Mobile by Sainsbury's feedback thread - £200 Sainsbury's giftcard to be won NOW CLOSED

[AngelieMumsnet]

This thread is for the 30 MNers trying out the Mobile by Sainsbury's service.

Below are the questions we'd like testers to answer but please feel free to add your own comments too.

• How easy was the setup process?
• How do you find the signal coverage? Is it reliable? Have you had any issues with this?
• How has your family been using the service? i.e. is it you or your DC/DP who has the handset? How useful have you/they found the Mobile by Sainsbury's service?
• Which services have you/ your DC/DP used most – calls, texts or data?
• How have you/your DC/DP found the Y330? Did it impress you, given its budget price?
• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend this network to your friends or not?
• Would you recommend the Y330 as a first smartphone, or not?

Everyone who was part of the test and who adds their feedback will be entered into a prize draw where one winner will get a £200 Sainsbury's giftcard as a thank you.

Thanks,

MNHQ

Sorry I haven't had a chance to post before.

Here's my feedback, my dd 13 has been mainly using the phone up to now, here are her comments:

• How easy was the setup process?

Quite easy

• How do you find the signal coverage? Is it reliable? Have you had any issues with this?

Sometimes it would briefly stop giving me reception but mostly it was good

• How has your family been using the service? i.e. is it you or your DC/DP who has the handset? How useful have you/they found the Mobile by Sainsbury's service?

I (dd) used it mainly for data, however I did a bit of texting and it was quite good except for occasional glitchy moments

• Which services have you/ your DC/DP used most – calls, texts or data?

Data

• How have you/your DC/DP found the Y330? Did it impress you, given its budget price?

Given the price it impressed me a lot.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend this network to your friends or not?

I'd say it was good as a first smartphone, but it can be hard going from, for example, a iPhone to the Y330 as iPhone is a very advanced smartphone whereas the Y330 is more for

• Would you recommend the Y330 as a first smartphone, or not?

I think it's good as a first one as it gives you a basic idea of smartphones.

How easy was the setup process?

The phone was extremely easy to set up and use.

• How do you find the signal coverage? Is it reliable? Have you had any issues with this?

The coverage seems very good, I've had no issues getting a signal and using the phone.

• How has your family been using the service? i.e. is it you or your DC/DP who has the handset? How useful have you/they found the Mobile by Sainsbury's service?

We've all tried the phone, my children found it easy to use and could use all of the features and navigate it easily. The mobile by Sainsbury's service seems to be reliable and easy to use, and receiving nectar points is definitely an incentive to use the service.

• Which services have you/ your DC/DP used most – calls, texts or data?

We've used data the most as we would on our usual phones.

• How have you/your DC/DP found the Y330? Did it impress you, given its budget price?

The phone is easy to use and looks nice considering the price. It runs well and has all features expected from a basic smartphone. It's ideal for younger users.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend this network to your friends or not?

Yes because coverage is good and you can earn nectar points.

• Would you recommend the Y330 as a first smartphone, or not?

Yes because it is value for money and I wouldn't be overly concerned about it be lost, broken or stolen if I bought it for my children.

Thanks for choosing me as a tester

Just popping back to update. Well a few days on, we're all really impressed with this phone and the network! We've had connectivity issues on orange/EE over the w/e but the huawei has been fine wherever we've been... A huge tick in its favour.

Just an quick update, I can not believe how long the battery lasts for! It can go on for a couple of days. Brilliant! Still had no problems with signal so its so far so good x.

My 11 year old has been testing this mobile, thank you very much Mumsnet & Sainsbury's for the chance.

How easy was the setup process?
Firstly, like wasfield & RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie, I too thought that it was the smaller SIM card,
got it stuck in the phone and had to take it to the local phone repair shop who kindly removed it for me, and said this was quite a common problem!
Went to Sainsbury's and bought a new SIM for the purpose of the review - Still trying to contact Sainsbury's about the £15 credit that was on the original SIM, not heard anything back from them about it as yet.
After the initial drama, setting up personal preferences was really easy,
he found the onscreen instructions easy to follow and had the phone up and running in no time at all.

How do you find the signal coverage? Is it reliable? Have you had any issues with it?
So far we have had no problems with signal coverage. Getting a connection can be quite unreliable in our house but so far so good.

How has your family been using the service? i.e. is it you or your DC/DP who has the handset? How useful have you/they found the Mobile by Sainsbury's service?
My 11 year old has been using the mobile but we have all have a little go. He wanted a mobile for Christmas anyway, so he has claimed it as his own. Useful to keep an eye on him when he is out and about!!

