Advice please

papoosue

Further to some good advice I've had from here before, I am now using GiffGaff for myself and my daughter (usually £10 goodybags) - the unlimited texts/data particularly suit her as she is 13 and seems to text in her sleep!

Anyway, my question is really about getting a new phone for myself - mine is on it's way out and I'd like something like the Samsung Ace. Now, I've always bought my phones from Carphone Warehouse so I can use whichever provider and they have the Ace but it is locked to the 3 network. If I want to fork out another £100, I can have it on some other network (none of them are giff gaff but I expected that). The bloke in the shop also said something about data packages (?) and how he wasn't sure if giff gaff was compatable with android phones etc. I am pretty sure a lot of what he said was rubbish, but I really don't know about any of this stuff very much, so I was somewhat confused.

So, I guess my questions are;

Can you buy a Samsung Ace unlocked so you can use giffgaff for less than £200 (£130 is more my maximum)?

Giffgaff has unlimited data - does this 'work' with the Ace, and is it correct that you need to have an internet package because these sort of phones don't really work without internet connectivity?

Am i just going to have to pay £200 if I want the Ace (I like the camera megapixels, the large screen, and I definitely want internet) or should I look at the Samsung Y which is loads cheaper?

I realise I've written a flippin' novel here, didn't mean to . But, if anyone can give me any help/advice, I'd be grateful.

Oh, and if anyone can explain why giffgaff won't let me send a picture text or text a competition entry, please let me know

zzzLazyDaisy

papoosue wrote: »

Giffgaff has unlimited data - does this 'work' with the Ace, and is it correct that you need to have an internet package because these sort of phones don't really work without internet connectivity?

I can't answer the rest of your questions (though I'm interested in the answers for myself, so thanks for asking...)

But I can confirm that Giffgaff's 'unlimited data' IS an internet package (it is the same thing) and yes you do need some sort of data/internet package if you are going to get a smart phone, as that is really the point.

Giffgaff will work on any unlocked smart phone.

smalltownman

Hi. Giffgaff will also work in a O2 phone. My phone is unlocked(now on giffgaff). My wifes was(is) a PAYG O2 phone bought on offer at Tesco. I just replaced the O2 sim with a giffgaff. Both of us just use giffgaff credit(ie no goody bags), so just payg with calls,texts & data. I also have a Samsung Tablet on giffgaff, using a data goodybag for data and payg for texts. Suggest you check the giffgaff website for all options.

grumbler

papoosue wrote: »

Anyway, my question is really about getting a new phone for myself - mine is on it's way out and I'd like something like the Samsung Ace. Now, I've always bought my phones from Carphone Warehouse so I can use whichever provider and they have the Ace but it is locked to the 3 network.

£119.95+£15?

If I want to fork out another £100, I can have it on some other network (none of them are giff gaff but I expected that).

It's £149.95+£10 on O2. I don't see how this is 'another £100'.

However, you can get it for £109.99 from O2 directly and it will work with giffgaff sim.

smalltownman

Hi Papoosue. It' me again. Regarding picture message texts on giffgaff; they are not included in goodybags: you must have credit and use that.

papoosue

grumbler wrote: »

£119.95+£15?

It's £149.95+£10 on O2. I don't see how this is 'another £100'.

However, you can get it for £109.99 from O2 directly and it will work with giffgaff sim.

I was in Carphone Warehouse yesterday and the guy quoted me £199.95 - so another £80 if you want to be pedantic about it. I was only going by what he told me.

papoosue

smalltownman wrote: »

Hi Papoosue. It' me again. Regarding picture message texts on giffgaff; they are not included in goodybags: you must have credit and use that.

Ah, that explains it, thank you

papoosue

smalltownman wrote: »

Hi. Giffgaff will also work in a O2 phone. My phone is unlocked(now on giffgaff). My wifes was(is) a PAYG O2 phone bought on offer at Tesco. I just replaced the O2 sim with a giffgaff. Both of us just use giffgaff credit(ie no goody bags), so just payg with calls,texts & data. I also have a Samsung Tablet on giffgaff, using a data goodybag for data and payg for texts. Suggest you check the giffgaff website for all options.

Thank you, I will check that out. I usually try and find the best(cheapest) option that will give my daughter loads of texts and internet(!), and will enable me to keep in touch with her easily.

papoosue

grumbler wrote: »

However, you can get it for £109.99 from O2 directly and it will work with giffgaff sim.

Yes, thank you for the information, I appreciate it. The problem is if I want to change provider I suppose - I suspect I may be hoping for too much in wanting the phone unlocked at a reasonable (for me) price.

papoosue

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

I can't answer the rest of your questions (though I'm interested in the answers for myself, so thanks for asking...)

But I can confirm that Giffgaff's 'unlimited data' IS an internet package (it is the same thing) and yes you do need some sort of data/internet package if you are going to get a smart phone, as that is really the point.

Giffgaff will work on any unlocked smart phone.

Thank you for the information, it's very much appreciated. I think the staff in the phone shops plead ignorance about giffgaffs compatibility with smart phones when they know full well they are

grumbler

papoosue wrote: »

The problem is if I want to change provider I suppose - I suspect I may be hoping for too much in wanting the phone unlocked at a reasonable (for me) price.

The one for £160 from CPW is unlikely to be locked.

O2 often don't lock the handsets that they sell, but if it is locked they unlock it for just £15.

£110+£15=£125