Smartphone suggestions ...

Although I'm pretty techie in other ways I've always made do with an ordinary (some would say primitive ancient rubbishing PAYG phones) and been pretty happy with it as I'm not much of a phone addict and generally use it for emergencies/meet ups/travel etc.
Both of my current antique phones are on their uppers and over the past 6 months I've realised that I really should graduate to a smart phone. Especially being abroad it is becoming more pressing to have one for various reasons.

I realise in some ways this is quite a personal thing, but I find choosing really difficult as it is pretty much impossible to try them out in the shop and it seems I have friends who only have two sorts iPhone (which I don't want, for various reasons) and HTC1 so haven't be able to properly try any.
I want something that I can grow into (use a lot as I get used to it/OH says 'hooked' with a massive frown LOL). OH thinks (probably correctly) that as soon as I get one, I will be on it all the bleedin' time - probably right - must admit as I'm a bit geeky with other technology.

As I live in the sticks, my network is going to be confined by that - most networks here have rubbish coverage so I can sort that out for myself. I think I can figure out which package I need no problem.

It's really the choice of actual phone that is the quandry, and with a 2 year contract I don't want to get it wrong. I want something that is easy to use, good for big hands and fingers, and easy to read (want to be able to use it without my specs if necessary).

As you see not really sure what questions to ask in many ways. But thought perhaps if anyone had gone through the same process they might have some Do's and Don'ts' to pass on and perhaps suggest a particular phone to look into.

Cheeers
GG

 

The best phone is the HTC One. You can get it for just over £30 a month which includes enough call allowance and unlimited data. Stunning phone!

 

I have a Samsung Ace, found myself like you, using an old phone that was showing its age, I tried Tesco mobile, nice phone HTC, wildfire, but when I phoned my payg company as I wanted to keep my number, they talked me into the Samsung, 10-50 a month ,unlimited texts, 200 talk minutes, 500 mb data, If I work it right and use my landline for its free time, the mobile for calls during the day, I have very few calls I have to pay for.It is so simple to use,I love it.
I sent the HTC back to tesco, but a month later got a bill for 1-44, it`s not the amount, but all I did was switch it on with the card they sent inserted. no calls texts or downloading, so I would hesitate to go tesco, because of hidden charges.

 

Last year I replaced my ancient "brick" with a HTC1. The "brick" was working fine but we were going to the Caribbean and I wanted something that would give me access to email and internet news. I hardly ever use the phone at home and am on PAYG as for my level of use it works out very much cheaper than a contract. In fact about £40 a year is all it costs me and that includes a couple of trips to Greece, though I do try to use free wifi for internet use whenever I can. I've no quibbles with the phone though I've found the touch screen a pain in the bum, but that's due to me not using it enough to get really used to it. My brother who does a lot of journalism has a tiny roll-up keyboard for his ITC phone and it's brilliant!
The main point I'd like to suggest is that if your usage is small you may be very much cheaper sticking to the PAYG option.

 

Thanks for those useful comments. I see what some have said about remaining PAYG but I don't really see that as an option, as just may as well stick with what I have.

Been looking into network availability and it seems I may be restricted to o2 according to the ofcom coverage checker http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/2009/08/mobile-broadband-coverage-checker/ and then it is not great, basically G2 full bars and only 1 measily bar reception on G3 on their graphics. Rural living I have two ordinary mobiles one orange (absolutely rubbish dodgy signal that works only from the garden and then it is iffy) and o2 (very good signal) so I'm assuming this bodes well for the o2 option ...?

I'm going to talk to a localish carphonewarehouse and see what they say, but does this effectively mean I would not be able to use the phone with all its features e.g. browsing? Does this perhaps mean it might be an expensive under-used item I'm wondering? Having done a recce online it seems o2 are not the cheapest unfortunately.

Anyway, any further expert opinions welcome.

Cheers
GG

 

Thanks FC, yes I'd see the Tesco link so will have to see what deal I can get before I decide.
Yes I've found Carphonewarehouse's service a bit dubious and it seems their staff are often less than knowledgeable about their products, but they know a lot about what colour is 'in'. Poor really. I'm going to use Carphone for a bit of info and local coverage and take with pinch of salt.

What this has also brought up for me is actually where to buy, direct from o2? online or an o2 shop? or Carphonewotsit or other retailer? Not sure which would be best regarding after sales service etc.

Cheers again
GG

 

I would ring 02 and ask them what they can offer as you are looking at tesco, the ones you see advertised can always be bettered.

 

I had a Samsung Ace on Virgin ( T-Mobile network ) at about the same price as Pams . It was a really good phone until someone half inched it ! I went back to my old Samsung slide phone , which I actually prefer. Mrs H got a Samsung Ace from CPW on their own network which runs on Vodaphone its only £7.50 a month with free phone 100 mins talk and lots of texts and Mbs . CPW are fine , if you have reception problems in the first 30 days or so they will exchange your phone and possibly provider. I have Samsung TV and tablet , the equipment is reliable and so far robust ,

 

Mobilephonesdirect have had some good deals recently for HTC one on O2. This one has expired (free phone & £14.69/month after cashbacks http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/free-htc-one-o2-22-per-month-14-69-per-month-after-cashback-1696783

Still available at £2/month more, again after cashbacks https://www.mobilephonesdirect.co.uk/phone/one-black/network:o2#pay-monthly-o2 How does that compare with buying from o2 or Tesco?