Best USED smartphone to get in 'excellent/scratchless' condition in Rs. 20,000

[Hassan Aftab]

Hello

I have been wondering if a used Samsung Galaxy S2 is the only best deal for 20k that offers atleast 1GB of RAM, atleast 4.3-inch quality display along with an efficient processor and an excellent, removable battery.

If there are any better options out there with expandable storage and atleast equally good battery life, I'd really like to know from you guys here.

 

[r3aper]

Extend your budget a bit and get a Nex4 (8gb) and seal the deal for the next whole year. The speed bump you'd get over SGS, S2 would be worth it.
Don't go for the guys saying 8gb aint enough, believe me its just about enough!

Your other options would be One X 23k-24k but I would highly recommend you to add about 4k-5k to your budget and get a used Nex4. Upgrading to S2 or even S3 is not worth the money as the performance bump won't be that signifcant over your sgs.

 

[Hassan Aftab]

Extend your budget a bit and get a Nex4 (8gb) and seal the deal for the next whole year. The speed bump you'd get over SGS, S2 would be worth it.
Don't go for the guys saying 8gb aint enough, believe me its just about enough!

Your other options would be One X 23k-24k but I would highly recommend you to add about 4k-5k to your budget and get a used Nex4. Upgrading to S2 or even S3 is not worth the money as the performance bump won't be that signifcant over your sgs.

Thanks for the prompt response, r3aper. If I am to increase the budget by 3-4k, don't you think it is better to go for the Samsung Galaxy Note N7000 instead? A bigger screen, better processor as well as better battery would sweeten the deal further.

If you believe nexus 4 8gb is worth it with the extra 3-4k invested AND the fact that 8gb is sufficient, don't you think I should be looking for a used copy of Nexus 7 2nd generation (16GB) tablet for what it's worth? I do appreciate your point about the performance bump being worth the extra money invested.

 

[abobobilly]

the fact that 8gb is sufficient

It isn't. I can't put more emphasis on that.

You get barely 6GB on your device which is preposterous and a complete disrespect to a device of such class. Whats the use of all that raw power when you can't even install more than one or two games on it? One Real Racing 3, and one CSR Racing, and YOUR SPACE IS FINISHED.

To add fuel to fire, you'll start to get continuous "low storage error" while installing apps on it, even when you'll have like 500MB space FREE on your phone.

So those people who really consider 8GB to be enough, good for them. But don't neglect the negative points of such low storage which are far too many.

I will vote for 16GB model any day because non-availability of microSD Card slot is somewhat filled by the available 12GB memory.

Even if you do want to get 8GB, i wold NEVER pay more than 18-20k for such a device. Don't forget to take account of the fact that this model is discontinued, officially.

 

[r3aper]

Finding a good Note I in that range would be difficult. And the problem with Note I is the 1gb RAM, Nex 4 offers 2gb RAM and a quad core proc, multitasking is smoother on Nex 4 and it doesn't jitter for a fraction of a second when switching from an HD game to your homescreen. Its way more smoother than any other Android device I have used, that includes Note I as well.

The screen size and the vibrancy of an samoled screen, that is what you'd have to compromise if you decide to go for the Nex 4.
And yes the battery timings are in the favour of Note I as well.

But if you look at it from a long term pov, you can be in a more updated position with the Nex 4. Not only it does provide you with the hardware muscle but also gives you priority access to the updates from Google.

 

[r3aper]

It isn't. I can't put more emphasis on that.

You get barely 6GB on your device which is preposterous and a complete disrespect to a device of such class. Whats the use of all that raw power when you can't even install more than one or two games on it? One Real Racing 3, and one CSR Racing, and YOUR SPACE IS FINISHED.

To add fuel to fire, you'll start to get continuous "low storage error" while installing apps on it, even when you'll have like 500MB space FREE on your phone.

So those people who really consider 8GB to be enough, good for them. But don't neglect the negative points of such low storage which are far too many.

I will vote for 16GB model any day because non-availability of microSD Card slot is somewhat filled by the available 12GB memory.

Even if you do want to get 8GB, i wold NEVER pay more than 18-20k for such a device. Don't forget to take account of the fact that this model is discontinued, officially.

Keeping the budget constraints in mind, leaping towards the 16gb one just for the extra storage is not worth it. I have about 2 HD games and 7-8 other 100-300mb games and apps and a 60-70 songs and I still have 2 gb left. So that argument of "YOUR SPACE IS FINISHED" is pure BS.

So I guess that is enough..well atleast for me. I just don't download every other app available.

You have to figure out what you want exactly and what you are willing to compromise, otherwise you'd be left in the never ending spiral of the-better-option.

 

[Hassan Aftab]

Finding a good Note I in that range would be difficult. And the problem with Note I is the 1gb RAM, Nex 4 offers 2gb RAM and a quad core proc, multitasking is smoother on Nex 4 and it doesn't jitter for a fraction of a second when switching from an HD game to your homescreen. Its way more smoother than any other Android device I have used, that includes Note I as well.

The screen size and the vibrancy of an samoled screen, that is what you'd have to compromise if you decide to go for the Nex 4.
And yes the battery timings are in the favour of Note I as well.

But if you look at it from a long term pov, you can be in a more updated position with the Nex 4. Not only it does provide you with the hardware muscle but also gives you priority access to the updates from Google.

Good point but abobobilly also makes a fair point there. It's better to target a 16GB device rather than an 8GB phone if it is long term that I am thinking. That would surely require a whole lot more funds than Rs. 20,000.

So, you are sure that Galaxy S2 should not considered at all if I am to upgrade from a 512MB Samsung Galaxy S i9000? I hope to find a Nexus 4/Nexus 7 2013 (16GB) in that case or I suppose I ll have to settle with the Note (a guy on olx is offering one in "awesome" condition with no box but a charger for Rs. 21000 fnf).

 

[r3aper]

Good point but abobobilly also makes a fair point there. It's better to target a 16GB device rather than an 8GB phone if it is long term that I am thinking. That would surely require a whole lot more funds than Rs. 20,000.

So, you are sure that Galaxy S2 should not considered at all if I am to upgrade from a 512MB Samsung Galaxy S i9000? I hope to find a Nexus 4/Nexus 7 2013 (16GB) in that case or I suppose I ll have to settle with the Note (a guy on olx is offering one in "awesome" condition with no box but a charger for Rs. 21000 fnf).

Yar this 8/16gb debate is purely subjective. One can totally "survive" with 8gb as well, it not really a deal breaker. But khair I recently upgraded from sgs and if you are upgrading at this point get something ahead of the previous league. Hold a bit more if you are short on funds, if you are shelling around 21k I'd say add a few more and get something which is twice as better (nex 4 or nex 7).

And yes S2 would be a waste.

 

[abobobilly]

[MENTION=25861]Hassan Aftab[/MENTION]!

I urge you to flash and try the kit kat ROM.

Go to i9000 section and select either the Mackay or Omni ROM. The memory management have never been better. And it'll the smoothest experience you'll ever have on such an old device. (I am using Mackay ATM)

It might help you delay your purchase for a while.