try before you buy, smartphone?

damino

I don't like the price of the iPhone 4s.
But I like the way the typing is on it. (I have a friend with one).

Unfortunately I don't have a friends with another smartphone!

I'm interested in trying cheaper alternatives.

what should I try, as an alternative to the 4s, and how would I go about trying before I buy?

I understand there's the Nokia Lumia. Are there any others, and ways to try them?

Also, in case I don't like it. What kind of returns policy should I look for? And are some companies better than others?

grumbler

Go to CPW or P4U?
Then buy cheaper online and with a cashback.

gibby9

I was in an O2 store earlier. Most of their phones out on display were switched on to try out.

Unfortunately though you are never going to get a real idea what a phone is like until you have used it daily over a period of time.

damino

I just tried a local phones 4 u, they didn't have many available to try.

From what I recall, of my use of the 4 or 4s, it was nice to type on.

-Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (Nice size screen. As nice to type on as 4s, but v expensive)
-Galaxy S3 (not as nice to type on as the 4s probably is)
-Blackberry 9900 - (screen too small)

I wanted to try some Nokia Lumias but they didn't have any to try.

In fact the only one they really had to try on show, was a Galaxy 3S.

When the shop assistant let me try the Galaxy note 2, it was the phone from his pocket that he kindly let me try!

I'm in London.

I guess I should find a large O2 store, or if it exists, a large P4U store.

I'm looking on ebay too. What models should I look to try that would meet my requirements of cheaper than iPhone 4S (so <£300) And would have the nice sized screen and potentially be as nice to type on as the iPhone. (I know the latter is a bit subjective.. but I can try whatever people think)

grumbler

damino wrote: »

...What models should I look to try that would meet my requirements

What requirements? I have not seen any. Chose between the platforms first:
iPhone
Android
Windows Phone
Blackberry

of cheaper than iPhone 4S (so <£300) And would have the nice sized screen and potentially be as nice to type on as the iPhone.

I don't understand this 'nice to type', but for a big screen see Google Nexus 4:
Nexus 4 is available on Play store!
Nexus 4 - Google aggressive on price

Im_just_careful

As a purchased PAYG smartphone, the Nokia Lumia 800 at between £120 & £150 as a PAYG upgrade (via Phones 4 U) is worth a look.

There are disadvantages, it is on the previous version of Windows Phone and will never get an upgrade to Windows Phone 8 but as a nice to use phone for a "typical" user it is worth a look against Android phones at a similar price.

jenniewb

damino wrote: »

I just tried a local phones 4 u, they didn't have many available to try.

From what I recall, of my use of the 4 or 4s, it was nice to type on.

-Samsung Galaxy Note 2 (Nice size screen. As nice to type on as 4s, but v expensive)
-Galaxy S3 (not as nice to type on as the 4s probably is)
-Blackberry 9900 - (screen too small)

I wanted to try some Nokia Lumias but they didn't have any to try.

In fact the only one they really had to try on show, was a Galaxy 3S.

When the shop assistant let me try the Galaxy note 2, it was the phone from his pocket that he kindly let me try!

I'm in London.

If your in London, try Westfield in West London, there are a few stores with plenty of devices to try instore. Avoid on a Saturday though as it can get very busy and it's not nice with all the instore alarms going off!

damino

Many thanks all, i've just been down to Westfield west london. Great tip there.
Tried the O2 store and another there.

Samsung Galaxy S3 and LG / Google Nexus 4 have similar screen size.

Samsung Note 2, has larger screen size than all.

Typing on all the keyboards were good. Even on the iPhone 4s which has a much smaller screen. like 3.5"

And I understand the iPhone 4s is less advanced than the rest.

So, i'll probably go for the Nexus as that beats the S3 on price. Or if I can afford it, then the Samsung Note 2.

A shop assistant said the Samsung note 2 is more advanced than the s3, as it has the pen too, and is more expensive, and the only advantage of the s3 is smaller if people view that as an advantage.

[Deleted User]

Nearly any phone shop will find you a demo model to try out; even if its not on display

The s3 is smaller than the note.. But you won't fit a note in your pocket!

They're identical software.. Very similar hardware specs. I love swipe typing (where you slide your finger across the letters to type, rather than press each one in turn)

damino

ringo_24601 wrote: »

Nearly any phone shop will find you a demo model to try out; even if its not on display

'a' yeah.

I had to go to the right shops, e.g. jennie's recommendation.

and I guess you didn't read post #4

[Deleted User]

damino wrote: »

'a' yeah.

I had to go to the right shops, e.g. jennie's recommendation.

and I guess you didn't read post #4

Sorry, I skim read. Personally I find the iPhone 4s keyboard a bit basic and slow to use

The advantage of android is that you can actually change the keyboard system. There's a few free ones and a few to buy. My wife is very happy with her iPhone 4 though

How about taking a trip to Tottenham court road? Plenty of tech shops there (they even have two carphone warehouses)