Looking to get very 1st Smartphone. Low user. Don't want PAYG.

asset2004

Scrounger wrote: »

There is a cheap 3G smartphone available at Argos - £19.99:





Alcatel One Touch C1 Pop - Dual Core

Cheapest Dual Core Android phone

Dual-core 1 GHz
Android OS, v4.2 (Jelly Bean)
3.5"
4 GB, 512 MB RAM
microSD, up to 32 GB
2MP Camera
2G and 3G network capability
Micro SIM card
Wi-Fi connectivity
Bluetooth

99p unlock code available here

No need for the £10 top-up if you order by FastTrack
Ideal for using with a 3 321 SIM (or any other SIM for that matter) :beer:
Scrounger

No fast track stores near me, is EE any good? I had hoped to buy this to add a 3 sim to

Scrounger

asset2004 wrote: »

... is EE any good?

No, not really; and not as cheap as 3 that's for sure.

asset2004 wrote: »

I had hoped to buy this to add a 3 SIM...

You're absolutely right: best would be to unlock it and stick a 3 SIM in it. :beer:

Scrounger

chaucer

After much reading, dithering, changing of minds etc etc ...
We have now placed an application and await approval.
I found a deal for a new iphone 4s on contract.
No upfront cost.
£!4.50 / month.
Cashback scheme so the actual cost equates to £8.99 / month over 24 months = £215.76 total.
Looks like that's the one.

Many thanks to all for their sharing of ideas, knowledge etc.
I feel better informed now than a few weeks ago for sure.
:beer:

custardy

grumbler wrote: »

You can do without a SD card if you don't install loads of apps and don't store a lot of music in the phone.
The battery is unlikely to last more than 2 years, and you'll have to pay to have it replaced unless you are very good at DIY.

It's a delusion that you get a 'free' phone when upgrading.

Dont know about the Moto. However my HTC One M7 is 2 years old and still gives decent battery life. I work in an area with very poor signal and a charge last all day (overnight charge) outwith using bluetooth in the car.

Roger1

Scrounger wrote: »

Why not make a claim via Paypal ?

Scrounger

Thanks. I followed the link and found a way of disputing the transaction without the info they normally require. I got an automatic response suggesting I open a PayPal account - er, I have one but paid by credit card via PP.

The order and transaction do not appear on my ebay page.

OK, it's only 99p but that's not the point. I'll try again.

Roger1

Scrounger wrote: »

... best would be to unlock it ...

See posts 80 and 86 for my experience.

I see the price seems to have more than doubled from 99p to £2.

This one worked for me - still 99p with quick and efficient service: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Unlock-Alc...item3a9a9cadd7

JDills

HTC one! By far the best phone I have had.

asset2004

Scrounger wrote: »

No, not really; and not as cheap as 3 that's for sure.


You're absolutely right: best would be to unlock it and stick a 3 SIM in it. :beer:

Scrounger

But the problem is I need to get a £10 top up to EE before I can unlock it.:( Was going to get this for my parents but they probably won't spend the £10 EE very quickly and there's no fastrack stores near me, any suggestions?

asset2004

asset2004 wrote: »

But the problem is I need to get a £10 top up to EE before I can unlock it.:( Was going to get this for my parents but they probably won't spend the £10 EE very quickly and there's no fastrack stores near me, any suggestions?

anyone?

grumbler

First of all, I checked and I see that I can reserve it for in-store collection for £19.99, without any top up, and my store isn't 'fasttrack'. So, I don't see where this information about the compulsory topup comes from.
Secondly, what suggestions (=miracle) are you expecting? It's either you can buy it without the topup or you cannot.