Help buying a smartphone

flaneurs_lobster

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82002381#Comment_82002381

No, but the OP is a first-time smartphone buyer and may not be aware of the fact.

GDB2222

I’m looking for a new phone for my wife, and I’m surprised how much more expensive they are compared to last time I bought one. I was thinking of spending about £100 on a fairly capable low end Motorola phone, but they seem to be nearer the £170 mark.

flaneurs_lobster

I’m looking for a new phone for my wife, 

Easy, get her the same one you have.

ScratchyCat

I brought a Samsung phone direct from Amazon. Its 4 years old now. I need to upgrade, but ive been very happy with it. Paid about £169.

You can buy a case at the same time off Amazon. You may have a phone shop in town that sells cases.

I'd recommend you go for something with absolute minimum of 32gb. Better still 128gb. It doesn't take long to fill up memory with app updates even with just a few apps. When I upgraded to 32gb I thought id have loads of space but I was wrong. Now my phone goes slow.

Most new phones don't have a headphone socket, so its bluetooth headphones. My Samsung does have jackplug. Although I didnt realise you can use an adaptor in the charging point for wired headphones on newer phones so ive just learned something new too.

Neil49

If you only travel abroad within the EU then many providers include EU roaming as part of their deals. Just be aware that some of the major ones such as Vodafone, Three and EE don't always include EU roaming as standard unless you pay more. Either way, having EU roaming included in your mobile phone deal means that you can get away with just one sim in your phone.

Esims are useful when traveling farther afield. I used one in the USA for data only and it worked well.

J_B

There are many Motorola phones available within your budget. They are reasonably uncomplicated for a 'beginner'

The Lebara network offers roaming in many EU countries.

QrizB

I was thinking of spending about £100 on a fairly capable low end Motorola phone, but they seem to be nearer the £170 mark.

Moto G35. £100 from Argos.

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4357175

Or at the same price point the OP could consider the Samsung A16 that was mentioned earlier in the thread.

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/4378800

GDB2222

Does Android run okay with 4 GB RAM, or more to the point will it continue to run okay with a few software updates?

Grumpy_chap

Another vote for the Moto phones from me.

CaptainWales

Thanks for all comments so far.

I've been looking at the Argos website and the Honor X6c looks like a potential option. Has a headphone hole, and a decent battery (I think?) and fast charge. Also glass protector and 6GB RAM, which is bigger than the Motorola that was mentioned.

Buy SIM Free HONOR X6c 128GB AI Mobile Phone - Ocean Cyan | SIM free phones | Argos

I don't know whether Honor offers any updates though (as I understand this is important as somebody in the comments said). If Honor dont offer any updates then I'm leaving towards Samsung A16.

Still very much fumbling my way through this tech world! I don't mind paying what I need to get what I want, but its all so confusing.