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Which device for me?

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uRabbit

Newbie
I do not know much about Android devices. I am - holds breath - a long-time Apple user. Uh oh! Haha. Okay, so we recently sold our iPhones (4S and 3GS) because we downgraded to prepaid phones. We just couldn't justify spending so much when we could save $85/mo with prepaid. The 4S covered the ETF, but we didn't even think about saving the 3GS to use a prepaid. Totally overlooked that. Oh well...

Now, I am looking at Android devices, because a used 3GS 16 GB is still around $180. Androids come in a little lower than that, with some nice ones being around $125.

I need to know some things about Android, however.

- Which devices are compatible with 4.0, or should I even care?
- What features should I look for?
- Do all low-onboard storage devices have SD slots?

Also, we are looking for used/refurbished phones on CL and eBay. And, we do not need LTE or anything, as we will be using WiFi.

Our plan is with AT&T GoPhone, Unlimited texting and 250 minutes, no data.

Mostly, these devices will be used for nothing super processor-heavy, but I don't want something archaic that can't compare to an iPhone 3GS, let's say. Preferably on the level of the iPhone 4, but only if it's under $150.

Can you guys make any suggestions?
 
-without official word from the manufacturer, you'll never know if your phone will be ICS compatible. My gut feeling (not based on any factual information) is that most low-end devices will not have an official ICS release.

-features will ultimately be up to you to decide. For example, if you have the choice between LTE or otherwise ... dont spend the money on an LTE device if you dont have LTE in your area. Thats just one example that came to mind.

-I want to say that most devices will have an external sd slot but I dont think all devices have it. You might want to double check the phone just in case.
 
nyydynasty said:
-without official word from the manufacturer, you'll never know if your phone will be ICS compatible. My gut feeling (not based on any factual information) is that most low-end devices will not have an official ICS release.

-features will ultimately be up to you to decide. For example, if you have the choice between LTE or otherwise ... dont spend the money on an LTE device if you dont have LTE in your area. Thats just one example that came to mind.

-I want to say that most devices will have an external sd slot but I dont think all devices have it. You might want to double check the phone just in case.
Click to expand...

Thank you for the reply.

I forgot to mention, we will not be using any data, except via WiFi, so that will not matter. :)
 
uRabbit said:
Mostly, these devices will be used for nothing super processor-heavy, but I don't want something archaic that can't compare to an iPhone 3GS, let's say. Preferably on the level of the iPhone 4, but only if it's under $150.
Click to expand...
If you want something iPhone 4 level, then you're looking at spending $200~350. The Samsung Nexus S is a pretty safe choice for that price range.

Android phones $150 and under aren't really all that nice. The iPhone 3GS will most likely be better than most (if not all) brand-new Android phones in that price range. Seriously, what $125 Android phones have you seen? Because I've checked ebay on occasion and most of the phones I've seen go that cheaply are pretty crappy.
 
rui-no-onna said:
If you want something iPhone 4 level, then you're looking at spending $200~350. The Samsung Nexus S is a pretty safe choice for that price range.

Android phones $150 and under aren't really all that nice. The iPhone 3GS will most likely be better than most (if not all) brand-new Android phones in that price range. Seriously, what $125 Android phones have you seen? Because I've checked ebay on occasion and most of the phones I've seen go that cheaply are pretty crappy.
Click to expand...

Not new phones. Looking for older, used phones on eBay and CL.
 
1. Honestly, I don't even care if I don't get 4.0 ICS. LOL. At least not with my phone for now. Its doing everything I wan't and at the rate updates are going through because 4.0 is a heavier update and all that, it will be a couple of years before even the mid-range and low-end phones will be running ICS, at which time I'll have bought a new phone. A Gingerbread device would still be good to go for the next year and a half.

2. To get iPhone 4 (or 3GS) level of experience, you need at least a 1Ghz processor 512mb RAM and a decent GPU on the device (basically iPhone 4 hardware).


3. And yes, all low onboard storage Android devices offer SD card slots. Try to stay away from devices with a separate internal SD drive in extension to its external SD and system storage drive though.

EDIT: Try to stay away from phones with a low internal sd card storage partition (less than 8GB) and keep to either phones with large ones (>8GB) or phones without one (single partition, usually 2GB or less for internal storage, then external SD card)
 
chanchan05 said:
3. And yes, all low onboard storage Android devices offer SD card slots. Try to stay away from devices with a separate internal SD drive in extension to its external SD and system storage drive though.
Click to expand...

Is external where you can insert the card without taking the back cover off, while internal requires removal of the cover?

Why stay away from those?

Also, updating OP to include info on our plans.
 
I wouldn't know anything about the plans since i'm not in the US. I might have to rephrase that #3 though. I should have said:

Stay away from phones with a low internal sd card storage partition (less than 8GB) and keep to either phones with large ones (>8GB) or phones without one (single partition, usually 2GB or less)

Basically its this way, Android phones before the Nexus prime has 4 partitions for memory: Internal phone storage, Personal Data, Internal SD card and an External SD card.

Lets use the Samsung Galaxy S2 for example. The International Samsung Galaxy S2 is advertised with either a 16GB onboard storage or a 32GB version. The partitions are separated this way:

Internal phone storage approx 2GB
Personal Data is approx 80MB
Internal SD is 13GB for the 16GB version, and 28GB for the 32GB version.
External SD - this is the removeable card that you buy separately. It doesn't matter if you have to take the back off or not.

