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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to give in and get a smart phone?

82 replies

M3lon · 19/10/2019 12:36

I just had to ask my boss to phone me back in the middle of a really difficult conversation because I still use a payasyougo 'dumb' phone and ran out of credit... Blush

I don't have a smart phone, nor does DH or DD, mostly because we fear getting sucked in to 24/7 tech use. That and I don't have an earthly idea how to engage with it all now its all so bloody complicated.

BUT - the other day I couldn't check into a flight before getting to the airport because the only option to do so was via their app....I also couldn't pay a taxi recently because they stopped taking cards in favour of phone transactions....many electric car points require a phone....

Its time to give in isn't it?

OP posts:
easyandy101 · 19/10/2019 16:43

I've got a Samsung a70.

It's a cheap budget phone (about 200 off plan) but does everything i need it to do

I use payg EE as my network provider and pay 15/month for unlimited calls, unlimited texts and 11Gb of data, although that's after I've had a load of free data add ons, i believe it started at 5 or 7gb

Shoxfordian · 19/10/2019 16:46

How do you live though?!
I use my phone all the time
Probably proving your point about tech addiction

kerkyra · 19/10/2019 16:50

I still have an old Nokia. Just use it for call and txt and it doesnt even have a camera!!?
Use a tablet at home

Pinkblueberry · 19/10/2019 16:52

I honestly get the cold shakes when I think about entering a phone shop....they are going to see me coming and I am going to get the shittest deal ever.

Phone shops really are a pain, but it can just depend on the person serving you as well. The last one I had was really good - just remember they can’t sell you anything against your will, be clear about what your needs are, what you’re after and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Do a bit of research before as well - moneysavingexpert.com has a good section on phone deals.

AutumnRose1 · 19/10/2019 16:52

I used to love tech but thinking to switch back to a dumb phone.

Mum has a dumb phone, she pays the local cab company in cash.

SilverySurfer · 19/10/2019 16:55

How do you live though?!

Quite happily. My PAYG is languishing uncharged at the bottom of my bag. I last charged it and sent a text about seven weeks ago and can't remember when I last used it to make a call.

SeaBear11 · 19/10/2019 16:56

Don’t go into a phone shop then... buy online.

The hospital I’m giving birth at for this pregnancy is paperless and via app. You’re not allowed a baby anymore without a smartphone!

Morgenrot · 19/10/2019 16:58

Yes. Get a smartphone. You don't need a contract though, or to go into one of those awful phone shops. Get an unlocked phone and shop around for a sim only deal. You can do it all online.

SilverySurfer · 19/10/2019 16:58

AutumnRose1
Mum has a dumb phone, she pays the local cab company in cash.

Seriously, how else would one pay for a cab?

TheWorldAsh · 19/10/2019 17:04

Ugh. Phone shops. Who goes in those? They're full of people on commission who often have terrible advice.

All mine and my DWs phones have been ordered either online or in person...on an Apple store.

Dealing with phone shop staff would put me off ever owning a mobile.

AutumnRose1 · 19/10/2019 17:04

Silvery one might use an app!

Surprised to hear there's hospitals and airlines insisting on this. What happens when anyone's network is down?

Deicide · 19/10/2019 17:05

@SilverySurfer

I need one for work. I suppose that makes me a zombie.Hmm

Seriously, how else would one pay for a cab?

With a phone. Read the fucking thread.

missmouse101 · 19/10/2019 17:08

I don't have a smartphone. I just have a small tablet and a tiny payg phone. That suits me fine.

lionsonplanes · 19/10/2019 17:10

I still have a £10 Nokia. It does not even have a camera. I can't make touch screens work. I borrowed a second hand Smartphone to try a few years ago and I could not answer it when it rang. My DH laughs at me.

BigChocFrenzy · 19/10/2019 17:16

M3lon I have an iphone on PAYG because I also only use the phone a few times per year and I don't text

You could buy the cheapest smart phone and PAYG, then don't use it for anything but essentials
So no games, social media Apps etc

BarbedBloom · 19/10/2019 17:20

I use my phone for everything, banking, bills, taxi apps, family calendar, food shopping. It basically just condenses a lot of external stuff into one device.

