[Closed] Cheap but useable Android phone

I'd be running away, frankly. It sounds like a shitshow. But it looks like you already know that.

She needs a phone phone and WhatsApp, right? Nothing else? Go to CEX. Stick it on an Expenses claim.

"Draw" is what you do with pencils or curtains, what you're describing there is a drawer. 😁

Yeah sounds interesting. I'd just get the cheapest Motoroloa whatever you can get your hand on. This seems reasonable https://www.argos.co.uk/product/1244463

But yeah I think I'd rather run away. I'll be honest if she doesn't engage with the "culture" there then she'll likely get ostracised or shown the door at a review. Personally I'd walk before I was pushed.

“Draw” is what you do with pencils or curtains, what you’re describing there is a drawer. 😁

Damn you - too late to edit 🙂

I tease of course, but I always thought that one was a particularly weird eggcorn. Is there a regional accent thing going on here, do some people pronounce drawer as draw?

Mind you, in my East Lanky it's "drore" so I shouldn't whine too loudly.

I've got a Pixel 3a, it's cheap, it works, it's great.

Another vote for CEX. Prob get an old flagship (e.g. Galaxy S8) in reasonable condition

(e.g. Galaxy S8)

I have an unlocked one sitting in a draw with a short hairline crack in the screen* not visible when the phone is on and it works perfectly and comes with a case and screen protector but no charger although any phone/laptop USB C should be OK- she can have it for £80 posted. DM me if interested.

*I just got it out the box and can't find it. so maybe it hasn't....

Same phone she has now or at least the same brand

Actually,

Don't you / her have an old phone languishing in a draw(er) somewhere already that could be repurposed? I've got a pile of the bastard things going back over twenty years.

I’ve got a Pixel 3a, it’s cheap, it works, it’s great.

Same here. Had it since they came out, really can't see any point in "upgrading"

CTK has the right answer. Buy a second of whatever she has now or at least a cheaper model.

Then make sure you don't do the security patches and the company will rue the day they decided on BYOD as she infects the entire network through her phone.

My company has the opposite policy for the reasons that @johnnystorm mentions.

Whatever you get, don’t get a cheap Samsung (A12 etc), they’re utterly awful.

Actually,

Don’t you / her have an old phone languishing in a draw(er) somewhere already that could be repurposed? I’ve got a pile of the bastard things going back over twenty years.

Skinflint mil/fil have robbed us of all old phones over the years. There is a iphone 5c lurking in there but suspect it's so old you couldn't even install a modern (whatsapp) app on it now as os so out of date.

Whatever you get, don’t get a cheap Samsung (A12 etc), they’re utterly awful.

This is my current work phone and I would concur. The camera is decent, better than my Nokia (which to be fair isn't difficult), but that aside I'm very glad that I didn't pay actual money for it.

Mind you, I could say much the same of every Samsung Android phone I've had. I don't understand why they're so popular, every one I've had hold of has been toilet.

Prob get an old flagship (e.g. Galaxy S8) in reasonable condition

I'd not recommend this so highly. 2nd hand phone prices tend to level out on spec, so 4 year old S8 costs the same as an almost new A.. (whatever the equivalent version is). Except the S8 has a 4-5 year old battery.

I had an S7 until recently and the batter lasted barely an hour!

If it's just a work phone and the most that'll ever be asked of the camera is to be functional then I'd buy whatever is cheap and from the same manufacturer as her current phone and 1-2 years old.

Obviously, I didn't listen to my own advice and bought an S10 recently (cost £165 on ebay), but I wanted a better camera and in a couple of years I'll probably upgrade it again.

I’ve got a company A”bastard”12. Every time I go to answer it or unlock it the first press/swipe does nothing so I press/swipe again only for the first and second swipe to be recognised at the same time and it hangs up/locks. Every. Single. Time. Mrs OS has one too, does the same. Utter garbage.

