Issues With Buying An Old Model Smartphone?

[KTMsm]

I'm looking for a new phone with a good camera but because I regularly break them, I'm unwilling to pay more than £200

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro seems perfect but it's a 2.5yr old phone (that's still available new)

Will that cause any issues with lack of updates or anything ?

It isn't 5G but I only use phone, camera, satnav and google, no gaming etc

[Scrump]

Updates are usually limited to a certain period after the phone is first released. A phone released a couple of years ago is likely to have updates stopped a lot sooner than a newly released phone.

Have you looked at the MOTO phones from Motorola?, I think they are good value in that sort of price range.

G53 5G for £170:
https://www.motorola.co.uk/smartphones-moto-g-53-5...

G73 5G for £230:
https://www.motorola.co.uk/smartphones-moto-g-73-5...

[V8covin]

You can pick up a Samsung A34 5g on eBay for £200 brand new with 5 years of security updates....and guaranteed to get android 17

Edited by V8covin on Saturday 2nd September 09:29

[KTMsm]

Yes it was the security updates I was wondering about

I've currently got a Motorola and agree with the reviews on it and the newer ones that the cameras struggle in low light

It's the camera that I use the most, which is why I wanted the 10 Pro

[Griffith4ever]

KTMsm said:

Yes it was the security updates I was wondering about

I've currently got a Motorola and agree with the reviews on it and the newer ones that the cameras struggle in low light

It's the camera that I use the most, which is why I wanted the 10 Pro

The issue with security updates is almost a moot point. Phones just don't get hacked remotely, like, say, windows, and banking apps are secure in their own right. I often buy last gen xiaomi phones as they can be a bargain.

But, if you are paranoid., buy the latest iPhone or Galaxy. That's what all the security insecurity nonsense is designed to make you do.

[KTMsm]

I don't know whether it's a concern or not - hence the question

[Harpoon]

You can get a brand new Galaxy A14 SIM free for £179 from MPD:

https://www.mobilephonesdirect.co.uk/handset/samsu...

[KTMsm]

Gents I know I can buy a lot of other newer phones but I've spent a day reading specs / reviews

I want the older phone - unless there's a problem with buying one

[the-photographer]

KTMsm said:

Gents I know I can buy a lot of other newer phones but I've spent a day reading specs / reviews

I want the older phone - unless there's a problem with buying one

No, there are lots of open box phones on ebay around £200

[Defcon5]

You may need to factor in a new battery if it’s a used phone

[wombleh]

Griffith4ever said:

The issue with security updates is almost a moot point. Phones just don't get hacked remotely, like, say, windows, and banking apps are secure in their own right. I often buy last gen xiaomi phones as they can be a bargain.

But, if you are paranoid., buy the latest iPhone or Galaxy. That's what all the security insecurity nonsense is designed to make you do.

I would disagree with this. There have been publicly announced vulnerabilities in Bluetooth and NFC that OS updates are needed to resolve.

Then you’ve still got all the other attack types such as browser/mail based and malicious apps. If you can keep the apps (especially browser) updated then lowers the risk of vulns in the app itself but they’ll use system libraries that only get updated with the OS.

Personally I wouldn’t be using anything financial or linked to important accounts on a phone that’s not getting updates.

There’s plenty of security theater around for sure, but updating endpoints is not part of it.

[bitchstewie]

wombleh said:

I would disagree with this. There have been publicly announced vulnerabilities in Bluetooth and NFC that OS updates are needed to resolve.

Then you’ve still got all the other attack types such as browser/mail based and malicious apps. If you can keep the apps (especially browser) updated then lowers the risk of vulns in the app itself but they’ll use system libraries that only get updated with the OS.

Personally I wouldn’t be using anything financial or linked to important accounts on a phone that’s not getting updates.

There’s plenty of security theater around for sure, but updating endpoints is not part of it.

^^ this

I know KTMsm has said he'll only use it for "phone, camera, satnav and google" but there's a reason that in audit and compliance land you have to be running supported operating systems.

If you're sure you won't ever do anything sensitive on it I get it - just do the maths to be sure spending another £50 doesn't get you a phone that will last 2 years longer and get updates etc.

