Lightweight, inexpensive Android phone for travel

[peterbanks]

I'll be traveling in Europe and Asia for a few months, and I want to buy a local SIM card in each area.

Ideally, I'd like a small, lightweight Android phone. I'm bringing a compact camera for photos and a tablet for nighttime movies, so the phone is just for keeping connected and looking up directions.

The iPhone SE is the smallest, lightest phone that I have found. I prefer Android, and the Moto E5 Play is pretty light and inexpensive.

Any other ideas?

 

[VirtualLarry]

Blu Advance L4? It's dual-sim + microSD, quad-band (I think), Android Oreo 8.1 Go. It's not a great phone, it was cheap, but it seems to check some boxes for newest Android, dual-sim, world band, etc. Mine were factory unlocked, got them on ebay, for like $45.

 

[peterbanks]

Blu Advance L4? It's dual-sim + microSD, quad-band (I think), Android Oreo 8.1 Go. It's not a great phone, it was cheap, but it seems to check some boxes for newest Android, dual-sim, world band, etc. Mine were factory unlocked, got them on ebay, for like $45.

Very interesting! It weighs only 103g. Easy to carry. I also go on extended backpacking trips, and this would be great for an emergency phone.

Your point about world bands is a good one, too. I think that some US unlocked phones don't support some international bands. A GSM unlocked phone may be better.

It's not a great phone, agreed. I haven't seen a 480p screen, A7 chip, 512MB phone in a while! For calls, texts and maps it should be OK.

I might pick one up for testing purposes.

 

[thilanliyan]

I bought a used Pixel 2 for $300 CAD as a travel phone when I went to Asia. Served me well especially since it takes great photos.

 

[peterbanks]

I bought a used Pixel 2 for $300 CAD as a travel phone when I went to Asia. Served me well especially since it takes great photos.

I've also been looking at the Pixel 1 and Nexus 5X. Old flagship phones offer a lot of value for $100.