Sigh 4 yo Huawei Ideos Dead - Need New Cheap Android Phone

Forums › Android › Sigh 4 yo Huawei Ideos Dead - Need New Cheap Android Phone - recs?

lissie

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#154030 15-Oct-2014 22:53

*sigh* - my 2010 Huawei Ideos appears dead - well it looks like it works - its on - but I cant call or be called or texted! Swapped the sim - it's not the network or SIm - is't the phone.

I don't use a smart phone much - except as a mobile hotspot for my laptop and/or iPad mini (wifi only). So the ablity to be a mobile hotspot is essential - I assume they all do that ?

If 4G worth it (talking NZ here - I know it's everywhere in Asia). I'm on 2 degrees prepay

I wouldn't mind being able to take the odd photo. I us the maps function when lost in Auckland! That's about it.

A battery that lasts more than a day or 2 would be nice!

I don't really want to spend over $200 - $100 would be better. I don't want a huge phone - I have enough trouble remembering to carry the current one!

The best bet I've found so far is the Samsung Galazy Ace 3 http://www.dicksmith.co.nz/2degrees-2g/2d-samsung-galaxy-ace-3-dsnz-em6647 @ $199 - the reviews say the moto G is better but that seems to be quite a lot more expensive here

though the moto e might be the go ? I like the idea of a pretty basic version of android https://shop.jbhifi.co.nz/mobile-phones/mobiles-outright/motorola-moto-e-handset-black/83062

Other options in my price range appear to be https://shop.jbhifi.co.nz/mobile-phones/mobiles-outright/huawei-ascend-y530-black/79849

Any opinions on these options or any others. Of course I need to go and buy one tomorrow as the number is my main business one!

I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

nakedmolerat

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#1155790 16-Oct-2014 00:11

Worth trying your luck here? http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=77&topicid=154026

Yabanize

2350 posts

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#1155791 16-Oct-2014 00:23

Are you talking about the IDEOS U8150

While im not sure exactly what you should get, Although the Moto G is very nice.

The Moto G 2 is out now which has some slightly bumped specs. Its pretty much the best budget phone out there. And it gets new android updates quickly.

Its $299 but its a great phone for the price.

You're in for a pleasant surprise. Android/Smartphones are alot better now than they were back in 2010.

Bigger screens are nice, alot easier to read and easier to press the buttons on.

The Moto G 2 has a 5 inch screen. The Galaxy Ace 3 has a 4 inch screen. If you have that Ideos u8150 it has a 2.8 inch screen, so quite a bit of a jump

lissie

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1155846 16-Oct-2014 08:11

Thanks nakedmoreti - will check it out.

Yabanize - yes that's the one! I guess it's just me - but I don't see the bigger screen an advantage - as a woman I find my existing phone a bit big to go in my pocket. Is it worth upgrading Android - I don't think my existing phone has ever upgraded - the OS works fine.

I've assumed that anything running a proprietary OS won't have the ability to be a wifi hot spot is that right?

I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

Wade

2225 posts

Uber Geek

#1155869 16-Oct-2014 08:48

+1 for the moto g gen2, i have been using one for a couple of weeks and struggle to fault it especially for it's $299 pricepoint. It is a big phone but not impossibly big plus once you get used to the size you will never be able to go back to a smaller screen, my 8yo can use it with ease

At $100 or $200 pricepoint you are buying old rubbish by comparison, the moto g will still be current in 18 mths time

Google announced Android 5.0 offically today and Motorola have already confirmed the moto g will receive the update relatively soon

gsr

112 posts

Master Geek

#1155883 16-Oct-2014 08:57

The Moto G gen 1 should be on sale everywhere. That might be closer to your budget.

toyonut

1508 posts

Uber Geek

#1155887 16-Oct-2014 09:00

Ace 3 will be fine and should do everything you want. If size is an issue, it will be your best bet as it has the smallest screen of all the options. You won't want the new moto G, it is a 5" screen.
Moto E would be a great phone too and is better than the Ace 3 and definitely better than any of the huawei options at that price point. Just see if you can live with the size. 4.3" is actually not too bad, but just try it and see how you feel about it. My guess would be you will come to appreciate having so much more screen size compared to the u8150.

