Cheap Basic 3G Phone

[lopburi3]

Any advise on a cheap (old guys) basic type 3G phone (like old 2G Nokia) that does not require charging all the time.  Only need for occasional calls and SMS messages.  Not a fan of touch screens on anything and use computer/mouse for normal internet access and much prefer eye candy to phone screens when out.  And hate having to charge every day or two.  Supplier does not want me to use 2G anymore and bribed with a free phone - but as said do not like touch screen/battery hogs (even with internet turned off).  This for DTAC network.

[ubonjoe]

Lazada has some cheap basic Nokia phones. https://www.lazada.co.th/shop-mobiles/nokia/?page=1&sort=priceasc

I bought a 3310 for my wife after she drowned a more expensive smartphone that she didn't use any of the features on it.

[lopburi3]

4 minutes ago, ubonjoe said:

Lazada has some cheap basic Nokia phones. https://www.lazada.co.th/shop-mobiles/nokia/?page=1&sort=priceasc

I bought a 3310 for my wife after she drowned a more expensive smartphone that she didn't use any of the features on it.

Most appear to be GSM 2G types however and DTAC does not want me using that (had one previously which use as night stand clock/alarm now that have 3G SIM).  

May have to accept smart phone touch screen for current 3G but if so would like long batter life rather than apps or speed.

[lopburi3]

Looks like 3310 models do provide 3G service - do you know which system DTAC uses for 3G?  Have tried reading website without much luck several times.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

42 minutes ago, lopburi3 said:

Most appear to be GSM 2G types however and DTAC does not want me using that (had one previously which use as night stand clock/alarm now that have 3G SIM).  

May have to accept smart phone touch screen for current 3G but if so would like long batter life rather than apps or speed.

 

There are various smartphone models out there these days that come with extra large batteries for long recharge intervals. One example would be the ASUS Max line, and I believe there are others.

 

But 2G here is really dying out, so you'd really want a 3G phone at minimum or preferably an LTE phone, even if one without a large touchscreen. I believe Nokia has just come out with a redo of one of their classic slider phones that I'm assuming has the latest radio technology, but not the big touchscreen.

 

 

This non touchscreen model is due for release in July, and is rated for 11 hours talk time and 600 hours standby on 3G, and has full band LTE coverage.  It's not an Android OS so not the apps universe of Android. But for just old school calling and SMS, and long charge life, might fit your bill.

 

On LTE:

Battery	1500 mAh Li-ion (removable) stand-by time: 25 days (4G single sim) 17.7 days (4G dual sim)

 

Re the phone's Kai OS:
 

Quote

 

Primary features of KaiOS is to bring support of 4G LTE, GPS and Wi-Fi with HTML5-based apps and longer battery life onto non-touch devices with optimized user interface, less memory and energy consumption.^[5][6] It also features over-the-air updates.^[7] A dedicated app marketplace called KaiStore enables users to download applications.^[8] Some services come preloaded as HTML5 applications, including Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.^[9] It is very light and is able to run on devices with just 256 MB of memory.^[10]

 

I'm just profiling the Nokia model to show that there are compatible options out there in terms of what you're looking for.

 

[altcar bob]

Nokia 3310 has 3g   about 1700 baht

[lopburi3]

Crunch time came last week after several 100% to 0% battery within an hour or two on my late/cheapo in battery saver mode.  Worked normal for few days and then died again.  Leagoo Z3C 4.5" about one year old and cost about 1,350 Baht.   Had to charge every 3 days or so even when working right and not using.

 

Have replaced with Redmi 5A at 2,880 Baht last week and after a week of dumb phone use (calls/sms only) still have 51% battery charge remaining.  Only slightly larger and easy to use and have full smart phone options if ever need and enough memory to run them.