Looking for cell phone... which brand?
Hi all, My BlackBerry is dying. So, I'm looking to buy a cheap cell phone out right for Rogers network. I don't care about locked, unlocked, Android, Windows, etc, because my usage is 95% text and 5% voice. Which brand do you recommend? CanadaComputers has BLU phones (Android). Microsoft Stores has them too. Any feedback on these BLU phones? -- William
HI William, There are Blu and Que phones. QUE: http://queproducts.com/ BLU: http://www.bluproducts.com/index.php/android-phones Both have Dual SIM, both very decent devices. Price is very affordable. Flip side is you may not ( or you may ) receive the clarity say of a Samsung or LG and if shit happens I have no idea what their replacement policy is or warranties are. My 2cents both are very solid devices for the price. Thanks - Aruna On Wed, Jun 17, 2015 at 12:09 AM, William Park <opengeometry@yahoo.ca> wrote:
Hi all,
My BlackBerry is dying. So, I'm looking to buy a cheap cell phone out right for Rogers network. I don't care about locked, unlocked, Android, Windows, etc, because my usage is 95% text and 5% voice.
Which brand do you recommend? CanadaComputers has BLU phones (Android). Microsoft Stores has them too. Any feedback on these BLU phones? -- William --- Talk Mailing List talk@gtalug.org http://gtalug.org/mailman/listinfo/talk
Greetings from the GTALUG branch office in Geneva. I just bought an LG G4 and am EXTREMELY happy with it. Best phone I've ever owned. But probably beyond your price expectations. For what you want I would highly suggest looking at the Moto E, which is normally $180 from Telus, Koodo, and staples. Canada Computers currently has it on special for $150 <http://www.canadacomputers.com/product_info.php?cPath=30_415&item_id=082273>. Many reviews call it one of the best smartphones at the low end. On 17 June 2015 at 06:25, Aruna Hewapathirane <aruna.hewapathirane@gmail.com
wrote:
HI William,
There are Blu and Que phones.
QUE: http://queproducts.com/ BLU: http://www.bluproducts.com/index.php/android-phones
Both have Dual SIM, both very decent devices. Price is very affordable.
Flip side is you may not ( or you may ) receive the clarity say of a Samsung or LG and if shit happens I have no idea what their replacement policy is or warranties are.
My 2cents both are very solid devices for the price.
Thanks - Aruna
On Wed, Jun 17, 2015 at 12:09 AM, William Park <opengeometry@yahoo.ca> wrote:
Hi all,
My BlackBerry is dying. So, I'm looking to buy a cheap cell phone out right for Rogers network. I don't care about locked, unlocked, Android, Windows, etc, because my usage is 95% text and 5% voice.
Which brand do you recommend? CanadaComputers has BLU phones (Android). Microsoft Stores has them too. Any feedback on these BLU phones? -- William --- Talk Mailing List talk@gtalug.org http://gtalug.org/mailman/listinfo/talk
--- Talk Mailing List talk@gtalug.org http://gtalug.org/mailman/listinfo/talk
-- Evan Leibovitch Geneva, CH Em: evan at telly dot org Sk: evanleibovitch Tw: el56
On 17 June 2015 at 00:25, Aruna Hewapathirane <aruna.hewapathirane@gmail.com
wrote:
There are Blu and Que phones.
QUE: http://queproducts.com/ BLU: http://www.bluproducts.com/index.php/android-phones
Both have Dual SIM, both very decent devices. Price is very affordable.
I'm curious what these phones are like... "Dual SIM" tells me these are rebranded Chinese phones, though.
On 06/17/2015 12:09 AM, William Park wrote:
Hi all,
My BlackBerry is dying. So, I'm looking to buy a cheap cell phone out right for Rogers network. I don't care about locked, unlocked, Android, Windows, etc, because my usage is 95% text and 5% voice.
Which brand do you recommend? CanadaComputers has BLU phones (Android). Microsoft Stores has them too. Any feedback on these BLU phones?
You might consider the Nexus 5. If you've been with Rogers for a while, you may be able to get one for free. Back in late 2013, just after the N5 was released, I was able to get one for $100. At the moment, they're "free" with some plans. So, give Rogers a call and tell them you've been with them for however long you've been with them and tell them you want to upgrade. You may wind up with a free phone, without having to take out a new plan. However, it would also be a good time to compare your current plan with whatever they're offering. They might be able to offer a cheaper one etc. I could have got another phone for free, but I wanted the N5 and am quite happy with it. http://www.rogers.com/web/link/wirelessBuyFlow?forwardTo=PhoneThenPlan&productType=normal&productId_Detailed=NEXUS5BLK
On 06/17/2015 08:01 AM, James Knott wrote:
I could have got another phone for free, but I wanted the N5 and am quite happy with it.
Hmm... That link timed out. You'll have to go to the Rogers site and search on Nexus 5.
