Recommendation on phone for <€125 with min 2GB RAM

Escapees · 13-10-2020 6:54pm #1

Have been looking at eGlobalCentral and main options seem to be Nokia 6.1 Plus 4GB or Redmi 9 or 9C with 3GB. Best go with newer Redmi or might there be better alternatives?

DopeTech · 13-10-2020 7:22pm

Not sure what is available in that price range but no doubt you'll find something. Just try get 4gb ram. 3gb can seem slow these days.

Escapees · 13-10-2020 8:01pm

DopeTech wrote: »

Not sure what is available in that price range but no doubt you'll find something. Just try get 4gb ram. 3gb can seem slow these days.

Yeah, have been tempted by the 2gb ram versions of Redmi, but any phone I've had in the past has always suffered from memory rather than speed issues after a year or two of Android and app bloating!

13-10-2020 11:30pm

tbh 4gb is actually required these days for smooth running imo

I've seen slowdown on 3gb ram phones

pah · 14-10-2020 12:47pm

Buy second hand 2 yr old phone with better spec IMO.

https://www.donedeal.ie/phones-for-sale/pristine-condition-oneplus-5t-64gb-with-6gb-ram/26189207

celtic_oz · 17-10-2020 10:02am

I just bought 2 of these
for ~€85 delivered each

6.49 inch
Waterdrop Display
Android 10 ( from reviews very little bloatware )
4150mAh
16MP Quad Rear Camera
2+1 Cart Slots
4GB RAM
64GB storage
Helio P20
4G

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JKDYx-IRbU

jj880 · 17-10-2020 10:07am

celtic_oz wrote: »

I just bought 2 of these
for ~€85 delivered each

6.49 inch
Waterdrop Display
Android 10 ( from reviews very little bloatware )
4150mAh
16MP Quad Rear Camera
2+1 Cart Slots
4GB RAM
64GB storage
Helio P20
4G

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JKDYx-IRbU

Great spec for the price

Whats the story on customs for phones like this?

The rules seem pretty clear if you order over 22 euro from outside the EU you will get charged customs fee + Vat

Or do you just order and take a chance it will get through?

celtic_oz · 17-10-2020 10:10am

jj880 wrote: »

Or do you just order and take a chance it will get through?

bingo ..

Escapees · 17-10-2020 11:47am

celtic_oz wrote: »

bingo ..

What are the chances?!

I actually spent a bit of time last night sussing out phones and came across the likes of Umidigi, Blackview, Cubot and Doogee (almost reads like 'dodgy'!). These are no-name brands to me and I was thinking that Xiaomi would be more reliable, in terms of durability and battery life. Are these other cheaper types worth considering?!

beauf · 17-10-2020 1:05pm

Don't get 2GB phone. I wouldn't bother with used phones either. There's enough deals on new phones these days.

Very happy with my Redmi. First Chinese phone for me. Had it for a few years now. A bit of bloat but nothing like a Samsung etc. Recently picked up a Pixel 3a for 129 on Vodafone as a backup, might be out of stock now though.

Getting a phone with as little bloat as possible really is the most important feature for me.

jj880 · 17-10-2020 1:09pm

Used to be Sony or nothin myself. But saw a price I couldn't refuse and am very happy with my xaomi now. Great value.

17-10-2020 3:23pm

jj880 wrote: »

Great spec for the price

Whats the story on customs for phones like this?

The rules seem pretty clear if you order over 22 euro from outside the EU you will get charged customs fee + Vat

Or do you just order and take a chance it will get through?

have never used it but the "EU priority line" shipping method has a better chance of avoiding customs - have never used it myself though.

personally would try to stick to Xiaomi or even Realme over these lower-end brands.

just a lower chance of issues and when you're buying from China you don't really want the hassle of an email discussion, posting it back, waiting for refund etc.

celtic_oz · 17-10-2020 9:42pm

Escapees wrote: »

What are the chances?!

worst case you have to pay an extra €30, you still get the phone.

Cake and eat it ...you want cheap and you want brand?

buy Xiaomi if you're risk averse

Escapees · 18-10-2020 8:10pm

jj880 wrote: »

Great spec for the price

Whats the story on customs for phones like this?

The rules seem pretty clear if you order over 22 euro from outside the EU you will get charged customs fee + Vat

Or do you just order and take a chance it will get through?

Getting confused - would there not be no customs fee for an order under €150? If so, then that leaves just the VAT due plus any admin fee?

Debating over whether to ship by post or courier and whether a business address makes any difference in this regard...

jj880 · 18-10-2020 11:14pm

Escapees wrote: »

Getting confused - would there not be no customs fee for an order under €150? If so, then that leaves just the VAT due plus any admin fee?

Debating over whether to ship by post or courier and whether a business address makes any difference in this regard...

You are correct.

When I think of customs fee I think of the admin/handling fee as I have never ordered any above 150 euro from outside EU.

As for the courier idea I definitely would not do that. I know of people who ordered outside the EU via DHL. They will just slap a bigger fee on at point of delivery. Sometimes it can be as high as what you paid for the product. At least An Post will give you a chance to prove what you paid and calculate any fees based on that.

19-10-2020 12:16am

the "EU priority line" service option is "supposed" to have a better chance of avoiding charges as afaik it's brought into the EU and then reposted from there so An Post will deliver without stopping it as it looks like it has come from inside the EU.

again, haven't used it but that's the theory.

Escapees · 19-10-2020 8:07am

glasso wrote: »

the "EU priority line" service option is "supposed" to have a better chance of avoiding charges as afaik it's brought into the EU and then reposted from there so An Post will deliver without stopping it as it looks like it has come from inside the EU.

again, haven't used it but that's the theory.

Went for this option in the end, but it looks to involve couriers so we'll see... Could just be the likes of GLS but I can put an update here when it eventually arrives!!

Thanks for all the help folks!

celtic_oz · 11-11-2020 7:07pm

received both today .. via "EU priority line". no customs.

16-11-2020 4:10pm

celtic_oz wrote: »

received both today .. via "EU priority line". no customs.

delivered by An Post?

celtic_oz · 16-11-2020 10:42pm

glasso wrote: »

delivered by An Post?

Yes

Recommendation on phone for <€125 with min 2GB RAM

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