Noob wants a new mobile phone 4 text / calls ... low usage

chaucer

Hello, I am looking to get a new mobile phone.
My current Motorola is 8-10 years old.
I only use it to make and receive the occasional phone call and text message.
I am on the Virgin network with it on a pay-as-you-go basis.
I spend about £5-10 monthly.
I am only looking to replace it as the battery life is next to useless now and it runs out far too quickly to be relied on for phone calls.
I don't think there would be a replacement battery suitable for it as it is so old.

So ... I am thinking it is time to upgrade.

I have just looked at the VirginMedia website. I am a bb/TV/phone customer with Virgin so as an existing customer I was hoping for a good deal.
The best I can see is the starter £13 tariff that lasts 24 months @ £6.50 for 6 months then £13 for the remainder.

I'm looking for any advice I can get as I really have no clue about the technical / financial / other aspects of the mobile phone world.

Many thanks in advance.

misiek404

Keep your sim card together with old number and buy a new phone from carphone warehouse for less than 5 pounds (plus top up). No contracts, no direct debits, you can still keep spending 5/month like you do now

macman

Make and model? Batteries are readily available for almost every mobile ever made. Or as above, just buy a cheap PAYG replacment handset.
£13pm contract is absurd for just a few calls and texts.

Herongull

Consider moving to Ovivo.

They give you free monthly bundles.

100 minutes, 100 texts, 400mb each month for £0 per month.

You can always donate the £5-£10 you currently pay to charity if you don't have a need for it.

MillicentBystander

Huawei G300 at circa £70 net from Very/Isme and as Herongull says the Ovivo SIM. Over the course of 24 months (the standard length of a contract these days) this works out at way less than the £5-£10/mth you currently spend plus I guarantee you will love the experience of a smartphone with a data allowance!

grumbler

It makes no sense to get G300 and charge it every day or so just for calls and texts.

Herongull

But if OP had a smart phone, they might use the other features.

Some apps really save time and money.

I love bus apps that give you live times of local buses. I time my walk to the bus stop so that the bus arrives in one minute, rather than waiting 20 minutes in the cold. Brrrrrh!

WeQ4U saves lots of money in phone calls and avoids lots of fustration in phone queues.

OP either needs a £5-£10 basic phone for calls and texts

or

An affordable smartphone, so the he/she can benefit from the really useful apps.

chaucer

I'm really grateful for replies sofar ... just on this point of extra uses ...

the only extras I may make use of that I can think of ...

making slightly longer calls and not worrying about cost (if I'm on contract)

reading emails on the go

maybe a sat nav app occasionally

but these are not my main concern



I've just looked and I can get a OEM Motorola Battery AANN4285 for £3.49 with free P&P ... that is an option now I know it's available.

metal.mickey_4

am in same position, can anyone suggest a cheap android mobe?


ive seen the htc desire C @ CPW for £7.50 per month

is the phone anygood

mm

misiek404

metal.mickey wrote: »

am in same position, can anyone suggest a cheap android mobe?


ive seen the htc desire C @ CPW for £7.50 per month

is the phone anygood

mm

pretty basic, someone above recommended Huawei g300, it's faster and has better bigger screen

grumbler

It is as good as other entry level smartphones that CPW offer for the same £7.50 p.m.

It would make more sense to say what you want and what your budget is.