Best bargain smart phone?
 

My present phone makes phone calls and texts - but that's all.

I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally anything from
£10 to £1000.

It's only for occasional use, and doesn't need to do anything fancy -
but obviously a few phonecalls, texts, internet, apps etc. The Samsung
A20E (at around £150) seems to be well recommended as a reasonable
compromise - but there are several others in a similar price range. I
don't really want to pay more, so does anyone have any suggestions?
--
Ian

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 17/09/2020 13:33, Ian Jackson wrote:
I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally anything from
£10 to £1000.

I had a Redmi Note 9 and loved it.

I reluctantly swapped it recently and gave it to the missus, she loves
it too.

It's a decent size, good enough camera, very quick and responsive.

Had a few Redmi now over the years and I can't complain about any of them.

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 17/09/2020 13:33, Ian Jackson wrote:
My present phone makes phone calls and texts - but that's all.

I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally anything from
£10 to £1000.

It's only for occasional use, and doesn't need to do anything fancy -
but obviously a few phonecalls, texts, internet, apps etc. The Samsung
A20E (at around £150) seems to be well recommended as a reasonable
compromise - but there are several others in a similar price range. I
don't really want to pay more, so does anyone have any suggestions?

I had a series of Motorolas (G4, G5, etc) which were pretty good. I've
just gone to a Huawei P smart 2019 which is *mostly* OK, but the wifi is
flakey. I have a steady 60 to 70 MB/S at the router, most devices suck
15 MB/s out of that (including my old motos) without any problem. But
the Huawei only manages that about 20% of the time. The rest of the time
it is 1MB/s. Doesn't seem to be a standard reported problem with them,
I'm wondering if there's a "mechanical" problem with its aerial.

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 14:22 17 Sep 2020, R D S said:

On 17/09/2020 13:33, Ian Jackson wrote:

I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally anything from
£10 to £1000.

I had a Redmi Note 9 and loved it.

I reluctantly swapped it recently and gave it to the missus, she loves
it too.

It's a decent size, good enough camera, very quick and responsive.

Had a few Redmi now over the years and I can't complain about any of them.

I've heard Redmi Note phones are very good value but are customised as
standard to show lots of ads. Can this be disabled?

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 17/09/2020 14:54, Pamela wrote:
On 14:22 17 Sep 2020, R D S said:
I've heard Redmi Note phones are very good value but are customised as
standard to show lots of ads. Can this be disabled?

The phone itself? I'm not aware of such.
The stock browser might but I don't use it, I use Opera mini.

They are Android so as customisable as anything else.

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 17 Sep 2020, newshound wrote

On 17/09/2020 13:33, Ian Jackson wrote:
My present phone makes phone calls and texts - but that's all.

I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally
anything from £10 to £1000.

It's only for occasional use, and doesn't need to do anything
fancy - but obviously a few phonecalls, texts, internet, apps
etc. The Samsung A20E (at around £150) seems to be well
recommended as a reasonable compromise - but there are several
others in a similar price range. I don't really want to pay more,
so does anyone have any suggestions?

I had a series of Motorolas (G4, G5, etc) which were pretty good.

I'll recommend them as well. I'm still using a Moto G4 Plus, which
still does everything I need well enough that while I'd like to get a
new toy, I can't really justify upgrading until this one dies on me,
or until I need 5G capability.

My wife has a budget version of the G6 (Moto G6 Play), which seems to
do everything she needs. It has a smaller screen -- which she
prefers; it's too small for my liking, though.

I believe the G9 is now out, which still looks like good value for a
flagship phone, and probably means that there are good deals on the
G8 series out there. (I think some or all of the G8 series don't
have NFC; that wouldn't bother me, but it's needed if you're one of
those who pays for stuff with their phone).

Cheers,
Harvey

I've just gone to a Huawei P smart 2019 which is *mostly* OK, but
the wifi is flakey. I have a steady 60 to 70 MB/S at the router,
most devices suck 15 MB/s out of that (including my old motos)
without any problem. But the Huawei only manages that about 20% of
the time. The rest of the time it is 1MB/s. Doesn't seem to be a
standard reported problem with them, I'm wondering if there's a
"mechanical" problem with its aerial.

Best bargain smart phone?
 

Ian Jackson wrote:
My present phone makes phone calls and texts - but that's all.

