Buying a new smartphone - Mobiistar anyone?

They're a Vietnamese company, but the phones are made in China.  I've had several of their smart phones over the years, as well as several Masstel, Wing and Lenovo models.  They're pretty much on par with each other, but it's a putt-putt course, as opposed to the PGA course that Samsung and Apple can be found on.

I have a Mobistar now, but it's not a smart phone.  I've dropped it, thrown it and cursed it more times than I can recall and it still works as good as the day I bought it, despite my best efforts. 

Overall, they're ok, but let's face it - they're not as good as most of the brand names; especially the cameras.

If you want a phone that works and that most thieves will pass over (lest they become the laughingstock of the thieving community), you've found the right brand!

Bought a mid-range Samsung (Galaxy II Duo SM-G7102) in November 2014. Had it for 6 months and it now has a 'no service' problem. Cannot make/receive calls or sms, no mobile internet. Only wi-fi works and the built-in apps/features like calendar.

BOught it from stall at MBK Centre in Bangkok, thinking it was a brand new Samsung, but later found out it was a grey import. Even before the problems started, it was performing really badly. It would take forever to open an app. Or do something basic like open a browser.

Battery life is atrocious. Suddenly the battery drains from around 30% to 0%. If I buy a Mobiistar and use it for a year, reckon it would be good value for money in comparison to my previous debacle. plus, I'd be buying local.

I reckon you're smart to go for a Phone only (not smartphone), I might do the same. smartphones are so overrated.

p.s. The camera on my Samsung still works, and the pictures are decent quality. But sometimes the picture comes out full screen, sometimes cropped. Also, ever so often it comes out fuzzy, even when I 'lock-in' the picture, before snapping.