Liam Proven
Tall, once dark, black-clad atheist skeptic SF fan; writes (mostly about computers) for a living. Grizzled internet veteran, online since 1985. Current primary email is from 1991.
All opinions expressed are my own & not those of any employer.
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- 4 Comments
10·12 days ago> even this one is way overkill for what I want in a phone. Why can’t there just be a low-spec one instead
Exactly this.
My solution is: dirt-cheap bargain-basement Chinese phones.
They do the job and you can get a lot for under £150.
My best buy was an Umidigi F2. Stunning device for £125. I have bought dinners that cost more than that.
*But* you’ll never get an OS upgrade, they’re unsupported by all the alternative OSes, and there is the everpresent risk of spyware.
For me, that’s worth it, but I get that it’s not for everyone and so I do not unequivocally recommend them.
You really need to read this series:
https://marcin.juszkiewicz.com.pl/2025/07/07/arm-desktop-2025-attempt-part-one/
@Newhere Right now my little daughter is sitting next to me playing Toca Boca World on a phone running a modified Graphite OS. I am familiar with it. Honestly, it’s a bit of a pain, and I’m normally happy enough with my ultra-budget ChiPhones. Which cost 1/4 as much and frankly do more.
Personally I’m with Scott McNeally:
https://www.wired.com/1999/01/sun-on-privacy-get-over-it/
“You have zero privacy anyway. Get over it.”