which network, where to buy and all the rest

[jaybo1973]

Hi guys

Bare with me, I am a complete newbie to contract phones, smart phones and the rest. Been a mobile user for years but on PAYG and then on tesco mobile monthly contract.

First things first. I really want this phone but where do i get it from? There are loads of these web only companies such as buy mobile phones online and e2save. Great deals but I have heard loads of bad reports about them. I have seen a half decent deal on the orange website though, not as good ( be about 60 quid worse off over 2 years) but I would feel safer with them.

Thats the next thing though, which network? If I buy directly from a provider, orange has the best deal for me, but are they the best? Coverage is fine here, its more the orange software. My experience of orange is built in software that you cant remove and there name splashed all over the homescreen. I want my phone to be just android when I get it, I will choose the apps, dont want the orange stuff! Will google maps and gps work ok from orange? as they offer there own 'pay' service.

Anyway im ranting

Thanks guys

Jay

 

[philarmer]

If you get a handset direct from Orange it will be full of bloatware. O2 dont really do much to there phones & neither do Vodafone (since everyone kicked off ). CPW only sell unbranded phones but tend to be a little more expensive.

If you are confident and can follow instruction you can get a handset from any network you like then just flash with a generic ROM

 

[jaybo1973]

Yeah CPW are more pricey. I bet those online stores are unbranded too but as i said, not too sure about them.

How bad is the orange 'bloatware'?

 

[philarmer]

I'm not sure, I know a lot of people complain of it on these boards, especially as they disable Google Talk & replace it with there own version.

 

[oOoMAJESTICoOo]

ive had mine a month, was looking on all the tariff sites (orange, voda etc) but CPW was the best deal i could find, was a bonus that it was unbranded aswell as i didnt really think about it.

 

[jaybo1973]

I'm not sure, I know a lot of people complain of it on these boards, especially as they disable Google Talk & replace it with there own version.

This is just the kind of thing I feared/expected from Orange. I used to have a Orange Nokia that ran symbian 60. They had all their add ons on their too. A built in home screen that you couldnt get rid off unless you used the homescreen killer app which only hid it.

Ill wait and see if I get any feedback from orange users before I buy.

Do iphone uses have this problem?

Thanks

 

[jaybo1973]

Hi again

Anyone else got any views on the following sites:

buymobilephones.net
e2save.com

or the software that comes on the orange phone. I am keen to get my desire asap

Cheers

 

[anoniemouse]

Hi again

Anyone else got any views on the following sites:

buymobilephones.net
e2save.com

or the software that comes on the orange phone. I am keen to get my desire asap

Cheers

I have heard mobiles.co.uk do the phones unbranded like cpw,
they also have a good deal on the phone on orange at the present.

 

[jim_h]

3UK brand all their phones too, but not to the extent Orange do from what I can gather. I don't think the 3UK branding is too intrusive. They have a 3 logo on startup, a link to My3 (website) on the home screen (which you can delete anyway) and it's obviously set to connect automatically to their network services. Other than that, I can't really think of anything blatant that's branded about my Desire.

For what it's worth, 3UK have always been reasonably competitive for me and I've never had any major issues with their network, services or tariffs. Unlike some people, I seem to have been lucky enough so far to have had nothing but good results whenever I've contacted their customer service team too. Fingers crossed this continues!

 

[mercurystar999]

Another very happy 3 customer here. Can't say i've seen anything on the phone that can't be deleted. Skype is also available on three so thats a positive. My contract is about the cheapest i know of too for the handset.

I get 300 cross minutes, unlimited 3 to 3 calls, unlimited landline, unlimited text, unlimited internet of 2GB. 18 month contract to and all for

 

[jaybo1973]

Another very happy 3 customer here. Can't say i've seen anything on the phone that can't be deleted. Skype is also available on three so thats a positive. My contract is about the cheapest i know of too for the handset.

I get 300 cross minutes, unlimited 3 to 3 calls, unlimited landline, unlimited text, unlimited internet of 2GB. 18 month contract to and all for

 

[jaybo1973]

Another very happy 3 customer here. Can't say i've seen anything on the phone that can't be deleted. Skype is also available on three so thats a positive. My contract is about the cheapest i know of too for the handset.

I get 300 cross minutes, unlimited 3 to 3 calls, unlimited landline, unlimited text, unlimited internet of 2GB. 18 month contract to and all for

 

[jim_h]

That sounds like a top deal. Nothing like that on 3 now, cheapest is

 

[jaybo1973]

Don't take what's on their site as the only deals on offer. I have never had a standard deal with 3UK in the 4yrs or so I've been on contract with them.

Ring them up, tell them exactly what deal you want (be prepared to tell them specifically) and what mobile or choice of one or two mobiles you are after and then let them decide whether they can do a deal. If they dig their heels in on some aspect of what you want, be a bit flexible and compromise. Chances are, you'll come away with something good. It's always worked for me and I've got decent deals for a few family members this way too.

Just do your homework and decide what the minimum number of minutes, texts, data etc. you'd be happy with. What's the max price you're prepared to pay for x, y or z mobile and negotiate. Use this as the basis for the minimum deal you'd accept. Up the ante too. If you want a minimum of 500 minutes, tell them you want 1000 and you've got somewhere to move to if they won't budge. Be very polite, but firm with them. They want your business, so you're the one in the strong position.