Which services have you/ your DC/DP used most – calls, texts or data?
Mostly texts, and watching YouTube. Downloaded a few apps and I have been able to call him when he is at the park with friends. Only thing he is grumbling about is no front facing camera for selfies!!

How have you/your DC/DP found the Y330? Did it impress you, given its budget price?
He loves it. he feels that even though it is a 'cheap' phone, it looks like it cost more. He is really, really impressed with it.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend this network to your friends or not?
We have had no problems with the Sainsbury's network so far, calls, text, and data bundles are great. Signal fine so far, so if it came up in conversation, it would be one that I would definitely recommend,
I may even switch from my current network.

Would you recommend the Y330 as a first smartphone, or not?
Yes, most of my sons friends have their parents old phones so he thinks he is the bees-knees with this.
Cheaper that the big names, but does exactly the same. Would definitely recommend, especially as he is at an age where things get lost or stolen, the budget price takes a lot of that pressure away.
Will be thinking about this phone for my daughters birthday next year, as she is extremely jealous!

Feedback from my son has been extremely positive, apart from our mistake at the beginning of the trial, we have had no problems at all.
Thanks again!

Sorry for the delay in submitting my review, and please ignore any spelling/grammar errors above (;

• How easy was the setup process?

I am an idiot and it was no idiot proof. I snapped the sim card out of its container, put it in the hole and it disappeared. Apparently I had made it too small. I could find nothing on the packaging to talk an innocent igoramus like me through the process. Spent a night weeping, thinking I had naffed it up. Next day I took it to a man in a booth who wrenched it open and recovered the sim. He also sold me a little adapter and mad eit all well again. I was so happy!

I continued the the set up after that - which was easy enough. The instructions on the letter and in the box did not match up in terms of whether you should charge it first or put sim in first etc. That was a bit frustrating. I suppose I am one of the few people left in the Western universe who has not had a phone before - but really did not find it easy to feel confident I was ever doing the right thing. Also the manual was only found after a bit of searching online - all 70 pages of it (still not read - going on a need to know basis). Why do manuals not come with items any more?

I was very scared about putting the SD card, given the sim card experience, but it worked ok after I dared myself to shove it up, so to speak.

In terms of linking in to email, facebook, twitter etc - this seems to have worked Ok - more by trial and intuition, than by any guidance. Linked to nectar card - that was fine. I still have a lot to learn about it - what do all the bits mean at the top of the screen, why do certain facebook statuses flash up along the top. Is it using energy needlessly informing me of all this vital information such as Fred's cat is playing with a rubber band etc etc.

But I still can't believe I have such a powerful computer in my hand on the street and that it can let me look at the internet and do google maps and find out when buses are due - things other people have been doing for ages. Wow!

• How do you find the signal coverage? Is it reliable? Have you had any issues with this?

Seems fine to me - but I am in the very centre of my city and I would expect it to be fine.

• How has your family been using the service? i.e. is it you or your DC/DP who has the handset? How useful have you/they found the Mobile by Sainsbury's service?

I have it. DS is obsessed with me getting some gaming apps but I have not read that bit of the manual yet. I now have a screen protector and am waiting for a case to come through the post. Once these are in place, I might let his sticky fingers jab at it.

• Which services have you/ your DC/DP used most – calls, texts or data?

I don't know who to phone - have only done that once. I use it to check emails on the go, look at social media. I will use it more and more for calls and texts.

• How have you/your DC/DP found the Y330? Did it impress you, given its budget price?

I am very impressed. I have nothing to compare it to. I would like to spend a day with an iphone, but doubt for my purposes it does much more and at x times the price. The camera is neat. Took some good pictures - need to see if I can upload them to net - I imagine I can.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend this network to your friends or not?

I would recommend this phone and network. Again I have no comparison, but the bundle for £10 or 15 strikes me as doable. I have no idea how long it will last and really wonder how I will find out that my data usage is all used up. So still a lot of questions for me. Have to go to NY later this month and wonder whether to take it and if it will cost a fortune to use. I m pretty scared of it and all the talk of data roaming, but I guess if it is PAYG then I can't use more than I have loaded on the phone if I inadvertently go online or something. I really don't understand this word of phones.

• Would you recommend the Y330 as a first smartphone, or not?

yes, I would. But I really feel I am only just finding out what it does, how to do it and speak from a position of ignorance that is getting slightly less ignorant.

Telsa - I'm in exactly the same position and have heard nothing from Sainsbury's, though I know lovely Mn had contacted them. What kind of little man do I need to take it to, please?

• How easy was the setup process?

Seemed very straightforward and very easy.

