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Newbie at purchasing phones
gadwall
29-04-2016
I've had a monthly contract phone for years but now think I might buy a phone and do sim only.

Where do you buy phones please? I'm looking at HTC but their website only offers buying through their partners. Where would I buy a Samsung or Huawei? Also what does it mean when a phone is for sale on ebay "unlocked"? I thought that would mean it was second-hand or stolen.

Not sim-only but Virgin are offering Double Data on many of their contract phones until tomorrow but not on sim-only.

Sorry if all this is too simple but I've been browsing for ages and not got anywhere.
stud u like
29-04-2016
Unlocked means you can use any network.

Mobile telephones can be seen nearly everywhere in the High Street. Supermarkets sell them but they tend to be small and annoying. I've not seen a model I liked.
de525ma
29-04-2016
Amazon is good as their returns policy is awesome.
gadwall
29-04-2016
Oh I think I made a mistake on Amazon searching for HTC OneX and only came up with seond-hand ones. Maybe that model has been discontinued. There are hundreds of models and it's a minefield out there.

Thank you
d123
29-04-2016
Originally Posted by gadwall:
“Oh I think I made a mistake on Amazon searching for HTC OneX and only came up with seond-hand ones. Maybe that model has been discontinued. There are hundreds of models and it's a minefield out there.

Thank you”

The HTC One X is from 2012, it's doubtful any retailer will still be selling such an old phone, that's probably you only found second hand examples..
de525ma
29-04-2016
Yeah you should be looking at more modern handsets

Nexus 5X
or if it's top budget
Nexus 6P (although it's not that new any more)
Galaxy S7 / S7 edge
LG G5
or pre-order the HTC 10

If you give as an indication of your budget then we can recommend.
gadwall
29-04-2016
I'm undecided about how much to spend. I was really keen on the iphone SE at £359 and was prepared to pay that but there was a really savage attack on Apple in the paper this week and it's put me off.

So I'll go for another android and figure I can spend less. My very old HTC Wildfire has been brilliant for calls and texts but very, very slow on the internet. However, that hasn't really bothered me as I don't use it much for browsing but now HTC have not produced a driver for Windows 8 so I can't download photos and have to get a new phone. I like the idea of another HTC as I know them.

I'm confused about Samsung as I have one daughter who enthuses about hers (Galaxy 4) and the other daughter hates hers. Can't remember the second model.

I would like front and rear cameras and nothing too large - probably up to 4.7in screen. Could you recommend a budget one and a more expensive one, please?
Bentoni
29-04-2016
Originally Posted by gadwall:
“I'm undecided about how much to spend. I was really keen on the iphone SE at £359 and was prepared to pay that but there was a really savage attack on Apple in the paper this week and it's put me off.

So I'll go for another android and figure I can spend less. My very old HTC Wildfire has been brilliant for calls and texts but very, very slow on the internet. However, that hasn't really bothered me as I don't use it much for browsing but now HTC have not produced a driver for Windows 8 so I can't download photos and have to get a new phone. I like the idea of another HTC as I know them.

I'm confused about Samsung as I have one daughter who enthuses about hers (Galaxy 4) and the other daughter hates hers. Can't remember the second model.

I would like front and rear cameras and nothing too large - probably up to 4.7in screen. Could you recommend a budget one and a more expensive one, please?”

Just get then SE, the paper was talking about Apple's first ever revenue drop .. Not iPhone related, and in fact the reviews on SE has been great ..
Joe_Howell
30-04-2016
Originally Posted by Bentoni:
“Just get then SE, the paper was talking about Apple's first ever revenue drop .. Not iPhone related, and in fact the reviews on SE has been great ..”

+1 the SE seems like great VFM. Something I never thought I'd say about an iPhone..
finbaar
30-04-2016
Look I have nothing against the iPhone SE bet judging by the OPs usage don't think spending £359 a one would be money well spent. They could pick up a decent used 5S much cheaper from smartphonestore.com or another seller. Or look at another phone like the LG G4. But what do you suggest for just calls and texts? And can you remember the Wildfire?
dont_be_hasty
02-05-2016
Originally Posted by gadwall:
“I would like front and rear cameras and nothing too large - probably up to 4.7in screen. Could you recommend a budget one and a more expensive one, please?”

It's hard finding a good phone with a screen size less than 5" these days.
Most phones (especially flagship phones) tend to have larger screens.
However the Sony Xperia Compact phone has great spec's for the size and money.

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact - £329.99
http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/pho...f_z5c_280416#b

You may be able to get the phone cheaper else where.
alan1302
02-05-2016
OnePlus X

would be a good buy.

Got one myself and it's been an excellent purchase.
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