Help choosing new mobile phone ~£250

Shrimply

Hi guys, its that time again, where I get really stressed out as to which phone to buy and which contract to go with.

But, at least when it come to choosing the actual tech you guys are pretty good. Price is a little bit flexible, basically if I can get 1GB data, 500 mins and 1000 texts per month plus the phone cost averaging £25 a month over 24 months then I'm happy whether the handset is bought separately or as part of a contract.

I currently have the HTC Desire X

http://www.htc.com/uk/smartphones/htc-desire-x/

It's actually been a brilliant phone, and does pretty much everything I need. However there are a few problems, in list of importance:

1)The inbuilt storage is just no longer enough, I'm starting to have to delete apps I actually use to make space for increasing large updates

2)There is no front camera which is now something I feel I'd actually use.

3)The power button is useless and always has been

4)On the odd occasion I want to take screenshots it's practically impossible

As for the replacement requirements(in order of importance ):

1) Not too big, don't want anything that much bigger than what I have already.

2)A microSD slot

3)Removable battery

4) (so this is daft but...) A RGB notification light

Top of my list at the minute, I think, is the Samsung S5 mini, but if anyone has any suggestions or recommendations, I'd love to hear them. Thanks, as always.

DCFC79

This 1.

Can add extra storage, has the front camera.

It is a little bit bigger but you get a bigger screen.

ballyblack

removable battery will limit ur options!

anyway try the MOBILE board for a better response

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=14



.

Fightsback

DCFC79 wrote: »

This 1.

Can add extra storage, has the front camera.

It is a little bit bigger but you get a bigger screen.

Moto G 3rd gen specs leaked:

"Leaks have suggested that the next generation of the Moto G will be a major upgrade over the 2nd gen Moto G. It is expected to come with a 5-inch or a 5.2-inch full HD display and it will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 610 SoC with 1.7GHz quad core processor paired with 2GB of RAM."

Rumour has it at around a July release.

Source:

http://tech.firstpost.com/news-analysis/the-all-new-motorola-moto-g-gen-3-accidentally-listed-on-flipkart-267377.html

SeduLOUs

If you can, I'd advise buying the phone outright (possibly even on a CC if the APR isn't horrific) and then looking at the tariff options from Three and GiffGaff. Phones on contract are just hidden loans and the amount you end up paying can be ridiculous.

I just saved myself £250 per year each for me and my partner by getting off a phone contract, buying an iPhone 6 outright, and using GiffGaff's monthly Goodybag options. The other benefit being that we are no longer tied to any contract and can move networks whenever a better offer appears, and can save for the next phone and upgrade whenever we want to (unlocked phones also tend to hold slightly more resale value).

If you are happy with Android, I'd advise looking at the Xperias from Sony. I recently had a Z2 and couldn't fault it - amazing battery life, quite close to being 'pure' android with little bloatwear, not great on board memory but does have SD slot, and water resistancy was nice piece of mind as my biggest risk with phones is spilling things on them. I went back to iPhone in the end just because I get bored easily.

Shrimply

Thanks guys

ballyblack wrote: »

removable battery will limit ur options!

anyway try the MOBILE board for a better response

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=14

.

Sorry but this isn't really helpful, I know it limits options, hence why I put it in requirements to assist people in offering advice. And why would the mobile board, which questions about contracts etc be more appropriate than the tech forum for asking about buying new technology. You wouldn't post about new buying new laptops or landlines phones in that section.

I’m afraid I just don’t like the Moto G, I went to look at it earlier, but it’s just not for me I don’t think.

Seriously considering the Xperia Z3 compact but will need to see it in black before I can decide. Also the stupid 20+MP camera annoys me on principle, I mean what exactly is the point of cramming in that many megapixels just as a marketing gimmick. I’d rather have a good 8mp camera.

And after that I guess the other option is the HTC One Mini 2, which is definitely the nicest looking of the 3.

I really do appreciate the help and feedback guys. And I will buy the handset upfront if it does work out cheaper although I’m finding it makes very little difference with these handsets what way you do it.

Shrimply

So it's looking more and more like it's going to be the Z3 compact, I can get it from GiffGaff for £309 at the minute and thinking of pairing it with a vodafone deal from e2save which, with cashback, works out at £5.50 a month for unlimited minutes and text and 1GB of data.

Anyone got any comments of better ways of doing this. It is really good to hear others opinions, thoughts and experiences when considering spending as much money.

[Deleted User]

It might be too big for you, but the LG G3 is now at about ~£250

It's got:
1. Whacking big screen
2. Replaceable battery (I carry 2 spares with me, cost £17!)
3. MicroSD slot that will take up to 128gb
4. An OK camera
5. RGB notification light
6. Infra-red controller (e.g. control your TV)
7. Front-facing camera
8. Quick-circle cases.. you can use your phone from a little circular access panel on your case

Shrimply

Unfortunately I think it is too big, I keep questioning myself about whether a huge phone is really that bad, but I think it would just annoy me. How do people put up with carrying these things around in their pocket all day? By the time I've got my wallet, phone and keys in my pocket just now I already feel weighted down, without swapping the phone for something bigger. I seem to be more or less alone in wanting a smaller phone though...

I'm still looking, making decisions was never my strong point.

SeduLOUs

Shrimply wrote: »

Unfortunately I think it is too big, I keep questioning myself about whether a huge phone is really that bad, but I think it would just annoy me. How do people put up with carrying these things around in their pocket all day?

I'm a woman so I kept my Xperia Z2 in my bag :j

That was my upper limit on size though personally. My mum has one of those notes and I personally found it uncomfortable to hold and couldn't copes making calls on it. It depends what you want the phone for though - my mum doesn't make many calls but likes to use Facebook a lot so a bigger screen works better for her and means she doesn't need to own a tablet aswell.

I now have an iPhone 6. The 6+ was just a bit too big for my liking, but I know plenty of people (including men) who are happy with them and manage to fit them in their pockets.

Shrimply

Thanks, Well I'm a (short) guy, so small pockets and no handbag, although I might not be against considering one if that solved the problem

I'm really not getting very far with this, I just can't find a phone I like, I'm beginning to think I'm going to have to seriously consider some of the larger options but even then, hours of wandering around phone shops and I haven't been able to make a decision.