May finally replace my obsolete Android

[Reverend Conehead]

My Moto G Android was a good choice in 2014. It was inexpensive and got me into a smartphone for the first time and could run some French lesson software that I wanted to have with me at all times. At this point it's showing its age and obsolescence. It only has 8 gig of memory and has no memory expansion slot. I can no longer install any new applications because I'm out of memory. I already deleted unwanted apps some months back, and now I'm where I was before -- unable to install anything new. I also just had a scare where it wasn't charging. The charge port seems buggy. I fiddled with it and finally got it charging, but it's seen better days.

I can't drop a huge amount of cash on a smartphone. I want to keep it at around $200. My cell phone company offers Androids in that price range, but they only have 8 GB like my Moto G, but they do have MicroSD expansion ports. Is it very hard to set an Android to install apps to the microSD card? I've never side installed anything; I've always just used Google Play. With a 32 GB card, I would have a lot more memory than before. I figure I could just install the important stuff to the main memory and the bulk of things to the expansion card. Is there some reason why you might prefer more on-board memory to install your apps to instead of an expansion card?

Finally, I wonder if I may be better off hunting for something a bit higher end on one of those unlocked used phone sites. If this old phone holds up a little while longer, my price range could increase to around $300-350. Dropping 700 bucks or so on a phone is out of the question for me, but I don't need the latest and greatest. I don't play games other than a little chess or blackjack. I don't need something that's out of this world. I just need something durable and reliable with enough memory -- I think 32 gig via expansion slot is fine.

 

[darthseinfeld]

My Moto G Android was a good choice in 2014. It was inexpensive and got me into a smartphone for the first time and could run some French lesson software that I wanted to have with me at all times. At this point it's showing its age and obsolescence. It only has 8 gig of memory and has no memory expansion slot. I can no longer install any new applications because I'm out of memory. I already deleted unwanted apps some months back, and now I'm where I was before -- unable to install anything new. I also just had a scare where it wasn't charging. The charge port seems buggy. I fiddled with it and finally got it charging, but it's seen better days.

I can't drop a huge amount of cash on a smartphone. I want to keep it at around $200. My cell phone company offers Androids in that price range, but they only have 8 GB like my Moto G, but they do have MicroSD expansion ports. Is it very hard to set an Android to install apps to the microSD card? I've never side installed anything; I've always just used Google Play. With a 32 GB card, I would have a lot more memory than before. I figure I could just install the important stuff to the main memory and the bulk of things to the expansion card. Is there some reason why you might prefer more on-board memory to install your apps to instead of an expansion card?

Finally, I wonder if I may be better off hunting for something a bit higher end on one of those unlocked used phone sites. If this old phone holds up a little while longer, my price range could increase to around $300-350. Dropping 700 bucks or so on a phone is out of the question for me, but I don't need the latest and greatest. I don't play games other than a little chess or blackjack. I don't need something that's out of this world. I just need something durable and reliable with enough memory -- I think 32 gig via expansion slot is fine.

Notes are solid. Still use my old Note 3 from time to time

 

[nobody]

My Moto G Android was a good choice in 2014. It was inexpensive and got me into a smartphone for the first time and could run some French lesson software that I wanted to have with me at all times. At this point it's showing its age and obsolescence. It only has 8 gig of memory and has no memory expansion slot. I can no longer install any new applications because I'm out of memory. I already deleted unwanted apps some months back, and now I'm where I was before -- unable to install anything new. I also just had a scare where it wasn't charging. The charge port seems buggy. I fiddled with it and finally got it charging, but it's seen better days.

I can't drop a huge amount of cash on a smartphone. I want to keep it at around $200. My cell phone company offers Androids in that price range, but they only have 8 GB like my Moto G, but they do have MicroSD expansion ports. Is it very hard to set an Android to install apps to the microSD card? I've never side installed anything; I've always just used Google Play. With a 32 GB card, I would have a lot more memory than before. I figure I could just install the important stuff to the main memory and the bulk of things to the expansion card. Is there some reason why you might prefer more on-board memory to install your apps to instead of an expansion card?

Finally, I wonder if I may be better off hunting for something a bit higher end on one of those unlocked used phone sites. If this old phone holds up a little while longer, my price range could increase to around $300-350. Dropping 700 bucks or so on a phone is out of the question for me, but I don't need the latest and greatest. I don't play games other than a little chess or blackjack. I don't need something that's out of this world. I just need something durable and reliable with enough memory -- I think 32 gig via expansion slot is fine.

