Are high end smartphones worth the money (to you)?

[impulse]

Honest question.  I'm a cheap phone guy.  My current phone is a Samsung A05s, which seems to do everything I need.  Around 5000 baht (+/-).  

 

I'm wondering whether other people have found the extra features and speed of the higher end phones to be worth it, in their personal experience.  No wrong answers...  I realize it's a personal choice.  I'd just like some (preferably polite) input from people who aren't as cheap as me, and sprung for the higher end phones.

 

In fact, my favorite smartphone was my first, a Samsung S2 from 2011 or so.  I wish I could find a phone that size with today's tech.  They all seem to be going the other way, getting bigger and bigger.  (I'd add that the S2 cost me around 4x as much as the A05s, and that's before factoring in 10+ years of inflation)

 

[scubascuba3]

Memory and speed seems to be non issues, the thing to pay extra for is better camera, NFC, esim etc, depends what you need, if nothing special 5k baht is about right

[impulse]

26 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Memory and speed seems to be non issues, the thing to pay extra for is better camera, NFC, esim etc, depends what you need, if nothing special 5k baht is about right

 

I just wanted full HD screen resolution, a well known brand (for a stable OS) and dual SIM slots for traveling monthly between China and LOS.

 

I passed on NFC, an OLED screen, kick ass gaming, waterproofing and 5G. I'm trying to figure out what else I may be missing out on. 

 

I'm looking at the Samsung A16 as a backup/next phone.  But I'm hoping that the A05s will last as long as the S2 did.  It's still working 13+ years later and I use it occasionally as a video player.  It's the last one I bought with a removable battery.  If the A05s lasts as long, they'll probably have holographic phones or brain implants before I need to replace it.

 

[hotsun]

The cheap androids work just as well and last just as long as the iphones that cost 5x as much

[cjinchiangrai]

100% Android in the 6-10k range works fine for me. Fruit phones have less features and way bigger price tags. I don't need to be in the non-compatible club.

[impulse]

8 minutes ago, hotsun said:

The cheap androids work just as well and last just as long as the iphones that cost 5x as much

 

I'm still hoping for input from posters that may be happy they spent the $$$.

 

I recently had a Thai friend ask me if I thought he should repair his older Apple phone for 8,000 baht, or buy a new one for (I think) 24,000 baht.  I conceded he was asking the wrong guy.

 

Reading today, it seems Samsung has released the newest S25 (?) line in Korea, and the pre-orders are mostly around the top of that line.  That's what led me to wonder if I must be missing out on something?

 

[msbkk]

48 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Memory and speed seems to be non issues, the thing to pay extra for is better camera, NFC, esim etc, depends what you need, if nothing special 5k baht is about right

I do own 2 Android phones, one high and one for around 5,000 Baht. The cheap one is used only as GPS on my motorbike. I hate the cheap one and it is a known brand name. First of all the screen quality is so bad that it is very difficult to see anything during a bike ride. And in the hot season the screen turns black with a warning " device is overheated, cool down your phone". And last but not least it is so terrible slow, often there is a long delay after typing in my destination.

[msbkk]

2 minutes ago, impulse said:

 

I'm still hoping for input from posters that may be happy they spent the $$$.

 

I recently had a Thai friend ask me if I thought he should repair his older Apple phone for 8,000 baht, or buy a new one for (I think) 24,000 baht.  I conceded he was asking the wrong guy.

 

Reading today, it seems Samsung has released the newest S25 (?) line in Korea, and the pre-orders are mostly around the top of that line.  That's what led me to wonder if I must be missing out on something?

 

I love my high end Samsung. But a phone for me is much more than just making phone calls. The excellent screen, speed and camera

are worth the price in my opinion. I travel a lot and love taking photos and videos. For my other cheap phone just read my comments above in the previous answer.

[VR333]

Something like a Samsung A15 is good enough for many people, it's why so many are sold. My niece always has the latest and greatest Samsung at five times the price. In her job, she makes use of the premium features it comes with. I don't game, and I'm not making videos for YouTube, so while I can afford $2K for a phone, it would be a waste of money. A bright high-res screen with a snappy processor, maybe a step up from an A15 is all I need.

