Mobile Phone Under $150 running Jelly Bean or KitKat

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335 posts

Ultimate Geek

#950502 11-Dec-2013 17:04

StarBlazer:
I'd also heard that KitKat was meant to be a lighter OS to allow it to run on older and less powerful devices - have I misheard that?

This is correct, kitkat is designed to work on devices with 512mb ram. However this does not mean that existing devices with these kinds of specs will get updated.

It is always safe to assume that any device under the $300 mark will stay on whatever firmware version it is released with. It is just not a high enough priority for manufacturers to update low end devices.

If you absolutely have to have the latest updates and not spend a fortune, your best bet would be to get a device with as much developer support as possible (Eg Samsung or Sony over Huawei or Vodafone branded etc) as they are more likely to have custom firmware developed.

wakaridnnz

226 posts

Master Geek

#950569 11-Dec-2013 18:27

Another alternative is the Telecom Y300 which is selling everywhere for $99

It's a Dual-core 1 GHz with 4 GB storage and 512 MB RAM running Jelly Bean.

Google Huawei Ascend Y300 and have a look on You Tube for reviews etc.

ajw

1932 posts

Uber Geek

#950591 11-Dec-2013 19:12

StarBlazer:
macuser: Maybe you're better off with something like this then. Running 4.1, costs $150 and comes with $150 in credit.

https://www.skinny.co.nz/2886_EN.htm?katid=15&supid=101-2

That's a good deal! Might pop down to the store and have a look at the size and feel. Cheers. As a side point - I like Skinny :)

The same phone available at the warehouse for $74 until the 24/12/13/

http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/catalog/product/Skinny-LG-Optimus-L3-II-Bundle-Black?SKU=1760697

macuser

2120 posts

Uber Geek

#950607 11-Dec-2013 19:30

ajw:
StarBlazer:
macuser: Maybe you're better off with something like this then. Running 4.1, costs $150 and comes with $150 in credit.

https://www.skinny.co.nz/2886_EN.htm?katid=15&supid=101-2

That's a good deal! Might pop down to the store and have a look at the size and feel. Cheers. As a side point - I like Skinny :)

The same phone available at the warehouse for $74 until the 24/12/13/

http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/catalog/product/Skinny-LG-Optimus-L3-II-Bundle-Black?SKU=1760697

no free credit though i imagine:(

richms

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#950619 11-Dec-2013 19:58

Y320 is $99 on 2degrees at thewarehouse. Not sure on the difference with the telecom Y300 but the number is higher so should be better?

Richard rich.ms

old3eyes

9120 posts

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#950799 12-Dec-2013 09:27

richms: Y320 is $99 on 2degrees at thewarehouse. Not sure on the difference with the telecom Y300 but the number is higher so should be better?

Frequency bands I believe.

One thing I have learned over the past few months with people and cheap Android fones and complain about them is that you get what you pay for. Usually they are slow, Crippled in some way or have minimal internal storage which soon fills up and even with a SD card you can't move many apps to the SD card without hacking into your fone.

My advice would be to wait for the Moto G to arrive or buy one from Amazon via Youshop.

Regards,

Old3eyes

NzBeagle

962 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#950832 12-Dec-2013 10:19

If you want Android, it is definitely hard to ignore the Moto G at this point, it is a pretty nice phone, and at an excellent price point not to mention it will get KitKat. 8GB imported from Clove in a short time for around $300, and they have the flip cover cases now too.

In saying that, the 520 is pretty nice for the price point also, but as others have said, would the OS be a downer for the new owner?

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

thelimoman

81 posts

Master Geek

#950839 12-Dec-2013 10:23

NzBeagle: If you want Android, it is definitely hard to ignore the Moto G at this point, it is a pretty nice phone, and at an excellent price point. And it will get KitKat. 8GB imported from Clove in a short time for around $300, and they have the flip cover cases now too.

In saying that, the 520 is pretty nice for the price point also, but as others have said, would the OS be a downer for the new owner?

The new owner is a 10 year old girl so I think we need to remind ourselves of this fact! I am thinking the best approach would be keep her current iPod touch for now for all the games and such (surely it still must be good enough for now?) and then a cheapo Android or the 520.

old3eyes

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#950892 12-Dec-2013 11:48

thelimoman:
NzBeagle: If you want Android, it is definitely hard to ignore the Moto G at this point, it is a pretty nice phone, and at an excellent price point. And it will get KitKat. 8GB imported from Clove in a short time for around $300, and they have the flip cover cases now too.

