Buying a new smartphone

[The Stig]

Fellas im in need of a "dual sim" phone, any android devices you know that are available locally that fits my requirement ?

[terrabytetango]

  On 8/16/2012 at 4:06 AM, The Stig said:

Fellas im in need of a "dual sim" phone, any android devices you know that are available locally that fits my requirement ?

Samsung have phones designated Duos for dual sim. I've used the Galaxy Ace Duos and the Galaxy Y Duos, the former being the more powerful of the two. Both are android.

[vishkid]

  On 8/15/2012 at 3:01 PM, jdnet said:

Nice. I remember my first palm. Couldn't really find a use for it so i just drew pictures all day long.

I started reading porn on mine and was quite addicted to it for a while

Was in India last couple of days and got the chance to try the S3, Xperia U and One X. IMO S3 fares better overall.

The best price in Bangalore I could find for S3 was INR 31k (approx 75k LKR) with discounts + cases + downloads from play store.

Did not want to be overly taxed in my CC so passed it on, wonder if we could buy it closer to 80k in SL on CC payment terms.

[Schiffer]

  On 8/15/2012 at 3:15 PM, jdnet said:

I'm just curious about all you guys that spend so much on phones. Would it kill you to just get a phone that can text and take calls? I mean seriously. I've only bought one phone in my entire life and the rest have been hand-me-down's from my obsessed brother. Each new phone I receive seems to have more and more useless features than the prior. In fact. The last phone I truly likes was the razr. Everything else is just a contest on who has the biggest p*nis. I mean try using a HSDPA connection to watch porn on a 3 inch screen...pretty useless to me. I seem to break one of these phones every six months or so. Back in the day you could drop a phone, pick it up ad take a call. Now, you will start crying because you broke the screen of you phone that cost 90k.

i dont know about others but for me i do want a good camera, i take around 100 pics a weak maybe more and its not easy carrying a dslr or even a digital camera wherever you go.

and occasionally play games use apps like sound hound, watsapp, viber and skype on the go.

[jdnet]

  On 8/16/2012 at 5:03 AM, vishkid said:

I started reading porn on mine and was quite addicted to it for a while

so you were reading porn, on a palm, while using your palm?

[NPP]

  On 8/16/2012 at 5:03 AM, vishkid said:

I started reading porn on mine and was quite addicted to it for a while

Was in India last couple of days and got the chance to try the S3, Xperia U and One X. IMO S3 fares better overall.

The best price in Bangalore I could find for S3 was INR 31k (approx 75k LKR) with discounts + cases + downloads from play store.

Did not want to be overly taxed in my CC so passed it on, wonder if we could buy it closer to 80k in SL on CC payment terms.

I think prices were almost at the 80k mark (remember 85k) but for cash payments. It's seriously annoying when they charge that extra for CC. sigh.

[Magnum]

  On 8/16/2012 at 5:03 AM, vishkid said:

I started reading porn on mine and was quite addicted to it for a while

Was in India last couple of days and got the chance to try the S3, Xperia U and One X. IMO S3 fares better overall.

The best price in Bangalore I could find for S3 was INR 31k (approx 75k LKR) with discounts + cases + downloads from play store.

Did not want to be overly taxed in my CC so passed it on, wonder if we could buy it closer to 80k in SL on CC payment terms.

For some reason the S3 from India is cheaper, as you used it, did you find any difference in it from the UK version?

  On 8/16/2012 at 4:06 AM, The Stig said:

Fellas im in need of a "dual sim" phone, any android devices you know that are available locally that fits my requirement ?

There's a chinese version of the S3(its quite good) i guess its dual sim

edit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzBwbYm38fw

Edited August 16, 2012 by Magnum

[vishkid]

  On 8/16/2012 at 8:47 AM, Magnum said:

For some reason the S3 from India is cheaper, as you used it, did you find any difference in it from the UK version?

I hv not used a different version of S3 to compare, I'm afraid. But there was nothing obvious missing from the phone that I tested and no reason to suspect it's an 'indian version'.

  On 8/16/2012 at 7:09 AM, jdnet said:

so you were reading porn, on a palm, while using your palm?

