Getting "serious" now about buying my first smart phone - advice appreciated.

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

We've decided we really must stop procrastinating and do something about getting smart phones. Mrs J is convinced an iphone is what she wants as she is "into" apple stuff with her ipad. Me though, not so sure. I've never touched anything apple and am put off by the high prices. Anyway, all I've ever mucked about with is my windows 10 laptop - and vista before that. So I think an android device might be better for me.

I've been looking around for a few days and the choice is absolutely daunting. I've also been up this morning to the new shopping mall at the top of Leith walk and had a long conversation with a very patient and helpful chap in John Lewis. After looking at a number of options we seem to both be in agreement that a Google Pixel phone would be adequate for my needs. Probably the standard model - rather than the 8 a or 8 plus - because my useage will be light and I have an excellent camera for when I want to take a really high res picture.

I'm unsure what size memory to go with - he thinks the standard 128 GB would be sufficient, but I just don't know.

So, any of you "savvy" folk like to pitch in with advice? maybe there's a better option? Anything anybody would like to contribute would be very much appreciated as I'm completely outside my comfort zone with this.

 

[the green vanper]

Hello,

Google is the most spying of the big tech companies... And I'm not sure if their price level is that much different comparing to Apple with same hardware.

Pixels, Samsungs and iPhones don't make good quality pictures. Their AIs make it look good.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Hello,

Google is the most spying of the big tech companies... And I'm not sure if their price level is that much different comparing to Apple with same hardware.

Pixels, Samsungs and iPhones don't make good quality pictures. Their AIs make it look good.

Thanks very much. I'd love for you to suggest an option for me if you feel you could?

 

[StevenRB45]

Think you may have got wrong end of the Stick with the models Jock Pixel 8a is the lowest end one.

My wife has one it's been fine seem to remember @Cheest has one as well, there's a 9a out shortly so there will be deals to had as well once that is current.

In terms of pictures...I understand what green Vanper is saying in that it takes a picture and then AI is used to improve that picture. It's not as good as the 2500 quid DSLR with a stand alone lens..but unless you're planning on printing them at A3 size for exhibition it's probably good enough.

Spying stuff..well any tech has an element of this. As does driving your car on the road past ANPR cameras...or walking in the town centre using a debit card past security cameras etc etc. Unless you live in a cave and only come out to barter for food someone will know something about you in some capacity...

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Think you may have got wrong end of the Stick with the models Jock Pixel 8a is the lowest end one.

My wife has one it's been fine seem to remember @Cheest has one as well, there's a 9a out shortly so there will be deals to had as well once that is current.

In terms of pictures...I understand what green Vanper is saying in that it takes a picture and then AI is used to improve that picture. It's not as good as the 2500 quid DSLR with a stand alone lens..but unless you're planning on printing them at A3 size for exhibition it's probably good enough.

Spying stuff..well any tech has an element of this. As does driving your car on the road past ANPR cameras...or walking in the town centre using a debit card past security cameras etc etc. Unless you live in a cave and only come out to barter for food someone will know something about you in some capacity...

Thanks Steven, I was hoping you might jump in and offer your help, much appreciated.

I think I'm at the stage where, unless someone can convincingly advise me otherwise, I'm going to get one of these pixel phones. I don't really know what the difference between them is so that's my next step. I'm inclined to buy new but I'm attracted by the savings in buying a refurbished. However I've no idea if that could be a barrel of worms I'm better to stay away from? At least I'm now making some headway with this - Last weekend I hadn't a clue - maybe over the next week or so I'll have decided exactly which model to get. I'll maybe wait until that new model comes out and see how it affects prices? Given that I'm coming from a very simple phone which could do little more than make and receive calls and texts, and I'm unlikely to be a "heavy user" would you care to suggest which of the pixel 8 models might be best for me - Or should I aspire to a more expensive 9 model. Trouble is I just don't know what I'll do with it or even, at this time, how to use it.

 

[StevenRB45]

To be honest with Pixels I don't think getting the latest and greatest is massively relevant.

If you bought an 8a now it's still got 6 years of software updates to go, the 9a will have a fresh 7.

Other than that because they will all be on the same operating system (my 6 is still on the latest operating system) the user experience is very uniform. Later phones get more AI things...but if you aren't using them it doesn't matter.

The one thing to consider is storage size, if you plan to take a lot of video, have music on it and audio books these things can add up. I suspect you'll be fine with a 128gb but if you take lots of high quality video for some reason you can fill it up quick and the storage isn't expandable. You can pay for online storage and clear the stuff off the phone if you want or go for a bigger 256gb out of the gate.

I bought my 6 pro 2 months after the 7 launched it was 400 quid off. So I'd definitely wait for the launch of the 9a just to see what the 8a drops to and if 9 offers anything of value.

Refurb...I dunno depends how cheap it is. Couple of 100 quid might risk it for a biscuit more than that they are 500 new undiscounted and regularly 100 odd quid off so the risk comes with diminishing returns.

 

[irc]

My usual advice to er... more mature relatives has been to buy a refurbished phone with moderate capabilities outright, and get a sim-only rolling monthly plan.
The reasoning is that it's not locking them in to something which they may not get on with or not be "enough of" (either phone or provider) for a comparatively reasonable outlay.
So, something like a refurbished Pixel 7a and a sim-only pack from iDMobile or GiffGaff etc. with a small amount of data would be a fairly reasonable place to start.
If phone doesn't suit, find another and trade it in (or return it if able) and don't lose too much (or any) money.
If carrier is unsuitable, you can throw the sim card after 30 days and plug in a different one.
If you don't transfer your number until you are happy with the new set-up then it all works pretty seamlessly.

