If I was you, I'd go with a cheap Nexus 4 or something similar. It has official updates, it's still a pretty robust phone, and you can probably find it cheaper than the overhyped Galaxy S phones (with which you'd have to reflash them with custom firmware after getting them, TouchWiz is simply awful, especially on older Galaxy's).
With Nexus 4 you have enough power for daily tasks and you can use Bitcoin wallets, with all kinds of connections (via Wifi, 3G, NFC, Bluetooth). It's not a huge phone too, in today's standards (also slightly smaller then S3), and you can upgrade it to Lollipop straight out of the box.
It also has the advantage of Galaxy phones. Nexus phones are pretty well known and recieved in the community and they sell pretty well, so there are quite a few devs for them around there. Even if Google gives up on building Android for Nexus 4 you can get updates from XDA or somewhere similar. You also have lots of kernel tweaks and stuff like that for Nexus phones...
Topic: "Best" cheaper smart phone for spending BTC? (Read 1051 times)
The Vodafone own brand pay as you go Androids are quite cheap. There are older 3G models for sale dirt cheap and newer 4G models with more memory are not much more expensive. I would switch off bluetooth if you are going to store bitcoins on them.
An android smart phone is more useful and there are a lot of choice. If you are going to use a bitcoin wallet on it. An iPhone is probably more secure with apps monitored by Apple.
Need to keep an eye on this thread, since I'm still rocking an olde flip-phone. Either I may one day need to join the modern world and get a smartphone out of necessity, or the the flip-phone will fall apart since it's about 6 years old and I'll have to replace it anyway. Can't stand iphones, so it'll probably be some sort of android phone. No idea which one, though, so I'll bear all suggestions in mind.
Thanks for all the ideas guys. I didn't see a hardware expert jump in with the security answers so I'll probably go for a Galaxy S3, Moto G or something in that price range.
Thanks xDan for mentioning that phone and the tips about visiting websites, I will heed your advice, especially since the phone is mostly being gotten for BTC spending.
And yeah Amph, thanks for clarifying that (though I was clear!) I want to help BTC out by using it along with storing a few.
Thanks Meuh6879 for hte refurbished idea, I'll see what pops up.
Agreed calme but I'm just prevented from an Iphone due to price. I would spend the money if I really needed a better smart phone.
Thanks xDan for mentioning that phone and the tips about visiting websites, I will heed your advice, especially since the phone is mostly being gotten for BTC spending.
And yeah Amph, thanks for clarifying that (though I was clear!) I want to help BTC out by using it along with storing a few.
Thanks Meuh6879 for hte refurbished idea, I'll see what pops up.
Agreed calme but I'm just prevented from an Iphone due to price. I would spend the money if I really needed a better smart phone.
refurbished phone (android 4) with a new battery.
i have my old optimus 2x for example ...
i have my old optimus 2x for example ...
Phones have lower security than computer devices I would say keep all in cold storage.
that's not the point, he need it to spend them when it is not at home
i would suggest the cheaper galaxy phone out there, i've spotted the galaxy gran neo plus, should be good enough or s3 yes
Phones have lower security than computer devices I would say keep all in cold storage.
I recently got the older/smaller Moto G as my first smartphone more or less for the same reason of bitcoin.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00KB0YDBG
Doesn't have NFC though, I don't know how important that is for Bitcoin?? I've never actually used it in a shop, only ever used to pay via QR codes displayed on my computer screen which worked fine. (Mycelium wallet.)
I think security is mostly about not visiting/using dodgy websites or apps, not connecting to too many untrustworthy wifi hotspots, keeping things like Bluetooth disabled when not using it. These smartphones are a lot more locked down than a regular desktop computer. I doubt you need to worry too much unless you are going to store a lot of value on it. But I'm no expert here
I use pay as you go and get 500mb/month for £5 here in the UK.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00KB0YDBG
Doesn't have NFC though, I don't know how important that is for Bitcoin?? I've never actually used it in a shop, only ever used to pay via QR codes displayed on my computer screen which worked fine. (Mycelium wallet.)
I think security is mostly about not visiting/using dodgy websites or apps, not connecting to too many untrustworthy wifi hotspots, keeping things like Bluetooth disabled when not using it. These smartphones are a lot more locked down than a regular desktop computer. I doubt you need to worry too much unless you are going to store a lot of value on it. But I'm no expert here
I use pay as you go and get 500mb/month for £5 here in the UK.
iOS is supposedly less hackable than Android but perhaps you could buy the Android and only keep a portion of your savings in that wallet and perhaps consider using a hardware wallet w/ Android.
Hey guys,
I'm looking to start spending BTC but I don't have a smart phone. My purchases have all been online but I thought I really need to contribute to BTC by more than just the occasional talk or such.
So, I am going to buy a cheaper smart phone as I don't need tons of features, really will use it for the occasional call, business, few apps and BTC. Rather have a mini than full sized as well.
Is a semi older phone like the Galaxy S3 mini a good phone to get? - I'm talking for the money. Is the security good enough considering I don't think they do any major Android updates for it? (I would only keep .5 BTC or so in the wallet to lower the security risks. (Web based or App, I lean towards the latter for use of ease.)
I also understand that there is security built into the hardware (chips) so is a more expensive (newer) phone better in that regards? I'm talking of Trusted Execution Environment and they spoke about it on the recent BTC game podcast (and hence it got me thinking.) - https://letstalkbitcoin.com/blog/post/the-bitcoin-game-13-rivetz-and-trusted-computing-with-steven-sprague
I see small plans for like 13 Euro a month (total), 250-500mb data, 100 minutes of calls (more than enough), 2 year contract.
Thanks in Advance,
IAS
ps - I'm in Germany, what is the best app/site to find places to spend BTC at in your city?
I'm looking to start spending BTC but I don't have a smart phone. My purchases have all been online but I thought I really need to contribute to BTC by more than just the occasional talk or such.
So, I am going to buy a cheaper smart phone as I don't need tons of features, really will use it for the occasional call, business, few apps and BTC. Rather have a mini than full sized as well.
Is a semi older phone like the Galaxy S3 mini a good phone to get? - I'm talking for the money. Is the security good enough considering I don't think they do any major Android updates for it? (I would only keep .5 BTC or so in the wallet to lower the security risks. (Web based or App, I lean towards the latter for use of ease.)
I also understand that there is security built into the hardware (chips) so is a more expensive (newer) phone better in that regards? I'm talking of Trusted Execution Environment and they spoke about it on the recent BTC game podcast (and hence it got me thinking.) - https://letstalkbitcoin.com/blog/post/the-bitcoin-game-13-rivetz-and-trusted-computing-with-steven-sprague
I see small plans for like 13 Euro a month (total), 250-500mb data, 100 minutes of calls (more than enough), 2 year contract.
Thanks in Advance,
IAS
ps - I'm in Germany, what is the best app/site to find places to spend BTC at in your city?
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