Phone newbie looking for some advice!

Heybunny

Hi! Thanks for taking the time to read my post. :j

I'm not a technophobe by any stretch of the word - I couldn't live without my PC, games etc!

However, my phone is another matter entirely. I'm currently using a Nokia 6100 (I can't post links, but Wikipedia has an article on it) which was second hand back when I got it! :doh:

I'm on Pay-as-you-go at the moment on Orange, as I always have been. I also never took advantage of those 'animal' packages.

I'm looking for a new phone now - not sure whether a contract would be better for me or not as I've never had one, but I can give a little insight into my phone habits.

I currently:

• Do not call much, but this is partly due to my PAYG status. Keep in contact with most friends via the Internet and mainly call companies I need to contact, as well as family.
• Am on Orange and unless there's something I'm unaware of, I would like to keep it that way, as I enjoy using the Orange Wednesdays service.
• Text more than I call.
• Am a student. I don't know if this factors into anything, like discounts, etc.
• Use Topcashback where I can, so would be going via there if the opportunity arises. Wouldn't be a deal breaker though.

Things I am wanting in a new phone:

• I'd like to keep my current number.
• To use Facebook and send emails.
• Camera! ^^ Currently I'm an art student so the only camera I have is a big DSLR which is unwieldly for more social activities.
• Music! I'd love to be able to play MP3s! (And to set them as ringtones. Can you even do that? :rotfl:)
• For the drivers, would you recommend using a mobile for your satnav needs, or using a standalone device (Tomtom, etc). I'd love something with speed camera warnings and a speedometer! I'm not sure of what other features there are, really.
• I don't know if this comes under the whole satnav thing, but I'd love to be walking around an unfamiliar place and have the phone direct me to my location and know where I am with GPS.
• Something reliable and affordable - you guys are the best I know for this!

Features I don't really need/care about right now:

• Gaming - may seem ironic as it's my favourite pastime, but I already have a 3DS to play games on, so it's not something I'm hugely looking for in a phone right now. Not opposed to trying some out though.
• Video calls - not nearly confident enough for this! :eek:
• Streaming video, etc. I can wait 'til I get home to use Youtube.
• Calling abroad/using the phone anywhere except the UK.

Ok...that about covers everything I think. Sorry to have listed so many things and thank you again for your time!

grumbler

For the handset see http://www.omio .com/deals/pay-as-you-go
Play with the filters hidden in the tabs.
Ignoring overpriced iPhones, select Symbain (Nokia) and Android in 'OS' tab. Windows Phone 7 is probably worth checking too.
Android navigation and maps (free) require internet connection. Nokia maps (free) work ofline. I think neither include good speed camera warnings, but I think you can buy other apps and pay for other services.
Generally, Nokia and SE are known to have better cameras.
For more details on some phones check gsmarena. They also have 'Phonefinder' with filters and 'Compare' options.

Orange is not the cheapest network for mobile internet. The most popular are sim-only tariffs at giffgaff (o2), chitter-chatter (t-mobile), talkmobile (vodafone) and '3'.

For phones with contracts see http://www.moneysupermarket.com/mobile-phones/

will-he-payitoff

If you want to stay with Orange have a look at the San Francisco 2 should fit all your requirements