New Mobile Phone

[Major Geek]

I am looking for a new mobile and I want one with all the gadgets,
been looking at the Nokia N95, anybody got one? What's it like?
Can anybody recommend anything just as good or better (and cheaper!)?

5.0 mega-pixel camera
Bluetooth/WiFi
MP3/AAC/AAC+ player
Built in GPS

[Scaley brat]

5MP camera is only equal to the Sony 3.2 's.
I was waiting for it for the sat nav package, but went with the Sony in the end

Try looking here (http://www.gsmarena.com/) for an in depth revue. Doesn't walk on IGS though !

Doesn't work either ! :PDT_Xtremez_31:

[Red-Rock]

I am looking for a new mobile and I want one with all the gadgets,
been looking at the Nokia N95, anybody got one? What's it like?
Can anybody recommend anything just as good or better (and cheaper!)?

5.0 mega-pixel camera
Bluetooth/WiFi
MP3/AAC/AAC+ player
Built in GPS

I have a Nokia N95 and it is a fantastic phone. I got mine for free at the Carphone Warehouse. Was originally on Vodafone but they tried to charge me £100 to upgrade and they couldn't offer me the tariff I wanted with free internet access so i went int CPW and told them i wanted to port onto T-Mobile on the web'n'Walk tariff (free unlimited internet access) and they gave me the phone, 3 year satnav subscription and a phone cradle for free. Result.

The only downside is that if you access the net on it using 3G it eats up battery power. One day I charged overnight then by 7pm it had died on me. Using standard GSM saves a bit more power.

Picture quality is fantastic as is video and the MP3 player is easy to use. The software for ripping tunes to the phone takes a bit of getting used to and you definately need a memory card if you want to store any decent amount of music or pictures. I managed to pick up a 2Gb Micro SD card off ebay for £15, another result, CPW were selling them for £49.99.

Overall a cracking phone. I'm well happy with mine.:PDT_Xtremez_28:

[Fablon biff chit]

That's the only thing with new phones - battery life! "In my day" :) the phone would last for weeks!

[Disillusioned]

"in your day" phones were still plugged into the wall!:PDT_Xtremez_30:

[Major Geek]

Thanks for the replys Scaley Brat & Red-Rock. Seems like the only downside is the battery life. Suppose once you get used to it and have sussed out all it can do then you wouldnt be using it so heavily.

[Red-Rock]

Thanks for the replys Scaley Brat & Red-Rock. Seems like the only downside is the battery life. Suppose once you get used to it and have sussed out all it can do then you wouldnt be using it so heavily.
Cos its still a new toy I do spend quite a bit of time messing about with all the different functions, internet, gps etc so it does drain it down quite quickly. Once the novelty has worn off i'm sure it will last longer. Still a fantastic phone though.:PDT_Xtremez_28:

[Scaley brat]

My first phone was a motorola flip phone, it would go flat even if it was sat in the charging cradle, had a battery life of about 5 hours stand by and 12 minutes talk time ! Those were the days eh !

Modern phones are fantastic compared to that heap of junk..... weighed about a half a kilo too !

[Major Geek]

I have a Nokia N95 and it is a fantastic phone........

Well I got one and its the dogs dangly bits.
Best gadget I have had in a long while.

Yeah the battery life is not brilliant, buts that's not surprising considering the stuff you can do with it and also the screen quality. You can make lots of adjustments to conserve power if you need to.

I bought an accessory kit that came with a charging cradle and spare battery. You can charge the phone and spare at the same time. Hardly needed the spare. Just pop the phone in the cradle overnight.

[MrMasher]

Any more suggestions on mobiles?

I'm looking for a contract phone on orange or O2.

I want a phone with a camera which isnt a ballache to use like the motorola ones.

Anything else dont really matter that much.

I text more than call although with the right bundle I may end up calling more!

I've been looking at the LG viewty and the sony erik W850i.

Anyone got these? Any other hot deals around?

Cheers peeps.........:PDT_Xtremez_28:

[Tashy_Man]

I've been looking at the LG viewty and the sony erik W850i.

Anyone got these? Any other hot deals around?



I've had a W850i for just over a year on O2 and it does all i need. Texting is easy and battery seem to last a long time if you have good network coverage, if not it'll need topping up every couple of days.
The camera takes reasonable piccies and if you get a nice big memory stick (I got a 1 gig one) you can put loads of mp3's on and have lots of ringtones.

I don't intend changing mine for a while !

[MrMasher]

Cheers Tashy.
What are the buttons like for texting?
Having rigger's sausage fingers I find it infuriating when you get small buttons on phones and take hours just trying to write two words!

I seen a sony erik K850i as well. The camera is a 5mp and looks quite good as well.