I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally anything from
£10 to £1000.

It's only for occasional use, and doesn't need to do anything fancy -
but obviously a few phonecalls, texts, internet, apps etc. The Samsung
A20E (at around £150) seems to be well recommended as a reasonable
compromise - but there are several others in a similar price range. I
don't really want to pay more, so does anyone have any suggestions?

All Android is a disasterzone as far as getting security updates, as well as
apps spying on you. The Nokia phones are somewhat better in terms of
updates.

In Apple-land, the iPhone 7 is available refurbished (eg MusicMagpie) around
the £160 mark and is still in support (iOS 14 released yesterday). The
iPhone 8 (£225) would get you an extra year of support.

Theo

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 17/09/2020 13:33, Ian Jackson wrote:
My present phone makes phone calls and texts - but that's all.

I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally anything from
£10 to £1000.

It's only for occasional use, and doesn't need to do anything fancy -
but obviously a few phonecalls, texts, internet, apps etc. The Samsung
A20E (at around £150) seems to be well recommended as a reasonable
compromise - but there are several others in a similar price range. I
don't really want to pay more, so does anyone have any suggestions?

Need more information to make sensible suggestions. Is the camera
important to you and how physically bit would you like it?

I am also in the market for a new phone. My 5 year old Moto G4 is
getting towards end of life battery wise. For my money most of the newer
6" models are a bit too big to stick in a shirt pocket which I see as a
major disadvantage. I chose the Moto because of its long battery life
(for a smart phone - when new it was about 7 days).

I'm considering a Moto G8 Power or a Google Pixel 4a when it comes out.
I could be persuaded towards other models. In an ideal world I want
something the same size as what I have now and infinite battery life. I
think a new Moto model will have about a 3 day battery life from new.

I'd be interested in any other smaller models with a long battery life
and a fairly decent camera (or three).

I never watch video on my phone...

--
Regards,
Martin Brown

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 17/09/2020 13:33, Ian Jackson wrote:
My present phone makes phone calls and texts - but that's all.

I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally anything from
£10 to £1000.

It's only for occasional use, and doesn't need to do anything fancy -
but obviously a few phonecalls, texts, internet, apps etc. The Samsung
A20E (at around £150) seems to be well recommended as a reasonable
compromise - but there are several others in a similar price range. I
don't really want to pay more, so does anyone have any suggestions?

I've got a samsung galaxy J3, under £100 generic but with 3's android to
get wifi calling a fair bit more.

its good enough for me

It looks like the A20 has superseded it. Mm. Its not mentioned as
having support for wifi calling. be careful if that is a feature you need.

you need an A21s to get that..with three anyway.

--
€œA leader is best When people barely know he exists. Of a good leader,
who talks little,When his work is done, his aim fulfilled,They will say,
€œWe did this ourselves.€�

ۥ Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 17/09/2020 15:15, R D S wrote:
On 17/09/2020 14:54, Pamela wrote:
On 14:22Â* 17 Sep 2020, R D S said:
I've heard Redmi Note phones are very good value but are customised as
standard to show lots of ads.Â* Can this be disabled?

The phone itself? I'm not aware of such.
The stock browser might but I don't use it, I use Opera mini.
I use firefox with Ublock enabled

Not bad


They are Android so as customisable as anything else.
yep


--
€œIt is dangerous to be right in matters on which the established
authorities are wrong.€�

ۥ Voltaire, The Age of Louis XIV

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 17/09/2020 13:33, Ian Jackson wrote:
My present phone makes phone calls and texts - but that's all.

I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally anything from
£10 to £1000.

It's only for occasional use, and doesn't need to do anything fancy -
but obviously a few phonecalls, texts, internet, apps etc. The Samsung
A20E (at around £150) seems to be well recommended as a reasonable
compromise - but there are several others in a similar price range. I
don't really want to pay more, so does anyone have any suggestions?

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8520867

SIM Free Motorola E5 Play 16GB Mobile Phone - Black: £59.95

Clearance. Getting cheaper and cheaper. I've got one and it's fine.
About the only thing it doesn't do is NFC.

--
Max Demian

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 17 Sep 2020 at 17:18:59 BST, "The Natural Philosopher"
wrote:

On 17/09/2020 13:33, Ian Jackson wrote:
My present phone makes phone calls and texts - but that's all.

