New cell phone dilemma.

M

modhatter

Full time employment: Posting here.
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Aug 8, 2005
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I am on the fence about a new cell phone. First, let me explain that I am not very familiar with smartphones. I have had mostly dumb phones for making calls. But sometimes, I sure would like to have Data available, and not just a couple of hundred gig. Enter Walmart $30 data plan (5 gig. of data and only 100 min cell and unlimited texts) This is what got me started. I don't use phone all that much.

Didn't want to buy an expensive phone, so decided on a Moto G (Made by Motorola) which for the money ($200) has decent specs and comes in 16 gb, but no SD card and only in 3G. Really wanted 4G Lte for internet browsing and internet speed. They are now coming out with a Moto G Lte this week. However, it only has an 8 gb. internal drive ($220). It has a slot for a SD card on this model (which the other one didn't. BUT, YOU CAN'T WRITE TO IT. The new KitKat operating system that comes with these Google phones, now will not let you write to your SD card, and the only thing allowed there are pictures you take, and possibly a movie (if you rent it from Google)

So my question is this. How restrictive do you think that 8 Gib internal drive is going to be. Your really only left with 5.2 after operating system and their applications. So any applications and data you want to download and use is going to have to go on that 5 gig remaining internal drive and not the SD card. I don't care about having music on it, but it would be nice to have a few audio books on it, and they take up some room and I don't think I will be able to put those on SD either.

Any comments and experience you can throw my way? :confused:
 
I have the Moto G (16gb) and it more than meets my memory requirements (apps, music, photos). Apps don't take up a lot of memory so that shouldn't be a concern for you. You would have to store quite a few audio books on it before memory would be an issue. Good phone for the money IMO, and like the fact that it's unlocked.
 
I am new to smartphones too. I just bought a Nokia 521 and use the Nokia prepaid for $30. Almost similar to the Walmart prepaid and comes with unlimited data (full speed for the 1st 5GB and then throttles down). The phone has 4G and can accept an internal micro SD. I use a 32 GB. I like that it is a Windows phone. It will sync with my calendar, contacts and OneDrive on my Desktop and Laptop that are running Windows 8.1. I paid $80 for the phone.
 
We have three iphone 4S 8GB phones and no one complains about not having enough internal memory or anything else for that matter.

(at one time, General Motors accounting system would easily fit on that much memory).

Now if you are going to use your phone as a replacement for a laptop or TV set, get more memory.
 
As I'm getting older, I'm coming to see the logic in switching from a smartphone to a dumbphone and shifting my smartphone activity onto a 4G-enabled tablet or tablet with a 4G mifi/jetpack
 
Well, you really have to view the one I am considering more like a 8 gig, as the SD card is only good for pictures. Can't use it for much else.

This is a total un-frugal move on my part. I may regret my $300 purchase (with case and other stuff I need for it) and having to pay $30 a month instead of the usual $10 I got by with before.t. I need this like a whole in the head, and really shouldn't be buying it. But, I just want to see what it's like. So it is just a fun toy for me to experience before I kick the bucket. Maybe after the novelty, I'll come back to my senses and go back to my dumb pre-paid $10 a mo plan.

Just concerned with that 8 gb internal memory being enough cause you can't do anything with the SD except put pictures on it, and not something I regret buying cause the memory was too small. I might want to put a couple of silly games on it like Angry Birds and maybe some casino playing game, in addition to some of the useful apps.

Zinger1487. How do you like your Moto G over all. Have you had other smart phones?
 
I have a Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone with Kit Kat Android OS. Writing to the SD card is no problem at all. I don't now why the Moto G would not allow that.
 
Last edited:
Just got a Nexus 5 few days ago from Google for $350. Set up a $40 T-Mobile account. Its easy to turn off data and use WiFi so 500 mb is enough.
 
modhatter said:
This is a total un-frugal move on my part. I may regret my $300 purchase (with case and other stuff I need for it) and having to pay $30 a month instead of the usual $10 I got by with before.t. I need this like a whole in the head, and really shouldn't be buying it. But, I just want to see what it's like. So it is just a fun toy for me to experience before I kick the bucket. Maybe after the novelty, I'll come back to my senses and go back to my dumb pre-paid $10 a mo plan.
Click to expand...

