Cheap android phone options?

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daskip

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#61596 19-May-2010 14:24

Hi,

I'm looking for options on a fairly cheap android phone to be my first smartphone, say around $400 or so. Any higher than $500 and I might as well spring for the high end phone which I'm not trying to do here. Phones are always a technology I've ignored, so playing a bit of catch up here.

Basically after something I can play with and generally not be too worried about trashing :) , then might pick something more decent up when Froyo is live and powerful options in that space are abound.
This phone should preferably be based on 2.1 and with at least a 3.0" capacitive HVGA screen, figure WVGA is out of the question.

Best option I've seen in my limited searching is the samsung i5700 galaxy spica for around $380 parallel imported. Anyone care to recommend others?

Ta :)

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BDFL - Memuneh
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#331874 19-May-2010 14:41

What network? If it's for Telecom XT and at that price why not get the LG GW620 and install 2.x yourself?

Handsomedan

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#331877 19-May-2010 14:43

The Samsung range from the importers are pretty good, but I was under the impression that anything beyond 1.6 was impossible for the Galaxy Spica?

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AndrewTD

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#331893 19-May-2010 15:37

I bought an HTC Magic on TradeMe a couple of months ago - for pretty much the same reasons you have outlined. I'm very happy with it - on Vodafone of course for this model. It cost me $430.

kind regards Andrew TD

daskip

79 posts

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#331896 19-May-2010 15:41

Currently on 2degrees, I'd go to XT if the pricing was good for the GW620 but for 600+ I'd be inclined to pay a little more and get a desire from clove. I'm willing to go without cheap mobile data for a few months as have wifi at home and work.

Been looking into the Android 2.1 on the spica.... Apparently its been released in some markets, but not others. Not sure where the importers are picking up their phones from, so might not be possible or might be. There is also talk of a lack of built in memory for 2.2 which is a bugger, hopefully will be clarified tomorrow when 2.2 is official.

daskip

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#331897 19-May-2010 15:44

AndrewTD: I bought an HTC Magic on TradeMe a couple of months ago - for pretty much the same reasons you have outlined. I'm very happy with it - on Vodafone of course for this model. It cost me $430.

Ah good option, will keep an eye on that one, ta :)

Kiwipixter

246 posts

Master Geek

#331900 19-May-2010 15:52

your best bet is checking trademe or ebay where u can get android 1.5 or 1.6 phones for quite cheap, then run custom roms. I have a samsung Galaxy i7500 running custom android 2.1.

Handsomedan

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#331930 19-May-2010 17:17

Kiwipixter: your best bet is checking trademe or ebay where u can get android 1.5 or 1.6 phones for quite cheap, then run custom roms. I have a samsung Galaxy i7500 running custom android 2.1.

Nice phone. I had a play with one shortly before getting my iPhone.

didn;t realise they could handle a custom 2.1 ROM

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Kiwipixter

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#332284 20-May-2010 12:29

Handsomedan:
Kiwipixter: your best bet is checking trademe or ebay where u can get android 1.5 or 1.6 phones for quite cheap, then run custom roms. I have a samsung Galaxy i7500 running custom android 2.1.
Nice phone. I had a play with one shortly before getting my iPhone.

didn;t realise they could handle a custom 2.1 ROM

Running GAOSP beta 1, http://code.google.com/p/gaosp/

testing123

176 posts

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#332302 20-May-2010 12:56

Been looking into the Android 2.1 on the spica.... Apparently its been released in some markets, but not others. Not sure where the importers are picking up their phones from, so might not be possible or might be. There is also talk of a lack of built in memory for 2.2 which is a bugger, hopefully will be clarified tomorrow when 2.2 is official.

You've inspired me to start thinking about an Android option like this (my coiworker just got a Desire, which probably didnt help my restraint)

Please keep us (well, me anyway) posted with what you end up going for and how it fares. :)

sonmica

60 posts

Master Geek

#332886 21-May-2010 12:30

There are a few "mini" phones coming out ... like the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini, and the HTC Wildfire (which is like a mini Desire) was also just recently announced.

"mini" does mean the phones are smaller than their full counterparts, as well as the specs being lower, but the price is lower too.

daskip

79 posts

Master Geek

#332912 21-May-2010 13:11

I see the wildfire has popped up on clove for 210 pounds to prolly circa $500 shipped here. Not bad, do like the idea of having sense and 2.1 out of the box without having to stuff about. Doh, QVGA though which doesn't quite do it for me. Close but no cigar!

VanAlstine

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#337020 1-Jun-2010 13:38

I bought a Galaxy Spica the other day and am very happy with it. Android 1.6 isn't a problem for me. Lot's of apps in Android Market. 800 mhz processor. Very zippy. Screen is beautiful, lots of contrast. It's a vast improvement over my Nokia 5800 XpressMusic (resistive screen, slow interface), that's for sure! I bought it for $429.

dobrien7

19 posts

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#337137 1-Jun-2010 19:28

I'm in the same boat as the original post, am leaning towards the i7500 galaxy. Noticed a few on trademe for around $470, good value for money do you think? (That's to anyone that cares lol)

vinnieg

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#337143 1-Jun-2010 20:08

Galaxy Spica is all good :) there is actually an Official 2.1 update, not a custom ROM, change your country options to the UK on the PC Studio and it should work :)

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

vinnieg

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#337144 1-Jun-2010 20:13

Oh yeah, other alternative is to source one through Clove.co.uk for $490NZ shipped, Einfo on 1.6(will require firmware update, though it's not too hard) has it for $392 shipped via fast courier, only in white at teh moment, they are out of blacks according to the site

Missing options in the official update are:
- Live wallpapers
- Possibly some missing read-on apps after install(but this can be fixed by reading the google forums)

Just another pointer, the Samsung Studio 7 software is a PITA, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. For Win7, set compatibility to Vista SP2....

If you can't pickup the firmware for the UK version(It should bring up the standard one, although some people are getting ones preset with 3 Mobile settings) Then you can use Odin which is what the developers/Samsung use to unbrick their mobiles

I570EXXJE1 is apparently the latest Official release, although the official I570EXXJD4 is apparently more stable

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

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