advice on which device to buy

HEROBRINE7GAMER

i need help . i want to buy a redmi 9c , so is there anything i should consider before buying this device ? the development status of the port for the redmi 9a/9c is in the ubuntu touch devices list is still the same even after 2 months so is the port discontinued or not active anymore or unmaintained ? i really want this device as it is extremely cheap and i can afford it easily . i might get a pinephone but it's not available right now and the redmi 9c has very good specs and the performance is much better so i'm not sure . the pixel 3a is very good but i can't find it anywhere . i can't decide which device to choose . any advice ? (note that my budget is a bit small) .

Lakotaubp

@herobrine7gamer Personnally I would look for a device with more working features. You could also try contacting the developer to see if there are any further updates not yet added to spec. Also look at the newer devices on the list as they stand a better chance of long support.
The cost is obviously very important so stick to your budget. I have just bought and waiting for delivery of a Pixel 3a for a cost of. £63. So they are out there. At the end of the day the choice will be down to you. Others may have completly different ideas. Lets see.

MrT10001

@herobrine7gamer The Pixels are good phones, downside is the poor battery life and usually the 2nd hand ones I have got have minor screen burn. In you can drop on an Xiaomi Redmi Note 7, it works really well, but is faffy to unlock. Oneplus 6/6T is the outright winner for me. It was a breeze to install on, relatively cheap and the battery seems fine so far (I have two to compare them off against each other). If not look at a Oneplus 5/5t.

kugiigi

I have limited experience with a Pixel 3a and not so much with other devices like Redmi's but it seems like Pixel 3a has the most active port development right now. I'm honestly very tempted to switch to it from my Xperia X

brainbreaks

@HEROBRINE7GAMER I second a oneplus , 5 and 5t has a bit more working functions, compared to 6 and 6t , at this moment.

I own both the pixel 3a and the oneplus 5t , and either one runs ubuntu touch without any hazzle.

My only concern , with ubuntu touch as a daily driver, is waydroid/lineage and the fact, that my bank-apps thinks that my device is rooted.

kugiigi

@brainbreaks Sadly that's just how some apps especially banking apps work. It's checking for root access and/or safetynet which is only available with Google services. On my Lineage phone, I had to use Magisk to make my bank app work.

MrT10001

I don't bother with Waydroid for this reason, the idea of UT is something different and to get away from the iOS and Android ecosystems. I still have an iPhone, used for one app and my main phone is still on Android for work purposes. It is like my PC's, I use Ubuntu a lot, but still have to use Windows for work and certain tasks. My Macs rarely get used, but are there just in case.
But in the court of opinion, what some requires from a device is completely different to what mine are, ie. for me a phone is for calls and messages with a bit of internet. For others it is social media, camera and so on. Look at what you want out of the device and match up one with probably the most complete features that you need.
Bear in mind, most used devices have issues, such as weak or poor battery life, touchscreen dead zones, power buttons not working, SIM cards not being read, so buy a device carefully. A lot of used devices have also suffered owner abuse, from cracked backs, cracked camera lens, screen burn and so forth.

I have picked up OnePlus 3/3T's for not a lot and they also are fine for my uses, one of the first higher end devices I replaced a screen glass on.

Moem

@mrt10001 said in advice on which device to buy:

I have picked up Pixel 3/3T's

I think you meant to write Oneplus here?

MrT10001

@moem Edited for brain fog, early morning....

Opolork

Hi @HEROBRINE7GAMER. I'm happy with the Fairphone 2 (FP2). It's a bit old now but does what I need. The only real issue I have is the torch & camera flash not working.

Lakotaubp

The OP5 is a great device and I can run my UK banking apps through Waydroid without many issues via Aurora store.

brainbreaks

@lakotaubp Is this without google services or magisk root hide? Regarding your bank app ?

Moem

@mrt10001 said in advice on which device to buy:

I have picked up OnePlus 3/3T's for not a lot and they also are fine for my uses,

I've flashed one and yes, it's quite usable, especially for the price... but note that it does not currently record video as far as I know.

Lakotaubp

@brainbreaks No on Aurura I used a Google login similar to using dekko

brainbreaks

@lakotaubp So either your bank apps, does not need signature spoofing , or does your bank app only search for google login?

Oh wait , there is a built in spoof manager in the aurora store?

HEROBRINE7GAMER

@lakotaubp i searched a lot everywhere but couldn't find any pixel3/3a , i searched on aliexpress and ebay and aliexpress but without any result . no luck with googling for an hour . i wish i can find it because the port status is almost perfect . what is the website that you found the device on ?

HEROBRINE7GAMER

@mrt10001 oneplus phones are easy to unlock and root but i don't find them locally . i really prefer buying a device from a store because i have a very bad experience with byuing phones online .

domubpkm

For info, there are still 6 Volla phone 22 early bird on sale (a little cheaper).

Keneda

@opolork
Doesn't uTorch work for FairPhone 2 ?

Edit : ok you have the last camera module that's right ?

@herobrine7gamer said in advice on which device to buy:

i really prefer buying a device from a store because i have a very bad experience with byuing phones online .

Did you try refurbishing reseller ?
Where do you live if not a problem for you to tell ?

HEROBRINE7GAMER

@opolork the fairphone 2 is a very nice device but it is just old and the battery is not good enough for daily usage .