Re: Mobile Phones : Thu Aug 19, 2010 10:06 am  

Coming up to the end of my contract with T-Mobile and been checking out some new phones, Iphone costs a fortune and by the looks of it it isn't something you can't get with any other Smartphone. Checked out the Galaxy S and Wave yesterday and the Galaxy S in particular looked amazing, ability to use it as a wireless router is a major bonus since our internet keeps going down but feel that would take me close to my downloads limit (even on unlimited internet with the darned "acceptable usage policy").

Currently with T-Mobile but want to change since I can hardly ever get coverage in my flat (side of the building, ground floorish) and have to go outside to make most of my calls - great in the summer but a pain in the winter. Have a Nokia 5800 at the min which isn't bad, like the touchscreen aspect of it but the rest of it is a pain, the games are rubbish and the only "app" as they call it that I use at the min bar the obvious ones (camera, radio etc.) is the maps feature which has prove invaluable.

Mainly use it for internet and phone calls - have another phone also as I call/txt Ireland and France a lot and it works out cheaper with a pay as you go phone and International calls/txts aren't included in packages and seem to be charged at an extortionate rate on pay monthly.

Anyone say anything to put me off the Galaxy S/Wave or point me towards one or the other?

Thank You

Martin

Re: Mobile Phones : Thu Aug 19, 2010 10:11 am  

Carneys Pint wrote:

Mainly use it for internet and phone calls - have another phone also as I call/txt Ireland and France a lot and it works out cheaper with a pay as you go phone and International calls/txts aren't included in packages and seem to be charged at an extortionate rate on pay monthly.

So thats where you get your tips from

[DaveO]

Re: Mobile Phones : Thu Aug 19, 2010 11:37 am  

What are peoples opinions on the 3 network as a provider and for coverage? Have been with Virgin PAYG for ages which runs on the back of T-Mobile and the coverage is not good enough in that none of us in the house (all using different types of phone) can get a reliable signal downstairs. Virgin/T-Mobile rate the coverage as "good" as opposed to excellent so perhaps not surprising.

3 have better deals than networks like 02 but as I am going from PAYG to a contract I don't want to sign up and be in the same situation for two years.

Location is the south side of Chester (CH4 post code area) so if anyone has any experience of the 3 network in this area I'd be interested.

Dave

Re: Mobile Phones : Thu Aug 19, 2010 12:00 pm  

DaveO wrote:

What are peoples opinions on the 3 network as a provider and for coverage? Have been with Virgin PAYG for ages which runs on the back of T-Mobile and the coverage is not good enough in that none of us in the house (all using different types of phone) can get a reliable signal downstairs. Virgin/T-Mobile rate the coverage as "good" as opposed to excellent so perhaps not surprising.

3 have better deals than networks like 02 but as I am going from PAYG to a contract I don't want to sign up and be in the same situation for two years.

Location is the south side of Chester (CH4 post code area) so if anyone has any experience of the 3 network in this area I'd be interested.

Dave

I was on 3 for about 3 years. Their coverage, data network and content are all dramatically better than O2 which I'm on now with work. O2 is just rubbish, there is nothing else to say about it.

For me it's one of those situations where initial reputations linger on as rumour and myth. O2 big and strong as a brand but their service is terrible. 3 probably had problems with it's coverage when first launches years and years ago but have since spent a fortune on improving their coverage. I used my 3 phone across the country from Aberdeen to Cornwall and from Essex to Cardiff. The only place I found where I couldn't get a signal quality capable of browsing the internet was on a remote hill in Cumbria. The contrast with O2 is dramatic as I can't get a signal at all in work, can't get GPRS at all at home (In deepest, darkest Warrington) or a reliable GPRS signal in Aberdeen or in our office around the Thames Estuary.

[DaveO]

Re: Mobile Phones : Thu Aug 19, 2010 1:37 pm  

Saddened! wrote:

I was on 3 for about 3 years. Their coverage, data network and content are all dramatically better than O2 which I'm on now with work. O2 is just rubbish, there is nothing else to say about it.

For me it's one of those situations where initial reputations linger on as rumour and myth. O2 big and strong as a brand but their service is terrible. 3 probably had problems with it's coverage when first launches years and years ago but have since spent a fortune on improving their coverage. I used my 3 phone across the country from Aberdeen to Cornwall and from Essex to Cardiff. The only place I found where I couldn't get a signal quality capable of browsing the internet was on a remote hill in Cumbria. The contrast with O2 is dramatic as I can't get a signal at all in work, can't get GPRS at all at home (In deepest, darkest Warrington) or a reliable GPRS signal in Aberdeen or in our office around the Thames Estuary.

Thanks for the info. I kind of assumed O2 was the de-facto "get coverage everywhere" network along with Vodaphone.

Dave

Re: Mobile Phones : Thu Aug 19, 2010 10:33 pm  

Cronus wrote:

:D Got my Desire today - awesome piece of kit. Was a toss-up between that and the Samsung but the Galaxy S is huge, doesn't have a flash and is an iPhone lookalike. The Desire is fantastic, been setting it up and fiddling with it all day, downloaded the quite large Android 2.2 (flash player) update and several useful little apps - including something like 3G Watchdog, and I've barely touched 55MB of my 500MB limit. Won't be downloading anywhere near as much from now on.

One useful little gadget is a Swype-like application called SlideIT, it's free from the Android Marketplace and does the same job as the superb Swype does on the Galaxy S. Highly recommended.

I got my Desire - a fantastic piece of kit.

One thing, what has your 3G been like? At times mine has said "turning on" and never actually got any 3G whereas others its fine.

[DaveO]

Re: Mobile Phones : Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:04 am  

The Leyther wrote:

I got my Desire - a fantastic piece of kit.

One thing, what has your 3G been like? At times mine has said "turning on" and never actually got any 3G whereas others its fine.

What is the battery life like? I have been reading virtually all Android based phones are very heavy on the battery and need to be charged daily.

Dave

Re: Mobile Phones : Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:12 am  

They do need charging everyday, but thats the nature of the smartphone beasts nowadays.

Re: Mobile Phones : Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:34 am  

I got an iphone4 a month ago

love it

Re: Mobile Phones : Fri Aug 20, 2010 10:52 am  

The Leyther wrote:

I got my Desire - a fantastic piece of kit.

One thing, what has your 3G been like? At times mine has said "turning on" and never actually got any 3G whereas others its fine.

Yeah mine was bit funny like that. Took a few goes to get the 'Mobile Network' setting fired up, not sure what sorted it but it's fine now. Switching off and rebooting might have done it.

DaveO wrote:

What is the battery life like? I have been reading virtually all Android based phones are very heavy on the battery and need to be charged daily.

Dave

As Saint Viper said, they're heavy on batteries (I believe the Galaxy S is the same) - partly due to the very bright displays, but running a 1GHz processor as well. Apparently if you run the battery right down before charging, performance improves a little. I'm charging every 1.5 - 2 days, though heavy use does require charging every day.