Cheap, tough, and small smart phone - Anyone have ideas?
Cheap, tough, and small smart phone - Anyone have ideas?
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Discussion

bearman68

Original Poster:

4,938 posts

162 months

Sunday 11th December 2022
quotequote all
After the death of my very old Samsung, I have to accept to reluctantly move into the modern age.

Things I loved about the old Samsung.

1) Cheap,
2) Almost indestructible.
3) Light and small.

The battery lasted ages too.

Do any of you fine people have a recommendation for a small tough smart phone that won't break itself or the bank.

Used is fine - It's in a workshop, no-one cares about posh phones.

Thanks

un1eash

667 posts

170 months

Sunday 11th December 2022
quotequote all
Check out phones by Xiaomi, you can get a decent spec phone for £100-150. They always have sales if you buy direct.
I currently have a Poco (gaming focused branch of Xiaomi) X4 Pro i paid £149 for.

Edited by un1eash on Sunday 11th December 15:38

Simpo Two

92,863 posts

295 months

Sunday 11th December 2022
quotequote all
bearman68 said:
After the death of my very old Samsung, I have to accept to reluctantly move into the modern age.

Used is fine - It's in a workshop, no-one cares about posh phones.
Can you find another one on eBay?

I think all smartphones are far too big; it's like carry a small book around all the time. Another reason I don't have one.

Condi

20,397 posts

201 months

Monday 12th December 2022
quotequote all
Im sure JCB and CAT do hardy smart phones, especially designed for site/outdoor jobs.

UTH

12,312 posts

208 months

Monday 12th December 2022
quotequote all
Condi said:
Im sure JCB and CAT do hardy smart phones, especially designed for site/outdoor jobs.
Indeed, this looks pretty hardcore:

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9499636?istCompany...tongue outla-889191883099%7ccrid:587944422370%7cnw:u%7crnd:3815348790818494363%7cdvc:c%7cadp:%7cmt:%7cloc:1007156&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=16587510428&utm_term=9499636&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=134082819109&utm_custom2=804-627-9544&GPDP=true&gclid=CjwKCAiAv9ucBhBXEiwA6N8nYPqCdn1WEwcjegqk4xY4TnpVPnsOGXYPK8HBDFCOKgC2YQCIwWMNdBoCUb0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

UTH

12,312 posts

208 months

Monday 12th December 2022
quotequote all
Hmmm, link doesn't like the smiley that appears in it! haha

bearman68

Original Poster:

4,938 posts

162 months

Monday 12th December 2022
quotequote all
UTH said:
Condi said:
Im sure JCB and CAT do hardy smart phones, especially designed for site/outdoor jobs.
Indeed, this looks pretty hardcore:

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9499636?istCompany...tongue outla-889191883099%7ccrid:587944422370%7cnw:u%7crnd:3815348790818494363%7cdvc:c%7cadp:%7cmt:%7cloc:1007156&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=16587510428&utm_term=9499636&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=134082819109&utm_custom2=804-627-9544&GPDP=true&gclid=CjwKCAiAv9ucBhBXEiwA6N8nYPqCdn1WEwcjegqk4xY4TnpVPnsOGXYPK8HBDFCOKgC2YQCIwWMNdBoCUb0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

bearman68

Original Poster:

4,938 posts

162 months

Monday 12th December 2022
quotequote all
Yes, I have spotted those, and they may be OK - but I would prefer a smart phone touch screen thingy if possible.

What I'm really after is a personal recommendation for a phone that works OK as a phone, does Whats app, and SMS, and is pretty tough.

Thanks

Mammasaid

5,594 posts

127 months

Monday 12th December 2022
quotequote all
Don't bother with that, the 2 we've had for my FIL have been useless with volume breaking and not being able to make calls.

He's now got a DORO phone with a cover case which makes it unbreakable.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doro-7574-SIM-Free-Mobile...

