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Non GAA Discussion => General discussion => Topic started by: tintin25 on March 26, 2012, 05:05:11 PM

Title: Smartphones
Post by: tintin25 on March 26, 2012, 05:05:11 PM

Lads,

Been looking to move onto a contract phone for a while now - any recommendations or even good deals on pay as you go smartphones (would be willing to pay between £150-200)?

Also, has anyone ever had any bother with the o2 credit check? I tried to get an iphone 4 initially, but was asked to fork out a £300 deposit! Find this hard to understand, considering I have never owned a credit card and am not in any sort of debt - was thinking it may be to do with my home address which doesn't have a hse number as such, cause it's in the country?
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: AQMP on March 26, 2012, 05:26:51 PM
Have had trouble with O2 and my address despite giving them 2 variations.  Vodafone found it no probs.
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: brokencrossbar1 on March 26, 2012, 06:32:58 PM
Quote from: tintin25 on March 26, 2012, 05:05:11 PM

Lads,

Been looking to move onto a contract phone for a while now - any recommendations or even good deals on pay as you go smartphones (would be willing to pay between £150-200)?

Also, has anyone ever had any bother with the o2 credit check? I tried to get an iphone 4 initially, but was asked to fork out a £300 deposit! Find this hard to understand, considering I have never owned a credit card and am not in any sort of debt - was thinking it may be to do with my home address which doesn't have a hse number as such, cause it's in the country?

your lack of credit could be the issue, had the same problem with Mrs BC but was able to get one in my name for her no bother as I had an account already.  Give candyman a shout, this is his business and should be able to get you sorted.
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: aontroim on May 12, 2012, 04:40:57 PM
Any phone gurus out there give an unbiased opinion on iPhone 4s v Samsung Galaxy S III?  Have had a look at the early reviews on the Galaxy and it looks like a better phone to me - has anyone managed to get a look at one or is it too early still?
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: thewobbler on May 12, 2012, 05:03:23 PM
I don't believe there's such a thing as an unbiased opinion aontroim.

Phones are of those things that tend to turn everyone into a fanboy. Having taken their time to research and choose their phone, very few people will tell you anything other than it's the best thing ever.

By the way my iPhone 4S is superb. But so was my iPhone 3G. The only genuine improvement between the two is that it's hard not to take a good photo with the 4S, while it was hard to take a good photo with the 3G. If you're not into photos, I wouldn't bother with the newer model.
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: Minder on May 12, 2012, 05:25:58 PM
Quote from: thewobbler on May 12, 2012, 05:03:23 PM
I don't believe there's such a thing as an unbiased opinion aontroim.

Phones are of those things that tend to turn everyone into a fanboy. Having taken their time to research and choose their phone, very few people will tell you anything other than it's the best thing ever.

By the way my iPhone 4S is superb. But so was my iPhone 3G. The only genuine improvement between the two is that it's hard not to take a good photo with the 4S, while it was hard to take a good photo with the 3G. If you're not into photos, I wouldn't bother with the newer model.

The Galaxy III may be the best phone about as it is the most recent of the two, the next IPhone will then be the best about. If you aren't in any particular hurry wait until June as there is talk of an announcement of a new IPhone.
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: lurganblue on May 12, 2012, 05:34:47 PM
I'm hoping it is announced in June with a July release date as my 4G contract is up. If it is later in the year I'll probably go either onto simplicity or get the galaxy note
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: Gazzler on May 12, 2012, 06:13:32 PM
I have the Google branded Samsung Galaxy Nexus, had a iPhone 4 but sold it on eBay.
Love the Nexus.
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: mylestheslasher on May 12, 2012, 06:16:01 PM
Quote from: Gazzler on May 12, 2012, 06:13:32 PM
I have the Google branded Samsung Galaxy Nexus, had a iPhone 4 but sold it on eBay.
Love the Nexus.