I’d not recommend this so highly. 2nd hand phone prices tend to level out on spec, so 4 year old S8 costs the same as an almost new A.. (whatever the equivalent version is). Except the S8 has a 4-5 year old battery.

This would be my thinking too. Firstly I would try asking family members if they've got a phone stuck in a drawer that would do the job. That aside, I would buy something new from John Lewis (or wherever). They have a number of phones that would do the job circa £100. Then you know that everything will be in good working order and no hassle if something goes wrong.

https://www.nokia.com/phones/en_gb/nokia-g-21?sku=719901183501

If it is as good as my 2 year old Nokia which was about £20 more expensive back then, then it will be a great allrounder cheap device.

why not invest some time setting up a detailed do not disturb profile?

Firstly I would try asking family members if they’ve got a phone stuck in a drawer that would do the job.

If it's stuck, why bother?

Your wife's employers have an interesting approach to cyber security if they allow (or expect) business information to be stored on a personal device.

Regardless, I've got a Motorola e7i for work as it was the cheapest USB-C charging phone (for interchangeable chargers with my personal phone) I could fine on a recent android version - another common requirement for cyber security.

No complaints with the e7i, & the battery seems to last for ever.

Xiaomi or Oppo. Not sure on your budget but you won't get any better value for money.

I only now buy Xiaomi, a quick look on Amazon will verify their VFM.

If you're after *really* cheap though then I'm afraid I can't help.

Following on from @ceept take care with anything too old which may fall out of manufacturer support and therefore security updates. We can use our own devices, but have to install the MS "Intune Company Portal" which checks what model, operating system and update status you're at. Too old/ out of date and they block access to company stuff. So i now have a separate company phone whch goes in a drawer at the weekend... 🙂

While the likes of Xiaomi are good value, they do fiddle around with the core Operating System a bit, this can cause problems (eg notifications) - It's usually solvable though,

https://dontkillmyapp.com/xiaomi

I’ve got a Pixel 3a, it’s cheap, it works, it’s great

Similar to me with a Pixel 3XL until this week when teams won't run anymore because I don't have the latest Android security update due to google stopping support.
Now wondering whether to spend AU$1000 on a pixel 6 just so I can use teams...

Any thoughts on Motorola G50? My Dad (80+) emailed me yesterday to say that he's thinking of getting a smart phone, and ask if I thought a Samsung A12 would be a good choice... so this thread is timely, thanks!

update - Mrs C has stated it has to be a new phone rather than a 2nd hand previously high spec phone. In a life-is-too-short-for-being-blamed-even-when-you-are-just-trying-to-the-right-thing kind of way, I'm going along with this.

Any thoughts on Motorola G50? My Dad (80+) emailed me yesterday to say that he’s thinking of getting a smart phone, and ask if I thought a Samsung A12 would be a good choice… so this thread is timely, thanks!

This is at the top of my list currently. They seem to be highly regarded in the various review sites as a top budget phone. Can be bought for £169 as Tesco which is cheaper than Amazon. If 5G is not a need the newer Moto G31, which has a better screen and processor, could arguably be better for a few pennies less.

The reason I'm drawn to Motorola or Nokia is they seem to bugger about with the look of Android less in comparison companies like Xiaomi. Not that the Xiaomi 'look' to Android is maybe not a good thing but I've got a Google Pixel 5 and knowing that her phone will look very much like vanilla Android when I'm trying to talk her through a setting change over the phone will make my life easier. That might be a consideration for you too Gray.

update – Mrs C has stated it has to be a new phone rather than a 2nd hand previously high spec phone.

Is there any chance her current phone is actually dual SIM and you're not aware of it? Seems too obvious a solution to have been missed but I just had to mention it.

She wants to buy a brand new phone purely for phone calls and WhatsApp, for work? She's insane.

The reason I’m drawn to Motorola or Nokia is they seem to bugger about with the look of Android less in comparison companies like Xiaomi.

Look at the Android One programme.

She’s insane.

Have we met?

Look at the Android One programme.

Will do. Ta.