New basic smartphone for my Dad

azibux1 · 26 Oct 2013 at 19:15

Hi all,

A little while ago I gave my Dad my HTC One X when I upgraded to an S4. At first he didn't like it as he thought it was too big but he got used to it after a while and we thought we might as well keep is since anything else (as advised by people on the forum here) would have been a downgrade, such as S3 mini etc or any cheaper Nokia's etc

But the other day he accidentally dropped it, and the screen broke, I've replaced it but signal is really rubbish and we don't want to spend any more money on it.

So... What are your views on the HTC One Mini as a basic general use smartphone, that will last for a few years (not looking at replacing it any time soon, at least 3 years).

Bearing that in mind Dad doesn't mind spending a bit more on a phone (more than a HTC One X replacement would cost) providing it is a good phone, that is preferably smaller than the One X, and will be good for a few years as a general use phone.

He doesn't play ANY games etc, so it doesn't need to be as powerful as the One X, we just never sold that as we had it in the house, so he might as well have used it

So I'm either thinking of:
- S3 Mini
- S4 Mini
- HTC One Mini

What are your views on the above?

I'm going to do some research too but thought I'd see what you all have to say

Thanks!

kona786 · 26 Oct 2013 at 19:20

Get the 2013 Nexus 4 for about £200 - £250 when it launches next week.

azibux1 · 26 Oct 2013 at 19:21

kona786 said:
Get the 2013 Nexus 4 for about £200 - £250 when it launches next week.

Completely forgot about the Nexus 4!

As I'm guessing you know, what's the main differences in the 2013 version?

Will have to check the dimensions of that current Nexus 4 (as a guide, or is 2013 identical size?) as well and compare to the One X

kona786 · 26 Oct 2013 at 19:23

Just added LTE. There could be some more changes but it hasn't been announced yet.

Or better yet grab a second hand N4 8GB for cheap on ebay.

azibux1 · 26 Oct 2013 at 19:24

kona786 said:
Just added LTE. There could be some more changes but it hasn't been announced yet.

Ahh okay

The signal dropping out on the One X is annoying Dad and he wants it sorted pretty soon, so hopefully there won't be a big wait for the new Nexus 4 when it arrives like there was with the old one

I will check it out when it is released.

Out of interest what are your views on the phones I listed?

kona786 · 26 Oct 2013 at 19:28

Mum has the S4 Mini and it's decent enough speed wise. I wouldn't pay any more than £200 ish for it though, with the N4 being much better value.

azibux1 · 26 Oct 2013 at 19:30

kona786 said:
Mum has the S4 Mini and it's decent enough speed wise. I wouldn't pay any more than £200 ish for it though, with the N4 being much better value.

Hmm okay will have to have a think and see what the pricing is like on the new Nexus when it comes

Thanks!

Redrum · 26 Oct 2013 at 20:07

All of the phones you listed are decent. The One Mini might be the best one as he's already used to HTCs. Just whichever one you choose, get a case for it because they are all also likely to get broken at some point if you don't use a case, and you can get decent phone cases delivered for a few quid these days.

fornowagain · 26 Oct 2013 at 20:27

azibux1 said:
Ahh okay

The signal dropping out on the One X is annoying Dad and he wants it sorted pretty soon, so hopefully there won't be a big wait for the new Nexus 4 when it arrives like there was with the old one

I will check it out when it is released.

Out of interest what are your views on the phones I listed?

The signal dropping is a known fault, might be worth a read > http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1688538

azibux1 · 26 Oct 2013 at 20:55

fornowagain said:
The signal dropping is a known fault, might be worth a read > http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1688538

Thanks for the info, I've just read that but I think unfortunately this isn't the same issue

Squeezing the phone doesn't seem to have any affect. And also that seems to be for wifi signal? The phone signal on dad's one x is the main problem.

The final thing making me think it isn't the same issue is because it worked perfectly before it was dropped.

Think we might look at the one mini, as dad likes that and it will be similar to the one x. I also think he'll find the nexus too chunky

azibux1 · 26 Oct 2013 at 23:28

Dad didn't like the Nexus, said it is too chunky

And he liked the look of the One Mini he saw in a shop earlier so I've just ordered a black one of those, hopefully arriving Tuesday

Thanks for the advice all