In saying that, the 520 is pretty nice for the price point also, but as others have said, would the OS be a downer for the new owner?

The new owner is a 10 year old girl so I think we need to remind ourselves of this fact! I am thinking the best approach would be keep her current iPod touch for now for all the games and such (surely it still must be good enough for now?) and then a cheapo Android or the 520.

For a 10 year old the Telecom Y300 or the like would be a good deal..

Regards,

Old3eyes

qraider

374 posts

Ultimate Geek

#950931 12-Dec-2013 12:27

Samsung Galaxy Young Phone RRP: $199 Operating system (Android 4.1) 3.27" touchscreen

Telecom Y300 Phone RRP: $99 Operating system (Android 4.1) 4.0” touchscreen

Edit to add: both from Telecom

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

jonathan18

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#950955 12-Dec-2013 13:34

Yep, Y320's the new version of the Y300; yep, there's a different frequency support for 3G (Y300 = 850 / Y320 = 900), but will that matter for a 10-year old? How much 3G data will a 10-year old girl (be allowed to) use??!! (and will only have an effect outside of the main centres anyway).

The other difference I remember between these phones is the cameras - the Y320 doesn't have a face-facing camera, and the main camera is of a lower resolution (assume the changes were made in the name of keeping the price down). The former may be a deal-breaker if they want to use it for Skype or similar.

I've used my sister's Y300 and for the money it's a pretty good phone; nicely built and speed's ok. I also quite like the Huawei Android interface. I doubt there are many phones that offer better value for money at the moment (though assume Y320, apart from the issues above, offers similar value).

Sticking with the same brand, there's also the Huawei G510 which has a larger screen (4.5") and a slightly faster processor than the Y300 (1.2 v 1.0 dual core) - $129 incl. shipping according to here.

richms

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#951206 12-Dec-2013 20:22

Ive just picked up a Y300 to replace one of the smarttouch on 2 degrees that I will now be needing to use, and the smarttouch was an unusable phone.

Initial impressions are nice, will have to sort out the number port shortly from 2degrees but that will have to wait till I use up the $20 I topped it up to keep the number alive with earlier in the month.

Richard rich.ms

toyonut

1508 posts

Uber Geek

#952396 15-Dec-2013 00:52

richms: Ive just picked up a Y300 to replace one of the smarttouch on 2 degrees that I will now be needing to use, and the smarttouch was an unusable phone.

Initial impressions are nice, will have to sort out the number port shortly from 2degrees but that will have to wait till I use up the $20 I topped it up to keep the number alive with earlier in the month.

Y300 or Y320? I have only seen the Y300 on telecom which would make it the wrong bands for 2 degrees unless you got a parallel imported one with 2 degrees bands.
The rubbish camera on the Y320 through 2 degrees makes me not want to bother with it.

Try Vultr using this link and get us both some credit:

http://www.vultr.com/?ref=7033587-3B

richms

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#952399 15-Dec-2013 00:56

Y300. Will be porting off 2 degrees since they arent offering value these days.

Initial impressions are quite poor to be honest. Lags a lot even with basic apps. Can't open a link in Facebook and then switch back to it and have it where you were. Lack of ram kills performance. It's a huge step up from the silver but no way near even a really old mid range phone.

Weak wifi too.

Richard rich.ms

robocat

109 posts

Master Geek

#952406 15-Dec-2013 02:01

I bought a Telecom Y300 for my flatmate (using 2 degrees SIM), and a Moto G for myself.

I think the Y300 is great value for $99 (or did I see it for as low as $88?), and definitely recommend it. Anyone negging it is comparing it to more expensive options - there is stuff all else comparable at the price point.

I suggest don't worry about JB/KK - or use CyangenMod if *you* have to have it. Your daughter won't notice.

If choosing network, look at Skinny (needs an 850MHz phone) is good way to control costs - SIM costs $5, can buy $5 prepay recharge at warehouse. So very hard to put too much credit on so can't overspend and if use up all credit quickly. And weekly plan means don't have to wait a month.

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