25K+ Urgent - Phone for Dad

[n3nimbus]

Hello guys,
My dad is looking for a new cell phone. He basically wants to use it for mails, lot of phone calls and should look decent enough as he visits a lot of people in his business. He also wants good service as he isn't going to change his phone for the next 6-7 years.
1. Budget?
A: 30k (can strech it to 35k but only if it is justified!) - Mumbai
2. Preferred Form Factor(flip, bar, slider)?
A: Bar
3. Preferred display type?
A: TFT/Super Amoled
4. Do you have any brand preference or dislike? Please name them.
A: Open to all
5. Preferred input method (Touchscreen, QWERTY, etc.)?
A: Touchscreen
6. Camera required or not? If required, please specify type like front camera/flash/etc.
A: Camera isn't important
7. Preferred operating system? (Android, Symbian, iOS, Windows Phone etc).
A: Andriod/iOS
8. Preferred connectivity options? (3G, Wifi, Edge etc).
A: 2G and 3G both
9. What is your intended use for this phone(internet, camera, multimedia, mails, etc)?
A: Mails/Internet/LOT of phone calls
10. Any other requirements?
A: Should be durable and sturdy. Should have a good battery life.
11. If you have already considered a phone then please mention the model.
A: Xperia Z/ZR/iphone 4s
Not Considering Nexus 4 as I guess LG would not provide that good a service. My dad is inclined towards Samsung since it provides a great service and there is piece of mind, but I myself am much inclined towards Sony. Considered Note 2 as well but then its really big and would be difficult to attend a lot of calls with it. Although the decision is in my hands so please help me out with this. Any suggestions other than above are also open.

 

[YashBhatt]

For your budget there isn't a VFM device better than Nexus 4 but since you aren't inclined towards LG as a company
You can consider getting Note 2 or Sony Xperia Z but the Xperia Z has been proven to be fragile as far as the screen is concern, you might keep that point in mind as well

iphone 5 doesn't come under your budget and there won't be a point going for 4/4S with the upcoming launch of the 5S and 5C (personal opinion)
Also,why no windows phones ?
Lumia 925 is also good for your price range and i find the looks quite intriguing
Since its gonna be mostly calls and Mails/internet you can give lumia a shot

 

[n3nimbus]

Personally didn't like the the lumia design. I was also checking iphone 4s (iphone 5 wont fit my budget) but waiting for tomorrows launch of 5s and 5c. While 5c will most definitely by under 35k but it would have a plastic back which won't have the premium feeling of a 4s. Now considering my dad won't mind old hardware or so since he isn't going to play any games or anything, plus the rpice decrease after the 5s launch should be a good bet, don't you think? Also as far as i have heard iphones are very sturdy and don't go kaput after a few years. Since you say xperia Z is fragile, iphone 4s seems a good choice at the moment. Other opinions are welcome please.

 

[blr_p]

My dad is inclined towards Samsung since it provides a great service and there is piece of mind, but I myself am much inclined towards Sony. Considered Note 2 as well but then its really big and would be difficult to attend a lot of calls with it. Although the decision is in my hands so please help me out with this. Any suggestions other than above are also open.

S3 or S4 (via CC + EMI)

Service wise, maintenance wise a samsung design is best. Since he's not bothered about its looks this should be good.

OS udpates wise apple is better than android. They will update the device so long as it is possible whereas the android devices tend not to get more than an update or two (flagships).

I think your choice is between apple or samsung. How familiar is he with either OS.

What phone does he use presently and whether there is a chance to trade it in and get some reduction.

why are you inclined towards sony btw and which models did you have in mind ?

 

[n3nimbus]

I mentioned at the top itself that looks are important. 'My dad is looking for a new cell phone. He basically wants to use it for mails, lot of phone calls and should look decent enough as he visits a lot of people in his business. He also wants good service as he isn't going to change his phone for the next 6-7 years.'
I am not inclined towards sony, its just that under my budget and requirements, sony is looking like the best option.
He isn't familiar with either os. He is using an old cell at the moment some 5-6 years old. I believe iOS is very simple compared to andriod as you don't need to go searching for apps and widgets and customize and all that

 

[shanx]

Go for the Note 2 or S4 as @blr_p mentioned! iPhone 4s has a puny 3.5 inch screen for emails and so. With the Note 2 get a bluetooth headset and you are set. Since you mentioned a LOT of calls i think the 3100mAh battery is your best bet at it. Plus the screen real estate is very decent and it looks good too!
If you can wait till end september then the Note 3 will be out. See its pricing before making a choice! If it is under 40k then i would suggest you get that since it will be futureproof!

 

[blr_p]

I mentioned at the top itself that looks are important. 'My dad is looking for a new cell phone. He basically wants to use it for mails, lot of phone calls and should look decent enough as he visits a lot of people in his business. He also wants good service as he isn't going to change his phone for the next 6-7 years.'