 

[StevenRB45]

My usual advice to er... more mature relatives has been to buy a refurbished phone with moderate capabilities outright, and get a sim-only rolling monthly plan.
The reasoning is that it's not locking them in to something which they may not get on with or not be "enough of" (either phone or provider) for a comparatively reasonable outlay.
So, something like a refurbished Pixel 7a and a sim-only pack from iDMobile or GiffGaff etc. with a small amount of data would be a fairly reasonable place to start.
If phone doesn't suit, find another and trade it in (or return it if able) and don't lose too much (or any) money.
If carrier is unsuitable, you can throw the sim card after 30 days and plug in a different one.
If you don't transfer your number until you are happy with the new set-up then it all works pretty seamlessly.

The only thing I'd say is if memory serves Giff Gaff and idMobile don't support WiFi calling.

If you have poor signal in your house (or anywhere with WIFI) it removes the issue by allowing you to make VOIP calls with your mobile.

Tesco does, sure others do but worth checking when picking a network.

Edit..I've been to check this and Giffgaff and idMobile now do support WiFi calling.

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

The only thing I'd say is if memory serves Giff Gaff and idMobile don't support WiFi calling.

If you have poor signal in your house (or anywhere with WIFI) it removes the issue by allowing you to make VOIP calls with your mobile.

Tesco does, sure others do but worth checking when picking a network.

Edit..I've been to check this and Giffgaff and idMobile now do support WiFi calling.

Sorry for the display of ignorance but are you referring to the wifi from my home router here? If so we get a good signal throughout the house. What's a VOIP call? Boy am I going up the learning curve over the last couple of days!

 

[AnthonyH]

Duplicated post

 

[StevenRB45]

Sorry for the display of ignorance but are you referring to the wifi from my home router here? If so we get a good signal throughout the house. What's a VOIP call? Boy am I going up the learning curve over the last couple of days!

If you have WiFi calling you can make a call on your mobile over any WiFi it is connected as long as that router has an internet connection.

Very useful in large buildings with good WiFi but no signal..

Voip is Voice over internet protocol or something similar

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

My usual advice to er... more mature relatives has been to buy a refurbished phone with moderate capabilities outright, and get a sim-only rolling monthly plan.
The reasoning is that it's not locking them in to something which they may not get on with or not be "enough of" (either phone or provider) for a comparatively reasonable outlay.
So, something like a refurbished Pixel 7a and a sim-only pack from iDMobile or GiffGaff etc. with a small amount of data would be a fairly reasonable place to start.
If phone doesn't suit, find another and trade it in (or return it if able) and don't lose too much (or any) money.
If carrier is unsuitable, you can throw the sim card after 30 days and plug in a different one.
If you don't transfer your number until you are happy with the new set-up then it all works pretty seamlessly.

The cheaper prices of a refurb are very attractive but might I run into troubles with degraded batteries etc - don't mind a wee scratch on the case but would prefer a perfect glass. Is there any possibility that a refurb might still have something "nasty" lurking in it's memory - I'm thinking maybe a key stroke logger or other malware?

 

[AnthonyH]

I've never bought a phone and SIM package, they're just bad value.

So I buy a phone outright and a SIM separate. I wouldn't buy apple because they're expensive. I don't think there's much in quality difference paying £250 or £750

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

If you have WiFi calling you can make a call on your mobile over any WiFi it is connected as long as that router has an internet connection.

Very useful in large buildings with good WiFi but no signal..

Voip is Voice over internet protocol or something similar

Thanks. So much to learn

 

[Bonefish Blues]

Pixel 8Pro (if you want a bigger screen) or 8 for something more pocketable will see you right for 4-5 years. Really good build, great phones. And importantly, to me at least, no bloatware to confuse and annoy (I'm looking at you Mr Sam Sung)

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

I've never bought a phone and SIM package, they're just bad value.

So I buy a phone outright and a SIM separate. I wouldn't buy apple because they're expensive. I don't think there's much in quality difference paying £250 or £750

Thanks. My kids are all saying to buy the phone unlocked and then get a sim for it. Mrs J wants an iphone because she's used to her ipad and can't get on with my laptop at all. However I'm very happy to try to get used to an android - which I think will be more like the windows stuff I'm used to?

Edit. because neither of us have smart phones we are looking at buying one each

 

[AnthonyH]

Thanks. My kids are all saying to buy the phone unlocked and then get a sim for it. Mrs J wants an iphone because she's used to her ipad and can't get on with my laptop at all. However I'm very happy to try to get used to an android - which I think will be more like the windows stuff I'm used to?

If you use chrome on a pc it'll be similar to chrome on an android phone.

Your kids are correct, buy the phone unlocked. You'll be happy with anything over £250, once you're used to it.

 

[AnthonyH]

You can then post from your phone to this forum. While sat in a fiat car...

 

[Pugglt Auld Jock]

Pixel 8Pro (if you want a bigger screen) or 8 for something more pocketable will see you right for 4-5 years. Really good build, great phones. And importantly, to me at least, no bloatware to confuse and annoy (I'm looking at you Mr Sam Sung)

The smaller size would appeal to me, maybe cheaper too? The very helpful chap in John Lewis - who spent quite a while with me and wasn't pushy at all - was quite keen on the pixel phones for that reason (ie lack of bloatware) Although he went on to say he has an iphone!

 

[Bonefish Blues]

The Google guaranteed X years updates is valuable. Cheaper phones typically don't get that degree of longevity, and whilst they won't simply stop if they don't get the latest Android version, you also lose security upgrades.