New phone or plan or something

[familychoice]

My trusty iPhone 3GS 18 month contract is up this month, so I have to decide whether to keep the phone on a monthly/ payg sim contract thing, to treat myself to a 4s upgrade, or go android.

If the phone was still working perfectly then it'd be an easy decision, I'd stick with it and get a sim deal. However the home button's been pretty ropey recently and is getting worse, and the apple store reckon it'll stop working completely eventually which would cost £70 to fix.

I've been very happy with the phone and fancy a new one with higher res camera/video, but not impressed with the hardware reliability so would maybe consider an android replacement, particularly if there's some good deals about.

What would you do - any recommendations? I guess I could go for a sim for now, until it packs up
completely and upgrade then. I like new things though so any suggestions welcome.

Web/email is essential, but as I've got the iPad decent apps aren't a deal breaker. As long as I've got scrabble, hipstamatic and a decent camera/video.

[Mr Anderson]

If Hipstamatic is a requirement then that would rule Android out for the time being as Synthetic have said several times that there are no plans for an Android version (the last time was 3 months ago). They've also used the N word when asked about Linux based Samsung phones.

[familychoice]

If Hipstamatic is a requirement then that would rule Android out for the time being as Synthetic have said several times that there are no plans for an Android version (the last time was 3 months ago). They've also used the N word when asked about Linux based Samsung phones.

Hmmm....that's a shame, about 75% of the photos I take are via hipstamatic - a year and a half on and I still get excited by the results. I'd miss the Apple sound quality as well. Can't really afford a new Apple so it's probably going to be a button fix and a payg sim job.

[Shirker]

If hardware failure is your concern than iPhone's a safer bet then Android, by a very long way for some Android phones.

http://techcrunch.com/2011/07/26/androids-dirty-secret-shipping-numbers-are-strong-but-returns-are-30-40/

[keri]

I have a dodgy home button on my iphone 4, apparently it is dirt behind the button, a visit to the genius bar and some alcohol wipes does make it a little better but it is annoying.
For a replacement iphone 4 is £120 which isn't bad and will allow me to last out my contract, i'm not sure if i'm going to bother replacing it, but if it gets worse i think i'll bite the bullet, i should be able to get the money back by selling the phone at the end anyway.
For a 3GS the lovely people at mazuma will give you 100quid for your old phone.

If you have IOS5 on your phone you can have the software equivalent of the home button on the screen, the apple guy turned it on for me, apparently most people don't get along with it but i'm finding it ok. My biggest use for it is the double tap to get the running programs open as my physical home button struggles with it.

To turn it on Settings > General > Accessibility > Assistive Touch and turn on Assistive Touch

It looks like this:


and open


and you can drag it about the screen to get it out of the way, and if the keyboard pops up it tries to get out of the way for you.

It does offer some other features but i've not bothered with them.

[Steve Lampkins]

Shame that the 4-5 finger gestures don't work on iPhone. I barely use my iPad home button any more. Pinch with your whole hand to close, swipe up with four fingers to show task bar, swipe left or right with four fingers to switch between recent apps.

[suedenem]

If hardware failure is your concern than iPhone's a safer bet then Android, by a very long way for some Android phones.

http://techcrunch.com/2011/07/26/androids-dirty-secret-shipping-numbers-are-strong-but-returns-are-30-40/

Hmm.  I'd be more interested in comparing return rates of the iPhone against similarly high-spec Android phones such as the Samsung Galaxy SII; iPhone vs all Android phones - given that Android is an open source OS that could theoretically be installed on almost any bit of kit - isn't a fair comparison.

And if I were basing buying decisions upon return rates, I'd be looking for something a bit more substantive than an anecdotal "on the ground" view from an anonymous "person familiar with handset sales for multiple manufacturers".

[Matt]

Ive been impressed that an iphone 4s on a new contract from three is as cheap as £99

Thats Jades XMas present sorted

[Tony]

If hardware failure is your concern than iPhone's a safer bet then Android, by a very long way for some Android phones.

http://techcrunch.com/2011/07/26/androids-dirty-secret-shipping-numbers-are-strong-but-returns-are-30-40/

I would think that a man of your intellect wouldn't take a crap article like that as serious - would you?

FC - get whatever you want and can afford, they are all pretty much the same at the higher end - of course if you want something cheaper then you're choices are limited.

[familychoice]

Thanks for the replies everyone, and thanks for the OS5 info Keri

The 'soft' home button would certainly solve the hardware issue, I've been holding off from updating the OS though as there seems to be a lot of complaints with performance after upgrading. Lots of users don't have any problems, but there seems to be just as many reports of crashes and sluggish performance. Knowing my luck....

I guess it's all academic anyway though until I visit Orange and see what they can offer. Some of the sim deals are quite expensive, so it might be a relatively small step up to getting a brand new phone deal instead, especially if I can get £100 for my current phone.

