Buying a new mobile

Broadback · Oct 13, 2013, 11:13:23

I have a very old Nokia phone, that is simply a phone and nothing else, I chose it because I have a hearing problem so need clear speech. Well I decided I should catch up with the world, I went into an O2 shop to select a device. Saw what I though would suit, however explained to the sales person that it was of prime importance that I could listen to a phone call first, to check its suitability, to be told that is was impossible.Tried to contact O2 on the net, the only way of doing so was by a chat line. I had 2 attempts, either my English has badly deteriorated or I was "speaking" to foreigners of limited English. In both cases I was disconnected, I suspect the operator was getting fed up. Now I have always used O2 and would like to stay with them, is this problem peculiar to them? If so which supplier might be best?

Simon · Oct 13, 2013, 11:52:55

You can't make or receive calls on a phone without a SIM card, and the O2 (and any other) phone shops only usually have dummy units on display. They can't really open a new phone to let you try it, as that would mean breaking the seal, and if you didn't buy it, they may not be able to sell it, so all you can hope for is that a sales person may have the same phone you are thinking of purchasing, and will allow you to try it, or that they happen to have one that's already been opened. What phone are you looking at?

Broadback · Oct 13, 2013, 12:30:17

All I can remember is it was a Samsung device.There is no way I am going to buy a phone without listening to the sound quality, why should I be expected to buy a pig in a poke?

pctech · Oct 13, 2013, 17:11:00

As Simon says they won't allow you to try a phone in a shop.

Are you intending to take out a contract or do you want to buy the device SIM free and use your existing SIM?

If you buy online you do have a cooling off period so you could in theory test it then.

Broadback · Oct 13, 2013, 17:45:54

The whole thing, to me, seems a con!

pctech · Oct 13, 2013, 17:52:34

Like you, call quality on a phone is the number one priority for me when buying one as that is the real reason I carry one and I wouldn't disagree you should be able to try this out but unfortunately you cannot.

For the record the sound quality on my Samsung Galaxy Ace 2 is good.

Simon · Oct 13, 2013, 19:13:12

I can understand why they won't let you try them before you buy one, in the same way that you can't try on a pair of underpants before you buy them!

But, I'm sure that phones of today have at least equal if not better call quality than those from years ago, although I have to admit the Nokia 6310i hasn't been beaten yet, in my experience, as a straightforward phone.

Gary · Oct 14, 2013, 08:17:24

In all the years of buying mobiles I have never been allowed to 'try one out' as such tbh they all have pretty good audio quality anyway, better than years before, phones on Orange/EE use a form of digitally enhanced call quality. Not sure about the others.

Technical Ben · Oct 14, 2013, 08:57:22

Quote from: pctech on Oct 13, 2013, 17:11:00
As Simon says they won't allow you to try a phone in a shop.

Are you intending to take out a contract or do you want to buy the device SIM free and use your existing SIM?

If you buy online you do have a cooling off period so you could in theory test it then.

That's strange. I've seen live demonstrations in the past. Though without a sim. Can they not supply a store sim/managers/your own and do a demonstration? There is nothing wrong with them, and quite a few stores have live devices secured to tables etc. Again, it's silly for them not to.

It shows the attitude of people these days, that your expected to purchase things without checking them first. If you ask to see what's in the box, your considered "strange".
Hence why I watch Ashens reviews.
http://youtu.be/CSO1KWLGd50?t=5m34s

Broadback · Oct 14, 2013, 10:28:05

I tried that youtu.be, but, of course, the speech was incomprehensible to me, surprise surprise!

Gary · Oct 14, 2013, 13:25:48

Quote from: Broadback on Oct 14, 2013, 10:28:05
I tried that youtu.be, but, of course, the speech was incomprehensible to me, surprise surprise!

Youtube is fine on all devices I have owned that had the ability to access it. I have never come across a device where I cannot understand what comes out the speakers. Do you have any hearing issues?

Broadback · Oct 14, 2013, 14:17:46

Yes, I thought that I made that clear at the start. That is why it is of prime importance that I listen before I buy. It's a b*gger getting old, but better that the alternative I guess, though as I have not experience the alternative I cannot be certain!

Simon · Oct 14, 2013, 14:40:47

Whilst I'm sure you'll find the call quality fine on most modern phones, if you do buy one and find hearing difficult, you could always use it in speakerphone mode, BB. Not great for privacy, perhaps, but at least you'd hear the caller.

Broadback · Oct 14, 2013, 15:10:40

The problem is not so much the volume as the tone. The reason I bought my present phone was the Institute for the Deaf recommended it as having by far the clearest tone, at that time.

Simon · Oct 14, 2013, 17:12:28

OK, would it be worth asking the IFTD for a recommendation for a current model?

J!ll · Oct 14, 2013, 17:22:20

$:-\$

https://www.bootshearingcareshop.com/Action/FindECommerceCategory?pcid=1332239074008-467548&gclid=CO-xsN3dlroCFSTKtAodki8A-w

Broadback · Oct 14, 2013, 17:23:12

They are not what they were. They renamed and revamped themselves a while back and now seem rather commercial, so I find their recommendations suspect.

J!ll · Oct 14, 2013, 17:32:01

I will keep looking, I'm sure there is something.

J!ll · Oct 14, 2013, 17:35:24

Well I would make these people do the work for you, if they want a sale! http://www.hearingdirect.com/products/Amplified-Mobile-Phones/

Simon · Oct 14, 2013, 17:43:20

It's a bit clunky, but there are things like this around:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Geemarc-CL8300-Extra-Mobile-Phone/dp/B003WU1QJ4/ref=pd_sxp_f_r

pctech · Oct 14, 2013, 18:58:07

Or what about a Doro http://www.doro.co.uk/

Broadback · Oct 15, 2013, 08:24:23

Many thanks to you all for your help and concern. My first thought is why do all these companies think because you have a hearing problem you are thick and clumsy? My problem is not volume but clarity, I bought an amplifying phone and that is useless, to me it seems distorted, whereas a standard phone I have is as clear as a bell. Oh well I will just have to stay backward with my old phone. My daughter has just purchased a new phone, so when we next visit I will have a listen, then if I am in luck it will be OK for me.

pctech · Oct 15, 2013, 19:18:03

I agree with you BB

Maybe you ought to write to JK Shin who is the boss of Samsung's mobile phone division.

Den · Oct 16, 2013, 18:29:10

I am going to hold my hand up and admit defeat.

After having a nightmare with my Sony Xperia when using it at home with my Vodafone Sure signal, I went on Ebay and bought a 16month old Apple iPhone 4S. Now I have had quite a few phones over the years and have always been a Nokia fan, I then tried Samsung and then the Sony but I have never had a phone with such clarity as the iPhone even when using it with my Sony radio with Bluetooth in my van it blows all the others away. I am not one to change products just because a new one comes out and have no intention of upgrading in the near future. I was also surprised to find that the iPhone holds the signal very well indeed and works like a dream with my Suresignal. Does this mean I will become an Apple Fan Boy. Please lord I hope not, I love Windows 8 and am looking forward to Windows 8.1 this weekend.

Simon · Oct 16, 2013, 19:14:31

If you still have iOS 6.3 on the 4S, I wouldn't upgrade to iOS 7 just yet, Den. I've found several issues such as problems with music playback, Safari crashing, Bluetooth mysteriously unpairing, and iOS 7 just doesn't feel particularly robust on the 4S at the moment.