Time for a new phone. Gravitating towards Xiaomi.

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henkc

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The battery on my trusty Note 20 is now no longer making a day of very light use. So, it's time for a new phone. I'm looking to spend less than R10k on something with reasonable performance, a decent camera and some future software updates. The obvious suspect here becomes a Samsung A56, except that all the reviews I see really don't sound particularly enthusiastic about it, less so about the A36. So, I've started to look beyond Samsung. What is currently catching my eye are the Xiaomi Note 14 Pro+ and Poco X7 Pro.

Any other suggestions?

Also, where is a good place to buy a phone. In the past, I've always had phones on a contract, with a phone allowance from my work. I'm retiring in a few months, so would prefer to buy a phone outright and have a lower monthly cost. I'm also wondering about migrating to Melon Mobile. Are there any red flags I should be aware of?
 
Note 14 pro has my vote.. we have been a note pro family since the note 9 now, having had every iteration to the note 13 at the moment..
 
For R10k on the dot you could get a Galaxy s24FE which is pretty decent this rendition and in terms of performance is pretty much a S24 (exynos edition). It will still be updated for the next 6 years with security and OS upgrades, I got my GF one and she loves it.

www.incredible.co.za

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE 128GB Graphite

Screen 6.7” FHD+ dynamic AMOLED 120Hz Camera rear 50MP + 12MP + 8MP Camera front 10MP 128GB storage and 8GB RAM Water and dust resistant (IP68) Galaxy AI Dual SIM (2x SIM) or (1x SIM, 1x eSIM) 2 Year Warranty
www.incredible.co.za www.incredible.co.za

Loot also has the 256gb model for R 10.5k

Samsung S24FE (256GB)(5G)(Dual Sim)

<b>(Parallel Import)<b></b><br><br>Display<br>• Size: 6.7 inches (170.1mm) • Type: Dynamic AMOLED 2X • Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels (FHD+) • Refresh Rate: 120Hz • Peak Brightness: Up to 1900 nits • Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+<br>Performance<br>• Processor: Samsung Exynos 2400e...
www.loot.co.za

If you are prepared to spend a bit more for absolute top of the line specs the Poco F7 pro is on takealot for R11.5k

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com

I wouldn't recommend Xiaomi unless you are familiar with them as some of their stock apps have ads in them which can be super annoying if you arn't used to it but can't beat the Poco for value here in South Africa. The best place to buy a phone is carbonite if you are in Durban/Cape Town/Jhb area and don't mind the effort of meeting someone, you can find phones like the S25 on there still boxed and sealed for like R14k where Samsung SA will sell the same phone for R 22k. Obviously only buy in person from guys with good Rep otherwise you will probably be scammed.
 
Last edited:
MattyW said:
I wouldn't recommend Xiaomi unless you are familiar with them as some of their stock apps have ads in them which can be super annoying if you arn't used to it but can't beat the Poco for value here in South Africa. The best place to buy a phone is carbonite if you are in Durban/Cape Town/Jhb area and don't mind the effort of meeting someone, you can find phones like the S25 on there still boxed and sealed for like R14k where Samsung SA will sell the same phone for R 22k. Obviously only buy in person from guys with good Rep otherwise you will probably be scammed.
Click to expand...
From the look of things, it's pretty trivial to disable the adverts. Is this actually the case?

Lupus said:
Not sure on the Xiaomi updates
Click to expand...
It seems to be quite complicated, but some phones seem to be getting 6 years of updates.
techweez.com

Xiaomi Extends Software Updates to 6 Years: Full List of Devices

Xiaomi has recently announced an extension of its software support policy, committing to six years of updates for a range of its smartphones.
techweez.com techweez.com
 
MattyW said:
For R10k on the dot you could get a Galaxy s24FE which is pretty decent this rendition and in terms of performance is pretty much a S24 (exynos edition). It will still be updated for the next 6 years with security and OS upgrades, I got my GF one and she loves it.

www.incredible.co.za

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE 128GB Graphite

Screen 6.7” FHD+ dynamic AMOLED 120Hz Camera rear 50MP + 12MP + 8MP Camera front 10MP 128GB storage and 8GB RAM Water and dust resistant (IP68) Galaxy AI Dual SIM (2x SIM) or (1x SIM, 1x eSIM) 2 Year Warranty
www.incredible.co.za www.incredible.co.za

