New pair of phones for the parents...

FluffySheep · 2024-12-25T19:38:10+0000

Hi all

I'm on the lookout for ideas. My parents are tech-OK but in need of a pair of new phones. Ideally I'm after an apple if possible as the are used to my mum's iPad. They will be using to them very little, so ideally low monthly fee, but also PAYG might be an issue as they will forget to top up enough and get cancelled. What can you magicians come up with?

Thanks in advance
FluffySheep

LiE · 2024-12-25T20:59:12+0000

Buying the phone outright or on a contract?

iPhone SE 2022 is a good starting point.

FluffySheep · 2024-12-25T21:06:04+0000

LiE said:
Buying the phone outright or on a contract?

iPhone SE 2022 is a good starting point.

Open to all ideas... Currently got the internet through EE but I'm open to networks and the works

FluffySheep

leezer3 · 2024-12-26T08:09:59+0000

For mega cheap to go with sim-free you'd have to go for one of the MVNOs.
It then depends on who you want for underlying signal.

Lebara is a good shout for this, as they've got plenty of recurring monthly plans well under £10- Vodafone backend.
GiffGaff or Tesco if you want O2.
Not sure off the top of my head there's one I'd actually trust on EE; there's 1p Mobile and RWG, but i wouldn't touch either of them.

david25 · 2024-12-26T09:53:14+0000

Find a deal on the SE 2022? Its EOL because of no USB-C port

Or take a chance with giffgaff refurbs

Grab Refurbished iPhone 13 & Google Pixel 8 at Bargain Prices at giffgaff | hotukdeals

www.hotukdeals.com

LiE · 2024-12-26T10:10:34+0000

FluffySheep said:
Open to all ideas... Currently got the internet through EE but I'm open to networks and the works

FluffySheep

It almost always works out cheaper to buy the handset outright then you can pick a cheap SIM only plan. Mine for example is £8/month from O2.

However the iPhone SE 2022 isn't worth the new price so I'd be looking for refrubs with 100% battery e.g. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/355864438202?var=624927647540

Small saving buying 2.

leezer3 · 2024-12-26T11:01:49+0000

Frankly, for non tech-savvy parents, I'd not be looking at random 'refurbs' on eBay.
These have got a place, but this absolutely isn't it....

LiE · 2024-12-26T11:09:28+0000

leezer3 said:
Frankly, for non tech-savvy parents, I'd not be looking at random 'refurbs' on eBay.
These have got a place, but this absolutely isn't it....

Depends, both my in-laws in there 70s have refurbs I've purchased for them on eBay. No issues, as long as you buy from a good seller. The ones I linked have 34 feedback on that specific item, all positive.

No way I'd drop £429 on a new iPhone SE 3rd gen.

julianhj · 2024-12-26T11:41:29+0000

There's a new iPhone SE coming soon, possibly March: https://www.macrumors.com/roundup/iphone-se/

I've bought 2nd and 3rd generation SEs for my parents and they've been ideal.

eldergeek · 2024-12-26T11:42:15+0000

leezer3 said:
Frankly, for non tech-savvy parents, I'd not be looking at random 'refurbs' on eBay.
These have got a place, but this absolutely isn't it....

What's your objection to refurbs from a reputable business?

david25 · 2024-12-26T12:04:13+0000

here you go,Cheapest Electrical on ebay, get an open box one for £280

iPhone for sale | eBay

Find great deals on eBay for iPhone. Shop with confidence.

www.ebay.co.uk

I've used them in the past and yes, it was a perfect condition open box phone

leezer3 · 2024-12-26T12:04:40+0000

There's a world of difference between one refurb and another.

They range from wiped clean (literally in some cases) to parts actually being replaced.
Any 'random' refurbs are highly likely to be using non-Apple parts, and the quality in many of these leaves a lot to be desired.
The warranty on most refurbs is pretty near worthless after a couple of months too.

It's fine for someone who understands the risks and can troubleshoot them, but not for something you're planning to pass on....

Edit:
For example, the seller linked immediately above is selling customer returns.
Nothing inherantly wrong with that, but as the negative feedback shows (look at it....) they clearly do the minimum of checking before punting them straight back out the door.

The seller linked above my last post is a minor business. His negative feedback shows that he's replacing components with non-genuine ones and re-selling.

There's nothing inherantly wrong with either model, but neither is one I'd try passing on to elderly parents.

LiE · 2024-12-26T12:08:08+0000

leezer3 said:
There's a world of difference between one refurb and another.

They range from wiped clean (literally in some cases) to parts actually being replaced.
Any 'random' refurbs are highly likely to be using non-Apple parts, and the quality in many of these leaves a lot to be desired.
The warranty on most refurbs is pretty near worthless after a couple of months too.

It's fine for someone who understands the risks and can troubleshoot them, but not for something you're planning to pass on....

Luckily the OP is doing the research and buying here not his parents.

FluffySheep · 2024-12-26T21:04:51+0000

LiE said:
Luckily the OP is doing the research and buying here not his parents.

Still looking. I'm only 10 minutes up the road if they do have issues, but trying to keep on the front foot of any issues. My dad's face screwed up at the thought of the upfront cost, but I'll work on him and see where we get.

Keep the ideas and advice coming...
FluffySheep