Mobile phone advice

[LoveCurryPies]

I've got an iPhone SE but it's 2 or 3 years old. It's on an O2 contract and costs about £30 per months including calls, texts etc. I am just wondering if anyone had seen any great offers or upgrades?

[Steve1956]

Swap iPhone for a Samsung....some great offers at Tescomobile on the new Samsung

[Pickles]

Android every time. Samsung or Pixel.

[IanMcL]

I've got an iPhone SE but it's 2 or 3 years old. It's on an O2 contract and costs about £30 per months including calls, texts etc. I am just wondering if anyone had seen any great offers or upgrades?

For phone offers and contracts, I always recommend checking Affordable Mobiles. Sign up to their emails, as they regularly have specials.

Just a thought '2-3 years' - surely must be due sim only deal at next to nothing?

[Sutton-Claret]

Android every time. Samsung or Pixel.

I can vouch for the pixel.... been through most other Android phones and this is the best so far. Both sons have iphone 14's which I've had limited use on... but I think the Pixel is better. And obviously much cheaper

[claret2018]

Get what your used to, that’s the most important feature of a phone for most people.

[gandhisflipflop]

Swap iPhone for a Samsung....some great offers at Tescomobile on the new Samsung

Good luck getting a signal. Theyve gone downhill in recent years. As soon as my contract is up in October im keeping my handset and going sim only. I’ve seen vestey recommended on here so will look at that

[Steve1956]

Good luck getting a signal. Theyve gone downhill in recent years. As soon as my contract is up in October im keeping my handset and going sim only. I’ve seen vestey recommended on here so will look at that

Tescomobile has an excellent signal,don't they use the o2 network?

[Jakubclaret]

For phone offers and contracts, I always recommend checking Affordable Mobiles. Sign up to their emails, as they regularly have specials.

Just a thought '2-3 years' - surely must be due sim only deal at next to nothing?

I thought along them lines but a possibility may exist he doesn't want to splash out on buying a new phone outright & going down that route with sim only & prefers paying more each month than a 1 off lump, a decent smartphone would cost I'd say in the region of £500+ going with recognisable brands such as apple or Samsung etc, you can get some decent Chinese phones with a good specs a lot cheaper than £500 if you know what you are doing.

[taio]

Buy a brand new Samsung for £150 - £200, say A13, A22, A32, but plenty good enough for most people and will last a few years. Then get sim only deal with say Voxi for £10-£12 a month which includes up to 30gb of data without being locked into a contract.

[Jakubclaret]

Tescomobile has an excellent signal,don't they use the o2 network?

I'm with Tesco it's around 99% 4G landmass to be fair all 4 are, they are the slowest with the speeds I think EE have the fastest in them rootmetrics tests, I'm not bothered about blistering speeds though it's not a consideration for me.

[warksclaret]

For phone offers and contracts, I always recommend checking Affordable Mobiles. Sign up to their emails, as they regularly have specials.

Just a thought '2-3 years' - surely must be due sim only deal at next to nothing?

Exactly my thoughts Ian re SIM only now. I find myself exactly in the same situation soon, having by then paid for my phone

[gandhisflipflop]

Tescomobile has an excellent signal,don't they use the o2 network?

Whatever they use, it has been poor for me in the last few years. Just the other week I had to use my partners phone to get the sat nav on as mine wouldn’t work. I was in the middle of Ashton Under Lyne, hardly in the sticks.

[Claret Till I Die]

Whatever they use, it has been poor for me in the last few years. Just the other week I had to use my partners phone to get the sat nav on as mine wouldn’t work. I was in the middle of Ashton Under Lyne, hardly in the sticks.

What network is he on ?

[RammyClaret61]

Could I get some advice please.

I’m coming over to U.K. for 5 weeks in March. I’ll be looking to put a sim only pay as you go in my Aussie phone. Where would be the best place to walk into for a good deal.
I know there are all the major companies at the airports.
The Voxi one mentioned above sounds perfect, £12 & 30G? Who are they?

Thanks.

[taio]

Could I get some advice please.

I’m coming over to U.K. for 5 weeks in March. I’ll be looking to put a sim only pay as you go in my Aussie phone. Where would be the best place to walk into for a good deal.
I know there are all the major companies at the airports.
The Voxi one mentioned above sounds perfect, £12 & 30G? Who are they?

Thanks.

Voxi is part of vodafone. Best 4g/internet coverage at Turf Moor too which is a bonus.

[TheOriginalLongsider]

If you’re happy to keep your phone then take a look at GiffGaff. They use the O2 network so their SIM cards will work in your phone without unlocking. There is no contract. You just pay per month and stop when you want. You can also change how many minutes/data to have each month. Eg. I increase mine when I go on holiday. I’ve used Giffgaff for quite a few years now. I just buy a second hand phone now and again. I pay £6 per month for unlimited calls and texts and 2gb data but you can get 100gb if you need that much.