If not then I'll hang on to this one until the button gives out and then try the OS update, maybe that'll extend it's life a bit.

[keri]

Personally i've not had any problems with the iOS upgrade but some have, i'd probably wait until 5.1 comes out as that has a fix that sorts out the battery life issues that some have had

[sickpuppy]

There are plenty of Hipstamatic-a-likes on Android if it's a deal breaker. I'd say if you were happy with your iPhone you might as well get a newer one. I'd rather Android but frankly there isn't much difference of note and you'd have a smoother upgrade path.

[familychoice]

Personally i've not had any problems with the iOS upgrade but some have, i'd probably wait until 5.1 comes out as that has a fix that sorts out the battery life issues that some have had

Most of the issues seem to be with the 3gs/3g. Are you using a 3gs, I thought you were on a 4?

There are plenty of Hipstamatic-a-likes on Android if it's a deal breaker. I'd say if you were happy with your iPhone you might as well get a newer one. I'd rather Android but frankly there isn't much difference of note and you'd have a smoother upgrade path.

The decision for me will be whichever's the best value for money. If I can find a cheap PAYG orange sim only deal (struggling to make sense of their Racoon's and Camels at the moment...) and the button lasts out then that'll do me for a while. When the button stops working I'll try the OS upgrade and if that does the trick keep it going a bit longer.

It might be that the super efficient sales team at Orange in Hereford will lure me into another 18 month contract with an impossible to decline iphone upgrade or free Android phone deal. Or I might get the girl I had last time who shrugs and says "dunno, up to you innit".

The newer iphone design doesn't float my boat much though, I much prefer the smoother 3's. I'd upgrade for the speed and improved hardware, but I'd miss the old design.

I won't be going into Orange for a few days so I'm hoping this thread will upgrade my brain with some of the best options around at the moment. You young people seem to know more about this sort of thing than I do innit.

[rutty]

I think some networks are giving the 3GS away free on some cheapish contracts these days. Might be worth considering too, although I'd go for a 4s if I could afford it...

My 3GS upgraded fine to iOS5 and I've not noticed any performance issues. In fact, some apps seem to work marginally quicker.

My wife got the Samsung Galaxy Ace (Android 2.3?) for free on a £15 a month contract with Virgin. Nice phone too. If this is what the budget Android phones are like then I'm definitely interested in the top of the range ones.

From what I've seen the Galaxy SII is the best phone around at the moment, bar none. I'm just quite a way into the Apple eco-system, although I do rely on lots of Google products too. I don't think disappearing into Android's world would be too painful

[sarahA]

Upgraded my 3GS to iOS 5. Besides having to run a restore afterwards (quite common I believe), no subsequent issues. I don't appear to suffer with a bad battery life, then again I don't sit spending all day sending SMS messages on it. In fact the upgrade fixed my phone crashing when the signal dropped which came along with iOS 4. Much prefer the new iOS, some nice features in it. Worth the upgrade

[familychoice]

From what I've seen the Galaxy SII is the best phone around at the moment, bar none. I'm just quite a way into the Apple eco-system, although I do rely on lots of Google products too. I don't think disappearing into Android's world would be too painful

Sounds like a nice phone feature-wise, looks a bit too close to the iphone 4 design wise for my tastes - good price though.

I have to say I am a bit miffed about the home button issue. It's a widespread problem and considering iphones cost about £700 the least Apple could do is to fix it for free within 24 months of purchase. It's not as if I've been throwing it against the wall or using it underwater. If it was a £30 phone then you can understand sticking to the 12 month warranty but they cost an arm and two legs.

My 3GS upgraded fine to iOS5 and I've not noticed any performance issues. In fact, some apps seem to work marginally quicker.

Upgraded my 3GS to iOS 5. Besides having to run a restore afterwards (quite common I believe), no subsequent issues. I don't appear to suffer with a bad battery life, then again I don't sit spending all day sending SMS messages on it. In fact the upgrade fixed my phone crashing when the signal dropped which came along with iOS 4. Much prefer the new iOS, some nice features in it. Worth the upgrade

Hmmm....maybe I should just give it a go....

Just tried calling Orange but told "so we are unable to continue processing your call" and my customer account seems to be offline. Oh well.

[suedenem]

You could potentially argue that the device wasn't "fit for purpose", especially as it has developed the fault within the 18 month contract period that it was sold under.  Warranties provide you with buyer's rights in excess of your statutory rights, which aren't affected.

I'd report the fault to Orange if I were you.  Given that you've had it a while now, they should either repair it or exchange it for a refurbed phone (which hopefully you'll get a good few months out of on a cheap sim-only deal).

