affordable phone ??

3

In college and need an affordable (preferably samsung) phone that doesnt slow down after a year. i currently have an a21s and its **** and randomly restarts sometimes. Preferably one that comes in a nice colour too like purple

Reply 1

TNGFR

9

Original post

by CosmicChilli8

In college and need an affordable (preferably samsung) phone that doesnt slow down after a year. i currently have an a21s and its **** and randomly restarts sometimes. Preferably one that comes in a nice colour too like purple

How much are you defining as "affordable"?

Reply 2

CatLover1

13

Do you mean as a phone to buy outright or pay through a contract?
If it's through a contact, you need to factor in the data cost. I have a Google Pixel 8a through Sky. I pay £10 for 5GB data and £16 a month for the phone for 24 or 36 months I can't remember.
If you buy outright, you can find much cheaper phone data packages. (Martin Lewis did a programme on ITV with a bit about cheap SIM only deals).

Reply 3

CosmicChilli8

OP

3

idk tbh but im definitely not spending more than £350. im patient and willing to save up, but im scared if i spend a lot of money on a phone ill regret it if it becomes super slow in a few years. like ill spend a lot of money if i know the phone will last a long time and not become slow as **** after 3 years yk

Reply 4

CosmicChilli8

OP

3

Original post

by CatLover1

Do you mean as a phone to buy outright or pay through a contract?
If it's through a contact, you need to factor in the data cost. I have a Google Pixel 8a through Sky. I pay £10 for 5GB data and £16 a month for the phone for 24 or 36 months I can't remember.
If you buy outright, you can find much cheaper phone data packages. (Martin Lewis did a programme on ITV with a bit about cheap SIM only deals).

outright

Reply 5

TNGFR

9

Original post

by CosmicChilli8

idk tbh but im definitely not spending more than £350. im patient and willing to save up, but im scared if i spend a lot of money on a phone ill regret it if it becomes super slow in a few years. like ill spend a lot of money if i know the phone will last a long time and not become slow as **** after 3 years yk

Not that it's any consolation now, but the A21s you currently have was not a particularly good phone at the time of launch in 2020, you can definitely find something for around £350 that will last you many years before performance becomes a concern.

There's two options I'd be looking at for maximum longevity- the Xiaomi Poco F6 and Google Pixel 8a. The F6 is the performance king at this price point with a flagship grade processor that will more than powerful enough for all but the most demanding applications for years to come. The Pixel 8a also has a previous gen flagship grade processor that's not quite on the same calibre as the Poco but has the crucial advantage of being a Pixel device and the accompanying advantages that brings in enhanced optimisation and software support- it's been updated to the newest version of Android while the F6 is a version behind (although there are assurances that it will get updated by the manufacturer).

Beyond that they are quite similar phones with excellent OLED displays with high resolution and refresh rates, high quality cameras for the price point, decent build quality and excellent battery life. The biggest difference when it comes to usage will be size- the Pixel is what could be considered a small phone by modern standards with a 6.1" screen while the Poco is on the larger end of the spectrum at 6.7" (for reference your A21s is in the middle with a 6.5" screen). They both also come in fun colours, with the 8A having a larger range of fun pastel tones.

https://www.carphonewarehouse.com/google-pixel-8a-128gb-bay?tariffcode=IDM8X113&giftcode=IDMWCON&productcode=IDMPXL8A128BL&preferred_variation_tariffcode_paym=IDM8X113&sort=price_asc&filter_brand_featured%5B0%5D=Google&tab_active=simFree

https://www.mi.com/uk/product/poco-f6/

Reply 6

CosmicChilli8

OP

3

thank you so much ill definitely look into these phones :smile:

Reply 7

CatLover1

13

I have the pixel 8a and I find it to be very good. However, this is coming from someone who had a Samsung a20e for a number of years (never get it) which eventually stopped making and allowing phone calls.
It’s very fast, has a lot of storage, has a reasonable size screen for me, but not massive (I have smaller hands so hate large phones).
The only thing is that with a screen protector (even the ones that Google sell for it), you cannot use the fingerprint reader as it is on the screen, so I just have a password and Face ID instead.
The 8a will also be cheaper now as the 9a has come out (I got it in June when it was the newest phone).
The Google phone also means you have all the Google apps and accounts etc and you have to log in less. Also if you use Google say on a laptop, you can see the history of your Google account on your phone to continue reading something which I find very helpful. People say it’s battery life isn’t great, but my previous phones battery was awful, so this is a massive step up for me. I can use about a day and a half until I need to charge it depending on use.

Reply 8

TNGFR

9

Original post

by CatLover1

I have the pixel 8a and I find it to be very good. However, this is coming from someone who had a Samsung a20e for a number of years (never get it) which eventually stopped making and allowing phone calls.
It’s very fast, has a lot of storage, has a reasonable size screen for me, but not massive (I have smaller hands so hate large phones).
The only thing is that with a screen protector (even the ones that Google sell for it), you cannot use the fingerprint reader as it is on the screen, so I just have a password and Face ID instead.
The 8a will also be cheaper now as the 9a has come out (I got it in June when it was the newest phone).
The Google phone also means you have all the Google apps and accounts etc and you have to log in less. Also if you use Google say on a laptop, you can see the history of your Google account on your phone to continue reading something which I find very helpful. People say it’s battery life isn’t great, but my previous phones battery was awful, so this is a massive step up for me. I can use about a day and a half until I need to charge it depending on use.

A couple of minor points;

•

The fingerprint sensor can still work through screen protectors (my fiancée has the Pixel 8 Pro using the same sensor technology as the 8a and it works absolutely fine with no loss in speed or accuracy), it can just vary by screen protector brand and application. Read reviews on Amazon of differing options to see which ones people are having luck with, you could get your fingerprint functionality back!

•

The Pixel 9A isn't out, it's not even been announced yet

•

Having Google apps, login functionality and continuity with PC apps like Chrome is something pretty much every Android phone will have outside of those made by Huawei, this isn't unique to Pixel phones

Reply 9

CatLover1

13

Original post

by TNGFR

A couple of minor points;

•

The fingerprint sensor can still work through screen protectors (my fiancée has the Pixel 8 Pro using the same sensor technology as the 8a and it works absolutely fine with no loss in speed or accuracy), it can just vary by screen protector brand and application. Read reviews on Amazon of differing options to see which ones people are having luck with, you could get your fingerprint functionality back!

•

The Pixel 9A isn't out, it's not even been announced yet

•

Having Google apps, login functionality and continuity with PC apps like Chrome is something pretty much every Android phone will have outside of those made by Huawei, this isn't unique to Pixel phones

Thanks.
1 - the fingerprint sensor doesn't work with my screen protector. I assumed it would work with a screen protector on the Google website
2 - I thought that 9a was out. I know the 9 is out, so assumed the 9a was.
3 - I just find it easier with a Google phone, but I know it works with other phones.

Reply 10

TNGFR

9

Original post

by CatLover1

Thanks.
1 - the fingerprint sensor doesn't work with my screen protector. I assumed it would work with a screen protector on the Google website
2 - I thought that 9a was out. I know the 9 is out, so assumed the 9a was.
3 - I just find it easier with a Google phone, but I know it works with other phones.

Google normally launch the A model about 6-7 months after the main models each year, so it's probably a few months away yet for the 9 series!

It's exactly the same process on a y Android phone, you'll log in with your Google account as part of the setup and have the same integration at every step :h:

affordable phone ??

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