[V8covin]

KTMsm said:

Gents I know I can buy a lot of other newer phones but I've spent a day reading specs / reviews

I want the older phone - unless there's a problem with buying one

I know that phone was highly regarded at the time but you can get similar spec phones that have just been released for similar money .
It's a no brainer for me

[Griffith4ever]

bhstewie said:

wombleh said:

I would disagree with this. There have been publicly announced vulnerabilities in Bluetooth and NFC that OS updates are needed to resolve.

Then you’ve still got all the other attack types such as browser/mail based and malicious apps. If you can keep the apps (especially browser) updated then lowers the risk of vulns in the app itself but they’ll use system libraries that only get updated with the OS.

Personally I wouldn’t be using anything financial or linked to important accounts on a phone that’s not getting updates.

There’s plenty of security theater around for sure, but updating endpoints is not part of it.

^^ this

I know KTMsm has said he'll only use it for "phone, camera, satnav and google" but there's a reason that in audit and compliance land you have to be running supported operating systems.

If you're sure you won't ever do anything sensitive on it I get it - just do the maths to be sure spending another £50 doesn't get you a phone that will last 2 years longer and get updates etc.

well, it's your money :-)

I use a Xioami mi note 10. They were released in 2019. On that I manage three business bank accounts , 4 or 5 current accounts and 5 savings accounts .

I can't remember the last time the phone was updated. Long while back. All the banks Auth their app on the phone. All but two are accessed via finger print, and all require SMS confirmation to set up any new external recipient.

All fine. The update fear is a load of rollocks. They banks don't authorise the apps to be installed on insecure phones.

The phone,btw, is an absolute steal, and still has some of the best cameras out there.

[anonymous-user]

Look at the Honor 70 it is an excellent phone. I think the price is currently £299 but Honor are always doing 10% vouchers if you join their mailing list.

[KTMsm]

V8covin said:

I know that phone was highly regarded at the time but you can get similar spec phones that have just been released for similar money .
It's a no brainer for me

If you can suggest one I'm all ears...

I've currently got a G8 power - this one has made almost 2 years but a table flipped, launching a bowl of used engine oil on it, killing the speaker

The previous G8 lasted 2 weeks before getting smashed hence my reluctance to spend more

The cameras on the Motorolas aren't great and I simply don't need 5G. The budget phones with it have others things reduced - which I do use

The 108MP camera is hard to better and a great camera is my main requirement

[Turtle Shed]

I've also got a Redmi Note 10 Pro - Cost me £129.00 brand new on some absolutely epic Amazon Prime deal or whatever.

Brilliant phone, the only thing it is missing is 5g (don't care) and wireless charging (likewise).

[V8covin]

KTMsm said:

If you can suggest one I'm all ears...

I've currently got a G8 power - this one has made almost 2 years but a table flipped, launching a bowl of used engine oil on it, killing the speaker

The previous G8 lasted 2 weeks before getting smashed hence my reluctance to spend more

The cameras on the Motorolas aren't great and I simply don't need 5G. The budget phones with it have others things reduced - which I do use

The 108MP camera is hard to better and a great camera is my main requirement

108MP is just for marketing terms though isn't it,pictures in 108MP aren't that great according to some reviews I've seen.....and anyway what are you doing with these pictures because unless you're enlarging them and printing them off most phones cameras are more than adequate....if you want the absolute best camera you're going to have to go for an iphone or a top of the range android.
Here's a comparison with the Samsung A34,in most respects they're very very similar
https://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=106...

[wong]

OP - If you regularly break phones, consider ~ £20-30 on a decent case. But it will be bulky.

[shtu]

KTMsm said:

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro seems perfect but it's a 2.5yr old phone (that's still available new)

Will that cause any issues with lack of updates or anything ?

I have that exact phone. It's currently running MIUI 14.0.3, which is their reskin of Android 13. Most recent security update installed is May '23.

Far as I knw it'll get security updates for a good while yet, but unlikely to move onto Android 14 officially.

edit - fwiw, my previous phone was a Lenovo P2, and the only reason I changed it was because Android Auto wouldn't work on Android 7.

Edited by shtu on Saturday 2nd September 19:03