Basically, the internal SD is the onboard mass storage. In analogy, the iPhone for example does not have an external SD, just an internal SD. I advice to stay away from phones with limited internal SD (i.e Galaxy Ace Plus, 3GB storage, therefore approx 2GB internal SD only), because apps will only read the internal SD if its present, and ignore the external SD, so app data will be limited to that size only, and you will get memory full warnings even if you have 20GB free on an external SD card.
 
Oh boy, this is going to get crazy! I have to relearn everything I knew about smartphones. Which, obviously, was not much. Ha

I know certain manufacturers limit what you can do with your device. Any I should avoid?

Looks like quite a few nice devices for $150 and below:
Buy-it-Now listings
Auction listings

Looks like the Inspire is the most common one in that price point. It is typically in Auctions Only. Pretty good deal, I think. HD video, nice still camera. Downside is the huge dimensions. Looks like the only things I would miss compared to my iPhone 4S are the iOS and the PPI (less than the 4, even).
 
Ouch. Android phones don't really hold their value at all. Seems like most phones have dropped down another $100 since 6 months ago. The only one I've seen that seems to hold its value is the AT&T version of the Samsung Nexus S (i9020A).

The Samsung Captivate (AT&T's version of the Galaxy S) is also a pretty decent option and I just checked eBay and saw a couple on buy-it-now for $130 or so.
 
rui-no-onna said:
Ouch. Android phones don't really hold their value at all. Seems like most phones have dropped down another $100 since 6 months ago. The only one I've seen that seems to hold its value is the AT&T version of the Samsung Nexus S (i9020A).

The Samsung Captivate (AT&T's version of the Galaxy S) is also a pretty decent option and I just checked eBay and saw a couple on buy-it-now for $130 or so.
Click to expand...

Hmm. Specs-wise, the Inspire is better. Is it misleading?

I do notice the Galaxy S has more built-in storage (16 GB compared to 4). Also, the Galaxy S has a 5 MP camera, while the Inspire has 8 MP. However, the Galaxy S appears to have more camera features, such as smile detection and what-not. Are the sensors better in the Galaxy S? That's one thing I love about the iPhone 4 and 4S - awesome lenses and sensors.
 
uRabbit said:
Hmm. Specs-wise, the Inspire is better. Is it misleading?

I do notice the Galaxy S has more built-in storage (16 GB compared to 4). Also, the Galaxy S has a 5 MP camera, while the Inspire has 8 MP. However, the Galaxy S appears to have more camera features, such as smile detection and what-not. Are the sensors better in the Galaxy S? That's one thing I love about the iPhone 4 and 4S - awesome lenses and sensors.
Click to expand...
I don't have the Captivate but I do have the Samsung Galaxy S 4G (T-Mobile). Camera on the iPhone 4 is better. The Inspire and Captivate seem to be more or less on par with each other. In a lot of respects the Inspire is better (HSPA+, 8MP camera, LED Flash). But I've also noticed it's a bit more expensive than the Captivate. Most of the BIN $150 and under Inspires I've seen come with cracked screens or are sold for parts only. The ones in good condition appear to start at $170.

Compare phones: HTC Inspire 4G VS Samsung Captivate VS Apple iPhone 4 - Phone specs comparison

I don't think you could go wrong with either. If camera is a big deal for you though, the Inspire with 8MP and LED flash would probably be a better option.
 
rui-no-onna said:
I don't have the Captivate but I do have the Samsung Galaxy S 4G (T-Mobile). Camera on the iPhone 4 is better. The Inspire and Captivate seem to be more or less on par with each other. In a lot of respects the Inspire is better (HSPA+, 8MP camera, LED Flash). But I've also noticed it's a bit more expensive than the Captivate. Most of the BIN $150 and under Inspires I've seen come with cracked screens or are sold for parts only. The ones in good condition appear to start at $170.

Compare phones: HTC Inspire 4G VS Samsung Captivate VS Apple iPhone 4 - Phone specs comparison

I don't think you could go wrong with either. If camera is a big deal for you though, the Inspire with 8MP and LED flash would probably be a better option.
Click to expand...

I was leaning toward that until I realized the Galaxy/Captivate S had onboard 16 GB storage, as well as its camera features.

Phone Arena shows these camera features for the Galaxy/Captivate S:
Auto focus, Smile detection, ISO control, Multi shot, Digital zoom, Panorama, Effects, Self-timer
Here's the features for the Inspire:
Auto focus, Face detection, Geo tagging, Effects

Seems like the features of the Galaxy S may outweigh the MP of the Inspire. I am trying to find samples of both.

edit: Looked at some sample photos on PhoneArena (had to find the correct reviews first), and the Inspire seems to produce better images. Biggest downside is that huge 4.3" screen. Sheesh!
 
Hey all! You'll never believe this...

Picked a Motorola ATRIX 2 for $175! No, it does not have a busted screen, or any damage. Not even scratches. :) Only issues so far:
- Typing in this text field is slow!
- The screen put itself to sleep for no reason twice in a row while I was using it.
- 4G icon won't go away, even though I have created a blank APN and am using Wi-Fi.
- 4G icon and is blue and it was white earlier. Why?
- There is a box with a check mark in it at the top right - what is it?
- Can I get a large clock widget on my home screen?

Will this device last? iPhones last. That is what I am used to. I had a 3GS for three years...
 
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