We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

Will basic mobile phones always be available?

Citygirl1
Citygirl1 Posts: 932 Forumite
I've been Money Tipped!
I like basic phones as long as it has a camera and I can play my music I am happy. I dont like touch screen phones or anything too bulky. I currently have a Sony walkman phone on contract. Im not one for pay as you go as to me its not cost effective. However my contract is due for renewal in a few months and they no longer sell this phone on the network Im on and I dont want to change my network so what can I do as I dont want a smart phone which is all they seem to have now. I just like the phone I have as its easy to use. Are basic phones becoming extinct. If so its not fair to people who prefer them.

Comments

  • MissKeith
    MissKeith Posts: 751 Forumite
    High end ones are if I'm being honest. Basic phones still exist but if you want one that's top of the range, it will be 'smart'.
    Have I helped? Feel free to click the 'Thanks' button. I like to feel useful (and smug). ;)
  • alistair.long
    alistair.long Posts: 547 Forumite
    If you like your phone you can check if the new contract you are getting will work in your phone before you terminate with your old provider, simply going to the new shop will let you know if it will work.
    If the new(diffrent) company's sim card does not work in your phone you simply go back to your old provider and get a unlock code.

    Or you can goto the local market where they unlock from £5 a phone.

    So what you do with the new phone is upto you, you can give it to a friend, give it to me, or resell it on ebay.
  • georgiebest7
    georgiebest7 Posts: 30 Forumite
    You could alternatively just continue using the same phone if it is in decent knick. I previously had a Nokia N95 on Vodafone which I really loved, and when my contract came up for renewal, they were trying to peddle me a new phone which I didn't particularly want. So instead of upgrading my phone, they upgraded my price plan and I got the same number of minutes, texts and data for half the monthly price.
  • Citygirl1
    Citygirl1 Posts: 932 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    Thanks for your replies. I don't suppose you have to renew your phone with a new contract. I have heard you can have a SIM only contract where you buy your own phone.

    The thing is what happens when your basic phone that you love does end up breaking down, is it impossible to get another basic one? I was told in the 3 shop today where I live that they only sell touch phones now, which I find farcical to be honest.
  • mongoose2009
    mongoose2009 Posts: 248 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    well the salesman is wrong

    three do the Sony Ericsson Cedar

    which isnt touch screen it has proper keys

    I have one bought it yesterday
  • Stuart_W
    Stuart_W Posts: 1,782 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Citygirl1 wrote: »
    . The thing is what happens when your basic phone that you love does end up breaking down, is it impossible to get another basic one?

    I wouldn't worry about this problem.

    I also have a very basic phone, but your basic phone is a bit more flashy than my idea of "basic" ! I can't play music or take pictures (I can play snake, though!).

    Such phones will always be available - just not necessarily as part of an airtime contract, as the phone companies will always want to push particular handsets.

    Have a look at the huge range at places like unlocked mobiles. Buy any handset you like, and just stick in your SIM card. You should be able to negotiate a decent SIM-only deal, or even transfer your number to a different mobile phone company. You own the phone, you're in charge! You can get pretty good SIM-only deals when you're using your own phone.
  • Techhead_2
    Techhead_2 Posts: 1,769 Forumite
    Basic phones will always be available, but what is considered to be a basic phone changes all the time. Few people nowadays would consider buying a handset with a two line black and white display and yet that was until recently described as a basic phone.
  • dulcificum
    dulcificum Posts: 99 Forumite
    Obviously yes as there will always be money to be made from them.
  • dulcificum
    dulcificum Posts: 99 Forumite
    Also, you should just buy a £15 phone on PAYG and sell your contract smartphone to save money.
  • Wintermute
    Wintermute Posts: 669 Forumite
    500 Posts
    Basic phones are available, what you can normally do is resign your contract for a period of time, the network will give you a credit (or a high end smartphone that you can sell) then you can buy a basic phone that suits your needs or move on to a SIM only plan and save more money in the long run. I'm currently SIM only and from now on I plan to keep buying my handsets and just remain on the SIM only deal as I'm unlikely to find a better deal.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 347.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 251.9K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.2K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.1K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 616.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.4K Life & Family
  • 253.5K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.