Luddite Alert! Where can I get a good mobile deal when I know nothing?

[JustAnotherManicMummy]

DH and I both have separate, expired Vodaphone contracts. I need a new handset because some of the numbers have fallen off and DH has worn his out.

We usually go for 18 month deals and the majority of his calls are to me. I mainly ring him and landlines, but text and picture message a lot.

Would we be better getting a contract between us (does this exist?) with two handsets? Or separate.

He'd go for Pay as you go except he wants a new phone.

I got a free Orange PAYG Sim for the cinema offer which I suppose he could use if we switched to Orange. But is it worth it?

And then there's the Iphone. Do I really want need one or is it just vanity?

Any suggestions welcome

3 have some good deals from £15 a month which I think include unlimited calls between 3 mobiles. Decent handsets too. Virgin have got cheap deals from about £8.50 but limited talk and text, relatively small amounts of minutes. Moneysavingexpert has some good advice.

Thanks for your reply

For some reason I am not keen on 3 (do they have a reputation for poor service or connection or something or did I imagine that?)

I will have a look on Moneysavingexpert thank you.

Any one else got any ideas/opinions? What about the iphone? Will I regret not getting one or not notice?

bumping for the geeky ones that only come out at night

Nothing to stop him getting a new phone on PAYG. There are loads to choose from, with a variety of features (eg 5 Mpixel camera) at not much over 100 quid. Look at the range of phones in Argos and Asda on PAYG before you lock into some contract, perhaps.

Going for an iPhone based on your existing use seems a bit OTT - 30+ quid a month for 18 or 24 months seems a load of outlay (esp if picture messaging isn't included in the deal).

If you call landlines and mobiles, then it depends on how many minutes you use as to what seems the best option.

Pretty sure that Orange and T-Mobile (and possibly Virgin) do deals for calling your friends but nowadays even the PAYG deals often seem to have only 30 day cover (rip-offs!) while I know the Asda PAYG credit doesn't expire in 30 days and is only 8p/min to mobiles or landlines and 4p/text (sorry not sure about MMS as I don't bother sending photos, I always copy to PC and e-mail them!)

Thank you WebDude that's very helpful.

I have had quite a frustrating day on the phone to Vodaphone. They can give me a contract with DH as an add on for £10 per month but only if he has a new mobile number. If he wants he can transfer his mobile number - unless he's an exisiting Vodaphone customer (he is) and then he "has to get his own upgrade" which starts at about £15 per month for a more rubbish package

Well that's probably 2 less customers for Vodaphone to worry about!

you could probably transfer the numbers to Asda, then transfer back to Vodafone later if you really want to keep them (understandable).

Asda actually uses Vodafone's network so Voda-locked phones accept Asda SIMs - handy if you see a bargain PAYG on Voda that has camera / radio / music or whatever, eg Voda 533 or 527 in Asda/ George.

Must admit I just 'collect' numbers - 2 on Orange (free SMS alerts for incoming e-mail, 30 free SMS a month per number, even though I only put 5 quid credit on every 5-6 months), 2 on VM (free voicemail, so I use them for different website customers).

Keep getting new Asda SIMs (free with a five quid top-up voucher) to see whether I get some nice 'golden' number I want to keep for the long term!