Tell me about smart phones please.

[Alpineandy]

Pretty please.

I use my Mobile phones as a phones and tend to keep them a long time. I've had my Nokia 300 for probably 5 years and before that a 3210 for around 10 years. But now so much stuff revolves around smart phones like 'on-line' tickets etc that I'm going to have to get one soon.
I'm sure I'll start using it's 'on-line' capabilities for other stuff like email and maybe here as well, but proper surfing / youtube etc will probably be reserved for my Laptop which is Win 10 and is fine for my basic requirements.

So
Q1) It would be useful (but not a necessity) for the diary on the Laptop and on a phone to 'sync'. Is that possible with a different phone system than Win?
Q2) is Win really poor compared to Android etc?
Q3) I gather I could 'tether' my laptop to my phone when out (rather than use a dongle) but is that only possible with a certain system?
Q4) what would be a sensible 'Data' amount for a mid to low user?
Q5) I'm hoping to do some travelling later this year (was supposed to happen last year ) so what phones are known to be robust?

I'm sure I'll be asking more questions soon but can't think of them at the moment.

Basic advise please, I'm really not very IT savvy.

I will end up discussing this in the shop but a rough Idea would help when talking to the sales people.

Thanks
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The above comment isn't necessarily the truth and anyone that says it is, is only correct if it's the truth or they're bigger than me.

[Conzar]

As much as this pains me to say but i think you'd be very suited to something like a iPhone 5/5s

Its easy enough to navigate and use.
Yes you can sync your calendar presuming you use Outlook on your laptop? all you have to do is set up that account on the phone and select to sync the calender.

We used Windows phones at work for a while but stopped using them when they started to fail in many ways.

Most smart phones will have a portable hotspot function, just make sure your traffic includes tethering.

I would say the smart phones now are pretty easy to smash and break, i have a Armadillo case on my Sony Z3 and its saved it alot of times!

If you are going traveling id look at a tariff form Three as you can you use there 'Feel at home' function which allows you to use your tariff package in these countries
eel At Home destinations.
Australia
Austria
Denmark
Finland
France
Hong Kong
Indonesia
Israel
Italy
Lanzarote -
Spain
Macau
New Zealand
Norway
Republic of Ireland
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sweden
Switzerland
United States
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[Alpineandy]

Thanks, that's a pretty comprehensive reply but can I ask;

Q1) Why would it 'pain you' to rec an Iphone5? I'm not into the whole apple thing but I guess that reflects my reticence over new tech. Are they better than Nokia, Samsumg etc?

Q2) Any suggestion over a monthly data allowance? I really have no idea what the normal usage amounts are.

Q3) I've been with T-Mobile/EE for nearly 20 years. If I do manage to 'go walkabout' it'll be South East Asia possibly including Indonesia but probably not. Are dual sim smart phones available here?

I'd probably end up buying local sim cards as I hope to be away a year or two. I guess that means I'll have to get a short contract here and I appreciate that'll be more expensive. Then move to some form of PAYG just to keep the number.

Thanks once again.
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The above comment isn't necessarily the truth and anyone that says it is, is only correct if it's the truth or they're bigger than me.

[Im-a-Ridah]

[Ben90]

First 5 Qs

Q1) Yes, and any phone software can do it these days, so don't let it hinder your choices.

Q2) In short, yes, their market share recently fell below 1%, not a good sign if you intend to be a long term user.

Q3) Again, most phones can do it. My Lg Nexus 4 from 2012 could do it, just be sure your tariff from your chosen operator includes 'tethering'

Q4) You'd struggle to get less than 500mb of data now, it should be enough for light internet and app use. If you intend on tethering then I'd recommend more, say 1-2gb, as computer webpages you'll be browsing aren't mobile optimised which means data heavy.

Q5) None, all smartphones are incredibly fragile. The cynic in me says this is intentional. You can buy rugged cases for almost any smartphone which makes them waterproof, dustproof, shock resistant and all levels in between, but the good ones aren't cheap.

Next 3 Qs - why didn't you make them sequential!?

Q1) Not really, the Apple IOS software is just more simple in its layout (once you've learned it), note how I didn't use 'intuitive' because to me it bloody isn't, IOS makes my piss boil to use. Day to day you'll find they're both just as easy to learn and use.

Samsung have produced some very good phones lately, and the tech with android phones is often miles ahead of Apple. For example the new Samsung S7 is waterproof and dustproof straight out of the box, has probably the best phone camera in the business and big battery life.

Q2) Start with 1gb, the tariffs are cheap enough and on the android OS there's a data usage graph that gets drawn through the month telling you your usage as you go, so you know to slow down if you're at 80% used halfway though the month, for example.

Q3) Not for the UK highstreet market, but you can buy the asian variant of most smartphones online and often for cheaper, which are usually dual sim. Three's Feel At Home is also great perk.