I’ve posted a link below. Or just google giffgaff.

https://www.giffgaff.com/orders/affilia ... 2216499834

[TheOriginalLongsider]

If you’re happy to keep your phone then take a look at GiffGaff. They use the O2 network so their SIM cards will work in your phone without unlocking. There is no contract. You just pay per month and stop when you want. You can also change how many minutes/data to have each month. Eg. I increase mine when I go on holiday. I’ve used Giffgaff for quite a few years now. I just buy a second hand phone now and again. I pay £6 per month for unlimited calls and texts and 2gb data but you can get 100gb if you need that much.

I’ve posted a link below. Or just google giffgaff.

https://www.giffgaff.com/orders/affilia ... 2216499834

[pompeyclaret]

Have a Mi, Chinese, much cheaper and same specs as Samsung. Even converted the lady and kids!

SIM only too, much cheaper

[Granny WeatherWax]

iPhone, no question for me. My phone is the thing I use the most each day, buy cheap, buy twice.

[Walkerpool]

Phones LTD have the best deals I saved a few hundred

[gandhisflipflop]

What network is he on ?

Cnut mobile

[jos]

If you’re happy to keep your phone then take a look at GiffGaff. They use the O2 network so their SIM cards will work in your phone without unlocking. There is no contract. You just pay per month and stop when you want. You can also change how many minutes/data to have each month. Eg. I increase mine when I go on holiday. I’ve used Giffgaff for quite a few years now. I just buy a second hand phone now and again. I pay £6 per month for unlimited calls and texts and 2gb data but you can get 100gb if you need that much.

I’ve posted a link below. Or just google giffgaff.

https://www.giffgaff.com/orders/affilia ... 2216499834

I’m on Giff Gaff and I can’t get a signal at the Turf, so nothing works. ( I have an iPhone 14 )

[IanMcL]

I thought along them lines but a possibility may exist he doesn't want to splash out on buying a new phone outright & going down that route with sim only & prefers paying more each month than a 1 off lump, a decent smartphone would cost I'd say in the region of £500+ going with recognisable brands such as apple or Samsung etc, you can get some decent Chinese phones with a good specs a lot cheaper than £500 if you know what you are doing.

Surely, at the end of his contract, he will own the phone, so just need a sim contract. No other outlay.

[Bosscat]

I’m on Giff Gaff and I can’t get a signal at the Turf, so nothing works. ( I have an iPhone 14 )

Don't think it matters which provider ... t'internet and mobile coverage is sh*t at TM .. even though mine says 4g and vo))LTE and have 3 or more bars ... I still struggle ... probably due to the sheer volume of number of folk trying to do the same

[colne-claret]

I’ve had android previously but got iPhone 13 Pro Max at minute which I love. Battery is great. Avoid o2 at all costs in my opinion. Worst network I’ve ever been on. On ID mobile now which is far better.

[Jakubclaret]

Surely, at the end of his contract, he will own the phone, so just need a sim contract. No other outlay.

He will without a shadow but whether he wants to keep that same phone when android/IOS have stopped rolling out updates for it & the phone starts getting laggy is another question, he's probably looking to upgrade on to something else.

[IanMcL]

Maybe Jakub, however, the upgrades continue for a considerable time (years) after contract end. A chance to save!

[RammyClaret61]

I’ve seen a good deal from Smarty? Anyone know about them?

[Jakubclaret]

Maybe Jakub, however, the upgrades continue for a considerable time (years) after contract end. A chance to save!

Are you sure? Some contracts are up to 36 months 3 years it depends I guess on the manufacturer & how often models are phased out by newer 1s, if a phone is fully functioning & running reasonably well I can live with that but when a screen starts to randomly freeze on a daily basis it's time to get shut.

[Zero]

I’ve seen a good deal from Smarty? Anyone know about them?

I use a Smarty sim when we are away in the caravan. Unlimited calls and data £20 per month.

We put it in a wifi router so kids can use.

It's on a monthly contract so can cancel anytime.

Works well.

Can't complain.

[4midable]

I've got an iPhone SE but it's 2 or 3 years old. It's on an O2 contract and costs about £30 per months including calls, texts etc. I am just wondering if anyone had seen any great offers or upgrades?

Sim only
Buy the phone

[Guppyspotter]

Go SIM only, I pay £12 per month unlimited calls, texts, 100GB per month, 12 month term on 3. Buy your own phone, Google Pixel 6A is very cheap for what it is and will be unlocked.

