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tubemonkey · 12-25-2013, 10:41 AM

No-Contract Smartphones for use as Streaming Audio Players

I now have two no-contract smartphones I'm using as streaming audio players (think Galaxy Player at a much cheaper price). They do have limitations at this price point; but for their use as dedicated audio devices, those limitations are negligible. I picked up both devices during the recent holiday sales.

Let me say this up front. If I were in the market for a smartphone, I wouldn't even begin to consider either of these devices. They have too many shortcomings and would be extremely poor smartphones. But; for their intended use as streaming audio devices, they work quite well.

Since these are lower end devices, the hardware suffers. Additionally, they run older versions of Android with no hope for an upgrade (unless jailbroken).

The devices are a Samsung Galaxy Ring (released Jun 13) I paid $50 for and a Kyocera Hydro (released Aug 12) I paid $20 for. Though fairly new, these devices use older technology. They both run single-core Snapdragon S2 CPUs. The Ring clocks in at 1.4GHz with 1GB RAM and the Hydro at 1.0GHz with 512MB RAM. External storage is very good for the Ring (64GB) and good for the Hydro (32GB). Displays are mediocre, but quite adequate for use as an audio device. The Ring has a 4.0" display at 233 PPI and the Hydro has a 3.5" display at 165 PPI.

But the biggest drawback to both devices is the onboard storage. The Ring has 4GB (1.9GB available) and the Hydro has 2GB (1.0GB available). That means I can't load very many apps, since most of them can't be transferred to an SD card. The Ring runs Jelly Bean 4.1.2 and won't allow app 2 SD. The Hydro runs Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.4 and does allow some app 2 SD.

For the Ring, I've loaded all of my must have audio apps and some extras (games, video). I still have 0.7GB left, so I'm doing good. Since I just received the Hydro yesterday, I still haven't finished loading my must have apps. I'm currently down to 0.5GB left, so not doing nearly as well as the Ring. Even though ICS allows app 2 SD, most won't transfer due to permissions. I can't mirror what I did with the Ring, since I used 1.2GB for it and the Hydro only has 1.0GB to begin with. So the Hydro will be a challenge. Still, for $20 it'll make a good streaming audio device.

Anyway; for those interested in a streaming MP3 player, consider getting a no-contract smartphone if the price is right. The Galaxy Ring is the clear winner here. Plenty of room for audio apps; and lots of room for music and audiobooks with an added 64GB mSD card.

Keep in mind that Android does NOT support OverDrive WMA audiobooks, so these devices are just as handicapped as high-end Android devices.

Bottom line -

for the Galaxy Ring and

for the Hydro.

12-25-2013, 10:41 AM	#1615
tubemonkey monkey on the fringe Posts: 45,776 Karma: 158733736 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Seattle Metro Device: Moto E6, Echo Show	No-Contract Smartphones for use as Streaming Audio Players I now have two no-contract smartphones I'm using as streaming audio players (think Galaxy Player at a much cheaper price). They do have limitations at this price point; but for their use as dedicated audio devices, those limitations are negligible. I picked up both devices during the recent holiday sales. Let me say this up front. If I were in the market for a smartphone, I wouldn't even begin to consider either of these devices. They have too many shortcomings and would be extremely poor smartphones. But; for their intended use as streaming audio devices, they work quite well. Since these are lower end devices, the hardware suffers. Additionally, they run older versions of Android with no hope for an upgrade (unless jailbroken). The devices are a Samsung Galaxy Ring (released Jun 13) I paid $50 for and a Kyocera Hydro (released Aug 12) I paid $20 for. Though fairly new, these devices use older technology. They both run single-core Snapdragon S2 CPUs. The Ring clocks in at 1.4GHz with 1GB RAM and the Hydro at 1.0GHz with 512MB RAM. External storage is very good for the Ring (64GB) and good for the Hydro (32GB). Displays are mediocre, but quite adequate for use as an audio device. The Ring has a 4.0" display at 233 PPI and the Hydro has a 3.5" display at 165 PPI. But the biggest drawback to both devices is the onboard storage. The Ring has 4GB (1.9GB available) and the Hydro has 2GB (1.0GB available). That means I can't load very many apps, since most of them can't be transferred to an SD card. The Ring runs Jelly Bean 4.1.2 and won't allow app 2 SD. The Hydro runs Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0.4 and does allow some app 2 SD. For the Ring, I've loaded all of my must have audio apps and some extras (games, video). I still have 0.7GB left, so I'm doing good. Since I just received the Hydro yesterday, I still haven't finished loading my must have apps. I'm currently down to 0.5GB left, so not doing nearly as well as the Ring. Even though ICS allows app 2 SD, most won't transfer due to permissions. I can't mirror what I did with the Ring, since I used 1.2GB for it and the Hydro only has 1.0GB to begin with. So the Hydro will be a challenge. Still, for $20 it'll make a good streaming audio device. Anyway; for those interested in a streaming MP3 player, consider getting a no-contract smartphone if the price is right. The Galaxy Ring is the clear winner here. Plenty of room for audio apps; and lots of room for music and audiobooks with an added 64GB mSD card. Keep in mind that Android does NOT support OverDrive WMA audiobooks, so these devices are just as handicapped as high-end Android devices. Bottom line - for the Galaxy Ring and for the Hydro.