Clueless - iphone or android; PAYG, sim only or contract?? Advice gratefully received

aardvark65

I have an old mobile, PAYG, which I text quite alot on, take photos and make few calls. It's on the way out.
I fancy a smartphone as I like the idea of all the apps you can get but don't know where to start!
The more I read the more confused I get.
I don't like the idea of being tied to a contract and would rather get a phone upfront but does this work out more expensive?
What are sim free contract deals like or can you still go pay as you go? Obviously, I don't access web at present so this use would be very difficult to estimate.
Too many questions I know but perhaps a few suggestions would get me thinking straighter?!:eek:

mrsmasterplan

Please answer this someone, i am in EXACTLY the same situation.
Do all the apps i see on my moms iphone work on all smart phones or just iphones?!

grumbler

PAYG or contract?
Cheap Mobiles
Compare, switch & use cashback


iPhone or android?
Will I regret the move from Apple to Android?

No, iPhone apps don't work on android. Neither do android apps on iPhone.

Cash-Strapped.T32

What programs do you use on your computer?
That's where to start.
That's not meant a flippant, glib reply btw.

As everyone keeps saying, smartphones are just small computers, so the calculation ought to be;
What programs do I use on my pc/laptop day in, day out? What programs do I need access to wherever you may be?

If there are no computer programs that you need access to 24hrs a day, wherever you may be, then you might not really need a smartphone at all, just a good phone. :cool:

aardvark65

Thanks for the replies. I had read the link on MSE but still confused!
I probably don't NEED 24 hr computer access but I fancy playing with apps and find you always start needing something more - e.g. I was adamant I didn't need a satnav til I got one!
I'm not into social networking or games but love browsing and info and would like to try out apps.

Guys_Dad

Very, very rough rule of thumb.

You will probably be safest with 500mb per month to start and I would go PAYG or monthly sim-free to start.

If you have wi-fi at home, then you will be able to reduce your use by using it whenever you are indoors. Whatever you do, you should load a data useage app that keeps a check on how much you are using both 3G and wi-fi. Remember to reset it to coincide with your billing date so you have the correct amount showing for the month.

Buy an unlocked Android from CPW. Android - because the handsets are made by different companies like Samsung, LG, Sony etc rather than only Apple as in the case of the Iphone. CPW because nearly all of their handsets are unlocked and you can swap networks to follow the best deals and reception.

aardvark65

A really helpful answer. Thank you!

devizes18193

Guys_Dad wrote: »

Very, very rough rule of thumb.

You will probably be safest with 500mb per month to start and I would go PAYG or monthly sim-free to start.

If you have wi-fi at home, then you will be able to reduce your use by using it whenever you are indoors. Whatever you do, you should load a data useage app that keeps a check on how much you are using both 3G and wi-fi. Remember to reset it to coincide with your billing date so you have the correct amount showing for the month.

Buy an unlocked Android from CPW. Android - because the handsets are made by different companies like Samsung, LG, Sony etc rather than only Apple as in the case of the Iphone. CPW because nearly all of their handsets are unlocked and you can swap networks to follow the best deals and reception.

I'd agree with this but with an add on make sure your running android 2.2 or over the benefits over 2.1 are immense.

Guys_Dad

devizes18193 wrote: »

I'd agree with this but with an add on make sure your running android 2.2 or over the benefits over 2.1 are immense.

I'd agree as I have one of each - maybe not so strong as immense, but worthwhile.

Of course, some handsets are upgradeable to 2.2

Cash-Strapped.T32

aardvark65 wrote: »

I probably don't NEED 24 hr computer access but I fancy playing with apps and find you always start needing something more - e.g. I was adamant I didn't need a satnav til I got one!
I'm not into social networking or games but love browsing and info and would like to try out apps.

Fair play - I also use an Android phone (OSF, on my second now) & love it, and I sure as hell don't *need* 24hr internet access either (already do at home & at work).

What I was trying to burrow down to is the way that it's so easy to think "I need this thing because everyone else has it !!1!", only to find out it's nowhere near as good as you imagined - Think of the old Intel "Use our processor to make the whole internet go faster" adverts of the 90's for example..

Regarding apps, they are just small computer programs by a shorter name, nothing new, fancy or exotic - So if you regularly use a selection of computer programs, you already know what it's like using apps, again, that's all I was trying to nail down for you.



I totally understand the sat-nav analogy, and who knows what new geek-habits you'll pick up (all good ones I'm sure) when you're able to hit websites at any time?
I would agree with Guy's dad regarding a good starting point - I'm a total computer geek at heart (highlight of my year was getting Win '98 running on my old HTC phone before I killed it) and I don't come close to using my 500mb p/m so I can't find any fault with that at all.


Best of luck to ya' - I don't want to put you off, only to inject a bit of healthy scepticism into all the marketing bumph that tries to make out that smartphones are the be-all & end-all.

Personally, I do most things through my PC (tv, banking, much shopping, etc..) so for me it's definitely a good thing, but there's far more people out there who would think I'm crazy & lead perfectly fulfilling lives never going near a keyboard, you know?

aardvark65

I appreciate the advice and will give it more thought! Main problemis that I am a very indecisive person! Do they have an app for that?:o