[tats]

Any more suggestions on mobiles?

I'm looking for a contract phone on orange or O2.

I want a phone with a camera which isnt a ballache to use like the motorola ones.

Anything else dont really matter that much.

I text more than call although with the right bundle I may end up calling more!

I've been looking at the LG viewty and the sony erik W850i.

Anyone got these? Any other hot deals around?

Cheers peeps.........:PDT_Xtremez_28:

Got the W580i a couple of weeks ago and I LOVE IT! Although I have been converted from Motorola (previously nokia) I love the Sony Ericsson phones, great battery life, although this one seems a little shorter than my last one but its still good. Camera is spot on for being 2 pega pixels, large screen and really clear speakers, huge memory and card included etc. The only thing I would say is the keypad is a little small (fine for me as I have little hands) so some may find it awkward to use. Otherwise fantastic phone.

Got it on O2, £35 a month 1000 texts and 300 minutes (that roll over for 3 months) have never gone over it and I text A LOT (the only problem is when mates go on ex to foreign countries and text me from a foreign sim. But O2 online have much better deals than you'll find in the shops.

I seen a sony erik K850i as well. The camera is a 5mp and looks quite good as well.

The woman at O2 said every one of those they were sending out they were getting one returned due to problems.

[Soupdragon]

im on a SE w850i, had it for just over a year now with O2 same as Tashy, cant fault it, battery seems to last forever and requires very little topping up.

As for texting, i found the buttons a lil awkward to start with but now im all made up with it..

Only prob i have with it is that ive managed to scratch the screen when i stuffed it in a pocket that had my keys in... anyone any ideas how to get a scratch out?

[TrenchardsLoveSock]

I'm hoping Santa brings me a new phone (I'm on PAYG) and have been leaving lots of hints about the Sony K800i 'cos it is bloody cheap, does everything I want (and more) and just looks right.

The only thing I don't know, despite looking on-line (including the Sony site) is whether it comes with headphones good enough for using it as an mp3 player?

If anyone has horror stories about the phone, feel free to post them. It's not too late to change my mind!

[MrMasher]

The only thing I would say is the keypad is a little small (fine for me as I have little hands) so some may find it awkward to use. Otherwise fantastic phone.

Got it on O2, £35 a month 1000 texts and 300 minutes (that roll over for 3 months) have never gone over it and I text A LOT (the only problem is when mates go on ex to foreign countries and text me from a foreign sim. But O2 online have much better deals than you'll find in the shops.



The woman at O2 said every one of those they were sending out they were getting one returned due to problems.


The reason I looked at the K850i was the buttons look easier for pig tit fingered riggers! That and the better camera.
A shame they appear to be getting sent back.

Is your O2 rollover because you were a previous customer?

[Tashy_Man]

Cheers Tashy.
What are the buttons like for texting?
Having rigger's sausage fingers I find it infuriating when you get small buttons on phones and take hours just trying to write two words!

I seen a sony erik K850i as well. The camera is a 5mp and looks quite good as well.

I have not seen a K850i so can't comment on it.

My finger aint exactly small and i have no probs using the w850i keypad.....plus being a slide phone the keypad is covered most of the time.

As tats said the £35 a month contract is good (Think i'm roughly on the same deal) and i've never used my full allocation....even used abroad (Turkey and Norway) several times a day (texting) and never been charged for them !!

I do like the look of the Nokia n95 but Sony Ericsson has won me over and i will stay with them a while now.

[Scaley brat]

I've been looking at the LG viewty and the sony erik W850i.

Anyone got these? Any other hot deals around?

Cheers peeps.........:PDT_Xtremez_28:

O2 have some cracking deals right now. The viewty is another i-phone wannabe, but it does look like it does a better job and has a better camera.
The N95, for you who have one also, has recently had new firmware released which improves the battery life a lot. It also comes in a version with an 8gb HDD inside. Go for that if you don't use hte camera much.
If your going for a good camera I think K850i is looking fairly unbeatable at the moment

As ever, try HERE (http://www.gsmarena.com/) for full reviews of the hardware and HERE (http://www.mobiles4everyone.com/handsets.asp?tariff=0) for the best deals at the moment !

Hope this helps

[MrMasher]

Thanks for the advice peeps.
And for the links SB...........
Time to do my homework!

[Soupdragon]

Mobileplanets user forum for the SE w850i

http://www.mobileplanet.com/f.aspx?i=136914&page=1

also i use a handy lil (free) prog i found on the net, connect my phone vis usb to my PC and can text from the PC very handily...

http://www.fjsoft.at/en/ myphoneexplorer

[Scaley brat]

I'm hoping Santa brings me a new phone (I'm on PAYG) and have been leaving lots of hints about the Sony K800i 'cos it is bloody cheap, does everything I want (and more) and just looks right.

