Phone Recommendations - entry level android

Forums › Android › Phone Recommendations - entry level android

joff_nz

446 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 43

#66232 15-Aug-2010 11:45

Hi Guys.
I'm looking for a new Handset for my partner.
She currently has a Sony Ericsson W705 and is not particularly tech-Savvy.

Requirements are:
Android
Wifi
Xt compatible

As long as it meets those then pretty much anything is fair game. She won't use it for much more than Calling / texting / facebook / email / maps, in that order.

I'm pretty much looking for the cheapest phone that satisfies those requirements.

I am happy to order a phone from overseas. I have no interest in a second hand phone unless it was the deal of the century.

I have spent plenty of time on GSMArena, clove, and the general internets and probably the fore-runner at this point is the SE x10 Mini Pro.

Suggestions, reccomendations, etc.... Discuss.

1 | 2

BDFL - Memuneh
80646 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41030

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#367782 15-Aug-2010 11:59

The LG GW620 is not a band entry level Android device. And if she's not using it for Exchange sync it will do a great job on Gmail, Facebook and Twitter.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

joff_nz

446 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 43

#367787 15-Aug-2010 12:27

Thanks MF, I have access to and am currently using the 620. Tbh, it's not my favourite phone, it feels laggy like the hardware lets it down a bit (although maybe i'm just spoilt by using the milestone) I think for the money there must be better options.. maybe not.

IIRC you were using an x10 mini pro, thoughts on that compared to the lg 620?

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80646 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41030

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#367807 15-Aug-2010 13:18

The Sony Ericsson X10 Mini is probably similar to the LG GW620 in terms of performance... The Milestone seems faster, but it's not actually a faster CPU.

The problem will be sourcing a X10 Mini for XT...

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

Deadpool

54 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 3

#367822 15-Aug-2010 13:51

MF is right, places to get a X10 mini are slim you would have to order it form overseas

For example

http://www.mobicity.co.nz/sony-ericsson-xperia-x10-minipro-nextg.html

Keep in mind though it has a very small screen when compared to the 620/Milestone its the same size as the W705 she already has.

joff_nz

446 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 43

#367837 15-Aug-2010 14:38

Disappointing about that report on the x10 MF. Maybe the LG will have to be it. Keen to hear from anyone else if they want to recomend something.

Screen size is not hugely important, her needs are pretty minimal.

qraider

374 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 10

#367842 15-Aug-2010 14:55

Maybe one of the following?

HTC Aria (HTC Liberty)
Regular Price: $899.00
Sale Price: $529.00
Low / No Stock, Backorder now

HTC Aria - NextG only
Regular Price: $999.00
Sale Price: $649.00
In stock, ready for delivery

HTC Desire (A8183) - NextG Compatible
Regular Price: $1,299.00
Sale Price: $729.00
In stock, ready for delivery

Mobicity: http://www.mobicity.com.au/htc.html?network_icons=270&os=218

Current Phone:
- Android: Samsung SM-G900F Galaxy S5 (XT)
- Win Phone 8: Samsung ATIV S (XT)

Current Tablet:

- Acer Iconia 7" Android Tablet

Twitter: qraider

HP

Shop now for HP laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80646 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41030

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#367847 15-Aug-2010 15:08

joff_nz: Disappointing about that report on the x10 MF. Maybe the LG will have to be it. Keen to hear from anyone else if they want to recomend something.

Screen size is not hugely important, her needs are pretty minimal.

The screen size on the LG is bigger than the X10 mini, but not as big as the Milestone (obviously). I felt it was a much more comfortable size than the X10 mini.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

dannywii

71 posts

Master Geek

#367851 15-Aug-2010 15:11

Hmm Moto MB501

metal casing
Qualcomm 6xx mhz cpu (no GPU as its entry level)
running android 1.5 (no entry android runs 2.2)
good value, price around $500nzd

not available in nz atm
but you can check expansys.com or clove.co.uk

aim

247 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 4

#367876 15-Aug-2010 16:07

I am also in this boat and am curious to see what people have suggested. I'm quite partial to HTC's range of phones. Will the Nexus one work on XT?

dman

956 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 33

#367897 15-Aug-2010 17:08

Consider the HTC Tattoo, one of the cheapest out there and is obviously enough made by HTC which is bonus points in my books.

https://www.youtube.com/c/SoundSpeeding

joff_nz

446 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 43

#367921 15-Aug-2010 18:02

I've only found the tattoo in 900/2100 though?

Geekzone

Want to support Geekzone and browse the site without the ads? Subscribe to Geekzone now (monthly, annual and lifetime options).

lokhor

2858 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 171

Trusted

#367929 15-Aug-2010 18:39

How much is the Motorola Droid?

All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

Linuxluver

5833 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1639

Trusted

Subscriber

#367932 15-Aug-2010 18:51

lokhor: How much is the Motorola Droid?

Careful....the Motorola Droid is a CDMA phone useless in NZ.

The Motorola Milestone is the GSM version.

_____________________________________________________________________

I've been on Geekzone over 16 years..... Time flies....

Linuxluver

5833 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1639

Trusted

Subscriber

#367933 15-Aug-2010 18:55

aim: I am also in this boat and am curious to see what people have suggested. I'm quite partial to HTC's range of phones. Will the Nexus one work on XT?

There is a version of the Nexus One that will work on XT. But it isn't the one sold by Vodafone.

I think others have posted links to "Mobicity" for the "AT&T / Rogers" version.

I was looking at the HTC Hero.....but the Rogers variant only does UMTS 850MHz and 1900MHz......no 2100MHz. Just not good enough. The other variants are all Vodafone / 2Degrees compatible.

It's finding a phone that does 3G on 850MHz *and* 2100MHz that appears to be a bit of a mission.

Then I remember that any iPhone 3G/GS user on Vodafone's network has been doing one-legged 3G from the start....which is really only possible because Vodafone also do GSM and so does the phone.

Telecom XT on one frequency for *everything* would be 'sub-optimal'.

_____________________________________________________________________

I've been on Geekzone over 16 years..... Time flies....

joff_nz

446 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 43

#367943 15-Aug-2010 19:32

However, XT has 850 'everywhere' and only 2100 for capacity in main centres. For Mrs Joff, 850 would be acceptable

1 | 2