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I need a new phone but feel totally overwhelmed by choice! Can anyone tech savvy help?

18 replies

FunkyBiddyPop · 29/12/2025 16:42

I've had my current mobile since 2020 (it's a Samsung Galaxy S20 FE), its done a good job and is technically still plugging along but Samsung have stated they will be doing no more patches/updates for this model and it's definitely starting to slow down/have charging issues.

I went to have a look at a possible replacement and feel overwhelmed by the choice/new options available. I'm hoping someone a bit more switched on might be able to advise on something that might suit my needs!

I used to work in phone sales - many, many years ago, and although I could go to a phone shop, I don't like the hard sell and would prefer advice from someone without an agenda/commission drive.

I do use my phone quite a lot - I am an artist and use it to take photos of my work for social media and for high resolution prints so a good quality camera is the most important thing. I'm not a huge user of call minutes, use WhatsApp rather than texts and am usually using it off WiFi at home so huge amounts of data aren't necessary. I mostly just use it casually for forums/podcasts/social media etc

Currently on a rolling month to month contract of just £10 with Lebara. I realise it's unrealistic to find something in this price range still but ideally don't want to be paying more than £30 - contract length, however, doesn't really bother me as I tend to keep a phone until it gives up! I would like wireless charging as a function. I'd also like to port my number across to any new phone.

Happy with any operating system/network.

Sorry for the lengthy, boring post- I think that covers most of it! Would love to hear what you use or might recommended! Thanks in advance to anyone that can help!

OP posts:
Chafing · 29/12/2025 16:45

In my opinion the phones on Google pixels are way better than iPhone.
Attaching recent pic from my old pixel 6 (got a 9 for Christmas but haven't really tested the camera yet)

I need a new phone but feel totally overwhelmed by choice! Can anyone tech savvy help?
MondayMunching · 29/12/2025 16:48

My techy brother insists on Google Pixel phones.

pastaandpesto · 29/12/2025 16:51

I recently upgraded from a pixel 6a to a 9a and I am really disappointed to be honest. The battery life is crap and the camera actually feels like a slight downgrade from the 6a.

I like the fact it is small, like the old iPhones, but other than that I don't think I'd buy another.

FunkyBiddyPop · 29/12/2025 16:55

Chafing · 29/12/2025 16:45

In my opinion the phones on Google pixels are way better than iPhone.
Attaching recent pic from my old pixel 6 (got a 9 for Christmas but haven't really tested the camera yet)

Wow, what a beautiful shot! Thank you! I'd been eyeing the pixel as the camera reviews seemed positive!

OP posts:
FunkyBiddyPop · 29/12/2025 16:56

pastaandpesto · 29/12/2025 16:51

I recently upgraded from a pixel 6a to a 9a and I am really disappointed to be honest. The battery life is crap and the camera actually feels like a slight downgrade from the 6a.

I like the fact it is small, like the old iPhones, but other than that I don't think I'd buy another.

Good to know that the latest/most expensive might not necessarily be the best! Thank you!

OP posts:
Bjorkdidit · 29/12/2025 17:03

It doesn't sound like you need a contract so look on Back Market. They sell refurbished phones that are as new, I recently got a decent Samsung for £160 so you'd be far better off doing this than taking out a £30 pm contract.

GSM Arena is good for comparing phone specs, where you'll see a lot are similar spec and at least as good as your current phone but newer so still supported. Also that you don’t accidentally choose a giant phone unless that's what you want.

FunkyBiddyPop · 29/12/2025 17:36

Bjorkdidit · 29/12/2025 17:03

It doesn't sound like you need a contract so look on Back Market. They sell refurbished phones that are as new, I recently got a decent Samsung for £160 so you'd be far better off doing this than taking out a £30 pm contract.

GSM Arena is good for comparing phone specs, where you'll see a lot are similar spec and at least as good as your current phone but newer so still supported. Also that you don’t accidentally choose a giant phone unless that's what you want.

