First Smartphone ???

[Ross365]

There seem to be reasons happening all the time which make me think I might now do well to finally get a Smartphone! The latest is the decision of a club I'm in to use Whatsapp as a "noticeboard" (I was not involved in that choice).

I'm thinking about a Motorola E13 64GB at £80 (https://www.currys.co.uk/products/motorola-moto-e13-64-gb-cosmic-black-10247945.html).

Anyone got one/had one? I'm sure there are lots of other phones to chose from somewhere around the price point; I don't have any reason to think its special, the reviews on Google say its OK for the price, and I've had Motorola dumphones in the past which I quite liked (sensitive receivers).

 

[Bullet2012]

I think the operating system is the more important consideration, once you have decided what you prefer then choose a phone.

 

[gaz1]

seen as i use a phone as a phone nothing much else a smart phone isnt something i like

but they have there uses for photos and camera and also video as i do use them rather often, ive also used it on the internet but i tend to prefer a pc on then net with a good screen for films but thats me

now with whatsapp becareful on its settings as whatsapp does take alot of details and others can see this and it tends to be the same with other apps as well that do share details with one and another just beaware of this when you allow them and what they share details with one and another app

now i went for the samsing s3 mini its fine for me small enough for being in a pocket or shoved into her purse
small and simple to use but ive fitted a larger battery onto it which allows for much better grip of a slim line phone

 

[JOEPRO]

I am an android dude, and stick with that platform which works well for me. Samsung smartphones.

 

[angellonewolf]

id not be sure on motorolla as there updates after a year seams poor

id be looking at samsung but you pay more

huawei seam good for the specs but never used one

 

[Agrismith]

I have had a whole series of Motorola smart phones in the 120-150 quid bracket and honestly think you would struggle to beat them for value for money. I have yet to break a screen or damage one. They are used constantly for everything even able to open quite complex cad drawings which I wouldn't expect. They obviously aren't as good as the top of the range ones but I honestly wonder how many people need that level of performance. I would of thought what i do is above average phone use running the cad drawings and taking hundreds of photos a day to record work.
Downside is they get glitchy after 12- 18 months but I think this is probably from use and could be improved with a factory reset. But as I rely on them as soon as they start playing up I just buy another.
At 150 quid for the phone and 20 quid a month for a sim if the phone lasts over 12 months I am quids in in comparison to getting a contract.
If all you want it for is Whatsapp I think it will be plenty good enough.

 

[Pete.]

id not be sure on motorolla as there updates after a year seams poor

id be looking at samsung but you pay more

huawei seam good for the specs but never used one

Huawei phones are missing a lot of the apps I like to use now. I liked my P Smart 2019 but the 2021 I bought to replace it coudn't use google apps. Maps, Chrome etc just weren't available to install.

I have a motorola I use daily for certain stuff EXCEPT phone calls and it runs great, has good battery life. I think the one in the OP's link will suit him well.

 

[ajlelectronics]

You will get far better value from used. People regard them as fashion items and replace them far too soon.

 

[Bsmith]

I needed a phone, I remembered that my daughter had bought a new one and dumped her old one with broken screen in a basket that holds many things near my chair.
I took it to a repair shop, they said no problem, £75 and you get a free screen protector.
Took it back and looked up youtube and found a vid about changing the screen, bought a new screen for around £40 off eBay and did the repair myself.
Gave my daughter £30 for the phone, unhappy she said 'do you know how much them things cost'? I replied that we have to take the cost of repair into consideration.
It's an apple iphone x, I'm very happy with it apart from that iphones appear to need charged up a lot.

 

[pint]

Motorola's chop for light and twist for camera is so good.

 

[Kram]

I'm thinking about a Motorola E13 64GB at £80

Avoid. I have never used one but it appears to have a cut down, messed about with version of Android, and cheap hardware.

Note that 64gb sounds a lot, it is very little when you have bloated system, apps and updates. This "Go" version might address that but Im sceptical. I am quite sure the bloat is a deliberate attempt to make people upgrade.


I only had a very quick look but one of these would be my suggestion

realme 9i Smartphone, 5,000mAh, Snapdragon 680, 33W, 90Hz, Dual Sim, 4+64GB - £106.27 Delivered @ Amazon Italy | hotukdeals

www.hotukdeals.com

 

[premmington]

I been buying Samsung phones...

I like WhatsApp - but I assume because it is free I am the product and they are harvesting my data somehow.

 

[Agrismith]

Avoid. I have never used one but it appears to have a cut down, messed about with version of Android, and cheap hardware.

Note that 64gb sounds a lot, it is very little when you have bloated system, apps and updates. This "Go" version might address that but Im sceptical. I am quite sure the bloat is a deliberate attempt to make people upgrade.


I only had a very quick look but one of these would be my suggestion

realme 9i Smartphone, 5,000mAh, Snapdragon 680, 33W, 90Hz, Dual Sim, 4+64GB - £106.27 Delivered @ Amazon Italy | hotukdeals

www.hotukdeals.com

Motorola smartphones are well noted for having very little if any of the bloat wear of other android phones.

 

[Barking Mat]

A vote for Ulefone Armour x, rugged, newer ones have better cameras.

If What's app is harvesting my data, they're probably confused.

 

[Ross365]

the need to use "Whatsapp in just the "straw on the camel's back" for getting me in to Smartphones. And, I suspect that app could well get ditched by the club at a later date. Anyone got the Alcatel 1 which is only ~£65 but seems well liked for a real basic phone.

 

[Kram]

Motorola smartphones are well noted for having very little if any of the bloat wear of other android phones.

I was refering to Android itself. The amount of space taken is a joke.

Also note that smart phones are not that smart. Its a massive pain to print anything properly without installing 3rd party stuff. My hp printer works fine from computer but on phone you need to give all your details, an account and possibly they want a subscription now.

 

[ajlelectronics]

I was refering to Android itself. The amount of space taken is a joke.

Also note that smart phones are not that smart. Its a massive pain to print anything properly without installing 3rd party stuff. My hp printer works fine from computer but on phone you need to give all your details, an account and possibly they want a subscription now.

That surprises me, my iPhone 8 allows printing direct to my lasers without any config or add ons.

 

[Robotstar5]

You will get far better value from used. People regard them as fashion items and replace them far too soon.

That's Mrs Robo she seems to replace hers every couple of years, but as a bonus I get a 2 year old "hand me down" which works fine for what I want

 

[Kram]

That surprises me, my iPhone 8 allows printing direct to my lasers without any config or add ons.

Oh it will print, but its a massive pain for example, to print a postage label to be a sensible size for posting. You can mess about changing the paper size and orientation but its never quite right.

 

[Agrismith]

I was refering to Android itself. The amount of space taken is a joke.

Also note that smart phones are not that smart. Its a massive pain to print anything properly without installing 3rd party stuff. My hp printer works fine from computer but on phone you need to give all your details, an account and possibly they want a subscription now.

That's really not my experience. All devices run a slightly different version of Android and Motorolas version is far better than the likes of Samsung.
Also I think that is more to do with the printers. My HP requires a download to work with laptops and computers. Whereas the Ricoh printers at work will work from any device without problem.