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Yamaha FZ6 S2

[Alpineandy]

Thank you for being so helpful and not pointing out I'm clearly an old fart (yes it's obvious but I still expected it to be mentioned!).

I guess a little time checking you tube 'Iphone' and 'android' vids may help me decide if I'm brave enough to go android or not...

I mentioned before about EE but I'm not stuck to them. I'll check all the contracts and see which is best for me. Provided I know my requirements (which I didn't before your help) I'm quite good with picking the best contract irrespective of what it's for (It has been part of my job at various times previously).

Is the option of buying a contract but getting a phone 'on line' elsewhere fraught with danger?
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The above comment isn't necessarily the truth and anyone that says it is, is only correct if it's the truth or they're bigger than me.

[lihp]

What do you use for the calendar on your laptop?

If using google services grab an Android, if using Windows built in calender grab a Microsoft (Nokia) phone.

It can be a pain to sync with Apple devices from Windows, they sync TOO the phone, but anything put on in the phone won't sync back. There are ways around, but if you're as unsavvy as you say, it may be better to grab something that uses the same system.
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[linuxyeti]

Hi there

I would suggest something like a Doogee X6 pro . 2GB RAM, 16GB ROM, already stated that when Android 6 is available, it will be provided as an OTA upgrade. Has dual sim capability and also Micro SD card slot. Removeable battery, buy spare batteries cheaply, and then you can carry a spare with you.

These can be bought for £50-£70 quite easily, brand new.

I, and other members of my family have been using Doogee phones since the DG310 was released, and still, my dad has a 310, my daughter & partner have X5 pros, and now that my LG phone is toast, I've gone for an X6 pro.

Never had an issues with any of them at all.

https://www.gearbest.com/cell-phones/pp_262390.html?wid=3

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4G-LTE-Smartphone-DOOGEE-X6-Pro-5-5-HD-Android-5-1-16GB-Quad-Core-Dual-SIM-GPS-/291756129694?hash=item43ee053d9e:g:JTsAAOSwrXdXKuoF

And for a couple of reviews ..

https://www.cellphonelabs.com/doogee-x6-pro-review/

https://www.review-hub.co.uk/doogee-x6-pro-review/

Personally I really wouldn't buy an over priced Apple, or Samsung etc. Definitely don't get a Windows Phone..

The good thing is, the price of the doogee, makes it more more palatable if, or when it gets lost, stolen or broken !!
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[t121anf]

[lihp]

[J.M.]

[linuxyeti]

[Baffler186]

[Alpineandy]

Once again, Thanks for the info/input.
I just use the standard win10 calendar.
Important things I remember but there are plenty of odd little things I have to try to remember to do but have zero interest in doing them.
So the calendar is useful for me or I'd forget my dental check etc etc.


I feel much happier going into the phone shops to have a look know rather than feeling like a village idiot at a nuclear physics convention. I'll probably look for a sim deal and get a new cheap phone like Linuxyeti suggested, but a bit more research to see what suits.

A few follow up questions though.
A) Is 4G better world and/or country wide than 3G?
B) Do all countries use the same network (IIRC USA didn't but not sure now) tech specs? - So would a phone from anywhere else work here?
C) There seem to be more networks now. Are they all 'much of a muchness' or are the newer ones crap?
Cheers
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The above comment isn't necessarily the truth and anyone that says it is, is only correct if it's the truth or they're bigger than me.

[Ben90]

A) 4G is the latest generation of mobile internet, and is currently available in large towns and cities. If you have 4G included on your plan (most plans include it for free now anyway) the phone will use 4G if you are in said city. If not, the phone will default to 3G. For light internet work 3G is more than adequate. 4G is marketed towards people who want to stream HD movies on their walk to work; no idea who that might be.

B) UK phones will work with all UK networks, but if you plan on buying from overseas you'll have to do a bit of research as to which bands the phone can support and which bands your operator will use.

For example, if you get it wrong you may buy a 4G phone from abroad and pair it with a 4G tariff from a UK operator, and not actually get 4G if the bands don't match.

You'll have to find the tech specs for the phone you want, a list of the UK operators and the bands they use, and check that a couple of 3G and 4G bands match.

C) There are only 4 main networks; Vodafone, O2, Three and EE. All of the others rent airwaves from the main four. I believe Giffgaff and Tesco uses O2's satellites, for example. Check which networks get the best signal at home and work.



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Yamaha FZ6 S2

[Alpineandy]

Once again, many thanks for your input.
I'll have to so some research on SIM deals and on phone compatibility.
Cheers
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The above comment isn't necessarily the truth and anyone that says it is, is only correct if it's the truth or they're bigger than me.

[Polarbear]

I don't find Apple IOS any easier to use than the latest Android, and, as said, having to use I tunes rather than straight drag and drop is so frustrating.

But basically Android or I phone, and unless you have money to burn, Android because you can get some good smart phones that are pretty cheap where as Apple = lots of £.
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[Pete.]