Cheap smart phone for long runs

poorgradstudent wrote:

I don't want to carry my galaxy note 5 with me... it's too clunky and it would suck to drop it

I'd like to get a cheap (< $100 or so), small and lightweight phone to carry with me for listening to podcasts and calling for a ride if a bad lightning storm starts or something

any recommendations?

iPhone 4?

Jellybean phone

Hurl wrote:

Jellybean phone

Did you mean the "Jitterbug" phone? Maybe Consumer Cellular? Maybe a prepaid "Go" phone where you get the phone and some call time for like $20?

You sound like a perfect candidate for treadmill running.

From personal experience I'd suggest a second hand Sony Z3 or Z5 compact. Small, good battery life, great screen and camera, and most important of all for running with, sufficiently water and moisture resistant!

I just went through this decision a month ago.

Here's what I went with:

Phone Plan: Tello Mobile $10 Pay-as-you-go credit

• Sprint service

• $10 activation fee including SIM card

• No annual fee. Use minutes/text/data until you run out of credit.

• You can enroll in an auto refill of credit too.

Phone: Kyocera Torque E6710 (Sprint)

• $24

• Pretty crappy specs in general but for calls/text/music it works well.

• Waterproof, military spec.

• It has an MicroSD slot to load tons of music.

• 4G LTE

This combo works really so far since I'm never so far from a major city or freeway that reception is an issue. You do have to be really cautious about data usage since it's prepaid. I use the ghostracer app and upload to strava over wifi when I'm home if I choose to track my runs with it. It has GPS + GLONASS too.

Blu has cheap phones on Amazon. The last one I bought was great.

If you get one that's a version behind whatever current Android OS is, it should be cheap.

Samsung Gear S line ($150 for S1 to $300 for S3). I has it's own phone number but pairs to your main phone if needed/wanter. It is cheaper on most carriers for data plan since it isn't a smartphone. It has built-in and downloadable apps for audio and a GPS for running distance/pace.

I have an old S1 and it works great paired to bluetooth sweatproof headphones for audiobooks and music. I rarely use the GPS but it has a good "MapMyRun" app.

The obvious solution is to not carry a phone while running.

If you want something to listen to, the sounds of nature and people around you will provide.

If you want to get home during a thunderstorm, you're already running and you'll get home just as fast that way as you would waiting for a ride.

Believe it or not your world will not collapse if you spend a couple of hours away from a smartphone.

ish wrote:

The obvious solution is to not carry a phone while running.

If you want something to listen to, the sounds of nature and people around you will provide.

If you want to get home during a thunderstorm, you're already running and you'll get home just as fast that way as you would waiting for a ride.

Believe it or not your world will not collapse if you spend a couple of hours away from a smartphone.

I don't claim to be some purist, you jerk. I'm training for 3:05 in the marathon, not 2:19. I'd rather have something to entertain myself on 18 mile runs at 8:00 pace.

Thanks, this sounds like a good setup

poorgradstudent wrote:

ish wrote:

The obvious solution is to not carry a phone while running.

If you want something to listen to, the sounds of nature and people around you will provide.

If you want to get home during a thunderstorm, you're already running and you'll get home just as fast that way as you would waiting for a ride.

Believe it or not your world will not collapse if you spend a couple of hours away from a smartphone.

I don't claim to be some purist, you jerk. I'm training for 3:05 in the marathon, not 2:19. I'd rather have something to entertain myself on 18 mile runs at 8:00 pace.

Why don't you pick a sport that you actually enjoy?

$50 shuffle for podcasts.

only pussies carry cell phones when running for safety reasons.

ish wrote:

Believe it or not your world will not collapse if you spend a couple of hours away from a smartphone.

This. 1000 times over.

poorgradstudent wrote:

ish wrote:

The obvious solution is to not carry a phone while running.

If you want something to listen to, the sounds of nature and people around you will provide.

If you want to get home during a thunderstorm, you're already running and you'll get home just as fast that way as you would waiting for a ride.

Believe it or not your world will not collapse if you spend a couple of hours away from a smartphone.

I don't claim to be some purist, you jerk. I'm training for 3:05 in the marathon, not 2:19. I'd rather have something to entertain myself on 18 mile runs at 8:00 pace.

you do you man. dont let people tell you what to do while you run. whatever gets you out there running is what you should do

jimmy chonga wrote:

ish wrote:

Believe it or not your world will not collapse if you spend a couple of hours away from a smartphone.

This. 1000 times over.

OP is clearly a millennial so yes it would collapse

Bad Wiggins is clearly a boomer. In his mind, his opinion is always right and he JUST CANT BELIEVE that anyone would ever have different opinions.

I ran 10+ a day for years in shorts and shoes. Sometimes a watch. I survived.

In fact, I was faster than most everyone on here. So bite me.