Ah thank you! Good advice. I was weighing this up as an option and I saw the Back Market site and wasn't sure how good/reputable it was but will definitely have a look now!

My phone is obviously older so anything will be a step up, really - I'd TOTALLY forgotten about GSM arena! I used to use that so much in my old job - thanks again for the reminder!

OP posts:
Sonolanona · 30/12/2025 07:28

I have the Google Pixel 10 pro. Saved for it (mine was a pixel 5 so REALLY due an upgrade!) It is fantastic. I take a lot of photos that I need to be able to enlarge, crop , mess about with, and the quality is incredible. (I wouldn't go for a 'a' model pixel as they are the cut price versions of each model, but a 10 or 10pro would do the job for you. (There is also a 10 pro XL if you like big ones)

DeltaAlphaDelta79 · 30/12/2025 07:36

I always get the Samsung A series, great camera and photos come out amazing. Battery life is also very good. These are my top 2 requirements.

Currently on the A56 and its a great phone.

Ineffable23 · 30/12/2025 07:41

I (mainly) love my Pixel (8). But the selfie camera can be a bit unforgiving in terms of the post processing. The main camera is really pretty good. I tend to just buy my phones outright when I spot a decent sale.

Womaninhouse17 · 30/12/2025 07:44

FunkyBiddyPop · 29/12/2025 17:36

Ah thank you! Good advice. I was weighing this up as an option and I saw the Back Market site and wasn't sure how good/reputable it was but will definitely have a look now!

My phone is obviously older so anything will be a step up, really - I'd TOTALLY forgotten about GSM arena! I used to use that so much in my old job - thanks again for the reminder!

Also, if you buy the phone, you can get a really cheap contract. Mine is £4.95 p.m. from Talk mobile. Lebara and Lyca do similar ones. I get unlimited texts and minutes, and 5Gb of data. Like you, I mostly use WiFi and so rarely use much more than 1Gb of mobile data in a month.

Ahsheeit · 30/12/2025 07:48

Pixels are great. Still using a 7 pro here and the photo quality is fantastic.

ActiveTiger · 30/12/2025 07:58

Get another Samsung ive had Samsung for years, recently charging port went on mine, hunby went and got the first phone available in argos that day for pick up the Google pixel, 3 days later I returned it, hated the layout etc so got the next galaxy a series instead and very happy again. All my family and almost all my friends have Samsung, did you know there the no1 phone barely ever returned to a shop because there still the best for no faults, lasting years etc. Camera awesome as well. Think ot was just over the £300 to buy and I'm on giffgaff £7 per month unlimited data,calls,texts.But you can get from £4 a month unlimited texts,calls and a small amount of data. Good thing with gifgaff you can up and down your package as you wish each month on the app easily

PodMom · 30/12/2025 08:01

MondayMunching · 29/12/2025 16:48

My techy brother insists on Google Pixel phones.

Dd is the same. She’s passionate about her photography and says this is the best camera phone. Hers is a year old and was the most up to date pro version a year ago.

Clingfilm · 30/12/2025 08:05

Pixels are v good, but do not cheap out on an 'a' model as they are the ones with duff batteries/software, I've learned the hard way!

MondayMunching · 30/12/2025 09:24

Yep, brother has a 10 Pro XL - it's quite a large phone though. 🫤

Blueskiesnotgrey · 30/12/2025 09:30

I getbevery other top of the range Samsung Galaxy through work so had S20, S22 Ultra and am now on S24 Ultra (not getting the S25 Ultra, but will get the S26 Ultra) and they all have amazing cameras. Very little difference between them imo unless you are the most demanding of users so I would get an 'excellent quality' refurbished Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra or S24 Ultra off back market or eBay phones for £3/400. That's maximum camera quality for the buck without paying 1K plus for latest iPhone/galaxy

mbonfield · 30/12/2025 09:31

Changed my phone my phone a few months ago and tried the Samsung S20/25 and eventually went for the Samsung A56 best phone ever and changed network from Giff Gaff to EE.

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