Entry Level Android Phone

[RastaManBob]

Hello,

My partner is looking for her first smartphone and is on a tight budget. The options available to her include:

Samsung Galaxy Ace
Samsung Galaxy Y
Sony Xperia Tipo
LG Optimus L3

I believe she may be able to select one of the other two handsets for £2.50 a month extra:

Sony Xperia Miro
Sony Xperia U

Which of the first group is the best option? And are any from the second group significantly better?

Thanks!

 

[RastaManBob]

This is contract:

24 months
£7.50/month
250 mins
5000 texts
500 MB data

The first set of phones are free. The others are free but at £10.00/month.

Any better deals available?

 

[RastaManBob]

Well called her existing network today to request the PAC and they've given a blinder. Took a bit of negotiating but in the end I managed:

24 Months
£7.53/month
600 Mins
3000 Texts
Unlimited Data (1GB Fair Usage)
Free HTC Desire X

Considering we were very happy with the tarrif in the OP I'm really chuffed with what she has ended up with. So for 3p more per month she'll got more than double the minutes, still more texts than she requires, double the data (and no charge for going over the FUP) and a much better the phone. It seems the Desire X has only just come out and is much better than the Galaxy Ace (It has a 1 GHz dual core, 768 MB RAM, 4" screen at 800x480 and Android 4.0 ICS). Considering she's coming off of an ancient 300 Mins, 300 Texts, no data at £11.00/month plan it really is some improvement!

Yes, I am pleased!

Unfortunately it makes my plan look terrible - I'm struggling to get anything out of T-Mobile and with no loyalty elsewhere I'm not getting anywhere near to such a deal myself.

 

[RastaManBob]

It's not the One X. It's an average specced dual core and 768mb of RAM. Decent but not brilliant.

Yep but better than the list she previously had to select from and much newer (released this month). Just found out she can apply for 15% NUS discount, too, bringing the contract down to £6.40. I'm trying to find a similar deal for myself but without loyalty (well, lots at T-Mobile but it seems worthless) it's going to cost me ~2x without any free phone. Bah!