New Cheap Android Phone

[blackprophet]

Looking for a new cheap android Phone. I would like:

- at least Gingerbread (2.3) (May settle for froyo, if the phone is right)
- Under $200
- Relatively good Performance.
- NA 3G (850/1900)

I have been looking at the BLU studio 5.3 which seems to be getting rave reviews all over the web, but its just a bit over my wanted pricepoint. Any one use the BLU rave or dash?

I know at one time the LG Optimus one was a really cheap phone that had Froyo (when it was the newest version). Does something like this exist for Gingerbread or ICS?

Any suggestions?

[LouisR]

If you want to buy new, and don't mind going to 200+tax, there's quite a few models available.

You list Rogers as your carrier, so the Fido Galaxy Q shouldn't even need an unlock. It has Froyo, which is a bit of a downside IMO, but otherwise looks like a decent choice.

Virgin has the Samsung Galaxy Gio, HTC Wildfire S, and the LG Eclypse which would be worth considering. A little birdie has told me that the Gio was SIM unlockable for free, but didn't know about the others.

Koodo still has the LG Optimus One running Froyo, or the Samsung Galaxy Ace with Gingerbread. I'd stay away from the Optimus Chat if only because there seems to be zero dev activity on it, if you're into that sort of thing. Of and the bird chirped again about the Ace being as easy to unlock as the Gio.

And I haven't even touched what could be found on the HoFo marketplace or Kijiji in that price range.

[blackprophet]

And I haven't even touched what could be found on the HoFo marketplace or Kijiji in that price range.

Feel free to drop those suggestions as well. And thanks for the info so far!

Oh and its not for me, so the carrier is irrelevant, would prefer an unlocked phone.

[LouisR]

Care to expand on any specific requirements? Is this for a gift to someone?

Because right now your criteria is so broad that its hard to give a precise answer.

[blackprophet]

I'm not sure how I can be more specific. I started this thread, because I remember when the LG Optimus One came out, it seemed to be the concensus budget Android to get around these parts. I was hoping that there would be something like that now. But I guess more selection is a good thing.

I would prefer as big a screen as possible (>3.2) definately not smaller than 3.2
Prefer gingerbread
Want as good a processor as possible
The two key criteria are value for money, and works well. I know your only going to get so much for that money, but wanted something that people would cosign like they were doing for the LG Optimus One back then.

Hope that helps.

[blackprophet]

I would add that the phone is for someone on Telus.

And that I looked at all the phones you suggested so far, and the two that I liked the most are the HTC Wildfire S (bc sense and HTC) and the Samsung Galaxy Ace (bc bigger screen, gingerbread).

[blackprophet]

What about the Galaxy W.

Looks like its gonna be this or the Wildfire S. Both are on sale at Virgin.

Anyone have any opinions of either of these phones?