[BritManToo]

1 hour ago, impulse said:

I'm wondering whether other people have found the extra features and speed of the higher end phones to be worth it, in their personal experience.  No wrong answers...  I realize it's a personal choice.  I'd just like some (preferably polite) input from people who aren't as cheap as me, and sprung for the higher end phones.

I use Redmi 12c and 13c, (android 14) they cost around 2700bht each.

Not sure what extra features a more expensive phone could do? 

Give me a clue please?

[scubascuba3]

27 minutes ago, msbkk said:

I do own 2 Android phones, one high and one for around 5,000 Baht. The cheap one is used only as GPS on my motorbike. I hate the cheap one and it is a known brand name. First of all the screen quality is so bad that it is very difficult to see anything during a bike ride. And in the hot season the screen turns black with a warning " device is overheated, cool down your phone". And last but not least it is so terrible slow, often there is a long delay after typing in my destination.

Sounds like you've got a bad phone there, maybe even fake, the kind of thing people get from tukcom

[KhunLA]

Only if you are actually going to use the camera, as that is the price driver.  Don't need a fancy camera, (or a brand name) then you don't need to pay 10X as much for a phone that does everything else just fine.

[BritManToo]

32 minutes ago, msbkk said:

First of all the screen quality is so bad that it is very difficult to see anything during a bike ride. And in the hot season the screen turns black with a warning " device is overheated, cool down your phone".

Same for every make of phone out in the hot sun with a case on it.

Move it to the shade, take off the plastic case!

[scubascuba3]

50 minutes ago, impulse said:

I passed on NFC, an OLED screen, kick ass gaming, waterproofing and 5G. I'm trying to figure out what else I may be missing out on. 

NFC is mainly useful if going abroad where contactless is the main method of payment. My 5G phone connects better to my 5ghz fiber at home and is faster vs non 5G

[ChipButty]

I'm not into all these expensive phones I couldn't care less, I'm not impressed. I'm still using a Samsung A7, it's fine I hardly bother with photo's, I often wonder which one I would buy next, only 2 people call me, one I live with, the other my daughter calls me on What's app, that's it, 

 

Her in doors has the best Samsung available, according to her she needs it, I must admit the quality of the camera is superb you can see the difference, it means nothing to me, 

[The Fugitive]

Not the answer the OP is looking for but my Mrs has a friend with a mobile phone shop. She buys second hand five year old iPhones for both of us. She paid 8,000 baht for each of our iPhone 8 Plus's (256 GB) about three years ago. My old iPhone 7 Plus went to my stepdaughter who still uses it today. I don't care about the camera but my Mrs does. I use the NFC function but my Mrs doesn't. Single physical SIM isn't good. I use a VOIP virtual mobile number for home country calls and SMS OTP's. Would like eSIM and 5G mobile data network capability in that order.

[msbkk]

18 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Sounds like you've got a bad phone there, maybe even fake, the kind of thing people get from tukcom

No Sir, bought from Samsung. But specs are low.

[msbkk]

18 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Same for every make of phone out in the hot sun with a case on it.

Move it to the shade, take off the plastic case!

It simply does not happen with my high end phone. At least not yet.

[BritManToo]

10 minutes ago, msbkk said:

It simply does not happen with my high end phone. At least not yet.

Have you had it out on your m/c in the bike holder?

Phone overheating is almost always a problem with the phone case or holder.

Have you tried your cheap phone without the cheap plastic case around it?

[msbkk]

2 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Have you had it out on your m/c in the bike holder?

Phone overheating is almost always a problem with the phone case or holder.

Have you tried your cheap phone without the cheap plastic case around it?

No cheap plastic case. Quad lock system. I tried both of my phones. But I am talking about long tours in the torching sun. The 40.000 Baht phone works well in this regard.

