best phone for internet usage?

Nivforever · 14 Nov 2009 at 21:20

lost my old phone recently looking for a new one

basically what i need is:

need to be online everywhere, outside of wifi spots
decent sized screen
good browser
decent camera

and the biggest one of all

unlimited net usage, none of this 5gb/m nonesense

i was thinking about the new HTC HD2, do they have a "fair usage" policy for online?

Rroff · 14 Nov 2009 at 21:28

All mobile internet operators will have fair useage policies - most of the "unlimited" ones are 500Mb to 3gig - you'll be lucky to find anything that gives more than 1-2gb a month for reasonable money... vodafone do a tag on 3gb pack for £15/m or 5gb for £25 - otherwise you'd prolly have to go for pay as you go data plans which will set you back a fair bit if your using more than 5gig a month.

The best internet browsing phone bar none is the sony ericsson xperia - but its getting on a bit now and the camera is dire and reception a bit wobbly...

HD2 is pretty decent but the capacitive rather than resistive touchscreen means you can't fully use that screensize and resolution

other than that its prolly perfect for your needs.

Rroff · 14 Nov 2009 at 21:32

TBH you'll struggle to use more than a few hundred MB a month tops on a phone for internet unless your tethering to a laptop - even the few phones that can manage to use the full youtube and iplayer sites aren't really going to be too comfortable for prolonged useage like that.

PermaBanned · 14 Nov 2009 at 21:46

Nokia 5800?

Super Tigers · 14 Nov 2009 at 21:56

T-Mobile Pulse has very good connectivity, HSDPA, GPRS, 3G, and WiFi. Browser is pretty good and probably the best google mail application as well. Good 3.5in touch screen as well, and Android 2.0 update will be released for it as well.

Rob H

PermaBanned · 14 Nov 2009 at 22:03

Thing with the Pulse is it has horrible battery life, especially with the internet running. Don't think it's the best choice really...

Super Tigers · 14 Nov 2009 at 22:20

I have tweaked my Pulse settings, have changed email to check every 30mins for new mail (have four accounts, 2x POP, 2x Imap), 3G preferred, bluetooth off unless needed, wifi off until needed, medium screen brightness. Battery now lasts 24 hrs using those settings, to prolong even longer can select 2G only and it will last 30hrs.

Rob

"andy" · 15 Nov 2009 at 00:38

satio ticks the screen , online anywhere and camera boxes. not sure what browser it uses but i imagine opera is available and should be fine

most the android/winmobile phones have more room for modding but the cameras are always terrible

malef!c · 15 Nov 2009 at 08:00

Not an apple fanboy but the iphone will do you well - I picked up a free PAYG o2 sim that, as long as you cough up 15 quid a month, gives you 'unlimited' web and wifi and a shed load of texts.

Quite good on t'interweb.

Richdog · 15 Nov 2009 at 09:42

Nivforever said:
lost my old phone recently looking for a new one

basically what i need is:

need to be online everywhere, outside of wifi spots
decent sized screen
good browser
decent camera

iPhone, HTC HD2 or Nokia N900 are probably the current champs in that regard. I'd say Motorola Milestone too... but it doesn't look like it's coming to the UK.

and the biggest one of all

unlimited net usage, none of this 5gb/m nonesense

i was thinking about the new HTC HD2, do they have a "fair usage" policy for online?

Well obviously HTC don't provide the internet, that's the mobile network (O2, Orange etc...). O2 is your best bes, their caps are very, very high, I don't know anyone who's been told off yet for over-usage.

Superewza said:
Nokia 5800?

Is that some kind of weird joke? :confused:

Zarf · 15 Nov 2009 at 11:00

You really see yourself using over 5GB / month on your phone?
Unless you're spending over an hour a day on youtube it shouldn't be an issue. I use around 100MB/month.

Personally I've got a 5800 on 3, £20pm with unlimited text, unlimited internet, unlimited same-network, free skype access and 200minutes any network.
Very good value - phone is free on the contract, browsing speeds are good (especially if you download opera mini) and the screen size reasonable enough (360x640, higher than an iphone or hero), Flash and iPlayer support and it's got gps and a reasonable camera with flash. 8GB memory and a 3.5mm audio socket too.

Sure, there are better phones, but you'll be paying almost twice as much on your contract for them and they don't have any massive advantages feature wise apart from app stores.

If you really want the best internet experience at any cost, maybe wait for the Motorolla Droid or Sony Xperia X10 to arrive, they have high res 480x854 screens, which is the most important thing to look for if you want to use the net a lot on your phone.

Christo · 15 Nov 2009 at 11:23

N900 has the best browser - its the most 'PC like' of browers out there. Indeed it has the best camera of these type of 'phones' too. The HTC HD2 is one to consider too, however its camera isnt the best (plus its windows mobile)

See this thread for data plans:
http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18076574

Rroff said:
TBH you'll struggle to use more than a few hundred MB a month tops on a phone for internet unless your tethering to a laptop - even the few phones that can manage to use the full youtube and iplayer sites aren't really going to be too comfortable for prolonged useage like that.

If you use Spotify or a streaming music/video sites/slingbox, perhaps downloading podcasts too you will go up to a 1-2 gigs a month. But yes if you are tethering you'll need a decent data allowance.

ganesh · 15 Nov 2009 at 11:59

Iphone is the best phone i've ever used for browsing, i use it over my girlfriends laptop even. However, the camera is pretty rubbish and the lack of a flash is a major disadvantage.

doublehelix2 · 15 Nov 2009 at 13:09

Zarf said:
You really see yourself using over 5GB / month on your phone?
Unless you're spending over an hour a day on youtube it shouldn't be an issue. I use around 100MB/month.

Personally I've got a 5800 on 3, £20pm with unlimited text, unlimited internet, unlimited same-network, free skype access and 200minutes any network.
Very good value - phone is free on the contract, browsing speeds are good (especially if you download opera mini) and the screen size reasonable enough (360x640, higher than an iphone or hero), Flash and iPlayer support and it's got gps and a reasonable camera with flash. 8GB memory and a 3.5mm audio socket too.

Sure, there are better phones, but you'll be paying almost twice as much on your contract for them and they don't have any massive advantages feature wise apart from app stores.

If you really want the best internet experience at any cost, maybe wait for the Motorolla Droid or Sony Xperia X10 to arrive, they have high res 480x854 screens, which is the most important thing to look for if you want to use the net a lot on your phone.

OOh someone on 3!

How do you find their reception/customer service? I have read some horror stories, but haven't actually spoken to anyone on 3.

Rroff · 15 Nov 2009 at 14:19

I'd forgotten about spotify - as its not available for WM yet

- but even on the PC I don't put more than about 250MB a month traffic through it and I'd imagine on the mobile it would be a lot less.

Seft · 15 Nov 2009 at 18:19

doublehelix2 said:
OOh someone on 3!

How do you find their reception/customer service? I have read some horror stories, but haven't actually spoken to anyone on 3.

Network is pretty good these days (much better than it used to be). They share their 3G network with T Mobile and use Orange for 2G. Ofcom recently rated them #1 for 3G coverage. They are generally the cheapest network.

Downside is poor customer service, although I'm actually of the opinion that most other networks are just as bad. They don't always have the freshest selection of handsets, but I'd certainly suggest giving them a look if they offer what you're looking for.

Ask your friends if they are on Three - you and a friend already on Three get £30 each if you're referred by them.