You've done it before, now help me find the best phone and deal please...

[MaggieW]

Two years ago you came up trumps and found me a HTC Desire S and package through buymobilephones. Phone free, £15 per month. Now that contact is due to expire and I need to decide the best thing to do. I rarely call on my phone (10 mins pm max) but use around 300 texts per month, and email/internet access, it's my main camera etc.

So should I keep the phone and look for new deal - would that be a Sim only deal?
Is there a better phone and cheaper deal for what I need? (I have to say I haven't been overly impressed with the HTC for calls - or maybe that's the EE service - but often can't hear people or make calls!!)
How long should I expect my current handset to survive? Will I get another year or two out of it?

If I change phones, how do I transfer all photo's, contacts etc to a new phone. If it's a hassle, it'd be an incentive to stay with the same handset.

Any advice gratefully received. TIA.

[ivykaty44]

How much do you want to spend?

[MaggieW]

Pref free handset, if I change the handset, but as little as possible for the monthly charge given I really only need it to text, make minimal calls and use email.

[Theas18]

How much internet do you need?

Have you asked your current provider how much they would charge to stay with them on a SIM only basis with an allowance that is righ for you?

You could go SIM only with giffgaff - you'd probably be OK with the £7.50 deal there and no contract so when/if the phone gives up you can start again.

[LightastheBreeze]

Tesco mobile is good, It was the cheapest when I was looking and you can get a free smartphone from £7.50 a month. DH got a HTC Desire C.

When I was out of a years contract on my iPhone 4S they gave me a new years contract on it for £7.50 a month, very good value.

DS uses Giff Gaff as he wanted a lot of internet and that is also good value.

[nicename]

Yes to Tesco but only if you have a store that you can go onto if you have a problem. I got a phone on contract online with them and it was a definate dodo! I had to send the handset back for a replacement - it took 2 weeks but the call centre man said it could take up tp 28 working days to get a replacement.