[soalbundy]

2 hours ago, impulse said:

Honest question.  I'm a cheap phone guy.  My current phone is a Samsung A05s, which seems to do everything I need.  Around 5000 baht (+/-).  

 

I'm wondering whether other people have found the extra features and speed of the higher end phones to be worth it, in their personal experience.  No wrong answers...  I realize it's a personal choice.  I'd just like some (preferably polite) input from people who aren't as cheap as me, and sprung for the higher end phones.

 

In fact, my favorite smartphone was my first, a Samsung S2 from 2011 or so.  I wish I could find a phone that size with today's tech.  They all seem to be going the other way, getting bigger and bigger.  (I'd add that the S2 cost me around 4x as much as the A05s, and that's before factoring in 10+ years of inflation)

 

I don't even use the second hand one that my step daughter gave me.

[Ralf001]

Ive got a S25 Ultra with 1tb storage on pre-order... I hope it arrives soon, shoulld be a decent improvement over my S24.

[EVENKEEL]

45 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

I use Redmi 12c and 13c, (android 14) they cost around 2700bht each.

Not sure what extra features a more expensive phone could do? 

Give me a clue please?

It's all about the camera. My US number is in my Samsung s21 cost was $1300. Usd Camera will zoom to 100. My Thia phone was 5000 baht. 

[FritsSikkink]

No way, i will spend a lot on a phone.

[Ben Zioner]

2 hours ago, impulse said:

n fact, my favorite smartphone was my first, a Samsung S2 from 2011 or so.

Iphone SE, fits any pocket and any budget. 

 

But I know this is an anti Apple forum....

[OneMoreFarang]

I buy a new phone every couple of years, I think the last one was about 5 years ago. Mostly I buy something in the 6000 - 8000B range. Up to date, but not with all the very newest little things which will cost next year only half from what they cost today.

 

I think very few of the people who buy expensive phones really use them. I.e. the expensive phones have often better-quality cameras. But if the user/photographer has no idea how to take good pictures, then a good camera changes little.

 

And AI and whatever functions: Until now I never missed those functions.

I am sure my current phone has lots of functions which I never used and never missed. What's the point in a new phone with even more functions? 

[The Fugitive]

1 hour ago, ChipButty said:

I'm not into all these expensive phones I couldn't care less, I'm not impressed. I'm still using a Samsung A7, it's fine I hardly bother with photo's, I often wonder which one I would buy next, only 2 people call me, one I live with, the other my daughter calls me on What's app, that's it, 

 

Her in doors has the best Samsung available, according to her she needs it, I must admit the quality of the camera is superb you can see the difference, it means nothing to me.

I have a Samsung A7 which I keep charged up as backup. As you say, it's OK for communication. However, can't install my banking apps so it's not really a fully functioning backup phone.

[mogandave]

My wife likes getting the new “top model” iPhone. So I buy one when the new model comes out. 

 

Her old one goes to my son, and my son’s old one goes to me.

[brianburi]

1 hour ago, hotsun said:

The cheap androids work just as well and last just as long as the iphones that cost 5x as much

Really?  Two iPhones in the last ten years, iPhone 6 and now daily driver iPhone 13.  Bullet proof and appreciated by those deep in the Apple eco system. 

Might just wait for the 17, expected later this year.  

[Madgee]

I recently bought a Xiaomi 14T Pro for just under 20k, it came with 10k of accessories and a 4k robot vacuum cleaner! Lol. 
I am very impressed with the speed, hypercharge system (20 mins from 10% to 80%), battery life and the Leica camera system, as I recently took up amateur photography.  

The reviews on this phone are extremely positive, most stating it has the features of premium phones, some costing twice as much! 
I tend to use this phone much more than my old 5-year-old mid-price range phone as it's so much quicker and works flawlessly with Android Auto on my car, unlike my old phone that sometimes suffered with connection issues. 

I can understand some people objecting to paying over 10k for a phone, it comes down to whether you want the speed and features which some people don't (or are incapable of using). Each to their own.