Smartphone/blackberry? advice

Kelly2012

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for some good advice please. I am a complete novice. I've always used a basic mobile phone (PAYG, never had a contract). Now because of a change in my life I need to buy a smartphone or a blackberry and I don't have a clue how to even begin to ask the right questions. I went to a phone shop yesterday and walked out because I was so intimidated!

I had a HTC some time ago for work and I'm fairly ok on touch screen technology so I will be able to pick up on how to use things.

I am moving overseas, out of Europe and to a place that will not have companies like O2 or Vodafone. I know that smartphones and BBs will be quite expensive there so I'm better to buy in the UK. However I don't think there is any point in buying a contract phone. I think I'll need to buy an unlocked phone if that is possible. I want to be able to email, text and call. I'd also like to be able to Skype but this is not essential as I have my laptop for this. I also don't have a lot of money and I'm happy to buy a second-hand or cheap phone but not sure how to make sure they work.

I'd be really grateful for any advice at all.
Which is better for my situation, a BB or smartphone?
Is it possible to buy an unlocked phone for a fairly reasonable price? If so, where should I look?
What questions should I be asking from the seller?
And any other wise advice that you have!!

Thanks,

Kelly

Herongull

You can buy a nice android smartphone brand new for practically nothing these days

See for example:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4333851

Most locked android phones can be unlocked for a fiver on ebay, but much of the time you can also find out how to unlock them yourself by googling around.

Don't through money away by getting a contract phone. PAYG can also cost practically nothing these days.

Kelly2012

Thanks Herongull! Much appreciated. I will check this out.:)
Kelly2012

samadams_2

Go with an iphone from apple which is unlocked to all networks. If you buy it from a network it will lock to that network. Blackberrys are now in decline. Apple ftw.

sam

JJ_Egan

samadams wrote: »

Go with an iphone from apple which is unlocked to all networks. If you buy it from a network it will lock to that network. Blackberrys are now in decline. Apple ftw.

sam

You must let us know where these cheap IPhones are available .
Or did you miss the Fairly Reasonable Price in the OP ??


jje

Kelly2012

Sam and JJE thanks for additional info.
Kelly

samadams_2

Samsung, Android is brilliant

sam

Richard_T_

you mentioned something about a seller, if you mean a retail shop then you should be OK, however if its ebay then i wouldnt buy a phone form there unless you trust the seller 101%


uou can buy unlocked phones for extremly reasonable prices, however as with most things the more you spened the better the hardware, whats your budget?

also where abouts in the world are you planning to go?

dizziblonde

For all the "blackberry is in decline" stuff - I still would much rather use a blackberry type phone with a keyboard than on-screen with an android if I was doing something like a heavy email load on my phone... typing on touchscreen I find incredibly frustrating.

Having said that - I cracked and switched to Android for the array of silly games available in the end.

Kelly2012

Sam, RichardT and Dizziblonde, thanks for the advice, all of which is very welcome!
RichardT - my budget is about £100 - £150 max. I am moving to North Africa (so outside EU and majority of large network operations like Vodafone etc).

Kelly