So the time to upgrade the Huawei 20 pro after 6 years has come!
I have to say it's been a very good phone and had better spec than the S8 or 9 at the time but the usb port is playing up.
So, as you can't get Huawei phones anymore here, what's recommended?
Will probably buy the handset (£500-600 I guess) but if there's good deals on ee or o2 that might work.
So spec needed
256gb storage
minimum 8gb ram
a decent camera.
Don't need AI nonsense!
Anything out there?
Could up the budget a tad if needed.
Cheers
I just got a Pixel 9 Pro for £25+ £16.99 a month on Talk Mobile with 30gb data/unlimited call and text. £430 all in for handset and all the calls and data I need for two years. Sorted, and cheaper than buying a handset.
Done via Fonehouse.
My own bias here, but I'd start by looking at Pixel 9a. It's Google, so gets the cleanest version of Android and the quickest updates. Pretty well-built and they've probably stopped using defective batteries by now...
I just got a Pixel 9 Pro for £25+ £16.99 a month on Talk Mobile with 30gb data/unlimited call and text. £430 all in for handset and all the calls and data I need for two years. Sorted, and cheaper than buying a handset.
Done via Fonehouse.
What network do they use please?
My own bias here, but I'd start by looking at Pixel 9a. It's Google, so gets the cleanest version of Android and the quickest updates. Pretty well-built and they've probably stopped using defective batteries by now...
Defective batteries, sorry not heard about this? Dodgy batch or something?
Defective batteries, sorry not heard about this? Dodgy batch or something?
An issue with some Pixel 6a and 7a phones, batteries were prone to overheating after a certain number of charge cycles. Affected phones were eligible for a free battery replacement or a discount off a new phone. As above, hopefully this has been resolved in their newer phones. I've had a few Pixel phones, currently on a 9a and they've all been excellent.
I just got a Pixel 9 Pro for £25+ £16.99 a month on Talk Mobile with 30gb data/unlimited call and text. £430 all in for handset and all the calls and data I need for two years. Sorted, and cheaper than buying a handset.
Done via Fonehouse.
What network do they use please?
Vodafone
What network do they use please?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mobile_virtual_network_operators_in_the_United_Kingdom
(edit - oh FFS, this was supposed to quote @sharkattack)
I had a Fairphone 6 for about a week before I sent it back. I'd gone for the e/os (de-googled android) version and couldn't get one or two of my key apps to work so sent it back under their trial period thing.
Annoyingly, it turns out that the problems were with apps not yet being compatible with the latest version of Android and not e/os so I had the same issues with the Motorola edge 70 I bought instead. (The edge 70 is really slim, relatively well specced and slightly different in terms of design but had a fair bit of bloatware btw)
The Fairphone itself was actually quite a nice device, a little chunky but I'm not one to judge so... I would say though that if you don't want a de-googled phone or aren't fussed about getting something a bit more ethical then the hardware itself is possibly a touch underpowered for the long-term.
On the other hand I really liked e/os so my next phone will almost certainly be an e/os Fairphone but probably at least one model on from where we are now.
Fairphone themselves were really good to deal with as well, answered lots of techy questions really quickly.
Honor phones will be feel quite familiar coming from your Huawei. I've had a Magic 5 Pro, 7 Pro and now an 8 Pro on some cracking deals. Wife has a 400 Pro which is also good.
Another Pixel 9 owner here. It's my third pixel likely won't be the last
I'm on a pixel 7, came from a pixel 4a after a long historic sucession of all sorts of android phones of various makes.
My pixel 7 is still going strong but when the time comes, my default benchmark will be whatever pixel phone is current at the time.
Probaly a 14 or a 14a at this rate lol
Defective batteries, sorry not heard about this? Dodgy batch or something?
Yeah - Pixels 4a, 5a, 6a and now 7a had two different battery providers, AFAIK; one of them seemingly supplied batteries that after several years got unreliable, so Google pushed out firmware updates that really shortened battery life as a safety measure. It first came to light around the beginning of last year, so they will have fixed it now for new devices
I always go for whatever the previous gen Samsung Galaxy is when my contract renews. Still using a S23 at the moment until I can change it in September.
Since the S20 they're not nearly as bloated as the used to be, and most of what's on there you can uninstall or disable. OneUI is really good now too, although I use Lawnchair launcher so I can hide apps I don't use then the OS puts any apps I can't get rid off into deep sleep.