I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally anything from
£10 to £1000.

It's only for occasional use, and doesn't need to do anything fancy -
but obviously a few phonecalls, texts, internet, apps etc. The Samsung
A20E (at around £150) seems to be well recommended as a reasonable
compromise - but there are several others in a similar price range. I
don't really want to pay more, so does anyone have any suggestions?

I've got a samsung galaxy J3, under £100 generic but with 3's android to
get wifi calling a fair bit more.

its good enough for me

It looks like the A20 has superseded it. Mm. Its not mentioned as
having support for wifi calling. be careful if that is a feature you need.

you need an A21s to get that..with three anyway.

I thought wifi calling was carrier dependent, and nothing to do with the
phone?

Whichever, I've just got it on my iPhone and it works very well - ID, £6/m.
--
Cheers, Rob

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On Thu, 17 Sep 2020 16:46:55 +0000 (UTC), RJH wrote:

I thought wifi calling was carrier dependent, and nothing to do with the
phone?

Phone requires it in its firmware and your choosen network operator
needs to offer it. Not very many of the MNVO's offer WiFi calling.

As for a phone I'm very happy with my Nokia 6.1, with Andriod One so
very little bloatware.

--
Cheers
Dave.

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 17/09/2020 14:54:47, Pamela wrote:
On 14:22 17 Sep 2020, R D S said:

On 17/09/2020 13:33, Ian Jackson wrote:

I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally anything from
£10 to £1000.

I had a Redmi Note 9 and loved it.

I reluctantly swapped it recently and gave it to the missus, she loves
it too.

It's a decent size, good enough camera, very quick and responsive.

Had a few Redmi now over the years and I can't complain about any of them.

I've heard Redmi Note phones are very good value but are customised as
standard to show lots of ads. Can this be disabled?

I'm not aware of an excessive number. Apps usually carry their own
advertising. I use App Ops to block apps accessing the internet.

The other thing I like about Xiaomi is they allow you to unlock their
bootloader so you can root the phone. Other companies like Huawei don't.

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 17/09/2020 13:33, Ian Jackson wrote:
My present phone makes phone calls and texts - but that's all.

I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally anything from
£10 to £1000.

It's only for occasional use, and doesn't need to do anything fancy -
but obviously a few phonecalls, texts, internet, apps etc. The Samsung
A20E (at around £150) seems to be well recommended as a reasonable
compromise - but there are several others in a similar price range. I
don't really want to pay more, so does anyone have any suggestions?
email me with your address and I will send you a brand new nice wee
ANDROID cheepo phone.....with new leather case...it will make up for you
not getting my TS520SE

Best bargain smart phone?
 

In article , Max
Demian scribeth thus
On 17/09/2020 13:33, Ian Jackson wrote:
My present phone makes phone calls and texts - but that's all.

I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally anything from
£10 to £1000.

It's only for occasional use, and doesn't need to do anything fancy -
but obviously a few phonecalls, texts, internet, apps etc. The Samsung
A20E (at around £150) seems to be well recommended as a reasonable
compromise - but there are several others in a similar price range. I
don't really want to pay more, so does anyone have any suggestions?

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8520867

SIM Free Motorola E5 Play 16GB Mobile Phone - Black: £59.95

Clearance. Getting cheaper and cheaper. I've got one and it's fine.
About the only thing it doesn't do is NFC.


Might have a look at that as a backup to my urber trusty MOTO G4 solid
as a rock that:)

--
Tony Sayer


Man is least himself when he talks in his own person.

Give him a keyboard, and he will reveal himself.

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 17/09/2020 19:40, tony sayer wrote:
In article , Max
Demian scribeth thus
On 17/09/2020 13:33, Ian Jackson wrote:
My present phone makes phone calls and texts - but that's all.

I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally anything from
£10 to £1000.

It's only for occasional use, and doesn't need to do anything fancy -
but obviously a few phonecalls, texts, internet, apps etc. The Samsung
A20E (at around £150) seems to be well recommended as a reasonable
compromise - but there are several others in a similar price range. I
don't really want to pay more, so does anyone have any suggestions?

https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8520867

SIM Free Motorola E5 Play 16GB Mobile Phone - Black: £59.95

Clearance. Getting cheaper and cheaper. I've got one and it's fine.
About the only thing it doesn't do is NFC.


