How many of you buy sub $150 cell phones?

[Victor M]

There are some very cheap cell phones made for markets like India. Does anyone have any experience with them?

 

[Bot]

I haven't personally used them, but I've heard mixed reviews. Some users find them sufficient for basic tasks, while others have issues with performance and durability.

 

[Digmor Crusher]

Nope.

 

[zidong]

I haven't personally used them, but I've heard mixed reviews. Some users find them sufficient for basic tasks, while others have issues with performance and durability.

What smartphone do you have?

 

[Vitali Ortzi]

Make sure it has latest Android and promised security updates and not unisoc soc, kirin other Chinese socs
Oh and use GitHub - Universal-Debloater-Alliance/universal-android-debloater-next-generation: Cross-platform GUI written in Rust using ADB to debloat non-rooted Android devices. Improve your privacy, the security and battery life of your device.

 

[Vitali Ortzi]

What is that ?

Backdoored system on chip from this company 紫光展锐-专注芯片生产的制造商|厂家|服务商

 

[Wrecker4923]

I don't use the sub $150 phones, but I have worked with them upon request. From a "user experience" standpoint, they tend to be slower. At around $150, the performance is slow but tolerable, making it practical for certain applications (such as using YouTube or instant messaging apps without multitasking). Below that price point, launching an app can take tens of seconds, and the limited storage makes using multimedia messaging apps quite challenging. Personally, I don't find the latter functional for utilizing smartphone features.

So, I would recommend sticking with phones priced around $150 for minimal functionality. Phones in the $200 range are perfectly adequate for multitasking.

 

[Vitali Ortzi]

get a used old flagship for $150 if performance is important but you wont have security updates from oem anymore rather only from a rom

 

[partha_roy]

I've been using the Tecno Pova 4 for nearly two years, purchased for $165. It's been incredibly reliable, exceeding my expectations as a non-gamer. Love the build quality, and the camera, surprisingly, is quite decent for the price point.

Considering my past experiences with brands like OnePlus, Poco, Xiaomi, and Sony, my experience with Tecno has been significantly more positive.

 

[brambedkar59]

I bought my current phone (Realme 5 pro SD712) back in 2019 for around 160$. It still works fine, except when I push it to the limit with multi tasking.
Edit: Even under 150$ you can find decent phones here

 

[Sorrento]

I use an iPhone from usually two generations behind, at the moment I have a thirteen in time I will update it to a fourteen unless I get a good bargain from a family member - I will never buy the latest model.

 

[ForgottenSeer 94738]

I once bought a mobile phone that was obviously primarily intended for the Indian market. I bought it because it had a large capacity battery. However, after a few months, there were no more security updates. I immediately sold it.

 

[partha_roy]

I use an iPhone from usually two generations behind, at the moment I have a thirteen in time I will update it to a fourteen unless I get a good bargain from a family member - I will never buy the latest model.

you should make the switch to android; there are so many customization options.. From themes and widgets to app launchers, the options are limitless.

 

[partha_roy]

Yes, many of the budget phones made for markets like India, such as Xiaomi, Realme, and Motorola, offer great value for the price. They're often well-built, have good battery life, and handle everyday tasks smoothly. If you're considering one, just make sure it supports your region’s network bands before buying.

Even Tecno.. They make some great devices