New Mobile - Not sure here or Mobile thread better, please move if neccessary

Mullhon2

Hi All,

I currently have a S6 on PAYG. EE if it matters, I currently pay £5 a month for 30 days (500MB, 250 mins , unlimited texts {Free boosts 100MB data, 100MB data, 25 mins} Data left over rollsover). I used to split my time with my house and my partner's, he passed in Nov 2020. I now need something that works solely in my house. Most neighbours have to leave our street to get a signal. I'm still waiting for texts from 2015!

As an example of usage, I have 1.2GB of Data, 700MB of rollovers, 254 mins, Unlimited texts.

I need an upgrade, its almost as old as my daughter, even my fingerprint doesn't work 😂 but I have no idea. I keep seeing deals on here and HUKD, but I'm lost. Prior to 2010, I did the foolish upgrade when contract up.

I don't have a phone signal in my house, it backs into a wood, can't get Sky etc, so no particular network will work.

As I've lost my OH, I want to be contactable, as much as possible, I generally use Whatsapp / messenger.

I want a phone I can add storage to, either a decent memory or SD card. A resasonable camera, back, not bothered for selfies, but now without my partner and with a child, I guess photos matter (Amazon Photos app a massive bonus). I'm not bothered if pay monthly or PAYG, but obviously WiFi calling not available on my my PAYG.

Does Wifi calling work?

I don't mind paying upfront or over contract, so long as I can change when phone paid off, unless a good deal.

Am I asking for Holy Grail?

I use Zoom / Google Meet but mainly on Tablet.

I don't call a lot but mainly because I can't.

Please Help?!

I looked at several recently, but so out of date, I don't know what is a good deal or not. I just want my phone to ring, if I'm needed!

getmore4less

Budget for the phone?

There are 128GB models under £200.

We use 3 and our phones go to voice over wi-fi in the house.

It might be your phone not the SIM that is stopping it for you.

We are looking to change as 3 payg prices have gone up.

getmore4less

You could start with a sim free phone, keep current sim then look at provider options.
(Check SIM size in your current phone) 

pbartlett

i would recommend you buy a refurbished galaxy s8 plus or s9 plus (depends on yiur budget) from a reputable dealer on ebay. 

whatsapp will provide you with the connectivity you need via your wifi. I assume you have a land line to make and receive calls.  

yes wifi calling does work but depends on yiur network  and if you are payg or pay monthly - check with ee 
 
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/www.uswitch.com/mobiles/guides/what-is-wi-fi-calling/amp/

Neil49

Different networks have different options when it comes to WiFi calling. Vodafone are a bit picky when it comes to which phones it works on and often you have to have purchased the handset from them.

I'm on Three and they are more flexible in that respect. They support the S6 for wifi calling - check this link for other handsets

http://support.three.co.uk/SRVS/CGI-BIN/WEBISAPI.DLL?Command

It's important to check each network to ensure they offer the option. ID mobile have cheaper monthly contracts which could be worth considering as they use the Three network and offer WiFi calling. 

getmore4less

if 3 will support the S6,  you could get a free data reward sim to try it

That gives 200mb a month free and might be enough it you WiFi as much as you can when out. 

The prices are going up for PAYG calls/Text but still reasonable, 
Also has a min £2 top up and credit does not run out.

Another option might be sky mobile(o2)  they have £42  3 years unlimited calls/text 100MB  with data topups that might do.
(would need to check for WiFi calling)

Mullhon2

I have a landline, but everyone calls mobile despite saying landline / email. If it rings, it's usually have you had an accident / had a loan drivel.

I've tried GiffGaff / O2, EE, 3, all same on PAYG, but never wanted to upgrade to contract if I can't get signal. They all say covers my post code but don't, TV / broadband an issue, but reasonable service with Sky and Shell. 

I have no objections to monthly contract if thats what it takes, no house move in the future planned. Obviously, I'd rather not may £50 a month for a contract I won't use, but if it costs that for my child / whoever to reach me when needed...

Would rather avoid Virgin and Vodafone.

Regards budget no actual limit, but cheaper the better 🤣. I'm thinking more couple of hundred than £1000s. I've seen the Xiaomi Mi 10 and POCO X3 listed recently, but as I said, I was the fool previously, just easy upsell. I just want a phone that rings! I can usually get messenger and Whatsapp calls, so I'm assuming its the PAYG (I believe thats the issue with S6 but aware ancient in phone tech terms). Reasonably tech competent, but so out of market for this. I've lived in my hole in the woods for 6 years. Genuinely lost.

Am I better getting a monthly contract that does WiFi calling and getting cheapest monthly contract with said provider?

I have bought last couple of phones 2nd hand and just shoved my sim in, but that was years ago and I lived more city centre, so signal not an issue. As we are home, I don't use mobile data, but I'd like to think life will eventually get back to some normality.

Thanks for your help, I'm genuinely a lost cause here.

Mullhon2

getmore4less said:

if 3 will support the S6,  you could get a free data reward sim to try it

That gives 200mb a month free and might be enough it you WiFi as much as you can when out. 

The prices are going up for PAYG calls/Text but still reasonable, 
Also has a min £2 top up and credit does not run out.

Another option might be sky mobile(o2)  they have £42  3 years unlimited calls/text 100MB  with data topups that might do.
(would need to check for WiFi calling)

My phone is knackered, I can't use fingerprint anymore to log in, so I've def had money's worth and do need a new one.

getmore4less

£164 for a Poco X3 6gb/128gb last weekend.

There have been redml deals under £100.

Stuck in existing 3 payg SIMs and WiFi calling is running.
(A Regular PAYG and a data reward.)

If you have a 3 payg SIM try it again in your S6 but check the phone settings for WiFi calling are setup.
(My 3 Sims with credit did not get cancelled when not used for a year.

pbartlett

A used galaxy s9 plus (s9+) will cost around £200 on ebay - £250 will buy you a new one in a box. If the screen is too big for you then a standard s9 but I would recommend the plus.

Three supports the s9 range on wifi calling

Three inTouch - Embedded Wi-Fi Calling - Send a Text or Call over Wi-Fi.

pbartlett

Just to add if your budget can stretch to b£300 then you can get the galaxy s10 - have a look on ebay.

As tor the phone contract, if you need to move off your payg plan to a pay monthly contract so you can get wifi calling, then three have a £5/month one you could look at:

1GB data

£5.00 a month*

12 month Advanced plan Unlimited minutes Unlimited texts

google 'three sim only' and click the 'more plans' button to see all plans