Might have a look at that as a backup to my urber trusty MOTO G4 solid
as a rock that:)

The only issues I had with Moto relate to battery life. I had one with a
replaceable battery, after 18 months or so the battery life got short so
I put in a new battery but that didn't make any real difference.
Thinking it might be a hardware issue I picked up another one which was
fine for a year or so before doing the same thing. Factory resets did
not cure it.

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 18:02 17 Sep 2020, Fredxx said:

On 17/09/2020 14:54:47, Pamela wrote:
On 14:22 17 Sep 2020, R D S said:

On 17/09/2020 13:33, Ian Jackson wrote:

I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally anything
from £10 to £1000.

I had a Redmi Note 9 and loved it.

I reluctantly swapped it recently and gave it to the missus, she loves
it too.

It's a decent size, good enough camera, very quick and responsive.

Had a few Redmi now over the years and I can't complain about any of
them.

I've heard Redmi Note phones are very good value but are customised as
standard to show lots of ads. Can this be disabled?

I'm not aware of an excessive number. Apps usually carry their own
advertising. I use App Ops to block apps accessing the internet.

The other thing I like about Xiaomi is they allow you to unlock their
bootloader so you can root the phone. Other companies like Huawei don't.

There's talk that ads are shown by customised Android, not the browser.

https://www.xda-developers.com/xiaom...er-experience/

On the other hand, some think Redmi European handsets are not configured
to show the ads.

It's hard enough dsitinguishing Xioami, Redmi and Poco handsets from one
another without working out regional variations. Everything seems to vary
which probably makes spare parts hard to get and reduces second hand
value.

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 17 Sep 2020 16:54:24 +0100 (BST), Theo
wrote:

Ian Jackson wrote:
My present phone makes phone calls and texts - but that's all.

I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally anything from
£10 to £1000.

It's only for occasional use, and doesn't need to do anything fancy -
but obviously a few phonecalls, texts, internet, apps etc. The Samsung
A20E (at around £150) seems to be well recommended as a reasonable
compromise - but there are several others in a similar price range. I
don't really want to pay more, so does anyone have any suggestions?

All Android is a disasterzone as far as getting security updates

Pixel phones certainly get security updates.

Best bargain smart phone?
 

Scott wrote:
On 17 Sep 2020 16:54:24 +0100 (BST), Theo
wrote:
All Android is a disasterzone as far as getting security updates

Pixel phones certainly get security updates.

Only for three years since first coming on the market. iPhones get them for
about six.

Given that Pixel and iPhones are roughly in the same price bracket, flagship
to flagship, mid-tier (Pixel 4a) to mid-tier (iPhone SE), Pixel gets you
half the supported lifetime.

This is something to bear in mind when buying a secondhand or previous-gen
phone though - it's cheaper because you have fewer years of lifetime.

(a rough ballpark I used to have was £100 per year - buy a £100 phone and it
won't get updates, pay £200 and it'll last for 2 years, pay £600 and it'll
last for six. In this cirumstance you don't save money by having a cheaper
phone, you have to throw it away and get a new one each year if you want
security updates)

Theo

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 17 Sep 2020 20:43:41 +0100 (BST), Theo
wrote:

Scott wrote:
On 17 Sep 2020 16:54:24 +0100 (BST), Theo
wrote:
All Android is a disasterzone as far as getting security updates

Pixel phones certainly get security updates.

Only for three years since first coming on the market. iPhones get them for
about six.

Given that Pixel and iPhones are roughly in the same price bracket, flagship
to flagship, mid-tier (Pixel 4a) to mid-tier (iPhone SE), Pixel gets you
half the supported lifetime.

This is something to bear in mind when buying a secondhand or previous-gen
phone though - it's cheaper because you have fewer years of lifetime.

(a rough ballpark I used to have was £100 per year - buy a £100 phone and it
won't get updates, pay £200 and it'll last for 2 years, pay £600 and it'll
last for six. In this cirumstance you don't save money by having a cheaper
phone, you have to throw it away and get a new one each year if you want
security updates)

Good point well made..

Best bargain smart phone?
 

