Suggested old Android phone to run emulators?

[carey]

This question comes up every once in a while but as models change, I'd appreciate any suggestions for a somewhat recent (2020+, but not current) android phone model to be used only to run Android calculator emulators. My iphone 13 mini works fine as a phone and for iOS emulators (except when the display is too small). I'm not familiar with Android phone models. Thanks!

[ctrclckws]

Samsung Note 20 Ultra,
Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
And a couple of years older
Note 9 and S9

The 20's recently got a quarterly security update.
The 9's aren't getting any updates now.

Mentioned these because they are what I have and use.

[carey]

Thanks for the suggestions! Will look for an S20 ultra.

[Bill Duncan]

I am interested in this as well. I had an old Nexus 5 with many of the emulators. Unfortunately, it died a few years ago and I ended up getting an iPhone. None of my favourite emulators were available, so I'd like to go back to android and ditch the iPhone.

What about google phones? Anyone?

[StephenG1CMZ]

I am afraid that may be too recent to run the old HP Prime Android app (if you can find it). I have it running on Android 8.

Moravia have provided an update, and that ran on Android 12-14 (and maybe older, check the specs), except it was buggy and disappeared from Google Play after a few weeks.

Moravia are planning a beta release, but there is nothing in the Play store yet.

[Peet]

(11-30-2024 05:52 PM)carey Wrote:  Thanks for the suggestions! Will look for an S20 ultra.

I don't think that old flagships are the right choice for this purpose. Entry-level models or mid-range phones like Google Pixel 6(a) or Galaxy A and M models should be just as suitable, if not better.

In my opinion, the choice of emulators should also be taken into account when choosing a device. The most well-known HP67 emulator for Android requires at least Android 13.

The display size/format should also fit. E.g. for an HP28 or 48 emulator, I would choose an 8" tablet instead of a smartphone while a Pixel 6 is almost perfect for a go41cx or plus42.

[carey]

(11-30-2024 06:46 PM)Peet Wrote:  

(11-30-2024 05:52 PM)carey Wrote:  Thanks for the suggestions! Will look for an S20 ultra.

I don't think that old flagships are the right choice for this purpose. Entry-level models or mid-range phones like Google Pixel 6(a) or Galaxy A and M models should be just as suitable, if not better.

Good points, and the newer Google Pixel 6(a) appears to be less expensive than the older Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra (though I read it had overheating issues :(

[Johnh]

It'd need some care to find the right one! It has to be just the right age so that the last Android update it got isn't too high to preclude the apps that are intended for it but not too old and not a worn-out phone.

I usually take a lot of care of a new phone for 2 or 3 years then get it cleaned up, new protectors and battery etc, and pass it on to family. But after another couple of years in every case they are dead in the water.

Another useful approach though is that if you have an old app on an older Samsung, you can usually bring it forward onto a newer one using Smart-Switch (or similar). I have several old apps like this including calc emulators. Mine is currently an S22. I don't know if there's a hard limit on if I can do this onto further later phones.

[HPing]

There are e-ink readers & tablets too. Some run android and can be rooted.

One could connect a QWERTY keyboard. Or make a custom one. Or buy an old blackberry keyboard (wired or BLE).

[Eric Rechlin]

Seconded the S20 series. I still use an S20+ (512 GB storage, 12 GB RAM) and it still works great. Avoid the S21 and S22 series since the SoC on those models has terrible battery life. S23 and S24 are fine, however.