Well, not always .. I remember that I used to read those on the bus home from uni or classes

[Pericles]

  On 8/15/2012 at 3:15 PM, jdnet said:

I seem to break one of these phones every six months or so.

BTW, if you want to get around this problem

http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_go-4782.php

http://www.gsmarena.com/casio_g'zone_commando-4550.php

http://www.geek.com/articles/mobile/hands0on-with-the-cat-b10-rugged-android-phone-20120511/

http://reviews.cnet.co.uk/mobile-phones/jcb-toughphone-pro-smart-review-50008041/

http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_defy-3514.php

http://www.gsmarena.com/motorola_defy+-4098.php

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_rugby_smart_i847-4564.php

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_s5690_galaxy_xcover-4091.php

http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_ericsson_xperia_active-3998.php

But especially

http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_acro_s-4781.php

One thing Android smartphones do very well, it gives you plenty of choice.

[jdnet]

  On 8/16/2012 at 9:42 AM, Pericles said:

BTW, if you want to get around this problem

http://www.gsmarena....ria_go-4782.php

http://www.gsmarena....mmando-4550.php

http://www.geek.com/...phone-20120511/

http://reviews.cnet....eview-50008041/

http://www.gsmarena....a_defy-3514.php

http://www.gsmarena...._defy -4098.php

http://www.gsmarena....t_i847-4564.php

http://www.gsmarena....xcover-4091.php

http://www.gsmarena....active-3998.php

But especially

http://www.gsmarena....acro_s-4781.php

One thing Android smartphones do very well, it gives you plenty of choice.

wow peri, I guess you did your homework. I have to admit that the JCB phone looks pretty good. Think it might actually be of use to me. Am I right to assume I won't be able to find one here?

[jdnet]

Also, any idea how much I could trade a brand new galaxy sII for? Would much rather have something that could take some abuse.

[Pericles]

  On 8/16/2012 at 5:02 PM, jdnet said:

wow peri, I guess you did your homework. I have to admit that the JCB phone looks pretty good. Think it might actually be of use to me. Am I right to assume I won't be able to find one here?

Boss did the homework, he wanted something that could withstand a couple of boys, ages 10 or so My contribution was the Sony stuff, I got that update coz they send me these things coz I'm an Xperia owner.

I dunno about availability, I don't think it is here in SL. There might be one that is not actually out on the market yet in that list.

[H.C]

  On 8/16/2012 at 8:46 AM, NPP said:

I think prices were almost at the 80k mark (remember 85k) but for cash payments. It's seriously annoying when they charge that extra for CC. sigh.

They charge 14.5% extra for 1year plan. if you have a sampath cc, its bit less. Its really dissapointing!

[Magnum]

  On 8/16/2012 at 5:05 PM, jdnet said:

Also, any idea how much I could trade a brand new galaxy sII for? Would much rather have something that could take some abuse.

Probably between 50K-60K, its quite tough

[NPP]

  On 8/16/2012 at 5:20 PM, H.C said:

They charge 14.5% extra for 1year plan. if you have a sampath cc, its bit less. Its really dissapointing!

It's fair given that CC interest is 28% p.a but it's on reducing balance. I didn't do a calculation to figure out which was better (paying for the phone in inst or for the card)

Check out Amex if you got. There are these 0% extended plan at some shops but unsure whether they charge a 'set-up fee' up front which basically is the interest.

[The Stig]

  On 8/16/2012 at 4:51 AM, terrabytetango said:

Samsung have phones designated Duos for dual sim. I've used the Galaxy Ace Duos and the Galaxy Y Duos, the former being the more powerful of the two. Both are android.

I guess those would be the two obvious choices, wanted something a little bit powerful though im a heavy app user

[terrabytetango]

  On 8/17/2012 at 2:26 AM, The Stig said:

I guess those would be the two obvious choices, wanted something a little bit powerful though im a heavy app user

In that case get a galaxy y duos and a tablet. buying a powerful android phone is pointless now since the lines are blurring. get yourself a nice google nexus 7 (circa $230) and a galaxy y duos. enable tethering over wifi and voila.