I would hardly consider a smart phone a novelty. I use mine constantly and couldn't imagine getting along without one. From checking prices and product reviews while I'm shopping to looking up directions, checking local movie times, weather forecasts, proximity to the nearest gas station/store/restaurant, finding a restaurant with the type of food I like, reading my latest book, snapping photos of interesting things and events, keeping up my shopping list...virtually anything I would use a computer/notepad, pen and pencil for can be done with a smartphone, and it fits in the palm of my hand. An iPhone/android phone can be purchased for $200, and a monthly voice/data plan usually for around $60 on the low end. It seems like a bargain for me. I don't get all these people who argue they don't need a smart phone and think it's a luxury item. I am sure I save far more than the cost of the phone and monthly service by using it to be more efficient.

As for capacity, I have a 32GB iPhone, and I currently have 14.7GB available, so if I dropped down to the 16GB model I would have to delete some photos or songs. 8GB would be too frustrating for me.
 
Ready said:
I would hardly consider a smart phone a novelty. I use mine constantly and couldn't imagine getting along without one. From checking prices and product reviews while I'm shopping to looking up directions, checking local movie times, weather forecasts, proximity to the nearest gas station/store/restaurant, finding a restaurant with the type of food I like, reading my latest book, snapping photos of interesting things and events, keeping up my shopping list...virtually anything I would use a computer/notepad, pen and pencil for can be done with a smartphone, and it fits in the palm of my hand. An iPhone/android phone can be purchased for $200, and a monthly voice/data plan usually for around $60 on the low end. It seems like a bargain for me. I don't get all these people who argue they don't need a smart phone and think it's a luxury item. I am sure I save far more than the cost of the phone and monthly service by using it to be more efficient.

As for capacity, I have a 32GB iPhone, and I currently have 14.7GB available, so if I dropped down to the 16GB model I would have to delete some photos or songs. 8GB would be too frustrating for me.
Click to expand...

Well music and photo's can be stored on SD card. It's the applications I'm worried about. I agree, access to data while your out can be very handy. That is why I am considering a purchase. I get by with very little in cell phone use, so it is the data I am interested in having.

I just want to know if having 5 gig left for APPLICATIONS on the internal phone memory would be sufficient. I know movies, pictures, and music take up a lot of room. But that could be put on the SD card.

OK, Let me put it this way. Here are my two choices.

Moto G, with 16 gb internal memory, no SD card, and can only use 3G

Moto G LTE, with 8 gb internal memory, has 4 G Lte, has memory card reader that you can't store any applications on (it is restricted) Only camera pictures and movies can go on card.

Having used smart phones before: What one would you chose?
 
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I have 47 applications taking up 1.32GB, so it looks like apps don't take up that much space. I would not under any circumstances buy a phone that does not support LTE, so given the choice between the two, I would go with the 8GB LTE model.
 
KingB said:
I am new to smartphones too. I just bought a Nokia 521 and use the Nokia prepaid for $30. Almost similar to the Walmart prepaid and comes with unlimited data (full speed for the 1st 5GB and then throttles down). The phone has 4G and can accept an internal micro SD. I use a 32 GB. I like that it is a Windows phone. It will sync with my calendar, contacts and OneDrive on my Desktop and Laptop that are running Windows 8.1. I paid $80 for the phone.
Click to expand...

Can you give me some information on how you bought this phone and the $30 plan? I googled it and could not come up with anything specific. Looks like it uses T-Mobile. Did you just go in a T-Mobile store? Thanks.
 
modhatter said:
Zinger1487. How do you like your Moto G over all. Have you had other smart phones?
Click to expand...

