Smart Phones!

Recommended Videos

AdamxD

New member
Mar 5, 2012
77
0
0
Escapists! I'm currently thinking of getting myself a smartphone. I find myself unable to access Google whenever I want to, and this is something which mildly angers me. So! What phone can you recommend to me?
Iphones are probably out of my price range :(
 

EeveeElectro

Cats.
Aug 3, 2008
7,055
0
0
iPhones are good but you can probably find just as good (if not better) and a lot cheaper.
I have the Sony Xperia X and it's pretty good. Up until a few weeks ago it was freezing a lot but that's been fixed now.
(Just DON'T go with Orange. Set of overcharging bastards.)
Samsung Galaxy S3's look good too. Big phones though, they don't properly fit in my hands (I have tiny hands)
I'm a bit of a noob with new technology so I'm probably not the best person to ask xD but they should be able to help you when you go into the phone shop.
 

AdamxD

New member
Mar 5, 2012
77
0
0
Orange do have orange Wednesdays though :p

Galaxy's look good, but probably a bit much. Where did you get yours from?
 

Lucem712

*Chirp*
Jul 14, 2011
1,472
0
0
I currently have a Sprint Galaxy Nexus, which is pretty awesome. I got it during the Cyber Monday sale when I upgraded my contract.

32 GB internal memory, though no SD card (slot or otherwise)
Front Facing camera that is about, uh 1 MP? And standard camera on the back that takes pretty good photos. Dual processor and all that junk. You can probably find a cheap iPhone if you go with an older version, like uh, 4S? (Can't recall what they're on now)

My favourite think about owning Android phones has been the Google Sync; I recall starting up my new phone and being able to sync all my contact info and Play store info. It was awesome.
 

Jacco

New member
May 1, 2011
1,738
0
0
If you like big, the Galaxy Note is pretty sweet. I got one because my iPhone just wasn't cutting it anymore and it's been great.
 

Esotera

New member
May 5, 2011
3,400
0
0
Get something low-range and Samsung, it'll be fine as long as you're not a complete techno-freak. I have a Samsung Galaxy Ace which is pretty poor compared to new models like the Nexus tablets and is a bit laggier and harder to use than Android 4, but it serves me perfectly well. It sort of depends on what you're going to use it for though, if it's literally just for internet access and texts/calls then there's no point getting something great unless you have money to burn.
 

Hazy992

Why does this place still exist
Aug 1, 2010
5,265
0
0
AdamxD said:
Iphones are probably out of my price range :(
What is your price range if you don't mind me asking? Will help with recommending something if we know.
 

The Diabolical Biz

New member
Jun 25, 2009
1,620
0
0
My brother just got a Google Nexus 4, and from what I've heard - from him and from reading about - it's pretty sensational.

Apparently it's as powerful as the best smart phones out there for a fraction of the price. Maybe look into that.
 

thesilentman

What this
Jun 14, 2012
4,513
0
0
AdamxD said:
Escapists! I'm currently thinking of getting myself a smartphone. I find myself unable to access Google whenever I want to, and this is something which mildly angers me. So! What phone can you recommend to me?
Iphones are probably out of my price range :(
Any Android phone should serve you well. The best way for you to pick a phone is to go into a store and play with one that looks cool. As for recommendations, a Samsung Galaxy Note II is just freaking sweet. It's big, but it's damned fast and will outperform anything on the market today.

And if the Note II doesn't do it, it's smaller cousin the Galaxy SIII will be a worthy alternative. You may want to look into other brands as well as I like the designs of other phones, but Samsung really captures my attention when it comes to Android.

Another alternative would be the Windows Phones. *flame shield on* I like the interface, and it's quite stable as a phone device. It's just an option, so I'd say consider it at the very least.
 

Vhite

New member
Aug 17, 2009
1,980
0
0
I'm no expert in this but about a half a year ago I did my research when I was buying my first smart phone. If you can't afford anything too expansive I think that HTC One series is pretty good and it has wide range of prices. HTC One V is a low-end and the one I got. Its pretty good but slow at times but not too slow, just don't expect much out of 3D games. One S is the mid-tier and the one which I would recommend and One X is the full package for high price.
 

Colour Scientist

Troll the Respawn, Jeremy!
Jul 15, 2009
4,722
0
0
I have a Samsung Galaxy... Ace? I think.
It was a gift, I don't usually use phones for anything other than calls and texts but it does those two things fairly efficiently.


