What is a good, cheap Android phone? (lemmy.ca)

submitted 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) by qwestjest78@lemmy.ca to c/asklemmy@lemmy.ml

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With the writing on the wall and Android becoming a locked down ecosystem this year, I'm planning to transition to a cheap Android phone.Wondering if anyone knows some good safe options that will have many years of security updates.

I'm looking to spend less than $300 and I just want to text, call, and be able to hot spot with it. I'm planning to take my laptop with me more for work and just use my phone to connect to the internet with my laptop, rather than using as many Android apps. My laptop is Linux so I can have much more control and alot of the cool Android apps have Linux counterparts.

I've been thinking about using my phone less and I believe that if I move to using my laptop more, then I will spend less time on the internet which would be great for phone addiction and being more present.

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[-] formlessoedon@lemmy.ml 19 points 2 weeks ago

Secondhand Pixel -> GrapheneOS if you need locked bootloader (e.g. have family/work-sensitive stuff on phone) or just look on the LineageOS device wiki and find a phone model you like. Best reason to use Android is treating your phone like a computer, reliable background syncing (or restriction), good permission management, going without bloatware saves storage, battery, bandwidth, your personal time and frustration. Termux is basically an operating system, and the stock OS will not let you fully utilize it. If you just want to game get a good Chinese phone if it's legal in your country & compatible with radios etc.

[-] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 7 points 2 weeks ago

Secondhand Pixel

This brand has a horrible track record of major hardware fails.

[-] ace_garp@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago

Search 'pixel overheating' and avoid those models.

Probably 7 and up would be best area to look.

[-] formlessoedon@lemmy.ml 3 points 2 weeks ago

They all do, except like Xiaomi, it depends on which surveys you look at. I saw some higher early-life failures, but again I said secondhand to avoid giving Google money directly. That's the GrapheneOS option, or Motorola right. I provided several other options.

[-] blackbrook@mander.xyz 2 points 2 weeks ago

Just to give one data point, I bought a refurbished pixel 7 pro in 2023 and it is still going strong.

this post was submitted on 04 Jun 2026

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