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Iphone's

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pussyfoot | 16:51 Fri 06th Oct 2017 | Technology
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Hi, can someone please explain iphones in simple terms to me. I want to buy a new phone - I have an old payg now, but I want to be able to go on the internet as I travel a lot on buses since losing my driving licence due to health. What is gb16,32,64 I want to buy a phone outright instead of paying for it on monthly HP, but they all seem to only have £??? monthly. I only want to read papers & talk to my family on facebook while traveling on a boring bus ride. I asked a man in tesco & he said it would be £180 & then £41.?? every month. I'm really at a loss now as I don't know much about them.
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OK - I'll try :) Firstly, I'm assuming that you really do mean an Apple iPhone - rather than just using 'iphone' as shorthand for any phone with internet access? If so, then you do not want/need the most recent, shiny '7' or '8' versions - they will cost you megabucks and be far more than you actually need. I'd suggest you get an iPhone 6 with 32GB of memory (that's...
17:06 Fri 06th Oct 2017
OK - I'll try :)

Firstly, I'm assuming that you really do mean an Apple iPhone - rather than just using 'iphone' as shorthand for any phone with internet access?

If so, then you do not want/need the most recent, shiny '7' or '8' versions - they will cost you megabucks and be far more than you actually need.

I'd suggest you get an iPhone 6 with 32GB of memory (that's the amount of storage on the phone - used for holding your emails/music/books etc etc).

You'd be mad to 'buy one outright' - you're looking at £450 minimum - instead you need to find a monthly contract that will give you enough calls/data for your purposes and give you either a free or heavily discounted phone.

I'll go off & have a look around and be back in a few minutes with some suggestions

Dave x
In my opinion you are paying extra for a bit of a fashion item with an Apple iPhone.

Personally I would buy a phone that uses the Android system (Google's system).
For a reasonably technologically savvy person that might be true, Hoppy - but for someone who needs ease of use and freedom from viruses and malware, then the nanny-state of Apple is ideal. Android is dangerous and unstable if you don't know what you are doing.

I've had a look at comparable Android phone deals (using reputable brands such as LG and Samsung) - you might save £5 a month - it's not worth it in my opinion.
£60 a year by your figure Dave.

Dangerous and unstable? What on earth do you mean. I'm very happy with my Android phone.
I love my android phone and it is always cheaper to buy outright than to take out a contract.

To answer your question, pussyfoot. There are two ways of buying a phone - on contract (normally 2 years) or buy outright. A contract will include phone minutes, texts and a data allowance that connects the phone to the internet when wifi is not available.
If you buy your phone outright then you will need a SIM card that gives you minutes, texts and data every month. You can do this on a fixed contract, a rolling monthly contract which can be cancelled any time without penalty or pay as you go.

If you buy the phone outright you can shop round for the best SIM card for you - the phone is unlocked (not tied to a service provider) and there are many to choose from. I pay £7 a month but plans are available from £5 a month.

You do not need an iPhone for your modest needs - it would be like buying a Rolls Royce just to take your rubbish to the tip once a year :)

Nor do you need a huge amount of data. I suggest 1GB a month would be more than enough without worrying about running out towards the end of the month.

Go to any shop and have a good look at the Android phones (do not buy a Windows phone) and decide which size screen will suit you best. I like a 5.5" screen but many people do not like a large phone.

In the meantime you can have a look at the plans that will give you the call minutes, texts and data. The Plusnet deal at the top of the page looks excellent value at £6 a month on a rolling monthly contract with 2GB data and 1000 phone minutes.

https://www.uswitch.com/mobiles/compare/sim_only_deals/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIvPqGmpze1gIVExMbCh1iagAhEAAYASAAEgKoOvD_BwE

This is a great starting point for the choice of Android phone

http://www.techadvisor.co.uk/test-centre/mobile-phone/best-budget-phones-for-2017-3473395/

If you are happy with your current phone then an alternative would be a tablet for browsing the net. Amazon has a 7" cheapie for £50
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

You would need a data only plan for a tablet - I pay £4 a month.

There are other tablets available - if you think a tablet could be the answer, look at other options before buying.
1gb, 2 Gb? That would go after a few busrides leaving the op at the mercy of not having the net or crazy charges and those who say there’s no difference between iPhones haven’t checked the spec.
Three are now doing 100gbfor £25, with 30 Gv being allowed to tether your laptop! That’s the sale of the century, op, buy a new iPhone, it’s super fast and wees on Android a SSD said
SunnyDave....that offer at 18:13 yesterday looks very good value for money. I have an iPhone 6 and I can't fault it whatsoever.
2GB is plenty for Facebook and reading the papers. If pussyfoot does find she needs more it is easy to change contract on a rolling monthly plan - pointless paying for than she needs.
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Oh dear, I seemed to have unintentionally caused quite a stir. I’m a little more confused now, I’ve no idea what an android is (something from space maybe).

I’m normally quite an intelligent thinking person but having had brain surgery for a burst aneurysm, I find things confusing & foggy sometimes, I have a lap top that I’m able to get my head around & if I could take it on the bus & plug it in then I would.

If I got a phone through tesco or other dealer would that mean after 24 months I would own the phone as my own as if I’d bought it?

I’m so sorry to appear quite thick but, I really don’t know the answers & the first man in tesco’s kept rolling his eye’s to a colleague making me feel so stupid that I really can’t face asking anyone face to face any more.
Yes....after the 24 months, the phone would be yours !
Pussyfoot, don’t let the Tesco experience put you off. I took my mum to carphone warehouse where they were more than happy to explain things to my 82 y.o. Mum.
My suggestions are as follows.

1. Buy a 12 month 'pay monthly' SIM card from Tesco. There is currently an offer of one with 4gb of data for £11 a month. That's a good price and 4gb should be plenty for you.

2.Go to Carphone Warehouse (now part of Curry's, so in all Curry's stores as well as their own shops.
They can sell you an unlocked SIM free phone to put your Tesco SIM card in.
Set yourself a budget and discuss with them what you get for that money.

The 16 32 64 you refer to is the memory capacity of the phone. 16 should be more than ample for your needs.

You have a choice of an Apple iPhone, or a phone by another manufacturer that uses the Android system. As you can see there is disagreement on the right choice.

Personally I would go Android. Samsung are probably the market leader and very good. One of the best budget phones to consider is the Moto, but discuss it with the shop staff.
My advice is to go into Carphone Warehouse and ask them to help you.

I was like you, a novice and the more I asked the more confused I became. Like this thread, everyone is relaly helpful but I am lost already with too much info.

I found Carphone Warehouse were very user friendly, didnt over sell, and were clear and patient.

I have a basic iphone SE and pay £24 per month. A good signal on O2 and enough gb for my needs. I surf the net, check the news, weather, play a mindless game or two, email and text. Lovely.
PS I also have an ipad, hence the iphone not android, the two work well together. iphone easy and safe.
Do you know any teenagers - they are very tech savvy and they seem to know the best deals on PAYG. My eldest son spends under £8 a month on his phone and he uses it loads for Internet and messaging friends. My eldest daughter has just upgraded to a new photo be - it's all singing and dancing (endorsed by eldest son) and cost £137. I have an iPad and iPhone but they are over priced for what they are (I didn't buy them).

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