Question What is your backup device?

[Shellcracker]

The answers to this question will be broad so I thought I'd put it in the ask a question section after trying to decide the appropriate section for it.


My daily driver is a Galaxy S22, still runs and performs great, and is insured. But I thought it a good idea to have a backup in even i have to send it in for repair or total replacement. I was a big note9 fan because of the note features and iris scanner, plus it has an oxygen sensor-- which was dropped from note 10 onward. I could have got an S10 or S10+, but I saved $100 by getting the note 9. I was able to import the metallic copper version, which was originally released only in the Asia region and I think India. I did my research to be sure it would support Verizon LTE bands before buying it, and it does.

I did have to change it from its default Chinese language settings, which took a minute to figure out but I did. Tested my SIM and calls and texts work perfectly. Yes it is dated now, but I like having the O2 sensor, and it still handles the basics plenty well enough. Also love the copper color as welll. 5G is not necessary to me so that wasn't a sacrifice.

 

[B. Diddy]

It's always a good idea to have a backup phone, as long as you can afford it. Mine is a Galaxy A32 5G that was "free" from my carrier after I traded in a really old and nonfunctioning phone. (Daily driver is a Pixel 7 Pro.)

 

[mustang7757]

Definitely agree with having a back up device.

 

[rvbfan]

Samsung A71 that both my wife and I have for a backup. P8P is my daily driver.

 

[BerryBubbles]

When the s22U was realeased, I paid full price & kept my Note20U as a backup phone.
This year, I bought the S24U. Although, logic would say, trade the Note20U in on the s24U, I traded in the s22U instead.

 

[Windroid 2483]

It depends:

Do you want to keep a backup phone with you while you go out, in case your main one gets stollen, loses power or something? For that, I use a Unihertz Atom. That's the smallest rugged smartphone I know of! I use a cheap cellular plan for it (In the US, Ultra Mobile PayGo is 5 USD per month).

Do you want something to keep at home, rather than something to routinely take out with you? For that, I just use my old phone. It's compatible with my cellular provider. The outdated OS limits the apps which can be run on it, but it still works with a reliable taxi company's app.

I also have my laptop computer. That too can serve as a backup phone, thanks to VOIP services (e.g. Google Voice in the US) and messaging applications (e.g. Siginal, WhatsApp). Most laptops don't have cellular data capability, so you'll probably need wi-fi to make a call. Still, if you carry a laptop with you anyway, no reason to not make it a mobile phone. The same goes for tablet computers.

The important thing is this: Test your backups! From time to time: Test them to see if they can still do what you need them to do. That way, if the day comes when you need your backup, you're good to go.

 

[methodman89]

A Pixel 3