Which Smartphone do I buy ?

**Troy** · 14-04-2021, 01:04 AM

My cheap Nokia smartphone died yesterday, the battery won't charge and it isn't so easy to replace. I checked on youtube and you need to prise the screen away from the body, which won't happen without major damage if I do it. I'll keep the phone and get someone in Thailand to fix it for me and keep as a back-up.

Meanwhile, I've stuck my nano sim into the wife's old Samsung 6 and using that as a temporary solution until I get a new phone.

So, which phone do TD members recommend?

The wife says I should get a decent phone and stop buying cheap crap for myself. I bought her a Samsung Flip, which is a great phone but I think too expensive for my needs.

I am open to any suggestions but it must support the nano chip I have. I don't want to have to change my number as it is used for everything nowadays.

Some requirements:

It must be rugged enough to withstand being dropped and clipped to my bike (I often use google map or equiv. when cycling)
I break screens easily so scratchproof would be good.
Battery lasts at least the day

Due to lockdown I can't pop down to the local electrical store and browse the phones. I have to buy off Amazon or similar.

All suggestions welcome.

**strigils** · 14-04-2021, 01:08 AM

^ My only suggestion Troy is that if you get a smart phone, get one of the exceptionally untrendy cases which surround the phone and have a flip front, add to that a toughened glass fromt which they add. So far without those two additions i think my current smart phone would have lasted 2 months.

As it stands 2 years in my added glass front is cracked and chipped but underneath the original screen remains intact

**Edmond** · 14-04-2021, 01:18 AM

I was given a Xiaomi Redmi (I think) about a year ago.

Has been fantasitc.

I honestly couldn't want anything else from a phone.

Sure, there's probably somebody in Xuihai, Shingdao Prefecture that now has a passport under the name Eddie Cheddar, can dip into my bank accounts willy-nilly, and has enough porn to take over from xhamster, but nothing is free in this world eh.

**Troy** · 14-04-2021, 01:22 AM

^^ Good point. I had a back case for mine which offered drop protection. I also have a waterproof case with clear front to allow touchscreen when on the bike.

...and I don't need the shitty fingerprint reader my last phone had. Useless in the winter with globes on and useless in Thailand with the humidity.

**strigils** · 14-04-2021, 01:26 AM

^ do get the toughened glass added to the screen Troy, despite a crack or two it still works perfectly. I will get that replaced next decade once i get back to Thailand. The glass was something like 150THB in the Samsung shop fitted.

**Troy** · 14-04-2021, 01:36 AM

^ Will do...

Thanks for the suggestion Edmond. Wife will tell me it's cheap crap if it fails...also Xaiomi have better spec phones now for around the same price. Since I have to buy unseen that may be a risky option.

**PlanK** · 14-04-2021, 02:26 AM

Originally Posted by Troy

I am open to any suggestions but it must support the nano chip I have.

You can take your SIM into your local cell provider shop and get it transferred to another size, you're not locked in, in that respect. Not doable during lock-down, I know, but useful info for future purchases.

One thing to think about is do you have/want/are getting soon in your area, 5G? 4G phones are currently cheaper so not much point buying a higher priced 5G capable phone if you can't use that functionality. Also if you are gonna move countries anytime soon you might want to get one that's unlocked.

**Backspin** · 14-04-2021, 02:41 AM

Since you are a Nokia man, get the new Nokia. That's what Bond will be using next. But yeah, its an expensive unit. All these top line phones are like $1500+. The best deal would be the oldest Samsung S series that is available.

All of these phones use the same screen and the same parts. You just have to get a good case if you want to man up your phone.

**harrybarracuda** · 14-04-2021, 02:54 AM

Get a proper man's phone.

Cat phones: Rugged Phones

**sabang** · 14-04-2021, 04:32 AM

Since I left my Samsung in a damn changing room and it got nicked, I've been using a 4 year old Huawei as a stopgap. Damn, it's good- just more logical and easy to use than other smartphone brands I've tried. Still early days, but I may stick with this one for a while and not bother upgrading yet. Until I leave it in a bar or changing room too, that is.

**Cujo** · 14-04-2021, 05:28 AM

My best experience has been with the phone I've had now for 3 years without a hiccup. A lower end Samsung. Has plenty of memory, battery lasts well and has been dropped and knocked around without a scratch.
Cost the equivalent of about 12,000 baht.

**Fondles** · 14-04-2021, 06:32 AM

Originally Posted by Backspin

Since you are a Nokia man, get the new Nokia. That's what Bond will be using next. But yeah, its an expensive unit. All these top line phones are like $1500+. The best deal would be the oldest Samsung S series that is available.

All of these phones use the same screen and the same parts. You just have to get a good case if you want to man up your phone.

Thats a Nokia 5.4, they are Bt5500 here.

I have the Nokia 9 pure view and when the Nokia 10 is released I will upgrade to it... Rumored price is $699 so not sure where your getting the $1500+ from.