mobile for 12 year old son

kdee_2

birthday coming up and son wants new mobile. Currently on T-Mobile (which has atrocious coverage round here) and wanting to change to either O2 or Vodafone whihc is better.

Thing is, it all looks like Latin to me. He wants an all singing all dancing flip camera phone for aobut £100 on PAYG. I'm okwith contract as long as you get some free texts/mins and a VERY low monthly.

Can someone perhaps very kindly help me out or at least point me in the direction of a "mobiles made absolutely pizz easy" type of table LOL.?

All replies gratefully received

pinkonion

** I don't think that's really in the best taste - Edited by Abuse Controller **

andy88_2

If you're happy about a contract, start studying many of the threads here about cashback deals, where the dealer gives back a large part of their commission. Often it will work out cheaper than payg for all except the most modest use.

Starcross

You say your son is 12.

Why does he "NEED" all singing all dancing.

It is a phone. He does not need video or a camera.

Nothing wrong with the motorola v171 clamphone for £30 from woolies

This is a cut down V220.

Orange are selling the V220 for £50. This has mp3 ringtones and a camera. Easy to unlock from the market trader for £5 - £8

Most kids NEED text bundles. Thats where the money goes and a few ringtones.

Keep it simple, dont go down the contract route, chances are it will be nicked anyway.

Just my view and sorry it it appears harsh.

mb2_2

Starcross wrote:

You say your son is 12.

Why does he "NEED" all singing all dancing.

It is a phone. He does not need video or a camera.

come on, do u not remember being 12? sure, there probably weren't cameraphones but still.. adult "NEED" is about the most evil, boring word u could think of lol. child "NEED" = "want", lots .
having said that, the phones u described aren't exactly bricks, and perhaps worth considering.
its not like theres any reason an adult needs a camera phone more than a 12 year old

amancalledchip

the problem is, when the phone is lost/ stolen

you could end up with a very heavy bill before you know it.
PAYG is best for kids.
place a fix fee on it per month.
tell them thats all they have.

It will teach them to use the phone when they really need to.

I can understand they want all the latest gadgets on a phone.
my son has a 7250i and has never lost a phone yet.

He knows if its lost, he will get a 5 year old motorola as a replacemnet.
cant have him going without a phone .

amancalledchip

my son only has the 7250 because it was my old contract phone when i got my 6230

think the nokia 3200 over at virgin is the best deal on a PAYG camera phone at the mo, See "mega deal" thread

£44 for a 3200 delivererd with £25 of air time on it.
Ebay the airtime ( get around £15 back), get the phone unlocked, select you service operator

that way , camera phone on PAYG open for all networks for £29

Edinburghlass_2

The OP's question was where to find a particular phone, not to start a discussion on what type of phone a 12 year old should have.

Please keep the thread on topic and try to be helpful to the OP or more posts will have to be removed.

Edinburghlass_2

Thank you amancalledchip, I was about to recommend Virgin for PAYG and you can also go for a reconditioned phone with them as they have a 28 day return policy and these are phones that have been returned as unwanted gifts etc.

Customer service is excellent and if you register the phone and number it can be blocked very quickly incase of theft or loss.

robnye

i would check coverage in your area.....

i had a company mobile phone throuhg o2 coverage was excellent, recently changed to vodaphone, coverae is !!!!!! to non existant ........
I know this varies area to area.

kdee_2

Thanks to all who replied with helpful comments.
vodafone and O2 are the only networks near me with even half decent coverage - we live in a very rural area.
I am esp interested in amancalledchip's reply on unlocking your phone and "ebaying the airtime". I have never done this so would be grateful for more advice or a pointer in a direction of a thread which explains how to do it.

This is a gift for his birthday and it is ultimately his money he is spending. I have spent years buying presents I feel he should have and years avoiding what he really wants. he has had a phone now for 3 years (certainly in the early years as an emergency) but now he's at the age where he texts constantly and what it looks like is just as imp as its functionality.

I am still scarred by the day when my mum bought me a brand new pair of Kickers for my birthday after I had mithered her for 11 months only to open a box of the Clarks own brand version of Kickers .....aaaargh............!!!!
LOL

You never forget.