[familychoice]

You could potentially argue that the device wasn't "fit for purpose", especially as it has developed the fault within the 18 month contract period that it was sold under.  Warranties provide you with buyer's rights in excess of your statutory rights, which aren't affected.

I'd report the fault to Orange if I were you.  Given that you've had it a while now, they should either repair it or exchange it for a refurbed phone (which hopefully you'll get a good few months out of on a cheap sim-only deal).

That's what I thought, but when I went in and queried it a few months ago they said they weren't obliged to fix it and told me to contact Apple. I was surprised they were able to do that - if the contracts for 18 months then I would have thought the product they were selling should at least work to full capacity for that period.

[robwhizz]

I imagine in the T&Cs the 'contract' is basically the service they provide for 18 months and the phone is provided 'as is' with basic T&Cs and [insert manufacturer here]'s problem if anything goes wrong with the hardware.

[familychoice]

I imagine in the T&Cs the 'contract' is basically the service they provide for 18 months and the phone is provided 'as is' with basic T&Cs and [insert manufacturer here]'s problem if anything goes wrong with the hardware.

I seem to remember that was the case, haven't got a copy here but just spoken to a friend who's with them who says they cover the hardware for 6 months (android at least) but offer 'insurance' for a monthly fee after that.

[sarahA]

I know they (well Vodaphone) used to cover phones whilst under contract, but a few years ago those phones didn't cost half as much as they do now.

[sickpuppy]

I know they (well Vodaphone) used to cover phones whilst under contract

and contracts only used to last 12 months.

[familychoice]

But then phones were about a quarter of the price they are now, which is the price of an (admittedly crap) second hand car.

The price quoted to fix my button (matron) was 70 quid, so I'm guessing it costs Apple a great deal less. You'd think that after spending 800 quid they'd at least extend the warranty a bit, particularly considering it's a known hardware fault. Fascists.

I think I've fallen foul of the 'Apple makes better hardware' myth, again. My last phone, a Sony that cost 49 quid lasted about 6 years. I remember once I dropped it in the road when walking back from the pub, trying to change tracks on the mp3 player. I was so miffed, and convinced I'd broken it that I picked it up and threw it hard against a wall accompanied by a bit of shouting. Next morning I sheepishly switched on my (now dented) phone and it still worked a treat.

[sarahA]

I know they (well Vodaphone) used to cover phones whilst under contract

and contracts only used to last 12 months.

I remember Mr A got his phone replaced (with a brand new one) after 12 months was up, he was on an 18 month contract. That's my only point of reference. But, it was a Nokia 6230i, not a smart phone and probably didn't cost much hence the brand new replacement. Then again, when I upgraded once I had two identical N73s delivered instead of just the one. Clearly had more than they needed!

[spannaa]

From what I've seen the Galaxy SII is the best phone around at the moment, bar none.

I hope so - I've just ordered one as an upgrade.

Anyone fancy a cheap HTC Desire?

[familychoice]

From what I've seen the Galaxy SII is the best phone around at the moment, bar none.

I hope so - I've just ordered one as an upgrade.

Anyone fancy a cheap HTC Desire?

I had a go on the new Galaxy SII today, as a friend's just bought one. To be honest I wasn't that bowled over with it, it felt a bit flimsy and I wasn't that keen on the interface. Then again I've got an Apple with a dodgy home button so I can't really take the hardware high ground. Difficult to make any objective criticism until I've actually used one properly but after a quick play I still preferred the Apple OS.

[spannaa]

I wasn't that keen on the interface.

It's the hardware I'm after.
I expect I'll replace the stock rom (& interface) with a customised one after a couple of weeks.

Re:Flimsy - possibly, but it'll be going in a case so that's not a problem.

[Dom]

From what I've seen the Galaxy SII is the best phone around at the moment, bar none.

I hope so - I've just ordered one as an upgrade.

You'll have to let us know how it is. My first venture into Android was my HTC Wildfire, which I've still got, but it was the cheaper version of the Desire and the hardware can't really handle the latest Android versions, so I'll be splashing out a bit of cash for my next phone.

I want to stick with Android, and I can't upgrade my phone until next July, but I'd like to know what's about now just to get me started.

[spannaa]

AFAIK the Samsung Galaxy S2 and the HTC Sensation XE are the best Android phones available ATM.

By Next July there'll be better, more powerful phones available.

[spannaa]

You'll have to let us know how it is.

First impressions weren't too good as the phone was stuffed with useless Samsung & T-Mobile bloatware.
Luckily, it's very easy to root the S2 and then uninstall all of the crap with Titanium Backup.

Now I've done this and added all of my apps & widgets, the interface looks a lot better (pretty much the same as my HTC Desire did) although it'll probably get tweaked a lot more over the next day or two.

Overall, I'm now very happy with it - the phone's amazingly fast and the display is superb.