Which smartphone to buy?

[sweetestthing]

My iphone 4s needs replaced: the battery drains if you even look at the phone, it keeps freezing and it's annoying me greatly. I am on a SIM only contract that runs until next June and I can't last until then without a new phone, so am looking to buy one now.

Not going for the iphone 6 or 5, and am thinking of Samsung (Note 4, or similar) or the HTC One M8. I use my phone for browsing, emails, texting and the (very) occasional phone call.

Any recommendations from you lovely technology experts, please?

Thank you! If I can decide quickly, DH will buy it for me for Christmas, yay!

What network is the SIM for, and what size is it (you may need to pay for a replacement SIM if the new phone uses a different size... the SIMs can be mini {any from the last 10 years, or more), micro, and nano...

What budget do you have to spend. Only ask because the PAYG or SIM-free purchases range these days goes from under 100 to 700 pounds and that leaves a lot of options...

Is data (4G) very important to you, or not? Some phones have a 2013 model which is only 3G which may cost a fraction of the new 2014 4G/LTE version, IYSWIM.

Does size matter? Screen size, of course? Asking in case you'd rule out a 'mini' 4" screen, just as an example. If you are switching from Apple to Android, are you really sure about it, given you may be able to pick up a refurbished iPhone and have the Apps you are familiar with, or are you looking for the learning experience with Android, and happy to try different Apps, or perhaps purchase some again for that platform?

Sorry about so many questions, but want you to be sure of what you need and want before getting an Android and after a week, saying 'X^%Z$%Z, much prefer iPhone after all'...

I mention the SIM in case you opt for some particular phone and then there's a delay sending the SIM out in time for Christmas... (Sorry, just don't want you to have a lovely shiny new phone with disappointment that it cannot be used for calls/ texts/ data until 6th January.)

NetworkGuy, thanks for such a helpful and full answer!

I had an Android phone before and liked it - returned to iphone because I got sucked in by the whole Apple thing :) Budget isn't a problem as I will be charging it to my company. 4G isn't a big thing as it's not yet in my area but I will probably try to find a phone that is 4G-enabled as I will be in a 4G region for work purporses. I'd quite like a big screen (eyes getting increasingly long-sighted!!), so I think my best bet is to go to a phone store and just try some out.

Thank you for clarifying my thinking. I'll post back with an update of what I get. Now to brave the crowds.......

Ended up having a long chat with the very helpful young man in the phone shop, tried out a few handsets and ended up buying the Galaxy Alpha. Nice screen size - not too big - and I rather like the Android system. It's 4G-enabled, so it's future-proofed for me.

Thanks for your advice!

NetworkGuy, thanks for such a helpful and full answer!

LOL. I think many on MN have the concentration of a gnat so assume anything that takes more than they could send in a 'tweet' is too waffly. Maybe just me, but writing whole sentences and sometimes going off at a tangent can give people snippets of info they find useful over and above the primary topic being discussed.

Budget isn't a problem as I will be charging it to my company.

Aha! That sounds very good. I hope to be doing the same in 2015. Do you mean 'your' company, 'family' company, or 'employer' company? Just that the first two are often the better ones in terms of flexibility when going for something at the expensive end of the scale :)

Right. Taking into account your big screen wish (I can see the Note 4 beckons) I took a longer look during the afternoon, before I went to bed. Hope the following doesn't bore you to tears! Here we go!

For something with a big screen, and up-to-date, and budget less important, then perhaps the Motorola Moto X would be suitable, along with the Note 4, or HTC One M8.

I selected a range of phones *> here

AArgh. Sorry, had started writing late morning, after reading your comment early on. Had a nap, woke up, woke the computer up, saw that I had not posted, and did so. Then went off to read some other threads!

Have just come back to this thread, and see you made a choice this afternoon... well done! :)

Thanks, NetworkGuy - you've done loads of research and I do appreciate it. I had been warned about the Sony Experia so ruled that out and ended up choosing out of the Alpha, the HTC One M8 and the Galaxy S5. I ruled out the Note as it was just too big but the three I've mentioned were all strong contenders.

The Alpha just felt nice in my hand :)

Thanks again. I really appreciate the time you spent on this. Merry Christmas.

Just wondering how you're getting on with your Alpha, Sweetest?
This is on my shortlist (along with the s5/s5 mini). I currently have an iPhone 5 and fancy a change!