Ken Tone Posted 31 July, 2012 Share Posted 31 July, 2012 I use a blackberry and an iPad myself, but since both are provided by my work I haven't really taken much notice of contract deals, functions etc. I now need to buy a phone for my wife that is at least vaguely up to date. She doesn't want lots of bells and whistles - phone, text ,emails and a bit of internet use, and I suppose some pics, mostly still not video. She is unlikely to play games or much music. Where we live doesn't have particularly good reception. Is ok on O2, so-so on '3', and dodgy on most other networks. Want good battery life as a priority, and not too big a phone to fit in pocket etc. What would you advise? I'd like to keep contract below £30 a month if possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
View From The Top Posted 31 July, 2012 Share Posted 31 July, 2012 I use a blackberry and an iPad myself, but since both are provided by my work I haven't really taken much notice of contract deals, functions etc. I now need to buy a phone for my wife that is at least vaguely up to date. She doesn't want lots of bells and whistles - phone, text ,emails and a bit of internet use, and I suppose some pics, mostly still not video. She is unlikely to play games or much music. Where we live doesn't have particularly good reception. Is ok on O2, so-so on '3', and dodgy on most other networks. Want good battery life as a priority, and not too big a phone to fit in pocket etc. What would you advise? I'd like to keep contract below £30 a month if possible. I've succumbed to an iphone4 with 1000mins, 2000texts & unlimited internet for £20 pcm on t-mobile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotty Posted 31 July, 2012 Share Posted 31 July, 2012 The Galaxy is very good. Never had a problem with either of mine, slim, really nice touchscreen, good battery life (and extendible with a larger battery and back cover if you need it, for about £10. That gives around 4-5 days of use.) Better than the iphone imho. (had one of those for about 2 months then changed it for a galaxy, wasnt the current iphone model tho.) Emails a doddle to set up, and the internet works very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Tone Posted 31 July, 2012 Author Share Posted 31 July, 2012 The Galaxy is very good. Never had a problem with either of mine, slim, really nice touchscreen, good battery life (and extendible with a larger battery and back cover if you need it, for about £10. That gives around 4-5 days of use.) Better than the iphone imho. (had one of those for about 2 months then changed it for a galaxy, wasnt the current iphone model tho.) Emails a doddle to set up, and the internet works very well. Hadnt heard of the battery extension ..sounds a good idea if not too bulky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Tone Posted 31 July, 2012 Author Share Posted 31 July, 2012 I've succumbed to an iphone4 with 1000mins, 2000texts & unlimited internet for £20 pcm on t-mobile. Not sure we get T-mobile reception out here in the sticks... The coverage websites show it as touch and go. How is battery life on the I-phone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Block 18 Posted 1 August, 2012 Share Posted 1 August, 2012 That will be depandant upon on the apps you load onto it, if you load up GPS seeking apps it reduces the battery lif a lot, mine (i phone 4) will go for 24 hrs before hitting the red bar. But I routinely charge it every night as a matter of course. I'm with O2 and have just had my tarriff reduced to £24 per month thats with 200 free calls and 500 texts (i think). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Tone Posted 1 August, 2012 Author Share Posted 1 August, 2012 That will be depandant upon on the apps you load onto it, if you load up GPS seeking apps it reduces the battery lif a lot, mine (i phone 4) will go for 24 hrs before hitting the red bar. But I routinely charge it every night as a matter of course. I'm with O2 and have just had my tarriff reduced to £24 per month thats with 200 free calls and 500 texts (i think). Trouble is, the wife is used to a steam-powered simple, Nokia that she just uses for phone and texts, with a battery that last for a week, so the idea of charging every night would appal her. My Blackberry usually needs charging every 3 days, but I do switch it off overnight.... And I keep GPS stuff switched off unless I need it. It's amazing isn't it, how we seem to accept such short battery life from smartphones? Am currently leaning towards an I-phone 4 on the sort of deal Block 18 has, but am grateful for the responses so far , and would welcome any other suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eurosaint Posted 1 August, 2012 Share Posted 1 August, 2012 Ken, my wife has exactly the same requirements as yours and she has just recently got the Samsung Galaxy Ace which has been a great success, especially as we have kids overseas and she can use the WhatsApp system for free exchange of fotos/messages etc.. ! We pay £15.50 per month with Vodaphone and it covers all her needs ! Clearly the only issue (as with all smartphones!) is battery life but (slowly but surely!) she is learning to stick it on charge overnight ! HTH and good luck ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Tone Posted 1 August, 2012 Author Share Posted 1 August, 2012 Ken, my wife has exactly the same requirements as yours and she has just recently got the Samsung Galaxy Ace which has been a great success, especially as we have kids overseas and she can use the WhatsApp system for free exchange of fotos/messages etc.. ! We pay £15.50 per month with Vodaphone and it covers all her needs ! Clearly the only issue (as with all smartphones!) is battery life but (slowly but surely!) she is learning to stick it on charge overnight ! HTH and good luck ! Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Micky Posted 1 August, 2012 Share Posted 1 August, 2012 I have an HTC Desire, which when I first got it I thought was the bees knees. It is still a very nice handset, but I am now plagued with the constant "Low on space" notification even though all apps that can be loaded onto the sd card are. That appart though it is a nice bright and easy to use handset once you get used to it. My company phone though is the same as eurosaint recommends, a Samsung Galaxy Ace, and although not the same screen quality of the HTC - it is a very nice handset. Found it easy to use and set up, probably does all and more of what your wife needs to do. As for battery life, my HTC needs charging every night, and although I dont use the Samsung as extensively - I think the battery would probably go 2 days between charges in normal use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Tone Posted 1 August, 2012 Author Share Posted 1 August, 2012 Thanks again for the advice so far. Idiot question from me now please, because I've been trying to decide which contract deal is best -- high on free minutes but no data , or low on minutes but some free data. Email usage. Is that effectively data download, so that if the contract has loads of free minutes and texts but no data allowance, there will be a cost for every email read or sent ? Any idea of cost? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joensuu Posted 1 August, 2012 Share Posted 1 August, 2012 Ken. Seen as you find O2 provide reasonable reception - have you considered going with GiffGaff (on O2 network) and staying out of contract? I've been with them for 18 months and can't knock them for price (NB, they have had a couple of issues with downtime - but nothing that's bothered me to much)... http://giffgaff.com/goodybags/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken Tone Posted 1 August, 2012 Author Share Posted 1 August, 2012 Ken. Seen as you find O2 provide reasonable reception - have you considered going with GiffGaff (on O2 network) and staying out of contract? I've been with them for 18 months and can't knock them for price (NB, they have had a couple of issues with downtime - but nothing that's bothered me to much)... http://giffgaff.com/goodybags/ I'll look at it. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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