Looking for recommendations for a PAYG phone to use for a couple of weeks of being away in France, so something that has a half-decent camera, GPS + navigation for some days cycling (that I'll be relying on so not just A roads & motorways and no detail), as well as a web-browsing, 3G data (?) and ideally a half decent MP3 player. And a phone.

I've no interest in owning the latest & greatest phone and have never had to sort out a contract etc - how hard can it be tho? My works phone is enough for normal use but doesn't do international and is an old Nokia thing so I need my own for a few weeks, and then prob as a spare or to give to the kids afterwards.

Possibilities so far are the Samsung Galaxy Ace for about £90, a Sony Xperion something, and an immaculate end of contract iPhone 4 that I've been offered for about £150. I'm comfortable with that sort of budget, but it needs to be reliable, have enough battery life to last through the day and not swallow GBs of data when I log on to a web browser.

Any pointers, both to the hardware and the sort of contract I need to look at buying for a short-term use? Someone told me that T-Mobile would be good as they're widespread on the continent. How true is that? What's the opinion of the internet?

Imo the Huawei G300 trumps the phones you have mentioned and can be had (with a bit of hoop jumping) for circa £67 net via Very or Isme. You could very well sell it for a profit on your return as well.

Get one of these, then battery life is less important.

Thanks for the Huawei tip - I'll take a look. I'm suprised - thought there'd be a shed load of suggestions pointing me the various goodies on offer. Not to worry.