Help for Senior Citizen choosing an Android under $500 for upcoming trip to Europe

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vamay

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

Topic # 120866 16-Jun-2013 17:17

Hi,

Stumbled across this Forum & hopefully some of you more informed (than I) can help me make my choice.

I am a Senior Citizen & going to Europe in August. I do not want to drag a laptop (Toshiba Satellite) mobile phone (Motorola Razr V3i) Kindle Fire & camera around for obvious reasons but hoping to replace it with one of these new Android gadgets that will suit my needs and hoping to keep costs down to under $500 if possible.

I normally do not use a mobile phone often in NZ but during my 2 month trip I want to be able to access the net, send emails, Skype, take photos/videos, reading books & also listening to Spotify & view Google Maps.

I will have access to Wifi at my holiday accommodation & intend to buy a local sim for UK & Russia.

Is there any phone that would answer my needs? Or would I be better buying a tablet rather than a phone?

I have never used a phone for the internet or emails before & wondered if it is easy to see?

blakamin

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Reply # 837698 16-Jun-2013 17:36

I would recommend a nexus 7 3g if it's not going to be used as a phone. They're excellent to read from, skype, maps and email are all awesome but the only downside would be taking photos. The current version doesn't have a front facing camera.
Maybe a "phablet" might work well for you? (second hand galaxy note 2?)

Batman

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Reply # 837715 16-Jun-2013 17:58

1) senior citizen - I recommend 10" but then i'm not sure if you will find one within your budget

2) internet is very easy - if you can configure a phone. some sims come with configuration that will work out of the box ... if not you need to use wifi to search for the carrier settings, make sure 3g enabled etc

3) if you get a second hand note 2 you could sell the razr when you come back :D but it's jack of all trades rather than reasonable screen size of a tablet

Swype on iOS is detrimental to accurate typing. Apologies in advance.

sep11guy

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Reply # 837743 16-Jun-2013 18:33

Spend a little more , say about 70-100$ than budget, get a GALAXY S3 and be sorted for atleast next 2 - 3 years.'

Big screen n fast processor makes it a worthwhile purchase

muppet

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Reply # 837744 16-Jun-2013 18:37

I would suggest a Samsung Galaxy S2. Yes, you're 2 generations behind now, but it could be argued that the S2 isn't really THAT far behind the S4 in terms of real world usage (2G RAM instead of 1G would be the biggest missing feature)

You can get one if you look at PriceSpy for under $400, you could use the left over on a second battery or a decent case.

It'll do everything you ask about, but I would just head into a local retailer before you commit to ensure you're happy with the resolution of the screen. It's not bad, but not knowing how senior you are, you might find it hard to read.

If you are having trouble with reading the screen, I would suggest instead going for a tablet, but I'm not sure what to recommend under those circumstances within your budget I'm afraid.