Getting "serious" now about buying my first smart phone - advice appreciated.

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Thank you so much for all the advice folks. I'm quite overwhelmed, but not surprised, by how helpful you've all been. I'm off to lock up now and go off to bed but please feel free if there's something else you think might be useful to me - I'll check this thread first thing in the morning. Night all!

 

[StevenRB45]

Thanks. So it will always use the mobile signal if it can but default to wifi if it can't?

Or the opposite way round if you ask it to.

But yeah a quick search on your chosen supplier and WiFi calling should tell you if they support it.

You'll need either a Nano SIM or an eSim (no physical sim card you scan a code with the camera) to make it all work. Pixels are compatible with either...or indeed both at the same time in the case of needing Dual SIM as Panda nut mentions.

I'm on Tesco..they use O2s network and support WiFi calling.

If you get a pixel after the 6 you will get the options pictured as they are all on stock android 14 so it's just getting the network right really.

 

[porta]

I was always a Motorola advocate, until google got its hands on it and ruined them
I had a few other android phones, Alcatel and Erikson, up to about 2010…have had iPhones since, got converted by their laptops/ibook and their insistence on NOT letting anyone into your life via their kit, unlike every other manufacturer

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Or the opposite way round if you ask it to.

But yeah a quick search on your chosen supplier and WiFi calling should tell you if they support it.

You'll need either a Nano SIM or an eSim (no physical sim card you scan a code with the camera) to make it all work. Pixels are compatible with either...or indeed both at the same time in the case of needing Dual SIM as Panda nut mentions.

I'm on Tesco..they use O2s network and support WiFi calling.

If you get a pixel after the 6 you will get the options pictured as they are all on stock android 14 so it's just getting the network right really.

Thanks Steven - so much to try to get my head round. My internet is with Sky, does that make any difference?

I've absolutely no idea what you're talking about with Nano SIM, eSim, a physical card you scan a code with a camera, etc. Pretty much all "Martian" to me. I do know my existing dumb phone has a sim somewhere inside it but I've never tried to look at it. Rightly or wrongly the Pixel 8 in one version or other does seem to be favorite at this time.

 

[StevenRB45]

Your internet provider makes no difference, all the phone needs is an internet connection of some sort. Your phone contract provider needs to allow the WiFi calling.

SIM cards I assume you'll have had before given your current phone must have one. It stores the information related to your phone eg network provider and phone number and are inserted into the phone. Nano refers to the size of the sim card, you'll probably be asked this question when setting up a new contract if you aren't getting the phone with a contract. The one in your old phone will not fit.

eSim does exactly the same but there's no physical card you scan a piece of paper with the camera or put a code in and the information is stored on your phone without the physical SIM card.

Pixel is compatible with either or both at the same time.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

iDMobile is on the 3 network and its SIM only cards play nicely with wifi calling on Pixels, just from personal experience if helpful. Cheap as chips, prices don't increase, unlike the main networks, which it undercuts massively.

 

[Blackie27]

As I am one of those dinosaurs who does not own a mobile phone, the only advice I can give you is this.
Buy one that suits your pocket and your needs. i.e. what do you want the smart phone for? Calling texting taking video and pictures?

The wife has a TCL501 (I think that's what it's called) cost her £49.00 from Asda before Christmas 256gb memory and 2gb ram.
Does what she needs it to do. Plus it works and the charge last's for ages.

 

[Twotone2]

Not read the whole thread so apologies in advance if this has been covered.

iPhone's are brilliant anyone can use them they basically just work.

Apple have just brought a cut down version of the iPhone 16 the 16e it's on pre-release and costs £600 for the 128 gig version but the camera's not as good as a full fat 16 and there's a few other bits missing but if you want a decent phone/smart phone I'd be giving it some consideration.

I've a iPhone 13 mini and it's way too small but I only really use it for snapshots at work ie boilers and taps etc and for texting and picking up emails.

For photography I've a Fujifilm X100 vi which is on a whole other world from smart phone photography.

 

[Twotone2]

I've never bought a phone and SIM package, they're just bad value.

So I buy a phone outright and a SIM separate. I wouldn't buy apple because they're expensive. I don't think there's much in quality difference paying £250 or £750

I've a SPUSU SIM £5 month comes with European data 500mb I think been with them for about a year absolutely no complaints.

 

[Twotone2]

That's great. I do use chrome.

Safari is miles better no malware and easy to use probably the best browser out there at the moment.

I use Chrome occasionally much prefer Safari.

Honestly for someone who hasn't a clue about smart phones or browsers or email etc etc just get an iPhone a child of two can use them.

 

[varesecrazy]

Hi Jock,


I got my 30 year old sons recommendation of an Android phone, no issues

I used his "Blue Light card" to get a hefty discount on its replacement,

Ask your family..

I find that age /eyesight/fat fingers mean a physically Bigger phone does help..

BUT doesn't fit in your pocket so well

TBH a brand new 3 year old model from the high street isn't a bad call

Lots of Reviews around, so you know it will be reliable

Our panda-driver paid £130 at Argos for a Motorola Android,

Has been fine for our Basic needs

 

[Bonefish Blues]

I've a SPUSU SIM £5 month comes with European data 500mb I think been with them for about a year absolutely no complaints.

