Upgrading from Huawei P Smart 2019, what's a good choice?

GalaxyRyder

I don't stay up to date with mobile technology.

I got a P Smart in 2019 and was very happy with it, but feel like it could do with an upgrade now.

I'm not dropping 500 euro, I think I paid about 200 or 250 for the Huawei.

Any recommendations?

It's a shame Carphone Warehouse had to skip town, they had great deals.

pizzahead77

You could get the Samsung Galaxy A25 or the OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G

simi956

You could also go with as Buds 6 included

n.vodafone.ie/shop/phones/xiaomi/redmi-note-14-pro-5g-and-buds-6-bundle.html?gallery=payg&productClass=SmartPhone&fg=true

GalaxyRyder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123209319#Comment_123209319

What advantages do different phones have over one another now?

When I bought the P Smart, it was a huge step up on my old Motorola Moto G.

Faster, bigger screen, more memory.

But since then I can't imagine having an even bigger screen, and I have so much unused memory now.

I know some folk drop 500+ on a new phone…… but what advantage does it have?

GalaxyRyder

Other suggestions:

Honor 200 Lite

Google Pixel 7a

I understand the main upgrades are:

1. memory, storage
2. RAM (phone speed)
3. 5G (upgrading from 3G, or 2019 P smart equivalent)
4. camera quality

Do those phones have the fingerprint screen unlock?

GalaxyRyder

I'd also like a phone that has dual SIM capabilities?

pizzahead77

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123216917#Comment_123216917

The Galaxy A25 and Honor 200 Lite have 2 physical nano SIM slots and side button fingerprint sensors

while the Pixel 7a has 1 physical nano SIM and eSIM and on screen fingerprint unlock

GalaxyRyder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123217110#Comment_123217110

Jebus, I really don't keep with with the latest technology.

Presumably e-sim is far easier to use.

I think the Galaxy A16 would be okay for my purposes, the A25 doesn't offer any substantial advantage over it if one is not using their phone for gaming?

Meant to mention, I use the audio jack on my current P Smart all the time (I keep losing bluetooth headphones).

Not sure what the setup is with any of the above mentioned devices when it comes to audio jacks?

pizzahead77

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123217234#Comment_123217234

Here's a handy comparison of all 3 phones side-by-side

https://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=12170&idPhone2=13346&idPhone3=12948

None of them have a physical 3.5mm audio jack but the Galaxy A16 supports audio via the USB-C charging port (according to the Samsung website - https://www.samsung.com/ie/smartphones/galaxy-a/galaxy-a16-5g-blue-black-128gb-sm-a166bzkdeub/ — earjack under connectivity section

Probably the others do too

simi956

This device has headphone jack and is 70 quid when switching

Shop The Redmi 12 5G With Us | Vodafone Ireland

GalaxyRyder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123219016#Comment_123219016

Apparently Vodafone have terrible hotspot connections on PAYG?

GalaxyRyder

Do any of these phones have DUAL SIM capability?

Definitely want that in my next phone.

I'll just have to get bluetooth headphones now, no audio jack. Don't know how I'll replace my awesome KZ ZSN pro headphones for some bluetooths.

Esel

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123324170#Comment_123324170

You could use a USB-C to 3.5mm socket adapter.

GalaxyRyder

Short list so far:

• Samsung Galaxy A25
• OnePlus Nord CE4 Lite 5G
• Xaomi Redmi Note 14 pro
• Honor 200 Lite
• Google Pixel 7a

One thing that would be good would, the hotspot range and quality, from my Huawei P Smart 2019, curious would any modern phone be an upgrade on that feature?

GalaxyRyder

Also a shame Carphone Warehouse are no longer local.

Best SIM-Free Phones & Deals | Carphone Warehouse

There's plenty of phones very affordable, I used to have a "Moto G", it was solid.

If they're "SIM only" then they're unlocked, and I could just buy one online?

simi956

Another option as well TCL 50 NxtPaper 5G, Dual SIM and Headphone Jack

TCL NXT Paper 50 | Vodafone Ireland

GalaxyRyder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123325858#Comment_123325858

I wish I could just buy something like this unlocked so I wouldn't be stuck with Vodafone.

I'm just concerned about their "throttling" policy on hotspot use for PAYG, and their bill pay plans are 24 months of 50+ euro per month.

They have a great selection of phones though:

Pay as you go phones | Shop | Vodafone Ireland

GalaxyRyder

On phones will dual SIM card slots (or eSIM and regular SIM), are they locked to one network?

Or is it possible to use a SIM from two different networks on the same phone when bought new?

GIMP

I have found all dual sim phones unlocked that are bought from networks

pizzahead77

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123331996#Comment_123331996

Incorrect as iPhones (which are dual sim now, regular + eSIM) are still locked, at least on the Three network. Its generally Android phones that are unlocked

GIMP

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123333036#Comment_123333036

I was referring to Androids, but thanks

GalaxyRyder

Is iphone or android more recommended?

I've had android up until now, and I'm guessing most of the phones mentioned are android?

Is there any advantage to switching to iphone, and I'm guessing it's pricier?

But in any case if they're all unlocked to any network, that's an advantage.

If that's the case, I could buy any of the phones from any store, then use swap in my current SIM card an continue with that, no obligation to change to another network (even if I bought it from say, vodafone?)

GalaxyRyder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123325228#Comment_123325228

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123325858#Comment_123325858

Is there any of of these that would come particularly recommended?

I'm not a "phone guy" by any means, I don't keep up to date with the latest tech or anything.

I guess I just want a solid phone that has longevity and won't get outdated quick.

I did the gsm arena phone-compare thing but again, slight variations in camera resolution and storage/RAM, I'm not seeing that huge differences?

GalaxyRyder

Dual SIM phones - Compare & Buy - Gomibo.ie

According to this, the Xaomi Redmi doesn't support wifi?

That can't be right, can it?

GalaxyRyder

Samsung Galaxy A25 5G vs OnePlus Nord CE 3 Lite 5G vs Xiaomi Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G - specs comparison - PhoneArena

The Xiaomi is the latest released, seems to do well on specs versus competitors.

I wonder how any of these stack up against an iphone?

iPhone 11 Pro Max 64GB - Space Gray - Unlocked | Back Market

iPhone 11 for about the same price, it seems old, but specifications seem to do so much better on comparison sites?

GalaxyRyder

Apparently there's an Honor 400 due to be released next month?

Might be worth holding out for that.

A lot of those prepay phones are vastly inferior to their billpay counter parts.

Only issue I have is the bill pay plans are inferior to my current PAYG plan (everything included plus international calls).