Travelling abroad without a smartphone

Albermarle

Savvy_Sue said:

We flirted with £30 handsets at work a few years ago: would not recommend. Slow, clunky, unreliable.

I had a very cheap one myself and struggled. A friend bought one and also hated it.

I don't spend a lot on a new handset, but would now go for a better spec, refurbished.

I think you need to spend at least £100/£150 on a new one, to get one that would actually be useful/easy to use.
Or a better one refurbished, although it might not be getting updates anymore and the battery might need replacing.

Savvy_Sue

Albermarle said:

Savvy_Sue said:

We flirted with £30 handsets at work a few years ago: would not recommend. Slow, clunky, unreliable.

I had a very cheap one myself and struggled. A friend bought one and also hated it.

I don't spend a lot on a new handset, but would now go for a better spec, refurbished.

I think you need to spend at least £100/£150 on a new one, to get one that would actually be useful/easy to use.
Or a better one refurbished, although it might not be getting updates anymore and the battery might need replacing.

I would not disagree with that.

I was using a Google Pixel 2 without a SIM when increasingly I found mobile banking apps easier to use than online banking. But one by one banks stopped allowing me to use the unupdatable OS to do so. I've now got a preloved Nokia: it's OK but temperamental, which is why DH stopped loving it.

Because I don't carry it round like my proper phone, I can cope with its funny ways. I'd hate to rely on it while travelling.

But it a) saves cluttering up my regular phone with too many apps and b) means banking is never an on the go task, which I feel increases security.

Albermarle

Savvy_Sue said:

Albermarle said:

Savvy_Sue said:

We flirted with £30 handsets at work a few years ago: would not recommend. Slow, clunky, unreliable.

I had a very cheap one myself and struggled. A friend bought one and also hated it.

I don't spend a lot on a new handset, but would now go for a better spec, refurbished.

I think you need to spend at least £100/£150 on a new one, to get one that would actually be useful/easy to use.
Or a better one refurbished, although it might not be getting updates anymore and the battery might need replacing.

I would not disagree with that.

I was using a Google Pixel 2 without a SIM when increasingly I found mobile banking apps easier to use than online banking. But one by one banks stopped allowing me to use the unupdatable OS to do so. I've now got a preloved Nokia: it's OK but temperamental, which is why DH stopped loving it.

Because I don't carry it round like my proper phone, I can cope with its funny ways. I'd hate to rely on it while travelling.

But it a) saves cluttering up my regular phone with too many apps and b) means banking is never an on the go task, which I feel increases security.

I phones get 7 years of updates, and in reality you should be able to continue using the last OS for another 2 or 3 years at least afterwards. Probably the phone itself will have problems before the OS becomes a problem. However even a 5 year old refurbished Iphone could set you back £250 .

QrizB

When this thread started, Argos were listing the Moto E14 for £50. I see they've since replaced it with the E15 for £70.

Either of those would be adequate, IMO, provided you don't want/need NFC for contactless payments (as they don't include NFC).

My late-teenager has the G22 (next step up the Moto model ladder, but three years older) and is happy with it.

Indout96

Life will be far easier with a smartphone as more transport systems move on to it you will end up paying more for everything unfortunately.
We are just back from Vienna and booking underground tickets was more expensive on the station machines than on the app. Plus you can also save a fortune on taxi fares but using Uber or cheaper still in many countries Bolt.
With many budget airlines you can check in and print out boarding passes at home (for now) but most of the Major Airlines you can only book in 24 hours before your flight so again far easier with a smartphone.
Remember you don't need a £1300 I-phone for this, you can buy plenty of cheap(ish) smartphones.

Albermarle

but most of the Major Airlines you can only book in 24 hours before your flight so again far easier with a smartphone.
Especially if your are in a hotel with no access to computer/printer.

Remember you don't need a £1300 I-phone for this, you can buy plenty of cheap(ish) smartphones.
Very true, but I think Iphones are a bit more user friendly and generally more glitch free than many Android phones, especially the really cheap ones.
So are probably better for an inexperienced user, if they are prepared to pay a bit more, and as so many people have them, you can easily find someone to help you out if you get stuck.
Also most are not £1300.
New Iphone 16e - £550
3 year old Iphone13 ( still with at least 4 years of updates) £300
5 year old Iphone 11 £175

Indout96

Good points 
I was using the £1300 as most young people seem to think you have to have the top of the line.
I-phone 16 Promax goes from £1199 to £1599 depending on storage so I was close 
Personally we have 13's bought new from Apple two years ago for £750 each I may change mine next year for a new 15 Plus if prices have dropped enough (Its £799 at the moment) as I prefer a bigger screen.

jno

Indout96 said:

We are just back from Vienna and booking underground tickets was more expensive on the station machines than on the app. 

You're right, I live near Vienna and use the underground (u-bahn) every now and again and didn't know this so many thanks! Just did a bit of research and standard ticket price at machines is (example, single ticket 'Einzelfahrt') €2.40 and €1.20 on the WienMobil app. 

Appreciate the info but I don't agree with the principle.

Vitor

£200ish would get a phone with the essentials for travelling inc. NFC to tap-in/out on automated barriers using Google Wallet. Samsung Galaxy A15 5G or Pixel 6a for example.

QrizB

Vitor said:

£200ish would get a phone with the essentials for travelling inc. NFC to tap-in/out on automated barriers using Google Wallet.

That's more than twice the price you need to pay. Samsung and Google phones are expensive for what you get (they're also the two biggest brands of Android).

Try the Moto G24, £90.

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4429285