Recommend a smaller Android phone?

[Soleron]

I'm looking to buy an Android phone to replace my non-smartphone (i.e. anything would be better). It's easy to compare the expensive flagship phones from each company, but lower down the stack where I'm interested there are so many options.

What I want out of it:

- Smooth scrolling, clean interface by default. Not planning to buy any apps.
- Priorities are internet, music, and file storage
- Won't be watching video or taking pictures
- Smaller form factor. More like 11cm than 12.5cm.

On pricing, around the Galaxy Ace 2 / Xperia U / One V would be good. (I live in the UK)

Also, what is the common knowledge about upgrading to later Android versions manually? Is it a good idea?

 

[soccerballtux]

HTC makes nice phones
get a phone with a good modder community, aftermarket ROMs CAN make all the difference in the world. The SteelDroid line of ROMs for the Motorola phones is an excellent ROM, not buggy like the usual Cynogen stuff.

 

[ThatsABigOne]

Huawei u8650.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I still think it's funny that people recommend devices based on how easy or not it is to root and how many different roms there are. Now I'm not saying it's not valid, but it's funny to me that it's assumed that everyone will root or want to take the time to understand the process and potentially have an issue that makes the phone unusable and without warranty.

I understand that most people here are savvy enough to do it and have no problems though. Honestly the out of box experience is more important in my decisions. What will it be like when I turn it on and try to go on the web or use the media functions and how will the radio perform during calls?

 

[Soleron]

I think I've settled on the Xperia U. Any drawbacks apart from no SD slot and only 4GB of storage?

Yeah, I'll root if it's available but it's not a big deal to me. I'll wait for ICS or Cyanogen 9 stable for whatever phone I buy.

 

[Ancalagon44]

Motorola Defy+?

 

[Soleron]

Motorola Defy+?

Much inferior specs to similarly priced phones, and I'd like to be able to handle ICS.

 

[tfinch2]

I think I've settled on the Xperia U. Any drawbacks apart from no SD slot and only 4GB of storage?

Yeah, I'll root if it's available but it's not a big deal to me. I'll wait for ICS or Cyanogen 9 stable for whatever phone I buy.

If priority is music and file storage, 4 GB without expandable storage is not going to cut it. Out of that 4 GB, probably 800 MB-1 GB will be usable. Outside of the U being dual core, I think the One V is a better buy. It also ships with ICS.

 

[s44]

Secondhand Galaxy S too big?

Not sure how 4gb+no card is going to cut it for music.

 

[Soleron]

It's 8GB memory with 4 available for data and 2 for apps. I plan to root it and delete applications so I can use 6+ for data. I won't use it for files.

I feel like I had to sacrifice something, and the choice was between low performance (Desire C, Galaxy Ace 2), high price (One V is actually £5 more a month), or this. Since I don't want to be stuck with an 800MHz single core phone in two years, Xperia U is my best choice here I feel.

 

[shortylickens]

Much inferior specs to similarly priced phones, and I'd like to be able to handle ICS.

Then forget it.
Aint no small phone these days gonna handle the latest Android OS.

All those tiny phones run stripped down versions of 2.0.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

What's smaller? 4" is smaller compared to the 4.8" monsters now. So in that case what about an SGS1 or SGS2?

 

[Soleron]

Then forget it.
Aint no small phone these days gonna handle the latest Android OS.

All those tiny phones run stripped down versions of 2.0.

Pretty sure dual-core 1GHz is greater than the minimum ICS requirements.

 

[s44]

I feel like I had to sacrifice something, and the choice was between low performance (Desire C, Galaxy Ace 2)

Ace 2 actually has basically an underclocked original Exynos, with dual core A9 and the Mali 400. Main problem is that it doesn't ship with ICS/JB and is unlikely to be a dev priority for either Samsung or the mod community.

That's why I suggested secondhand SGS1 (or Nexus S), which have less horsepower but great dev support and, if you're into music, the best audio output (via Voodoo Sound).

 

[Soleron]

I would but I really do want something smaller than SGS1/2/Nexus S.

It looks like ICS support is rumoured for the Ace 2. You're right, the performance actually looks OK. The Ace 1 is supported by Cyanogen so hopefully the Ace 2 will be as well though of course it is different hardware.

 

[SickBeast]

I have a Galaxy W / Exhibit 2 and I really like it. It's cheap and small and it's pretty powerful, especially considering the price.

 

[fbrdphreak]

I will again second the small form factor compromising too much. Both in hardware options and your usage. Browsing the internet on a tiny screen is painful at best. Lack of SD expandability means you will eventually have to compromise on usage.

If cost is so prohibitive, then maybe a smartphone isn't the best option. A decent smartphone with good voice & data service is not "cheap" these days. Affordable for many, sure, but still not cheap.

 

[AstroManLuca]

I have a Galaxy W / Exhibit 2 and I really like it. It's cheap and small and it's pretty powerful, especially considering the price.

I was going to say this as well. A lot of the compact Android phones have serious compromises in terms of processing power and screen resolution. You'd think there would be a market for a decent midrange phone with, say, a dual core CPU and a high density small screen.

The Galaxy W is not exactly it, with a single core CPU, but it's reasonably close. 1 GHz CPU, 480x800 screen (the minimum resolution IMO) spanning 3.7 inches. It's not perfect but it's still decent and I'd get that over most of the other recommendations so far.

It's amazing that 4.3" is now considered on the small side. The HTC Rezound has a 4.3" 720p screen and is pretty impressive, as is the HTC One S. But sub-4" versions of those phones, also with dual core power and maybe qHD resolution would be awesome.

Right now it seems the only compact high end phone is the iPhone.

 

[Soleron]

I gave up and I will wait for something small, dual-core, ICS, >4GB of storage or SD slot and about £20 ($30/month) in price.

Anything coming out in 2012 fit that description?

 

[gmaster456]

I might have missed this but what carrier are you looking at?

 

[Soleron]

I might have missed this but what carrier are you looking at?

Would prefer T-mobile, but if enough minutes (200+) so I don't need the unlimited same-carrier minutes then any will do.

 

[QueBert]

OP serious question, if you want smooth scrolling why don't you look at the Lumia 700? It's not Android, but it's a smaller phone and even on high end android devices you won't get all that smooth scrolling. Jellybean excluded, but you can't get a JB phone yet.

 

[AstroManLuca]

OP serious question, if you want smooth scrolling why don't you look at the Lumia 700? It's not Android, but it's a smaller phone and even on high end android devices you won't get all that smooth scrolling. Jellybean excluded, but you can't get a JB phone yet.

I think you mean Lumia 710.

And yeah that might be a good choice. No cheap Android phone will perform nearly as smoothly as a cheap Windows phone.

 

[s44]

Windows Phones aren't cheap in the UK -- they're just as expensive as high-end Androids.

No surprise that no one wants them.

Ace2 will be updated officially to ICS, and looks like about your only bet with those specs.

 

[Soleron]

I did look seriously at the Lumia, I have no objection to WP7 but yeah it's still too highly priced.

I can't see official confirmation for Ace2, only a mention in a leaked video with no release date. Don't want to buy and then they U-turn (this happened to Xperia Play).

Thanks everyone for your help by the way. It's made me reconsider just buying an Xperia U which I was very close to.