[H.C]

  On 8/17/2012 at 1:58 AM, NPP said:

It's fair given that CC interest is 28% p.a but it's on reducing balance. I didn't do a calculation to figure out which was better (paying for the phone in inst or for the card)

Check out Amex if you got. There are these 0% extended plan at some shops but unsure whether they charge a 'set-up fee' up front which basically is the interest.

I dont have an Amex card machan!. None of the shops in the Hitad give 0% plans. Someshops want that 14% upfront and rest in equal installments and others add the 14% to the original price and divide it by 12. Edited August 17, 2012 by H.C

[NPP]

  On 8/17/2012 at 3:42 AM, H.C said:

I dont have an Amex card machan!. None of the shops in the Hitad give 0% plans. Someshops want that 14% upfront and rest in equal installments and others add the 14% to the original price and divide it by 12.

The one I usually buy from charges the xx% into the price and divide as you told.

but this is what I mentioned. haven't tried it though.

http://www2.americanexpress.lk/personal/cards/offers/esp.html

http://www2.americanexpress.lk/personal/cards/offers/zero_telecom.html

unsure on how it works. could be that the same xx% addition applies to this by the merchant although it say's 0%

[Watchman]

hmmm, yeah a smart phone IS useful, but when you have pay instalments for a whole year and additional interest just to get a top-of-the-range model its merely a luxury.

And on a slightly more generic note, its shocking how this 'pay in instalment' culture has worked its way into sri lankan society within the last few years. We've not only seen the rise of this culture in the US, but also the crashing and burning of people spending money they don't have. And when credit card companies come knocking on your door with late fees and penalties we yell at them like its all their fault.

[jdnet]

  On 8/17/2012 at 5:35 AM, Watchman said:

hmmm, yeah a smart phone IS useful, but when you have pay instalments for a whole year and additional interest just to get a top-of-the-range model its merely a luxury.

And on a slightly more generic note, its shocking how this 'pay in instalment' culture has worked its way into sri lankan society within the last few years. We've not only seen the rise of this culture in the US, but also the crashing and burning of people spending money they don't have. And when credit card companies come knocking on your door with late fees and penalties we yell at them like its all their fault.

  On 8/17/2012 at 5:35 AM, Watchman said:

hmmm, yeah a smart phone IS useful, but when you have pay instalments for a whole year and additional interest just to get a top-of-the-range model its merely a luxury.

And on a slightly more generic note, its shocking how this 'pay in instalment' culture has worked its way into sri lankan society within the last few years. We've not only seen the rise of this culture in the US, but also the crashing and burning of people spending money they don't have. And when credit card companies come knocking on your door with late fees and penalties we yell at them like its all their fault.

Yeah it's pretty amazing that people are willing to pay 14% interest and installments for an year to have the latest smart phone when they will have to upgrade to a newer model right after they are done paying for the one they already got.

[Pericles]

  On 8/17/2012 at 6:26 AM, jdnet said:

Yeah it's pretty amazing that people are willing to pay 14% interest and installments for an year to have the latest smart phone when they will have to upgrade to a newer model right after they are done paying for the one they already got.

I agree, I have a outright buy policy. If I don't have the cash in hand, I just don't buy.

[Pericles]

  On 8/17/2012 at 3:37 AM, terrabytetango said:

In that case get a galaxy y duos and a tablet. buying a powerful android phone is pointless now since the lines are blurring. get yourself a nice google nexus 7 (circa $230) and a galaxy y duos. enable tethering over wifi and voila.

I second this approach.

I also see that the new Note 10.1 is priced at ~$550. The S-Pen and and Photoshop touch does make an intriguing combo for playing around with pics. Quad cores and 2GB means it'll have plenty of horsepower to do some quick picture work on the fly.

[H.C]

  On 8/17/2012 at 7:44 AM, Pericles said:

I agree, I have a outright buy policy. If I don't have the cash in hand, I just don't buy.

I think its the way to go. Paying extra 14% is not worth considering the rate at which phone prices going down.

[NPP]

  On 8/17/2012 at 8:16 AM, H.C said:

I think its the way to go. Paying extra 14% is not worth considering the rate at which phone prices going down.

Although all my purshases were by cash, I think the 14% is fair as interest, but still, it's on credit.

Even if you pay it outright by CC you get charged some 3% extra. So cash is the way to go!