Best option for cheap but functional smartphone? - Computer Technical Help

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Best option for cheap but functional smartphone?

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01-29-2019 , 02:52 PM

johndoe123

stranger

Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 4

I currently have an iPhone 4 which is limited to iOS 7 and thus I can't use a bunch of apps which require iOS 10 or higher.

My goal is simply to have access to most apps and otherwise, not spend more money than I have to. Should I just get a used iPhone 5 then, since it's the oldest iPhone to support iOS 10? Or should I go another direction, different brand, etc.?

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01-30-2019 , 05:38 AM

thunderbolts

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 3,596

Aiming for iOS 10 and a device that is generally past its support lifecycle is probably not a great idea. If nothing else you'll pay a lot more for batteries etc. I suspect the sweet spot is somewhere around the 7 or 8 (and if buying a new - to you - device you really should be aiming for iOS12, I would think). The lowest I would buy is the device I'm using now, which is a 6S. If you really think that (or a 7 or 8) is too expensive for your needs, at least get a 5S, since it will support iOS12.

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01-31-2019 , 02:55 AM

headtrauma

grinder

Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 506

iPhone SE is worth considering, depending on price you find, more or less 6S internals in iPhone 5 form factor. Looks like it can be found on Amazon/ebay for $100-$200 depending on storage. 6S seems to run about $50 more, but has nicer screen, so may be worth it, depending on your budget/priorities.

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02-05-2019 , 01:57 PM

johndoe123

stranger

Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 4

Bump, I ended up getting a 6S from Amazon, but when I took it to Verizon they said it doesn't support 4G so they can't put it on a plan and transfer my stuff from my old phone. Can I make this work somehow or do I have to return this and get a phone that supports 4G?

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02-05-2019 , 04:01 PM

johndoe123

stranger

Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 4

Actually scratch that, they can activate it but they recommended not doing so because they said it will no longer work after December of 2020 because they're dropping all non-4G devices or some-such. Does that mean I can still use it after that, but I'll just need to find a different carrier?

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02-06-2019 , 03:05 PM

Gabethebabe

Malware Jedi

Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 27,387

loliPhone

I am currently awaiting a Xiaomi Pocophone F1

A whole lot more bang for the buck than a stupid iPhone (or a Samsung flagship for that matter)

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02-06-2019 , 03:55 PM

johndoe123

stranger

Join Date: Jan 2019 Posts: 4

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gabethebabe

loliPhone

I am currently awaiting a Xiaomi Pocophone F1

A whole lot more bang for the buck than a stupid iPhone (or a Samsung flagship for that matter)

So will I not be able to use it at all after Dec. 2020? Or I'll just need to switch to a different carrier then?

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02-20-2019 , 05:50 AM

Josem

human chemical weapon

Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 18,189

I find these reviews to be excellent: https://thewirecutter.com/electronics/smartphones/

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02-21-2019 , 05:58 PM

okiidokii

journeyman

Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 240

Quote:

Originally Posted by johndoe123

If you're on Verizon always get a Verizon branded phone as they are a CDMA carrier and GSM phones, even if unlocked, won't work on their network (you'd always get the best data speed by using your carrier branded phones, this goes for all carriers). iPhone 6s is 4G LTE and should work for few more years if not more. The new 5G is not out yet and if you want to have that speed you'd need a very new phone capable of 5G. Also, the Xiaomi mentioned above by another member is a very good phone but doesn't support the bands/frequencies in USA as it's not a USA carrier specific model phone, it's for Asia market mostly.

Last edited by okiidokii; 02-21-2019 at 06:03 PM.

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05-21-2019 , 01:57 AM

#10

tintin21

stranger

Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 1

If you are looking for a cheap phone then iPhone is not an option, You should try fro Basic android version of Samsung or Huawei

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05-22-2019 , 11:50 AM

#11

okiidokii

journeyman

Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 240

I wouldn't recommend Huawei at this point in time:

https://news.google.com/search?q=hua...S&ceid=US%3Aen

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05-26-2019 , 11:18 PM

#12

stevemcrae

stranger

Join Date: May 2019 Posts: 3

Used or refurbished iPhone 7, where you can get the latest iOS12

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06-07-2019 , 12:54 PM

#13

Rezyshyman

newbie

Join Date: Jun 2019 Posts: 46

I would get an old flagship phone from other manufacturers, or perhaps an iPhone 7.

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