So this isn't Money Saving Expert but I'd like some advice. I only ever buy cheap Argos Android phones which last me 3 - 4 years then I buy another. It works perfectly for my needs, but what it does mean is that I'm completely out of touch with what the young people living in my home require. I think I'm looking to buy an IPhone 11, sim free so no contract needed, either very very good 2nd hand or new. Where do I venture for the best possible price/reliabilty of retailer?
iPhones are behind on technology compared to Samsung, however try Music Magpie Phones, they have a selection of refurbed with 12 month warranty. Bought an unlocked Galaxy S7 Edge three years ago and still going strong. Or CEX who offer 24 month warranty on certain products.
Diamond, in my view trying to keep up with the mobile phone "what's new and hip" trail is almost as impossible as having the best and most up to date PC. Problem is, there is always going to be somebody with a better model, or "knows someone" who can get a person a better deal. Phones have come in leaps and bounds since they looked like bricks with a keypad. You could get the most up to date iPhone 11 then in a year Apple announce the 12 or whatever they call them nowadays - and suddenly it's "Dad, can I have the 12.." "You have an iPhone" "Yeah, but Timmy has the 12 and it's AWESOME DUDE!" I think you get my drift. In regards to a good deal, there are many vendors as I am sure you are aware. Whoever you do with, check the coverage and signal of where you live (assuming your in Hertfordshire, Three is pretty good). Look at the plan(s) on offer and if you want to go non-contract, make sure there is cover for damages (some do include this, if you purchase the device out of the box). Second hand is also an option as mentioned above. CEX can be pretty good, but I always think the staff look a bit dicey for some reason. I would not suggest eBAY, a few mates of mine got scammed, but if your up for the possible risks, just be forewarned.
I always buy used iPhones from HandTec - I replace them every three/four years. https://www.handtec.co.uk/collections/refurbished-apple-iphone-11
My sister in law just spent about 800 quid on an 1phone for her 11 year old son. She has discovered that he seems to mostly use it for sending messages about 'creaming' himself to young girls! Nobody under 18 should have a smart phone. A tool to make and receive phone calls in an emergency is all a child requires.
There's a difference between need and want. The lines have been blurred due to the bombardment of advertising, influencers and general knowledge spread due to the internet that simply wasn't about in my generation. The "need" to keep up with the Joneses has become more and more urgent for people. Kids have no "need "for anything other than a basic phone, possibly a low end smartphone maybe, but absolutely no need for them to have an £800 top of the ranger. If anything it's a huge security risk, but of course they'll get the pee taken out of them if they don;t have it as little Jonny down the street has one. My mate's early teenage daughter when told that she couldn't have a pair of £200 trainers (she had had a new pair of trainers a couple of weeks prior) responded with "are we poor?" She has no concept of what things cost, their value or what it take to obtain them, only what other people have. When my mate sat her down with her and explained what £200 could buy, how long it would take him to earn it etc. it helped. but it's an issue that some adults don't seem to grasp either. We have a huge credit issue in this country which is only getting worse with these "You can write all your unsecured debts off" type adverts. We need to start at a young age teaching kids about money, the value of stuff and the huge amount of waste constantly upgrading equipment causes. That being said, back on topic. For a kid that'll want an upgrade in a couple of years a2nd hand top of the range phone which is last year's model will probably suffice. Would certainly suggest Cex or one of the reputable 2nd hand companies where you'll get some sort of guarantee. Also Giff Gaff the network I'm on does refurbished phones (others may do to) which is another possible outlet. Avoid ebay where you could get a dog or nicked phone or simply just be scammed with a brick in a box. To be completely honest with the silicon shortage and other import & covid issues now really isn't the time to buy anything electronic as prices are sky high.
Totally agree with every word of that. What is also highly irritating is the absolute waste that is constant phone and tech upgrades, whilst being lectured by the young about how us boomers are responsible for the carbon crisis. I also chatted to my daughters about this today and why the boy needs an IPhone, and they basically told me I wouldn't understand!! Looks like it'll be an IPhone XR which is a bit cheaper but means I can get a new one without worrying about its past life. Ongoing...
Don't really get the appeal for top of the range phones. Over the last few years have been more than happy with Moto G phones. Changed recently following battery draining quickly to a Xiaomi Redmi Note 9? and very pleased with that. About £140 if I remember rightly.
I'm still using a Samsung Galaxy S7 that I bought in 2016. Battery is on it's way out but other than that it's faultess. More than fast enough but Samsung haven't upgraded the OS in a good few years at it's getting to the stage where peopel will stop supprot apps "Because security" If I could replace the battery I'd consider gettign it routed and see if I can upgrade the OS manually
I've had years of buying the 2nd or 3rd model in the range but earlier this year went for the Samsung S21 Ultra. Partly it's an (expensive) experiment in whether buying the top phone means it runs better for longer, plus you do get the better features. Things like wireless charging, 5G, the better cameras etc. But also because it's not on a contract and so the payments weren't £60pm+ like all the top phones seem to be on monthly deals. Can't say it's a coherent plan but with small kids in the house chances to spend my disposable cash are pretty limited otherwise!
This is definitely the last time (or the last time has passed) that I get sucked into upgrading to a new iPhone. The cost of them now is just absolutely mental, I’m at the end of a three year contract in December for an iPhone that cost £1500 spread over that three year period. I remember having 12 month contracts and paying a fraction of that per month. The tech has come on so much that it’s just utterly pointless spending so much on an upgrade when the difference between your old phone and new phone will just be a bit of fannying around at the edges. I’ve always just got bored at the end of the contract, got used to paying a certain amount, then just automatically upgraded at the end but on longer and longer contracts, but the difference in the phones is getting smaller and smaller even though the contracts are getting longer and longer. There is nothing more underwhelming now than upgrading to a new iPhone after 2/3 years and realising after about 5 minutes it’s just a phone, it doesn’t do anything magical, and is more or less the same as your last one. I know apple products are vastly overpriced, but I’ve got a Mac book and a Mac mini for work and I do far prefer them to windows, but it’s really not worth paying basically the same price as one of those for a phone.
Same but with the S8, also noticing some degrading in the battery (once I get to the 15% mark it drains very very quickly)
All you have to do is reset your head. Getting an iPhone 8 would have been exciting in 2017. Good news is they are much cheaper now! Just pretend it’s 2017! It’s a big problem for the tech companies that phones are already very good. My iPhone 8 loads webpages quickly, has a good camera. No need to upgrade for a while and so they are selling fewer phones.
This iPhone 6 is still going strong after 6 or 7 years. Battery not as good as it was but if you get a charging routine it’s not a problem. £13 a month sim contract which I very rarely exceed. Most calls are via WA so presume use up my sky broadband data allowance ? No plans to change phone yet as not sure what I’m missing out on. Apparently the apps may stop working at some point but seem ok for now.
