My old Sony Ericsson W810i is a great, OLD, phone but it's time for an upgrade, because it's getting harder to see the screen (even with m'glasses on) these days.

The big question is, what phone do I get to replace it with?

I don't need a lot of internet time or capability but, the phone and text ability are important, I also need a camera and as a back up a torch. Music is also important oh, and Bluetooth too.

I have been looking at an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy 2, Motorola Razr and the new Nokia Lumia series but can't quite make up my mind.

A few friends have got iPhone 4S's and rate them but I don't really want to spend that much money (I know, I'm a tight Scotsman)

What do you guys run and, how do you rate the performance?

iPhone 4s is what i have - iPhone's are easy to use. Full Stop. (The 4 will be more than quickenough for you!)

Screens are good, battery life is poor (if used with all features; mine's for business, I usually get a day out of it) LOADS of Docks and App's available, iTunes is easy to sync your music. They can not be expanded by memory cards.

Android Operating system, is on the Galaxy and Motorola. - It's easy, but not as easy as Apple's iOS and can (depending on build and the "skin" the manufacturer applies) look and feel clunky.

Nokia's run the Windows platform, and if im honest, have no experience with them at all!

Al.

The s2 is excellent. I have a dead s3 so avoid those just now, seems to be an emerging issue. I find ios quite hard to get the hang of compared with android. Very rigid and inflexible. But i suspect its down to what you're used to. My 5 year old certainly seems able to use android and ios with ease.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

HTC One X. That Is all.

I'm very pleased with my Galaxy S2.

HTC One X. That Is all.

Why?

Good size screen, 32GB internal storage (non expandable) but I run with about 750 mp3's and still have 25GB free space.

Android operating system. Loads of apps etc. From google play store.

Smooth to use.

Good size screen, 32GB internal storage (non expandable) but I run with about 750 mp3's and still have 25GB free space.

Android operating system. Loads of apps etc. From google play store.

Smooth to use.

Thank you, for all the useful information.

Thank you, for all the useful information.

All the tech spec here: http://www.htc.com/uk/smartphones/htc-one-x/

Samsung Galaxy S2 here too for almost a year now and I have no desire at all to move on from it very pleased with it. Tough as nails too with its Gorilla glass screen.

Based on what you seem to want from a phone I would also recommend the Samsung G600 an older model a slide phone with actual keys great camera bigger screen than w810i (I still have both) and great battery life. You can get them on Ebay for pennies second hand or about £40 new. Takes a micro SD mem card so can get loads of music on it but IIRC no 3.5mm socket but you can get an adaptor for one £1.65 on ebay.

Orange San Francisco - Samsung by any other name on Android. Easy to use, plenty of apps but boy does it eat power. Needs charging every day. Gone are the days when I could leave my phone on in my pocket and still have power over a week later. Major downside IMO. It's charging again now via my usb.

http://shop.orange.co.uk/mobile-phones/san-francisco-from-orange-in-grey

I suppose I should say "Ee..it's good."

Edited 26 December, 201213 yr by Paul007

All the tech spec here: http://www.htc.com/u...ones/htc-one-x/

Thanks again for all the info.

Samsung Galaxy S2 here too for almost a year now and I have no desire at all to move on from it very pleased with it. Tough as nails too with its Gorilla glass screen.

Based on what you seem to want from a phone I would also recommend the Samsung G600 an older model a slide phone with actual keys great camera bigger screen than w810i (I still have both) and great battery life. You can get them on Ebay for pennies second hand or about £40 new. Takes a micro SD mem card so can get loads of music on it but IIRC no 3.5mm socket but you can get an adaptor for one £1.65 on ebay.

Thanks Fubar but the main reason for looking at the smart phone is the bigger screen size, it will make my life a lot easier.

The main reason for asking everyone for their input was to get a clearer picture of the pro's and con's from people who know, through experience of a particular phone. For example Jonny5ive suggested one I had not even considered. Reading reviews from suppliers web sites is not quite the same as getting first hand info from people that you know and trust.

As much as I appreciate your offer and info I need a new phone, on a contract, due to work commitments. But, thank you very much anyway, the iPhone 3G will go into the possible group.

Orange San Francisco - Samsung by any other name on Android. Easy to use, plenty of apps but boy does it eat power. Needs charging every day. Gone are the days when I could leave my phone on in my pocket and still have power over a week later. Major downside IMO. It's charging again now via my usb.

http://shop.orange.c...-orange-in-grey

I suppose I should say "Ee..it's good."

EE by gum lad, you could be right, (sorry about that but, I couldn't resist)

I have checked it out and, it will go in the possible list with the others, now it's all down to the deal I think.

Thanks everyone, for all the help and info.

Edited 27 December, 201213 yr by gadgetman

Orange San Francisco - Samsung by any other name on Android. Easy to use, plenty of apps but boy does it eat power. Needs charging every day. Gone are the days when I could leave my phone on in my pocket and still have power over a week later. Major downside IMO. It's charging again now via my usb.

http://shop.orange.co.uk/mobile-phones/san-francisco-from-orange-in-grey

I suppose I should say "Ee..it's good."

