Smartphones: Crowd sourced research

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Smartphones: Crowd sourced research

31 posts & 15 voices | Started 4 months ago by Stoner | Latest reply from poly

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Stoner - Member

Bit of a panic.

Need a replacement Android smartphone ASAP having put my old one through a full synthetic spin cycle

Vodafone wont bring my upgrade forward from the end of Feb, so I need something to tide me over and then go in the drawer as a spare.

Im looking for the cheapest, sim-only, Vodafone or unlocked, Android 1.5 or above handset, that MUST have android market (i.e. full google account functionality) on it. Not some pared down manufacturers version of Android.
I had bought a new Acer off eBay but it turns out it's next to useless and is Android in name only.
I can hit the usual high street shops this lunchtime but need a bit of help getting a shortlist together. Anyone got any example/experiences or even a wotn to jump on google and help me search?

cheers

Posted 4 months ago #
jon1973 - Member

How much does your contract cost you every month? May be worth taking out a new contract and get a new phone and then cancelling the old Voda one when it's up for renewal (even if that's a few months away, as I know they let you upgrade before the end of the contract).

May be cheaper than buying a new smart phone, cos they all seem to be silly money. For me a smart phone is usefull but not essential, so in those circumstances I'd bite the bullet and get a cheap non-smart PAYG phone until I got a new one for free.

edit - not really answering your question, sorry. Just an idea.

Posted 4 months ago #
inigomontoya - Member

http://singletrackworld.com/forum/topic/ot-fs-htc-desire
How about this, substantial discount for cash buyer

Posted 4 months ago #
woody2000 - Member

Someone's selling an HTC Explorer on the classifieds, perfect for you

Linky

Posted 4 months ago #
geoffj - Member

You got an Asda nearby?

http://direct.asda.com/Vodafone-858-Android-Smart-Phone---Silver/008717486,default,pd.html?campid%3Dawin_HotUKDeals_47868_id=2786#BVRRWidgetID

Posted 4 months ago #
poly - Member

I have heard it suggested that if you just want a phone for a few weeks you can got to a shop and buy one, then take it back after a few weeks as most do a 14 day change your mind policy...

Posted 4 months ago #
speaker2animals - Member

As said personally would it not be cheaper and fully sort you to start a new contract with free handset. Surely your extra final month old contract payment will be less than the cheapest Android handset you can buy?

Posted 4 months ago #
Stoner - Member

I had seen that D
I'll keep it in mind...

Have found this, which seems it might fit the bill. Just going to go and read the reviews...
http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/mobiles/mobile-phones/VODAFONE-VF858-SMART/PPAY?src=phoneFinder&tariffNetworks=&clearance=false
Vodafone vf858 smart

My contract runs until 5th of may and I can upgrade from 70 days before. To cancel my contract would cost me about £75. If I can get a spare phone for less than that, I can then renew for a new whizzy handset on the same terms in May.

Im trying to survive on an old nokia now and it's not working for me as the web functionality isnt there. The limits of the cloud. But it's still preferable to having everything stuck on one bit of hardware though.

Posted 4 months ago #
geoffj - Member

Excellent choice

Posted 4 months ago #
vinnyeh - Member

I assume you rejected this..

HTC Legend

Posted 4 months ago #
Stoner - Member

cheers vinney.
Problem with those s/h ones is that they are 18m-2yr old tech, well used batteries and bodies and still c.£100

Even the new "budget" handsets at <£80 are well specced although I concede they might not have the 1Ghz snapdragon in the the legend has, also with warranties.

Posted 4 months ago #
speaker2animals - Member

Find the best deal you can for the longterm phone you want. Ring Vodaphone and ask to speak to customer retentions. Tell them that if they will do your upgrade to same phone now you'll stay with them otherwise you'll take the new contract now and cancel with VF in May.

Posted 4 months ago #
trail_rat - Member

"have heard it suggested that if you just want a phone for a few weeks you can got to a shop and buy one, then take it back after a few weeks as most do a 14 day change your mind policy... "

although once you break the security seal and actually use it it becomes a night mare to take back unless its faulty ...

