Advice on mobile phone/network/upgrade.

[larus]

I'm looking to upgrade my mobile and quite like the Samsung G600.

I'm on a contract with mobile (as a business account). I don't use the mobile a vast amount and always have loads of spare minutes on it (tend to use a landline most of the time).

I'm with Vodafone, but they want £50 to upgrade. It's not the money but the principle; as I'm a very good customer (in terms of the money thay get for the use I make of their network).

Any recomendations on :
i. The model of phone - any good?
ii. Where to go to get a good deal?
iii. Network - or are they all fairly similar?

Ta very much.

 

[gullshark]

I'll admit, I'm not a fan of Samsung phones (I'm a mobile software developer and those phones along with Motorola are the biggest pains in the arse to develop stuff for).

What is it about that phone you like? I would take a Sony Ericsson if you want a phone or a Nokia if you prefer smartphones.

 

[larus]

I want a slide phone and something not too bulky.

Not really into using it for video/photo's/email/MP3. Got a camera and Ipod for all that stuff.

Any models you can recommend?

 

[SNOOBS]

I had a Samsung and I would probably not buy one again, £50 a month seems a lot too when I instantly found the Nokia N95 for £35 on Phones4U, I'd go for Sony Ericsson or Nokia if I were you

 

[Il Duce]

I quite like Samsungs. Just say you're going to leave and they'll end up offering you a decent deal. Just don't go near Orange. They're utter gash at everything they do: broadband, mobiles - can't even get reception where I work in the middle of the City in London. Crap wasters.

 

[bristolseagull]

I quite like Samsungs. Just say you're going to leave and they'll end up offering you a decent deal. Just don't go near Orange. They're utter gash at everything they do: broadband, mobiles - can't even get reception where I work in the middle of the City in London. Crap wasters.

ive had their free broadband for 2 years and its been great.

 

[larus]

Thanks for advice.

 

[tinx]

My wife has just got the G600 and its a very nice phone. She is on O2 and got the phone free on a £30 a month 18 month contract and she gets a free digital photo frame thrown into the deal.

 

[bobbyzam]

http://www.phones4u.co.uk/shop/shop_contract_details.asp?ItemKey=182171&MPItemKey=184498

You can get the G600 here on Vodafone. The phone is free and the monthly contract charge £40.00. However you get £360 back via cashback, meaning it will only cost a very reasonable £10 a month. It's with phones4u, so shouldn't be a problem claiming your cashback as with some less reputable companies.

 

[Everest]

I had a Samsung and I would probably not buy one again, £50 a month seems a lot too when I instantly found the Nokia N95 for £35 on Phones4U, I'd go for Sony Ericsson or Nokia if I were you

I wouldn't touch the N95. Battery life is shit, and it tends to lock up a lot. At least the one my wife had did.

 

[Bluejuice]

I've found my Samsung to be a peach of a phone and disagree with opting for a Sony Ericsson or Nokia. The new Ericssons are feature full but often fiddly and notoriously bad at standing the test of time. If you use it ruggedly the keypad WILL wear away.

As for Nokia, they lost their way long ago and whilst that slim offering they recently churned out finally sees them making a welcome return to the competitive market I would say it is too soon to tell if it's a trrue return to form.

As for networks, as mentioned above, avoid Orange. They have really lost the plot of late. If you live in Brighton and Hove you won't get reception as much as you should expect in a city of this size and their customer service has gone right down the shitter. Price plans are hardly competitive either.

I'd say O2 are your best bet. Guaranteed reception and a package to suit your needs. Plus that G600 you speak of has received nothing but praise thus far (see http://www.mobile-phones-uk.org.uk/samsung-g600.htm for example) and now they've scrapped the touch sensitive buttons of its predecessor I can't think of any phone on the market I'd rather go for myself.

Good luck

 

[larus]

I've found my Samsung to be a peach of a phone and disagree with opting for a Sony Ericsson or Nokia. The new Ericssons are feature full but often fiddly and notoriously bad at standing the test of time. If you use it ruggedly the keypad WILL wear away.

As for Nokia, they lost their way long ago and whilst that slim offering they recently churned out finally sees them making a welcome return to the competitive market I would say it is too soon to tell if it's a trrue return to form.

As for networks, as mentioned above, avoid Orange. They have really lost the plot of late. If you live in Brighton and Hove you won't get reception as much as you should expect in a city of this size and their customer service has gone right down the shitter. Price plans are hardly competitive either.

I'd say O2 are your best bet. Guaranteed reception and a package to suit your needs. Plus that G600 you speak of has received nothing but praise thus far (see http://www.mobile-phones-uk.org.uk/samsung-g600.htm for example) and now they've scrapped the touch sensitive buttons of its predecessor I can't think of any phone on the market I'd rather go for myself.

Good luck

Cheers for that. Think I'll check it out.