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

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

lissie

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1155892 16-Oct-2014 09:09

What about the moto e compared to comparison sites its pretty similar to the moto g - but doesn't do selfies (who cares) and the phone is pretty crap - but they all are - I do have a proper camera!

I really don't want to spend $300 on a phone - having spent $400 on the Huawei when it first came out - I've learnt my lesson :-) Which is the second gen ? JB HIFI has the e at $149 the moto g at $248 and the moto g 4g at $338 This review http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/moto-g-vs-moto-e-vs-moto-g-4g-1249027/2#articleContent doesn't convince me to spend more than the cheapest one

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lissie

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1155894 16-Oct-2014 09:12

paulmilbank: Ace 3 will be fine and should do everything you want. If size is an issue, it will be your best bet as it has the smallest screen of all the options. You won't want the new moto G, it is a 5" screen.
Moto E would be a great phone too and is better than the Ace 3 and definitely better than any of the huawei options at that price point. Just see if you can live with the size. 4.3" is actually not too bad, but just try it and see how you feel about it. My guess would be you will come to appreciate having so much more screen size compared to the u8150.

Yeah I think I'll go and play with the Moto E seems to be the better option and the price is OK. You're right - I really don't want a 5" screen - my iPad mini is a good size for actually surfing the web doing emails etc - but anything less is too small - so my reasoning is just have something small that goes in a pocket.

I'm surprised that women's clothing hasn't evolved to having proper pockets thanks to the development of smartphones! Having it in a bag sucks- I always miss calls even if I hear it.

I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

timmmay

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#1155898 16-Oct-2014 09:20

Moto G/E are surprisingly capable for the money. I got my wife the Moto G v1, she loves it. The E is an even cheaper version but should be fine for what you want.

sidefx

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#1155902 16-Oct-2014 09:28

Moto E looks like a very good bet for your usage. Decent battery with good life by the looks of it.

If you really want to get closer to the $100 mark you could also look at a Lumia 520; it's not Android but if you're just looking for something as a mobile hotspot that shouldn't matter much? They're often on sale under $150 I think and pricespy says they've dip down to $100 on sales.

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lissie

495 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1156772 17-Oct-2014 12:25

sidefx: Moto E looks like a very good bet for your usage. Decent battery with good life by the looks of it.
.

That's what I ended up buying - quite impressed with the screen -way sharper than anything else I've had - even the iPad mini! Battery life seem fine - hard to know becaus it's been updating everything of course.

But its HUGE - 4" - guess I'll remember to take it out and about with me even more than I used to with the last one! Women's clothes just don't have pockets this big

I help authors publish their books - DIYPublishing.co.nz

jtbthatsme

937 posts

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#1156791 17-Oct-2014 12:49

Was just about to recommend the Ace 3 since it
s been on special for the last 2 eeks (and next 2 weeks) at half price $150 from The Warehouse but I am a little late to the party lol.

Yabanize

2350 posts

Uber Geek

#1156888 17-Oct-2014 15:09

lissie:
sidefx: Moto E looks like a very good bet for your usage. Decent battery with good life by the looks of it.
.

That's what I ended up buying - quite impressed with the screen -way sharper than anything else I've had - even the iPad mini! Battery life seem fine - hard to know becaus it's been updating everything of course.

But its HUGE - 4" - guess I'll remember to take it out and about with me even more than I used to with the last one! Women's clothes just don't have pockets this big

Good choice :)

Im sure you'll enjoy it

A cool thing about these Moto devices is they get new android updates rather quickly and it will be getting the new Android Lollipop update