new smartphone..s4 eg..would I regret?

CD32

CD32

CD32

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I've never owned nor looked at a smartphone except via net reviews etc. I own a basic "normal" phone which I spend about £10 every two months via payg. (I'm a pc/games/net freak but phones have never interested me & only get used when I need to use em or be contacted)

Anyway I've been comparing/looking things up & was swayed into the idea of getting a galaxy s4. ..sim free.... I was thinking of a sim monthly deal with unlimited net access via three..(current ee 4g don't seem to have unlimited net..or at least for the same price)

The idea of owning a smartphone was to have one with fast net access..(I know it's coverage dependant) so I can watch tv on it wherever I am (I spend a lot of time in a truck unit waiting to be loaded..& being a sky customer can get skygo?)

Also apart from the net it may be great for games? Maybe better than psp??? (I dunno..seems better specs/screenwise)

Can't think of any other reason as to what benefit a galaxy s4 would be to me apart from the obvious phonecalls. (music...got my radio(with traffic updates) /cd..better cab speakers)

After initial cost don't seem a bad deal from £12 odd a month for unlimited net & enough call/text allowance for what I'd use it for. (don't want to be tied in to 2 year contract to have a network locked phone at the end)

Just can't seem to part with £500+ quid in case I end up with just a massive brick in my pocket (that puts me off) that might only get used for calls in the end? Or maybe I'm missing out on something not experienced yet...Think I'd regret/won't regret a purchase? Been in the same boat & made the jump? Yeah I'm trying to let everyone else make my mind up for me :) (still might wait a while for possible price drop given newer galaxies are apparently round the corner..but then I'd probably want the newer versions instead :\ )

I know there are cheaper alternatives but for the reasons I'd want one..screen size/quality would seem to go hand in hand.

btw..buying sim free...does this get permenantly locked into a network the moment you put the networks sim in?

Cheers..Andy.
 
Take a look at the HTC One, the dual speakers and car mount accessory will be far more handy if you want to watch TV on it.

Games are much better than the PSP, infact you can get console emulators on it, and they usually require 3 times the power over the original console to emulate properly.

You should also take a look at GiffGaff, they have great prices on data: http://giffgaff.com/index/offer

And the phone will stay unlocked even at the moment you place a SIM card in. It will never be locked.
 
Cheers Orcvader. Just had a look at Giffgaff. Seems good prices but don't know what speed the net is? initially thought of three for their 3g as it apparently is faster than standard 3g network & they will have 4g soon? Not experienced any phone network speed I have to say tho. Glad to know the phone will stay unlocked..(& it's better than the psp..that alone is tempting :) )

Did look at the HTC one but don't know if I'd prefer larger screen over dual speakers/car mount (car mount would be useful tho). Something to consider tho. Cheers again.
 
Keep the Nexus 4 in mind, as someone who hasn't looked at a smartphone yet it will blow your mind for £250/290 then stick a 3 sim in and sit back and watch sky go and use sky+ to interact with your box at home.

There are rumours that the N4 might get an upgrade soon which would obvs make it even better for you, defo recommend a smartphone though web, sport, TV, movies all v v easy just point n press.

IMHO 3 has the best data speed and usage policies will suit you down to the ground
 
Comparing the One's 4.7" and the S4's 5", it's not really a significant difference in size.

To be honest, I prefer the colours on the One more, they feel more accurate on compared to the S4.

Speed wise I'm not really sure, it will vary greatly on your location. And considering your job it seems you'll be moving around the country a lot too. So maybe check to see which network has better coverage? GiffGaff uses O2's network, if you want to check.
 
S4 colours on normal mode are hardly any different than on the One.

It's perfect on the S4 imo, just the right amount of colour saturation, and a massive improvement over the colours on the S3.

5 screen modes - take your pick.
 
I'd honestly go for the Nexus 4. As said, that with a Three sim will really show you what a smartphone can do for a very reasonable price. If you were looking to get a more expensive phone (which I and many others on this forum love), go for the HTC One.
 
tnx for the replies/suggestions everyone. HTC one was an option, & the Nexus 4 is seriously cheap (but lacks 4g). In the end I stayed with the Galaxy s4. Reason swaying me was the removable battery. (Yeah I must be one of a handful of people that keeps a phone 4ever & do actually end up replacing batteries before phone falls apart.)

Saw the carphone warehouse deal posted on the s4 thread for three. one off at £99 & 24 months at £26. (also did it thru quidco) A sim only plan with three with unlimited net works out from £13 a month..therefore take that off the £26 which makes the cost of phone also being £13 over 24 months, add the £99...practical cost of phone works out at £411..Unless I've got my calculations wrong that's a good deal! (plus whatever knocked off thru quidco if it goes thru)

Thanks again folks....now I'll be able to watch Eastenders/Corrie & come home & deny I ever watch that crap...(oooh..Jermy Kyle......nah....)
 
Don't know anything about a bt speaker....was too busy weighing up overall cost vs separate phone cost/sim deal. Will let U know if I get one. BUT....OMG it's being delivered via YODEL...hope I get it b4 it's outdated!

Edit....Only recently ordered online BTW to be delivered..not actually picked up from a store.
 
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thep02 said:
@Cd32 it s a great deal almost tempted me, did you get the free bt speaker with it?
Click to expand...

It's in transit with Yodel atm but looking at Carphone's webby looks like that speaker offer is only for the more expensive contracts.

Cheers Mame but had already ordered an s4 (right b4 lixxus posted clouds of doom) I've heard of the issues lixxus....hope there's been revisions since...either way you can google "htc one issues" etc etc & you still seem to find probs with other phones so I could be fretting regardless of phone make...can only keep fingers crossed.
 
So did I make the right choice in buying a smartphone..(galaxy s4). Too right!

There's no issues with build quality nor does the sound distort at 11. Crashes...well not had the phone long enough to say but all been running fine except when downloading/installing hot pursuit. Ran ok but froze the phone when trying to exit race. That's about it really.

Never realised how fantastic this technology is & tbh I keep forgetting it's also a phone! & at £26 a month with all you can eat data it's a steal. I'll have to admit tho that I spent my first day in cab at 5.30am watching deal or no deal via skygo. That's probably as bad as my wife sitting at my pc just to play minesweeper. :\ Played back the demo vid that came with the phone..(hd) & all I could think is "wow!" Amazing screen. Took me a while to get round the phone but that was part of the fun.

Love the screen, love the fact I can change batteries when the need arises..& can also insert sim card. Wish it had the front speakers like the htc one but there's always the headphones. (I think whichever phone I ended up with I'd have been happy)

Don't know how I ever carried on with life without one! Cheers for the input guys.
 
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