• How do you find the signal coverage? Is it reliable? Have you had any issues with this?

The signal coverage in the house generally is not brilliant. However I would say that the Sainsbury's signal is better than my Tesco one but not quite as good as Vodaphone.

• How has your family been using the service? i.e. is it you or your DC/DP who has the handset? How useful have you/they found the Mobile by Sainsbury's service?

My DD (10) has been using it and I have also used it a bit. I used the Sainbury's service to link my Nectar points which was easy and a great idea. We haven't worked out how to check the balance (actually just went onto the website and found the number, not a particularly easy one to remember though).

• Which services have you/ your DC/DP used most – calls, texts or data?

My DD has mostly used it for texting (she says she likes all the smiley face icons). She has also used data quite a bit for game playing. She has made 1 or 2 calls and liked the choice of ring tones.

• How have you/your DC/DP found the Y330? Did it impress you, given its budget price?

She says it has been a really good experience and she thinks it's a great phone. It's really quick at responding and it was easy to download the games she loves, such as Movie Star Planet, Subway Surf, Boonieverse and none of them have been laggy! She had been looking at the Nokia Lumia 530 but thinks this looks just as good. I think the optimization button is really good as it seems to just automatically shut down stuff you have open. Her only negative point is that the headphones are too big for her little ears!

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend this network to your friends or not?

I like the idea that you earn Nectar points. I think it would be better if there were lower priced bundles, e.g. Tesco's do £7.50 ones and they are capped too.

• Would you recommend the Y330 as a first smartphone, or not?

Yes definitely. It does a lot for a cheaper end of the market phone and looks good too

I just went to one of those high street shops where they do sim unlocking and all that stuff...so not EE or VOdaphone or one of those networks, but an independent place. They often sell phone cases and the like too. he asked me if he could open it up . I said yes, he opened it, got the little card out. I said what do I do now. he said I can sell you a card adapter. he did that. I gave him £3. Relief!

I just wanted to add that my girls are impressed as they've been playing games the last couple of days and the battery has lasted, the phone is responsive and the Internet is quick enough to download games and play them online. They have played games that other cheap smartphones have been unable to run.

My Feedback:

• How easy was the setup process?

Very easy-There wasnt a full instruction book so I thought it might be tricky but it worked pretty much straight out of the box and the on screen instructions were good

• How do you find the signal coverage? Is it reliable? Have you had any issues with this?

Again, no problems which has been a surprise as we live in a very poor area for reception-EE and Orange have virtually no signal round here so I have always used o2

• How has your family been using the service? i.e. is it you or your DC/DP who has the handset? How useful have you/they found the Mobile by Sainsbury's service?

I have been testing the phone together with my 10 year old son. We have made calls, sent texts, used the internet and downlosded a couple of games so far. My son loves it because of the large screen size for games.

• Which services have you/ your DC/DP used most – calls, texts or data?

Probably games plus using Instagram/Facebook

• How have you/your DC/DP found the Y330? Did it impress you, given its budget price?

I was amazed by this phone-I thought it would be cheap looking but it is great. My son thinks its fantastic! The screen is a good size and its easy to use. It doesnt look like a basic model of phone at all.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend this network to your friends or not?

Yes I would-particularly due to getting nectar points on top up

• Would you recommend the Y330 as a first smartphone, or not?

Definitely-it is good value for money and for a first phone it looks great. The only downside I can see is the lack of a front facing camera for 'selfies' which most older teenagers would find essential. I also need to go and buy a case so it doesnt get scratched in son's pocket.

Thanks so much for this product test-it has been such a treat!

Thanks, Telsa.

Have just spoken to a very lovely man from Sainsbury's and he is going to sort me out. Am v impressed.

And I will get a clever person to set it all up for me this time!

How easy was the setup process?
I found it really easy to set up, it was quick to do and I'm not very technologically minded and normally struggle with things like this.

How do you find the signal coverage? Is it reliable? Have you had any issues with this?
We were already on Vodafone as it is the only network that works where we are so we found the signal coverage fine. It was much better in town which is what I would expect. Living in a very rural area we are used to a bad mobile signal

How has your family been using the service? i.e. is it you or your DC/DP who has the handset? How useful have you/they found the Mobile by Sainsbury's service?
My 13 year old son has been using the mobile as his mobile had broken and he needs one to take to school so he can contact us when he needs picking up from school when he stays for after school activities. It is a much better phone than his old one and he has used it a lot. He has found it handy for texting me and keeping in touch with his friends.

