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I just read the iFixIt article on changing a Moto X (current model) battery. It requires 25 steps and 5 specialty tools such as a spudger, a T3 torx screwdriver

I just read the iFixIt article on changing a Moto X (current model) battery. It requires 25 steps and 5 specialty tools such as a spudger, a T3 torx screwdriver, micro sim extractor, etc. You have to heat the back to weaken the adhesive. It's hard to imagine a service center doing all this manual work at a fee low enough to make it worthwhile. I'd like a phone where you can pop out the battery in 2 seconds, like a typical point-and-shoot camera can. For that matter, I want a memory slot as per a camera. I can live with an extra couple of mm of thickness and have a less-sexy handset in exchange for vastly expanded longevity and capacity. Am I in such a tiny minority?

vidarh 12y ago
Buy mid range phones from Aliexpress or similar. My latest phone was about $250 - a Kingzone K1 -, and is an octa-core MTK based phone (so per core performance is not stellar, but more than good enough unless you're doing heavy 3D stuff), 2GB RAM, 16GB flash, SD card slot, 5.5" 1080p IPS display. Pretty much all of these phones are thin (7mm or so for my current one), decent to great build quality (my current one has a metal back plate), and easily replaceable battery. Most of them also have dual SIM slots. There are some things to look out for, like bad sellers and models with poor GPS (MTK phones are notorious for that - my current model works great). The increased risks and increased hassle if having to deal with returns is more than compensated for by the prices. I'm pretty much expecting to replace my phone up to once a year on average at that price. In practice, my 3 last phones have all been good quality and I've had few problems (GPS being the only issue...)
dagw 12y ago
Lot's of phones still let you change the battery and pop in a memory card. Off the top of my head I know the Samsung S4, S5, S5 mini and Note 3 all let you do that. As does the LG G3 and G2 mini, and I believe the G3 S will as well.

vidarh 12y ago

Buy mid range phones from Aliexpress or similar. My latest phone was about $250 - a Kingzone K1 -, and is an octa-core MTK based phone (so per core performance is not stellar, but more than good enough unless you're doing heavy 3D stuff), 2GB RAM, 16GB flash, SD card slot, 5.5" 1080p IPS display. Pretty much all of these phones are thin (7mm or so for my current one), decent to great build quality (my current one has a metal back plate), and easily replaceable battery. Most of them also have dual SIM slots. There are some things to look out for, like bad sellers and models with poor GPS (MTK phones are notorious for that - my current model works great). The increased risks and increased hassle if having to deal with returns is more than compensated for by the prices. I'm pretty much expecting to replace my phone up to once a year on average at that price. In practice, my 3 last phones have all been good quality and I've had few problems (GPS being the only issue...)

dagw 12y ago

Lot's of phones still let you change the battery and pop in a memory card. Off the top of my head I know the Samsung S4, S5, S5 mini and Note 3 all let you do that. As does the LG G3 and G2 mini, and I believe the G3 S will as well.