Which Mobile Phone?

[HHTel]

Crikey ! If you paid 7,000 4 years ago, that was a very good phone. Dont tell is it was a.cheapo :-)

It was/is a Samsung J7+ which I liked because of the big screen. Others around me were paying 4 and 5 times that price at the time.
Anyway, it's never gone wrong, charge lasts 2 days or more, the few pics I take appear perfect when uploaded to my laptop, and it pairs with the system in my car for 'hands free'.

[Dannie Boy]

The reason there’s such a bewildering range of phones is that there’s one to suit everyone’s requirements/budget. If you just need a phone for occasional contact with Skype or WhatsApp you can get that for <5,000 Baht, but if you want all the bells and whistles you can spend >30,000+ You pays your money and take your choice!!

[Big Boy]

Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to rubbish better phones, some are really brilliant bits of kit. I remember 10 years ago when I bought a Samsung Galaxy S2. For it's time, a brilliant bit of kit, but honestly, Mrs BB's <5K cheapo would far out perform it now.

I simply get p'd off with the prick extension brigade - most commonly iphone users paying stupid money to upgrade from iX to iY every year. I ask them what the iY does that the iX didn't do? They tell me it can do this, that and the other, but whenever I ask them to show me, they've never done it yet. They nearly always talk about the super camera, but their photos are usually of stuff people wouldn't have dreamt of photographing 10 years ago, and do we really need to see a plate of somtam in such detail? As for these 3D photos - yuk!

I ask again, what are you guys with all singing, all dancing phones doing with them, over and above the norm?

[buksida]

I ask again, what are you guys with all singing, all dancing phones doing with them, over and above the norm?

You should look at phones the same way as you do laptops - they are essentially computers with similar components (cpu, ram, hdd, gpu etc).

A cheapo (2-3k) will be like having a 5-year-old single or dual-core laptop, a tiny amount of RAM, a small low res screen, and limited storage so trying to run the latest OS and apps is going to be painfully slow - if it manages at all.

A mid-range one (6-8k) will be like a modern multi-core laptop with a lot of memory capable of running the latest software and apps with snappy performance. The top-end ones (12k+) are largely for phone snobs but they are even faster with better hardware, screens, cameras, etc.

It is all down to what you want it for - if you only use it for calls and don't want the latest software or any apps a cheapo will be fine. If (like most people) you want it to do a bit more like running the odd game or being responsive when using maps and social media or have the capacity for more modern apps or storing and playing media, a mid-range one will do the job. If you want to show off in front of your mates, pay even more for a top-end iPhart ...

Its been said already - but all down to personal preferences, and sadly the majority today are addicted to social media.

[Big Boy]

I've mentioned my wife's phone, which impressed me so much for everyday use and cost <5K several times on here. Speed wise, I'd say 3 to 4 x of mine. However, whenever I've mentioned it, I get the feeling people have looked at the price and moved on rather swiftly. I was so impressed, I bought one for my daughter, and several people have seen her phone and also bought the same model when they changed their phones.

No, it's probably not as good as many expensive phones, but probably a lot better than many people currently have in their pockets (me included). Yes, a slightly better spec than those talked about above, but broad statements such as, "Id say that is under specced for just about everyone who would use a smartphone," make me see red. During thecolonel's marathon search for a phone, I did mention my wife's model and I got the feeling it was completely ignored because at that price it couldn't be very good. If not, I apologise and maybe thecolonel could tell me where it fell down/what it couldn't do.

I'd really like to know what people use their phones for that can't be done on cheaper models. I keep asking, but the silence is deafening.

By all means, if you have money to burn buy yourself a swanky phone (my S2 was a retirement gift). But don't rubbish somebody else's choice because they have made a shrewder investment.

[buksida]

I'd really like to know what people use their phones for that can't be done on cheaper models. I keep asking, but the silence is deafening.

You have had plenty of replies/answers - but you're ignoring them and repeating the question.

