Phone recommendations

[Glosphil]

I need a new smartphone to replace my 7 year old Honor 9 Lite.

Main requirements:
Android
256GB min. storage
Screen bright enough to read outdoors.
Decent performance (8GB RAM min.?)
Reliable fingerprint reader (the Honor is excellent)
Dual SIMMs

Used mainly for calls, texts, WhatsApp, Internet, banking.
No gaming

Questions
At this price do most phones have
Wireless calling
NFC
Gorilla glass

Any suggestions which phone to buy?

[Captain Smerc]

I use a Moto Edge 40 Neo and find it an excellent device. Its my 3rd Motorola so far.

[OutInTheShed]

Unless you're doing a lot of video, I can't see you'll really need that much storage?

Dual SIM isn't necessary either, eSIM is a thing now.

Personally, I'd like a phone with a long battery life, while running an app that uses the GPS.
Does anyone actually spec this or test it in reviews?

[Glosphil]

Captain Smerc said:

I use a Moto Edge 40 Neo and find it an excellent device. Its my 3rd Motorola so far.

Thanks, I'll add that to my short list.

[Glosphil]

OutInTheShed said:

Unless you're doing a lot of video, I can't see you'll really need that much storage?

Dual SIM isn't necessary either, eSIM is a thing now.

Personally, I'd like a phone with a long battery life, while running an app that uses the GPS.
Does anyone actually spec this or test it in reviews?

My existing phone has 64GB & that's close to full. I'm the chairman of a motoring group & receive numerous emails, many with atrachments.

Many phones stated as dual SIMM actually have one SIMM + eSIMM. eSIMM seems to support data only & not calls/texts.

When I'm using GPS I'm in my car & the phone is plugged in & being kept charged.

Edited by Glosphil on Tuesday 10th June 22:59

[LuS1fer]

OnePlus 12 is what I have, bought for a decently low price on eBay.

Would have had the 13 but delivery was much longer and I was on holiday.

[OutInTheShed]

Glosphil said:

OutInTheShed said:

Unless you're doing a lot of video, I can't see you'll really need that much storage?

Dual SIM isn't necessary either, eSIM is a thing now.

Personally, I'd like a phone with a long battery life, while running an app that uses the GPS.
Does anyone actually spec this or test it in reviews?

My existing phone has 64GB & that's close to full. I'm the chairman of a motoring group & receive numerous emails, many with atrachments.

Many phones stated as dual SIMM actually have one SIMM + eSIMM. eSIMM seems to support data only & not calls/texts.

When I'm using GPS I'm in my car & the phone is plugged in & being kept charged.

Edited by Glosphil on Tuesday 10th June 22:59

There are ways of managing email.

Personally, I like t o limit what's actually stored on the phone in case it gets lost of stolen.

My iphone can use the eSIM for calling, texting and receiving calls and texts.
I'd assume that's possible with Android too?
I just use the eSIM for better data coverage on a different network though.

[the-norseman]

Yep Esim on Android is capable of making calls and texts.

[Griffith4ever]

Captain Smerc said:

I use a Moto Edge 40 Neo and find it an excellent device. Its my 3rd Motorola so far.

Edge 50 neo here and also loving it. I have a Psim and an Esim and let it auto switch between internet networks.

Nice light phone, sleek and clean. good cameras. Video audio is bad but I have a feeling that when I stuck teh sim tool up the mic slot by mistake I might have biggered it up!

[paulrockliffe]

The new S25 Edge is beautiful, it matches your criteria, but then most Android phones do, so just throwing it out there. All the reviews say 'why is this not the S25 Ultra', but of course that exists so buy that if you want, but if you want something a bit more interesting and can cope with the battery, it's a lovely lovely thing.

[Donbot]

Another Edge 50 Neo user here. The phone is a year old, but Motorola promised 5 years of updates, so there will be at least 4 left.

[TheLurker]

paulrockliffe said:

The new S25 Edge is beautiful, it matches your criteria, but then most Android phones do, so just throwing it out there. All the reviews say 'why is this not the S25 Ultra', but of course that exists so buy that if you want, but if you want something a bit more interesting and can cope with the battery, it's a lovely lovely thing.

Until you put it in a case and realise it feels like every other phone, except you've paid a lot more for a shorter battery life...

To be fair, I've not actually seen one in person, but thats my biased view of it and what a lot of the reviews I've seen say. The S25 series is excellent though, but yoy probably don't need something as expensive for what you do with it.

[danb79]

Glosphil said:

I need a new smartphone to replace my 7 year old Honor 9 Lite.