One other thing though, smart phones once you get one you find you want more
than pay as you go can do economically, so I'd now advise most to put it on
a contract, maybe a sum only contract. Its amazing how much data you can use
away from home.
Brian

--
--
This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please
Note this Signature is meaningless.!
"Pamela" wrote in message
...
On 14:22 17 Sep 2020, R D S said:

On 17/09/2020 13:33, Ian Jackson wrote:

I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally anything from
£10 to £1000.

I had a Redmi Note 9 and loved it.

I reluctantly swapped it recently and gave it to the missus, she loves
it too.

It's a decent size, good enough camera, very quick and responsive.

Had a few Redmi now over the years and I can't complain about any of
them.

I've heard Redmi Note phones are very good value but are customised as
standard to show lots of ads. Can this be disabled?

Best bargain smart phone?
 

Brian Gaff (Sofa) explained :
One other thing though, smart phones once you get one you find you want more
than pay as you go can do economically, so I'd now advise most to put it on a
contract, maybe a sum only contract. Its amazing how much data you can use
away from home.

There are some really good and cheap monthly deals around. I have my
Iphone set to use my home broadband, when at home.

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 17/09/2020 18:01, Dave Liquorice wrote:
On Thu, 17 Sep 2020 16:46:55 +0000 (UTC), RJH wrote:

I thought wifi calling was carrier dependent, and nothing to do with the
phone?

Phone requires it in its firmware and your choosen network operator
needs to offer it. Not very many of the MNVO's offer WiFi calling.

As for a phone I'm very happy with my Nokia 6.1, with Andriod One so
very little bloatware.

Yes, my Nokia 6.1 (dual SIM version) was reasonably priced, and does
everything I need it to do.

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 17/09/2020 16:54, Theo wrote:
Ian Jackson wrote:
My present phone makes phone calls and texts - but that's all.

I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally anything from
£10 to £1000.

It's only for occasional use, and doesn't need to do anything fancy -
but obviously a few phonecalls, texts, internet, apps etc. The Samsung
A20E (at around £150) seems to be well recommended as a reasonable
compromise - but there are several others in a similar price range. I
don't really want to pay more, so does anyone have any suggestions?

All Android is a disasterzone as far as getting security updates, as well as
apps spying on you. The Nokia phones are somewhat better in terms of
updates.


My Andoid One Xiaomi phone has had regular updates, unlike my previous
Samsung phone.

--
Michael Chare

Best bargain smart phone?
 

In message , Jim GM4DHJ ...
writes
On 17/09/2020 13:33, Ian Jackson wrote:
My present phone makes phone calls and texts - but that's all.
I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally anything
from £10 to £1000.
It's only for occasional use, and doesn't need to do anything fancy
- but obviously a few phonecalls, texts, internet, apps etc. The
Samsung A20E (at around £150) seems to be well recommended as a
reasonable compromise - but there are several others in a similar
price range. I don't really want to pay more, so does anyone have any
suggestions?
email me with your address and I will send you a brand new nice wee
ANDROID cheepo phone.....with new leather case...it will make up for
you not getting my TS520SE

I'll be sending you a loveletter, Jim.
--
Ian

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 18/09/2020 08:09, Ian Jackson wrote:
In message , Jim GM4DHJ ...
writes
On 17/09/2020 13:33, Ian Jackson wrote:
My present phone makes phone calls and texts - but that's all.
Â*I want to buy a modern smartphone for PAYG, but I'm amazed at the
virtually infinite range of models and prices - literally anything
fromÂ* £10 to £1000.
Â*It's only for occasional use, and doesn't need to do anything fancy
-Â* but obviously a few phonecalls, texts, internet, apps etc. The
SamsungÂ* A20E (at around £150) seems to be well recommended as a
reasonableÂ* compromise - but there are several others in a similar
price range. IÂ* don't really want to pay more, so does anyone have
any suggestions?
email me with your address and I will send you a brand new nice wee
ANDROID cheepo phone.....with new leather case...it will make up for
you not gettingÂ* my TS520SE

I'll be sending you a loveletter, Jim.
good man I will get it off to you when I get home tomorrow ....

Best bargain smart phone?
 

"Brian Gaff \(Sofa\)" wrote:
One other thing though, smart phones once you get one you find you want more
than pay as you go can do economically, so I'd now advise most to put it on
a contract, maybe a sum only contract. Its amazing how much data you can use
away from home.

