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Recommend a 'cheap' smart phone
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Assa2
04-07-2010
I got an HTC wildfire on Friday and am loving it. Now my wife wants one but not the same. Can people recommend something similar I.e an android phone which will be free or cheap on a contract - don't mind who with.
skimminstones
04-07-2010
Pulse mini. £99.99 on pay as you go

or contract - Galaxy portal £15 per month, LG In touch max £15/£20 per month. HTC Hero/G2 around £20 per month.
alanwarwic
04-07-2010
X10 mini from £10 on contract.
simonb65
04-07-2010
I think the alternatives from a price viewpoint could be the Samsung Galaxy Portal or the LG GW620 in touch Max. However both myself and the wife had these phones and returned them during 7 day cooling off period and got a Wildfire each instead.
dave81uk
04-07-2010
I like the look of the HTC Wildfire myself, the specs look great, are there any downsides to it?
ItJustMyOpinion
04-07-2010
Originally Posted by skimminstones:
“Pulse mini. £99.99 on pay as you go

or contract - Galaxy portal £15 per month, LG In touch max £15/£20 per month. HTC Hero/G2 around £20 per month.”

I have just bought the pulse mini. I read the negative reviews, but I'm really pleased with it so far.

I guess the reviews all own £400 smart phones, whereas I previously owned a Motorola V500, so I guess your opinion of it will depend on whether your upgrading or downgrading.
jim_uk
04-07-2010
The Hero is about £20 a month and it's finally got the 2.1 update, might be worth a look.
simonb65
04-07-2010
Originally Posted by dave81uk:
“I like the look of the HTC Wildfire myself, the specs look great, are there any downsides to it?”

mainly the screen resolution, but tbh I am more than happy with it
legends wear 7
04-07-2010
a mate has just got the HTC Legend from @Vodafoneukdeals on twitter for £20 a month 18month deal
alanwarwic
04-07-2010
Bizarre how it works in the UK.

In that you never seem to have to pay for the latest phone bar the one that is an acquired taste.
Bunny82
05-07-2010
Originally Posted by ItJustMyOpinion:
“I have just bought the pulse mini. I read the negative reviews, but I'm really pleased with it so far.

I guess the reviews all own £400 smart phones, whereas I previously owned a Motorola V500, so I guess your opinion of it will depend on whether your upgrading or downgrading.”

I agree. Like every other phone that's out there at the moment there are negatives and positives to them. I read up on the Pulse Mini before buying one a couple of weeks ago and I must say I'm really happy with it so far *touch wood*. The GPS on it came in soooo handy whilst driving around Cornwall last week!
moox
05-07-2010
Originally Posted by Bunny82:
“The GPS on it came in soooo handy whilst driving around Cornwall last week!”

I'm surprised you got anywhere.

Google Maps, on my phone (not the one you have but still Android) likes to have a tantrum and complain about losing a data connection. This is while I am stuck in traffic, in the largest town in Cornwall, with a full 3G signal.
clonmult
05-07-2010
Originally Posted by moox:
“I'm surprised you got anywhere.

Google Maps, on my phone (not the one you have but still Android) likes to have a tantrum and complain about losing a data connection. This is while I am stuck in traffic, in the largest town in Cornwall, with a full 3G signal.”

One reason why i'd suggest a Nokia 5230. Even the release firmware was reliable, updates have just made it a little nicer to use (kinetic scrolling).

£80 on payg, full satnav on board (ie. no data, so great to use whilst roaming). All round excellent phone.
moox
05-07-2010
Originally Posted by clonmult:
“One reason why i'd suggest a Nokia 5230. Even the release firmware was reliable, updates have just made it a little nicer to use (kinetic scrolling).

£80 on payg, full satnav on board (ie. no data, so great to use whilst roaming). All round excellent phone.”

I upgraded from an N95. I did prefer Nokia Maps (and its offline storage) to this, but at the time Nokia still wanted a ridiculous price for navigation licences (mine was about to run out). Then the backlight on the screen went so that was that.
LostFool
05-07-2010
Originally Posted by dave81uk:
“I like the look of the HTC Wildfire myself, the specs look great, are there any downsides to it?”

