Handset and network recommendations?

Middy

I am looking to sign up for a mobile phone (pay monthly) tomorrow. Phone and contract requirements:
. Able to download apps
. Handset price no more than £100
. Monthly line rental no more than £35
. Unlimited internet (yes I know all providers have terms of 'unlimited')
. At least 300 mins a month
. Want a stylish phone

So the iPhone is out.

I just had a look at the coverage maps for the networks and T-Mobile is not very good in my area. O2 has a rubbish reception at my parents as I had an O2 contract and got annoyed when the signal just died during a phone conversation - esp when I was job hunting. I wasn't able to cancel my contract early with O2 as I signed up with them when I was living with my ex - coverage where I live was excellent.

simples23

Don't be so hasty ruling out the iPhone 4 - http://www.three.co.uk/Phones/iPhone/Plans

You can get a brand new iPhone 4 16gb on "The One Plan" for £35 per month on a 24 month contract.

• £69 upfront cost
• 2000 any network minutes
• 5000 texts
• 5000 Three-to-Three minutes
• All-you-can-eat Data (truly unlimited? i'm not sure)

You can also get £106 back via Quidco: http://www.quidco.com/3-mobile/?ac

My "3" experience was ok....signal etc was ok and CS was ok....apart from when I was getting my PAC (thats altogether a different story!). Their CS can sometimes be a bit trying and their backup on the orange network isnt always the strongest but its a decent enough for calls/texts/surfing.

You can check your own 3 coverage here: http://www.three.co.uk/_popup/Coverage_checker

As I said, just showing you that you don't need necessarily to rule the iPhone out (I love my iPhone so I would defo recommend it!).

jenniewb

For £35 a month I'd expect a free handset!

Have you tried e2save and phones4u? both have what the shops have but at a lower price. I don't think I'd trust any of the companies offer free unlim. internet and you'd be best to find which customer service center your happiest with if you have any problems. One way to try this is to call up their call centers to make an enquiry and see how their automated systems suit you. I did this and found O2 to be the most helpful but also the most expensive.

I would also consider coverage in your area: people who are on networks around you which work well as not all seem to!

Handset wise I think it depends on what features you want (eg camera, music, touch screen, fast internet speed, lowest possible price-which would also lower the contract price- or size/weight...) its maybe a good idea to see which handset suits you in a store, if you can, see how they work. I thought I wanted a Nokia 'till I tried it now I know I don't! (too clunky and flickery compared with the HTC or Apple modesl for example).

Is the £35 a max price or the price to aim for? because if that were me I'd want to be with either O2 or Orange (better customer service if I have a problem) and then just pay over the odds to add internet bundles to my package until I was covered.

Stuart_W

Remember to always compare whatever deals you find with SIM only options.

£35 per month x 24 month contract = £840 line rental

There are many SIM only deals from all over the place (such as this £12 one with 600 mins 500 texts and 500MB internet) and with sim-only it is easier to move to a different deal. There are even ways to get SIM free handsets without needing to pay upfront (additions.co.uk for example offer buy now pay 2012 interest free deals, or try a 0% credit card).

Always worth comparing. Decide on the handset you want, then work out the best way to get it.