Buy new mobile phone

lr1277

I don't think the following has been mentioned yet after skimming through this thread.

I would get a phone that is not locked to any network.

Phones bought from John Lewis are not locked. Can't speak for the other retailers mentioned, especially not EE.

Should you choose to buy 2nd hand, ensure the phone is unlocked or at least works on the network which you use.

Susan1942

Thanks to everyone who has responded to my query.  I think I need to go back to the drawing board.  My concern is that when I take a contract the phone is locked to them.  If I wanted to keep the phone after the 24 months period is up then that phone continues to be locked to them,  I am 82 so it is not that easy to get my head around this.  
I don't want to buy a phone from say Amazon where reading the reviews people are having problems and it sounds as though the phones being delivered are not new.  The lower price would not influence my decision in purchasing.  I know from experience that John Lewis is a company I have used for many things as well as TV and Mobile phones.  Sue 

J_B

I'm fairly sure that no phones are locked to a network nowadays - you say you currently have a sim only deal so, just keep that and get a replacement handset

400ixl

Locking phones to networks has been banned for quite a few years now. It's not an issue anymore which is why it hasn't been mentioned.

Susan1942

I didn't know that so thanks for pointing it out to me. Having thought about it I really want to buy a new phone.  I have bought the last 3 phones and really want to do so again.  Again many thanks to all of you for all your advice and information.  I will probably buy from John Lewis although they are not the cheapest,  

MikeJXE

IMO you have made the right choice 

Farway

Susan1942 said:

I didn't know that so thanks for pointing it out to me. Having thought about it I really want to buy a new phone.  I have bought the last 3 phones and really want to do so again.  Again many thanks to all of you for all your advice and information.  I will probably buy from John Lewis although they are not the cheapest,  

Although this is MSE peace of mind is worth a lot at times.

I've bought from JL, not a phone, and had it delivered to Waitrose, which worked out easier for me to collect. 

But with a mobile, maybe you would want to handle it to see it right size for your hand etc.

Susan1942

The Motorola phone I have is quite big but I will check the size of the Samsung.  Thanks again for all your advice  Sue 

Susan1942

I was looking at the A35 but on here an A55 was mentioned and I am wondering if this would be a better buy for me.  What is the actual difference.  My budget at the outset was £500 I told the EE salesman this but he pointed me in the direction of the A35 their price was £330.  John Lewis have this phone for £289 I think but the yellow phone was more expensive .  It that demand that creates the higher price point.  Sorry for bothering you all again.  Sue 

Susan1942

I am still undecided about which phone to buy.  It is going to be the Samsung and was looking at the A35 but someone mentioned that they bought the A55 for their Mum as she would not want to change it for a good length of time.  I am more or less the same at 82.  I am not exactly sure what the difference is between the two so would be interested if anyone could give me any advice,  Sue