Yeah…
Sorry this is a week late. Too busy funposting elsewhere on Lemmy this week.
Previously on Lemmy:
Past Discussions:
Not much to write about, rules are the same as the one for midrange guide. Price range would be 0-300 USD for the States, and use your local currency as appropriate.
I would like to see people list some interesting budget models that we don’t usually talk about here this week for sure.
If I were to buy my own cheap phone, from my preferred local store, I would be limited to pretty much Samsung, and Chinese phones such as Xiaomi.
From experience using an extended Wifi (open area, multiple routers and extenders), Samsung models seem to have the most problem on the edges. People with Chinese phones (and in general, iPhones) don’t seem to have this problem. So, Samsung is out for me. I would consider Samsung if my regularly-used Wifi signal is strong.
These damn phones last more than 3 years. Having a 2-3 year update policy (normal for cheap Chinese phones) are pretty wasteful. Therefore, the phone should be likely to support custom ROMs. For this purpose, Xiaomi is it.
Xiaomi models come with either MediaTek or SnapDragon CPUs. Since phones are often used a security device (2nd factor and such), having a hardware-backed storage is something to be desired. For this purpose, SnapDragon is it.
Two models I end up with:
XIAOMI Redmi Note 12 4G (8+256) ~USD$ 172
XIAOMI Redmi Note 12 5G (8+256) ~USD$ 245
Sorry about no price ranges. This store usually sells phones on the lower half of the spectrum, though. So, let’s say they are mid prices.
I would personally would grab the 4G version. Faster CPU. Possibly newer Android. I am on Wifi most of the time. Don’t need 5G.
Yea, if your area sells Xiaomi phones, they’re very hard to beat. The Note series at this stage offers fast refresh OLED screens, a decent SoC, cameras, and enthusiast favourites like SD card slot and headphone jack. Shame the higher end versions drop the card slot, but you do get OIS in the main camera. All-in-all a very complete package that is hard to beat.
Ive been using XIAOMI REDMI NOTE 10 and it was rly nice budget phone. But I had huge problem with proximity sensor not working properly. I have many phone calls every day and 50% of them would end up being on hold or muted by mistake. The sensor doesnt turn off the screen when I put it on my ear, then I probably press the button with ear… It sucks hard, it was first time I replaced quite new phone. Ive read that some models dont use sensor, but they use camera instead. Is redmi note 12 having the same problem do you know?
Thanks for sharing, but I don’t know since I don’t own it.
What do you think of the Redmi 12 (aka POCO M6 Pro)? Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 but 6 RAM + 128 memory. Rest same as Note 12 4G.
I dislike my apps being dropped by the OS at 8GB, so I personally think a 2GB upgrade is worth it. 128GB would be enough for me too, though. Overall, I think 6GB is usable, but I personally would upgrade.
These are within the price range, so you’re good.
How are the receptions on these Xiaomi phones in the States? I don’t think they support a lot of the US LTE bands.
Regarding the US reception, I don’t know. 🤷♂️ But,
The 4G has this Xioami spec:
2G: GSM: 850 900 1800 1900MHz
3G: WCDMA:1/5/8
4G: LTE FDD:1/3/5/7/8/20/28
4G: LTE TDD:38/40/41
The 5G has this Xioami spec:
2G: GSM: 850 900 1800 1900MHz
3G: WCDMA:1/2/4/5/8
4G: LTE FDD:1/2/3/4/5/7/8/20/28/32
4G: LTE TDD:38/40/41
5G: n1/3/5/7/8/20/28/38/40/41/77/78
So, for connectivity, 5G is the way to go.