Low cost smart phones with decent internal memory?

[Hal65]

In the past I made the mistake of buying a smart phone with 512 MB of internal memory. I came to find out that Google Android will not install many apps on the SD card even after using programs like App2SD.

 

My next phone will have at least 2 GB of internal memory. Can anyone recommend a good lower-cost option?

[mtls2005]

You can use sites like GSMArena and enter your spec criteria, and return models which meet your requirements.

 

http://www.gsmarena.com/search.php3

 

You might want to share: 

 

smart/dumb

your budget

your OS

data requirements

screen size

 

using just 2 GB of ROM will return a gazillion models.

 

 

Edited August 16, 2016 by mtls2005

[Hal65]

Ok, I'm looking for Android, around 1,500 baht (I want to not feel bad if it breaks or gets stolen so "on the cheap side"). Other criteria of no importance, just need Line on wifi and some other basic apps.

[Chivas]

I have a Doogee Y6 (think it is) with 2gb of RAM and 16gb storage which I use only in Thailand. Only cost £55 off ebay lovely phone for the money and not a big deal if you drop or lose it . Plenty of room for apps or certainly what I need anyway

[mtls2005]

Do you only need to use the phone in Thailand? Would you be happy being locked to a particular network? AIS, DTAC and TrueMove H all have some 'bargain' phones, but these may be locked to that network, and you may have to subscribe to a specific plan.

 

http://www.ais.co.th/supervaluepack/smartphone/

http://www.dtac.co.th/search/device/index.html?ftp=dp&dmanu=dtac&dmdel=&pmp=900

https://truemoveh.truecorp.co.th/device/detail/183?bundle=package

 

You could grind through http://www.thaimobilecenter.com/home/index.asp looking for models which might meet your budget.

 

1,500 THB is a fairly aggressive price-point, unless second-hand or found on the road.

[Hal65]

There are phones for 1,500 and below at Big C. I would be happy with an AIS phone also

[mtls2005]

http://www.shopat7.com/mobile/cherry-mobile/spin-2-black.html

[Hal65]

8 hours ago, mtls2005 said:

http://www.shopat7.com/mobile/cherry-mobile/spin-2-black.html

 

Memory
ROM 4 GB. / RAM 512 MB.

 

Does that mean only 512 mb app storage (neglecting an APP2SD type of program)?

[mtls2005]

Yes, just 512 MB.

 

It's hard to find a decent smartphone at that price point with a lot of internal memory, even at Big C.

 

http://www.bigc.co.th/i-mobile-smartphone-model-i-style-219.html

 

http://www.bigc.co.th/ais-smartphone-model-super-combo-lava-iris-360-3-5-inch.html

 

http://www.bigc.co.th/true-smartphone-smart-max-4-inch.html

[johng]

10 hours ago, Hal65 said:

Does that mean only 512 mb app storage

 

Errm  apps are stored on the ROM and sdcard partition  and loaded/unloaded into RAM as  and when necessary

or am I wrong ?

[Gary A]

I noticed that the Microsoft Lumina 640 LTE is now priced at 3,450 baht. I bought one some months back just to see what a Windows 10 phone was all about. Android is without a doubt a better system but the Lumina hardware is VERY good. 8 GB memory and is compatible with a memory card. The signal strength and call quality is excellent. The camera is also excellent as well as battery life. The battery is removable. I had a Samsung Galaxy S3 that I replaced to screen and was using it. Right now I'm using a phone as a hotspot modem for the Internet. I was disappointed with the S3 speed and tried the Lumina. It is much faster.  The S3 is now in a drawer and the Lumina is back as my daily driver.

 

I posted this to say that the Lumina is a lot of phone for a small price. If you can get used to Windows 10, it may be the best choice you could make for an inexpensive phone. Windows 10 is not as intuitive as Android but everything is there if you look for it. There are a lot fewer apps but I have found what apps I use.

