New handset, plus giffgaff sim-only?

meghan_l

Hi, I've had a good wander through the forum (long time lurker, long-ago poster) and wondered if anyone could help me? I was on a 3 mobile contract (24m) for 300 mins, 3000 texts, 250MB, £15 discounted to £9 with a 'loyalty' credit. This contract ends at the beginning of June.

I spoke to 3 via webchat this morning and they couldn't offer me anything below their £19 offer on any samsung handsets (don't shoot me, I like their usability), so I requested my PAC code.

I've ordered a free sim from giffgaff as I've heard / read good things about their tariffs, but before I sign on the dotted line, are there any better options / good deals I should know about?

I need a new handset as my current one is dying a death but don't need anything swish. I would like a samsung smartphone really, but is there somewhere I can buy a decent one (refurb possibly?) online without shelling out hundreds? OR should I be going with a new contract elsewhere? I don't need a high-use contract.

Thanks for reading this mammoth post!

grumbler

meghan_l wrote: »

Hi, I've had a good wander through the forum (long time lurker, long-ago poster) and wondered if anyone could help me? I was on a 3 mobile contract (24m) for 300 mins, 3000 texts, 250MB, £15 discounted to £9 with a 'loyalty' credit. This contract ends at the beginning of June.

I spoke to 3 via webchat this morning and they couldn't offer me anything below their £19 offer on any samsung handsets (don't shoot me, I like their usability), so I requested my PAC code.

>> The 10 worst acronyms if you're a pedant (grrr)

I've ordered a free sim from giffgaff as I've heard / read good things about their tariffs, but before I sign on the dotted line, are there any better options / good deals I should know about?

The options depend on your needs in the first place.

I need a new handset as my current one is dying a death but don't need anything swish. I would like a samsung smartphone really, but is there somewhere I can buy a decent one (refurb possibly?) online without shelling out hundreds?

Again, what 'Samsung' and why Samsung?
Samsung make good phones as well as rubbish ones. Usually none are the best value for money.

OR should I be going with a new contract elsewhere? I don't need a high-use contract.

Again, this depends on what you want/need. A contract can be either more expensive or cheaper in terms of the total cost.

grumbler

Don't take this "king" seriously. He is a spammer - and, typically, a stupid one.

In his other today's post he writes that he just ordered the phone and haven't received it yet :rotfl:

dully clicked and ed

MikeWhite

If data speeds are important to you, I'd avoid giffgaff.

bod1467

MikeWhite wrote: »

If data speeds are important to you, I'd avoid giffgaff.

I suspect that'll depend on where you are and how you use the data connection. No such problems for me.

meghan_l

grumbler wrote: »

The options depend on your needs in the first place.

Again, what 'Samsung' and why Samsung?
Samsung make good phones as well as rubbish ones. Usually none are the best value for money.

Again, this depends on what you want/need. A contract can be either more expensive or cheaper in terms of the total cost.

Well I apologise for clearly winding you up. I had forgotten the acronym.

A 'decent' Samsung - I'm looking for advice. I currently have a dying htc wildfire/desire/whatever, and prefer the newer samsung models (s4/s5) but know that these may be out of my price range.

I don't need high call/text/data allowances as I'm a low user, but equally I like having a relatively up to date handset so I can take decent pictures and videos, and use the internet from time to time.

grumbler

Unless you are more specific, for "time to time" usage Three 3-2-1 PAYG is most likely to be the cheapest (or Delight Mobile with the same prices). Also some new provider with free 200+200+200 is coming soon - see the board.

For S4 and S5 search HUKD for S4 and S5 accordingly. Also try using some price comparison website like Moneysupermarket. MSE have their own tool, but for S5/6 only.

For refurbished phones see the new MSE article: Refurbished phones: a guide to buying second-hand phones

That said, I can only repeat that you can find much better value for the same money if you consider other phones like Motorola, Huawei etc.

grumbler

berbatovisking wrote: »

I've received the item via DPD today

During 30 minutes between your posts when you received it, unpacked and realised how 'brilliant' it was?

Even your reply to OP was patronising. Patronising is when you talk down to someone.

I know what 'patronising' means.
Care to quote the 'patronising' bits from my post?

bod1467

Per above, why not check out the Motorola Moto G? It runs the latest Android perfectly fine and will likely do everything you're looking for from a phone.

MikeWhite

bod1467 wrote: »

I suspect that'll depend on where you are and how you use the data connection. No such problems for me.

Quite possibly. Their forums are awash with people with the issue, though, so poor data speeds are quite common. I believe that giffgaff themselves have acknowledged there is a problem.