Both of these phones are being offered on the same package, and it seems like a good deal. The question is which phone to go for.

I know the Sony is the newer phone but clearly the Samsung is still thought highly of otherwise I imagine they wouldn't be selling them on the same package.

I plan to compare both hands-on before purchase, but was interested in people's opinions about the advantages/disadvantages of each, and your experience if you own one of these phones.

Although this would be my first smartphone, I am quite technologically minded and would probably get frustrated with the limitations of a more entry-level device.

Important things to me are:

- Call quality/clarity for both normal and handsfree - this is something I am very sensitive to, and it seems that some manufacturers are neglecting what is still the primary function of the device. (Some people have mentioned issues with the S2 call quality when it is in a case?)

- Sound quality and good menu set-up for music (I would like a phone to be able to match my trusty Creative Zen Vision M in this regard, so I only have to carry around one device).

- Quality of photos and video playback (again from the carrying around one device perspective). (A bug has been mentioned where the Xperia records the shutter sound when shooting video?)

- Battery life - I know all smartphones are not great on this, but I would like to more than a day out of the thing for normal use. (The Xperia seems to score worse on this?)

- Good, intuitive onscreen keyboard and gestures for fast typing and browsing.

- Easy to transfer video onto from other sources; has bundled or easily available video converter.

Although I would mostly like info on the Xperia T and Galaxy S2, I am open to suggestions of other android or windows phones (not BB or iPhone) if you know of any deals that would match the one I am considering.

Oh, and also how much really is 500 MB data in terms of normal internet use on a phone? I can see myself doing lots of emails but obviously wouldn't be visiting YouTube etc so much when out and about.

Any help appreciated.

Xperia T

The inclusion of DC-HSPA wins the comparison for me before looking at the other elements

What network and deal have you been offered

Thanks - what would DC-HSPA mean for day-to-day use? (Maybe I'm not quite so technologically-minded as I thought )

O2, 200mins/untld texts/500MB data, 24 months, £16/month after price increase, £20 phone price

Absolutely bigger all on O2. Lucky to get a slow 3G signal let alone a modern one.

So you will have too look at rest of the phone, you sure it's the Xperia T at that price seems ludicrously cheap

Well I am currently with Orange so obviously I'll ask them if they can match it but I don't think they will. Which network do you find best for 3G? Apparently it is the Xperia T - maybe it hasn't been as popular as hoped?

If it is the T then looks like they are offering you a refurbished handset to get it at that value

Three for mobile data do seem to be the best at present

Ok will make sure I check it out and ring them to see if it's too good to be true. Xperia T wins on all counts for you?

Been modelling the numbers that offer on the Xperia T is for a refurbished handset without doubt, no way can they get that value on a new handset

It's zero margin at optimistic best

Yeah I personally believe the T is a better handset.

Also nothing wrong with a refurb handset, in essence it means someone has done minimal usage on the handset and returned it. The networks can't sell it again as new

I agree about refurbs - I've had refurbished things that you wouldn't be able to tell the difference and it doesn't bother me. Have sent you a PM.

Replied

The Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini is now being offered on the same deal - does anyone know how this phone compares to the Sony Xperia T? I have a feeling the Sony is higher spec but I'm interested in people's opinions...

The S3 mini is available even cheaper than that. Free at £15 a month.

Where is that if you don't mind saying? Does it have 500MB data? Cheapest I have found with 500MB data and 200 mins is £15.50/£16 after price increase.

The Xperia T does not even compete on the same level as the S3 Mini. Maybe with the actual S3 but you've not been offered that.

If you have been offered £20pm for the Xperia T and you're happy with 200 mins and 500mb data go for it because you won't get a better phone from retentions for that price.

The T has many advantages over the S2/S3 Mini such as a larger screen, a higher res screen, a better camera (13mp), A better processor, a better radio for network/internet connection. Basically it is much better than the other phones you've been offered.

Go into a phone store and have a play with one first to see if you like the design. On paper it wins but that doesn't mean you'll like it personally. You may not like the design or find it too big.

Thanks. I did have a play with it in an O2 shop and thought the design was really good - better in my opinion than the Samsungs which feel slightly plasticky. The only thing I couldn't check was the call and speakerphone quality because they only had a demo model. Hopefully this will be ok because it's something I'm quite sensitive to.

I can tell you now that the sound quality of the speaker and call quality is excellent.

It also uses something called HD Voice to make the calls sound better. But unfortunately O2 don't use HD Voice so you'll just get the standard call quality.

Great, thanks for that. You don't happen to know, when they calculate how many minutes/seconds a call has used, whether O2 pay monthly round to the next second up or have some higher increment for rounding such as to the next minute up? Eg if I make a 27-second call does it just deduct 27 seconds, or 30 seconds, or a minute? I keep getting different info from different people on this, but maybe I should post a new thread about it?

It rounds up to 1 minute. So if you make a phone call for 10 seconds it basically uses 1 minute of your allowance. So makes sense to text more for quick conversations. Same for all networks

OK, thanks. My orange contract is definitely per second though because when I check my remaining minutes it is always X minutes and Y seconds remaining, but maybe it's only per second after minimum 1 minute deduction? I find it all a bit confusing

Has the decision been made? Another thing to remember is that Sony phones and much better made than Samsungs.

Yeh if the call is under a minute it rounds up to a minute. If its over a minute then it doesn't round up.

Sorry, I thought you were talking about for calls under 1 min only