[Xircal]

8 hours ago, Gary A said:

I noticed that the Microsoft Lumina 640 LTE is now priced at 3,450 baht. I bought one some months back just to see what a Windows 10 phone was all about. Android is without a doubt a better system but the Lumina hardware is VERY good. 8 GB memory and is compatible with a memory card. The signal strength and call quality is excellent. The camera is also excellent as well as battery life. The battery is removable. I had a Samsung Galaxy S3 that I replaced to screen and was using it. Right now I'm using a phone as a hotspot modem for the Internet. I was disappointed with the S3 speed and tried the Lumina. It is much faster.  The S3 is now in a drawer and the Lumina is back as my daily driver.

 

I posted this to say that the Lumina is a lot of phone for a small price. If you can get used to Windows 10, it may be the best choice you could make for an inexpensive phone. Windows 10 is not as intuitive as Android but everything is there if you look for it. There are a lot fewer apps but I have found what apps I use.

 

Don't buy a Windows phone: https://gizmodo.com/microsoft-is-demolishing-its-smartphone-business-1778594627

 

Also, you won't qualify for the free Windows 10 upgrade on the Lumina 640 which Gary A suggested. That's why it's cheap: http://betanews.com/2016/03/21/windows-10-mobile-does-not-support-older-lumias/

 

 

[Xircal]

8 hours ago, Gary A said:

I noticed that the Microsoft Lumina 640 LTE is now priced at 3,450 baht. I bought one some months back just to see what a Windows 10 phone was all about. Android is without a doubt a better system but the Lumina hardware is VERY good. 8 GB memory and is compatible with a memory card. The signal strength and call quality is excellent. The camera is also excellent as well as battery life. The battery is removable. I had a Samsung Galaxy S3 that I replaced to screen and was using it. Right now I'm using a phone as a hotspot modem for the Internet. I was disappointed with the S3 speed and tried the Lumina. It is much faster.  The S3 is now in a drawer and the Lumina is back as my daily driver.

 

I posted this to say that the Lumina is a lot of phone for a small price. If you can get used to Windows 10, it may be the best choice you could make for an inexpensive phone. Windows 10 is not as intuitive as Android but everything is there if you look for it. There are a lot fewer apps but I have found what apps I use.

 

Don't buy a Windows phone: https://gizmodo.com/microsoft-is-demolishing-its-smartphone-business-1778594627

 

Also, you won't qualify for the free Windows 10 upgrade on the Lumina 640 which Gary A suggested. That's why it's cheap: http://betanews.com/2016/03/21/windows-10-mobile-does-not-support-older-lumias/

 

 

[Gary A]

9 hours ago, Xircal said:

 

Don't buy a Windows phone: https://gizmodo.com/microsoft-is-demolishing-its-smartphone-business-1778594627

 

Also, you won't qualify for the free Windows 10 upgrade on the Lumina 640 which Gary A suggested. That's why it's cheap: http://betanews.com/2016/03/21/windows-10-mobile-does-not-support-older-lumias/

 

 

 

That's rather odd. My Lumina 640 upgraded to Windows 10. 

 

My Lumina 640 LTE upgraded a couple months ago. Whatever MS ends up doing is OK with me. The phone will be entirely obsolete in a couple years anyways. In the meantime, I am quite impressed with the hardware and performance. I don't care if Windows phones totally die.  I have mentioned that Android is a better operating system. Like many others I'm NOT a MS fanboy.

Edited September 16, 2016 by Gary A
Add info

[JaseTheBass]

 
Don't buy a Windows phone: https://gizmodo.com/microsoft-is-demolishing-its-smartphone-business-1778594627
 
Also, you won't qualify for the free Windows 10 upgrade on the Lumina 640 which Gary A suggested. That's why it's cheap: http://betanews.com/2016/03/21/windows-10-mobile-does-not-support-older-lumias/
 
 

Nonsense. My wife had a 640 which upgraded to W10. Sadly W8.5 was better so we have now both ditched MS phones and gone over to Android now that the OS is actually usable.

[Xircal]

7 hours ago, JaseTheBass said:

Nonsense. My wife had a 640 which upgraded to W10. Sadly W8.5 was better so we have now both ditched MS phones and gone over to Android now that the OS is actually usable.

 

I provided the links to save anyone the problem they're likely to come across by buying a Windows phone and then discovering it can't be upgraded (according to the editors who wrote those articles).