Not for me it isn't, all I use a mobile for is making phone calls,
sending texts (and receiving both of course) and as a sat nav with
data turned off (Here WeGo works perfectly well without data).

--
Chris Green
·

Best bargain smart phone?
 

Theo wrote:
Scott wrote:
On 17 Sep 2020 16:54:24 +0100 (BST), Theo
wrote:
All Android is a disasterzone as far as getting security updates

Pixel phones certainly get security updates.

Only for three years since first coming on the market. iPhones get them for
about six.

Given that Pixel and iPhones are roughly in the same price bracket, flagship
to flagship, mid-tier (Pixel 4a) to mid-tier (iPhone SE), Pixel gets you
half the supported lifetime.

This is something to bear in mind when buying a secondhand or previous-gen
phone though - it's cheaper because you have fewer years of lifetime.

(a rough ballpark I used to have was £100 per year - buy a £100 phone and it
won't get updates, pay £200 and it'll last for 2 years, pay £600 and it'll
last for six. In this cirumstance you don't save money by having a cheaper
phone, you have to throw it away and get a new one each year if you want
security updates)

Lifetime of what? It still works as a phone even when not being
updated, and there is the extra plus that it doesn't run out of space
all by itself because of more and more updates eating space.

As regards security I don't keep anything worth stealing on my phone! :-)

--
Chris Green
·

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 17/09/2020 21:01, Brian Gaff (Sofa) wrote:
One other thing though, smart phones once you get one you find you want more
than pay as you go can do economically, so I'd now advise most to put it on
a contract, maybe a sum only contract. Its amazing how much data you can use
away from home.
Brian


I've found paying outright for handsets and GiffGaff bundles have worked
very well for me over the years.

You pick a monthly bundle that you think will suit and if you
underestimate your needs you can buy your next bundle early or top up.

If you are careful you can get away with spending 6 quid per month (and
much less even if you don't need data and your contacts are also with
Giff Gaff)

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 17 Sep 2020 20:43:41 +0100 (BST), Theo wrote:

Only for three years since first coming on the market. iPhones get them
for about six.

iPhones then become "unsupported" and likely to stop working. My
eight year old Samsung SIII Mini has been pressed back into service
as a webcam for Zoom etc. and has had the OS upgraded to Lineage.
SWMBO uses hers as her phone, "security" for her isn't really an
issue, it spends most of it's time powered off, it's only used for
text, photos and very occasional voice. Pretty sure mobile data is
not enabled and WiFi is only used at home (behind a firewall) to suck
pictures from it.

I'd not be too concerned about using my Lineage SIII online but again
nothing "important" is on it. No banking or payment apps, no
passwords storeage apps, etc. The only real way you're likely to
pickup something to exploit a security hole is by visiting dubious
websites or being daft enough to follow a link in an
unexpected/unknown source email.

This is something to bear in mind when buying a secondhand or
previous-gen phone though - it's cheaper because you have fewer years of
lifetime.

If you define "lifetime" by availabilty of "security" updates. My
Nokia 6.1 gets Android One updates, most of which appear to be
attempts to (re)enable features I've switched off to try and stop
google following my activities...

--
Cheers
Dave.

Best bargain smart phone?
 

R D S wrote:
On 17/09/2020 21:01, Brian Gaff (Sofa) wrote:
One other thing though, smart phones once you get one you find you want more
than pay as you go can do economically, so I'd now advise most to put it on
a contract, maybe a sum only contract. Its amazing how much data you can use
away from home.
Brian


I've found paying outright for handsets and GiffGaff bundles have worked
very well for me over the years.

You pick a monthly bundle that you think will suit and if you
underestimate your needs you can buy your next bundle early or top up.

If you are careful you can get away with spending 6 quid per month (and
much less even if you don't need data and your contacts are also with
Giff Gaff)

I rarely spend more than £6 per year, on 3's 3-2-1 tariff (yes, I know
it's been discontinued but I'm still on it).

--
Chris Green
·

Best bargain smart phone?
 

Chris Green explained on 18/09/2020 :
Not for me it isn't, all I use a mobile for is making phone calls,
sending texts (and receiving both of course) and as a sat nav with
data turned off (Here WeGo works perfectly well without data).

Thanks Chris, I have avoided using my Iphone for navigation just so as
to conserve data - car has a built in sat nav anyway, but that app,
with maps downloaded at home, makes it perfectly viable to use it now.