Has anyone tried the new Asus Zenphone 2? http://www.canadacomputers.com/asus/zenfone2.php (also available at other stores) It comes unlocked and I think it works with Wind Mobile. It's $250. The Nexus 4 and 5 are also both very good phones (constant OS updates!).
| From: William Park <opengeometry@yahoo.ca> | My BlackBerry is dying. So, I'm looking to buy a cheap cell phone out | right for Rogers network. I don't care about locked, unlocked, Android, | Windows, etc, because my usage is 95% text and 5% voice. | | Which brand do you recommend? CanadaComputers has BLU phones (Android). | Microsoft Stores has them too. Any feedback on these BLU phones? You are a quirky case. Not meant as an insult -- I'm a quirky case too. That probably means you should pay attention to why folks are making recommendations and not what the actual phone model they recommend. As I understand it (and I've not been shopping), all phones sold through Microsoft Stores are running Windows Phone OS. Including BLU models. If you truly don't care about the OS (and things that go with it), the Microsoft Store often has very good prices. And they are always unlocked (a bonus even if you don't care now). I care about the OS and Windows Phone would not be my first choice. Do you care about a physical keyboard? BB would seem to be the only game in town (probably not strictly true). And with BB's challenged business, my impression is that you can find them at a fairly good price. You probably want to try a keyboard before you buy a phone. I like the idea of a Nexus 5 but it isn't clear that its strengths match your desires. I've been happy with my Nexus 4. I hate the idea of being tied to a contract in return for a cheap handset up front. So much so that I'm probably blind to the rare cases where it is a win. Random relevant things that I noticed. I have not looked into them: <http://forums.redflagdeals.com/lava-hot-bbz30-199-tx-bbq5-99-tax-free-ship-bb-employee-pricing-rfd-family-1720391/> <http://forums.redflagdeals.com/blackberry-better-physical-buttons-touchscreen-1749141/> <http://forums.redflagdeals.com/store-shopblackberry-com-bb-classic-326-leap-254-a-1753571/> <http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msca/en_CA/pdp/Microsoft-Lumia-640XL/productID.318146100> <http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/msca/en_CA/pdp/Yezz-Billy-4.7--Unlocked/productID.308157600>
On 06/17/2015 09:28 AM, D. Hugh Redelmeier wrote:
As I understand it (and I've not been shopping), all phones sold through Microsoft Stores are running Windows Phone OS. Including BLU models. If you truly don't care about the OS (and things that go with it), the Microsoft Store often has very good prices. And they are always unlocked (a bonus even if you don't care now). I care about the OS and Windows Phone would not be my first choice.
I also prefer avoiding the Evil Empire. ;-)
I like the idea of a Nexus 5 but it isn't clear that its strengths match your desires. I've been happy with my Nexus 4.
If he's been with Rogers for a few years and hasn't got a phone from them recently, the Nexus 5 might be available for free.
I hate the idea of being tied to a contract in return for a cheap handset up front. So much so that I'm probably blind to the rare cases where it is a win.
If he's been with Rogers long enough, he might not have to take out a contract. When I got my Nexus 5, I continued on with my existing plan. The only restriction was I couldn't get another phone for 3 years. Again, William should be calling Rogers first, to see what's available, with both phone and plans, before looking elsewhere. He might be able to save money, while getting a phone at no charge. BTW, my Nexus 5, like all Google Nexus phones, is unlocked.
On Wed, Jun 17, 2015 at 09:28:07AM -0400, D. Hugh Redelmeier wrote:
You are a quirky case. Not meant as an insult -- I'm a quirky case too. That probably means you should pay attention to why folks are making recommendations and not what the actual phone model they recommend.
As I understand it (and I've not been shopping), all phones sold through Microsoft Stores are running Windows Phone OS. Including BLU models. If you truly don't care about the OS (and things that go with it), the Microsoft Store often has very good prices. And they are always unlocked (a bonus even if you don't care now). I care about the OS and Windows Phone would not be my first choice.
Do you care about a physical keyboard? BB would seem to be the only game in town (probably not strictly true). And with BB's challenged business, my impression is that you can find them at a fairly good price. You probably want to try a keyboard before you buy a phone.
I like the idea of a Nexus 5 but it isn't clear that its strengths match your desires. I've been happy with my Nexus 4.
I hate the idea of being tied to a contract in return for a cheap handset up front. So much so that I'm probably blind to the rare cases where it is a win.
Well on the rogers plan I am on, the plan is $20/month cheaper per line if you bring your own phone, which makes buying an unlocked phone cheaper than getting it from rogers in my case. Only some of their plans have that option, others you are always paying the surcharge of getting subsidised phones and in the end you are always overpaying for it. -- Len Sorensen
On Wed, Jun 17, 2015 at 09:28:07AM -0400, D. Hugh Redelmeier wrote:
| From: William Park <opengeometry@yahoo.ca>
| My BlackBerry is dying. So, I'm looking to buy a cheap cell phone out | right for Rogers network. I don't care about locked, unlocked, Android, | Windows, etc, because my usage is 95% text and 5% voice. | | Which brand do you recommend? CanadaComputers has BLU phones (Android). | Microsoft Stores has them too. Any feedback on these BLU phones?
