Just need to buy a low cost phone, and have searched some, it seems some Chinese low cost android phone still features with good specs like this one called THL T6C, only goes for £39.99, but not really trust its quality, although it is so cheap, and I also can not find it on amazon.

I've had a Chinese made Cubot GT99 now for the best part of Three years, it pretty much runs 24/7 both as a phone and a permanent wifi hotspot during the evenings and weekends (I don't have landline / ADSL at home) so as far as a harsh life goes, its probably had more of that than most phones, branded included - i.e on charge from Fri Evening to Monday morning whilst constantly being the only source of household internet, as well as normal daily phone activities, car diagnostics, GPS, streaming, audio books etc

I really can't fault it, its never overheated, required a factory reset or let me down and its still on its original factory components (Screen, battery etc) - I just wish my car was as reliable

I can't speak for all Chinese phones, I can only relay my own positive experience from owning one for a period of time, and mine has been very reliable, in fact just as reliable as one costing five times the price, and I wouldn't hesitate to have the same brand again when I eventually upgrade it to a 4G LTE model.

It was around £90 when I bought it direct from a vendor on the Chinese site - Aliexpress, but they do a GT72+ model which is slightly cheaper, and they are listed on Ebay -e.g

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/CUBOT-GT72...-/181911007145

So the Cubot phone is trustworthy? Maybe I can search for their new model. Thanks.

I had a Cubot too. Worked Fine. The Huawei Ascend is on offer right now.

In my experience Yes. There is / was a lot of scaremongering surrounding Chinese phones, largely started years ago by people who have never actually owned one , there was one isolated case of spyware / malware in a phone a few years ago, but the brand "Star" was largely unknown and whose manufacturer didn't even have a website!. Provided you read reviews and choose wisely, in reality you are more likely to have personal details at risk by being a subscriber of Talk Talk or British Gas than through owning a reputable Chinese phone.

The Chinese have really upped their game these days and want to break into the market in the West, and the majority of genuine Manufacturers wouldn't jeopardise that with shoddy goods.

Cubot's latest offerings are the Zorro 001 and the X12 - both of which are 4G ready, the X12 has a lower quality camera (5mp), but can be found on Ebay for around £75. I'm seriously considering the Zorro, once decent 4G coverage arrives to the area.

40 isn't much money. I'd go for a second hand Moto E at that price point.

not really like to buy some second hand device, but still thanks for your advice.

The Doogee X5 can be had for £40 direct from China but just £12 more gets you the X5 Pro with 2gb RAM and 16gb ROM, Gorilla glass etc. Both crazy bargains...


http://www.doogeemobile.com/doogee-x5-pro.html

good advice, but how about the quality of doogee, is it better than THL?

At £40 you’re just going to have to take a punt - especially if you import direct from China. Cubot, Doogee, THL, Coolpad, Umi are all much of a muchness. As long as you don’t expect too much you shouldn’t be disappointed, the phone shouldn’t fall apart.

Personally I would stretch the budget to £52 and get the X5 Pro as the better spec is well worth the extra cash. Don't forget the vast majority of mainstream brands that charge way more for their phones have them made for them in the Far East. I've been using an elephone p6000 for 7 months now (it can be had for £76 now) and it has worked flawlessly. And given its low price I haven't felt the need to look after it at all. Never used a case, dropped it a few times with no damage sustained, its as tough as old boots!

I'm now a convert and will continue to buy my mobiles from China in the future (they are so cheap I'm going to buy a new one around the £100 mark each year, you'd be amazed what sort of spec £100 currently buys you!)

Just make sure if you go for a cheap Chinese handset that it supports all the UK 3G bands, and 4G ones if it supports that - otherwise you could be stuck on GPRS!

I bought the ZTE KIS III back in February as a back up to my One M8. It was £40 then but for some reason it's gone up to £60 now; maybe you can find it cheaper elsewhere.

I was really surprised with how decent it is compared to the £550 HTC phone. Couldn't recommend it stronger at that price point.

The X5 Pro's spec far exceeds the ZTE for similar money but ZTE is obviously a more recognised brand.

I had ZTE Axon and it works great..just make sure when you purchase something on Aliexpress that you go with credible and higher rating seller..those that have frequent orders as well..

Another cheap as chips option here, if you don't want to go second hand or risk an import.

http://shop.vodafone.co.uk/shop/pay-...sku86194-white

Sure to be locked to Voda but it should work with a Lebara SIM, giving you 500 mins and a gig of data for a tenner a month...

Just seen this deal (a little bit more at £50 but looks good) :

http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/doog...-49-71-2316340

I wonder who makes the super cheap Alba and Bush smartphones that Argos sell. They start from £40 and are unlocked.

See post #8

Sorry.