New phone: which phone? which network & package?

YorkshireTraveller

It’s about time I left the 1990’s behind and changed my trusty Nokia 6021 for something more up to date.

I’m currently on PAYG with T Mobile and spend about £5 - £10 per month, this includes calls and texts but no internet browsing. I’m sure I would browse the internet more if I had a true smartphone.

I’ve been looking at the Sony Experia Z, Samsung S4 and HTC One. Each has their pros and cons when you read the reviews on the internet. I’m swayed to the HTC One as it seems quite a sturdy phone – my Nokia 6021 does bounce on stone floors quite well!

Which network and which package? 500 minutes will be plenty (far more than I would need) as would 100 texts (do people really send 5000 texts a month?). I do feel that I would use the internet quite a lot when stuck in an airport, the need (!) to catch up with the latest from Sky Sports and just generally browsing.

Based on the above I think at a package on Three – their Ultimate Internet 500 would suit giving 500mins/5000texts/unlimited data. This costs £29 upfront for the HTC One then £32 per month for 24 months.

Other advantages I see with Three is that 4G when rolled out across their network will not cost any more and their ‘Feel at Home’ package where you can use your UK allowance in certain countries and not incur roaming charges or call charges back to the UK suits my travel pattern well (we spend a month each year in the USA and a couple of weeks in Italy).

I’d welcome the forums critique of my choice of phone and network/package. Any other suggestions gratefully received.

19lottie82

No point paying for all those mins / texts / data, when based on your current useage, you won't use them.

Buy a sim free nexus 5 from the Google play store for £299, (better than HTC one) and get an ovivo sim. Pay £15 upfront with the sim and your get 200 mins, 300 texts and 500 mb FREE every month.

And because the phone has no sim lock you can pop a local sim in it whenever you go travelling and make phone calls for buttons - no nasty Suprise bills.

Www.ovivomobile.com

19lottie82

Ps re the data most airports (and other places) have WiFi these days. If you can connect you won't eat into your data allowance) .

Herongull

Why not get the Huawei Y300 £39.95 at CPW as a PAY upgrade?

Great phone and a bargain at this price. I have one and I love it!

These phones are unlocked, so just get an Ovivo sim (200 minutes, 300 texts and 500mb £0 each month (but you have to pay £20 upfront one off for the sim). There are adverts every so often when you are googling but you only get these when you are using data not WIFI

or the Three 3 2 1 PAYG sim (3p per minute calls, 2p per minute texts and 1p per mb)? If you only make 100 minutes worth of calls and 100 texts this would be £5 per month plus a bit for data (but you might use WiFi some of the time). You only pay for what you use rather than paying for stuff you don't use.

19lottie82

Herongull wrote: »

Why not get the Huawei Y300 £39.95 at CPW as a PAY upgrade?

Great phone and a bargain at this price. I have one and I love it!

These phones are unlocked, so just get an Ovivo sim (200 minutes, 300 texts and 500mb £0 each month (but you have to pay £20 upfront one off for the sim). There are adverts every so often when you are googling but you only get these when you are using data not WIFI

or the Three 3 2 1 PAYG sim (3p per minute calls, 2p per minute texts and 1p per mb)? If you only make 100 minutes worth of calls and 100 texts this would be £5 per month plus a bit for data (but you might use WiFi some of the time). You only pay for what you use rather than paying for stuff you don't use.

Specs of the huawei might not be up to scratch if the
OP wants to use it to watch sky sports

YorkshireTraveller

Thanks for the advice given so far - given me some alternatives to think about.

Any other suggestions much appreciated.

Herongull

19lottie82 wrote: »

Specs of the huawei might not be up to scratch if the
OP wants to use it to watch sky sports

I have watched videos eg videos of news stories on it without difficulty, but I've not tried sky sports.

But if the huawei isn't quite good enough, what about the Motorola Moto G. I've not used it myself but lots of people think it is snip at £99 (see thread) and is equivalent to a phone costing £hundreds

YorkshireTraveller

Yes the Motorola G + Three Ultimate Internet SIM 200 (1 month contract) that gives 200/5000/unlimited data (£12.90/month) looks like a good alternative - and much cheaper too!

19lottie82

I had forgotten about the Motorola.... Great phone

Cisco001

If you can pay the phone upfront, it is not worth getting contract.

£32 x 24 + £29 = £797.
If you really want three network. Go for three the one plan 12 months @ £15 p.m.. It would be £360 for traiff. This leave you £437 for the phone.

HTC One, Samsung Galaxy 4, Sony Xperia Z1 are all under £437 at amazon.

Or if you after cheaper phone, Nexus 5, Moto G as mentioned by others. Nokia 920 is £230 @ Tesco direct, if you want windows phone

YorkshireTraveller

Cisco001 wrote: »

If you can pay the phone upfront, it is not worth getting contract.

£32 x 24 + £29 = £797.
If you really want three network. Go for three the one plan 12 months @ £15 p.m.. It would be £360 for traiff. This leave you £437 for the phone.

HTC One, Samsung Galaxy 4, Sony Xperia Z1 are all under £437 at amazon.

Or if you after cheaper phone, Nexus 5, Moto G as mentioned by others. Nokia 920 is £230 @ Tesco direct, if you want windows phone

Following the advice given I'm definitely moving towards purchasing a Moto G 16GB when they come back in stock at Tesco (£129 + possible discount voucher + £2.04 for unlock code on eBay).

The £12.90/month Three Ultimate SIM 200 looks the best deal for me as this gives unlimited data.