Main requirements:
Android
256GB min. storage
Screen bright enough to read outdoors.
Decent performance (8GB RAM min.?)
Reliable fingerprint reader (the Honor is excellent)
Dual SIMMs

Used mainly for calls, texts, WhatsApp, Internet, banking.
No gaming

Questions
At this price do most phones have
Wireless calling
NFC
Gorilla glass

Any suggestions which phone to buy?

What's the budget?

Personally I'd be looking at the Google Pixel range - Google Store have discounts currently; generally some good deals on Amazon too

Pixel 9a: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Google-Pixel-9a-Unlocked-...
Pixel 9 Pro: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0D7TZ5YDV

My neighbour needed a new mobile ASAP as her S24+ died the other day and she's waiting for an insurance replacement; I suggested this A56 5G and she really likes it:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-5G-Smartphone-Ant...

A lot of phone for not a lot of £££

[Frimley111R]

Samsung Fold 6 (or is it 7 now?). Massive screen makes it a game changer for use. I've had one for 5 years now. Would never go back.

[paulrockliffe]

TheLurker said:

Until you put it in a case and realise it feels like every other phone, except you've paid a lot more for a shorter battery life...

To be fair, I've not actually seen one in person, but thats my biased view of it and what a lot of the reviews I've seen say. The S25 series is excellent though, but yoy probably don't need something as expensive for what you do with it.

That's what all the reviews said, but it's not actually true because you put your other phone in a case too, so what you're left with is still much thinner, appreciable so. It's 50% thinner then the S23 it replaced in a like for like case. It's also much much lighter and easier in the hand.

Price wise it's bang in the middle of the S25+ and the S25U, comparing the specs you're not actually paying for the thinness, you're paying the going rate for the spec.

Battery is a legitimate question, I've had it since release and it's been fine, i only charge to 80% too. It charges in the car so I've never been left short, but I covered that off with a magsafe case and a magsafe battery pack, can just clip a second battery on in emergencies. Worth it for me for a phone thats just far far nicer to handle.

The latest Marcus Brownlee video makes the same point, his initial review was also, "Just get the S25U."

[Griffith4ever]

paulrockliffe said:

TheLurker said:

Until you put it in a case and realise it feels like every other phone, except you've paid a lot more for a shorter battery life...

To be fair, I've not actually seen one in person, but thats my biased view of it and what a lot of the reviews I've seen say. The S25 series is excellent though, but yoy probably don't need something as expensive for what you do with it.

That's what all the reviews said, but it's not actually true because you put your other phone in a case too, so what you're left with is still much thinner, appreciable so. It's 50% thinner then the S23 it replaced in a like for like case. It's also much much lighter and easier in the hand.

However... when you spend only £200 on a Moto Edge 50 Neo, you don't need a case, as you are not precious about it. A £1300 phone!?!? Yes, I'd have it in an aluminium suitcase!

That's the thing people are spending daft (that they somehow justify to themselves) amounts on phones and then have to shroud them in protection. Just go cheaper, and relax ;-) The Neo 50 is a joy to hold, is light, and just a touch smaller than the current competition. Hence there are already a few fans in this thread.

[Alorotom]

Nothing 3a or the CMF 2 Pro would seem like excellent choices here IMO

[Glosphil]

Thought I'd stated a budget. As I'm replacing a phone that cost £145 7 years ago I've set a max budget of £300.

[paulrockliffe]

Griffith4ever said:

However... when you spend only £200 on a Moto Edge 50 Neo, you don't need a case, as you are not precious about it. A £1300 phone!?!? Yes, I'd have it in an aluminium suitcase!

That's the thing people are spending daft (that they somehow justify to themselves) amounts on phones and then have to shroud them in protection. Just go cheaper, and relax ;-) The Neo 50 is a joy to hold, is light, and just a touch smaller than the current competition. Hence there are already a few fans in this thread.

True, is anyone paying £1,300 for them though? I'm paying £23 a month for 3 years and they gave me the Buds Pro 3 in with that.

The way I see it my phone cost me £30 a month 25 years ago so thats my budget now and its a rounding error in what goes out every month. I'd rather stop drinking coffee than not have a really nice phone.

[C69]

Alorotom said:

Nothing 3a or the CMF 2 Pro would seem like excellent choices here IMO

With a £300 budget I'd certainly be looking at the CMF 2 Pro (£249 with 256GB). I think it's due to receive security updates for a few years too, which is important if you tend to keep your phone for a while.