I like my Moto G a lot, I'm not a hard core smartphone user like some put certainly have found value in it for more than just making phone calls. There are many useful apps out there and it keeps growing ever day. Since I have a 'pay as you go' plan I keep data turned off until I have a need for it. That certainly helps to extend the battery life, the last charge on my Moto G lasted 10 days. My previous smart phone was a very basic android phone (LG Optimus) that just didn't have enough internal memory to be of much use. I think 8gb will be enough unless you turn hard core, if that happens sell it and upgrade. They still have pretty good resale value right now so it won't be a big loss.
 
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With KitKat Android the apps can still go on the SD memory card. It is just that the app has to be written to allow it and work this way. For instance, most games, Skype, etc allow themselves to be written onto the SD card.

What you do is install the app normally. Then you go into settings and for that application you click move to SD card. The option will only be available for apps that allow it. I think as applications are updated, more and more allow this. And generally it is photos and videos that take up a lot of space, not applications.

I have recently done a lot of research on smart phones. I can tell you that the Moto G or the updated Moto G LTE model is a great choice. The only major shortcoming compared to a much more expensive phone is a lesser camera.

You can look on your current Moto G and see how much memory is used by each application. That will give you an idea.
 
modhatter said:
Well music and photo's can be stored on SD card. It's the applications I'm worried about. I agree, access to data while your out can be very handy. That is why I am considering a purchase. I get by with very little in cell phone use, so it is the data I am interested in having.

I just want to know if having 5 gig left for APPLICATIONS on the internal phone memory would be sufficient. I know movies, pictures, and music take up a lot of room. But that could be put on the SD card.

OK, Let me put it this way. Here are my two choices.

Moto G, with 16 gb internal memory, no SD card, and can only use 3G

Moto G LTE, with 8 gb internal memory, has 4 G Lte, has memory card reader that you can't store any applications on (it is restricted) Only camera pictures and movies can go on card.

Having used smart phones before: What one would you chose?
Click to expand...

The difference between 3g and 4 G Lte is substantial in terms of speed. I only have 8GB on my Samsung(can add SD), hasn't been a problem.
MRG
 
kramer said:
With KitKat Android the apps can still go on the SD memory card. It is just that the app has to be written to allow it and work this way. For instance, most games, Skype, etc allow themselves to be written onto the SD card.

What you do is install the app normally. Then you go into settings and for that application you click move to SD card. The option will only be available for apps that allow it. I think as applications are updated, more and more allow this. And generally it is photos and videos that take up a lot of space, not applications.

I have recently done a lot of research on smart phones. I can tell you that the Moto G or the updated Moto G LTE model is a great choice. The only major shortcoming compared to a much more expensive phone is a lesser camera.

You can look on your current Moto G and see how much memory is used by each application. That will give you an idea.
Click to expand...

Thank you all very much for your answers. That was very helpful. I know about the camera, but considering I never had a camera in a phone, I look at it as a step up. :LOL:

Good to hear about battery life. When you talk about turning data off, are you talking about turning wireless off or cell phone data?

David1961: The $30 Data plan I speak of is a Walmart deal and uses T-Mobile. T-Mobile doesn't really deal with it. In fact if you read any of the information on it on T-mobile or Walmart site, they state that it will only work on a phone you purchase from Walmart store and have activated by Walmart. This is actually not true. As long as you buy an unlocked GSM phone, most models will work. I think there is a place on T-Mobile to check comparability. You can also Google and ask a question to see if phone you are interested in works ok with it. The Moto's do, the Nexus 4 and 5 do, certain I Phones do.

You need to buy the activation kit, which gives you the sim card, and the fist month's service. I'll give you a link on Amazon for it.. You can read the comments there too. You pay up front (usually a auto debit) of $30 a month. It gives you 5 gb. of data (up to 4G). After 5 gig of data, you are throttled down to 2G. You get only 100 calls (both ways) and after that they would charge you .10 cents a minute for any overage (so good to keep an extra $10 in your account for any overages) It gives you unlimited texts.

