Mobile phone for the clueless

[MikeUniformMike]

My mobile phone is quite basic and I think I should get a better phone.
How do I go about it. I don't want to spend much, I'm not bothered about internet access, but I want texts and phone calls and a camera (about 6Megapixels would do).
I don't know anything and am a bit scared of going into a shop as I might look stupid.
Could I get a second hand phone? What would I need to be aware of? Anything I should avoid? Would I be better off going to a shop.
Would I be able to use the SIM I have and/or keep the same number?
If I get a smart phone would I need a different deal from my network? I think there is data included.

Sorry I am so clueless. Any advice please?

There was a scary article somewhere recently about how the new aristocracy can be identified by their freedom from screens and devices. I guess you must be one of them.

not bothered about internet access

I do all my MN-ing from my phone.

I'm not sure I can be of any use - I've been hooked up to iPhones for ten years ...

I like the idea of being aristocratic. Sadly I'm just poor.

There's this recent Guardian article on the best phones. Nicely uncomplicated.

I don't know if it's the same with other brands but Apple effectively suck you in by making upgrading to a new phone a seamless process. Actually, is that Apple or the network provider? Either way - I've never paid those headline-grabbing prices up front.

Didn't take long for the anti Apple brigade to come along, even though the OP never mentioned Apple and clearly isn't in the market for a brand new iPhone

Go into Tesco and ask what phones they have. Mine's a Motorola Android. I pay £18 pm for it. On a 2 year contract and after the 2 years you get free upgrade. Their staff will set it up and tell you all about it.

Whaaat?

Fairly major misinterpretation there Rockbird. I said in my first post that I've used iphones for ten years! (Which would be weird if I wasn't completely happy with them.) My second post was responding to the OP's second post - I'm far from rich and wouldn't consider buying a phone unless it was on a monthly contract.

I assume other posters will recommend whatever they've found satisfactory too ...

Like another poster, I've also found Tesco friendly and helpful. I got my first phone from there, made it clear that I didn't have a clue and they were great. You can get much cheaper deals than the one posted earlier (on my phones so can't see previous posts) if you are a low data user.

Quite right cariadlet. I don't use a huge amount of data but I go on FB, MN, Rightmove , I browse the daily papers. Otherwise it's probably be nearer £12 pm.

Doro are simplified mobile phones - might be worth a look if you're not very techy?

I have a Huawei P9 that I really like, it was £20 a month with 3 new two years ago. I've just swapped over to sim only for £5 a month as I still like my phone. I get 1MB of data and unlimited texts for that, which is plenty as I'm usually on WiFi.

@Unihorn try looking at ID mobile for an even better deal. I bought a new Honor a few months ago and switched to an ID sim only deal.

It's only £3.99 a month. I think it's only 500mb data, but I nearly always use the Internet via WiFi so most of my data rolls over.

Thanks, but I actually got an £8 discount with Three after showing them the deals with ID and BT so I'm happy with the £5.

I had a look in Scaryfone Wharehouse today and they said I could use my current sim and suggested a couple of phones. I asked about 2nd hand and they said it was an option but not from them.

Places like Cex , granger games and cash generator do second hand phones and always come with a warranty. Nearly all mobile repair shops sell second hand phones with warranty.
I would never recommend buying of places like gumtree and shpock. Last year I bought a iPhone 7 Plus for £330 and turns out it was broke 3 months later it was non useable. The man who sold me it blocked my number🙄

I think I'll try Cex. Any suggestions of which handsets are ok? I don't want a Huawei one or iPhone.

I'd also suggest Tesco mobile and I really like the Motorola phones. You can get contracts (including phone) for under £10 per month.

Before you go, work out how many texts and the amount of calls you are likely to want to use.

Having a small amount of data (500mb) is really useful if you find yourself lost and want to use Google maps, quickly price compare/find more details about something your thinking about buying or even sending a photo to someone about something you've seen.

Youay not be able to use your current SIM (and you definitely can't if you change phone provider). You can keep your phone number by requesting a PAC code from your old provider and giving it to your new one. It make take a couple of days to transfer.