I know that there are many posts and articles about the "best" Android phones and about travel/world phones (those that are quad band), but I have yet to come across one that suggests less expensive Android phones. More specifically, I will be crossing the pond for a few-week vacation (to France, Germany, Brussels, and possibly one or two other countries). For this purpose (this upcoming trip, as well as on future travel), I want to buy a (1) "normal-sized" (i.e. non-"phablet") (2) quad band GSM Android smartphone that will be able to (3) connect to wifi and run (4a) Skype and (4b) some other decent VOIP app (to receive calls to my Google Voice number while on wifi or if I get a data sim there - Google Hangouts, Talkatone, etc). It would also be great if the phone supported an app that could access my KeePass password database (on iOS, one such free app is MiniKeePass). It is also important that the phone is able to run KitKat v4.4.4, as this has the Heartbleed fix. A good battery life, processor (for surfing and recording video), camera, and ample storage space for photos/videos are also a plus.
I am a current iPhone 4S user and like having a "normal-sized" bar phone. But, I do not want to take my phone with me, just in case something happens to it; I figure this is a good time to try out the Android OS without breaking the bank. Also, if I end up getting a local sim with data overseas, trying to disable data use for the several dozen data-using apps that I have installed would be a nightmare, as would re-enabling it after the trip. I do not want to spend $200 on a phone for this purpose (that would be an easy enough task). Ideally, I would be able to accomplish this for < $100 (including shipping; though this is a flexible budget, less expensive is obviously preferred given the phone's intended purpose). I have checked out various phones Craigslist and eBay, but I have spent the past week just looking at different phones and am still getting nowhere; the main challenge is that most phones are huge and indiscreet or quite a bit above my budget. Some of the phones I checked out were the Sony Xperia Z1, Samsung Galaxy S3/S4 Minis, LG Optimus G Pro (it's HUGE!!), LG G2, and Nexus 4.
Your recommendations and insight are very much appreciated!
ETA: The phone fitting a standard SIM card is also preferred, as these are much more easily found than micro/nano SIMs.
I am a current iPhone 4S user and like having a "normal-sized" bar phone. But, I do not want to take my phone with me, just in case something happens to it; I figure this is a good time to try out the Android OS without breaking the bank. Also, if I end up getting a local sim with data overseas, trying to disable data use for the several dozen data-using apps that I have installed would be a nightmare, as would re-enabling it after the trip. I do not want to spend $200 on a phone for this purpose (that would be an easy enough task). Ideally, I would be able to accomplish this for < $100 (including shipping; though this is a flexible budget, less expensive is obviously preferred given the phone's intended purpose). I have checked out various phones Craigslist and eBay, but I have spent the past week just looking at different phones and am still getting nowhere; the main challenge is that most phones are huge and indiscreet or quite a bit above my budget. Some of the phones I checked out were the Sony Xperia Z1, Samsung Galaxy S3/S4 Minis, LG Optimus G Pro (it's HUGE!!), LG G2, and Nexus 4.
Your recommendations and insight are very much appreciated!
ETA: The phone fitting a standard SIM card is also preferred, as these are much more easily found than micro/nano SIMs.
Last edited:
. The Moto G looks like a good option and I like that the battery is replaceable. But, I'm having trouble finding one for close to my budget (even on eBay, they are selling for ~$140).
