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Decent Entry level Android

  • 20-07-2013 09:37PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 940 ✭✭✭


    Hi All
    Previous Blackberry fan here that has almost given up the ghost of RIM ever making a decent, affordable smart phone

    I am thinking of giving Android a try to see how i like it... I don't want to shell out big bucks on a phone that i hate

    On the other hand, friends tell me that if i buy an android device that is not powerful enough... i will definately hate it...

    So it seems like a catch22 to me!

    So my question is - what is the best value android (sub €150) out there?

    I would prefer a non contract phone... as if i like it... i would probably get an S4 or HTC one on bill pay...

    Is a chinese import the way to go? Or is there something decent on any networks PAYG route?

    Thanks in Advance!


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,204 ✭✭✭elfy4eva


    I picked up a Sony Xperia Tipo for €70 (my first android aswell)

    Battery life could be better but it does the job!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 19,015 ✭✭✭✭Mimikyu


    This post has been deleted.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 530 ✭✭✭Stormington


    I was going to suggest the Huawei Y300 aswell: €100 from either Meteor/Emobile and easy to unlock online. Personally, I've read of more issues with the g510 than I have of the y300, fwiw.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 940 ✭✭✭geecee


    elfy4eva wrote: »
    I picked up a Sony Xperia Tipo for €70 (my first android aswell)

    Where did you pick it up?

    Capn Morgan/Stormington:
    I see that the Y300 seems to have a dual SIM version available on some of the chinese stores (meri mobile etc)
    Does the unit that Meteor sells have dual SIM capability?

    Also does it have a (camera) flash?
    GSM arena says it does... but looking at the pics of the back of the phone it doesn't appear to have an LED?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,204 ✭✭✭elfy4eva


    geecee wrote: »
    Where did you pick it up?

    Just picked it up in an O2 shop. To correct myself I think it was 79.99.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 530 ✭✭✭Stormington


    Does the unit that Meteor sells have dual SIM capability?
    I do not believe it does. I have an emobile catalogue in front of me and it makes no mention of it. It is quite rare for a retailer here in Ireland to ever offer a dual-sim version of a phone tbh.
    Also does it have a (camera) flash?
    There's a pile of websites saying it does according to Google.
    Just picked it up in an O2 shop. To correct myself I think it was 79.99.
    Tbh, between the y300 and the Xperia E/Tipo I'd recommend the Huawei every time.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,204 ✭✭✭elfy4eva


    Tbh, between the y300 and the Xperia E/Tipo I'd recommend the Huawei every time.

    You could well be right I'm not well versed on mobile phones these days!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 530 ✭✭✭Stormington


    Best thing you can do is wander into a shop and ask for a demo of them to get a feel for the one you like the most. I reckon the Huawei won't be as laggy as the others listed as its got that handy dual-core processor and will be better for meedja with a bigger screen. The cameras won't be that great on any of them but I'd punt on the 5mp over the 3.2mp.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 755 ✭✭✭natnifnolnacs


    What about a 2nd hand galaxy S2? They are still a pretty decent bit of kit and are well within budget. You would sell it on handy enough as well I'd say.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,138 ✭✭✭snaps


    The Sony xperia J is currently 149€ with vodafone.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 940 ✭✭✭geecee


    Took a look at the Y300 in town earlier today
    Its actually not bad... even got to play with the UI in the emobile shop

    Anyone know how there can be 2 versions of the Y300? The dual Sim one on the chinese websites:
    http://www.merimobiles.com/huawei-u8833-y300-android-4-1-dual-core-1-0ghz-dual-sim-4-0-inch-wvga-dual-sim_p/meri7353.htm

    And then the single SIM one of the irish networks

    Are there any other differences besides the dual SIMs?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 940 ✭✭✭geecee


    answered my won question...
    The Y300 with dual Sim has no flash....

    So i ordered the single SIM unit from Meteor on Monday...
    It clocked in with €15 cashback n fatcheese (thought it was only meant to be €10)

    Phone arrived this morning and now waiting on the unlock code from ebay @€;3.50...

    Liking it so far :-)

    Thanks to all for their advice!


  • Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 12,563 Mod ✭✭✭✭Amirani


    Huawei is the easily the best way to go I reckon if you wanna stay under €150.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,265 ✭✭✭MiCr0


    anyone offering the Huawei Ascend P1?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,138 ✭✭✭snaps


    I think bk posted its available on expansys.ie for 196€


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,728 ✭✭✭brightkane


    geecee wrote: »
    answered my won question...
    The Y300 with dual Sim has no flash....

    So i ordered the single SIM unit from Meteor on Monday...
    It clocked in with €15 cashback n fatcheese (thought it was only meant to be €10)

    Phone arrived this morning and now waiting on the unlock code from ebay @€;3.50...

    Liking it so far :-)

    Thanks to all for their advice!

    you get it unlocked ok? how u finding it?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 940 ✭✭✭geecee


    brightkane wrote: »
    you get it unlocked ok? how u finding it?

    Yes got it unlocked through ebay... took less than 24 hours to get the code...
    Liking it so far...Mind you all i use it for is playing ingress and calls/texts!

    Any friends that have taken a look at it have said that they don't liike the UI
    (Huawei's EmotionUI) so i might take a look at replacing it with a standard Android UI...


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,204 ✭✭✭elfy4eva


    geecee wrote: »
    Yes got it unlocked through ebay... took less than 24 hours to get the code...
    Liking it so far...Mind you all i use it for is playing ingress and calls/texts!

    Any friends that have taken a look at it have said that they don't liike the UI
    (Huawei's EmotionUI) so i might take a look at replacing it with a standard Android UI...

    They're all just jelly you got a new phone ;) If it suits you stick with it!!!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 530 ✭✭✭Stormington


    Got myself a Y300 after o2 decided I was a terrorist or just didn't want my money for the HTC One. Hopefully HTC will release the red version here and I'll snap that up instead.

    Have to say I'm impressed with it, apart from the Emotion UI skin (I've got the bootloader unlock code but not sure how to proceed with replacing the UI with stock Android so if anyone can help that would be appreciated). I got it unlocked for €4.50 on ebay and it works perfectly. I'd recommend it to anyone, really as its a steal for €99.

    Btw, most websites list the battery at 1750 mAh but my one says its 1950 mAh. I'm not complaining in the slightest though as I'm comfortably getting through the entire day.


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