Very old smartphone playing up

twopenny

So I think it's a Samsung 2011 and 3G
With 1p which backs off EE.

EE have switched off 3G so I guess it's working on 2G which I should be able to use for calls and texts.

Started with voice mail coming through as a different noise and not registering in messages.
Missed Calls coming through an hour later.
Some things like not letting calls through maybe me messing with settings to see if I could resolve.

Reluctant to get a new one as I use it seldom and new ones are like bricks compared to this little slim one and I don't want a dumb phone.

Any idea if this is a glitch in the mobile signal / the fact it's working on 2g presumably
or the phone itself?
Grateful for any pointers 🙂

flaneurs_lobster

Can't be specific but it's likely that the apps that allow calls/SMS haven't been updated for years and are simply "glitching".

2G itself is really just good for voice & SMS (which is what you use it for), controlling a voicemail box using touch-tones is pretty much at the limits of its powers.

Not a solution (since we haven't diagnosed the problem) but think again about a modern 4G enabled dumbphone?

Are you using any smartphone functions? The problems with modern phones being too large has been raised several times - I don't think a satisfactory answer was ever found. 

twopenny

Thanks Flaneurs. That sounds reasonable.
It's been okay until the last fortnight - except for the voicemail. 

I live rurally and would like to have access to data for odd occasions when I could switch on, off as needed like brake downs and bird sounds. But lugging a large heavier phone around doesn't warrant that.

May try a 50mile round trip by bus to look at second hand but I'm struggling with walking at the moment.
There are small phones like the pixel but even the 6 version is £160. Not worth it for my usage and income.

Frozen_up_north

Twopenny unfortunately you are between a rock and a hard place. Old phones may lack the frequency bands of more modern phones and 2G frequencies/coverage may not be as good as 4G/5G.
Regarding a replacement phone, there are basic 4G phones by Doro. The cost is around £70 + charger from Argos (Leva E10, red colour, item 762/9271).
Argos also sell the much larger Motorola G35 smart phone, which is probably the cheapest touch screen smartphone at £99.99 + charger (item 435/7175).

twopenny

Rock and a hard place.....story of my life. 🙂

PHK

It's worthwhile remembering that EE have refarmed some of the 2G spectrum for 4G. (They have less than 1% of customers who use 2G and even fewer who have 2G only phones) 

So it's quite possible that has happened in your area. 

There are options for a smaller screen but they unfortunately out of your budget. Unihertz Jelly 2 or Jelly Star Mini have 3 inch screens and start about £160

The iPhone SE 2022 has a 5inch screen and starts at about £180 or less if refurbished. 

twopenny

Thank you PHK. Interesting.
Had a look and that is small!. And weighs more than my current one. I had one as small as that when small was the 'in thing ' 
To have a smartphone that size seems neither use nor ornament - it's ugly as ...... - but I'm not dismissing it.

Second hand used to be ok but with such heavy use these days I'm concerned about battery life. 
And it seems crazy when I can get a good new phone for £60. Just size, hard for me to hold and weight 😬

Somehow I'm going to have to have a rummage about stuff less advertised. 
There is the iPhone mini but expensive for my needs. 
I need to get into shops but even the long bus ride there are only 3 there and 2 are second hand.

Farway

Have you thought about trying another non EE provider? If you can get a signal of course

You can get free SIM from many, like Asda or Tesco, so at least see if you get a signal

You can buy, about 99p, PAYG O2 Classic sims on eBay

Or maybe borrow a friend's Sim to try in your phone?

twopenny

Thanks Farway.
The battery is dying fast. Draining as fast as Taffs guttering.
But it's a thought for the future maybe.

I've had to pick a bigger heavier one to get the numbers transferred quickly because they seem to be a different size sim.
I'll keep looking for a small and light, surprising how many people are out there looking for the same.

Farway

twopenny said:

Thanks Farway.
The battery is dying fast. Draining as fast as Taffs guttering.
But it's a thought for the future maybe.

I've had to pick a bigger heavier one to get the numbers transferred quickly because they seem to be a different size sim.
I'll keep looking for a small and light, surprising how many people are out there looking for the same.

Next time in Big Town maybe inquire cost of replacing the battery? 

Could be useful as a spare phone for the future, or just use it with new battery & keep the new big heavy one as emergency

JSmithy45AD

twopenny said:

Thanks Farway.
The battery is dying fast. Draining as fast as Taffs guttering.
But it's a thought for the future maybe.

I've had to pick a bigger heavier one to get the numbers transferred quickly because they seem to be a different size sim.
I'll keep looking for a small and light, surprising how many people are out there looking for the same.

Asda have the TCL 501 on their website for just £55 which is 4G and runs Android 14, you do need to add one of their sims but you can choose the £5 a month one and check a box for non-recurring charge (so it effectively just ends after the month). I don't know which 2011 Samsung you have but if it was the Ace (which I remember as being very popular) then the TCL isn't much bigger and will future proof you for a little while.

I presume Asda will deliver.

https://mobile.asda.com/shop/tcl/501