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RichieMe, Android Specialist
Category: Android Devices
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Experience: Android Systems Specialist
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Would you recommend getting a refurbished android phone?I

Resolved Question:

Would you recommend getting a refurbished android phone?

I am thinking of the Samsung family, but would take any recommendation of android phone which would be able to power my laptop as a hotspot. I do intend to have a lot of usage on the computer.

Is there any phone that I should stay away from. I am thinking of the Galaxy family (Nexus, Note, S, Ace?

Submitted: 12 months ago.
Category: Android Devices
Expert:  RichieMe replied 12 months ago.

Hi there, and welcome to JustAnswer, I look forward to assisting you today with your question and providing the best answer possible.

A refurbished phone is ok, but it depends on how old it is. The issue is the battery. After 1 year of normal use, a battery loses about 40% of its efficiency (meaning it runs out of power 40% quicker)

If you get a refurbished phone, then look at purchasing a new battery if it is over 1 year old. If you consider this than yes, I would advised to look at getting a refurbished phone.

In my opinon, stay away from the motorolas. I deal with phone problems every day and these phones are the most frequent. They tend to get a lot of hardware issues.

The Galaxies are ok, but people seem to have a hard time working them out as they are not as intuitive as they should be.

In my opinion, the best phones hands down are HTC's. They are sturdy, rarely have hardware issues, and are very intuitive to use through their interface (Sense).

They all provide Hotspot, and the different models are operating the same, so it is down to physical dimensions and what you like best.

I hope I have covered the areas you wanted. If you need more detail on any points, please do not hesitate to let me know and I will be glad to provide this.

In advance, Thanks for giving a positive rating! Ratings are how I receive credit for helping you today.

If you need further assistance for this problem before or after rating feel free to ask a follow up and I'll be
glad to help.

Thanks,
Richard

Customer: replied 12 months ago.

Great answers and I will rate you that way. Didn't know about HTC was impressed by the size of the Galaxy. Which HTC's have a better battery life and signal strength, since I am going to be using it for video streaming and my only internet source for my computer? Is there a large screen HTC, perhaps one with a keyboard? I am not great with touch screen keyboards.,Would the cost of buying a new battery offset the cost of a refurbished model? Lastly, are there better service providers that might ensure better signals that you know of? Wind, Public, Koodo,Fido Telus or Rogers perhaps? I appreciate your advice.

Expert:  RichieMe replied 12 months ago.

The HTC Desire Z is the perfect solution for you Al.

It has an extremely nice slide out physical keyboard, will handle Video Streaming, internet and really anything you through at it.

Normal use you get 10 hours out of it, intense use about 4. This is on par with the best phones out there.

Signal Strength is dependent on your provider, not on the phone.

Rogers is the one that has the least problems for my customers (I come across 100+ problems a day so I know :-)

You can see the specifications for it here

http://www.htc.com/www/smartphones/htc-desire-z/#overview

I really think you should stay away from the refurbished model. It will save you a few $100 but you will end up paying more in the long run than with a new phone. This I see time and time again

I hope this has been helpful Al

Kind Regards XXXXX XXXXX the best, Richard

Customer: replied 12 months ago.

I have been doing some research and can't seem to find the HTC Desire Z in Toronto (Canada) Are all HTC phones recommended for the purposes of what we have discussed? Is there only one phone with a keypad? And given the small size of the HTC screens is there any way to enlarge the font on the phone, to actually enable me to read it? You have been fabulous and I wish that I could rate you further than just an excellent happy face. Oh, by the way, it appears that Wind has the best priced plans, do you receive many complaints regarding their signal. Rogers unfortunately has the most expensive of plans. Which are known to have the worst signal. Thanks

Customer: replied 12 months ago.

,I have been doing some research and can't seem to find the HTC Desire Z in Toronto (Canada) Are all HTC phones recommended for the purposes of what we have discussed?  Is there only one phone with a keypad? And given the small size of the HTC screens is there any way to enlarge the font on the phone, to actually enable me to read it?  You have been fabulous and I wish that I could rate you further than just an excellent happy face.  Oh, by the way, it appears that Wind has the best priced plans, do you receive many complaints regarding their signal.  Rogers unfortunately has the most expensive of plans.  Which are known to have the worst signal.  Thanks

Expert:  RichieMe replied 12 months ago.

The Desire Z is the only one with the Keyboard but you can very easily increase the font by "pinching the screen"

When you pinch the screen it makes the text as large as you like. This is extremly easy to do.

Regarding Wind, I do not have personal experience, but researched the online reviews of their services.

They only receive a rating of 3/10 and you can see this here

http://www.cellphones.ca/cell-plans/carriers/wind/

Rogers is not much better with also a 3.10

http://www.cellphones.ca/cell-plans/carriers/rogers/

Fido also the same at 3/10

http://www.cellphones.ca/cell-plans/carriers/fido/

So taking this into account and basing on price Al, it looks like Wind would be the better choice.

Feel free to let me know if you require any additional information please.

RichieMe, Android Specialist
Category: Android Devices
Positive Feedback: 90.4 %
Satisfied Customers: 10467
Experience: Android Systems Specialist
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