Worth paying extra for better phone?

Tinkywinks108

I am looking for a new monthly contract/phone upgrade. I want the same make of phone (Samsung) because I am an old dog. I am torn between getting a dirt cheap contract with a less flashy model (because I am currently unemployed) or a more expensive contract with a better phone (because I won't be unemployed forever, hopefully).

My question is, are the cheaper phones (in this case, Samsung galaxy core prime, J1, s4/s4 mini) a pain to use i.e. can you still get all the latest apps, will things like google maps still be as good, can I still get all the latest games that my son will bug me for?

We're talking about a difference of about £10 per month. Why do people get the most up to date phones? I don't care about having the latest flashy phone but I don't want to be swearing at my phone every day either.

cookie365

Until recently I had a galaxy core prime for work, had no complaints about it at all, no problems with any apps, worked just fine.

grumbler

Postpone the upgrade until you are employed, not hope. There are good sim-only and PAYG opportunities around.

Tinkywinks108

grumbler wrote: »

Postpone the upgrade until you are employed, not hope. There are good sim-only and PAYG opportunities around.

My current phone is no good, I've had it ages and it's on its last legs. I am currently paying well over what I should be because I'm over my contract date and have paid up for my phone.

grumbler

Tinkywinks108 wrote: »

My current phone is no good, I've had it ages and it's on its last legs.

Well, very decent phones are available sim-free for less than £100.

I am currently paying well over what I should be because I'm over my contract date and have paid up for my phone.

Nothing stopped you from switching to a cheap 30-days sim-only contract or to PAY as soon as your minimum term expired.

Nebulous2

Budget phones compromise. They compromise on build quality, memory, processor speed, camera - all sorts of things. The trick is to find one which has a compromise level you are happy with.

That is exactly what we do with all sorts of consumer goods, cars being maybe the best example, but we are programmed to think we all need a top-end phone.

Incidentally some of my colleagues are spending over £60 a month on a phone contract. Last year I found a Seat Mii city car on a two year lease for £58 PM. It amused me greatly that I could have leased a new car for less than they were paying for a phone!

Cisco001

Nebulous2 wrote: »

Budget phones compromise. They compromise on build quality, memory, processor speed, camera - all sorts of things. The trick is to find one which has a compromise level you are happy with.

That is exactly what we do with all sorts of consumer goods, cars being maybe the best example, but we are programmed to think we all need a top-end phone.

Incidentally some of my colleagues are spending over £60 a month on a phone contract. Last year I found a Seat Mii city car on a two year lease for £58 PM. It amused me greatly that I could have leased a new car for less than they were paying for a phone!

Although I have no intention to get a new car soon, just cautious where you can find that £58 pm deal...

grumbler

I guess this £58 doesn't include the deposit, but <£100 p.m. deals are not unheard-of for small cars. Neither are >£80 p.m. mobile contracts.

Nebulous2

grumbler wrote: »

I guess this £58 doesn't include the deposit, but <£100 p.m. deals are not unheard-of for small cars. Neither are >£80 p.m. mobile contracts.

It was a special offer from a leasing company. 3 months payment up front - 8,000 miles per year limit, so there were some caveats attached. They also had an offer of two years servicing for an additional £99.

So not quite as good as it first appeared, but it still amused me and is a bit of a reality check for people paying that much for a phone.