Cheapest iPhone alternative?

movilogo

I like iPhone but can't really afford one.

What is the cheapest alternative?

I want a similar size screen for web surfing and if possible, like to install free applications on it.

Perferably network unlocked so that I can use any SIM.

Thanx

M4RKM

A Second hand iPhone 3G... you probably can pick them up from ebay for around £200 ish, the market will be flooded very soon with ones from people who have upgraded to the new version..

might be worth thinking about that...

or is £200 too much still?

movilogo

I'm bit reluctant buying 2nd hand.
I'm happy to spend £200 but will prefer a model with warranty for that money.

1984ReturnsForReal_2

LG Renoir brand new circa £170-£220 on ebay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&item=320384636967

movilogo

Ah, that looks nice! Only downside I see it uses a proprietary Operating System. So adding 3rd party apps might be an issue.

Does anyone know how much Nokia N97 will cost? It's to be introduced soon in the market. In USA, it costs $700. So, I reckon it won't be below £400 in UK market.

Still too expensive but within a few months price may come down.

ses6jwg

I've got a blackberry 8900 curve not touch screen but a great little phone

movilogo

as long as it isn't hacked unlocked

That's the first thing I do - make it network unlocked.

That's why I hate Apple products - iPhone or Macbook, they always want customers be locked into their own domain.

So far I mostly bought Nokia phones - usually already unlocked directly from retailers (so no warranty issue if things go bad).

M4RKM

Yeah, a Macbook is "locked" to... erm.. nothing.. you can run Windows, OS X, Linux, on it.. so it is in no way locked.

However, we can't blame apple for the locked iPhone, it's O2.

In countries like Italy / France, the iPhone is sold off contract, and unlocked, so if you really want to fork out €700 for a phone, a trip to italy is in order.

M

movilogo

Does anyone use Nokia 5800? It seems to be cheapest and most affordable alternative to iPhone at the moment.

beckenham8

I've got the N5800, on a recently terminated virgin contract. I've only had it about a month.

Its a good phone and has most if not all the functionality as the iphone though to be honest the user interface, finger scrolling selection is so much better on the apple. I've got an itouch, not the iphone but assuming its similar.

But then the N5800 doesnt cost as much so it really is a case of you get what you pay for I think in this case.

uberalles

beckenham8 wrote: »

I've got the N5800, on a recently terminated virgin contract. I've only had it about a month.

Its a good phone and has most if not all the functionality as the iphone though to be honest the user interface, finger scrolling selection is so much better on the apple. I've got an itouch, not the iphone but assuming its similar.

But then the N5800 doesnt cost as much so it really is a case of you get what you pay for I think in this case.

I agree with these comments.

I have had a 5800 for 4 months now and it is okay and I can do what I want with it, internet etc, albeit it's response is quite slow.

I watch my nephew use his Iphone and the interaction appears to be so much more responsive, so much more fluency.

Plus I don't particularly like the fact the touchpad keyboard partially covers some of the screen, eg, whilst typing a response on a forum.

Personally, I like the look of the N97 but I am far from expert in phones.