Tips for Buying a New Phone

This article tells you what you need to buy a mobile phone and things to look for...


Size

- Its a fact that mobile phones are increasingly becoming more larger in size. However the current best size or fit is roughly 3.5-4.7 inches. Keep in mind when you get phone, most people buy a phone case whether they have a Android smartphone, iPhone or Windows 8 Phone. The case inevitably adds bulk. Point in case I use to have a HTC One S. A beautiful phone, for which I have several cases depending on where I am going out. One can think Iron Man and his suits:)))), so with that in mind.

- Think about what are you going to check your phone for? Emails, surfing the net? then a larger screen is probably better- The new HTC One is currently setting the trend for how a smartphone should be. The new Blinkfeed system which presents 'nuggets' of information seems to be giving consumers what they want.

-Taking photos a lot? Again a good screen and a good lens and megapixel count all go hand in hand, however again new technology and innovation are challenging the 'megapixel' theory.

The HTC One for example uses 'ultrapixel' technology which in short terms means the camera lets in more light and produces a better picture. Also the megalpixel being at 4mp means a smaller file size too. So when looking for a new phone be sure make sure the surrounding camera tech is just as good.

-Your hand size......if you have a chance to test your phone, using your hand (writing one), hold it and see if you can carry out most functions such as menu switching and typing. Also try holding the phone and speaking.

Buttons or Screen Buttons

- Touchscreens are the normal outlook for smartphones with all but the infamous Blackberry adopting them en mass. Again the wonders of developers means a variety of keyboard apps for touchscreen phones mean now you can accommodate any writing style.

- Buttons on the other hand offer a physical tactile experience but your stuck with the keys so you better like them!

Battery

- If you need raw performance and smartphone features consider going for Samsung Galaxy 4, HTC One or an iPhone 5. Also when you get your phone go through and turn off any features you do not need/can be saved e.g. syncing of apps not used much, screen brightness turned down. Again there a many power saver apps although the best ones that actually make a difference do all these easy changes anyway. We always find turning off 'sync' considerably saves a lot of power. Plus in todays hectic world of busy people, sometimes its good to simply switch off...

-With phones where the battery is not removable, then bear in mind, generally a bigger screen and higher quality will zap the power more. Again with good sense of turning off features you don't need, battery life can be extended.

-Weight

- HTC One S and the iPhone currently lead the best phones with light weights both being under 120 grams. Again the phones with higher powers tend to be heavier (Nokia Lumia take note.....), but in today's world lighter is better unless the phone itself warrants the extra grams - the Nokia Lumia being a good example of a phone which crams some pretty advanced tech and top notch screen to go with it.


-Premium feel

- Increasingly the 'latest' phones such as the HTC One and iPhone have noticed the consumers 'love' the feel of their phones. Indeed the materials used in the HTC One for example make it look amazing! By contrast other companies such as Samsung choose to use 'plastic' type materials for the majority of the phone body. This has a good advantage of the phone being lightweight but again for some consumers may leave them feeling they are holding a 'cheap' product.

The Nokia Lumia series are arguably some of the best looking phones out there. The range of colours is impressive and stand out from the black or white phones offered from the other major brands.

Which to go for? Well basically its down to you! Keep in mind, most people when they get a phone, put a case on so the 'exterior' is covered up. However some people love the 'weighty' feel of the phone. Best way to decide is to actually try out these phones and see which one suits you!:)

UK Mobile networks APN settings

One of the most irritating things we come across is when we swap sim-cards is the Internet or APN settings. It becomes even worse of a issue when you arrive in a new country. The handset provider promises the phone they gave you is unlocked and GSM, it will work anywhere in the world with any network. It might work but imagine arriving in a new country and upon purchasing a local sim only to find out you cant use the Internet. The option is there to call the network but one needs to be extremely patient to get through all the options.

Imagine a scenario where you need instant access to your emails and maps but cant. We at analyse trends came up with this idea to put in place a page with all the relevant APN settings for Major UK networks. Its always a good idea to get hold of such information in advance so upon arriving here you should not feel disconnected.

T-Mobile APN settings:

 Internet settings:

Profile name	T-Mobile Mobile Internet
Homepage	http://www.t-mobile-favourites.co.uk
APN	general.t-mobile.uk
Username	user
Password	Tm

Vodafone settings

Name: Contract WAP
APN: wap.vodafone.co.uk
Proxy: Not set
Port: Not set
Username: wap
Password: wap (presumption)
Server: Not set
MMSC: http://mms.vodafone.co.uk/servlets/mms
MMS proxy: 212.183.137.012
MMS Port: 8799
MCC: 234
MNC: 15
Authentication type: PAP
APN type: default,mms, supl,dun
APN protocol: IPv4 (unchangeable)
Enable/disable APN: APN enabled
Bearer: Unspecified

Orange APN settings

Name = Orange Internet

APN = orangeinternet (case sensitive)

MCC:234

MNC:33

APN Type: default

Ignore everything else and leave it as <Not set>

Then press menu and save and then turn off the phone and restart and you are done!