 

[Gary A]

I can assure you that my Lumina 640 LTE has Windows 10. Even if still had Windows 8.1, it is still a great piece of hardware. I still have an old Nokia C5 5MP and other than the small screen it takes very good pictures and has good reception and voice quality. Granted, it doesn't do much else but is great for calls and taking pictures.

 

As a side note, my Wife's Galaxy S5 died a few days ago. As you likely know that was a Samsung flagship.

[Gary A]

On 10/6/2016 at 5:36 PM, Gary A said:

I can assure you that my Lumina 640 LTE has Windows 10. Even if still had Windows 8.1, it is still a great piece of hardware. I still have an old Nokia C5 5MP and other than the small screen it takes very good pictures and has good reception and voice quality. Granted, it doesn't do much else but is great for calls and taking pictures.

 

As a side note, my Wife's Galaxy S5 died a few days ago. As you likely know that was a Samsung flagship.

 

As I suspected, the mainboard failed. Samsung wants 7,000 baht to replace it. That's two S4's and now an S5 with mainboard failures. I'm finished with Samsung phones. I'll see how long the Microsoft Lumina lasts. I can buy two more Luminas for the cost of the S5 repair. With the latest Samsungs catching on fire and my experiences that's a good reason to change brands.

[siam2007]

WIKO ROBBY (2016 version) - 2 GB RAM / 16 GB internal. 5.5" screen. android 6.0

very friendly update policy

cost: 3.790 THB (make sure you get the 2016 version as the older version comes with 1GB Ram)

[norbra]

BIGC is offering a smart phone by IAS for 34baht + 400baht of calls = 432 baht ,is 4G 2 cams 4GB internal mem 4" screen for purchase by Thai citizens only.

They work great for LINE.internet browsing and WIFI

[themerg]

 We are being worked over by the smartphone industry and they are winning.

The market is made in such a way that if you want apps, you will have to go for the higher RAM and the higher price.

The higher RAM and ROM will be the standard soon.

I you do not want apps, go to Gearbest.com for an 800 baht,32 gb RAM and 32 gb ROM GSM only phone.

If you want apps, 1 gb RAM will not be enough.

I found all this the hard way over the course of 2 years in LOS.

I just got a One plus 3 phone for 16900 from Lazada.co.th. I paid through 7-11, had in my hands in 4 days. Phone is 5.5 inch, 6 gb RAM, 64 gb ROM, dual sim card, no SD card but who needs an SD card with 64 gb ROM.

My advice is pay a lot but not a lot of a lot, and I am cheap.

Edited October 19, 2016 by themerg
typing mistakes

[Jingthing]

I would go for at least 16 GB fixed storage. There are plenty of lower priced phones now with that. 

[ikbenhet]

RAM : Random Access Memory

ROM: Read Only Memory 

So a SmartPhone with specs 2GB/512MB  will have 2GB internal storage(to store the OS and Apps) and 512 MB RAM (internal memory) to run the OS and Apps in.

An optional SD card will give you additional storage which can only be used for the storage of some Apps, not all apps are compatible, and data (Docs,photo's, Music, Movies. etc.) 

 

Edited October 19, 2016 by ikbenhet

[Jingthing]

 I've found 2 GB definitely not enough. Like the OP, many apps can't be moved to SD card so it didn't take many apps to where I basically have to delete an app to install one.

[BrainLife]

Now you are smart, guess you can buy a new smartphone

[Cheops]

4 hours ago, norbra said:

BIGC is offering a smart phone by IAS for 34baht + 400baht of calls = 432 baht ,is 4G 2 cams 4GB internal mem 4" screen for purchase by Thai citizens only.

They work great for LINE.internet browsing and WIFI

We have one for our 6 year old son. I have to say it's pretty capable and not too slow. If you don't need a high end this will do fine. It's a prepaid phone.  Not sure though if it's locked to a provider, but the phone will be mostly used with wifi anyway. It even has indeed 4G and GPS as well. Also tons of other features. Very bright screen also. Don't know about battery life. 

 

Don't know the requirement if for Thai only. My wife and sil bought it when shopping last week.

 

Anyway for the money 432 Thai baht its of course worth it! 

[realenglish1]

For the money OPPO is a good phone for about 5000 baht Great Memory