Need a good Android phone foe less than $300

Remobz

Platinum Member
Jun 9, 2005
2,564
37
91
Hey all,

I need a no contract phone (not for USA) but am hoping to find a good reliable touchscreen phone.

All the iphones seem out of my range. The Samsung Galaxy S seems like a nice one but costs over $300.


Should I just bite the bullet and go with Samsung Galaxy S?

Or is there a good android phone less than $300?
 

Vdubchaos

Lifer
Nov 11, 2009
10,408
10
0
Hey all,

I need a no contract phone (not for USA) but am hoping to find a good reliable touchscreen phone.

All the iphones seem out of my range. The Samsung Galaxy S seems like a nice one but costs over $300.


Should I just bite the bullet and go with Samsung Galaxy S?

Or is there a good android phone less than $300?

It still costs $300? Wow

I have one sitting around doing nothing (nice to have for kids on drives etc).

Even loaded Jelly Bean on it. It's in like new condition too (always had silicone cover /screen protector on it).
 

leper84

Senior member
Dec 29, 2011
989
29
86
I almost think it would be worth it to get a used Galaxy Nexus vs a Nexus 4 if you can find it for the right price. Might find some people selling to upgrade. I don't know whether to lol or picardpalm knowing someone's selling Galaxy s1 for more than $100.
 
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Remobz

Platinum Member
Jun 9, 2005
2,564
37
91
i mean for $300 you should be looking for a used SGS2 and not an SGS1** But as the others said** GNex for $299 is a good deal, though I'd strongly urge you to look at the 16gb version**

The phone is for my woman as a Christmas gift** She is one of those over 40 women that do not really care for much fancy features** She is NOT a gamer and she does not download any large HD movies to watch on her phone** I will be visiting the USA for a couple weeks this Christmas** Time is not on my side:(

The 8gb seems fine for her needs** Actually, the Nexus 4 might be overkill but I want to get her a really nice phone for that price range**

The funny thing is that I will buy a much cheaper blackberry or cheap android (older generation) while she gets the better phone**

As long as I can text, talk and download a few songs then I am fine** :)
 

sygyzy

Lifer
Oct 21, 2000
14,001
4
76
Is this a joke? OP posts the day of one of the most anticipated Android releases that happens to match his needs exactly?

Speaking of, can anyone recommend a 10" Android tablet running 4.2 that's $399?
 

Zink

Senior member
Sep 24, 2009
209
0
0
Speaking of, can anyone recommend a 10" Android tablet running 4.2 that's $399?
I was thinking you could get a TF700 at Black Friday pricing and put CM10 on it but I know 1080p just isn't good enough. If only there was a tablet with a 4MP display.
 

Remobz

Platinum Member
Jun 9, 2005
2,564
37
91
Is this a joke? OP posts the day of one of the most anticipated Android releases that happens to match his needs exactly?

Speaking of, can anyone recommend a 10" Android tablet running 4.2 that's $399?

I posted this yesterday. Its not for me.

I never owned an Android phone. Never even thought of the Nexus. Was thinking about a Samsung type phone cheaper than Galaxy s2 for my woman.

Anyway, I am going for the Nexus 4 although its overkill for her needs.
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,580
10,216
126
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/Samsung-Exhibit-4G-Prepaid

What about this one? I'm considering purchasing, would like to know whether others think this is a decent first Android phone or not. I really like that it has WiFi calling, and a WiFi hotspot feature. (Which, based on the phone's feature description, should be a built-in feature, no?) 1Ghz SnapDragon, 4GB flash, 512MB RAM, accepts up to 32GB microSD card.
 

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,811
126
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/Samsung-Exhibit-4G-Prepaid

What about this one? I'm considering purchasing, would like to know whether others think this is a decent first Android phone or not. I really like that it has WiFi calling, and a WiFi hotspot feature. (Which, based on the phone's feature description, should be a built-in feature, no?) 1Ghz SnapDragon, 4GB flash, 512MB RAM, accepts up to 32GB microSD card.

You can't use WiFi calling with prepaid. Only T-Mobile postpaid. Don't know if WiFi hotspot feature is blocked by T-Mobile or not.

I would suggest looking for used GSM Galaxy Nexus. You should see plenty for sale soon as people upgrade to Nexus 4.
 

s44

Diamond Member
Oct 13, 2006
9,427
16
81
Look, the guy already settled on the Nexus 4. Don't make him downgrade. ;)

For most people the used GSM Galaxy Nexus is a fine phone though. Just check the screen with some bright-background stuff -- there's a surprising amount of panel variation. The Exhibit/Exhibit 2 is a single-core stuck on Gingerbread though... so no, just no.
 

vshah

Lifer
Sep 20, 2003
19,003
24
81
Look, the guy already settled on the Nexus 4. Don't make him downgrade. ;)

For most people the used GSM Galaxy Nexus is a fine phone though. Just check the screen with some bright-background stuff -- there's a surprising amount of panel variation. The Exhibit/Exhibit 2 is a single-core stuck on Gingerbread though... so no, just no.

except they're sold out. OP, are you willing to wait?
 

VirtualLarry

No Lifer
Aug 25, 2001
56,580
10,216
126
You can't use WiFi calling with prepaid. Only T-Mobile postpaid. Don't know if WiFi hotspot feature is blocked by T-Mobile or not.

Huh. Really. I was looking at their no-contract(pre-paid) phones, and there were no asterix next to those features that said that they were limited to post-paid only. If that's true, then I'm going to have to return the phone, due to false advertising.

I currently use a T-409 samsung flip-phone with wifi calling on pre-paid, but I used to be on flexpay, so possibly that feature is grandfathered in on my sim.
 

ponyo

Lifer
Feb 14, 2002
19,688
2,811
126
Huh. Really. I was looking at their no-contract(pre-paid) phones, and there were no asterix next to those features that said that they were limited to post-paid only. If that's true, then I'm going to have to return the phone, due to false advertising.

I currently use a T-409 samsung flip-phone with wifi calling on pre-paid, but I used to be on flexpay, so possibly that feature is grandfathered in on my sim.

Well you should be able to use your current sim in the new phone so maybe the feature will work for you.