BBC Focus Magazine

[Thinker]

OK, someone lend me a lap to sit on...I need advice.

I want an Android phone at an affordable price, with a price plan that does not jeapordise internet usage or call time. At first I had the San fransisco from Orange as my best choice because of the review from Focus a couple of issues ago. However on reflection that only gives me 100mb of free usage before they start charging me a fortune.

So I had a look at the HTC Wildfire, it was recommended to me from a couple of people, but then I look on the web and they say it has a few lagging issues with the internet, you seem to wait for it to load up.

So does anybody have an android phone that they paid under £150 that is half decent?

[Shadowwolf]

I've a nice small Android phone, an Xperia.

However I mostly use it for phoning or receiving such and almost no net access so I can't really say anything more.

[Healerman]

I have avoided a "smartphone" so far and have to admit I don't find my life to be empty as a consequence. I came across this item for all the "Fandroids" out there.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/ ... -data.html

I know, it's in the Daily Mail.

Nevertheless, have a care. You know what they say, "If you can't be good, be careful".

[Shadowwolf]

Oh they're quite nifty, small, touchscreen, capable of utilising wifi or access via the network, good battery life and so on. However, one should be aware of a little unadvertised issue with them. They like to chat without your leave to the internet to see if there are any updates about and this is the default set-up. This shortens the battery life but it is also classed as a data request to the internet and thus you will be charged for it. Oh it's not much but especially on pay as you go set-ups it slowly drains your credit and mostly for nothing. Unless you disable this function you are likely paying for access you never initiated.

[Hyrulian Outlaw]

After a recent bit of research into this I would say the HTC wildfire is the best budget Android phone at the moment, its had many favourable reviews.

Also a certain warehouse that does phones for your car has a good deal at the minute on the Samsung Appollo.

What did you get in the end or are you still thinking about what to get?

[M Paul Lloyd]

a certain warehouse that does phones for your car

Nicely done Mr. Outlaw.

[Thinker]

Also a certain warehouse that does phones for your car has a good deal at the minute on the Samsung Appollo.

What did you get in the end or are you still thinking about what to get?

Oh yeah, you mean the Orange Shop

I haven't got it yet, I'm scared if i get one, an unbelievable deal will come out the next day and I'll miss out on it.

[Hyrulian Outlaw]

I think the best thing to do is just set a budget and get what has the best reviews in that price range. Afterall, if you wait long enough this generation of phones will be worth pennies and you will still be humming and ahing over what Android 10.0 phone to get

[Shadowwolf]

Never going to get one, all I need my phone for is texting and calling, I don't need anything else but that. People are getting addicted to there phones, its unhealthy.

[Jamie]

I've got an HTC Desire HD. The battery life is pants, mind . . . but the GeoCaching apps are pretty cool!

[Hyrulian Outlaw]

Jamie, I have an HTC desire s, it also had a woeful battery life. May I suggest having a look around the android store and finding the widgets that let you turn things on and off with one touch. I just turn on the internet, wifi, bluetooth etc when I need them rather than have them on constantly draining the battery. Advanced task killer is great for saving battery too. I had to charge up everyday but since getting these few widgets I can go 3 day with medium usage.