Budget Android

ronz91

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Hi gents

My mum has been complaining that her Xiaomi Redmi 8A (32gb/2gb) does weird stuff and lags etc. When I checked the phone, I see she is running low on storage, so I assume this to be the main issue. I have put a memory card in but she does not transfer to it so its mostly empty. I could format the sd card as internal memory but then that would probably require messing photos and shes really fussy about them not changing order in her gallery, as in newer photos being at the top etc as this has gotten messed up in the past when I have moved stuff over to the memory card before.

I also saw TA has this on dailydeal today:
1679983752930.png

This got me thinking of possible options to fix this situation:

  • Buy an old flagship
    • Pros
      • Performance
      • More storage
    • Cons
      • Battery life
      • Support
      • Security
  • Buy a Galaxy A33/A34
    • Pros
      • 4/5 years support
      • New hardware
      • Support
    • Cons
      • Possible performance trouble after a few years
  • Format memory card as internal storage on Xiaomi
    • Pros
      • Cheap
    • Cons
      • Phone might need to be formatted?
      • Photo order might get mixed up(see intro)
  • Custom rom on Xiaomi?
    • Pros
      • Better performance
    • Cons
      • Format device
      • Effort
      • Possible unforeseen issues?
  • Other old device that is cheap with more memory, easier to custom rom
    • Pros
      • Better performance?
      • Better security
      • More memory
      • Cheapish?
      • Can sort out first and not interfere with Xiaomi until ready
    • Cons
      • Effort
  • iPhone(@epah is probably already itching by this point in the list :laugh: )
    • Pros
      • Performance
      • Security
      • Long term support
    • Cons
      • Expensive for decent storage
      • Unfamiliar os
Anything I am not considering? Other advice? Recommendations for custom rom devices/ old flagships to consider?
 
Your answer will always be Iphone. But that will only be if you spend 7k+ on a newer secondhand model. Buying an older cheaper Iphone will just give you a year or two before its obsolete.
When I see really old people that seems to know how to use a phone, they always have an iPhone.
 
Your answer will always be Iphone. But that will only be if you spend 7k+ on a newer secondhand model. Buying an older cheaper Iphone will just give you a year or two before its obsolete.
When I see really old people that seems to know how to use a phone, they always have an iPhone.
yeah thats abit above budget, esp for a device that might get dropped.
 
I will also throw in devices on here for my own future reference
 
@backstreetboy have you added a memory card as internal memory on an android thats already in use? I feel like I have seen you advise it before
 
possible I suppose. S9 seems so old tho. Are batteries easy to source for reasonable money?

You ran a custom S9 right?
correct, and correct, My S9 is on Arrow OS but they stopped releasing updates,
need to go to another ROM, I see lineage Team started Development up again,
need to find the time to switch over.

s9 very solid phone, batteries available on Takealot even, cases, screens almost everything.
and mine I brought used off epicdeals. paid 1,7K for it back in the day with a Busted screen,

Dont Kill me for this, but Honestly the S10/S9's are the best Android Smartphones one can get,
sure Im still set on a Fairphone 4, but unless I cough up 8k to import one, next best thing is buying a old Flagship
 
s9 very solid phone, batteries available on Takealot even, cases, screens almost everything.
and mine I brought used off epicdeals. paid 1,7K for it back in the day with a Busted screen
how much is a decent one?
Dont Kill me for this, but Honestly the S10/S9's are the best Android Smartphones one can get,
sure Im still set on a Fairphone 4, but unless I cough up 8k to import one, next best thing is buying a old Flagship
valid option to me atleast
 
how much is a decent one?
well I didnt find a S9 like mine, but this might also work for you

S7 with a cracked screen: take it to a Pakistani to see what he can do to fix it up

you can even try pay a bit more and get an A8 in decent condition:
 
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