I did get really excited when I realised it had a radio though!
 

hannes2

New member
Dec 10, 2010
71
0
0
I have Galaxy S Advance which sits somewhere between the S Plus and S 2 both performance and price wise. It has a Dual-Core processor and runs everything I´m using just fine. The only real restriction is that it uses Android 2.3.6 so some apps don´t work (although some websites claim it´s getting an upgrade to 4.1 which would be pretty sweet). The battery lasts for about a day for me, which I hear is on the lower side, but if it was a day and a half that still wouldn´t save me from recharging every night so whatever.

Overall I´m pretty happy with it, especially considering its price, though depending on how much you´re ready to spend, the S 2 is a bit better and while I have no experience with any other phones, I guess it´s safe to assume there are a couple others that are as well.
 

Tom_green_day

New member
Jan 5, 2013
1,384
0
0
IMO, smartphones are unnecesary. I have the samsung white 2000 or whatever its called and there is nothing i can do on here that i couldn't do on my brick.
 

ShinyCharizard

New member
Oct 24, 2012
2,034
0
0
Well you won't need an expensive smart phone to access google.

http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/review/mobile_phones/huawei/ascend_g300/431244/user_reviews/

This should be fine.
 

TheRightToArmBears

New member
Dec 13, 2008
8,674
0
0
I've got a Samsung Galaxy Ace 2. You can get pretty cheap contracts for them (mine is £10.50 a month, but it doesn't come with much. Unlimited texts though, which is nice), it's probably the cheapest way to get what you're after.
 

TheEvilCheese

Cheesey.
Dec 16, 2008
1,151
0
0
Going to assume you're in the UK as your profile says. The market over here is fairly different to the 'mericas.

ShinyCharizard said:
Well you won't need an expensive smart phone to access google.

http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/review/mobile_phones/huawei/ascend_g300/431244/user_reviews/

This should be fine.
If you're spending £100 or so on a G300 you might as well get an OSD with its massively better hardware.

AdamxD said:
Escapists! I'm currently thinking of getting myself a smartphone. I find myself unable to access Google whenever I want to, and this is something which mildly angers me. So! What phone can you recommend to me?
Iphones are probably out of my price range :(
Price range? Pay as you go or contract? How much do you call/text in a month? Any networks to prefer/avoid? As above, for a budget smartphone I recommend the Orange San Diego all the way- you just can't match the specs for the price (was £100 last time I checked). Only problem is the limited network choice, Orange, Tmobile and Virgin all work out of the box but getting it unlocked isn't fun. (Mine's on Virgin mobile Pay as you go, unlimited internet and 300 texts for £10 a month, no contract. Will be moving to GiffGaff when I can get it unlocked)

If you're looking to spend more- £200+ Get a Nexus 4 (unlocked by default to use on any network)[url text= Nexus 4]https://play.google.com/store/devices/details?id=nexus_4_16gb[/url]
Just do. It's got specs to rival phones £250 more expensive, comes with the most up to date android money can buy and... is out of stock because of this. Well crap. Buying one from anyone except google themselves negates the value, as shops charge £400+ for them.

Take a look at the windows phones as well- but remember, the look and feel can be replicated on most android phones easily and there's a much more limited selection of apps.

If you're getting a phone that can use the GiffGaff network (anything unlocked or on o2 I believe, they use the same network) you should give it a try, unlimited internet and texts from £12 a month with no contract, best value around for the normal internet-heavy android user. http://giffgaff.com/goodybags/12pound-goodybag

Another thing to consider is the level of control and customization you want. Some phones such as the G300 can run completely modified firmware (akin to installing a new OS on the Pc) which can offer some interesting features, Others have 'locked' boot loaders meaning there is nothing you can do to get rid of that pesky provider bloatware.

There's a lot to consider, the TechRadar list of the top 20 phones around today might be a good place to start thinking, it has a couple of cheapuns in there too.
http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/20-best-mobile-phones-in-the-world-today-645440
 

Guffe

New member
Jul 12, 2009
5,106
0
0
If you want one that's user friendly to new users and aren't too into technological stuff then Nokia Lumia is a good alternative, of course it isn't close to the android phones when it comes to apps and stuff
I have a LG and it is working just perfectly so I could reccommend that :)