My entire family just switched to T-mobile's family plan and they have the Samsung J7 for $240. We did the monthly payments of $10 for each phone for 24 months. The only downsides to the phone is that it doesn't have a gyroscope and it doesn't have a notification LED. It has 16 gig onboard memory, an expansion slot, a 1.5 GHz octacore processor (that's 8 1.5 GHz processors, basically), and 2 gb ram. If you don't need the gyroscope, it's a great phone. navigation still works because it has GPS, but things like google skymaps wouldn't because it requires a gyroscope. http://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phones/samsung-galaxy-j7.html#features

 

[Kevinicus]

I'm still using my Note 2 from 4 years ago. I don't see a reason to upgrade. I use a handful of apps regularly and don't get anywhere close to using all my memory. I can't imagine having that many apps.

 

[TheBigEasy]

Made the jump to Android, from iCrap, 4 years ago and will NEVER go back. If you like the same thing, from year to year, Apple is your friend. Love the ability to customize anything that I want. Especially, removing the 'bloatware' that the carriers load on these phones. Currently have the S7 Edge and LOVE it. If you don't mind hoping around from carrier to carrier, every few years, you can save a ton of money. Can't go wrong with anything Samsung IMO.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Made the jump to Android, from iCrap, 4 years ago and will NEVER go back. If you like the same thing, from year to year, Apple is your friend. Love the ability to customize anything that I want. Especially, removing the 'bloatware' that the carriers load on these phones. Currently have the S7 Edge and LOVE it. If you don't mind hoping around from carrier to carrier, every few years, you can save a ton of money. Can't go wrong with anything Samsung IMO.

Never had a complaint from Samsung and I have heard very very few from others.

I was Blackberry fanboy until they much became obsolete. Such depend and reason phones. Swtich to the HTC Vivid because that was the big thing at the time. Bogged and and got glitchy within months. Swtiched to the Note 2, then went to 3 now im using 5 and Ive been enjoying the same reliability that I had with BB expect with a much more freedom

 

[Reverend Conehead]

Thanks for all your suggestions. I'm googling the phones you recommend and am reading up. This old phone did charge overnight, but not fully. It may have a little life left, enough that I don't have to rush my decision as much as I would have to if it were totally dead. I'll find something that will meet my needs without breaking the bank.

 

[dogunwo]

HTC phones are very underrated.

 

[Joe Realist]

I'm trying to hold onto this:

 

[nobody]

Never had a complaint from Samsung and I have heard very very few from others.

I was Blackberry fanboy until they much became obsolete. Such depend and reason phones. Swtich to the HTC Vivid because that was the big thing at the time. Bogged and and got glitchy within months. Swtiched to the Note 2, then went to 3 now im using 5 and Ive been enjoying the same reliability that I had with BB expect with a much more freedom

The only problem with Samsung is that they seem to have defective batteries from time to time. You'll see in the reviews that most love theirs, but then the rare battery complaint pops up. Usually the ones with battery drain complaints are some of the same ones that say their phone heats up a lot. Instead of contacting Samsung and getting the battery replaced, fixing the issue instantly, they switch phones. *shrugs* I haven't had a bad Samsung yet.

Here are the brands I've had:

Samsung (one with a sliding keyboard: Solid, phone, but smartphones were still kind of young, so it was slow.)
LG (decent, but not as good as Samsung)
Samsung (great phone)
HTC 3D 4G (Great phone, but a little slow at the time)
Samsung Galaxy S3 (Amazing phone. Kept that one for a couple of years and zero complaints)
Samsung Galaxy J7 (Great phone at great price. My only issues are that it has no notification LED and no gyroscope. the S7 has a gyroscope but is 2.5 times more expensive).

If I switched from Samsung, it would probably be to another HTC, but I'm very happy with Samsung so far.

 

[dogunwo]

I'm trying to hold onto this:

StarTac? Lol

 

[Tusan_Homichi]

I'm holding out for the new Google Pixel phones. It shouldn't be too much longer now I don't think.

 

[nobody]

I'm holding out for the new Google Pixel phones. It shouldn't be too much longer now I don't think.

http://www.cnet.com/products/google-pixel-phone/preview/

Looks interesting if that is in any way accurate.

 

[Reverend Conehead]

Thanks for all your help. All your tips are very appreciated. I just pulled the trigger on a refurbished Samsung Galaxy Note 4 for $229. I checked out a lot of possible phones and this one seemed a good fit for me and it was a good deal. My cell phone company says I can just pull the SIM card out of the old one and put it in to the new one and I'm up and running. The phone's supposed to arrive by Thursday. I'm stoked.

 

[LittleBoyBlue]

Thanks for all your help. All your tips are very appreciated. I just pulled the trigger on a refurbished Samsung Galaxy Note 4 for $229. I checked out a lot of possible phones and this one seemed a good fit for me and it was a good deal. My cell phone company says I can just pull the SIM card out of the old one and put it in to the new one and I'm up and running. The phone's supposed to arrive by Thursday. I'm stoked.

I just went for note 4 to note 7.

The note 4 is excellent.