Best bargain smart phone?
 

R D S laid this down on his screen :
If you are careful you can get away with spending 6 quid per month (and much
less even if you don't need data and your contacts are also with Giff Gaff)

That is what I was doing, via GG, but then Plusnet offered me
unlimited, unlimited, with 4Gb included per month for £6 - so I took up
the offer and cancelled my £8 per month unlimited calls on the
landline. The increased the £6 soon after, to £6.09 per month.

I went from using my mobile just occaisionaly, because every call cost
me, to making quite liberal use of it.

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On 17/09/2020 21:01, Brian Gaff (Sofa) wrote:

One other thing though, smart phones once you get one you find you want more
than pay as you go can do economically, so I'd now advise most to put it on
a contract, maybe a sum only contract. Its amazing how much data you can use
away from home.

Not if you turn mobile data off and use public Wi-Fi in stores, shopping
centres, libraries buses and trains.

Some news apps (like BBC and The Guardian) let you pre-load the content;
I can then read the news on the bus even if it doesn't have working Wi-Fi.

That's if you're penny pinching. Otherwise buy one of these "bundles".

--
Max Demian

Best bargain smart phone?
 

Harry Bloomfield, Esq. wrote:
R D S laid this down on his screen :
If you are careful you can get away with spending 6 quid per month (and much
less even if you don't need data and your contacts are also with Giff Gaff)

That is what I was doing, via GG, but then Plusnet offered me
unlimited, unlimited, with 4Gb included per month for £6 - so I took up
the offer and cancelled my £8 per month unlimited calls on the
landline. The increased the £6 soon after, to £6.09 per month.

I went from using my mobile just occaisionaly, because every call cost
me, to making quite liberal use of it.

The quality of our landline DECT phones is so much better than a
mobile I'd be quite happy to pay a bit more anyway.

--
Chris Green
·

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On Fri, 18 Sep 2020 09:23:17 +0100, Chris Green wrote:

"Brian Gaff \(Sofa\)" wrote:
One other thing though, smart phones once you get one you find you want more
than pay as you go can do economically, so I'd now advise most to put it on
a contract, maybe a sum only contract. Its amazing how much data you can use
away from home.

Not for me it isn't, all I use a mobile for is making phone calls,
sending texts (and receiving both of course) and as a sat nav with
data turned off (Here WeGo works perfectly well without data).


Likewise. Note that Google Maps can be downloaded too for off-line
use, leaving data only for traffic. Helps to have an SD card. I get
a small amount of free data which, even pre-covid, was sufficient to
check emails, do the odd browsing and send/received the occasional
WhatsApp.

Unless streaming video I don't see what the need for all the data is.

And even Giffgaff £6 Goodybag gives 500Mb and unlimited calls/text
which is still more than I'd ever use. Another £2 for 2Gb. And I'm
sure there are better PAYG deals.




--
AnthonyL

Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?

Best bargain smart phone?
 

Max Demian explained :
Not if you turn mobile data off and use public Wi-Fi in stores, shopping
centres, libraries buses and trains.

I notice some free wifi access is limited to the owner's website/ menu
in restaurants.

Best bargain smart phone?
 

In message , at 17:02:35 on Thu, 17 Sep
2020, Martin Brown remarked:

I'm considering a Moto G8 Power or a Google Pixel 4a when it comes out.
I could be persuaded towards other models.

Someone in the family had a Moto G8 Power lite, which was £149 and
worked fine until the inbound sound on phone calls stopped working (but
speakerphone was OK). Unable to diagnose if it's a hardware [broken
transducer] or software [over-active mute] problem, so it's been
returned.

The Pixel 4a is £349, and I gather has a wait-list, but they are now
beginning to deliver.
--
Roland Perry

Best bargain smart phone?
 

On Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:13:10 +0100, Chris Green wrote:

I went from using my mobile just occaisionaly, because every call
cost
me, to making quite liberal use of it.

The quality of our landline DECT phones is so much better than a
mobile I'd be quite happy to pay a bit more anyway.

Same here, DECT over VOIP, no annoying delay, no donald duck, no
missing words. Trying to take a call on a mobile here is almost
certainly going to be a sequence of sorry missed that, sorry can you
repeat, hello can you hear me? sorry what did you say? hello?

--
Cheers
Dave.