Looking for a budget Android

[beanboy89]

Hello,

For quite a while, I've been looking for a small device that I can use to wirelessly browse the internet (and do other things on the internet, like email, IM, IRC, etc). There are times when I just want to look something up on the internet, get my email, and communicate with others. After looking at various solutions over the past few years (PDAs, web browsers for my Nintendo DS, and other mobile devices), I've come across the Android platform. It seems to do everything I want and need it to do, and more through the huge availability of apps.

Now comes the hard part... picking the right device for me. I've done tons of research over the past few weeks, and there are a few phones that I've come across that fit my budget. I am looking for an unlocked phone so I can just pop in a SIM and go. My current AT&T plan doesn't have any data or texting plan, and I want to keep my current phone (Samsung SGH A777) for calling. If I can operate an unlocked Android phone without a SIM, good. If not, then I am prepared to get a cheap prepaid AT&T SIM card. I don't plan on making any calls or texts with the phone. I'll be using WiFi a lot.

My price range for an unlocked phone is less than USD $300 (preferably around $250 or less). I've found a lot of Android phones in that price range, all of which seem to have their own distinct pros and cons.

Some things I feel are important to me include:

• Battery Life
• Decent touchscreen
• Good performance while using WiFi
• Stability

Things that aren't that important to me:

• Call quality (not using as a phone)
• Camera quality

Here are some of the phones that I've been looking at that are in my price range:

• Samsung Galaxy Spica
• Samsung i7500
• HTC Tattoo
• LG GW620

Anyone have any opinions on these phones or recommendations of others?

Thanks!

 

[jtreadwell]

You might want to wait for some of the android tablets to come out. If you are impatient and must have something now, I dread to say it but go look at Apple's new feminine hygiene product.

 

[bearsfan85]

Most HTC phones have great development behind them and I know that there is a hacked market out for the Tattoo (you still have to pay)

I would stay away from LG phones just personal experience, they seem kinda cheap, thought that could have changed.

Samsung makes a solid phone and the galaxy has 2.1 and I think even 2.2.

To pick the best phone look at what flavor each will get and if you want the roms available

 

[beanboy89]

You might want to wait for some of the android tablets to come out. If you are impatient and must have something now, I dread to say it but go look at Apple's new feminine hygiene product.

I'm not looking for a tablet. They're too big for me. I just want something that I can slip into my pocket. That said, the iPod Touch sounds perfect for me, but I despise Apple, so that's a no go.

Most HTC phones have great development behind them and I know that there is a hacked market out for the Tattoo (you still have to pay)

I would stay away from LG phones just personal experience, they seem kinda cheap, thought that could have changed.

Samsung makes a solid phone and the galaxy has 2.1 and I think even 2.2.

To pick the best phone look at what flavor each will get and if you want the roms available

What's that about the hacked market for the Tattoo? Does the standard market on the Tattoo have some limitations? Also, the Tattoo has a lower screen resolution than a lot of other phones I've been looking at. Does the QVGA resolution have that much a difference in everyday use compared to a HVGA?

 

[bearsfan85]

The hack on the market for the tatoo allows for HVGA apps so really there is no difference, though the creative zii is coming out along with a galaxy s mp3 player so you could wait and go that route

 

[bearsfan85]

The hack on the market for the tatoo allows for HVGA apps so really there is no difference, though the creative zii is coming out along with a galaxy s mp3 player so you could wait and go that route

Or if you really want android buy and ipod touch 1g cheap on craigslist and go to idriod and port android to it

 

[ashykat]

You might want to wait for some of the android tablets to come out. If you are impatient and must have something now, I dread to say it but go look at Apple's new feminine hygiene product.

This does seem like a good option but if the OP wants to spend less than $250 then iPad is out as an option. I also think that installing android on an iPod Touch isn't a bad idea although I've never tried it and don't know how stable it is.

OP, in all honesty if an iPod Touch sounds perfect for you then why not give it a try? You don't have to love Steve Jobs to enjoy an Apple product.

In my opinion there are no great Android products out yet than aren't meant to be used first and foremost as a phone, at least not anything within your budget.

 

[grainysand]

You might want to wait for some of the android tablets to come out. If you are impatient and must have something now, I dread to say it but go look at Apple's new feminine hygiene product.

He wants something in the range of $300, so even if he didn't despise Apple, I don't think the feminine hygiene products gel with his price range.

Anyway, I've no idea what you can get unlocked in the US, but consider:

• Acer Liquid: high-spec, surprisingly budget price.
• HTC Wildfire: Tattoo's successor, with better specs and a much nicer screen.
• Bell Cincinnati Blaze: not sure if you can get this unlocked, but if you can, it's very good for its price. Some $200?

 

[beanboy89]

Thanks everyone for the opinions.

I've looked into the Samsung YP-MB2 player. Seems like it's basically a Galaxy S without the phone, which sounds awesome. Unfortunately, I can't find any mention of a release date or and US availability, and I don't think I want to wait around for months to only find out it won't be released here or something like that.

About Android on the iPod Touch... I guess I could deal with that. Anyone have any experience with it? I've done some basic research, and it seems like there are still lots of bugs with it due to it being so early into the development cycle.

I have also been looking around eBay, and have found some decent deals on unlocked phones. I've come across the HTC Dream for about $200. I realize the phone is a bit outdated, but it was the original Android, and the specs seem competitive (there are still new phones coming out today with ~600 MHz processors). I believe the Dream can be unofficially upgraded to Android 2.2, so that should keep me covered for a while, right?

 

[bearsfan85]

the HTC Dream is really laggy on cm 6, but if you want one DO NOT PAY MORE THEN $125. and I believe the expected release date for the samsung mp3 player is Q4

 

[beanboy89]

the HTC Dream is really laggy on cm 6, but if you want one DO NOT PAY MORE THEN $125. and I believe the expected release date for the samsung mp3 player is Q4

Thanks for the info. How is 2.1 on the Dream? Any better that 2.2? If not, I guess I could live with 1.6 until someone makes a more stable 2.x. If I can't find a Dream/G1 for cheap enough, I'll keep my eyes on the Samsung player.

 

[bearsfan85]

2.1 shouldnt be to band because its been optimized, and im sure at some point there will be a solid 2.2 release for it but cm6 is still in rc status and isnt optimized

 

[beanboy89]

I think I've decided on the HTC Dream (T-Mobile G1). The way I see it, for $125-150 I can get a decent device with a physical keyboard, and a fairly up-to-date OS (2.1). From what I've seen, there seems to be a fairly large community dedicated to keeping the phone updated despite its age.

Anything I should know or worry about regarding the purchase of a used phone on eBay?