We have Pixels in the family and they're fine, but they don't feel as "premium" as a Galaxy, IMO. Plus Google have just as much AI shite in their phones these days too.
I think the only phone that may tempt me away from Samsung is the Nothing Phone (3) just because it's different.
Well I just got a Samsung A16 (4G version) for £120 new. As a stop-gap as I trashed my other phone and needed something. Normally i would buy a previous version Samsung S something like @citizenlee. But so far the thing is doing fine, so I suspect it will end up being my phone for a couple of years. Less than the cost of a pair of s****y mtb or gravel tyres ;/
I just got a Pixel 9 Pro for £25+ £16.99 a month on Talk Mobile with 30gb data/unlimited call and text. £430 all in for handset and all the calls and data I need for two years. Sorted, and cheaper than buying a handset.
25+17=42
42x24=1,008?
Edit: Ah. 25+(17x24) ?
That's pretty good!
It's still quite good even if they've bumped it up by £3 a month twice by the end.
Following as my contract has just finished, can't find anything I want.
At the moment I've got a Pixel 8 which has mostly been a nice device apart from the screen problems (flickering areas). Google have been absolutely useless dealing with it, so I'd prefer to avoid them.
Samsung is an option but I don't like that we get stuffed with the Exynos CPUs instead of the Snapdragons the Americans get (and therefore the version most of the online reviews are of). I had an Exynos S10 and the idle battery drain was awful.
My favourite phone was the OnePlus One, but looking at OnePlus now, it's less "flagship killer", more just "flagship".
I had a Fairphone 6 for about a week before I sent it back. I'd gone for the e/os (de-googled android) version
To be fair, i think its worth pointing out that you dont have to have the e/os degoogled option. They do do a "proper" android Operating system version too.
Ive got the FP4. Very happy with it. I dont compare it to anything else, and i dont do anything of significant with the photos.
Sit it next to a new Pixel and its obviously a bit fat and a bit slow, but nothing you notice when its stood on its own. no noticeable slow down on any apps yet. Still recieving the latest android updates, as promised.
My only criticism is that i find it too large. I would rather they did a 4" or 5" version really.
I do like the look of the FP6, which is slimmer and prettier but that upgrade would totally defeat the point of the Fairphone!
New s26 is about to launch. Probably no deals but might mean some s25 bargains?
Yep, I've just bought a S25FE from Voxi for £378, reduced from over £700.
I had a Fairphone 6 for about a week before I sent it back. I'd gone for the e/os (de-googled android) version
To be fair, i think its worth pointing out that you dont have to have the e/os degoogled option. They do do a "proper" android Operating system version too.
Ive got the FP4. Very happy with it. I dont compare it to anything else, and i dont do anything of significant with the photos.
Sit it next to a new Pixel and its obviously a bit fat and a bit slow, but nothing you notice when its stood on its own. no noticeable slow down on any apps yet. Still recieving the latest android updates, as promised.
My only criticism is that i find it too large. I would rather they did a 4" or 5" version really.
I do like the look of the FP6, which is slimmer and prettier but that upgrade would totally defeat the point of the Fairphone!
True, and I did mention that I'd specially gone for one particular version but as a phone in its own right the "android android" version doesn't seem as worthwhile as the e/os version.
It's repairable so physically it should last longer but underpowered so it'll likely slow down sooner than something more mainstream so in terms of longevity I'd say it'd be about average. It also lacks a decent IPxx rating compared to most similarly priced alternatives.
It is a bit more ethically produced though (apparently, anyway) so for some people that's worth something but for me, on balance I was happy to sacrifice the hardware performance to try e/os but not to just run android.
That said, I did like the phone and will definitely look at their next release/s.
Yep, I've just bought a S25FE from Voxi for £378, reduced from over £700.
Good price, how's the camera/battery life on it?
Very happy with it, camera is better than my old S21 & battery was fully charged last night & sat at 86% currently - I'm not expecting to charge again until I get home Thursday evening.
On gsmarena they tested the latest Exynos chipset against the Snapdragon & were surprised at how close the performance was.
https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s25_fe_5g-14042.php
Price has gone up since I bought mine in November but still good for the 256GB
https://www.voxi.co.uk/phones/samsung/galaxy-s25-fe
https://www.mobiles.co.uk/sim-free/google/google-pixel-10a?tariffcode=simfreeprice&giftcode=NA&productcode=SIMGPXL102562&colour=lavender&capacity=256gb&preferred_variation_tariffcode_simfree=simfreeprice
For a pixel 10a at £599.