Loot also has the 256gb model for R 10.5k

Samsung S24FE (256GB)(5G)(Dual Sim)

<b>(Parallel Import)<b></b><br><br>Display<br>• Size: 6.7 inches (170.1mm) • Type: Dynamic AMOLED 2X • Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels (FHD+) • Refresh Rate: 120Hz • Peak Brightness: Up to 1900 nits • Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+<br>Performance<br>• Processor: Samsung Exynos 2400e...
www.loot.co.za

If you are prepared to spend a bit more for absolute top of the line specs the Poco F7 pro is on takealot for R11.5k

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com

I wouldn't recommend Xiaomi unless you are familiar with them as some of their stock apps have ads in them which can be super annoying if you arn't used to it but can't beat the Poco for value here in South Africa. The best place to buy a phone is carbonite if you are in Durban/Cape Town/Jhb area and don't mind the effort of meeting someone, you can find phones like the S25 on there still boxed and sealed for like R14k where Samsung SA will sell the same phone for R 22k. Obviously only buy in person from guys with good Rep otherwise you will probably be scammed.
Click to expand...
This has my vote, I switched from Xiaomi to samsung had an a34 good phone but just too slow, a year later I got the S24FE and i'm very happy with it, great all rounder.
 
X7 Pro, or if you can stretch your budget then F7 Pro. You'll be getting flagship level performance on both. But the cameras aren't great.

If you want better cameras (but worse performance) then the Redmi Note 14.

You'll need to decide between performance and camera...
 
henkc said:
From the look of things, it's pretty trivial to disable the adverts. Is this actually the case?


It seems to be quite complicated, but some phones seem to be getting 6 years of updates.
techweez.com

Xiaomi Extends Software Updates to 6 Years: Full List of Devices

Xiaomi has recently announced an extension of its software support policy, committing to six years of updates for a range of its smartphones.
techweez.com techweez.com
Click to expand...

I havn't used Xiaomi for at least 3 years or so but it wasn't that simple back when I did still use them, you had to disable it first in MIUI and then individually in every single app and then whenever the phone updated it reset all the advertising again. Could be much better these days.
 
henkc said:
From the look of things, it's pretty trivial to disable the adverts. Is this actually the case?


It seems to be quite complicated, but some phones seem to be getting 6 years of updates.
techweez.com

Xiaomi Extends Software Updates to 6 Years: Full List of Devices

Xiaomi has recently announced an extension of its software support policy, committing to six years of updates for a range of its smartphones.
techweez.com techweez.com
Click to expand...
That's pretty decent from them. Getting better is good
 
MattyW said:
For R10k on the dot you could get a Galaxy s24FE which is pretty decent this rendition and in terms of performance is pretty much a S24 (exynos edition). It will still be updated for the next 6 years with security and OS upgrades, I got my GF one and she loves it.

www.incredible.co.za

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE 128GB Graphite

Screen 6.7” FHD+ dynamic AMOLED 120Hz Camera rear 50MP + 12MP + 8MP Camera front 10MP 128GB storage and 8GB RAM Water and dust resistant (IP68) Galaxy AI Dual SIM (2x SIM) or (1x SIM, 1x eSIM) 2 Year Warranty
www.incredible.co.za www.incredible.co.za

Loot also has the 256gb model for R 10.5k

Samsung S24FE (256GB)(5G)(Dual Sim)

<b>(Parallel Import)<b></b><br><br>Display<br>• Size: 6.7 inches (170.1mm) • Type: Dynamic AMOLED 2X • Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels (FHD+) • Refresh Rate: 120Hz • Peak Brightness: Up to 1900 nits • Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+<br>Performance<br>• Processor: Samsung Exynos 2400e...
www.loot.co.za

If you are prepared to spend a bit more for absolute top of the line specs the Poco F7 pro is on takealot for R11.5k

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com

I wouldn't recommend Xiaomi unless you are familiar with them as some of their stock apps have ads in them which can be super annoying if you arn't used to it but can't beat the Poco for value here in South Africa. The best place to buy a phone is carbonite if you are in Durban/Cape Town/Jhb area and don't mind the effort of meeting someone, you can find phones like the S25 on there still boxed and sealed for like R14k where Samsung SA will sell the same phone for R 22k. Obviously only buy in person from guys with good Rep otherwise you will probably be scammed.
Click to expand...
The Samsung FE phones are winners, even better just buy one secondhand because their resale value is terrible.
 