[sox8595]

If you’re happy to keep your phone then take a look at GiffGaff. They use the O2 network so their SIM cards will work in your phone without unlocking. There is no contract. You just pay per month and stop when you want. You can also change how many minutes/data to have each month. Eg. I increase mine when I go on holiday. I’ve used Giffgaff for quite a few years now. I just buy a second hand phone now and again. I pay £6 per month for unlimited calls and texts and 2gb data but you can get 100gb if you need that much.

I’ve posted a link below. Or just google giffgaff.

https://www.giffgaff.com/orders/affilia ... 2216499834

I agree we have been with giff gaff for donkeys years, they are very flexible regarding minutes data ect and also sell refurbished and new phones at a very reasonable price.
I purchased a Samsung note 21 ultra for less than £500 less than a year after it's release and its a fantastic phone.

[herbatlerbat]

I have just got a brand new S22 with unlimited calls & texts and 100gb of Data 2 year contract £27 a month on Vodafone
I was paying £23 for sim only with EE
Have a good look around there are some great deals out there

[IanMcL]

Are you sure? Some contracts are up to 36 months 3 years it depends I guess on the manufacturer & how often models are phased out by newer 1s, if a phone is fully functioning & running reasonably well I can live with that but when a screen starts to randomly freeze on a daily basis it's time to get shut.

A failing phone is not the issue.

Working phone, 2-3 yrs old. Ideal for a sim only for another couple of years at least.

[Jakubclaret]

A failing phone is not the issue.

Working phone, 2-3 yrs old. Ideal for a sim only for another couple of years at least.

I agree if something isn't broken don't bother fixing it but some people like changing their handsets every time a new model comes out meaning at least a year even if the newer model improvements are slight. Some people always want the newest thing it makes them happy & gives them a feeling of completeness, especially the younger generation they can show it off to their mates the older generation are more inclined to make do until it dies.

[IanMcL]

I agree if something isn't broken don't bother fixing it but some people like changing their handsets every time a new model comes out meaning at least a year even if the newer model improvements are slight. Some people always want the newest thing it makes them happy & gives them a feeling of completeness, especially the younger generation they can show it off to their mates the older generation are more inclined to make do until it dies.

Of course. I just got the feeling that maybe the retention of his current model, via sim card, may not have been considered, at the initial posting, sk threw it in the mix.

I would love one of those S23 Ultras from Samsung!
Still on my note 9 which does all I need and is big screen.

[Jakubclaret]

Of course. I just got the feeling that maybe the retention of his current model, via sim card, may not have been considered, at the initial posting, sk threw it in the mix.

I would love one of those S23 Ultras from Samsung!
Still on my note 9 which does all I need and is big screen.

Definitely, I'm not one of those that crave materialistic things it doesn't bring me happiness I derive it other ways, you are better off owning your phone if you can stump up the cash & get a monthly rolling chip & when you need to replace flog on FB or eBay phones devalue very quickly from new so better getting as much use as you can from them.

[Venkys4eva]

I've always gone for the latest phone but I decided to cut back this time. I got a Google pixel 6a last week with unlimited mins and texts plus 32gb data for 15 a month and I'm pretty happy with it.

[boatshed bill]

I've always gone for the latest phone but I decided to cut back this time. I got a Google pixel 6a last week with unlimited mins and texts plus 32gb data for 15 a month and I'm pretty happy with it.

I got the same phone (with EE) for double that.
I cannot stand the damn phone.

[Venkys4eva]

I got the same phone (with EE) for double that.
I cannot stand the damn phone.

For 15 I'm happy but for 30 I'd want better

[boatshed bill]

For 15 I'm happy but for 30 I'd want better

I'm taking it back soon, it's got a few faults(display issues), perhaps I'll get something else.

[LoveCurryPies]

For phone offers and contracts, I always recommend checking Affordable Mobiles. Sign up to their emails, as they regularly have specials.

Just a thought '2-3 years' - surely must be due sim only deal at next to nothing?

Thanks Ian and everyone who posted with suggestions. My contract is almost up and financially it makes sense just to keep the existing mobile and only pay for usage.

[IanMcL]

Thanks Ian and everyone who posted with suggestions. My contract is almost up and financially it makes sense just to keep the existing mobile and only pay for usage.

There are some very cheap sims with loads minutes and texts and reasonable data for 5 or 6 pounds maybe 8 worst.
https://www.affordablemobiles.co.uk/best-sim-only-deals

https://www.idmobile.co.uk/sim-only-deals

Couple for examples.

[Bosscat]

There are some very cheap sims with loads minutes and texts and reasonable data for 5 or 6 pounds maybe 8 worst.
https://www.affordablemobiles.co.uk/best-sim-only-deals

https://www.idmobile.co.uk/sim-only-deals

Couple for examples.

We have BT internet Halo3 and get unlimited texts and minutes and double data so 12 gb instead of 6 gb for £8 on each phone (mine and Mrs BC)

[IanMcL]

I have similar with Halo.