If you go direct to Google they are doing some trade-in deals on the Pixel 10a
I just got a Pixel 9 Pro for £25+ £16.99 a month on Talk Mobile with 30gb data/unlimited call and text. £430 all in for handset and all the calls and data I need for two years. Sorted, and cheaper than buying a handset.
25+17=42
42x24=1,008?
Edit: Ah. 25+(17x24) ?
That's pretty good!
It's still quite good even if they've bumped it up by £3 a month twice by the end.
Talk mobile don't do mid contract price rises.
So it's £16.99 for 2 years. Paid £25 up front.
Btw the reviews suggest there's no point paying a premium for the Pixel 10a, as it's basically the same inside as the 9a
Thank all, a bit to take in so I'll have a read up.
Talking to a mate and he said the local phone shop didn't charge 'that much' to fit a new USB port on his phone so that might be an option in the meantime plus pestering work mates to see what phones they have and have a play 😂
https://www.mobiles.co.uk/sim-free/google/google-pixel-10a?tariffcode=simfreeprice&giftcode=NA&productcode=SIMGPXL102562&colour=lavender&capacity=256gb&preferred_variation_tariffcode_simfree=simfreeprice
For a pixel 10a at £599.
ee or o2 networks due to lack of/poor signal with the other 2.
https://www.mobiles.co.uk/sim-free/google/google-pixel-10a?tariffcode=simfreeprice&giftcode=NA&productcode=SIMGPXL102562&colour=lavender&capacity=256gb&preferred_variation_tariffcode_simfree=simfreeprice
For a pixel 10a at £599.ee or o2 networks due to lack of/poor signal with the other 2.
I'm on 3 currenty (and for longer than I can remember, over ten years at a guess) and find it fine..although the price has crept up a bit..i think I'm paying about £15 per month at the moment but I find the free european/international roaming (including data) quite a sweetener, as i do get a lot of value out of that.
I should probalby look at other options for suppliers (I buy phones outright and then just get a sim only contract) but I'm totally happy with 3 in terms of service.
20gb data per month and unlimited calls and texts, within reason (inc international) is all I need, I could probably get away with 15gb data PCM without a problem really as I don't really stream videos or movies from my phone.
I'm on wifi 95% of the time, if I'm out and about its usualy just web browsing etc. that uses no data at all really.
For a pixel 10a at £599.
Same price as from Google direct but Google will give you trade-in + £100. 128GB model is £499.
Pixel 9 for 369 here with code PIXEL30
Another very happy recent purchaser of a Samsung A16 here, £95. Can't work out why you'd need to spend more but that's probably me missing something.
OP - I was going to suggest getting the USB port replaced - I think I paid about £30 on my Motorola. I thought it was the battery at first as it was getting quite hot when charging, but when they opened it up they spotted an issue with the USB port so replaced that instead.
If you do decide to get a new phone then at least you have a spare or could just sell it.
Another very happy recent purchaser of a Samsung A16 here, £95. Can't work out why you'd need to spend more but that's probably me missing something.
I've got one of these as a spare at home from when the Mrs had her phone stolen, and it's pretty excellent for the price. You can see where corners have been cut, the screen is not the best in bright sunlight for example.
But it's still a very decent phone, I'm not knocking it at all. SD slot is a game-changer for loading up with kids iplayer downloads for long car journeys.
I like my Nothing 3a Pro. The camera is really good IMO.
Nothing Phone 4a and 4a Pro launch on Thursday 5th
They should be good handsets
Never heard of Nothing phones....! off to have a butchers!
Good spec on those Nothing phones.
Reliable etc?
Any more feedback on the Nothing phones anyone?
Cheers
there's lots of reviews online and on YouTube
look at Tech Spurt channel on YT
https://www.youtube.com/@TechSpurt
I like my fair phone4 especially as it did the major release recently, I'd say another of these or buy a pixel handset as the CPW deal above (didn't realise they were still in business!)
Sim free Pixel10 with £350 off and free PixelSnap charging pad and 24 months 0% from EE.
I went for it as I wanted a phone with wireless charging and satellite SOS to replace my 5 year old Moto that is physically bent and out of updates but working.
Right latest afer looking into this, reviews etc.....
Fairphone 6 - reviews kind of ok but camera not 'that' good compared to others? And no wireless charging? Decent years of updates, 8gb ram. Any feedback on camera quality?