Same here, got one a few months ago and its my favourite and I've used Iphone, HTC Design and the Galaxy S. But is horses for courses I suppose.
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: DickyRock on May 12, 2012, 11:09:55 PM
I had an iPhone once my contract was up I switched to the Galaxy SII. My honest opinion is that both phones are great. They both have have their issues. At this stage of the game it's just a personal choice and you'll not go wrong with either.
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: amallon on May 13, 2012, 10:28:56 AM
I had the iPhone 4 before changing to the Galaxy S2.  I'd prefer the bigger screen on the S2 but I think this is something apple are rumoured to be fixing with the iPhone 5.  The Galaxy S3 looks a great phone.  My contract is up in July but I might sit tight until the iPhone 5 comes out in October before changing to see how it stacks up against the S3.
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: Sea The Stars on November 19, 2013, 08:47:29 PM
Does anyone know the best value smartphones on the market at the minute?

I hear a lot about iPhones and Galaxy's but honestly not up-to-date on it at all. An iPhone 5S is €199 to buy plus €35 per month for 2 years - is that good value? Considering it's only on the market and it's nearly Christmas time, are you likely to see that drop after Christmas?

Would anyone know the best smartphone for a novice and the provider (e.g. 3, o2, Vodafone, Metoer) to get it with? Seems the traditional Nokia's have gone out of fashion altogether?
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: J OGorman on November 19, 2013, 09:01:17 PM
Top end htc lg Samsung and Iphones are mad prices

Nexus 4 would be a quare bargain or check out this new motorola moto g,

http://m.hotukdeals.com/deals/motorola-moto-g-payg-phone-4-5-720p-screen-android-4-3-quad-core-1-2ghz-8gb-storage-1709482
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: mylestheslasher on November 19, 2013, 09:08:40 PM
Quote from: J OGorman on November 19, 2013, 09:01:17 PM
Top end htc lg Samsung and Iphones are mad prices

Nexus 4 would be a quare bargain or check out this new motorola moto g,

http://m.hotukdeals.com/deals/motorola-moto-g-payg-phone-4-5-720p-screen-android-4-3-quad-core-1-2ghz-8gb-storage-1709482

Nexus 4 is a great bargain. You can get one for about £200 but it is unlocked so can be used with any network so no £30 a month for 24 years. I'm in the south and with meteor I can get a €20 a month "contract" with meteor and i can opt out at any time. It works out way cheaper than your typical Iphone deal in the phone shop and it is a class phone.
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: Syferus on November 19, 2013, 10:00:47 PM
Three's your daddy for smartphones on pre-paid if you have good coverage - 20 Euro top-ups net you near-unlimited data to surf the interwebs.
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: gallsman on November 19, 2013, 10:13:23 PM
Quote from: mylestheslasher on November 19, 2013, 09:08:40 PM
Quote from: J OGorman on November 19, 2013, 09:01:17 PM
Top end htc lg Samsung and Iphones are mad prices

Nexus 4 would be a quare bargain or check out this new motorola moto g,

http://m.hotukdeals.com/deals/motorola-moto-g-payg-phone-4-5-720p-screen-android-4-3-quad-core-1-2ghz-8gb-storage-1709482

Nexus 4 is a great bargain. You can get one for about £200 but it is unlocked so can be used with any network so no £30 a month for 24 years. I'm in the south and with meteor I can get a €20 a month "contract" with meteor and i can opt out at any time. It works out way cheaper than your typical Iphone deal in the phone shop and it is a class phone.

Nexus 4 doesn't support LTE in case that's a concern for you.
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: macdanger2 on November 20, 2013, 12:33:45 AM
Quote from: Syferus on November 19, 2013, 10:00:47 PM
Three's your daddy for smartphones on pre-paid if you have good coverage - 20 Euro top-ups net you near-unlimited data to surf the interwebs.

Three is v good alright, €20 / month on PAYG for unlimited data, free texts & free weekend calls. Call costs during the week are similar to other PAYG providers I think
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: BenDover on November 20, 2013, 08:25:29 AM
Moto G getting good reviews, has anyone got one? Thinking of getting the wife one for Christmas her Galaxy Ace is on its last legs.
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: Tony Baloney on November 20, 2013, 08:31:53 AM
Quote from: BenDover on November 20, 2013, 08:25:29 AM
Moto G getting good reviews, has anyone got one? Thinking of getting the wife one for Christmas her Galaxy Ace is on its last legs.
What did she make of the Galaxy Ace? My mother needs a new phone on a cheap contract and wants a smartphone. This seems to have decent deals with Carphone Warehouse etc.
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: deiseach on November 20, 2013, 09:07:15 AM
Quote from: macdanger2 on November 20, 2013, 12:33:45 AM
Quote from: Syferus on November 19, 2013, 10:00:47 PM
Three's your daddy for smartphones on pre-paid if you have good coverage - 20 Euro top-ups net you near-unlimited data to surf the interwebs.

