Smartphone recommendations budget €200- €300

James201213

Just wondering whats the best andrioid smartphone in this price range. Things i consider important :
- no lag on the screen swipe
- touchscreen
- wifi
- new ice cream sandwhich os
Thanks for any suggestions

IncognitoMan

http://www.carphonewarehouse.ie/Product/strong-HTC-strong-One-V/238541/1_3

Dont have one so cant comment on what they are like put you could google for reviews. HTC tend to be nice phones anyway

BostonB

You need to say how you'll be paying for it, bill, prepay or sim free

James201213

BostonB wrote: »

You need to say how you'll be paying for it, bill, prepay or sim free

Sorry , pay as you go. Thanks

James201213

Anyone?

Snegg

I had to review the Sony Xperia U and it worked extremely well.
It's got everything you are looking for other than Android 4.0, but Sony have promised an update later this year.
Otherwise, I hear the HTC One V is a pretty decent device although I haven't had the chance to review it!

Baked.noodle

I bought a HTC desire on eBay for about 200 euro. Kinda short on memory but lovely build quality. Recommend it! Here is a quick search:

http://www.ebay.ie/sch/Mobile-Smart-Phones-/9355/i.html?LH_ItemCondition=1000&LH_BIN=1&_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A5815&rt=nc&_nkw=htc+desire&_catref=1&_dmpt=UK_Mobile_Phones&_sticky=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_sop=2&_sc=1

It's not got the latest Android but it is a solid performer.

Toasterspark

They aren't ICS, but can anyone tell me if the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 or its Galaxy relatives are good phones? The Ace 2 is about €279 in Three right now and seems like a nice type of phone. Pros/cons?

Or should I hold out for the end of the year and see if there's a mid-range Nexus coming out?

Snegg

Toasterspark wrote: »

They aren't ICS, but can anyone tell me if the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 or its Galaxy relatives are good phones? The Ace 2 is about €279 in Three right now and seems like a nice type of phone. Pros/cons?

Or should I hold out for the end of the year and see if there's a mid-range Nexus coming out?

I haven't heard anything amazing about the Galaxy Ace 2, but the HTC One V is running ICS

areyawell

I'd go for a second hand Iphone 3gs. Get them for around 250 or less. Think ya can get refurbished ones for around that price as well. The cheaper androids aint great, anyway ya can stretch ur budget another small bit?

manu2009

areyawell wrote: »

I'd go for a second hand Iphone 3gs. Get them for around 250 or less. Think ya can get refurbished ones for around that price as well. The cheaper androids aint great, anyway ya can stretch ur budget another small bit?

A second hand Iphone 3gs is around 150e, not 250e. You'd get an Iphone 4 for that price. Its also 3 years old and only has a 600mhz processor.

Anyway if you want a new phone id recommend the Sony Xperia U(ICS should be available soon for it), its 199.99e on meteor payg. Its the most affordable dual core android at the moment, only let down is the limited storage space.

If you'd consider getting something second hand, you could pick up a Samsung Galaxy S2 for between 250 and 300e.

Professey Chin

Why not go with the Ascend G300?
Well inside your budget (only about 120) with ICS builds easily available for it

PogMoThoin

Baked.noodle wrote: »

I bought a HTC desire on eBay for about 200 euro. Kinda short on memory but lovely build quality. Recommend it! Here is a quick search:

http://www.ebay.ie/sch/Mobile-Smart-Phones-/9355/i.html?LH_ItemCondition=1000&LH_BIN=1&_trkparms=65%253A12%257C66%253A2%257C39%253A1%257C72%253A5815&rt=nc&_nkw=htc+desire&_catref=1&_dmpt=UK_Mobile_Phones&_sticky=1&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_sop=2&_sc=1

It's not got the latest Android but it is a solid performer.

€200 is twice what you should be paying for a HTC Desire, they're 2.5 yr old tech now.

Baked.noodle

Well, it was brand new. It was the cheapest desire I could find, but if you know someplace one can find it cheaper pray tell.

Dimithy

If you can get up north, or will be in the UK any time soon, pick up the Orange San Diego.
The first Intel phone released over here. For the price you're not going to get a better phone in terms of performance and battery.
Pretty sure its unlockable now, but ignore if not.

Edit: It's actually got gingerbread, not ICS. Orange say the ICS update is on the way, but I wouldnt rely on it.
Still a fantastic phone for the price

PogMoThoin

Baked.noodle wrote: »

Well, it was brand new. It was the cheapest desire I could find, but if you know someplace one can find it cheaper pray tell.

You can find better than it cheaper such as the Huawei G300 for €130 which has a 4inch screen, Desire only 3.7.

johnmcdnl

Toasterspark wrote: »

They aren't ICS, but can anyone tell me if the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 or its Galaxy relatives are good phones? The Ace 2 is about €279 in Three right now and seems like a nice type of phone. Pros/cons?

