Phone Curious

[peristaltor]

Okay, I'm looking for advice from you folks who have experience: I need a new cell phone.

Here's the thing: I really, really can't stand to have advertising on it. If I search for something, if I download something, it can't come with any ads. Because of this, I have not used my "smart" phone (Galaxy Core Prime) for "surfing" or, really, much at all, simply because I could not figure out how to do so without adverts.

So: are there any ad-free options out there? Anything?

TIA,

—Perry

Comments

[peristaltor]

While your link is impressive, my needs are simple:

Do the first few things on your list (which surprisingly does not include "access webpages"; weird) but also block close to 100% of ads when I do get on the web.

Really, it's that simple. Thoughts?

[garote]

I don't think you'll ever get to 100% browsing the internet, unless you stick to a narrow slice of what's out there.
But there are tools that can assist you. This would be my current recommendation:

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/firefox-focus-privacy-browser/id1055677337

[peristaltor]

*Sigh* so the more expensive phone seems always to be the only good option.

Years ago, with my grab-and-go jobs, I vowed never to take to work any device that would cost more than $50 to replace. I suppose I'm going to have to adjust for inflation… but quintupling? Yikes.

And, again, sigh.

[garote]

Apple is pretty impressive about supporting older models. You can buy a used iPhone 8 (the 2017 model) for under 200 bucks and it runs the latest software and apps, fancy games aside.