MattyW said:
For R10k on the dot you could get a Galaxy s24FE which is pretty decent this rendition and in terms of performance is pretty much a S24 (exynos edition). It will still be updated for the next 6 years with security and OS upgrades, I got my GF one and she loves it.

www.incredible.co.za

Samsung Galaxy S24 FE 128GB Graphite

Screen 6.7” FHD+ dynamic AMOLED 120Hz Camera rear 50MP + 12MP + 8MP Camera front 10MP 128GB storage and 8GB RAM Water and dust resistant (IP68) Galaxy AI Dual SIM (2x SIM) or (1x SIM, 1x eSIM) 2 Year Warranty
www.incredible.co.za www.incredible.co.za

Loot also has the 256gb model for R 10.5k

Samsung S24FE (256GB)(5G)(Dual Sim)

<b>(Parallel Import)<b></b><br><br>Display<br>• Size: 6.7 inches (170.1mm) • Type: Dynamic AMOLED 2X • Resolution: 1080 x 2340 pixels (FHD+) • Refresh Rate: 120Hz • Peak Brightness: Up to 1900 nits • Protection: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+<br>Performance<br>• Processor: Samsung Exynos 2400e...
www.loot.co.za

If you are prepared to spend a bit more for absolute top of the line specs the Poco F7 pro is on takealot for R11.5k

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.
www.takealot.com www.takealot.com

I wouldn't recommend Xiaomi unless you are familiar with them as some of their stock apps have ads in them which can be super annoying if you arn't used to it but can't beat the Poco for value here in South Africa. The best place to buy a phone is carbonite if you are in Durban/Cape Town/Jhb area and don't mind the effort of meeting someone, you can find phones like the S25 on there still boxed and sealed for like R14k where Samsung SA will sell the same phone for R 22k. Obviously only buy in person from guys with good Rep otherwise you will probably be scammed.
Click to expand...

Poco F7 Pro, looks tempting now.

I had a few Xiaomi and was able to block the ads. Remember there was a trick...

www.androidauthority.com

How to remove ads in Xiaomi phones with MIUI and HyperOS

Are you tired of those Xiaomi ads, which seem to be all over the phone? Let's help you remove ads in Xiaomi phones and clean up your UI.
www.androidauthority.com

Not sure if it still works.
 
henkc said:
From the look of things, it's pretty trivial to disable the adverts. Is this actually the case?


It seems to be quite complicated, but some phones seem to be getting 6 years of updates.
techweez.com

Xiaomi Extends Software Updates to 6 Years: Full List of Devices

Xiaomi has recently announced an extension of its software support policy, committing to six years of updates for a range of its smartphones.
techweez.com techweez.com
Click to expand...
I have no idea where people get ads from on Xiaomi phones.. neither I nor my wife has suffered under any adverts from Xiaomi on our respective phones..

We don't use the stock Xiaomi apps, no need for them, as the Google based versions of the various apps are perfect..
 
WAslayer said:
I have no idea where people get ads from on Xiaomi phones.. neither I nor my wife has suffered under any adverts from Xiaomi on our respective phones..

We don't use the stock Xiaomi apps, no need for them, as the Google based versions of the various apps are perfect..
Click to expand...
That's why you don't see the ads, though the xiaomi apps can actually be pretty good over the stock android apps.
 
WAslayer said:
I have no idea where people get ads from on Xiaomi phones.. neither I nor my wife has suffered under any adverts from Xiaomi on our respective phones..

We don't use the stock Xiaomi apps, no need for them, as the Google based versions of the various apps are perfect..
Click to expand...
Same. Although the Xiaomi file manager is far better than Google's. And the Security app is useful in cleaning up crap to free storage...
 
If you're willing to go through a bit of extra effort (and at own risk) there's various guides online that describe how you can use ADB with your phone connected to a computer to uninstall many of the Xiaomi apps as well (just be careful not to uninstall anything sy stem-critical or that you're logged into like Xiaomi Account). Then you end up with a pretty clean phone software-wise. I've done this on both my current & previous phone without issue. Occasionally a software update returns some of the apps but you can just repeat the process if you want.

As for updates, my Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE (yes it's really called that) is still receiving security updates nearly 4 years after release. Received a Xiaomi HyperOS update recently as well, but I don't expect to see any more Android version updates on it. Redmi phones typically have a shorter update support time frame from my experience, but I can't comment on Poco phones.
 
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