Budget Mobile Phone, Recommendations ?

Discussion in 'Computer Corner' started by ricky101, Nov 3, 2020.

  1. ricky101

    ricky101 Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 15, 2016
    Messages:
    3,273
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Sheffield
    Ratings:
    +4,184
    Hi,

    We are looking for new mobile to replace our old Moto G3 with a small 5" screen and old Android 6 OS, which is becoming more difficult for us to readily view and touch.

    Something towards a 6.5" would seem better and that we can still easily carry in our pockets.

    Seems the budget Moto ones are popular like the 6.1" E6 etc or the Samsung 6.5" A21.

    Would have looked at the well reviewed Huawei and Honor phones but a bit wary of the current problems with US refusing them access to things like google etc.

    Any recommendations ...?
     
  2. Scrungee

    Scrungee Well known for it

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2010
    Messages:
    16,524
    Location:
    Central England on heavy clay soil
    Ratings:
    +28,996
    I use an unlocked Moto g8 plus with a 6.81" screen, dual sim and I'm very pleased with it.

    Happy to answer any questions.

    Reverted to a smaller screen on my last phone, and glad to have a decent sized screen again. Fits nicely in a Tesco neoprene sleeve bought when reduced from around £6 to 80p that fits in a pocket better than some folding 'hard' case.
     
    • Like Like x 1
      Last edited: Nov 10, 2020
    • HarryS

      HarryS Eternally Optimistic Gardener

      Joined:
      Aug 28, 2010
      Messages:
      8,906
      Gender:
      Male
      Occupation:
      Retired
      Location:
      Wigan
      Ratings:
      +16,246
      I had a hi-spec Samsung Galaxy S9, superb phone. But earlier this year I managed to stand on it getting out of the shower - not recommended ! Not wanting to pay the hefty Galaxy prices, I bought the Samsung A51 6.5 screen on Ebay. Really impressed with the A range of Samsung's, Mrs H has the A20. The Samsung A21 is priced at £149 Argos, and the same on Ebay.
      It would be high on my list for a new phone :blue thumb:
       
      • Like Like x 2
      • pete

        pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

        Joined:
        Jan 9, 2005
        Messages:
        47,696
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Retired
        Location:
        Mid Kent
        Ratings:
        +84,314
        Now come on, who takes their phone in the shower.:biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:
         
        • Funny Funny x 4
        • Agree Agree x 1
        • Creative Creative x 1
        • NigelJ

          NigelJ Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Jan 31, 2012
          Messages:
          6,042
          Gender:
          Male
          Occupation:
          Mad Scientist
          Location:
          Paignton Devon
          Ratings:
          +20,942
          A few years ago one young lady came into work wanting help to dry her phone out. She'd been talking to her mother on her mobile, got in the shower and been surprised when it stopped working after a few minutes.
           
          • Funny Funny x 4
          • Like Like x 1
          • ricky101

            ricky101 Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Jun 15, 2016
            Messages:
            3,273
            Gender:
            Male
            Location:
            Sheffield
            Ratings:
            +4,184
            Yes, it seems a close call between the Samsung A21 at £149 and the Moto phones.

            As well as the original Moto G8 there is the G8 Lite at £149 or the newer G9 Play at £159.
            ( we are on a monthly Sim only deal , no need for a contract these days)

            All seem to get good online reviews within their price bracket.

            Think our keynotes are for screen clarity, eg easy to read text etc rather than fancy videos, and ease of touch controls , though a decent camera is a plus, have been quiet happy with the one on the old Moto G3, though doubtless the newer ones would be even better ..
             
          • NigelJ

            NigelJ Total Gardener

            Joined:
            Jan 31, 2012
            Messages:
            6,042
            Gender:
            Male
            Occupation:
            Mad Scientist
            Location:
            Paignton Devon
            Ratings:
            +20,942
            I got my first smart phone a few weeks ago and went for the Samsung A21. So far I'm pretty pleased with it and have had no major issues with it.
            A number of people I know have got this or other Samsung models and are generally happy with them.
             
