Where can I get a low cost GOOD Lumia?

[PiggyMiddle]

Need a low cost GOOD Lumia

OK, I quit. I have had the Blu for a while and honestly, I gotta say I got what I paid for. I finally removed the battery and tapped it (from over-shoulder height) with with a 16-lb sledge hammer. Made me feel a whole lot better.

Right now I am back to my old 520 and looking for a replacement. I don't give a hoot about win10 so 8 or 8.1 is fine for me, but it must be a Lumia. I have learned my lesson and I repent.

I don't need, want or like a big screen so 4" or 4.5" is fine with me. Cost is an issue so an 830 is not going to happen, but I would really like a flash with the main camera.

{edit}
TMo or AT&T network, but LTE is not important.
{/edit}

Sooo, what under $200-unlocked AND modern NEW, low-cost alternatives are there to the 520?

It appears that Microsoft store is no longer selling unlocked phones. Not a good sign.

Thanks.

 

[libra89]

Re: Need a low cost GOOD Lumia

Microsoft is selling the 535 unlocked, but it's 5 inches. I would also recommend the 640, but it's also 5 inches. I don't know if new and 4/4.5 inch device can fit in the same sentence. Oh, well there's also the 735, which came out last October, and is 4.7 inches. However the one that is available in the US is Verizon's. An unlocked one from bhphotovideo.com and other places will probably cost more than 200. The choice is yours, but to me those seem like the only choices.

There's also the 435, which is 4 inches but has no flash.

The choice is yours, but if I was in your shoes, I would go with the 640, since it came out this year, has nice specs, and falls into your price range nicely (with locked devices but you can unlock the GoPhone variant in about a day?).

 

[PiggyMiddle]

Re: Need a low cost GOOD Lumia

Thanks, looking at the 520, 535 and 640, other than screen sizes, there is not much difference in them, might as well stay with the 520. Battery life is better with the 640 and it has LED flash. The 520 seems fast enough so no big advantage in the quad over dual cores. Bummer, I was looking forward to a new phone.

 

[libra89]

Re: Need a low cost GOOD Lumia

Thanks, looking at the 520, 535 and 640, other than screen sizes, there is not much difference in them, might as well stay with the 520. Battery life is better with the 640 and it has LED flash. The 520 seems fast enough so no big advantage in the quad over dual cores. Bummer, I was looking forward to a new phone.

The 640 also has double the ram, Lumia Denim, Glance, NFC, and feels lighter than the 520 (at least to me anyway).

 

[ttsoldier]

Re: Need a low cost GOOD Lumia

Not sure what bad experience you had with the BLU. Sorry to say. I have a Blu win hd right now and it works great. I have actually ordered the blu win hd lte and personally I believe it has the edge over the 640...

But if you MUST have a lumia. The best bet right now would be the 640.

 

[RumoredNow]

Re: Need a low cost GOOD Lumia

I agree, screen size restriction needs to be relaxed. Lumia 640 GoPhone at Wally's for $80.

It's your destiny.

 

[harmon rabb]

Re: Need a low cost GOOD Lumia

Not even a question. Lumia 640. 80-100 at Walmart. Light, runs fast and smooth, has full lumia denim, battery life is great.

 

[PiggyMiddle]

Re: Need a low cost GOOD Lumia

Thanks, I agree the 640 seems like a good deal, but -- it is not that much different to the 520 which I am now back to using.
@ttsoldier:
Don't get me started.
I really liked a lot about the Blu, but not enough to keep using it. The dual SIM was an awesome addition as I use two carriers.
Tech support emails responded to after six days.
NO spare parts available to buy. Two of the clips on the back broke off and I wanted to buy a new back. Nope, send it in we will fix it. No phone for two weeks and a scratched replacement back. Admittedly free except for shipping to them.
Poor button placement. I am forever taking screen shots because the on/off is directly opposite the volume button and almost impossible to turn off one-handed without adjusting your grasp to miss the volume.
Camera is almost great. No image stabilization so 60% of pics come out blurry unless you can rest the camera against something.
Poor auto focus especially in low light. I have yet to get anything in focus in a low light situation even with flash.
Phone dialer does not have "Block caller" of the 520 phone app. I LOVE that blocking!
No Internet sharing that even the 520 has.
OK, enough, suffice to say the 520 is back into service.