Low End Android Phone

[prowler63]

Am I the only one that thinks there is no point in having a "low end" android phone.

This is my argument...

1. Smart phones are already kind of inexpensive. I remember when a flip phone cost over $200. Now you can get an iphone 3g for $100 or even the g1 from Amazon for $100. I just don’t think paying $50 for a phone with a 2.8" QVGA screen is worth it in today’s market.

2. You still have to purchase a data plan with an android phone. Over 2 years this will amount to $700+. For just $50 more, one can enjoy a much better app or internet experience. Isn’t this the point of owning a smart phone in the first place?

3. With phones like the andriod xperia, iphone 3gs, samsung omnia 2, samsung galaxy, i consider anything equal to the g1 or magic a "low end smart phone". A smaller screen or processor than that is just not worth it in today’s market.


My point is i believe companies (Motorolla in particular) working on smartphones, particularly android, should focus on hardware equal or greater than the top competition.

For these reasons, i think phones like the Motorolla morison and htc click may fail

These are just some of my thoughts. What do you guys think?

[DaYuMu6ft7]

$100 for a G1 on Amazon...


*Logs in ASAP!

[constellanation]

You're point 2 kinda of answers the point, some people (like my grandparent's) don't want a data plan, the really don't even want a phone.

So there is no need for a phone for them that does anything more then make calls, maybe... maybe texts.

However you are right about the rest, iphone and g1 are becoming, but are very far from low end tech. But the next phone's will have some of what are becoming common place techs I.e. a touchscreen is not that expensive anymore, just like a mildly decent camera. So the "low end" phones will become more advanced, but well behind the curve of the fancy phones pushing the envelope because no matter what there is a need/want for cheap phones on cheaper plans.

[prowler63]

I'm sorry, i mean $150 for the g1

[techboi]

It actually makes sense to me..and there is a market out there. peope like you and I would not buy it but I can see this selling well to people who are looking to move up from their motrola flip phones but dont really need a phone with a 4'' screen running a snapdragon inside.

If I went up to some of my friends talkin about a snapdragon they would look at me like im crazy.

[purplepenguin04]

Low end most likely means low cost.

True, you can get a G1, or similar phone cheap but you have to sign a two year contract. If you want to go with a prepaid plan, like flexpay, you have to pay the full price for the phone.

My wife and I signed up on a flexpay account and got two G1s. by the time we walked out the door we had paid over $1,000. A low end phone could have lowered this cost.

I wouldn't have gone with a low end phone myself, being a technophile and all, but I can easily see how someone could.

[crr127]

i agree with the above post. the only reason you get the phone for $150 is for the fact that after the 2yr contract you sign is up you've paid for the cost of the retail value. plus i wouldn't consider the first open platform android device a low end piece of equipment. but than again that is just my .02 worth... and .02 isn't a whole lot these days. =) try rooting your phone and than speak with me again when it is running the new hero rom!!! now that is low tech lol

[bjb_nyj101]

I completely agree with the OP. If you are spending ~$600 over the life of your contract for the internet, then another $50~$100 for a phone with a bigger screen/hardware keyboard/better camera is almost a no-brainer.

[constellanation]

I think you all are missing some major points about low end phones. They are first and foremost about price, and with low priced phones goes low priced plans. Even prepaid plans.

Low end phones are about a certain demographic also, children whose parents want them to have a phone, but not something that will be a concern if lost.

And also people, who just want something to make a call if their car breaks down.


As popular as phones like the iphone are they are dwarfed in comparison to low end phones... luckily for everyone the definition of low end phone is getting higher and higher

[LpLayer]

I think the G1 is pretty low end compared to the HTC touch pro and hero, and the hardware and and material in other phones.. with a contract you can get it quite cheap now.