Nothing 3 - Good spec but only 4 more years of updates & 6 years of patches, but can be bought for £550 for 256gb.
@bearGease, any feedback on the 10? Tempted by the deal at the mo. 7 years of updates too.
Pixel 10a & 9 options maybe too lol.
Samsung 24 or 25 too. A lot of reviews saying poor battery life? The batteries do seem a bit smaller than on other phones, so any truth in that?
It's a blinking nightmare lol, too much choice.
I didn't have it long but I found the camera on the FF6 to be a bit hit or miss - there were a few times when I thought it'd taken a really good photo and then the next would be pretty ropey even if taken back to back.
Ok cheers for that, maybe one off the list now then!
Waiting on an s26 Ultra to arrive. Had my s23u for three years now. Battery is about 80% capacity from what it used to be. See if this one lasts me three years 🙂
I know I'm in the minority because they're in the top three handset manufacturers (if not the top one even), but I'm yet to use a Samsung Android phone I haven't hated.
At this point in time it'd take compelling persuasion to tear me away from another Pixel as my next phone.
Yeah? That's a shame. What does Pixel have over Sammy for you then? I tried Pixel but the buttons are in the wrong places. Mind you, I've never owned or liked Apple phones. I guess that's equally as weird. Wouldn't say it was a hate thing. Just don't own any other Apple products so never felt like an Apple phone would be any benefit to my life.
s26 arrived today and I've spent the arvo using Smart Switch to copy everything over (it said including passwords) but now I've got to re-log back into everything again. *SIGH* and I don't have a case until tomoz so I'm being careful with it (aka clumsy fkr).
Waiting on an s26 Ultra to arrive. Had my s23u for three years now. Battery is about 80% capacity from what it used to be. See if this one lasts me three years 🙂
Good work - I've had Samsung phones for years, but I don't think I've ever got one past a couple of years before it's bricked itself. Currently on an S24 Ultra - going to wait for some decent reviews before I get a 26 Ultra
I know I'm in the minority because they're in the top three handset manufacturers (if not the top one even), but I'm yet to use a Samsung Android phone I haven't hated.
At this point in time it'd take compelling persuasion to tear me away from another Pixel as my next phone.
Yeah they're quite different approaches really. The S series has tonnes of features crammed in, very fast hardware, very powerful cameras, premium feeling. The Pixels have a comparatively minimalist setup.
I have to say as someone who has owned both, hardware wise, the S series knocks the Pixels into a cocked hat but I vastly prefer the Pixel software.
FWIW my Pixel has quite a few faults (display, software not honouring some options properly any more).
That's a shame. What does Pixel have over Sammy for you then? I tried Pixel but the buttons are in the wrong places.
For a start, the buttons are in the wrong place. 😁
Samsung - actually, I'll caveat this with "in my experience," I don't want to be that guy shouting about Windoze computers despite not having touched one since Windows 95 - Samsung are buggers for bloatware. Why do I need a Samsung web browser or a Samsung Wallet (that I can't get rid of) when these things are already part of the OS? Neither do I want Samsung ecosystem apps, stop trying to be Apple. At least they've got rid of that godawful Touchwiz interface, is the new one any better? You've always been able to download replacements for the stock UI anyway so what's the point. I've never been impressed with the hardware (though again with the caveat, I haven't touched modern S-series devices), the original Galaxy was one of the most hateful pieces of shit it's been my misfortune to pay actual money for. I've tried a few over the years, I've had partners who've had them and I had an A... something, A12 maybe? as a work phone for a while, it was pants.
Meanwhile, Pixel phones are as pure an Android experience as you'll get. You'll be first to get security updates and new versions of Android because other OEMs have to take time to convert it to their hardware (and add all their own crap into it), assuming they even bother. Current handsets have guaranteed updates for something nuts like 7 years. I bought what was at the time the entry-level current model, the 7a, and it's been brilliant. It's responsive, the camera is decent (it's better than the one in the 7) and whilst not having twelvety lenses like the S- Ultras it's good enough for posting photos on the socials which is all 95% of people use it for anyway. I'd have liked a more premium finish, but on balance I prefer paying £300 for plastic rather than £1,200 for aluminium. I've bought flagship phones in the past that haven't been as good as this, the days of "I need a new phone, what's the best on the market" are long dead.
