Help buying a smartphone

CaptainWales

Hi

I need to buy a sim free smartphone but have never bought one before so not sure what I need to consider. I imagine I will be using it to check yahoo emails, internet banking, facebook and watch things on YouTube mostly. Plus calls and Whatsapp and text messages. I would also like to get a case for my new phone to protect it.

My budget is max around £150. I have been told that getting one that can use an esim is good as I do travel abroad occasionally. I think that my current sim is a "normal" one, not a nano one, but to be honest I don't know how to check. I have in the past used a smartphone and plugged my headphones into it - mentioning as I rarely see anybody do that nowdays.

As you can probably tell, my knowledge of these things is very limited so any help appreciated.

oldernonethewiser

If you travel a fair bit then getting a dual SIM phone could be useful. You could use an eSIM at home then a physical SIM when travelling or vice versa.

You could start by reading through this - https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/mobiles/

Cases are found everywhere and vary enormously in price.

There aren't that many modern smartphones with headphone sockets.

Emmia

If you want to use wired headphones they'll go into the charger socket, and you can buy an adaptor for this - charging and wired listening is also possible if you have the right adapter.

Otherwise you'll need Bluetooth headphones.

The key question really is do you want apple (iPhone) or android?

CaptainWales

Android I think. Iphones sound expensive and don't they break after a few years?

Are bluetooth headphones expensive? Trying to factor into my overall budget. If they are, then the amount I spend on the phone will need to reduce

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82002230#Comment_82002230

Bluetooth headphones - like most things they come in cheap (£10) up to hundreds. Decent pair of in-ear can be had for £25-ish, over-ear somewhere around £40.

But as mentioned above, you can use wired 'phones with an adaptor that costs a couple of £.

oldernonethewiser

"Iphones sound expensive and don't they break after a few years?"

No they don't break after a few years.

Check out prices of headphone adaptors and bluetooth headphones online.

oldernonethewiser

You can get something like a Samsung Galaxy S21 refurbished for less than £140 which takes a nano SIM & eSIM

EnPointe

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82002272#Comment_82002272

and is Considered obselete by Samsung and recives no security updates

oldernonethewiser

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82002362#Comment_82002362

Other phones are available, just an example, but you're correct in pointing out lack of support

The availability of security updates would be a consideration for the OP if using banking apps.

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82002362#Comment_82002362

Indeed, whereas a Samsung Galaxy A16 is £99 at Argos and will get android & security updates until 2030.

EDIT: doesn't come with a charger.

GDB2222

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82002378#Comment_82002378

Do many phones come with a charger these days?