Back in college I got my phones this way. Pretty much dependent on in person swaps where I could try to test things but I guess there are probably sites that streamline this these days.
And… I had no choice at the time. Couldn’t afford even the “cheap” phones. But… I would never do it again and I think I spent more money in the long run.
Because, with very few exceptions, people aren’t buying androids because they need the latest flagship phone. This isn’t an iphone where people think their human value is dependent on how old their iphone 95 is or whatever. People either (effectively) rent their phone from tmobile or they drive those into the ground until the battery is dead, the antenna is damaged, etc.
So I get a “good price” on something with a fairly short shelf life and just get frustrated when I actually use the phone. Which results in more frequent updates that I “could afford” because they were “so cheap”.
At the end of the day: If it is all you can afford and you need a phone now, it is a decent solution. But I will generally say it is better to try to save up for another few months/a year and get one of the cheaper phones that exist these days.
Because, checking the google fi site (which is usually a worse deal than having a “real” provider): you can get a last gen refresh 7a for 300 bucks, new, that will last you 2-4 years. Or you can get a moto g 5g for 30 USD (what the flying hell?).
Well, my 100-150€ phone has survived fine for over a year now.
When you consider the rule (I’ve heard) that a phone is supposedly old and should be updated to a new one after two years of purchase, I consider my phone being on a long run already!
A quick google says that the flagship androids have 7 years of guaranteed updated. Motorola says 3 years. Samsung is in the middle at 5.
And obviously anecdotal, but I tend to update my (usually pixel or samsung) phone on a three year life cycle. That is around the time that the battery needs some maintenance, I’ve left it under the seat of my car in 100 degree weather on a few outdoor trips, etc. And I’ve started to notice degraded performance whether it is reception or some bullshit app “updates” that mean I am reminded of watching a picture load on 56k and hoping the model isn’t wearing a top.
Which just makes sense. If my phone works, I am not going to replace it.
Which gets to it. If you “get lucky”, you are paying 100 bucks for a used phone that will last you two years. If you get unlucky, you have a piece of crap that might last you one before you “justify” a phone that can hold a charge.
Whereas, if you just shop the sales (and real mobile providers have some great discount incentives to keep you as a customer), you are paying 300 for three years. So 100/2 versus 300/3. Except you are more or less “guaranteed” the phone works (… which is why I would probably not recommend buying that 30 buck motorola phone).
Like, I am sure there are people who think they are Marques and buy a new flagship samsung every single year. But android is very much marketed toward the “I am gonna run this into the ground” crowd and that has generally been my experience over the years. You are more or less hoping you get lucky and the local tmobile store is running a side hustle to gouge people.
Again, if you need a phone now: 100 bucks is a much easier thing to budget than 300. And that 30 dollar doorstop… try and save up the 100 bucks.
True. I must say this is my first and only second-hand phone, so I’m very new on this stuff 😂
I was told about the update problems as well. In my case, I still receive updates on my Samsung.
I’d guess that putting some time on researching your options in second-hand phones reduces risks somewhat and adds to chances to end up with a decent find 😄
Back in college I got my phones this way. Pretty much dependent on in person swaps where I could try to test things but I guess there are probably sites that streamline this these days.
And… I had no choice at the time. Couldn’t afford even the “cheap” phones. But… I would never do it again and I think I spent more money in the long run.
Because, with very few exceptions, people aren’t buying androids because they need the latest flagship phone. This isn’t an iphone where people think their human value is dependent on how old their iphone 95 is or whatever. People either (effectively) rent their phone from tmobile or they drive those into the ground until the battery is dead, the antenna is damaged, etc.
So I get a “good price” on something with a fairly short shelf life and just get frustrated when I actually use the phone. Which results in more frequent updates that I “could afford” because they were “so cheap”.
At the end of the day: If it is all you can afford and you need a phone now, it is a decent solution. But I will generally say it is better to try to save up for another few months/a year and get one of the cheaper phones that exist these days.
Because, checking the google fi site (which is usually a worse deal than having a “real” provider): you can get a last gen refresh 7a for 300 bucks, new, that will last you 2-4 years. Or you can get a moto g 5g for 30 USD (what the flying hell?).
Well, my 100-150€ phone has survived fine for over a year now.
When you consider the rule (I’ve heard) that a phone is supposedly old and should be updated to a new one after two years of purchase, I consider my phone being on a long run already!
A quick google says that the flagship androids have 7 years of guaranteed updated. Motorola says 3 years. Samsung is in the middle at 5.
And obviously anecdotal, but I tend to update my (usually pixel or samsung) phone on a three year life cycle. That is around the time that the battery needs some maintenance, I’ve left it under the seat of my car in 100 degree weather on a few outdoor trips, etc. And I’ve started to notice degraded performance whether it is reception or some bullshit app “updates” that mean I am reminded of watching a picture load on 56k and hoping the model isn’t wearing a top.
Which just makes sense. If my phone works, I am not going to replace it.
Which gets to it. If you “get lucky”, you are paying 100 bucks for a used phone that will last you two years. If you get unlucky, you have a piece of crap that might last you one before you “justify” a phone that can hold a charge.
Whereas, if you just shop the sales (and real mobile providers have some great discount incentives to keep you as a customer), you are paying 300 for three years. So 100/2 versus 300/3. Except you are more or less “guaranteed” the phone works (… which is why I would probably not recommend buying that 30 buck motorola phone).
Like, I am sure there are people who think they are Marques and buy a new flagship samsung every single year. But android is very much marketed toward the “I am gonna run this into the ground” crowd and that has generally been my experience over the years. You are more or less hoping you get lucky and the local tmobile store is running a side hustle to gouge people.
Again, if you need a phone now: 100 bucks is a much easier thing to budget than 300. And that 30 dollar doorstop… try and save up the 100 bucks.
True. I must say this is my first and only second-hand phone, so I’m very new on this stuff 😂
I was told about the update problems as well. In my case, I still receive updates on my Samsung.
I’d guess that putting some time on researching your options in second-hand phones reduces risks somewhat and adds to chances to end up with a decent find 😄