Actually your roaming is much more:

3 GB

500 Minutes

500 Texts

Useful if it's useful, as it were.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Your internet provider makes no difference, all the phone needs is an internet connection of some sort. Your phone contract provider needs to allow the WiFi calling.

SIM cards I assume you'll have had before given your current phone must have one. It stores the information related to your phone eg network provider and phone number and are inserted into the phone. Nano refers to the size of the sim card, you'll probably be asked this question when setting up a new contract if you aren't getting the phone with a contract. The one in your old phone will not fit.

eSim does exactly the same but there's no physical card you scan a piece of paper with the camera or put a code in and the information is stored on your phone without the physical SIM card.

Pixel is compatible with either or both at the same time.

Thanks Steven, think I understand that. So I need to ask in the shop where I buy the sim card about making sure it does WiFi calling?

 

[Twotone2]

Actually your roaming is much more:

3 GB

500 Minutes

500 Texts

Useful if it's useful, as it were.

I was with EE for about 25 years they just kept charging more so ended up with SPUSU as I rarely use any data basically cause the phone's too small.

I much prefer using an iPad Pro or a MBA but obviously both are used in the house but I do use my phone's hotspot to occasionally connect the iPad to the internet when I'm at work.

I always buy the phone from Apple and just rent a SIM card.

That iPhone 16e can be got for about £460 with my old phone as a trade in plus they're currently doing zero percent interest over 24 months so £17 a month for the phone and £5 for the sim.

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Thanks Steven, think I understand that. So I need to ask in the shop where I buy the sim card about making sure it does WiFi calling?

Best deals are online, typically:

SIM Only Deals: Compare our best in February 2025 - Uswitch

Compare our cheapest 2025 SIM only deals and save money with all the major UK networks including O2, Lebara Mobile, Lyca Mobile, Vodafone and more.

www.uswitch.com

 

[Twotone2]

We've got Apple one (I think it's called) £37 a month for all you can eat data storage (2tb) and Apple News, Apple TV and Apple Music, and a couple of thing we don't use but it can be shared with up to six 'family' members.

Apple News is absolute brilliant and ATV is decent the rest maybe not so much, music maybe worth it but the iCloud storage is well worth it, think I've about 5000 photos and 20,000 emails plus texts etc. Those emails go back about 25 years no idea why I've kept them all and the photos which are all mainly work related.

 

[StevenRB45]

Thanks Steven, think I understand that. So I need to ask in the shop where I buy the sim card about making sure it does WiFi calling?

I'd just search online before you go to the shop, most networks have a tool that allows you to check if your area is served by them and the signal strength you can expect.

WiFi calling is pretty much as simple as searching "does X network support WiFi calling" and it'll come back with yes or no you'll be on a new contract so need to be concerned about if legacy stuff didn't.

If you must go to a Shop then Tesco isn't a bad shout as most large Tesco's have a phone shop inside them and prices online and in-store are the same. I'm currently paying £10 per month for unlimited calls and texts and 30gb of data which was fixed for 2 years but the contract is up will go up by a nominal amount in march.

One other thing, perhaps start on a 1 month rolling contract see how you get on then switch to a 12/24 month sim only if you like the network. Longer contracts are far cheaper monthly so if you plan to keep it no reason to not have one although there would be an exit fee if you ended the contract before the specified period.

 

[Twotone2]

Thanks Steven, think I understand that. So I need to ask in the shop where I buy the sim card about making sure it does WiFi calling?

I wouldn't worry about wifi calling if I were you, you only use that in your own house if the mobile signal is poor and even then hardly anyone uses a phone these days to actually phone someone.

Most networks have wifi calling switched on as standard now anyway or they use LTE instead.

Those two things are nothing to concern yourself with.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I wouldn't worry about wifi calling if I were you, you only use that in your own house if the mobile signal is poor and even then hardly anyone uses a phone these days to actually phone someone.

Most networks have wifi calling switched on as standard now anyway or they use LTE instead.

Those two things are nothing to concern yourself with.

Thank you. I was thinking it would save the calls time for when needed by using the wifi? Have to laugh at "hardly anyone uses a phone these days to actually phone someone. Our landline is the main way we contact everyone and they contact us - we do do a few emails too.

LTE? boy, this is a whole new world.

 

[StevenRB45]

Unless you're on the phone literally hours at a time i'd not worry about saving minutes. I believe WiFi calling goes against your minutes unless you've installed something like WhatsApp or Teams as a standalone VOIP app. If you're using your phone as a phone and it uses WiFi it's still using the network at the other end so it gets charged to you.

Most contracts have something ridiculous these days if not unlimited, (obviously this will be stated at point of sale).

My wife gets 5000 minutes...or 3.5 days of being on the phone solidly without a break per month.

Unless you're quietly the CEO of something it's unlikely you'll get near most of the caps they dole out now.

LTE would just be short hand for being on the network not on your WiFi. But honestly just get a contract with decent caps and use it how you want because they aren't expensive if you're buying the phone separately.

This is 10 quid a month's worth...