Smartphone questions from a technophobe.

[Wingedharpy]

Posting for traffic.

I've never owned a smartphone, though I do have a mobile for odd call and text purposes.
I use a tablet mainly, for day to day internet browsing.

I feel I need to invest in a smart phone due to the way things are moving - contactless stuff, automated this, that and t'other.

I've found one I think I could get on with but I don't want a monthly contract - I'm thinking pay as you go - I don't think I'll use it a huge amount TBH.

So, I buy phone of choice and, I understand, I need a SIM card which I can get from mobile provider people.

Where will the new phone number be? Is it the number on the SIM card or is it somewhere in the phone ? - I don't want to give up my old phone , at least, not just yet.

Does the SIM card enable me to use the internet on the phone?

I appreciate these questions will appear ludicrous to some folk but I'm of an age where this stuff wasn't around in my formative years and my job didn't involve this stuff either.
And, we've no kids to roll their eyes and sort it out for us, so, I'm adopting you folks!

All help and advice gratefully received.

You should be able to keep the number that’s currently linked to the mobile phone you do use (that has a SIM card in it too). It’s called porting.

You may even be able to take the SIM card from old phone and put in new one. Depends on make a mind model.

If you buy a new SIM the number will be in the packaging it comes with. You can’t normally see this pre-purchase.

Which network and tariff have you chosen?

The SIM will allow you to access 3G and 4G. Check your tariff so you’ve got data included. This saves you using up lots of credit (money) on data when you’re not connected to wifi.

For example. I got my parents the o2 Bid Data Bundle at £10. Have a look at that and see if it fits your needs.

OK, first of all, is your new smartphone going to be on the same mobile network as your old mobile? If so, all you have to do is ask them to transfer your existing mobile number to your smartphone. Easy!

If you are changing mobile network you can still transfer your number, it just might take a little longer.

If you want PAYG the mobile networks offer a choice of different plans, depending on how much you want to spend per month. Whichever plan you choose it will include a certain amount of internet access plus calls and texts.

When you buy a phone your SIM comes with it, all you have to do is put it into the phone. You can ask shop staff to do this for you if you like. The SIM enables you to make calls etc.

I, too, am of a certain vintage and I chose my mobile network on the basis of which of them gave the clearest information. I have PAYG because I don't want to be tied into a contract. I'm not in the UK so can't recommend any in particular, but I think you'll find you can get better value than here in Ireland. I pay €20 per month for my PAYG and I have all the internet and calls that I need.

Oh, another point - get a phone that uses the same system as your tablet. If it's a iPad get an iPhone; if it's android get a Samsung or Huawei or similar. Makes it much easier to get used to.

Hope some of the above is helpful

Thank you all - very helpful.

I want to keep the old mobile, at least for the time being, so assume that number stays with that phone and new mobile has to have a new number?

Old mobile is with Tesco PAYG but don't want Tesco for new one.

I'm leaning towards a Samsung phone as my tablet is Samsung, and I love it, so was thinking I would be more familiar with some of the features of that rather than some other brand.

@glasshalfsomething :I looked at PAYG with Giffgaff but then found a company called 1p mobile (runs on EE network apparently) and that looks even better/cheaper, for my needs.

I really don't envisage surfing the internet on a tiny phone screen so it's will just be used for those situations where you have to flash a barcode at someone or click and collect situations when they say "click this link to let us know you've arrived" etc.

I want to keep the old mobile, at least for the time being, so assume that number stays with that phone and new mobile has to have a new number?

Yes, that's correct as you can't have the same number on both phones. If it's not being too nosey, why do you want to keep the old phone? Would it not be easier to just transfer everything to your new phone and go from there?

@wellthatsunusual : I may well not be able to work the new phone for 6 months while I'm working it all out.

I'd be buying it on line, not from a phone shop so it would be teach yourself or ask Mumsnet.

Old phone is geared up for doddery old folk so I can see screen, numbers etc without glasses!

Ah now, you're totally underestimating yourself!

Honestly, if you can use the tablet you can use the phone too. It's just like a miniature tablet that also makes phonecalls

Belt and braces, wellthats, belt and braces!

Do you have a tesco mobile phoneshop near you? They were a great help to my elderly aunt who lives far from me. They set up her new phone put her numbers on it and put it on easy mode. When she had questions she just went back to the lad and he helped her.