Why do I need a Samsung web browser or a Samsung Wallet
Sometimes not-invented-here syndrome e.g. why have 2 different calculator apps 🤷🏻♂️ sometimes it ties in with their own ecosystem/hardware and is genuinely decent.
E.g. Samsung had encrypted folders approx 10 years before google did, using their security platform called Knox. Obviously you then need a gallery which supports that, and a notes app which supports it, etc.
Then Google adds the same feature, and bingo, you have a bunch of duplicated apps.
Samsung Wallet was a genuinely awesome app, far surpassing Google's version. It could scan your credit card and then use the phone to pay at *any* credit card machine, even a non-tap one as if it was a normal card, by emulating the magstripe somehow.
Wahey price hikes for everyone coming soon
😱
https://www.androidauthority.com/oppo-oneplus-ai-price-increases-3648067/
I have spent ages watching the tech spurt guy and his amusing reviews and still not decided as more of his 'liked' phones to check out.
I should be done by end of the year......
I really like my OnePlus Nord CE2 - the OS has very little bloatware on top on Android
The Nord 6 is out soon so I might buy that as this is nearly 4yrs old and getting a little tired now. The only problem I've had was that Wahoo didn't support the chipset for some weird reason but the fix didn't take too long
Nothing are the darlings of the phone world as they are a little different - all the others look the same. They are very tempting at current prices. In 2 years once their market share has increased they'll be much more expensive. That's what happened to OnePlus
Called into phone shop today and the usb wasn't knackered just needed a clean out so all good and only a tenner 😁
But I'm still going to get another phone but can take a bit of time so please feedback on here if anything comes to light.
Cheers.
I have a pixel 7, generally been very happy with it.
Mrs MC just got a new pixel 9. I've definitely got phone envy. The 9 is slightly smaller, way better camera, macro function is outstanding.
We have 5 phones in our house - I replaced my pixel 6 with a 9, Mrs has a pixel 7, lad has an Nothing 2, elder daughter pixel 8, youngest daughter Apple 14 (Refurb /new battery)
I like the pixels - we used to all have moto g type phones - the pixels generally just work. Mous case installed on each
Would continue with pixels.. my latest 9 was bought just as the 10 came out - couldn't justify the extra cost for the 10.
Best feature ? Bought it for the camera - it does a great job.
I have a pixel 7, generally been very happy with it.
Mrs MC just got a new pixel 9. I've definitely got phone envy. The 9 is slightly smaller, way better camera, macro function is outstanding.
9 or 9a?
We have 5 phones in our house - I replaced my pixel 6 with a 9, Mrs has a pixel 7, lad has an Nothing 2, elder daughter pixel 8, youngest daughter Apple 14 (Refurb /new battery)
I like the pixels - we used to all have moto g type phones - the pixels generally just work. Mous case installed on each
Would continue with pixels.. my latest 9 was bought just as the 10 came out - couldn't justify the extra cost for the 10.
Best feature ? Bought it for the camera - it does a great job.
Same question, 9 or 9a?
Sim free Pixel10 with £350 off and free PixelSnap charging pad and 24 months 0% from EE.
I went for it as I wanted a phone with wireless charging and satellite SOS to replace my 5 year old Moto that is physically bent and out of updates but working.
I'd forgotten about this offer, really tempted.
Any feedback on the phone bear?
Cheers.
OP, glad you got your phone fixed! Maybe a bit of charger fluff!
Tech spurt is okay but he will never not recommend anything (don't bite the hand that feeds etc).
At your price point any phone will perform, there really is no bad choice.
Sorry - just saw the ask for phone type - -we don't have any A variants - only the original ones - 7,8,9
Just ordered the 9 from currys cheers for the code.
Sim free Pixel10 with £350 off and free PixelSnap charging pad and 24 months 0% from EE.
I went for it as I wanted a phone with wireless charging and satellite SOS to replace my 5 year old Moto that is physically bent and out of updates but working.I'd forgotten about this offer, really tempted.
Any feedback on the phone bear?
Cheers.
@granny_ring only just started using it after migrating everything to it. It seems great, nice screen and v slick. Appears to be frugal battery wise. Am happy with it.
Cheers, think that offer has finished now.
Re the pixels, downsides I think are only 128mb on the offer phones & slow charging. Still not discounted them but idealy want minimum of 256mb.
Quite tempted by the value and spec of 'other' makes aside from Samsung & Pixel.
Still looking!
Just ordered the 9 from currys cheers for the code.
do you have a code that you can share?