All smart phones do that. If you pare it back to what your old phone did (ie turn off wi fi, 3g, gps, etc etc then if will last longer)

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk 2

I had an orange san Francisco. Very low end, very slow. On the other hand the other phones on your list are overkill. If you go with the Francisco get on the market and download GoLauncher Ex as it seems significantly faster than the stock UI. K9 is possibly the best email app on any android device too. No idea where the Samsung reference came from, its made by ZTE not Samsung. I certainly beat more than a day battery though, I got 3 out of it but didn't use it for music in that time, that was another issue as it didn't seem powerful enough to transition between tracks without a delay I don't get on other more powerful handsets.

Any android handset should hit your feature list. Lower end handsets may seem too slow and clunky in menu's though but then some of the ones you mentioned are high end and you won't be using their full functionality. Something mid range may do the trick nicely.

My current phone is a Nokia lumia 710. You can get one cheap. Camera is only 5mp but the email client works nicely and syncs with most providers. Calendar works well. Browser is amazing for a mobile device. Few games but you said you don't care so much about them. Its also very responsive.

See if you can have a go on an actual handset before buying.

No idea where the Samsung reference came from, its made by ZTE not Samsung. Quite right. Me neither - always thought it was similar to an S2 but clearly not.

Edited 26 December, 201213 yr by Paul007

You have basically a three way choice between Android devices, iPhones and Windows Phones. My suggestion would be to go to CPW or another phone shop and actually try a few, as some people get on better with one operating system than others. Any of the three types will do what you want, and if you want the biggest and best handset they will all cost a similar price to buy and run, and will all have crap battery life compared to a basic phone.

In my experience, none of the android handsets have seemed as well made or had an OS that feels as slick and polished as an iPhone but as I say other people have different opinions. Android is definitely best if you want to tinker and tweak everything (often just because you can) which isn't as easy or possible on an iPhone.

If I was buying a first smartphone now with no history I'd be very tempted by some of the Windows devices - what I've seen of them really impresses me.

Having experience on all 3. iOS and windows phone both "just work". Very slick and easy to use. I prefer the windows is over IOS but that's personal preference, sadly windows lacks the vast range of apps. Android is also excellent but it is indeed a little less user friendly than IOS, but then my sister copes fine with her galaxy s2 she got recently (second hand, hense why not an s3) and she's a buffoon when it comes to tech, also there is the issue of device fragmentation. Most current devices are ARMv7 based CPU's, some older handsets like the aforementioned san Francisco use ARMv6 CPU's, some use x86 CPU's and a few tablets are shipping with MIPS. Among ARMv6 there is then a difference in whether it has a FPU or has to software emulate one. On ARMv7 and x86 it has to cope with differing core counts. Across all CPU types it has differing RAM and clock speeds. End result, not all phones can be guaranteed to have the same performance, some will be clunky, some incredibly smooth.

My Xperia T is working well, and I'm trying to move on my faithful Xperia X10 which served me well for 2 years (my first smartphone)

I'm not an apple fanboi - I have nothing apple in my life and I find android a very easy system to use, especially the latest incarnations as on my "T" - I'm sure its as easy as any IOS, to a familiar person.

I personally went the iPhone route, but suggest you have a play with them all. As said earlier, go with the one you are comfortable with.

Have played briefly with Android devices, I find the iPhone very well made, and so far, unbreakable.

I could not live with a very large screen personally, which rules out the S3 for me. I like the iPhone 5 which I can use one handed.

It is all down to personal preference.

Thank God we are all different :lol:

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My decision to go for the San Fran was it was free with a contract, the rest were silly money.

I agree with Dr Z, try each of the O/S & decide what you prefer, Also as previously stated Android is far more flexible to use & personalise.

Be advised that once you get a smartphone & browse the apps available you will download & utilise the capacity the phone has, I have seen so many people say " oh i am not interested in the apps' but once seen they are hooked.

Also be aware that over 80% of the apps that you will see in the Apple store, will be free on Android. ( its brilliant that iphone users subsidise apps so that the android users can get them for free )

Also I would suggest that you have a good long look at the phones you like see how tactile they are 1st, then see which O/S they are on, as it's no good getting an phone based on an o/s then finding that you really dont actually like the phone.

Yes,I am the same,my trusty 4 year old Nokia 6300 is due for replacement in the next couple of weeks.I am also going for a smart phone and have decided on the Nokia Lumia 610.Do not want anything too sophisticated and there are some cracking deals on O2 at the moment.

Be advised that once you get a smartphone & browse the apps available you will download & utilise the capacity the phone has, I have seen so many people say " oh i am not interested in the apps' but once seen they are hooked.

I'd disagree. I have about 4 non-standard apps installed IIRC: Citrix Receiver, a SSH client, Angry Birds, and bus scout, because I treat my phone like my PC- install the bare minimum I want/need. Makes for a stable phone.

Doesn't sound like you really need a Smartphone.

What about one of the JCB/Sonim tough phones? They're supposedly very good for voice and text and most have built in torches too. Plus unlike a smartphone you won't spend your life charging the bugger up.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0042ORU08/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&smid=A3HAMIP8045H2M

Might be of interest.