Current Events > So are budget smartphones all much of a muchness, or wildly different? Need recs

(+) Yeah! (+)

My dear parents are still using an iPhone 4, bless them. They literally just need something to video call my brother and save grandkid photos.

Was considering the OPPO A5? But I haven't researched this market much

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Never buy budget phone because those phone will not get software update in the future.

Maybe buy midrange this year model or last year flagship phone if you want to buy phone because most of them get software updated.

Also please buy 4gb ram up and 128 gb internal.

If you buy phone that have 3gb ram below and 64 gb internal you wasted your money.

Google suck at optimize Android and most app now day have many update so it will increase the size .
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Strongly consider the possibility that your parents aren't going to understand Android very well. I love and am a strong supporter of Android, but it is not a "simple" operating system.

"Budget" phones in general can also be very irritating, as they are usually pretty underpowered, even for just running the OS, and have next to zero support and updates.
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Aki_Sora posted...

Google suck at optimize Android and most app now day have many update so it will increase the size .

You have no idea what you're talking about, so please stop.
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Are they in the United States? Cricket has a deal on iPhone SE 2020s right now if you port a number. $50 ($100 for the 128GB version) + $60 for a month of service. Immediately after activating you can downgrade it to the $30 plan, splitting that $60 over two months. Plus you can sign up through a referral and get a $25 credit towards your bill. I could PM you my referral link or you can do a Google search for referral links.

The SE 2020 would be perfect for your parents. Basically just a slightly bigger version of the iPhone 4 but much faster, and it will get software updates for at least 5 years unlike other midrange phones. The only major loss would be the headphone jack.

EDIT: Also, after 6 months on Cricket the phone can be unlocked and used on any other phone service.

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Get them a picture frame that you can send photos to, theyre awesome, idk about phone tho

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Corrupt_Power posted...

You have no idea what you're talking about, so please stop.

I have Android phone that have 8gb ram and 256gb internal.

Most google app have new update like every 4 day so it increase the size little bit. If you love social media app it the same with google app will get update like every 4 day.

Even with 8gb ram some time Android os will lag.

My phone use stock Android.
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Aki_Sora posted...

Corrupt_Power posted...

You have no idea what you're talking about, so please stop.

I have Android phone that have 8gb ram and 256gb internal.

Most google app have new update like every 4 day so it increase the size little bit.

Even with 8gb ram some Android os will lag.

My phone use stock Android.

Let me refer you to my previous post.

Corrupt_Power posted...

You have no idea what you're talking about, so please stop.

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Corrupt_Power posted...

Strongly consider the possibility that your parents aren't going to understand Android very well. I love and am a strong supporter of Android, but it is not a "simple" operating system.

"Budget" phones in general can also be very irritating, as they are usually pretty underpowered, even for just running the OS, and have next to zero support and updates.

I got them a random tablet a while ago and they manage ok with that. They really just do two things: look at facebook and make video calls. I think I can simplify the UI enough so that they just need to click on those two things.

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Yeah I don't get this idea that Android is too convoluted to use. You can either configure it for them where all the apps they need will be face up and near the bottom of the screen as soon as they unlock the device. Some devices even have a literal "easy mode" if even that becomes too complicated.

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pinky0926 posted...

I got them a random tablet a while ago and they manage ok with that. They really just do two things: look at facebook and make video calls. I think I can simplify the UI enough so that they just need to click on those two things.

Gotcha. In that case, if you're comfortable with their use cases, then I would wholly recommend the Pixel 4a. Nowhere near flagship-level price, but you're clear of the pitfalls of "budget" devices with that one.

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What are the typical pitfalls of budget devices anyway? Lack of support, short lifespan?

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Super Saiyan 3 Goku posted...

Yeah I don't get this idea that Android is too convoluted to use. You can either configure it for them where all the apps they need will be face up and near the bottom of the screen as soon as they unlock the device. Some devices even have a literal "easy mode" if even that becomes too complicated.

For sure, you can configure Android to be easier to use. Convoluted isn't necessarily the word I'd use though. Moreso... easier to break. There's a lot more levers and switches available for you to accidentally mess with. That's both Android's biggest strength and weakness.

Also, the "pre-configure for them" of course requires you to configure it for them first, and likely reconfigure it periodically. iOS is a lot more straightforward to use OoB.

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pinky0926 posted...

What are the typical pitfalls of budget devices anyway? Lack of support, short lifespan?

Cheap underpowered hardware, lots of preinstalled crapware / spyware, little to no support and software updates.

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Fair enough. I pretty much just want a stock android OS.

I agree that Apple devices have a more friendly user experience but I'm not gonna fork out a few hundred extra dollars for that if I can just maybe train my folks not to go pressing random buttons all the time, lol

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pinky0926 posted...

I pretty much just want a stock android OS.

Then Pixel is absolutely what you want. Budget phones might look stock on the surface but there's inevitably going to be a bunch of non-stock crap bolted on.

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A while back when I was looking for a new phone I discovered that Nokia had a whole range of budget to mid range products, and IIRC they use vanilla Android OS. No idea how good they are but I was intrigued mostly because I grew up with the 3310 and later the 3200.

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Configuring is definitely not limited to Android devices. It seems every time I visit my mother, there's something or the other I need to adjust on her iPhone and my MIL calls my wife on the regular about how to make some tweaks and adjustments to her own iPhone. If all you're ever going to use are a few apps, then both OSes are fine. What may sway you one way or the other is the hardware and how to navigate it (gestures vs buttons, etc).

And nobody cares about software updates - granny just wants the thing to work with no fuss.

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Corrupt_Power posted...

Then Pixel is absolutely what you want. Budget phones might look stock on the surface but there's inevitably going to be a bunch of non-stock crap bolted on.

I'll check it out, thank you!

scar the 1 posted...

A while back when I was looking for a new phone I discovered that Nokia had a whole range of budget to mid range products, and IIRC they use vanilla Android OS. No idea how good they are but I was intrigued mostly because I grew up with the 3310 and later the 3200.

"Good" is relative I guess. For me, I would want the best performance to price ratio I can squeeze. My mother just wants a thing that doesn't pop up confusing prompts and nonsense all the time.


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pinky0926 posted...

Fair enough. I pretty much just want a stock android OS.

I echo other posters in saying the Pixel 4a is what you want. Gets the best support from Google, and it's the only one that comes with a legit stock android OS (the main reason I have a 3a - I hate all that crap Samsung put on the phones). Also, not sure about the 4a, but the 3a had a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Edit: also the camera on the Pixels are top quality

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Super Saiyan 3 Goku posted...

And nobody cares about software updates - granny just wants the thing to work with no fuss.

Doesn't mean everyone should care.

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Well, the Nokia range seemed decently priced. You could check them out if they're available where you're at.

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Also, I really have no idea how to interpret your topic title, I just came in because I'm semi-knowledgeable on smartphones and like providing recommendations.

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I have a moto g7, it was like $150 (less iirc) and it's fine

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So TC, was there any particular issue with the Cricket Wireless deal you had? Its a bit of a hassle initially to port numbers and create Cricket Wireless accounts, but it will save you the trouble of teaching your parents how to use an Android phone. And its really cheap. Essentially $205 for an iPhone plus 6 months of service before they can go back to their previous carrier ($50+$60+120 for 4 more months of service -$25 referral). I got the deal myself recently.

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