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What are some reliable and affordable smartphone options in Thailand that can also be used in the UK?

smartphone affordable phones dual SIM Thailand UK mobile recommendations Oppo Samsung Redmi iPhone international version phones

Nov 19, 2024

a month ago

ORIGINAL POSTER

My old mobile phone is kaput.

I need to find a cheap but up to date and reliable smartphone I can also use when back home in UK.

Any recommendations welcome.

Thank you.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

The post discusses the need for a cheap yet reliable smartphone for use in Thailand and the UK. Community members suggest various models including Samsung Galaxy A06 and A04, Oppo Reno 2, and iPhone XR or SE (secondhand). They emphasize the importance of avoiding locked phones and the benefits of dual SIM capability for easier use in both countries. Additionally, recommendations highlight the importance of purchasing international versions of Chinese brands to ensure compatibility with services and apps outside China.

Joel *******

Make sure if you buy a Chinese brand that you buy the "international" version. Sometimes they will sell you the "China" version for cheaper, but it'll be missing a bunch of apps and basically useless outside of China!

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Jack *******

Nothing

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Terry ********

I am very pleased with my dual SIM Oppo 94 ColorOS. Works well in Thailand and the UK and Oppo updates it regularly

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Chris *****

iPhone if you want it to last 4+ years.

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Larry ******

Cheap is relative. You should define that word for us first.

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Jay *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Groan!!!

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Larry ******

Now I see why you need help to buy a phone.

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Larry ******

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Brett **********

Redmi Note 13 pro

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Michael **********

don't buy anything under 10k. If you can get a second hand samsung s22/a52 then it'd work. Anything cheaper than that is going to be obsolete and slow in a year or so

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Michael **********

ah, I have an s20fe that still does his job even tho it's sensibly slower compared to a year ago. It goes for about

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k and in my opinion it could still do a year

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Michael **********

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John *********

Samsung note 10 plus. Flash Lineage Os for Microg.

It gets rid of all the Samsung bloat and google. Microg replaces google play services so apps work without all the tracking.

The phone will be as fast as last years flagships with great battery life.....and no samsung or google data collection.

There is a guy on marketplace I have bought 3 Samsungs from so far.

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Sauvage *******

interesting information, thanks I will be looking into it as well mate 😎

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Sauvage *******

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Andy **********

Oppo are popular in Thailand I've had two, good phones in my opinion.

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Terary **********

@Andy *********

I recently replaced my phone and was considering Oppo, good to know they're liked. Thanks for sharing..

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Andy **********

@Terary *********

the first oppo I bought I had it for 3 years, I only changed it because the internal memory was getting full, the oppo I'm using now after 1 year all is okay, it has duel SIM, very large internal memory, and also a memory card slot, which a lot of phone manufacturers seem to have stopped doing, and like someone said the camera is good, they are also very reasonably priced, I don't understand people paying stupid money for iPhones.

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Andy **********

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Will ******

Yes my oppo Reno 2 is pre COVID and still going strong

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David ********

@Andy *********

agree and awesome cameras

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David ********

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David ***********

Any Samsung duo ie dual sim as they can be repaired in the UK also unlike a lot of the thai manufactured phones. I went for the A04 which was only about 4000 but near new 2nd hand ones of that model are only about 2k on market place

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Chris ******

Got a oppo can't remember how much but I use it in UK make sure it is not SIM locked to a service provider they will sell you a phone with a SIM card it's when get home put own SIM in it's a aaawww f@ck ya moment 🤣 happy phone hunting

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David ***********

id suspect they wont repair it in the UK though

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Jay *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@David **********

That's the risk but it's Hobson's Choice for me. Either replace my failing phone or do without a phone. Timing COULD have been ruddy better, I know.

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David ***********

as i say, the A04 or similar are perfectly good phones with dual sim for about 4000 new or half that for near new

It has all the stuff a

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phone had only a couple of years before. Mines be great

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Jay *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Made in (or beyond) Antarctica, more like. No human I've ever met can explain how they even work and touchscreens are not so much science, but little short of magic, when you really think about it.

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Jay *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@David **********

The A04 sounds ideal for me. Dual sim is deffo a bonus. Thanks.

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Jay *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Correction. I note the A06 was launched in August this year and is only about $10 more yet released two years later than the A04. More future updates, I'm guessing...

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Jay *******

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Chris ******

@David **********

I've never had any problems with any phone apart from a locked network phone I bought any other phone I've got in Thailand worked no problems

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David ***********

indeed but if it does fail in the UK it goes in.the bin as no one will touch it. I learned that the hard way !

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Chris ******

@David **********

I put my UK SIM card in to check it works ok don't understand why a shop won't touch a phone from another country they all probably getting made in friggin china anyways

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David ***********

sure but no one would, thats my experience

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David ***********

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Jay *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

Good advice on the locked service. Thanks.

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Chris ******

did it once made sure when got another I fitted my SIM card from England just to be sure 🤣

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Jay *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

That's what I will do, since you mention it. Don't want to blow my money on someone's assurance when there could easily be a translation/misunderstanding event. Thanks, again.

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Jay *******

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John *******

Redmii note same same Samsung 120 quid

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LinHarding *********

I meant ""True"" top floor st MV

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LinHarding *********

Go to Your at Market Village. Got one for under 90 USD brand new

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Jay *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@LinHarding ********

You remember the brand and model, please? I just want something to tide me over as am aiming to get a Galaxy S25 Ultra when it's released, early next year.

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LinHarding *********

RedMi A3

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Jay *******

ORIGINAL POSTER

@LinHarding ********

Thanks. I'll check it out.👍

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Jay *******

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Jordan *******

iPhone XR or SE secondhand.

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Will ******

Powerbuy have Samsung A25 for 10k with 256gb memory. Solid phone. Not sure if dual sim

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Will ******

yes saw that. Wd need sd memory added tho.

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Will ******

yes a35 is better but the equivalent memory is another 5-6k in thailand. Assumed his budget was around 6-10k

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JP *******

all good 👍🏼 I was thinking that price range too

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JP *******

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JP *******

pretty good but the A35 and A55 are not that much more $ and way better.

Samsung has the 2nd best update track and a solid choice for Android.

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JP *******

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Michelle ***********

Samsung makes a good reliable phone with good updates.Here is one around a hundred bucks

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Michelle ***********

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