Posted 4 months ago #
bruneep - Member

I've got a VF refurb HTC sensation if its of any use Stoner, fresh back from VF

Posted 4 months ago #
Stoner - Member

speaker2animals - I cant leave vodafone as Im dependant upon their sure signal system at home and have a business account with them for 3x sims.
So cancelling and signing new will just cost me as much as staying with and buying sim-only, and id be cutting my nose to spite my face.

Im quite happy with them really, it's just theyve moved their -90day upgrade rule into -70 days and Ive just been a bit unlucky with my timing.

Posted 4 months ago #
Stoner - Member

I shall fondle some new "budget" phones at luncthime and then see if any of the s/h ones in the classifieds can compete

Posted 4 months ago #
scaredypants - Member

orange san francisco? - 90 quid or so from an orange shop
ded easy to unlock (or at least used to be)
smallish screen (I got a montecarlo because I'm an old giffer with bad eyes)
probably decent as an emergency bikephone/gps or whatever afterwards

Posted 4 months ago #
beej - Member

90 day rule should still apply if you go into retail store or through the on-line store.

That's gives you til 5th of Feb to survive...

Posted 4 months ago #
Stoner - Member

90 day rule should still apply if you go into retail store or through the on-line store

really?

will check at the voda shop on Strand this lunchtime then

Posted 4 months ago #
beej - Member

Let me know how you get on...

Posted 4 months ago #
mefty - Member

cheers vinney.
Problem with those s/h ones is that they are 18m-2yr old tech, well used batteries and bodies and still c.£100

I have a mate who runs one of the sh dealers. He provides our phones, and we use SIM only deals, never had major battery problems and condition has been always great.

Posted 4 months ago #
Jon Taylor - Member

I've got a VF refurb HTC sensation if its of any use Stoner, fresh back from VF

How much are you looking for?

Posted 4 months ago #
Stoner - Member

cheers for all the help guys.

Gone for the s/h Explorer on the classifieds.
Had a fondle of a new one in the shop and it's fine. Also new tech.

beej - didnt get a chance to talk to the staff as they were faffing around taking ages with a load of customers before me. Anyway, even if they could do the upgrade, Id bet that they couldnt have issued me with a galaxy nexus there and then as I reckon theyre not in stock yet. Will get on the waiting list at the end of the phone for one.

Posted 4 months ago #
beej - Member

Yeah, Nexus doesn't look to be in stock. Couple of weeks apparently.

Posted 4 months ago #
Stoner - Member

dont suppose you work in business upgrade do you beej?

Posted 4 months ago #
toby1 - Member

2nd hand Nexus s was about £200 on carphonewarehouse (via a google search not their own) recently - keep for a couple of months and will still have a strong re-sale value provided you look after it. Also it's pure android so it just feels better

Posted 4 months ago #
Stoner - Member

Well the HTC explorer arrived from the classifieds this morning and it's excellent. Full functionality, lightweight and nice feel to it.
Now I'm toying with not even renewing with an upgrade but saving some money and just getting a sim only deal for half my current cost and buying that lenovo ideapad.....

Posted 4 months ago #
beej - Member

No, innovation - which means I need to know lots of stuff about lots of stuff - hence knowing how to check standard upgrade times.

Posted 4 months ago #
Stoner - Member

As long as you are not responsible for voda bloatware ill let you off

Posted 4 months ago #
beej - Member

Not me... and I don't use it either!

My old Android handset currently looks like a japanese iPhone.

Posted 4 months ago #
poly - Member

trail_rat - Member
"have heard it suggested that if you just want a phone for a few weeks you can got to a shop and buy one, then take it back after a few weeks as most do a 14 day change your mind policy... "

although once you break the security seal and actually use it it becomes a night mare to take back unless its faulty ...

Haven't done it so it needs investigating before parting with cash, but a colleague was sold an android by spotty teanager in CarPhoneWarehouse, didn't like it and took it back after 10 days of extensive trying. No questions asked it was swapped for an iPhone. She was told she could take that back after another 2 weeks if she didn't like it either - and that she could cancel her contract. No idea if that is as easy in reality.

Posted 4 months ago #