Which services have you/ your DC/DP used most – calls, texts or data?
He has used the data most as he keeps in touch with friends with facebook. He has watched videos on it and said the quality was really good. He has downloaded apps and games and is thrilled with the phone

How have you/your DC/DP found the Y330? Did it impress you, given its budget price?
I am really impressed with the quality as it is such an inexpensive phone. It is great for children at school as if he loses it or breaks it won't cost a fortune to replace

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend this network to your friends or not?
Definitely and I already have

Would you recommend the Y330 as a first smartphone, or not?
Yes, it's so easy to use and has a lot of features that I wouldn't expect from a phone this price and I am planning to buy one for my Dad for Christmas as it is much easier to use that the old one that he has. The screen size is good and it will be much easier for him to see.

Thank you for letting us try it, my son is thrilled with his new phone

Just wanted to add to this as it is a while since I did my first review and I have been using the phone a bit longer now. I am still loving the phone and the service, absolutely no problems with coverage and the internet works fine away from home. I can't find the flash on the camera so am assuming there isn't one but other than that absolutely no negatives about Sainsbury's mobile or the Y330.

Just realised that I forgot to add, although I am enjoying using the phone and I think for the price this is on the market for it is excellent the big problem that DS has mentioned that there is no flash on the camera, this is not a huge problem for me as I don't really use the flash but as DS sits on his phone in the evening wanting to snapchat the no flash means it takes some pretty dark snapchats.

Sorry for the late feedback!

HOW EASY WAS IT TO SET UP? Very easy to set up, just put the SIM card in and followed onscreen instructions. No problem at all.

HOW DO YOU FIND THE SIGNAL COVERAGE our house can be a bit of a black spot at times but haven't had any noticeable issues with it and we've always been able to contact DD whilst she has been out and about.

HOW HAS THE FAMILY BEEN USING THE SERVICE? DD has been using the phone and she mainly used it for texting and playing on apps - mainly oovoo which she is obsessed with! Occasional use of data whilst out but mainly connected to wifi in the house.

WHICH SERVICES HAVE YOU USED MOST? As above, mainly texts and the odd call/data.

HOW HAVE YOU FOUND THE Y330? Really good, we put a memory card in so that DD could download extra content and it seems to be the only phone (other than the iPhone that we won't let her have) that cuts the mustard, I think it looks and acts enough like an iPhone to be cool to younger teens, but without the hit to the pocket! DD's Only real gripe as with others is that there is no rear facing camera for use on video messaging sites and for selfies.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND THIS NETWORK? Yes, we had no issues.

WOULD YOU RECOMMEND Y330 AS A FIRST SMART PHONE? Yes, we're really pleased with it and DD seems to be quite taken with it also, had the cool factor without the price tag, what's not to like?

I would like to add that although I did find out how to use many of the features described on here, a quick start setup guide leaflet, with a link to a more detailed online guide as with most other phones, would definitely be an advantage if the mobile is to be targeted at older users - and indeed, any user not familiar to the type of phone. I have found myself googling 'how to' several times, and I know my mother would not be capable of doing that without being floored by the conflicting advice available.

My daughter id going on a short break this weekend with the RLSB ( she is partially sighted) This will be her 1st time away from home on her own and she is taking the phone so it will be interesting to see how she gets on with it on her own without her brothers help and how many phone calls we get from her over the week end!!

How easy was the setup process?
Setup was really easy and VERY QUICK. Being an iPhone user for nearly 4 years now, I found Y330 much easier to setup and have most of the Smartphone features. The only missing thing was the front camera and I felt, it could have been there for little extra price (may be) as Front Camera is the most used for Skype and other video chat. The Speed was good and Picture and video quality was much acceptable for the price. Overall, I am pleased with the look and feel and performance. Happy with the Sleek and weightless smartphone. Hope the screen stays tougher even after a few falls which I am expecting to happen soon.

• How do you find the signal coverage? Is it reliable? Have you had any issues with this?

Much better than my current provider. I know how annoying it is when you see the signal bar dying when you really need to phone someone. Have never used Sainsburys mobile before and I was never let down except for the usual signal loss in some supermarkets and parking area.

• How has your family been using the service? i.e. is it you or your DC/DP who has the handset? How useful have you/they found the Mobile by Sainsbury's service?

I was the one who initially was doing the set up and tested it. It' my daughter who used the phone and she was so proud of having her own hone and I was really surprised how she took care of her own gadgets. She found it really easy to navigate through the applications and options and now downloading the apps she needs for her studies. I need to explore the options for parental control now.

• Which services have you/ your DC/DP used most – calls, texts or data?

Data and phone were mostly used. She is more excited with video quality and happy playing Youtube videos for her little sister.