            • Like Like x 2
            • Friendly Friendly x 1
            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

              Joined:
              Jan 9, 2005
              Messages:
              47,696
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Retired
              Location:
              Mid Kent
              Ratings:
              +84,314
              I've got a samsung Galaxy J6, not sure you can still get them, but dont t hink you can go wrong with samsung.
               
              • Like Like x 2
              • Scrungee

                Scrungee Well known for it

                Joined:
                Dec 5, 2010
                Messages:
                16,524
                Location:
                Central England on heavy clay soil
                Ratings:
                +28,996
                I think the Moto g3 was the last Moto which included a compass/magnometer as standard.

                After that, if you use astro, photography, OS mapping, etc. apps (as I do), the specs needs checking to ensure those apps will work, which is why I opted for a slightly better model from the latest Motos.
                 
                • Like Like x 1
                • ricky101

                  ricky101 Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Jun 15, 2016
                  Messages:
                  3,273
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Location:
                  Sheffield
                  Ratings:
                  +4,184
                  Think its going to be a close call between the A21 and the G9 Play.

                  The G9 play has Proximity Sensor, Accelerometer, Ambient Light Sensor, Gyroscope, Compass though not features we have had need for in the past.

                  What the G9 Play does have over the A21 and might be good for future use is NFC that allows contactless payment. Seems paying by contactless card has proven to be invaluable this year.

                  Wonder if its worth waiting for the pre Christmas sales like Black Friday to see if they are vastly reduced, have bought tech things at bargain prices from Argos in their Christmas sales before.
                   
                • ricky101

                  ricky101 Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Jun 15, 2016
                  Messages:
                  3,273
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Location:
                  Sheffield
                  Ratings:
                  +4,184
                  Hi @NigelJ ,

                  Well we are still stuck between these two phones, would appreciate any comment you or anyone else could add on these points.

                  Seems there are two A21 models, the slightly more basic A21 and the A21S for about £179, though seems most places are only selling the A21S now.

                  Looks like you can buy direct from Samsung with free delivery ( or Motorola) which would seem better to deal direct with the maker if any fault developed; did you buy direct ?

                  The only thing that puts us off the A21S, though not sure if its really a problem, is that they say Motorola has a very "clean" Andriod 10, but Samsungs, inc the A21S carry a lot of Android 10 Boatware.
                  Have you found that so ? and if its really a problem ? assume its easy enough to uninstall the rubbish ?

                  Thanks
                   
                • NigelJ

                  NigelJ Total Gardener

                  Joined:
                  Jan 31, 2012
                  Messages:
                  6,042
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Occupation:
                  Mad Scientist
                  Location:
                  Paignton Devon
                  Ratings:
                  +20,942
                  @ricky101 I have the basic A21. I chose it for good battery life and reasonable storage 32Gb. Mine was a returned unit that was a bit cheaper and available quickly. I have deleted some of the included apps. Currently I have 53 apps of which I installed 5 so 48 came with it; some of these can be disabled from the touch screen but not removed. Of the 3Gb of RAM I have 1.2Gb available and of the 32Gb of storage I have 17Gb available.
                  As this is my first "smart phone" I'm taking it slowly and getting used to it.
                   
                  • Friendly Friendly x 1
                  • Useful Useful x 1
                  • ricky101

                    ricky101 Total Gardener

                    Joined:
                    Jun 15, 2016
                    Messages:
                    3,273
                    Gender:
                    Male
                    Location:
                    Sheffield
                    Ratings:
                    +4,184
                    @NigelJ Interesting, thanks :thumbsup:

                    Never used the mobile for much online work, just found the screen too small etc, so hopefully a 6.5" one will be better.

                    Could perhaps then use the banking app which could be handy if we ever get chance to get away anywhere or if the broadband /pc goes down.

                    Also looking for tips on Online Mobile security, seems the hackers are moving more to phones and some of these Sim scams that the tv consumer programs feature sound really problematic.
                     
                  Loading...

                  Share This Page

                  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                    Dismiss Notice