Here is link to activation card on Amazon:

Amazon.com: T-Mobile Micro Sim Starter Kit With $30 Initial Value With Activation Code: Cell Phones & Accessories
 
8GB LTE model

Ready said:
I have 47 applications taking up 1.32GB, so it looks like apps don't take up that much space. I would not under any circumstances buy a phone that does not support LTE, so given the choice between the two, I would go with the 8GB LTE model.
Click to expand...
+1
we do not have LTE (4G) in our area, but I know it is coming. It's good to have options, because we will keep our phone (Moto X - no SD card) for couple of years.
 
Ready said:
I would hardly consider a smart phone a novelty. I use mine constantly and couldn't imagine getting along without one. From checking prices and product reviews while I'm shopping to looking up directions, checking local movie times, weather forecasts, proximity to the nearest gas station/store/restaurant, finding a restaurant with the type of food I like, reading my latest book, snapping photos of interesting things and events, keeping up my shopping list...virtually anything I would use a computer/notepad, pen and pencil for can be done with a smartphone, and it fits in the palm of my hand. An iPhone/android phone can be purchased for $200, and a monthly voice/data plan usually for around $60 on the low end. It seems like a bargain for me. I don't get all these people who argue they don't need a smart phone and think it's a luxury item. I am sure I save far more than the cost of the phone and monthly service by using it to be more efficient.



As for capacity, I have a 32GB iPhone, and I currently have 14.7GB available, so if I dropped down to the 16GB model I would have to delete some photos or songs. 8GB would be too frustrating for me.
Click to expand...


I don't have one and mostly the reason is my eyesight. My distance vision is perfect from 4 foot out, but I can't read small print very well but I have readers strung about everywhere except when I out and about and thus don't have a need for them. Since I am home 80% of the time I prefer using my iPad. I also love the fact the dumb phones don't need to be charged but every 3-4 days. If I wore glasses all the time or had my youthful eyes back I would buy one. But I did the next best thing and bought my GF one. She loves it.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
modhatter said:
.... When you talk about turning data off, are you talking about turning wireless off or cell phone data?
...http://www.amazon.com/T-Mobile-Micr...1401645996&sr=8-1&keywords=$30+activation+kit
Click to expand...
As I understand it, for a TMobil plan the data comes through the cell tower. I don't think the phone will automatically pick wifi instead according to the TMobil guy I talked to. If I'm wrong on this someone here will set me right.

There is a setting on Android phones to turn data off. Then it comes through your wifi if available. There is a simple widget you can install that brings this setting to your home screen so all you have to do is toggle it to go strictly wifi. Of course, calls and text still work over the phone even in wifi mode.
 
kramer said:
With KitKat Android the apps can still go on the SD memory card. It is just that the app has to be written to allow it and work this way. For instance, most games, Skype, etc allow themselves to be written onto the SD card.

What you do is install the app normally. Then you go into settings and for that application you click move to SD card. The option will only be available for apps that allow it. I think as applications are updated, more and more allow this. And generally it is photos and videos that take up a lot of space, not applications.

I have recently done a lot of research on smart phones. I can tell you that the Moto G or the updated Moto G LTE model is a great choice. The only major shortcoming compared to a much more expensive phone is a lesser camera.

You can look on your current Moto G and see how much memory is used by each application. That will give you an idea.
Click to expand...
This is how my Samsung works, I have quite a few apps written to the SD card.
 
Lsbcal said:
As I understand it, for a TMobil plan the data comes through the cell tower. I don't think the phone will automatically pick wifi instead according to the TMobil guy I talked to. If I'm wrong on this someone here will set me right.

There is a setting on Android phones to turn data off. Then it comes through your wifi if available. There is a simple widget you can install that brings this setting to your home screen so all you have to do is toggle it to go strictly wifi. Of course, calls and text still work over the phone even in wifi mode.
Click to expand...

What's the widget called?
 
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