O2 APN Settings

Name  = O2 Pay Monthly

APN    =  wap.o2.co.uk

Proxy =  193.113.200.195

Port  = 8080

Username = o2wap

Password = password

Server

MMSC = http://mmsc.mms.o2.co.uk:8002

MMS Port = 8080

MCC   = 10

Authentication type = PAP

APN  = *

Tap save

Vodafone APN Settings

Name    = Vodafone internet

APN = internet

Proxy = <not set>

Port = <not set>

Username = web

Password = web

Server = <not set>

MMSC = <not set>

MMS Proxy = <not set>

MMS Port =  <not set>

MMS Protocol = <not set>

MCC = 234

MNC = 15

Authentication type =    none

APN type = default

Talkmobile APN Settings

Setting type - MMS GPRS	Account type - Talkmobile Pay Monthly	Account type - Talkmobile Pay As You Go
Name of the MMS service (as it should appear on the handset menu)	Talkmob MMS	Talkmob PAYG MMS
MMSC-Address	http://mms.talkmobile.co.uk/ servlets/mms	http://mms.talkmobile.co.uk/ servlets/mms
Proxy IP Address	212.183.137.012	212.183.137.012
Proxy port for MMS connection	9201 (WAP1.x) or 8799 (WAP2.0)	9201 (WAP1.x) or 8799 (WAP2.0)
Access Point Name (APN) address	talkmobile.co.uk	payg.talkmobile.co.uk
Access-Point Username	wap	wap
Access-Point Password	wap	wap

Setting type - WAP GPRS	Account type - Talkmobile Contract	Account type - Talkmobile PAYG
Name of the WAP service (as it should appear on the handset menu)	Talkmob WAP	Talkmob PAYG WAP
Homepage URL	http://wap.talkmobile.co.uk	http://wap.talkmobile.co.uk
Proxy IP Address	212.183.137.012	212.183.137.012
Supported port settings for your standard and TCP/IP WAP service.	8799 for WAP 2.0 9201 for WAP 1.x	8799 for WAP 2.0 9201 for WAP 1.x
Access Point Name (APN) address	talkmobile.co.uk	payg.talkmobile.co.uk
Access Login Type	(Automatic)	(Automatic)
Access-Point Username	wap	wap

Setting type - Internet GPRS	Account type - Talkmobile Contract	Account type - Talkmobile PAYG
Name of the Internet service (as it should appear on the handset menu)	Talkmob Internet	Talkmob PAYG Int
Access Point Name (APN) address	talkmobile.co.uk	payg.talkmobile.co.uk

Mobile Number Porting

Mobile phone industry is one of the most competitive ones out there. The networks will do whatever it takes to attract a customer even if they have to give out TV or an ipad. Some retailers go as far as offering cash incentives if you go through their channel. In this ever-growing industry the customer is the king and is spoilt for choice. Little wonder when a customer mobile contract comes to an end there are so many tempting deals that one does not feel any loyalty towards their provider. If one does get tempted then the ordeal one has to go through to retain their number is like Mission Impossible 4 but without Hawkeye….!!oops

We at analyse trends have tried to make life a little simpler for people as the exercise to retain your number can be cumbersome coupled with retention techniques deployed by network advisers makes it a nightmare. So many times have we come across a deal on a different network and willing to change only to be made to stay. Fear not Team Analyse is here to save the day and put you on the right path.

MNP or Mobile Number Porting is a process alien to many but we are here to make you aware how easy it actually is. All it requires is a little bit of an effort on our part.

This is how the process starts:

·      First Call your existing network and after getting through to a real person request a PAC (Portability Authorisation Code) code. This code authorises a customer to take their number across to a different network.

·      Secondly Present the PAC code at Point of sale to make sure a request for porting is put through. It only takes two working days for a number to transfer from one network to another.

If for some reason one is not able to obtain PAC code then most networks do allow post sale MNP.

Following is a table, which has all the networks and the process they undertake to complete a port:

Name	MNP	Time	POS or Post sale	Prepay to Post-pay
O2	Yes	48 hrs	Both	Yes
Vodafone	Yes	48 hrs	Both	Yes
Orange	Yes	48 hrs	Both	n/a
T-mobile	Yes	48 hrs	Both	n/a
3	Yes	48 hrs	Both	n/a
Talkmobile	Yes	48 hrs	POS Only	n/a

The information presented is based on the current terms and conditions of the network; these are subject to change as per network requirements.

We at team analyse hope this will help you in understanding as well as undertaking the process.