The norm in the US.

Then you hear handset manufacturers saying how they're struggling. Not surprised when your client base has gone from 12 > 18 > 24 months between handsets.

Thank the great Apple, O2 and AT&T for this trend.

You say this as if it's a bad thing!

I'm thinking about changing my handset because the battery life is getting low & some of the keys are a bit tricky to operate now! I'm disappointed as it's only just 2 years old, my previous handsets have been 3, 4 or 5 years old before they've been swapped.

In fact SWMBO has a UK PAYG using one of my old handsets & I've got a German PAYG that re-uses another oldie. Waste not want not & all that!

From going around the shops today the I-phone seems to be the benchmark with HTC G2 & Nokia N97 mini being the closest contenders. Luckily an old friend was working in one of the shops so I'm sure his advice to me was slightly more candid than his manager would perhaps have preferred!

The downside of a new Smartphone to my mind, is the risk of someone wanting to liberate it from you by violent means, that's a sad reflection of Thatcher's Britain!

You say this as if it's a bad thing!

Isn't it?

Trapped in an extended financial commitment and left with hardware that doesn't fell like it'll last the term.

Isn't it?

Trapped in an extended financial commitment and left with hardware that doesn't fell like it'll last the term.

I see what you're saying there, however, this is the first phone I've ever thought about replacing at 2 years old. Previously I've just re-negotiated the call /text package & been given a new handset for the sake of it.

Essentially all manufacturing industries (& subsequent distribution / retailing) rely on products wearing out & being replaced. However, in these enlightened green times, surely making the products more durable has to better. I used to make daily visits to a landfill site with trainloads of rubbish, it opens your eyes to just how much material is landfilled!

Just upgraded my Current Nokia N82 with Orange for another 18 month contract for a Sony W995i with...

800 cross network anytime minutes

unlimited texts

unlimted internet

Wireless dongle for internet on laptop

£25/ a month for 18 months

Seem pretty happy with that!

I see what you're saying there, however, this is the first phone I've ever thought about replacing at 2 years old. Previously I've just re-negotiated the call /text package & been given a new handset for the sake of it.

Essentially all manufacturing industries (& subsequent distribution / retailing) rely on products wearing out & being replaced. However, in these enlightened green times, surely making the products more durable has to better. I used to make daily visits to a landfill site with trainloads of rubbish, it opens your eyes to just how much material is landfilled!

Well its not since the days of having a candy bar style phone have I thought that it would last longer than 2 years and my wife is perfectly capable of destroying her phones much sooner than that. The N95 is nearly 2 years old but isn't in very good condition at all.

I dislike the corporate tactics that are push us toward being never-ending contractual revenue streams rather than customers. I'm all for reliable sustainable products but its hard not to get sucked into the treadmill of want rather than need when the market relies on churn not unlike, other purchases typically made on the never-never, cars and houses and unless you play the game, casual users lose out from the deal.

Especially in this case of mobile phones when, in my experience, technology based services get cheaper as time passes, more minutes/data/better handsets available but you're stung by your existing contract which lasts for longer and longer. The MoTelCos wouldn't be going this way if they didn't benefit from it, would they?

Over a week later and I'm no further on. I actually lost my nokia charger on a trip away and its died on me, hence the switch to the remedial phone and so far I'm managing. I've also already agreed to give away the N95 when I get a new phone. Would seriously consider a PAYG offering if there's one that gives a small amount of data cheaply, anyone use data with PAYG? I could probably manage with less than 100min/50 text (mostly to Orange) on a monthly basis with a bit of data thrown in.

Sadly the days of a 6310 you could drop off buildings or flush several times and still work are long gone.

So they no longer make them that good anymore IMO.

done the dirty deed, hey ho.

Phone (HTC Tatto) isn't brilliant but £20 for 18 months is tenable, only took 4 phone calls with Vodafone to get it

You had to pay for it?

You had to pay for it?

No charge for the phone just my monthly contract inc U/L mobile internet discounted to £20pm.

I now have my HTC Tattoo and I am thoroughly impressed.Thoroughly confused by it too by nonetheless amazed.

Congratulations and good luck in equal measure

Just bought a nokia 3720 classic " Tough Phone"We shall see.... O2 seem incapable of sending me wap and pic message settings but I guess thats because I'm not on contract with them.Pay and go = 2nd class service

Sadly the days of a 6310 you could drop off buildings or flush several times and still work are long gone.

So they no longer make them that good anymore IMO.

I've still got one as a fall back, in case everything else breaks (company standard is the Nokia 6300 or 6700 classic). I also know of a well known company who are hanging onto the 6310i as a standard phone.

Phil

Congratulations and good luck in equal measure

more luck needed than anything else.

Just bought a nokia 3720 classic " Tough Phone"We shall see.... O2 seem incapable of sending me wap and pic message settings but I guess thats because I'm not on contract with them.Pay and go = 2nd class service

Do it yourself from their website

I've still got one as a fall back, in case everything else breaks (company standard is the Nokia 6300 or 6700 classic). I also know of a well known company who are hanging onto the 6310i as a standard phone.

Phil

We were still on 6310i's until about 2 years ago. Now we have 6230i's - gosh!