I'm currently considering this one myself. The only downsides I can see are a lower res screen than the Desire and a slower processor.

It should be enough for what I'm looking for though. I have a BB Bold as a work phone, which I love, but I'm looking for a cheap-ish smartphone for personal use.
Fred Smith
05-07-2010
Just got a Wildfire on Saturday so it's early days.

The screen is not as responsive as the Iphone 3G but it not in the same price point eirher. On screen keypad needs mastering, not yet got it fully i.e. keep getting adjacent letters to the one I actually want.

Got mine form a T-Mobile reseller (BuyMobilePhones see Hotdeals) on T-Mobile for £15 a month on 24 month contract, 300 mins, 300 texts and 1Gb of data so effectively the phone was free.

When I phoned up Virgin Mobile to ask for my PAC code they made no attempt to get me to say so either they don't want my business or they can't match the deal?
skimminstones
05-07-2010
Originally Posted by moox:
“I'm surprised you got anywhere.

Google Maps, on my phone (not the one you have but still Android) likes to have a tantrum and complain about losing a data connection. This is while I am stuck in traffic, in the largest town in Cornwall, with a full 3G signal.”

Are you using google maps or the google sat nav?
dave81uk
05-07-2010
Originally Posted by Fred Smith:
“Just got a Wildfire on Saturday so it's early days.

The screen is not as responsive as the Iphone 3G but it not in the same price point eirher. On screen keypad needs mastering, not yet got it fully i.e. keep getting adjacent letters to the one I actually want.

Got mine form a T-Mobile reseller (BuyMobilePhones see Hotdeals) on T-Mobile for £15 a month on 24 month contract, 300 mins, 300 texts and 1Gb of data so effectively the phone was free.

When I phoned up Virgin Mobile to ask for my PAC code they made no attempt to get me to say so either they don't want my business or they can't match the deal?”

Is the screen res on par with an iphone 3g or is it lower again?
Paul R
05-07-2010
LG Optimus £130 Pay as You Go from o2 Shop on the High Street.

Provided you are happy with Android 1.6 and use a stylus for the texting on the otherwise good resistive touchscreen.

It's quick and responsive. And screen is 320 x 480 ie. better than the Wildfire. So you don't miss out on some apps due to Wildfire's small screen pixel count.

I've had it 10 days and loaded it with free apps. It has GPS and Wifi. Works well.
huffy72
06-07-2010
Originally Posted by clonmult:
“One reason why i'd suggest a Nokia 5230. Even the release firmware was reliable, updates have just made it a little nicer to use (kinetic scrolling).

£80 on payg, full satnav on board (ie. no data, so great to use whilst roaming). All round excellent phone.”

i installed the new firmware,messed my phones memory
Bunny82
06-07-2010
Originally Posted by moox:
“I'm surprised you got anywhere.

Google Maps, on my phone (not the one you have but still Android) likes to have a tantrum and complain about losing a data connection. This is while I am stuck in traffic, in the largest town in Cornwall, with a full 3G signal.”

Nope, I always had a full 3G and GPS signal so didn't have a problem with Google Navigation. Many a time it got us to pubs in the middle of nowhere.
clonmult
06-07-2010
Originally Posted by huffy72:
“i installed the new firmware,messed my phones memory”

Never had that problem with any phone, and I've always been hacking around, changing product codes, etc. to get the latest firmwares.
Assa2
06-07-2010
Well she made her choice today and went for a Samsung Galaxy S on Orange... so much for going for something cheap! Anyway personally I can't see much difference between it and my Wildfire!
pi r squared
06-07-2010
Originally Posted by Assa2:
“Well she made her choice today and went for a Samsung Galaxy S on Orange... so much for going for something cheap! Anyway personally I can't see much difference between it and my Wildfire!”

Not the huge, vividly-coloured screen, nor the faster processor..?
jim_uk
06-07-2010
Originally Posted by Assa2:
“Well she made her choice today and went for a Samsung Galaxy S on Orange... so much for going for something cheap! Anyway personally I can't see much difference between it and my Wildfire!”

She got the better deal.
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