Since you ask - here is the comparison between the two devices in question: https://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?i ... one2=10415

The one that costs less than 3,000 baht more has a larger full HD screen, better audio, better chipset, double the RAM, double the storage, far superior camera, and a bigger battery. Just like a laptop, for the difference in price there is a reason people want a better spec.

[Big Boy]

Yes, plenty of answers, but not to my question.

I'm not doubting the technical superiority. I like the idea of a better battery, although my wife's phone seems to be like a Duracell Bunny. A better camera is nice, but as you've seen many times, I'm no David Bailey. My crap snaps wouldn't be improved that much .

Yes, I appreciate technically these phones are far superior, but what I'm asking is what 'most users' as referred to are doing that I'm not with their phones? e.g. taking photos, making phone calls, using as a satnav, messaging, etc. What am I missing out on because my phone is is under specced for just about everyone who would use a smartphone?

[Dannie Boy]

Plus you have to factor in the cunning marketing guys - in a similar way to cars, why do some people feel the need to buy a Mercedes or BMW, whereas others are happy with a Toyota or Mazda, when they all do a similar thing, just not so many bells and whistles?

[buksida]

If you don't do much with a phone and have hardly any apps on it, you won't miss anything - an empty phone will be *relatively* fast.

If it is loaded with apps, media, games, navigation, productivity, banking, etc - the better spec one will handle it all much faster and more efficiently. Common sense really - why did you spend 20k+ on a laptop when you could have bought a cheapo slow one for 14k?

[Big Boy]

Thank you, you've answered the question. I guess the big one there is games. I gave up playing games on a mobile when Snake was driving me mad . You are right, I very much doubt my phone would handle many modern games, but that would take me down the unsocial road that I wouldn't want to go down. I simply don't trust banking on a mobile phone, although I don't doubt my phone would handle it, although it doesn't support fingerprint technology.

Productivity is an area I've never ventured into - what is it please?

why did you spend 20k+ on a laptop when you could have bought a cheapo slow one for 14k?

I felt the added benefits would be worth the added investment. However, I will not go around making statements about people who purchase a lessor model like "Id say that is under specced for just about everyone who would use a laptop."

[thecolonel]

Thank you, you've answered the question. I guess the big one there is games. I gave up playing games on a mobile when Snake was driving me mad . You are right, I very much doubt my phone would handle many modern games, but that would take me down the unsocial road that I wouldn't want to go down. I simply don't trust banking on a mobile phone, although I don't doubt my phone would handle it, although it doesn't support fingerprint technology.

Productivity is an area I've never ventured into - what is it please?

why did you spend 20k+ on a laptop when you could have bought a cheapo slow one for 14k?

I felt the added benefits would be worth the added investment. However, I will not go around making statements about people who purchase a lessor model like "Id say that is under specced for just about everyone who would use a laptop."

Sorry late reply(contrary to what some think I have a life...)

Before you start lecturing people and 'seeing red' about their views, nb based on multiple experiences(phones) and extensive research, do you even know how much RAM your phone has?

In all your multiple posts on this matter("others have a life" really?!) you fail to state it, which I find kind of telling You say your cheaper phone is great for you and other people are wasting their money etc but you fail to state the specs. And according to Buksi's link it has 3GB( although I'm aware it came with less too).

If 3GB the words Chalk and Cheese spring to mind! The practical difference between 1gb of RAM and 3 is enormous.

But more importantly, even if yours is only 1GB, what I said was...

"Re the 3000 baht nokky... I genuinely wonder what type of user can cope with a smartphone with 1gb of ram and 16gb of storage?

Id say that is under specced for just about everyone who would use a smartphone"

Plus I repeated that 1gb of Ram was dangerously low nowadays (nb its all the lower specs of every other aspect of the phone that come with that) and that people should be careful about not wasting their money on something that may well under perform in 6 to 12 months time and have to buy again.

But you chose to jump down my throat and lecture me about getting a life. Bit rich as you spend all day of yours on this forum arguing with people about the specs of mobile phones, yet telling them to get off their phones(devices). Does anyone post more than you? Kind of ironic

And again generalising, something which you can't seem to get your head around as you can only focus on your own experiences and views, MOST people who get a smartphone end up doing way more on it than they originally anticipated. Simple fact. That's one of the reasons why manufacturers now provide phones with more RAM and storage than they did 3 or 5 years ago.