Three is v good alright, €20 / month on PAYG for unlimited data, free texts & free weekend calls. Call costs during the week are similar to other PAYG providers I think

If at the end of the month/30 days you still have your €20, what happens to it? Does it vanish or does your data usage start to eat into it?
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: BenDover on November 20, 2013, 11:38:26 AM
Quote from: Tony Baloney on November 20, 2013, 08:31:53 AM
Quote from: BenDover on November 20, 2013, 08:25:29 AM
Moto G getting good reviews, has anyone got one? Thinking of getting the wife one for Christmas her Galaxy Ace is on its last legs.
What did she make of the Galaxy Ace? My mother needs a new phone on a cheap contract and wants a smartphone. This seems to have decent deals with Carphone Warehouse etc.

its a good phone nearly 3 years old and taken plenty of knocks and falls - still going! Only downside is the internal memory available for downloading apps is crap
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: Syferus on November 20, 2013, 06:29:11 PM
Quote from: deiseach on November 20, 2013, 09:07:15 AM
Quote from: macdanger2 on November 20, 2013, 12:33:45 AM
Quote from: Syferus on November 19, 2013, 10:00:47 PM
Three's your daddy for smartphones on pre-paid if you have good coverage - 20 Euro top-ups net you near-unlimited data to surf the interwebs.

Three is v good alright, €20 / month on PAYG for unlimited data, free texts & free weekend calls. Call costs during the week are similar to other PAYG providers I think

If at the end of the month/30 days you still have your €20, what happens to it? Does it vanish or does your data usage start to eat into it?

They send you texts if an allowance is running low and just stops working on all sites but Three.ie when it does. Maybe I changed a setting on My3 but it's been so long I forget if I did or didn't. Definitely behaves that way on my device.
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: deiseach on November 21, 2013, 09:10:25 AM
Quote from: Syferus on November 20, 2013, 06:29:11 PM
They send you texts if an allowance is running low and just stops working on all sites but Three.ie when it does. Maybe I changed a setting on My3 but it's been so long I forget if I did or didn't. Definitely behaves that way on my device.

Makes sense. I wouldn't spend more than €100 a year on credit so I was hoping to top up by €20 and freewheel to the next top up. Which I suppose you can do, if you don't mind having no mobile internet, which would defeat the purpose of going to 3. Might still get the Motorola Moto G and see how it goes with Vodafone. Argos are going to be stocking it (http://www.argos.ie/static/Product/partNumber/1334139/Trail/searchtext%3EMOTO+G.htm) for €215 which is crazy cheap for what is on offer.
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: Syferus on November 21, 2013, 06:40:25 PM
You can buy 500mb data add-ons on 3 for 5 Euro too. If I have a lot of credit left I just get one of those to use some of the credit. 90% of the reason I get a top-up is just to get the 'free' data at this point.
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: BenDover on November 26, 2013, 10:08:08 AM
for any O2 customers in the north, try this text christmas to 50202 for a free £20
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: Nally Stand on November 26, 2013, 10:17:27 AM
Sounded like there had to be a catch so googled it and there are several catches. According to O2, it's only for people who have bought one of the following phones, and did so between 7 November 2013 and 24 December 2013:

Samsung Galaxy S III Mini
Samsung Galaxy Fame
Sony Experia M
Sony Experia J
Nokia Lumia 625
Nokia Lumia 520
BlackBerry 9720
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: BenDover on November 26, 2013, 12:09:03 PM
well must be worth a try cuz the wife has a 3year old Samsung Galaxy Ace and she texted it this morning and got this replay "O2:You've opted to get your Christmas bonus through O2 Rewards. Thanks. Santa should drop the £20 into your account after 31/01. More at o2.co.uk/christmas"
Title: Re: Smartphones
Post by: Nally Stand on November 26, 2013, 12:20:59 PM
Nice one. Nothing to lose then!