The only thing I don't know, despite looking on-line (including the Sony site) is whether it comes with headphones good enough for using it as an mp3 player?

If anyone has horror stories about the phone, feel free to post them. It's not too late to change my mind!

My K800i has served me for nearly a year now with only the occasional need to reboot it (I blame Vodafone software for this as mates with 3 and O2 haven't had the same problem, they're phones are faster than mine too).
I have a 1 gig stick and went on holiday with 2 albums of music on it and came back with 750 photo's and a third of the stick still empty. The headphones are okay, but unlike the Nokia N range don't have a 3.5mm jack for the headphones. A shame really as I think the SE phones would sound great through Bose headphones.
IMHO, don't bother with Sony Ericsson W prefixed phones if you want to use the camera. The K's all play music just as well but have a lens cover too where most W's don't.

[tats]

My K800i has served me for nearly a year now with only the occasional need to reboot it (I blame Vodafone software for this as mates with 3 and O2 haven't had the same problem, they're phones are faster than mine too).
I have a 1 gig stick and went on holiday with 2 albums of music on it and came back with 750 photo's and a third of the stick still empty. The headphones are okay, but unlike the Nokia N range don't have a 3.5mm jack for the headphones. A shame really as I think the SE phones would sound great through Bose headphones.
IMHO, don't bother with Sony Ericsson W prefixed phones if you want to use the camera. The K's all play music just as well but have a lens cover too where most W's don't.

Have to disagree SB, my sister has always had the K's and I've always had the W's and neither of us have had any problems with either the music or the camera. The camera on mine has always been good enough and the music on hers has been fine. I know you're obsessed with having everything absolutely perfect all in one thing but there is more to life. If you want a really good camera, then buy a camera and the same goes for an mp3 player.

[wolfy]

Have to disagree SB, my sister has always had the K's and I've always had the W's and neither of us have had any problems with either the music or the camera. The camera on mine has always been good enough and the music on hers has been fine. I know you're obsessed with having everything absolutely perfect all in one thing but there is more to life. If you want a really good camera, then buy a camera and the same goes for an mp3 player.

A voice of reason speaks.

[TrenchardsLoveSock]

Have to disagree SB, my sister has always had the K's and I've always had the W's and neither of us have had any problems with either the music or the camera. The camera on mine has always been good enough and the music on hers has been fine. I know you're obsessed with having everything absolutely perfect all in one thing but there is more to life. If you want a really good camera, then buy a camera and the same goes for an mp3 player.

I'm not expecting perfection, but the K wins out because of the better camera and lens cover. I can live without the orange button and Walkman logo (although I would be happy with a W810 or W850).


Finacially, there is nothing in it:
Basic phone £20
2GB Mp3 player £35/40 (Zen stone)
Acceptable 3.2Mp camera £40
Total £100

SE K800i £85
2GB card £15
Total £100

BUT
Not walking around with half of Dixons in your pockets Priceless:PDT_Xtremez_15:

[MrMasher]

Have to disagree SB, my sister has always had the K's and I've always had the W's and neither of us have had any problems with either the music or the camera. The camera on mine has always been good enough and the music on hers has been fine. I know you're obsessed with having everything absolutely perfect all in one thing but there is more to life. If you want a really good camera, then buy a camera and the same goes for an mp3 player.

Yeah but when making a decision for an 18 month contract I'd rather pick something tailored to what I prefer, ie. a camera phone over a walkman phone.
I have a decent camera but I dont want to lug the thing everywhere and I dont always take it out.
I may well go for the K850i after all.
Its just down to choosing a network now, orange or O2, any takers?:PDT_Xtremez_30:

[Major Geek]

..... If you want a really good camera, then buy a camera and the same goes for an mp3 player.


Or buy a N95, then you get camera, mp3, sat nav, internet, wi-fi.......

[Scaley brat]

Yeah but when making a decision for an 18 month contract I'd rather pick something tailored to what I prefer, ie. a camera phone over a walkman phone.
I have a decent camera but I dont want to lug the thing everywhere and I dont always take it out.
I may well go for the K850i after all.
Its just down to choosing a network now, orange or O2, any takers?:PDT_Xtremez_30:

Personally I am a a strong advocate of O2. I was with them last phone and will almost certainly go back to them for 'next phone' (K850i)

Orange are French and act like it !

Tats, You highlighted my point. Both phones are good camera/music players, but if you want it more for the camera, the K's have a lens cover.
After 12 months the lens can take a real battering without one.

[tats]

Or buy a N95, then you get camera, mp3, sat nav, internet, wi-fi.......

I know people with that phone and it continually crashes, according to them.

