Where is the best place to buy a smartphone please?

[AGW3]

I need one urgently. Was going to go to John Lewis only to learn that they no longer stock mobile phones.

I am after a Samsung or HDC (both Android phones). I don't want an Apple.

Any help would be appreciated.

[Frankito]

Carphone warehouse....? Avoid Orange, they don't have the latestmodels and their monthly tariff packages are not the best.

[Townleygreen]

Carphone also run www.mobiles.co.uk which is where I got my HTC Desire. A great choice of packages.

[AGW3]

Thanks folks. I should have specified. Am after a phone only. No package.

[womanofdulwich]

cash converters.

[AGW3]

Thank you to those who responded. I shall now investigate.

[Bluerevolution]

Ebay

[ruffers]

http://www.expansys.com/

[intexasatthe moment]

I'm embarrassed to show my ignorance here but ...if a buy a smartphone thingy that connects to the internet without a sim card ( like those advertised on the link above ) can I put my Tesco's PAYG sim card into it and it will work ?

[Huguenot]

I'm not sure exactly what phone you're looking itatm, but hopefully I can help.

It's possible to connect to the internet without using the telephone network, by using wireless networking (and sometimes bluetooth). This isn't the same as using the mobile network - you actually need to be in an area that has a wireless network, and you need permission (and possibly a password) to use it.

There's unlikely to be a wireless network on your average bus for example :-)

To access the internet when you're on the move, you'll need to use a mobile network, and you'll need to have a data package.

[tog_in_sox]

AGW,

Did you have specific models/sizes in mind? Did you want a particular version of Android software e.g. 2.2 Froyo or 2.3 Gindgerbread?

If you're concerned about after sales support then there are caveats to both brands you mention. Most of the discussion boards indicate that Samsung has poor software support so unless you get the version of Android you want at purchase you could be waiting ages or in vain for the official update. Also their connectivity software for PC is generally accepted to be cr@p.

HTC have better rep for updating phones (I've had 2 OS updates to my Desire HD since October and am now running 2.3.4) and their sync software is better, although I don't use it. However they seem to be incapable of maintaining their HTCSense web portal which at the moment has knackered some of the convenient integration with online services like Facebook. Thankfully you can get round these inconveniences by using another App.

Personally for these expensive smartphones I'd prefer to deal with a real world sales outlet so I know that I can take it back somewhere in the event of a problem and cause a real person grief until they fix it. Most people I know who've had probs and returned by post have had nightmares. Also my OH has had a bunch of probs getting Carphone Warehouse to repair her iPhone experiencing dreadful communication and ridiculous procedural incompetence. She hate it so much she went through it twice !! Nothing to do with her silly ass dropping it in the loo twice! ;P

If you plan on rooting your phone (ie upgrading the software yourself to unofficial releases) then you're obviously more free to brand choice and mostly cut-off from after sales warranty support. In which case just hunt on the web for the best price for the model you're after.

I've happily used Ebuyer.com for computer bits and they sell Android phones.

Hope you find what you need and let us know what you get. Nothing like a bit of Droid envy ;)

[intexasatthe moment]

Thanks H.

What I wanted clarification on ( I think ! ) was ...if one buys a phone without a SIM card will it work with the card from my basic Nokia joby and the Tesco's network that I use ,or would it be likely to be locked to some other network ?

Hope that makes sense and I'm not talking rubbish .

[Huguenot]

It shouldn't be locked to a network if you're not buying it with a contract.

I think a lot of shops will probably allow you to pop your sim in and try it if you're worried?

[intexasatthe moment]

Ok ,thank you .