Randy Winkman

22,558 posts

219 months

Monday 12th December 2022
quotequote all
Simpo Two said:
bearman68 said:
After the death of my very old Samsung, I have to accept to reluctantly move into the modern age.

Used is fine - It's in a workshop, no-one cares about posh phones.
Can you find another one on eBay?

I think all smartphones are far too big; it's like carry a small book around all the time. Another reason I don't have one.
This is a fair point. When I was first going to move over to having a smart phone I did a thread on PH asking about small ones and didn't get that far. I realised after finally getting an iPhone 4s that smart phones are better when they are of typical smart phone size so you get a decent sized screen. If you really want a small phone I'd just get another old-style mobile. I now have a more modern smart phone that's the same sizes as my 4s and wouldn't go back to having just a mobile.

bearman68

Original Poster:

4,938 posts

162 months

Monday 12th December 2022
quotequote all
Randy Winkman said:
This is a fair point. When I was first going to move over to having a smart phone I did a thread on PH asking about small ones and didn't get that far. I realised after finally getting an iPhone 4s that smart phones are better when they are of typical smart phone size so you get a decent sized screen. If you really want a small phone I'd just get another old-style mobile. I now have a more modern smart phone that's the same sizes as my 4s and wouldn't go back to having just a mobile.
So what size screen are you suggesting? Just for reference.


SlimJim16v

8,134 posts

173 months

Monday 12th December 2022
quotequote all
Cubot make one. I will probably get the normal version.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B08PCMNRTH/ref=ss...

UTH

12,312 posts

208 months

Monday 12th December 2022
quotequote all
bearman68 said:
Yes, I have spotted those, and they may be OK - but I would prefer a smart phone touch screen thingy if possible.

What I'm really after is a personal recommendation for a phone that works OK as a phone, does Whats app, and SMS, and is pretty tough.

Thanks
Apologies, you did say smart phone in the title. Doh.

Mercdriver

3,000 posts

63 months

Monday 12th December 2022
quotequote all
How about second hand I phone 8? Not too big and descent screen. Many on internet as refurbished so probably new battery. Condition can be excellent, good or minor scratches to screen.

We both bought them last year and no complaints with performance but we are not glued to the phone and texting and or surfing all the time.

Use I pad airs too, so one charger when we go on holiday instead of several chargers and leads

bearman68

Original Poster:

4,938 posts

162 months

Monday 12th December 2022
quotequote all
SlimJim16v said:
Cubot make one. I will probably get the normal version.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B08PCMNRTH/ref=ss...
Like the thinking there. That looks pretty good. Thanks

Randy Winkman

22,558 posts

219 months

Monday 12th December 2022
quotequote all
bearman68 said:
Randy Winkman said:
This is a fair point. When I was first going to move over to having a smart phone I did a thread on PH asking about small ones and didn't get that far. I realised after finally getting an iPhone 4s that smart phones are better when they are of typical smart phone size so you get a decent sized screen. If you really want a small phone I'd just get another old-style mobile. I now have a more modern smart phone that's the same sizes as my 4s and wouldn't go back to having just a mobile.
So what size screen are you suggesting? Just for reference.
I'm not sure what the official numbers are but I've just measured the whole phone which is 135x65. The screen part of it that is 114x58. It's iPhone 6 on this:




As I said, I had iPhone 4 for a few years and got rid of it when the battery needed replacing and my contract had run out. I'm not into phones at all but I'd not go back to that size now I'm used to the one I've got now. Actually, it's only because I've dug out that picture that I'm reminded my 6 is bigger than the old 4 was. I've obviously got used to it.

SlimJim16v

8,134 posts

173 months

Monday 12th December 2022
quotequote all
bearman68 said:
Like the thinking there. That looks pretty good. Thanks
I found out about it in this thread.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

conkerman

3,517 posts

165 months

Monday 12th December 2022
quotequote all
I bought my son a Motorola Defy. He hasn't managed to break it yet.