Finally decided to get a smartphone, haven't a clue which one to get!

Mick1993

I think it's about time I upgraded from the old Nokia to something a bit more modern! I don't know where to begin looking for a phone though. I'm not looking for an iPhone or anything near that expensive. I'm looking for something that's somewhat user friendly, with a good Operating System. I'm quite handy when it comes to technology in general, so I'd eventually find my way around a phone given a bit of time. I also want one that can download a few good apps, like Snapchat, WhatsApp and Voxer, to name just a few. And obviously one which doesn't make it too difficult to do all the basics like send a text or make a call! Thanks for your help!

theteal

how big are you willing to go OP? Coming from a nokia, most new smartphones are going to be gigantic in comparison.

I'm very patiently waiting for official news of the htc one mini, should be announced in coming weeks. I would have picked up the full size one already but it's just too big for my liking (currently on a 3.7' desire s). the mini will cost €300-400 but I imagine it'll be priced more attractively if willing to go on a contract of some sort

Mick1993

To be honest, size won't really be an issue, I'm sure I'd get used to a larger phone before too long. My brother has an iPod Touch, which I believe has a 4 inch screen, and I never had difficulty using that. And any phone I've looked into has had a screen of about that size, the Sony Experia J for example, which seems to match many of the things I'm looking for in a new phone.

It's the price of the likes of the HTC that would throw me off phones such as that. I'm hoping that I could find a suitable phone with a price limit of €150, and certainly nothing above €200.

Dubwat

I'm kinda in a similar postition to yourself, although I have a 3yr old PAYG iPhone 3Gs. I'm not looking for a super-duper phone, just something a bit bigger and better than my current iPhone.

I'm thinking about the Nokia Lumia 520. It's very cheap but seems to get good reviews for what it is. Downside seems to be the 512Mb Ram for games and the perceived lack of apps.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/04/26/lumia_520_review/

Here's another thread you might be interested in:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056951474

Also, I found this site seems to have comprehensive reviews when you find a phone that you might like. What I like is their 'compare and contrast' of competitor phones at the end of the review.
http://www.gsmarena.com/

Mick1993

Dubwat wrote: »

I'm kinda in a similar postition to yourself, although I have a 3yr old PAYG iPhone 3Gs. I'm not looking for a super-duper phone, just something a bit bigger and better than my current iPhone.

I'm thinking about the Nokia Lumia 520. It's very cheap but seems to get good reviews for what it is. Downside seems to be the 512Mb Ram for games and the perceived lack of apps.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/04/26/lumia_520_review/

Here's another thread you might be interested in:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056951474

Also, I found this site seems to have comprehensive reviews when you find a phone that you might like. What I like is their 'compare and contrast' of competitor phones at the end of the review.
http://www.gsmarena.com/

Thanks for all that. I've heard good things about the Lumia 520 too, so that's definitely one I'm considering. I'll be sure to use that review link for any phone that's recommended to me too!

bk

For Android phones these all look quite nice:

https://www.expansys.ie/huawei-ascend-p1-black-228060/

https://www.expansys.ie/acer-liquid-e2-duo-black-249885/

https://www.expansys.ie/acer-liquid-gallant-duo-black-234432/

The nice thing about the two Acers is that they are dual sim, which means you can have two sim cards in them which is very handy when travelling. e.g. you can have your Irish sim card for calls and texts and a second cheap local sim card for data roaming.

Nokia 520 is a decent entry level windows phone here:

https://www.expansys.ie/nokia-lumia-520-black-246824/

Windows Phone is very nice and easy to use for people new to Smart phones, but it lacks the breath of apps available on Android.

If you can stretch to it, the Nexus 4 is a superb Android phone and fantastic value for money. It is almost as good as the top of the range iPhones and Smasungs for half the price:

https://www.expansys.ie/google-nexus-4-16gb-black-251312/