You are a quirky case. Not meant as an insult -- I'm a quirky case too. That probably means you should pay attention to why folks are making recommendations and not what the actual phone model they recommend.
This is my 3rd BlackBerry. First was flip phone Pearl, and the hinge came loose. Second was Bold 9700, and two of its keys came off. Third is Bold 9780, and screen is showing problems and reboot is required sometimes. I'll look for some other brand, this time. -- William
I am quite happy with my Motorola Moto-G (unlocked), which runs Android. Got it for around $280 pre-tax at Canada Computers in Mississauga. Paul King On 17 Jun 2015 at 0:09, William Park wrote:
Hi all,
My BlackBerry is dying. So, I'm looking to buy a cheap cell phone out right for Rogers network. I don't care about locked, unlocked, Android, Windows, etc, because my usage is 95% text and 5% voice.
Which brand do you recommend? CanadaComputers has BLU phones (Android). Microsoft Stores has them too. Any feedback on these BLU phones? -- William --- Talk Mailing List talk@gtalug.org http://gtalug.org/mailman/listinfo/talk
On 17/06/2015 12:09 AM, William Park wrote:
Hi all,
My BlackBerry is dying. So, I'm looking to buy a cheap cell phone out ...
I have an unlocked Bold 9700 doing nothing which I can give you for free. If you're in a hurry and have a similar phone, you might be able to backup your phone and restore it onto the 9700, saving you lots of hassle. No warranty or support, I'll just wipe it and make sure it's not password protected. IMHO, you're much better off going to a Nexus something, or even to a modern BB10 or iPhone. This is only worth it if you're short on time and don't want to deal with switching over right now. Mike
On Wed, Jun 17, 2015 at 10:23:56AM -0400, Mike wrote:
I have an unlocked Bold 9700 doing nothing which I can give you for free. If you're in a hurry and have a similar phone, you might be able to backup your phone and restore it onto the 9700, saving you lots of hassle. No warranty or support, I'll just wipe it and make sure it's not password protected.
IMHO, you're much better off going to a Nexus something, or even to a modern BB10 or iPhone. This is only worth it if you're short on time and don't want to deal with switching over right now.
My wife has a nxeus 5. I have tried using it a few times, and honestly I hate touch screen keyboards, I have how android tries to be helpful when you don't want it to, and I hate how inconsistent it is in where you have to go to do things. I also hate how slow it is to respond to the 'click' to take pictures with the camera, once you even find how to get to the stupid camara app. This is a large part of why I do NOT have an android phone myself. I tried out a few of the blackberrys at a rogers store to see what tehy were like to work with, and was instantly a lot more impressed than any android device I have ever dealt with. It is just so much more consistent. And it doesn't try to second guess what you want to do. I do not appreciate being redirected to the gmail app if I start a browser and go to gmail.com. I especially don't appreciate having to add my account to do a quick email check on an android device, and then having to figure out that to remove the account again you have to go to account management, not to where you added the account in the first place. @#$@#$ morons designed this thing. -- Len Sorensen
On Wed, Jun 17, 2015 at 12:09:46AM -0400, William Park wrote:
Hi all,
My BlackBerry is dying. So, I'm looking to buy a cheap cell phone out right for Rogers network. I don't care about locked, unlocked, Android, Windows, etc, because my usage is 95% text and 5% voice.
Which brand do you recommend? CanadaComputers has BLU phones (Android). Microsoft Stores has them too. Any feedback on these BLU phones?
I recently got a Blackberry Classic. I think it is great. -- Len Sorensen
Note that I've been stuck with second hand phones since forever, and I don't really have experience with any of the suggested models. The Nokia Lumia is well sized, and of reasonable speed and thickness. It runs Windows~ Also, pretty colours. Why not? One plus. Android, and generally awesome. You can only obtain it on Tuesdays I believe. Under three hundred and it's gorgeous as hell. Of course there are the mainstream ones like the galaxies and notes, and the Apple. They don't really fit the 'cheap price' part, but I would never really advise against them. On Wednesday, June 17, 2015, William Park <opengeometry@yahoo.ca> wrote:
Hi all,
My BlackBerry is dying. So, I'm looking to buy a cheap cell phone out right for Rogers network. I don't care about locked, unlocked, Android, Windows, etc, because my usage is 95% text and 5% voice.
Which brand do you recommend? CanadaComputers has BLU phones (Android). Microsoft Stores has them too. Any feedback on these BLU phones? -- William --- Talk Mailing List talk@gtalug.org <javascript:;> http://gtalug.org/mailman/listinfo/talk
participants (10)
-
Aruna Hewapathirane -
Caroly Fisher -
D. Hugh Redelmeier -
Evan Leibovitch -
James Knott -
Lennart Sorensen -
Mike -
Paul King -
Tim Tisdall -
William Park