Help me pick a new phone!

Katie-Kat-Kins

Hi, I'm a bit of a mobile numpty and I've been putting off upgrading because I hate wading through the choices! Can anyone offer me some advice on the following which are all available free on my tarriff with orange.

Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 mini lime
Samsung galaxy apollo i5801
LG optimus one
Orange San Fransisco
Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Fashion Edition
Samsung Monte S5620

In terms of what I want, I currently have a Nokia. I used it for calls, texts, some internet (mainly facebook), accessing the internet on my netbook via a usb cable, listening to the radio and MP3s, most importantly sat nav. My previous phones have mainly been nokias, I had a motorola for a while and didn't really like it.

My husband also needs a new phone and I think there will be a similar selection available free. He's a bit of a disaster with phones and needs something robust, he mainly just uses his phone for texting but internet would be useful and he would like sat nav.

Final question, what is the difference between android and symbian? A friend has a nokia N8 and has recommended I look at them, they are currently out of stock with Orange but if they are the best phone I could wait.

Thanks for the help and advice.

Orrin

I don't know anything about the Monte, but the others are all Android phones so software wise they should all be similar. One thing to look out for is what version of Android they come with as some are more up to date than others. Also if you intend to root or flash custom roms this may be easier with some phones than with others. The San Francisco for example is very easy to modify in this way.

On paper the San Francisco is the highest specification phone there but if I were you I'd be pushing for something better on an upgrade as some of those models are quite old now and there'll be new ones arriving in a few months.

The N8 is in a different league to the others you've listed but as you say it's Symbian and not Android. Having used both I prefer Android as it feels more modern and is more easily customised, but Symbian is still popular and there are a lot of apps available so you should be able to do the things you want on either phone.

Katie-Kat-Kins

Thanks, the San Fansisco listed a higher version of Android than the others. I had a feeling the N8 would probably not be available free on my tarriff but thought it might be worth asking for it and trying my luck and having one of the free ones as a back up.

Any suggestions for what to ask for as my upgrade? I'm thinking I'll probably keep the San Fransisco as my back up choice if they won't play ball as it seems to get good reviews.

Cheers.

Orrin

What's your current tariff?

You can get the SF for around £100 on PAYG so you'll need a good tariff to make it worth your while rather than going SIM only and just buying one.

I had an SF but returned it as faulty. It was certainly a good spec phone with a lovely big screen for the price, but it did feel cheaply made.

Katie-Kat-Kins

We have one phone on racoon 25 and the other on dolphin 25, and pay £20 a month for each. Plus one internet browing bundle for £5. I should be able to get a further discount when I upgrade.

I quite like being on a contract rather than faffing around with PAYG.

Orrin

If you're paying around £20-£25 a month now I'd say you should be aiming higher than those phones they are offering you. Take a look at the Orange retentions thread there was a guy who just got a Desire HD for under £20 with a bunch of minutes etc.

Also if you get an Android smartphone (or the Nokia N8) you'll probably want data as part of your plan.

I can't be bothered with PAYG either, but SIM only is also an option if you were to buy the SF outright. I don't know about Orange, but there are some good SIM only deals around which should give you more for less than you pay now. Tesco for example do 500 mins with unlimited txt and data (FUP applies) for £10/month and you can cancel any time.

Katie-Kat-Kins

hmm I'll toddle off to the orange retentions thread and see what I can see on there.

Thanks

Katie-Kat-Kins

hmm like the look of the HTC android phones........

sarahjayne1977

I not upgraded with Orange and got to N8 and i have to say i love it the camara is great. When i phoned they said they would be a charge of £50 quid for N8 1 min later she give me it for nothing.
I ended up 500 mins, unlimited texts, 500mg internet, 50 picture messages also keep my magic numbers for £29 quid a month. I have had to sign a 24 month contract though.
Some say 500mg a month is not much but when i am at home the phone uses my wireless net in house

barginunter

My daughter is on a GiffGaff payg sim. I buy a £10 goodybag every month and the payment is setup automatically. She gets 300 minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited internet. The internet is practically the only thing she uses. We are not tied into any type of contract. It's perfect for her San Francisco.

Katie-Kat-Kins

Just spoken to orange, they offered my a HTC desire HD for £49.99 with a tariff of £20.42 per month with 500 minutes, 100 texts unlimited free landline calls but no inclusive data, that would be £5 per month extra for 500mb.

I think I can do better if I call them again.

Just another question though, any thoughts on the LG optimus one or the LG optimus in Silver (are they the same phone in a different case or are there differences?) I'm just trying to decide on a few different price bracket phones I would be happy with so I can make a decision!

Thanks!