Or should I hold out for the end of the year and see if there's a mid-range Nexus coming out?

The Galaxy Ace original one has a shocking battery life - have no idea what the newer model is like though... if I need a phone for a full day and I know I will need a charger I have to take my HTC Wildfire because there's no way I'd trust the Galaxy.. any form of use at all runs the battery into the ground...

Baked.noodle

I may be mistaken but I believe the build quality of that phone (G300) is inferior.

PogMoThoin

Baked.noodle wrote: »

I may be mistaken but I believe the build quality of that phone (G300) is inferior.

Nonsense, there's a big thread here recommending it as it's so good for the price
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056653168

Baked.noodle

Perhaps, but I know which phone I prefer.

BostonB

Some people are picker than others.
Theres a review here.
http://stevelitchfield.com/sshow/ss173.html

James201213

I know its not in the price range but i would like an iphone 4s. So people say that they are overpriced but between the smooth interface and imessage and appsotre i really like it. Too bad they are like 600 euro! Anyone know of a bill pay with an iphone which is like 20 a month?

PogMoThoin

James201213 wrote: »

I know its not in the price range but i would like an iphone 4s. So people say that they are overpriced but between the smooth interface and imessage and appsotre i really like it. Too bad they are like 600 euro! Anyone know of a bill pay with an iphone which is like 20 a month?

Isn't this the Android forum

tiny timy

If you can stretch the budget to an s2 then grab it.super phone.might be that bit cheaper since the s3 release.

James201213

PogMoThoin wrote: »

James201213 wrote: »

I know its not in the price range but i would like an iphone 4s. So people say that they are
overpriced but between the smooth
interface and imessage and appsotre i really like it. Too bad they are like 600 euro! Anyone know of a bill pay with an iphone which is like 20 a month?

Isn't this the Android forum

Sorry . Just thought i would ask since it was about phones

manu2009

If you want an iphone, get a second hand Iphone 4 for 250-300e on adverts.ie or donedeal.

You wouldn't get an Iphone 4s for 20e pm on billpay, most are around 40e pm and now isn't a good time anyway because the new iphone will be out in a few months.

You should ask in the apple forum anyway if you want an Iphone....

James201213

Anyone got a sony xperia U or P

Mimikyu

This post has been deleted.

Bambii_

Toasterspark wrote: »

They aren't ICS, but can anyone tell me if the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 or its Galaxy relatives are good phones? The Ace 2 is about €279 in Three right now and seems like a nice type of phone. Pros/cons?

Or should I hold out for the end of the year and see if there's a mid-range Nexus coming out?

I have the Ace 2 and I love it. The touch is great, looks great, not too big but not too small, no lagging and loads of memory Honestly I haven't found any cons to it yet, I have it about 2 weeks now. If you have any specific questions about it feel free to ask me.

EDIT; On the promo video for the Ace 2 it says it is ICS upgradeable, but Samsung haven't set a release date for when the phone will get it.

BostonB

Some places like O2 are still selling the older ACE (and some other phones) which are not getting ICS so beware of that.

thebman

Sony make the best Android devices IMO.

I just don't like the look of the other ones.

Current range will all get ICS. I have Xperia S and it got the update already.

It is great except for making the right slide function load camera instead of switch from silent when it already has a bloody dedicated physical camera button. Not once have I used this other than to try it out to see that it worked.

BostonB

Kinda gone off sony since they haven't released a fix for the Xperia Mini issues or made any statement on it leaving their customers high and dry.

James201213

Has anyone anything to say about sony xperia arc s?

James201213

sony xperia u sounds good. not sure how good a UI it has since its so cheap. laggy UI pisses me off really easily

Riesen_Meal

James201213 wrote: »

Has anyone anything to say about sony xperia arc s?

My mate has one, lovely piece of kit, has 2.3.6, but im sure has ICS on it by now, a bit small for my liking but other than that its pretty nice handset....

BostonB

Fieldog wrote: »

My mate has one, lovely piece of kit, has 2.3.6, but im sure has ICS on it by now, a bit small for my liking but other than that its pretty nice handset....

Arc S a bit small? its a 4.2" screen? Do you mean thin?

The Xperia U main draw back is no Micro SD slot. 8GB is your lot.

Theres also the Xperia P.

Personally I think the Arc S feels much nicer in the hand, the newer ones are very sharp edged. The Arc is 1.4 single core though. But it has a removable battery, takes a full sized sim, and takes a memory card.

James201213

Looks like the sony xperia u vs sony experia arc s

neacy69

James201213 wrote: »

Looks like the sony xperia u vs sony experia arc s

You could probably pick up a second hand galaxy nexus for that budget... Really good phone and it has jelly bean