Moving from an S20FE to an A26 5G?

[gomezz]

With the security updates on the S20 range coming to an end I was wondering if I really need a flagship S series phone or if I would be served well enough by a budget A Series model?

I am not that fussed by camera specs nor about watching videos nor gaming. Apart from being used as a basic call-making, messaging phone my main usage is for listening to music and podcasts while in the work van or going for walks. As long as it also runs Google Maps for occasional use and a bit of light browsing to check up on things while on the move that is about it.

Have I missed anything out that I should be thinking about? Any other advice?

 

[Alice- Bennett]

For everyday things like calls and browsing, the A26 5G is a good pick. It's smooth enough too. No need to spend big if that’s all that’s needed.

 

[gomezz]

After feedback from elsewhere and a bit more digging a possible alternative that I can get at a similar budget price is the Moto G75. Will bear this in mind while I continue to cogitate on this ...

... How much will I miss OneUI and Bixby though? Definitely wouldn't miss the Samsung bloatware!

 

[gomezz]

Been seeing a lot of reviews on the G75 about poor build quality so not as keen on that now.

The lack of wireless charging on the A26 is a bind but wondering how I would get on with adding an adapter pad (with my usual soft bumper cover to protect it.

Had another look at the S25+ with 256GB and can get a deal equivalent to about a tenner a month for its supported life (SIM free as I already have a good £9 per month contract for 250GB which I want to keep). Put that way it sounds like an attractive way to go.

 

[gomezz]

Having been all round the houses regarding models and budget I am now thinking of just staying with my old S20FE for now. Just installed a VPN which should help protect against any dodginess with wi-fi hotspots when out and about. Done a bit of housekeeping there as well by deleting all but the ones I commonly use and trust.

Having said that, that must have just increased the odds of my dropping the old phone down the loo or having it pinched.

 

[Laura Knotek]

Having said that, that must have just increased the odds of my dropping the old phone down the loo or having it pinched.

I sure hope not!

 

[sulla1965]

If your worried about updates, then don't even think about buying a moto device.

 

[gomezz]

Had another look at the G75 and that is now showing as having updates "through 2029" which seems good enough for it not being a bar to it being an option to consider.

That said recently had a security update for my old S20FE and expecting at least one more next quarter before I reach the next decision point.

 

[gomezz]

Well, well, well! Three holes in the ground!

Just had a look at the newly launched S25FE and that seems like the phone for me, Can get the 256GB model on a very good deal and while I would ideally like more storage I can live with that especially if I do a bit of housekeeping on my music library and podcast downloads. to give me more headroom.

 

[Laura Knotek]

Well, well, well! Three holes in the ground!

Just had a look at the newly launched S25FE and that seems like the phone for me, Can get the 256GB model on a very good deal and while I would ideally like more storage I can live with that especially if I do a bit of housekeeping on my music library and podcast downloads. to give me more headroom.

Cool! I hope that device works out well for you. Please let us know if you get it and how you like it.

 

[gomezz]

Thanks. Will be waiting till the run up to Christmas when I can get an even better deal and reconsider my options as and when the security updates on the old phone are no longer provided. It will answer the perennial question "What can I get myself as a combined Christmas / Birthday present this year?"

 

[gomezz]

Just been looking at the AI "wonders" of the latest and greatest OneUI that would come with a new model and that has totally decided me against it. I will be sticking with what I have got and stay in a pre-AI world.

Or can AI features be totally turned off by the user as standard?

Edit: Apparently you can so maybe not off the table.

 

[gomezz]

Did the deed yesterday and got the good deal I was hoping for on the S25FE- works out at under £7 per month over the seven years the S25FE is due security updates (on top of my £9 per month 256GB mobile service contract).

Took me the main part of this weekend to set up the new phone to something like even after Smart Switch shouldered the bulk of the transfer work. Now waiting for the new protective bumper case and screen protector to turn up before it is allowed out of the safety of the house. In the mean time the old phone sans SIM card will serve mainly as a media player with only phone calls and texts not getting through.

 

[gomezz]

Took the bold step today to power off the old phone. Which is a sure fire way of finding out that there is something still on there I need to tweak the new phone!

 

[mustang7757]

Took the bold step today to power off the old phone. Which is a sure fire way of finding out that there is something still on there I need to tweak the new phone!

That happens sometimes to me I forget something to transfer

 

[gomezz]

I think I have now resolved my last issue of note this morning which was about automatically turning off Bluetooth while at home with no device connected (to avoid conflict with using Bluetooth at home on my tablet to the same devices).

As Bixby/Routines is still way behind the game in allowing you to do this easily I yesterday re-coded the Macrodroid macro that worked on my old phone. But it wasn't working! Then after sleeping on it wondered if I had been too clever by half in not giving the MD Helper app *all* the permissions it needed. So re-installed that and gave it the free reign it asked for and now all is sweetness and light.

 

[gomezz]

Mmm! Realised today that none of my notifications were making a sound. Seems like a common issue on the S25 series. Don't know for sure how I fixed it but i did a full reset of app preferences and rebooted the phone and things seem to work again after that though I now had/have the hassle of retweaking the preferences per app as and when I come to use them.