Smartphone newbie wanting a new phone

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RAE1

52 posts

Master Geek

#196224 23-May-2016 18:56

About a year ago I bought my very first smartphone. It was a vodafone smart 4. I learned lots and may have worked my phone too hard? Now it stays on the loading screen forever, so I now need a new phone. I have been using vodafone prepay $19 per month. I regularly use the following apps:

Avast Antivirus & Security

Calendar - Google - home

Calendar - Outlook.com - work

Camera - autouploads to Google

Contacts - Gmail

Contacts - Outlook.com

Corporate - Outlook.com

Email - imap - home

Email - imap - work

Facebook

Facebook Messenger

Google Account

Google Drive

Google Maps

Google Photos

Kiwibank

My Vodafone

MyCarTracks - mileage app

Play Store

Skype

SMS Backup+

Sound Recorder

Everything works well except the mileage app but I might need to get a separate GPS tracker for that. I was just needing something to automatically record the mileage so that it is reimbursed. Any suggestions for a GPS tracker with access from internet, computer and smartphone?

The only negative with this phone are the photos. I'm not sure if its the camera or the user, but a lot of the photos are blurry. They automatically get uploaded to google photos for our monthly e-newsletter. The camera would be the only thing that I want improved.

I don't have a clue as to what other things I should be looking out for so this is where I ask for your expertise. What would be the best phone for my use and either prepay or account since I am working for a charity and can't afford to buy an expensive phone outright.

I look forward to reading your replies and please feel free to ask questions about anything I've typed. Thank You.

Jase2985

13459 posts

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#1558197 23-May-2016 20:07

biggest question is whats your budget?

1eStar

1604 posts

Uber Geek

#1558215 23-May-2016 20:32

Vodafone Smart Prime, or Vodafone Smart Ultra.

Warehouse Stationery often has good pricing on these phones.

RAE1

52 posts

Master Geek

#1558216 23-May-2016 20:37

Jase2985:
biggest question is whats your budget?

Not very much. $20 per month or $200.00 max.

RAE1

52 posts

Master Geek

#1558217 23-May-2016 20:38

1eStar: Vodafone Smart Prime, or Vodafone Smart Ultra.

Warehouse Stationery often has good pricing on these phones.

Is that Smart Prime 6? I've been watching that on PriceSpy. I'll check out the difference between Prime and Ultra. Thanks.

Kiwifruta

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#1558282 23-May-2016 22:02

RAE1:
1eStar: Vodafone Smart Prime, or Vodafone Smart Ultra.

Warehouse Stationery often has good pricing on these phones.

Is that Smart Prime 6? I've been watching that on PriceSpy. I'll check out the difference between Prime and Ultra. Thanks.

I'm writing this on my Smart Prime 6 now. Good basic phone, I use it for Skype on weekly video meetings lasting up to an hour, the phone runs well. Google maps navigation runs well.

Phone photos are fine, provided you focus (tap your focal point) before taking the photo.

I noticed retail prices are dropping so I expect a new version to come out soon. I saw a new Ultra listed on trademe for $200, so might be worth holding out for an ultra on trademe or waiting for the new version of the smart prime.

1eStar

1604 posts

Uber Geek

#1558295 23-May-2016 22:35

http://www.warehousestationery.co.nz/search?q=Vodafone%20smart

Sam91

620 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1558301 23-May-2016 22:50

I'd go for the Vodafone Smart Ultra.

As linked above, it's currently $199 at Warehouse Stationary. It has been this price a few times, but doesn't drop much lower.

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RAE1

52 posts

Master Geek

#1558311 24-May-2016 00:18

Kiwifruta: Phone photos are fine, provided you focus (tap your focal point) before taking the photo.

Tap your focal point? Does Smart 4 have this? Maybe that is why photos are blurry? I notice Prime and Ultra mention auto focus but Smart 4 doesn't. I'm liking the Ultra so far. Thanks.

Kiwifruta

1423 posts

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#1558355 24-May-2016 04:13

RAE1:
Kiwifruta: Phone photos are fine, provided you focus (tap your focal point) before taking the photo.

Tap your focal point? Does Smart 4 have this? Maybe that is why photos are blurry? I notice Prime and Ultra mention auto focus but Smart 4 doesn't. I'm liking the Ultra so far. Thanks.

When I replace this, it'll be for the Ultra.

Regarding the focal point, when using the camera just tap the screen where you want the camera to focus, the camera will then automatically focus on that object. I.e. if you are taking a photo of your car, tap on the car so the camera focuses on the car and not something else.

Linuxluver

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#1558391 24-May-2016 08:31

Have you tried a factory reset on your existing phone? Sometimes the cheaper phones need a refresh and the factory reset re-writes some of the firmware and a dead device returns to like-new until the next time (weeks / months / years - depends what caused it).

I bought a Nexus 5X recently. It's a mid-priced phone, frequently updated by Google, and will make your old phone look horribly slow and weak by comparison.

If you have the money get a Samsung Galaxy S7. Nothing touches it right now. It's the best phone I've ever owned but for the facts Samsung almost never update their phones....and when they do, it's many months after the version they are updating to was actually released.

My two main phones are my Nexus 5x and my SGS7. I travel a bit and this cuts down on SIM swapping and allows me to make / receive calls on my NZ phone when away.

If your budget is limited (and I belatedly see that it is) then I'd try the factory reset first....any new phone in that price range is going to be slow and limited.

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Kiwifruta

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#1558432 24-May-2016 09:09

Sam91:
I'd go for the Vodafone Smart Ultra.

As linked above, it's currently $199 at Warehouse Stationary. It has been this price a few times, but doesn't drop much lower.

Great price for a midrange phone!

RAE1

52 posts

Master Geek

#1558471 24-May-2016 09:40

Linuxluver:
Have you tried a factory reset on your existing phone? Sometimes the cheaper phones need a refresh and the factory reset re-writes some of the firmware and a dead device returns to like-new until the next time (weeks / months / years - depends what caused it).

If your budget is limited (and I belatedly see that it is) then I'd try the factory reset first....any new phone in that price range is going to be slow and limited.

Yep, factory reset was last resort which I tried. The only thing that I found slow was the Facebook app which I hardly use on the phone since I'd rather do Facebook on my computer with a bigger screen. I thought everything else worked well but then I've only ever had one smart phone, so can't compare.