What type of phone shall I get?

There are two types; basic mobile phones and smartphones. Prices range from £10 to over £800 and choosing the right one depends on what you're going to use it for.

Basic mobile phones

• Perfect for basics like calls and texts
• Longer battery life
• No touchscreen or smart features
• Generally cheaper than most smartphones

Entry-level smartphones

• Smart features at a lower price
• Capable of everyday tasks
• May lack the latest tech and highest specs

High-end smartphones

• Smooth performance and top features
• The latest flagship products from leading brands
• Up-to-date technology

SIM Free or pay as you go?

Most phones need a SIM card to make calls, send messages and use data. We offer two options for this; pay as you go phones and SIM free phones.

Pay as you go phones

• Choose a phone and network provider together
• No monthly contract
• Top up your credit when you want and by how much you want

SIM free phones

• You need to buy a SIM card to go with your phone
• Usually a monthly usage contract
• Estimate how many texts, minutes and data you'll use each month before purchase

Top tip: There are three types of SIM card; nano, micro and standard. Before buying a SIM card, you can check our product pages to find out what type of SIM each phone takes.

Using your phone abroad

Going abroad with your phone? Check with your provider about costs as your monthly usage plan probably won't cover you overseas and you could come back from your holiday with unexpected charges.

Smartphone Guide

Smartphones are essentially pocket computers and our guide is here to help you understand the specs and what features to look out for.

What is an operating system?

The operating system defines the layout, features and usability of your phone. There are 3 main operating systems; Android, iOS and Windows.

Android, iOS or Windows – What's the difference?

iOS

• Only used in Apple products
• Simple layout and smooth performance
• Sync with other Apple devices
• Apple app store has around 2 million apps

ANDROID

• Operating system used by various brands, including Samsung, Sony & LG
• Good choice of devices, with varying specifications and prices
• Home screen is easy to personalise
• Google Play Store has over 2 million apps

WINDOWS

• Tiled home screen layout is good for organisation
• Simple to transfer files between Microsoft laptops, tablets and desktops
• Limited selection of mobiles
• App store has over 500, 000 apps

What size phone should I get?

Phones with smaller screens are likely to sit more comfortably in your hand. Larger phones are more suitable for work and if you use your mobile to watch lots of videos, as you'll get a bigger screen.

Top tip: If you're worried about a phone being too big, some brands have compact versions that pack all the main features into a smaller design.

Phone Specifications Guide

When it comes to smartphones, it's what underneath that matters and it's vital to choose one with the right camera, connectivity and specifications to suit your needs.

Camera features

If your phone is your main way to take photos, a good camera is a must. Most phones have two cameras; a front one for selfies and a rear camera for everything else.

Megapixels – Generally, the more megapixels a camera has, the better picture quality you'll get.
Auto-focus – Gives clearer results by helping the camera concentrate on people or objects.
Image stabilisation – Prevents blurry images by compensating for camera movement.
4K video – Some smartphones can now record videos in 4K – the highest quality of video recording.

How much storage do I need?

Most phones come with built-in storage, but the amount you need depends on how much you plan to keep saved.

Low usage – 8GB to 16GB – Basic file, app and image saving.
Medium usage – 16GB to 32GB – Ample storage for music, some videos, apps and games.
High usage – 64GB – Space for TV shows, films and a large music collection.

Top tip – Most phones come with pre-installed software which can take up a portion of storage. This means a phone with 16GB might only have 12GB free.

Source: www.argos.co.uk