If you don't get anywhere with them on the phone. Say thanks and leave it there. Ring back a few hours later or the next day and try the same thing with someone else. You'd be surprised how flexible they can be if they are in danger of missing a sale.

Phew, I do go on a bit, but this has all worked for me a number of times!!!!

Hi

I have already rang 3 and tried this tactic and they would not budge, they would only offer the wildfire on the sort of tariff I am looking for. I found this odd as usually companies try and offer deals if you go for the walk away approach. I have also printed the deals from those 2 websites and physically walked round every phone shop in town and none of them could match it. phones4 you rang there web matching team who turned me down too. It seems that none of em want to budge. As stated, Orange offer the widest range of deals from

 

[jim_h]

Hi jaybo1973,

Are you asking for the one you mention in the post above with 300 mins? I'm quite surprised they won't do a deal, even with the Desire. As it's 2yrs and you're paying for the handset too, I would have thought they'd be up for it. I'm not familiar with their internal policies, but part of me wonders if it's because you're not an existing customer with them.

The Wildfire is a good phone from what I've read, but if you've set your heart on the Desire, it's not going to be the same.

I'd persevere and try ringing a few more times. It still might not work, but you've got nothing to lose by making a nuisance of yourself with them.

All the best,
Jim

 

[jaybo1973]

Hi jaybo1973,

Are you asking for the one you mention in the post above with 300 mins? I'm quite surprised they won't do a deal, even with the Desire. As it's 2yrs and you're paying for the handset too, I would have thought they'd be up for it. I'm not familiar with their internal policies, but part of me wonders if it's because you're not an existing customer with them.

The Wildfire is a good phone from what I've read, but if you've set your heart on the Desire, it's not going to be the same.

I'd persevere and try ringing a few more times. It still might not work, but you've got nothing to lose by making a nuisance of yourself with them.

All the best,
Jim

Hi Jim

I have found a 3 deal on CPW online :

300mins, unlimited texts, unlimited internet.

 

[jim_h]

Hi jaybo1973,

I just want you to join the happy Desire Owners family lol!

A sim free desire is still around

 

[jaybo1973]

Yep, it sounds like the dogs do-dars

Its time I had a decent phone, always gone for PAYG and cheaper 1 month contracts.

Phones have now evolved to a point where I am starting to take an interest. GPs will be very handy for my walking (although i bet i not get a signal in the mountains) and sat nav, we were going to buy one. Can you plug it into the car so not to use the battery?

I can see the PSP taking a leave of absence

Thanks again.

I can see this forum being very handy once i get my desire

 

[jim_h]

You can get a cable that plugs into any lighter socket in the car which will power and charge the Desire. That's what I use when I've got the sat nav running.

If you're into walking...I'm also looking at buying a Pebble. In case you've not heard of them, it's a small box containing a battery that apparently will charge your mobile up to 2.5 times when you can't get to a proper power source. They get good reviews on Amazon.

 

[jaybo1973]

You can get a cable that plugs into any lighter socket in the car which will power and charge the Desire. That's what I use when I've got the sat nav running.

If you're into walking...I'm also looking at buying a Pebble. In case you've not heard of them, it's a small box containing a battery that apparently will charge your mobile up to 2.5 times when you can't get to a proper power source. They get good reviews on Amazon.

Thats great news. I know google maps will be on the phone but they do not have OS info on. Can you get access to OS maps through any other apps/sites?

 

[jim_h]

Thats great news. I know google maps will be on the phone but they do not have OS info on. Can you get access to OS maps through any other apps/sites?

Hmm, not that I'm aware of. Good question though! It would be great if you could. I'll have to do some noseying online.

I rarely use the OS maps built into my GPS unit, so it's not an issue for me. Geocaching is about the only thing I do these days that I might need maps for, but even then it generally doesn't require any detailed maps to OS level.

 

[willis]

Whoah! No disrespect to Jim but i'd be wary of the expectations in case you start to cloud your debit account.
No doubt the Desire is an awesome device but there is absolutely no way it can replace the capabilty of your PSP, an

 

[jaybo1973]

Whoah! No disrespect to Jim but i'd be wary of the expectations in case you start to cloud your debit account.
No doubt the Desire is an awesome device but there is absolutely no way it can replace the capabilty of your PSP, an

 

[jim_h]

Willis,

All I can talk about is my own experience.

I wouldn't swap my camera for the one on the Desire as there's no comparison. Yet, all the other things stand - for me. As you said though, this may not work for everyone.

I don't have a PSP, so can't comment on that, but I do have an NDS and the quality of graphics is definitely comparable. The Desire has a higher res and can run games pretty well.

My Sony Walkman does sound great, but so does the Desire when playing tunes through earbuds. If I had a

 

[willis]

Nothing to clear up my friend. In no way did i interpret your post as fanboyism. Both agreed its down to personal usage.
Competent as it is, unfortunately the Desire screen size and sound quality isn't enough for me to list my sat nav and mp3 player on ebay just yet.
Also, tell me you're not going to miss Brain Training