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Cheap Android phone recommendations

I really want vanilla android, so maybe not Samsung unless they're better now (last samsung I had was a note 4 I think many years ago). I use my phone for multimedia and socials, so a screen size of at least the mate 10 pro and great sound and screen resolution are essential.
 
I really want vanilla android
Click to expand...
Then you buy a Pixel. Even phones with a reputation of being somewhat more vanilla (eg: Moto and One+) are quite heavily skinned.
This is the way.
On the flipside, the non-Chinese-market phones are all considerably less full of dreck than they used to be. People have seen that having the nicest skin didn't save HTC.
 
I've had my Samsung A71 for a few weeks now, and I don't mind their One UI 2.0. It's certainly not vanilla android, but it seems fine to me, and it gets pretty decent reviews. Apparently version 3 just got released, and will be rolling out to different phone models over the next few months.
 
any particular recommendations at the moment?

my nearly 5 year old moto g (3rd generation) is showing signs of distress again and i think it might have to be retired soon.

i'm not in a position where it's got to be cheapest thing going, but i just wouldn't feel comfortable with anything that cost more than 200 quid at the most i case i drop the bloody thing.

ideal would be about the same sort of size (it's about 14 x 7 cm / 5 1/2 x 2 3/4 inches) - i don't want something enormous (this is almost ideal shirt pocket size) but the previous samsung was just a bit too small for my paws to cope with the keyboard.
 
Puddy_Tat said:
any particular recommendations at the moment?

my nearly 5 year old moto g (3rd generation) is showing signs of distress again and i think it might have to be retired soon.

i'm not in a position where it's got to be cheapest thing going, but i just wouldn't feel comfortable with anything that cost more than 200 quid at the most i case i drop the bloody thing.

ideal would be about the same sort of size (it's about 14 x 7 cm / 5 1/2 x 2 3/4 inches) - i don't want something enormous (this is almost ideal shirt pocket size) but the previous samsung was just a bit too small for my paws to cope with the keyboard.
Click to expand...

I tend to think Samsung make slightly better made and better supported phones than Motorola these days.
 
At a similar price the Moto G9 Play is more powerful (quite noticeably so) than the Samsung A12. They're roughly the same size, as well. Probably a bit on the large size, based on what you've said but phones under 6.5" are rare these days. Samsung's recent upgrade in their length of support does not affect the A12, so that one potential advantage is out the window.

Edit: If you're willing to deal with the way the Chinese like their interface set up (it takes some adjustment), this is smaller, better specced, and cheaper: realme Store
 
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Puddy_Tat said:
any particular recommendations at the moment?

my nearly 5 year old moto g (3rd generation) is showing signs of distress again and i think it might have to be retired soon.

i'm not in a position where it's got to be cheapest thing going, but i just wouldn't feel comfortable with anything that cost more than 200 quid at the most i case i drop the bloody thing.

ideal would be about the same sort of size (it's about 14 x 7 cm / 5 1/2 x 2 3/4 inches) - i don't want something enormous (this is almost ideal shirt pocket size) but the previous samsung was just a bit too small for my paws to cope with the keyboard.
Click to expand...

be sporting a g6 for about a year

might be quite cheap now :)
 
My mum's old Motorola something or other is dying, so she needs a new phone. She's on an insanely cheap Tesco mobile deal and doesn't use much data, so I'm inclined to buy her something outright and just put the old SIM in it.

What's the current go to for a cheap android phone (ideally without much OEM crap software on it) with a decent camera?


Edit - Looking at a Moto G10, seems OK for £130?
 
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Or have found a g30 for the same price, except it says it ships with Android 10, not 11. There are others available with 11 for more money, but presumably I could just update the software? Or is it not that easy with Android?
 
beesonthewhatnow said:
Or have found a g30 for the same price, except it says it ships with Android 10, not 11. There are others available with 11 for more money, but presumably I could just update the software? Or is it not that easy with Android?
Click to expand...

It has to be supported by the manufacturer, however this review suggests it has Android 11.

www.tomsguide.com

Moto g10 review: Very cheap, surprisingly good

Motorola's latest budget phone gives you what you need, but not much more
www.tomsguide.com www.tomsguide.com
 
finally decided to go for the motorola g8 power - just slightly smaller than the average, and john lewis had it on special offer.

got it more or less sorted out, then find that the sim card i have is too big and can't see obvious dotted lines to extract nano SIM from the current one (i'm not attacking it with a knife, and don't want to risk breaking the damn thing.)

sod.

new sim card now requested.
 
On Fire said:
There is something great about a good, cheap Android. Feels like beating the system, that says you have to spend loads, or sign up to a long expensive contract to get a phone.
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Indeed there is.

Just managed to snag myself a Xiaomi POCO X3 Pro Frost Blue 8GB + 256GB and thanks to HUKD it was £169 instead of £249! And a free rucksack :D

Dropped my A71 and smashed the screen to buggery 9 months back. Had the screen fixed but I am sure more damage was done internally as it only rings/alerts/alarms when it bloody feels like it.

lil'Angel loves her Redmi phone so I thought I'd have a go too.
 
On Fire said:

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 5G​

For £109.
Bit of a bargain on Vodafone pay as you go. I have ordered one. It is unlocked according to Hot Deals UK.

Click to expand...
My old phone died (Well could not charge it) so I got a 128GB one of these. After having to get a new SIM from EE (can take two SIMS) & a bit of faffing I am pretty pleased with it. Only really use the phone for phone calls & texts but I am sure I will move into the 21st Century with time & use some of the other features.
It is great value for money. Fast charging is a godsend.
 
I need a new phone as my Honor 9 is running through battery a but too quickly for my liking. Its lasted 4.5 years though so I am impressed.

What's annoying me is the size of them all. 6 inches is more than enough for me. It really limits the choice.
 
Me76 said:
I need a new phone as my Honor 9 is running through battery a but too quickly for my liking. Its lasted 4.5 years though so I am impressed.

What's annoying me is the size of them all. 6 inches is more than enough for me. It really limits the choice.
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Can you just take it to a shop and get them to do a battert replacement?

If it still works fine and youre happy enough why upgrade?
 
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