Phone for a 12year old this xmas

dlambirl

Hi all,

I've been given the task on trying to get a phone for a 12year old girl for christmas. It'll be her first phone so it'll have to be good.

"Accidently" left the carphone warehouse book out on the table yesterday and this is what she loved http://www.carphonewarehouse.ie/product.php/528/41/samsung_noire/05c31eb231648cd119457acbc3b2dbe7

Whats this phone like?

Unfortuntely its on Meteor (i've no problems with meteor - in fact thats my network provider) but all her family is on Vodafone and with Vodafones offer on free calls and texts to vodafone users it makes sence to get her a vodafone phone too.

Could the Meteor Samsung Noire phone be unlocked and used with a vodafone sim??? Would she be able to send and recieve picture messages with the phone (i.e would vodafone have settings for it seeing as they dont sell the phone as part of their range?)

Thanks in advance

cojomo2

dlambirl wrote: »

Hi all,

I've been given the task on trying to get a phone for a 12year old girl for christmas. It'll be her first phone so it'll have to be good.

"Accidently" left the carphone warehouse book out on the table yesterday and this is what she loved http://www.carphonewarehouse.ie/product.php/528/41/samsung_noire/05c31eb231648cd119457acbc3b2dbe7

Whats this phone like?

Unfortuntely its on Meteor (i've no problems with meteor - in fact thats my network provider) but all her family is on Vodafone and with Vodafones offer on free calls and texts to vodafone users it makes sence to get her a vodafone phone too.

Could the Meteor Samsung Noire phone be unlocked and used with a vodafone sim??? Would she be able to send and recieve picture messages with the phone (i.e would vodafone have settings for it seeing as they dont sell the phone as part of their range?)

Thanks in advance

this looks good for a 12 yo girl id say..its pink too, and on voda

https://www.vodafone.ie/df/shop/ProductDetails.shtml?handsetselected=100115&offerSelected=prepaynew&action=view

getting a phone on 1 network and unlocking it etc just is a lot of hassle..u will have no warranty once u unlock it and voda wont give u much support with any handset issues if its not theirs..

h57xiucj2z946q

Consider the health issues around a minor using a cellular device.

dlambirl

Titan Wet Fishbowl wrote: »

Consider the health issues around a minor using a cellular device.

She's been using her mam and dads phone for a while now.

Its not up to me to tell her if she can or cant have one - i'm just the one that was asked to get it for her.

dlambirl

cojomo2 wrote: »

this looks good for a 12 yo girl id say..its pink too, and on voda

https://www.vodafone.ie/df/shop/ProductDetails.shtml?handsetselected=100115&offerSelected=prepaynew&action=view

getting a phone on 1 network and unlocking it etc just is a lot of hassle..u will have no warranty once u unlock it and voda wont give u much support with any handset issues if its not theirs..

Thanks, yeah i was looking at that one and I personally think it would be perfect but she totally went by it in the carphone warehouse book :mad:

Gillo

Titan Wet Fishbowl wrote: »

Consider the health issues around a minor using a cellular device.

Sore finger from texting too much?? You got links??

The only thing I'd have against that phone and it's a matter of opinion but Samsungs aren't always the most user friendly to use especially if it's her first phone. Sony Ericsson and Nokia would both be considered to be easier menu systems.

metalfest

as she's 12, she'll just want to text, take pictures, play annoying ringtones, so the UI prob won't be a problem as she's young, first phone, she'll adapt lol,
get the phone as a meteor upgrade for you, (free credit) , get the phone unlocked, give it to her

h57xiucj2z946q

Gillo wrote: »

Sore finger from texting too much?? You got links??

I don't know if that was an attempt at a smart question, but I was thinking more along the lines of:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/mobile-phone-use-raises-childrens-risk-of-brain-cancer-fivefold-937005.html

Fabritzo

These seem to be popular, half decent specs too
https://vodafone.ie/df/shop/ProductDetails.shtml?handsetselected=100113&offerSelected=prepayupgrade&action=view

dlambirl

metalfest wrote: »

as she's 12, she'll just want to text, take pictures, play annoying ringtones, so the UI prob won't be a problem as she's young, first phone, she'll adapt lol,
get the phone as a meteor upgrade for you, (free credit) , get the phone unlocked, give it to her

Kids adapt to phones and the like very quickly. I wouldnt mind so much about that,

I know i could get it unlocked but will vodafone give me settings for MMS and WAP seeing as they dont stock the phones??

barnicles

dlambirl wrote: »

Kids adapt to phones and the like very quickly. I wouldnt mind so much about that,

I know i could get it unlocked but will vodafone give me settings for MMS and WAP seeing as they dont stock the phones??

I have them If you want them

metalfest

dlambirl wrote: »

Kids adapt to phones and the like very quickly. I wouldnt mind so much about that,

I know i could get it unlocked but will vodafone give me settings for MMS and WAP seeing as they dont stock the phones??

in short, yes.

in long, if you have WAP/MMS settings you can, send mms's and use wap, both which put money into vodafone's pocket :P

BTW, do what i said and get it as a payg upgrade for yourself(if you aren't payg you probably have a friend who is) and something like €80 free credit so it's snot too bad

chrislad

Titan Wet Fishbowl wrote: »

I don't know if that was an attempt at a smart question, but I was thinking more along the lines of:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/mobile-phone-use-raises-childrens-risk-of-brain-cancer-fivefold-937005.html

I've love a survey that surveys the amount of surveys that have said that phones cause cancer and that they don't.