Nothing wrong with S4's looks. You said decent enough and S4 qualifies. Its got very good ergonomics with a 5 inch screen and sits very comfortably in your hand. Has your dad actually held any of these devices in his hand and played with them. I'd say thats really important. Blocky phones are less comfortable to hold for long than those with rounded edges. You can always get cases to round out the edges but you will have to source those from abroad as the selection is better. A black bezel gives you more choices for colours than a white one.

Note 2 would be the ideal candidate here but you said its too big. Suggest you make him try both S4 & note 2 out.

I am not inclined towards sony, its just that under my budget and requirements, sony is looking like the best option.

Why is the sony the best option ?

Lots of phone calls = good battery life means user replaceable battery by default. The ZR s the only model in the Z series with a user replaceable battery. Does he really need a water resistant phone. What about the ZL in that case.

Servicing with the Z series is pricey. think double the cost of samsungs. Service is good with sony, otherwise.

Since your dad wants to hold onto his phone for 5-6years samsung looks like a good fit. Was reading the T&C's for sony service a while back and recall reading they reserves the right to refuse service to a device that is 5 years or older. Does not mean they won't do it but...

Optimus G is a very nice phone with an excellent display but you will have to go to their service centres which are fewer. No user replaceable battery nor micro sd card unless you go with G pro which if note 2 is too big then g pro is out too.

He isn't familiar with either os. He is using an old cell at the moment some 5-6 years old. I believe iOS is very simple compared to andriod as you don't need to go searching for apps and widgets and customize and all that

What screen size is he comfortable with. What screen size is too small and what is too big.

S3, S4, Note 2, ZL, Optimus G, G Pro line those up for him.

Has your dad actually held these phones in his hand yet. Which did he like in terms of feel...

Finally, i would not look to buy a phone that will be there for 6-7 years in a rush. Takes time to get a feel and understand what matters to you in terms of ergonomics. This bit is quite difficult to get right without experience. Knowing what you like and not.

 

[n3nimbus]

Thank you guys for all your suggestions and help. I will just take my dad and let him try out the dummies of S3, S4, Z, Note 2 and let him decide.
Since S4 is much costlier, I guess a better option would be the HTC one at around 37k. Nothing beats its looks and has a big enough screen. What say guys...

 

[blr_p]

S4 will work out to ~35k if you buy with EMI. The samsung shop told me you get a 15% automatic discount by the credit card company.

HTC one has a good screen but you will need to check with the service centre how long it will take to do a screen replacement. Basically how long can your dad do without a phone in case the screen breaks. Same applies for battery replacement as well given how long he plans to hold onto it. HTC one is a youngish looking phone, though.

Look at the ZL as well if you consider the Z. It has a nice feel better i think than the Z. Not as easy to slip out of the hand.

pretty phones = higher service cost. if you can bear it.

 

[n3nimbus]

Haha. Service cost isn't a concern as long the phone isn't flimsy and breaks down like once every year. I myself use a Sensation XE and I once had an issue and they got it replaced within 3 days, so pretty happy with the service there. My dad isn't the one to buy with a credit card, he hates using them. So probably just looking at cash deals. Anyways thanks for all the help.

 

[blr_p]

Free replacement (that too only for manufacturer defect) is fine so long as its under warranty, so what happens for the remaining 5 years after then ?

Contingencies like if your dad accidently drops the phone and breaks the screen. Replacing a Z will cost upto 50% what you paid. How much will HTC charge for the one ? Replacements are quick, repairs will be done out of country so 2-3 weeks wait.

Does he need a flagship or could he get away with something cheaper.

 

[n3nimbus]

He could do with something cheaper as well. His needs could be fulfilled even with a 15k phone, but since its his first time buying a costly cell and he isn't going to replace it or anything any time soon, I want it to be something special. Hence looking at what I can get best under this budget.

 

[blr_p]

He could do with something cheaper as well. His needs could be fulfilled even with a 15k phone, but since its his first time buying a costly cell and he isn't going to replace it or anything any time soon, I want it to be something special. Hence looking at what I can get best under this budget.

I figure if you can get 3 years out of flagship, then its ~10-12k per year. 5-6 years means half that annual cost. So getting a good phone makes sense. The tricky bit is the depreciation year on year.

Take the S3 or Note 2, came out a year ago at ~40k, goes for 28k today. So thats ~30% depreciation in one year.

After 3 years, you would not be able to sell it for anything. After 3 years how well will it stand up to the latest & greatest.

Would the phone you buy today be much use after 3 years ? For basic use, probably.

 

[n3nimbus]

My dad needs it only for the basic functionality anyways. Phone calls and emails, that is it. He probably isn't looking at resale value since anyways he will be using it for 6-7 years and by that time he will be getting like 5k for the phone that too in exchange for another new one. Since Samsung releases a s**t load of phones every year, their depreciation is bound to be more as compared to others.