Its just down to choosing a network now, orange or O2, any takers?

O2, don't have problems with them, their online deals are very good, their customer service is spot on everytime I've contacted them, haven't been on Orange for years now and continually get phone calls from these sodding companies saying "your contract with Orange is due to run out soon, can we offer you a deal?" My general response is I haven't been on Orange for 4 years and can sort my own deal thanks :PDT_Xtremez_15:

And the new W580i is a walkman phone with a lens cover as its a slide phone.

[TrenchardsLoveSock]

Its just down to choosing a network now, orange or O2, any takers?:PDT_Xtremez_30:

Depends where you live I suppose. By all accounts, coverage in my neck of the woods is pretty awful (Virgin is pants!) but most of the locals use Orange 'cos that is as good as it gets around Redruth.

Most networks should have maps of coverage on their websites. Alternately, grit your teeth and talk to one of the smarmy gits in Carphone Warehouse or Phones4U. Then walk out and buy on-line!

[Scaley brat]

O2, don't have problems with them, their online deals are very good, their customer service is spot on everytime I've contacted them,

She's not wrong you know. I rang them to complain in the first month of my contract. I pointed out that I had signed for a £35 a month contract and my bill was for £40. The lady on the phone said it was due to phone insurance, I pointed out that Lloyds TSB gave me free phone insurance with my bank account and with no argument at all she refunded my money there and then.

When it comes to customer service. O2 are VERY hard to match, let alone beat. :PDT_Xtremez_28:

[ailiebird]

I've got a N95, brill phone does more then I need, but sat nav/route planning is good, also good photos/video from the camera. Got mine free on Orange, only down side is 18 month contract

[tats]

I've got a N95, brill phone does more then I need, but sat nav/route planning is good, also good photos/video from the camera. Got mine free on Orange, only down side is 18 month contract

I'm on one of those, still upgraded phones after 12 months, thats how fab O2 are :PDT_Xtremez_30:

[ailiebird]

I'm on one of those, still upgraded phones after 12 months, thats how fab O2 are :PDT_Xtremez_30:

Had O2 but can't get a signal at all with them here (even hanging out the bedroom window!), so Orange was the way forward.

[Scaley brat]

Had O2 but can't get a signal at all with them here (even hanging out the bedroom window!), so Orange was the way forward.

I would have moved house mate.... less hassle than Orange :PDT_Xtremez_42:

Oh yes and as I haven't said it for a while..... VODAFONE ARE SH!TE !

I have 4 months to go with them then they are history.

[MrMasher]

Thanks everyone for the info. I'm lucky enough to be in a good area for O2 and orange, but from what you have all said I might opt for O2.
The only down side is I'm posted in around 7 months time and I dont know what the reception will be like where I am going. O2 are pretty good most places though to be honest, I have pay as you go O2 at the minute.

Thanks all..........:PDT_Xtremez_28:

[prop135]

I have the N95 8gb phone and it is supurb, yep 18 month contract, yep Vodafone, no issues with either the phone or the network.

Battery life is about what you expect for a fully loaded phone, and it is definately feature rich. The camara is very good and with the 8 gb memory I get about 7000 pictures on it:PDT_Xtremez_19:

[CRYSTALTIPS]

Funny you should mention this, as im also looking for a new mobile phone, but i am very cautious though as every phone (Nokia) that ive ever owned have all had design faults.

Due to this, i now stick with good old Samsung, however all of their latest models also seem to have design faults on them such as easy to crack screens, poor battery life and switches off randomly.

Which newest Samsung model does anyone recommend.

Thank you.

[CRYSTALTIPS]

I would have moved house mate.... less hassle than Orange :PDT_Xtremez_42:

Oh yes and as I haven't said it for a while..... VODAFONE ARE SH!TE .

Yep fair one. Couldnt agree with you anymore!

[MrMasher]

The deed is done.
I've ended up with 2 Sony Ericcson K850's.
One for me and one for MrsMasher.
One is on Orange and the other is on O2!!

Quality phones, I must say. Much better to use than my Motorola.
The camera is pretty good too.
The camera lens btw is permanently covered by the back cover which has a small circular section of plastic/glass. The lens also has a cover inside of that which automatically shuts and opens when you use or switch off the camera.

It also has 3 touch screen buttons at the base of the screen. Nifty!!

It'll take a little bit to get to learn our way around em though!

Cheers for the advice everyone.

As for Samsungs, my nipper has one of the slider jobs on PAYG. Its a few years old but quite good to be honest. My mum has the newest one and she has had no probs with it at all. The screen is fairly large as well. Samsung U600 (http://www.yourmobilephonereviews.co.uk/samsung_u600_reviews.htm)