But anyway you're happy with your phone (with 7 or so apps on it) so everyone else should just shut up("Don't make statements like...") Then you complain the silence is deafening

As long as I operate within the forum rules I believe I am allowed to express my opinion especially when based on solid research and multiple personal experiences. I don't expect to effectively told to shut up. That's extremely poor form.

Perhaps as a moderator you should learn to calm down(as in moderate) not be so objectionable and 'see red' at others who have a different opinion to you.

In the meantime, as this forum is about helping people choose a phone I repeat...

1GB of RAM is dangerously low for the majority of people getting a smartphone

And I'm confident the majority of smartphone world would agree with that statement.

Was just trying to help others(eg Buksi bought the phone I bought based on my research, didnt have to be that one just happened to suit him)

Enjoy your day

Ps re iPricks, you're preaching to the converted. Wouldn't be seen dead with one. They are fashion accessories for girls! To be fair, they are better phones now than they were 5 years ago but still ridiculously overpriced.




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[Big Boy]

I am simply asking what you are doing with your phone that a lessor model can't do, to which to date, you have failed to answer.

Forget specs (yes, of course I know the specs of my phones), I am asking, in layman's terms what I am missing out on. Buksi has told me 3, one of which I wouldn't want to use it on anyway. Is there anything else.

[hhinner]

BB this discussion started about the deficiencies of phones with only 1 - 1.5 GB RAM. It seems your phone has 3 GB RAM. In terms of phone RAM that's going to make a big difference to performance over the 1 GB and 1.5 GB phones. Probably your cpu and gpu are better as well.

I would expect if you were able to try one of those "lesser" phones and compare it to your current phone you would very quickly appreciate the difference. Just using a browser would probably have you impatiently tapping your fingers, especially with more than a couple of tabs open.

[huahin4ever]

Try to speed write messages on a low spec phone. You will end up throwing it onto a wall, but again one finger, tap,tap,tap,tap with one finger writing it is good enough. I have followed this discussion for some time now, and there are two things I get from it.

1. Seems like it is older people discussing new types of smart phones, which have no clue what younger people do with their phones, and young people are extremely well in multitasking on their phones, which is useless on old and slow phones.

2. If you have proper modern and fast smart phone, you may do everything you do on a laptop, but on the go and more! Many people do this these days, including me, but this is not something many retired/pensioners/old people do, with only a few exceptions, so they are probably well off with an old and slow phone.

I myself have tried old and slow phones, and never again! PS! I use my smart phone for almost everything, i.e. multiple email accounts including business email through Exchange. Photos, taking and editing, sharing etc. Internet banking through multiple banks overseas and here in Thailand. Personal ID for financial and government pages in my home country (I'm officially still living in my home country). A must for me is a lot of internal storage du to I use the memory card slot for a 2nd SIM (Thai SIM and SIM from my home country). Browsing with multiple tabs, social media etc etc. Navigation is much faster on a proper smart phone with proper specs than an old one, and more useful when I can store a lot of offline maps. Sometime I even connect to a laptop and can use features on my phone as messaging and calling through my laptop on the phone. And off course I use office apps too. What I really do not do too much is gaming, but it is nice to have a phone which can run all mobile games. At last newer and better phones have large screens with proper resolution and brightness to be used in sunlight etc. Very important if you use it for navigation riding motorcycles, which I do!

I can go on and on and on, but for you elder people I understand maybe all this is not necessary. I'm in my forties, but I have a feeling most of you gyus discussing on here are 60,70, 80 plus, and it is well documentend elderly people doesn't always see what new and fast devices can do because they do not need the features, but that doesn't mean others don't need them!

[Big Boy]

BB this discussion started about the deficiencies of phones with only 1 - 1.5 GB RAM. It seems your phone has 3 GB RAM.

My wife's phone has 3Gb. Mine is much slower.