To keep things simple I need to buy a phone under $250 AUD Android that requires zero tinkering that I can give to a friend as a present.
Friend is not technologically literate so work straight out of the box and receive updates normally.
Can't wait for long shipping times so no China or US phones.
Zero tinkering so no Xiaomi miui phones that need extra updates and Rom tinkering etc.
Local warranty so can't do gearbest, eglobal, Amazon etc.
32gb.
Under $250 AUD preferred.
Ideally I would get the 16gb Motorola Moto g5 plus from jb hi fi for about $299 but looking for cheaper and more storage.
Thanks Ozbargain I know this may be a tricky difficult one.
Sorry, (meaningful) updates cost >AU$600.
The cheapest phone to meet the criteria is an iPhone.
Otherwise, something cheaper like the Chinese Lenovo moto's won't receive updates normally.
Unless your definition of "normally" is something like the current norm;
- only 8 Monthly Security updates a year, each monthly update delayed by 7 weeks.
- phone released with one Major Update behind
- phone updated one Major Update after 10 months, putting it 2 Major Updates behind
- phone is lucky enough to get another Minor Update after 4 months, putting it behind 2-3 Major Updates behind
- Monthly Security updates stop arriving after 20 months
- Phone is obsolete software-wise, prompting owners to buy a brand new model
For Example:
LG G3, Released Oct 2014 but shipped with 4.4 instead of Android 5.0
Updated to 5.0 in Mar 2015, instead of Android 5.1
Updated to 5.1 in Oct 2015, instead of Android 6.0
Updated to 6.0 in Mar 2016… last update
Android 7.0 released in Aug 2016, Android 7.1 released in Oct 2016, Android 8.0 released in Aug 2018.
I used the LG G3, as that was a particularly decently supported device compared to the rest of 2014 Android devices.
You will fare worse, or much worse. Unless you get a Pixel. Or better yet an iPhone. Or better yet a device that can be r00ted, bootloader unlocked, has a good community (eg OmniROM).