Best Android phone for beginner up to $300

tokziktigah on 05/08/2013 - 16:22

So I'm trying to buy a phone for my mum for around $300 and nothing too overly complex for her needs. Here's what I'm looking for/criteria:

  • Large screen (4.3 inch or larger) as my mum needs something big enough for her eyes
  • Android as it's easy for my dad who recently learnt Android to teach her
  • Long-lasting as my mum will probably keep this phone until it dies (she's still using her Nokia 6280 from over 6 years ago)
  • Good processor (1GHz+ dual or quad core if possible) and 1gb RAM
  • Main brands (i.e. Samsung, LG, Sony, HTC etc)
  • Decent battery life
  • Can easily buy covers/screen protectors from ebay
  • Decent memory (can easily live with 16gb)
  • Not too fussed about updates as long as it can still download apps from PlayStore
  • Happy to buy grey import/wait a few months if price is coming down

Currently I have looked into Samsung Galaxy S2, Nexus 4, LG Optimus G, LG Optimus 4X HD, HTC One X

Most of these are a bit over $300 so I'm waiting for them to drop a bit more in price (not sure if this is realistic with the AUD sinking) so if you could offer your insight into which one those/others you recommend would be a good fit for the above criteria and if you've heard anything bad about the above phones that I should cross off my list, it would be great help!

Mobile Mobile Phone Android

Comments

  • _Bruce_ on 05/08/2013 - 16:33

    Updates matter more as the phone gets older, so for long life this leans towards the Nexus 4. However, what will die in all of these phones like before the 6280 is the battery. Even those with replacable batteries will become hard to get after a while (unofficial batteries are often not worth the effort also.

    Just pointing out that modern phones are generally designed to be replaced every two years, and they don't make it easy to keep using them.

  • ozhunter on 05/08/2013 - 16:34

    I'd get the Nexus 4, though it is a bit fragile.

  • leonheart1 on 05/08/2013 - 16:35

    @andy that's not exactly a mainstream brand.

    @op are you alright with second hand phones? Could most likely get an s3 if you are. Then if the battery isn't enough, you can get an insane battery extension which adds 3-4x the battery life.

  • tokziktigah on 05/08/2013 - 16:47
    +1

    I had a look on gumtree for S3's before and majority of them looked like they had been dropped or asking a higher price than what I'd pay getting brand new grey stock. I picked one up over half a year ago for $430 (4G model, including shipping) and the price hasn't seemed to drop any lower. I'd definitely get this phone brand new if it dropped to $300-350 for non-4G one.

    I've been burned buying second hand before e.g. going overseas and the phone was locked and because I wasn't the registered owner or something, they wouldn't let me unlock the phone. Considering how long my mum will keep it, I'd prefer paying a little extra for brand new.

  • MadMaxBargainRoad on 05/08/2013 - 16:53

    I guess Nexus 4 16G will be an obvious choice here as it's the best composition of the criteria listed:
    1. Powerful processor and 2G memory (I wouldnt look at the 1G RAM options if you want it to last for more than a few years)
    2. Vanilla Android and direct google support. This makes user experience much better and support much easier for you (or your dad). Vanilla Android also has less gimmicky features and I guess that's ideal for new users like your mum
    3.Accessories are widely available
    4.Decent battery life - Not as good as Samsung but much better than LG, HTC

    My other suggestion would be Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE version. If you can get a good deal I would suggest the S3 LTE over Nexus 4 as it has even better battery life and Micro SD expansion. You mum can probably load up some pictures and videos to show her friends on the go :)

    • tokziktigah on 05/08/2013 - 18:49

      I thought that the Samsung Galaxy S3 LTE version drains the battery more than the 3G model. Is this a misconception?

  • wasabisauce on 05/08/2013 - 19:12

    I bought the Samsung Nexus (not the LG Nexus 4) for $290 and absolutely love it for a sub $300 phone!

  • Malathay on 05/08/2013 - 19:29
    +1

    Try- http://www.focalprice.com/MH0412L/NOTE2_55_Android_411_MTK65…

    Took 6 days to deliver, only $150.00, big screen (for those with poor eyesight).

    I've bough six so far for friends & relatives and they are all happy with them.

  • Feepitee on 05/08/2013 - 20:15

    People recommending generics:
    Main brands (i.e. Samsung, LG, Sony, HTC etc)
    Anyway, any phone with an S4 Krait will run smoothly, and the cheapest Android phone with that would be the Xperia L:
    http://www.kogan.com/au/buy/sony-xperia-l-c2105/
    If you want something with 4G though, the Galaxy Express is within your budget, though your mother would have to live with a slightly subpar camera:
    http://www.kogan.com/au/buy/samsung-galaxy-express-i8730-4g-…
    The LG Optimus L9 also fits in, but its a Dual Core S3 based off A9 architecture, which would perform similarly to the Galaxy S2:
    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-LG-Optimus-L9-NextG-850MHZ-8M…
    All of the above are on Jellybean, and microSD slots, though the L9 launched with ICS.

  • gsvn on 06/08/2013 - 08:27

    All,

    Not sure if this would be the right forum, longtime reader, I won a LG Nexus 4 still unopened- Australian model( not sure if its 8GB or 16GB though) if anyone interested ping me. I am planning to sell it for $330plus any postage involved. If you are in North west of Melbourne then can meet and handover. Thanks

    • tokziktigah on 06/08/2013 - 10:00

      Is there any way you can find out as I could potentially be interested if it was 16gb. 8gb is a bit small since it doesn't have expandable memory. Thanks!

  • shaybisc on 06/08/2013 - 18:04

    What does your mother intend to do with it besides make phone calls?

    • tokziktigah on 06/08/2013 - 20:05

      generally calls but i'm slowly teaching her to branch out. she discovered youtube recently. she'd mainly use it for calls, whatsapp, occasional photos, youtube and some other fun apps that she finds on playstore.

  • scrimshaw on 09/08/2013 - 03:18
    +1

    THL W8 is actually a solid choice. Comparing it to a SGS3 or Lg Optimus 4x HD, it's actually not a bad value proposition. Customer service is non existant though.

    If you want a branded device then can't go wrong with SGS3 or a Nexus 4. The Nexus 4 would have the best in terms of software updates and UI fluidity, but lacks in the multimedia department (screen is inferior to Samsung AMOLED, the camera is very mediocre). The SGS3 on the other hand has a nice AMOLED display, MicroSD card slot and a great camera, but is less likely to get software updates in the future.

    Phone batteries are usually the first thing in a phone that limits how long you keep the device. Usually by 2 years, the original batt wouldn't last anymore than a few hours, so I usually buy a spare battery to even the workload. Of course, the Nexus 4 does not have a removable battery cover, so changing the battery in the Nexus is a little tricker but not impossible.

    I went with neither; got the LG Optimus 4X HD as it was cheaper than both options and it was available for $300 delivered. Great device with a few minor quirks (namely the camera that likes to autofocus a little too much and the camera gallery app causes the phone to lag quite a bit — replacing it with QuickPic fixes the issue)

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