Choice of handset

Telegraph_Sam

I am looking for a basic handset with a touchscreen input that would allow me to use the Three PAYG SIM-only tariff (as recommended by MSE). For this the handset would have to be 3-G compatible though I would probably not use it for internet access. I thought that the Samsung Tocco Lite would have been ideal but it then turned out that this was not 3-G. Is there a website that would allow me to make an informed choice, including cost comparisons?

grumbler

Try http://www.omio .com/deals/pay-as-you-go

'3g' filter is in the 'Features' tab. Basic Android smartphones seem to be the cheapest and, in fact, can be often bought much cheaper than for £50.
E.g.
Samsung Galaxy Pocket Neo Android phone £20.00 @ asda instore
Vodafone Smart Mini 3.5" Screen Android Mobile phone £30.00 @ Asda instore

Also check ebay for Alcatel OT.

Telegraph_Sam

Thanks, looks a good site and I'll have to play around with it to get the hang. At first sight it looked like for a SIM-only PAYG unlocked handset you have to pay much more than £50 but may be there's a secret - and your Asda recommendations. What should my attitude to Android be?

forgotmyname

Attitude to android. You dont need to ask Apples permission to do what you want to your phone.

martin.cat

By default a 3G touchscreen will be a smartphone and as such its OS will most likely be android. Whatever model of phone you get it will operate the same though some manufacturers improve / modify the OS

The performance of android will be down to the phone spec in terms of RAM (not storage) and processor. Older phones won't receive new versions of OS eg Kit Kat

Telegraph_Sam

grumbler wrote: »

Try http://www.omio .com/deals/pay-as-you-go

'3g' filter is in the 'Features' tab. Basic Android smartphones seem to be the cheapest and, in fact, can be often bought much cheaper than for £50..

Researching this site revealed my lack of grasp of the basics:

PAYG vs Contract - I can understand
Locked vs unlocked - I can understand

When SIM cards start to get involved - SIM free / SIM only - the territory and distinctions gets murky. Can someone please explain in words of one syllable for dummies.

If I want to get a lo-tec handset to use with the Three PAYG tariff, what "deal" am I looking for?

Tks

grumbler

Sim Free is, basically, a phone without a sim and not locked to any network (PAYG phone is with a sim and can be locked or not depending on the supplier).
Sim-only is a contract (sim) without a handset.

PAYG handsets are usually cheaper than sim-free. Networks normally sell locked PAYG phones, but other companies like CPW, P4U etc. normally sell unlocked handsets even on contracts/PAYG.

Telegraph_Sam

Tks, so what I am looking for is a SIM free phone that I can take to Three and get them to install their SIM card to allow me to use their PAYG tariff?

The Omio site lists PAYG and SIM free phones under separate tabs - just to keep people on their toes.

grumbler

If you want to save money, as I said, PAYG can be cheaper if not locked or even if you pay for unlocking. Also, it can be '3' PAYG locked.
If it's not '3' PAYG you can order a free sim-card online and insert it yourself. It's an easy DIY job, not rocket science.

Telegraph_Sam

Getting there slowly, I think:
"PAYG" phones come with a SIM card included. The latter can be locked to a network - an advantage if I want to use this network, but otherwise no advantage, possibly a disadvantage. Or the card can be unlocked, an advantage.
SIM-free" phones by definition don't have a card, locked or unlocked.
Is the above correct???
The Three shop in Newcastle said that they would supply and fit their SIM card for £1 if I understood correctly. If so then buying one online is hardly worth the effort. As an alternative to getting a SIM-free phone, or an unlocked PAYG phone, I might as well get a locked PAYG phone and throw away whatever SIM card is in it, depending on the sums? It is the card that's "locked", not the phone?

grumbler

Telegraph_Sam wrote: »

Getting there slowly,

Too slowly...

I think:
"PAYG" phones come with a SIM card included. The latter can be locked to a network - an advantage if I want to use this network, but otherwise no advantage, possibly a disadvantage.

It's never an advantage.

Or the card can be unlocked, an advantage.

The phone, not the card.

SIM-free" phones by definition don't have a card, locked or unlocked.
Is the above correct???

Sim-free means no sim and not locked.

The Three shop in Newcastle said that they would supply and fit their SIM card for £1 if I understood correctly. If so then buying one online is hardly worth the effort.

IMHO going to a shop is much bigger effort. And you order it (free), not buy: https://www.three.co.uk/Support/Free_SIM/Order

As an alternative to getting a SIM-free phone, or an unlocked PAYG phone, I might as well get a locked PAYG phone and throw away whatever SIM card is in it, depending on the sums? It is the card that's "locked", not the phone?

It's the phone that can be locked (not necessarily), and you can use the credit first before throwing the sim away. If the phone is locked it will need unlocking to work with another network sim.

MSE article: Unlock Your Mobile: Unlock the Savings