Risks in buying new older Android phone?

ChrisR

ChrisR

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Hi, I want to buy an Android phone, at least partly to use as a light meter. I don't use my mobile much, and currently have an ancient battered Motorola V3i on a PAYG contract. I reckon a Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini at around £110 is a pretty good buy. But the S5 is coming soon, and presumably there will be a S5 Mini a bit after that, so this will be two generations old. Are there particular risks I should be aware of in this case?
 
Not really, it isn't that old in Android terms (many of the really cheap current models only run Android 2.3.6).

I'm not sure if it's getting Kitkat in the UK (so far only confirmed for US models) but it is on 4.3 Jelly Bean so should be good for most apps for at least the next year or 2, if not longer.
 
Thanks, that's reassuring. I was a bit uncertain re security risks etc.
 
It's only really a security issue if you are accessing your email/ bank details and your operating system is out of support so any flaws are not being fixed- same rules as apply to PC's.
I still run an S2 although to be fair I have customised mine with some code I wrote and maybe the odd tweak:naughty: but I'm sure I can run mine for a good few years yet if I wanted. In your case you will be fine.
My only tip with Android is to be wary of Kies- it's great that Samsung gave some 5yr olds an opportunity to build some software but really... it's a total disaster and I've seen it break a few phones- it is some of the worst software I have seen given the stature of the organisation providing it. Fortunately if it does break your phone it's straightforward enough to fix.
Oh yes- I run Avast anti virus on mine as well although I'm sure there are others. Certainly worthwhile having something depending on use.
 
Dr_O said:
Oh yes- I run Avast anti virus on mine as well although I'm sure there are others. Certainly worthwhile having something depending on use.
Click to expand...

With the open nature of Android and the lax procedures of their Play store probably good advice for most users of Android, irrespective of version.
 
Thanks guys, you've calmed me down! I'll remember the AV advice, too.
 
I have a F&C colleague who moved from Samsung to Moto and he wasn't happy with the performance of the light meter app; I've heard nothing but good things of the Samsung version (iPhones even better, I believe, but out of my price range).
 
If you are thinking of using the phone as a light meter for flashes then really do not bother! Ambient you can get away with but if you want consistently correct readings then get a decent light meter :)

This is my opinion based on usage on both droids and iPhones, tried numerous apps....
 
Neilc28 said:
If you are thinking of using the phone as a light meter for flashes then really do not bother! Ambient you can get away with but if you want consistently correct readings then get a decent light meter :)

This is my opinion based on usage on both droids and iPhones, tried numerous apps....
Click to expand...

No, I don't even own a flash (apart from one built in to my X10). The proposed phone will also have other uses, but the idea is to help meter for the two folding cameras (Zeiss Ikonta 6*9 and a Dacora 6*6) that used to belong to my father. Simple reflective rather than incident metering. Just one step up from Sunny 16!
 
If you'll be shooting negs, Sunny f/16 can be a good enough guide due to the exposure latitude the emulsions usually have. Slide is a bit more picky though. Of course, the expense involved in MF D&P does mean that you won't want too many failures. How about using the X-10 as a meter?

However, I'm interested in a cheapish Android phone too - for use as a remote viewer and control for a Fuji CSC.
 
I've tried using the X10 as a light meter, and it IS doable, but it's a right pain. Have to change all the settings to fix ISO etc, and remember to change them back. Plus it's just a bit too big for the job; plenty portable as a camera, but just too chunky as a light meter to use with another camera...

Actually I went out today and bought the Galaxy S3 Mini, my very first smart phone, and... I'm getting used to it! My first incoming call I couldn't answer, I think because I was pressing rather than tapping the green button. Lots more gotchas like that to come, no doubt! I haven't got the app yet...

BTW I also in the back of my mind thought, one day I'd really like a X-T1 and I could use this as a remote and viewer! Very envious...
 
I have to say I tried an android phone with some light meter apps and its exactly as @Nod says.save your pennies get a Sekonic 308 used and get hyper accurate readings and whn you finished with it sell it for 50p less than you paid for it :-)
 
ChrisR said:
Actually I went out today and bought the Galaxy S3 Mini, my very first smart phone, and... I'm getting used to it! My first incoming call I couldn't answer, I think because I was pressing rather than tapping the green button. Lots more gotchas like that to come, no doubt! I haven't got the app yet...
Click to expand...
I think you have to press and hold the green button and 'slide it into the middle' mate, same goes for the red button :)
 
Mrs Nod has a touchscreen Blackberry and they keep updating the OS which changes the way you answer calls... Since I can't see the screen properly without my reading specs, she has to tell me what to do if it goes when she's driving. I like the big green button on my WinPhone - I can se it and know how it works!

Still haven't got an Android to use as a remote - maybe next week! Someone did suggest looking in CEX for a 2nd hand one but they seem to be more expensive used in there than new.
 
FlyingShrapnel said:
I think you have to press and hold the green button and 'slide it into the middle' mate, same goes for the red button :)
Click to expand...

Yes, thanks, my daughter demonstrated it for me. Mind you, as per usual she demonstrated it while holding it, and AFAICS not doing anything I wasn't doing before, but still...

Nod, I too found fleabay and used phones more expensive than new ones; the guy in the shop said he was very happy to sell it to me as the networks apparently pay more for upgrades on PAYG than for a new phone! Paid just over a third of what Orange would have charged me. So far I'm happy... except I've had to charge it already. I was getting 4-5 days on the old V3i, not any more I gather!
 
Yh? Is that a brand? My Nokia smartphone usually lasts 3 or 4 days between charges, even if I use it!
 
Well I'm pleasantly surprised, I charged it Monday night and it's only just asking to be charged again! However, it hasn't been doing any 3G data, I discovered this evening, probably because we put my old V3i sim in it, which only knows about 2G. Guess i'll be on the phone to Orange tomorrow...
 
FlyingShrapnel said:
Maybe I should have mentioned that I mean heavy use like GPS, 3G internet, navigation when I said a day :p
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I can kill mine in 8 hours or less if I really try :( But that will be screen almost permanently on, GPS, data, the lot. It's also nearly two years old now.
The S3 mini is a good compact android phone, and tends to do quite well on battery, based on the OH's one!

I tried to use one of the latest blackberries, bearing in mind that my last phone was a bold 9700, and it was fantastic until the software updated to a version that crippled the phone. The latest ones are completely unfathomable. I couldn't even find the menu, and I am very much a techy person!
 
Poor battery life is par for the course with smartphones but making sure things aren't on when not needed helps. e.g wifi and email checking can be minimised.
In practice you can charge them on a computer USB or car adapter if car doesn't already have USB out so it's not that difficult for a lot of people to keep them topped up.
 
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