Re: Which Smart Phone would be the 'Smart' Option?!

savingsally

Hi People,

I'm a little stuck and am hoping there are some techy people with some good advice or feedback.

I am looking for a new phone, under £170, with sat nav or some sort of map use, internet and preferably smart or android etc.

I have narrowed it down to the following on PAYG:

Nokia 5230
LG GT540 Optima Plus
Sony Ericson Elm

My main concern is screen size and they are not all perfect, but has anyone got any advice or feedback regarding these?

Thanks!

xxx:T

DUTR

For satnav, you don't (and should not) be depending on the screen whilst driving, more so , clear volume from the device .

Oscar_The_Grouch

Hi there

You mention that you want to spend under £170 and looking at the Nokia you've listed, I take it you would prefer to buy the phone on a PAYG or Sim Free basis and then go for one of the sim only tariffs offered by the various networks. I'm not sure that this is your best option if you are looking for a phone that will do sat nav too.

Let's look at O2 as the benchmark for "this is probably the most you will pay":

The HTC Desire is £149 up front and £25 per month for 100 minutes and unlimited everything else (including Data, which you would need even if you went for the Nokia as that's how their sat nav works). It's far better than anything you could buy on a non-contract basis, but you'd be spending over £350 to buy the phone sim free.

The HTC HD2 is £150 up front and £30 per month. Same as above, but you get 300 minutes and as the phone is a "Windows" phone, you can get TomTom sat nav for it which you can buy from eBay or direct.

For £179 and £30 per month, you can get the iPhone 4 16Gb. You can download the free app "Skobbler" sat nav or buy Tom Tom.

I hope that this gives you something to think about.

MissKeith

Well I personally wouldn't classify the Elm or the 5230 as smart phones really. The 5230 includes free Ovi maps but is absolute pants in my opinion. Touch screen seems very unresponsive, build feels cheap and the OS is outdated. I've never had a play with the LG you've named so I can't really comment on that.

I do like the Elm but again, it's not a smart phone. You may struggle getting a true smart phone on that kind of budget without subscribing to a contract.

DUTR

The HTC Wildfire or SE X10 mini should be considered for not much above the OP's budget

MORPH3US

DUTR wrote: »

The HTC Wildfire or SE X10 mini should be considered for not much above the OP's budget

What he (she?) said = same from me If you really can't go for a contract that is.

cookie_monster

I'm also looking at getting a "smart-phone", seems like t-mobile has got some good deals on the Pulse model for £15 a month

http://www.t-mobile.co.uk/shop/pay-monthly/t-mobile-pulse/

gw1

Do you want satnav for whilst driving or would something like googlemaps with gps do?
Are you looking at buying SIM free for your £170 or is that in addition to a monthly contract?

Have you looked at HTC, they probably have the widest range of smart phones both on Android and on Windows Mobile
htc.com/uk

lozzaman

OVI Maps can be loaded onto the SD card so unlimited data isn't mandantory, but I did find the volume on the Nokia 5800XM a little quiet, which surprised me because the speakers on that phone were actually very good.

I use Google Maps now on a HTC Desire and the navigation is very good, but I wish Google would add some more voices!!

d123

the 5230 would be the only one from your list and ovimaps can be downloaded onto the memory card (including maps, so no data charges).

other cheap smart phone choices that would run satnav would be the HTC Wildfire, SE Xperia Mini, T-Mobile Pulse or Pulse Mini or the ZTE Racer (currently a 3UK exclusive).

sweep9

I've just got the LG Optimus GT540 on Tuesday...

Pros...

• Satnav via Google Maps (even street view!)
• Cheap apps
• Good responsive screen (similar to Iphone 3gs)
• Integration of Facebook/Twitter etc. with your Contacts (if your into that sort of thing)
• Layar - Wow! Tried it with houses for sale
• Shopper - Great for buying DVDs etc. Show it a cover or a barcode and it'll show you whos cheapest
• Angry Birds is coming soon!!!
• Android has the potential to be an Iphone killer. (I say this as it seems to be less restrictive with the apps available)

Cons...

• Default settings let the phone eat 50mb of my 500mb monthly allowance in one day!
• Speaker/Ring a bit weak. Sat nav has to be via my bluetooth headset
• Until you change the settings, if a 2g signal is stronger than the available 3g signal - it will default to that

Android phone guide from LG is here