• How have you/your DC/DP found the Y330? Did it impress you, given its budget price?

For the budget, it is a great smartphone. I still wish there could have been a front camera as I originally planned to gift it to Mum and we speak a lot on Skype. DD was really impressed and pleased with her smartphone though.

• If it came up in conversation, would you recommend this network to your friends or not?

Of course, I will, For a low budget smartphone Y330 is definitely good. I have noticed, there is also Y350 which is slightly on the higher end, but still with No front Camera.

• Would you recommend the Y330 as a first smartphone, or not?

If someone is looking for a Low Budget, yet a good Smartphone, yes, I will definitely bring it forward in the conversation. I know a lot of people who wants to own a smartphone, but afraid of investing a lot of money on High end phones. So, Y330 is definitely the best option to consider.

A glitch. DD tried to turn the phone off yesterday (for school) and the screen froze, saying it was shutting down and was like it all day. She was really worried it would beep and she'd get told off. When she got home I took the battery out and put it back in and it was fine, so may have been a one-off but something to watch out for.

How easy was set up proscess-
Really easy.

Signal coverage
reliable - even has signal in school which didn't have before ( and we are in a big city)

How has the service been used
By 15yr old mostly to text ( lots) , a few calls and some internet.

Using onavo and onavo extend apps to monitor and maximise data use - would recommend this.

Impressive for the price - agreed. Bit light and plasticy from my adult point of view though.

Recommend as 1st smart phone - absolutely. It's ideal. It isn't capeable of some things eg hayday but as a mum that's ok as it keeps the data use down.

Snags - doesn't recognise some headphones and the ones that came with it are uncomfortable apparently.

Other thoughts from mum - I haven't explored parental controls as at 15 we are stopping using these things as she's shes nearly an adult.

How easy was the setup process?
Very clear and easy to do even for someone who's current phone was crafted by dinosaurs. I am usually baffled by the new smart phones

How do you find the signal coverage? Is it reliable? Have you had any issues with this?
Signal coverage is excellent, I was surprised as I practically live in the middle of nowhere, so full marks to Sainsbury's.

How has your family been using the service? i.e. is it you or your DC/DP who has the handset? How useful have you/they found the Mobile by Sainsbury's service?
It is mostly me who has been using this phone and I have to say I am really enjoying it, only problem is that it is a tad slow when you press an app. But other than that It's perfect for a first phone or someone like me who is practically technophobic.

Which services have you/ your DC/DP used most – calls, texts or data?
Data mumsnet has never been used by me so often

How have you/your DC/DP found the Y330? Did it impress you, given its budget price?
I have to say I researched this phone when I got it for price ect, and to be honest for the price I wasn't expecting much. I was however very pleasantly surprised. It is a tad slow, however for a child's first phone it is perfect. I love it, even DH with his fancy iphone was impressed

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend this network to your friends or not?
I have to say the coverage is fantastic and works as well and any other if not better as it is so cheap. I have been recommending this far and wide

Would you recommend the Y330 as a first smartphone, or not?
As a first phone this is fabulous, My son who has autism was very enthusiastic and managed to get to know it inside out in about err 5 seconds . I may have to now relent and either give him this phone or buy him one of his own

Thank you very much for allowing me to test this, it has been fun.

Have been so impressed by the service offered by Sainsburys. Am really scared of trying to actually set the phone up now though ! Am a complete Luddite.

How easy was the setup process?

It was easy

How do you find the signal coverage? Is it reliable? Have you had any issues with this?

Overall it has been pretty reliable. However, always get a few problems here in deepest darkest Devon as mobile coverage for all networks does seem to be a little patchy.

How has your family been using the service? i.e. is it you or your DC/DP who has the handset? How useful have you/they found the Mobile by Sainsbury's service?

My youngest DS who is nearly 10 has been using it mostly to play games. I have also tested it out with texts and calls. Have not had to contact the Mobile by Sainsburys people at all. It was easy to connect to my Nectar card.

Which services have you/ your DC/DP used most – calls, texts or data?

Have used it for all of the above, but mainly data. It has been perfect for DS to play games.

How have you/your DC/DP found the Y330? Did it impress you, given its budget price?

It is ideal as a budget price phone. It is slower than the iphone of course as is reflected in the price

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend this network to your friends or not?

Yes, I would and have done.

Would you recommend the Y330 as a first smartphone, or not?

Yes definitely. It is absolutely perfect for downloading free games and has kept my DS very happy indeed. Also it remains charged for ages (unlike my iphone5!)

Thank you so much for allowing me to test this