I would buy online. You can research the phone then and the deal. I use o2 and I get unlimited minutes, texts and 20 gig of data for £20 a month. I do have a contract phone but have paid that off and now just keep the one above. My mum is with Giff gaff and has unlimited data

You can add your bank card as a payment option. I pay using the Samsung pay app or add card details to relevant apps. All of my stuff is protected with pin and fingerprint.

If you want a cheaper option I would avoid Apple. We both used to have iPhones but have finally switched as I think android are better value for money and I like wireless charging.

A phone doesn't have to control your life anymore than a TV does, you just use it to improve it. So you can easily avoid things like social media and just use apps that are useful.

I will say, I love internet banking. All our local branches are closing or have ridiculous opening hours now that don't work for anyone. I hate telephone banking so didn't have a choice. You can embrace the parts that work for you.

couldwenot · 19/10/2019 17:21

I have a huewei smart phone and I make sure I don't get too obsessed with it, I don't have Facebook/Instagram so that helps.

I deliberately refused a contactless card (my theory at the time was if I'm too drunk to enter my pin then I shouldn't be drinking, however I found I'd ALWAYS remember my pin) however I've grown up and a few months ago discovered how wonderful Google/Apple pay is! You just download the app, upload your card details and you're done. I don't really carry my card now.

I use my phone now for WhatsApp, bus tickets, taxis, the news, I've got my kindle library uploaded and Spotify (music). It's really useful for making day to day life easier and more convenient, practical uses are fine. However I don't use mine anywhere near as much as my friends who have Facebook, I literally use it when I NEED to rather than aimlessly scrolling.

BarbedBloom · 19/10/2019 17:22

Also, it can be worth checking CEX for second hand phones. Then if you want to use one particular network, you can order a pay as you go sim online and top it up there too

coconuttelegraph · 19/10/2019 17:23

I know exactly what you mean regarding phone shops, plus, they're all staffed by 16 year olds who speak words that mean absolutely nothing to me

I know it depends where you live but that really isn't the case in my local shops, I've always found the,staff at CPW to be helpful and not too techy.

Your current problem was caused by not buying enough credit, that could happen with any phone, If you don't want to change there's no need for that to be a reason

BlueJava · 19/10/2019 17:24

If you don't like phone shops just get a deal online... it will only take over your life if you let it.

couldwenot · 19/10/2019 17:25

It might seem overwhelming at first but it'll pass. Start off with a few simple apps, get your head round them then you can browse through the app store app(will automatically come with phone) for other apps that you like and may be useful to you,

You'll soon find that it will make your life easier, while not really impacting on your quality of life if you don't let it! Use it when needed but not all the time.

SoWasLucifer · 19/10/2019 17:41

OP how old is your DD? I'm amazed that she's not into technology, even more so that she'll be upset (!) if you get a smartphone.

What's that all about?

TheNestedIf · 19/10/2019 18:08

This was me 3 months ago (I'd taken long enough to get a dumbphone and only had one as it was a present).

I'd been putting up with all the things that were becoming inconvenient without a smartphone. Then I bought a health tracking watch only to discover I couldn't install the app on any of my existing devices. At that point I gave in.

I bought outright and am on PAYG. It works for me as I don't make many phone calls and am content to only be online when free wi-fi is available.

I'm quite attached to it now. I primarily use it for the radio (had to go for an expensive model as headphone jacks are rare these days Hmm) and Candy Crush.

TheWorldAsh · 19/10/2019 18:32

@BarbedBloom iPhones have supported wireless charging since the iPhone 8.

As for Samsung, well I'd trust the finger print reader as far as I could throw the phone. Seeing as even on the S10 it can be easily tricked.

BarbedBloom · 19/10/2019 18:42

Ah @WorldAsh Fair enough, the iPhone I had most have been the 7 then as mine didn't and it would have cost far more for the next iPhone so ended up going android. As I said, we were Apple for years but I just find them too expensive in comparison. As for the fingerprint, I also have a pin enabled so double authentication anyway. :)