Ah-Watch

I'd 2nd the Nokia 5310- Very good phone, only 129 and has music speakers free too- she'll love the music speakers, and it is much better than both of the samsungs already mentioned:)

metalfest

please, like, she won't care about the quality of the music players....
OP, the phone SHE picked is a good choice, go with it

LEIN

Titan Wet Fishbowl wrote: »

Consider the health issues around a minor using a cellular device.

Titan Wet Fishbowl wrote: »

I don't know if that was an attempt at a smart question, but I was thinking more along the lines of:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/mobile-phone-use-raises-childrens-risk-of-brain-cancer-fivefold-937005.html

Have you nothing better to be doing with your time?

If mobiles where around when you where 12 i guarantee you would have wanted one!

dlambirl

metalfest wrote: »

in short, yes.

in long, if you have WAP/MMS settings you can, send mms's and use wap, both which put money into vodafone's pocket :P

BTW, do what i said and get it as a payg upgrade for yourself(if you aren't payg you probably have a friend who is) and something like €80 free credit so it's snot too bad

metalfest - thats what i was thinking of doing. Getting the samsung noire as PAYG upgrade and unlock it and then get the vodafone settings but i didnt know if that could be done seeing as vodafone dont do the phone....

metalfest wrote: »

please, like, she won't care about the quality of the music players....
OP, the phone SHE picked is a good choice, go with it

no, she wont care about music players, she already has a cd player and an mp3 player so if she wants to listen to music she can listen to those!

Does anyone have an email address for vodafone so i can just ask them will they give me the settings before i go out and buy the phone. I've tried looking on the vodafone website but it keeps telling me i've to sign in but i'm not a vodafone customer!

Craig-S

I looked at all the post and it seems like she only want to text take pictures and play ringtones and this phone came to mind, dunno why it hasnt been mentioned.

https://www.vodafone.ie/df/shop/ProductDetails.shtml?handsetselected=100163&offerSelected=prepaynew&action=view

I'd recommend you show her the list of phones first and let her pick.

dlambirl

Craig-S wrote: »

I looked at all the post and it seems like she only want to text take pictures and play ringtones and this phone came to mind, dunno why it hasnt been mentioned.

https://www.vodafone.ie/df/shop/ProductDetails.shtml?handsetselected=100163&offerSelected=prepaynew&action=view

I'd recommend you show her the list of phones first and let her pick.

I have shown her the Carphone warehouse book and she picked the noire. but unfortuntely its not on Vodafone.

Do Vodafone publish a book of its phones?

Craig-S

dlambirl wrote: »

I have shown her the Carphone warehouse book and she picked the noire. but unfortuntely its not on Vodafone.

Do Vodafone publish a book of its phones?

I dont think so .

you should just get her to look at the vodafone site and pick one out.



https://www.vodafone.ie/df/prepay/new/index.jsp?manufacturerSelected=ALL

Mimikyu

This post has been deleted.

dlambirl

Solitaryman666 wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

I've been with Meteor since 2006 and I've never asked for an unlocking code. Since they introduced the Phone a Friend for free promotion i've only been spending €20 a month.

Jesus this is getting very complicated now. Why cant she just pick a vodafone phone!! I cant get her to sit down at the computer and "pick" a phone as such cos its gonna be a christmas present

Gillo

Titan Wet Fishbowl wrote: »

I don't know if that was an attempt at a smart question, but I was thinking more along the lines of:

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/mobile-phone-use-raises-childrens-risk-of-brain-cancer-fivefold-937005.html

Wasn't meant as a smart question, curious to know if there is a body of evidence either for or against what you were saying.

metalfest

ok, OP...here's what you do, step by step,
1:walk into meteor.
2:buy the phone as an upgrade.
3:register it under your name with meteor.
4:Go to a shop that will unlock phones.
5:unlock the phone.
6:wrap the phone with a pretty bow on top
7: Christmas day and who got the best present? :P


alternative to step 4 :buy an unlock code online

Mimikyu

This post has been deleted.

metalfest

but they more than likely won't give it to him until the handset has been in use for 90days

dlambirl

Yeah it seems that what i'm gonna do if i decide to get the noire.

Although I'm starting to toy with the idea to get a Vodafone PAYG phone that she hasnt picked and just give it to her to save the hassel cos it'l be a disaster if Vodafone dont have or wont give me the settings for WAP and MMS

cojomo2

dlambirl wrote: »

Yeah it seems that what i'm gonna do if i decide to get the noire.

Although I'm starting to toy with the idea to get a Vodafone PAYG phone that she hasnt picked and just give it to her to save the hassel cos it'l be a disaster if Vodafone dont have or wont give me the settings for WAP and MMS

just go into a voda store, tell them you are buying a sim free phone as a present for sm1, and ask them straight out, can the phone be used with voda with full functionality? they will tell u.

Just remember if u get it unlocked and there is any problem with the handset you have no warranty, even if meteor unlock it for you..

ardmacha

Just remember if u get it unlocked and there is any problem with the handset you have no warranty, even if meteor unlock it for you..

Why would that be? The manufacturer has to warrant the phone for normal use and receiving a manufacturers unlocking code through Meteor is surely normal.

The OP could seek out an unlocked version of this phone from Expansys, Pixmania or the like, it will just cost more, but will not have any warranty issues and will be a lot simpler.

120_Minutes

just to clear up some misinformation on this thread

1 "walk into meteor" ..you cant, phone is only available at cpw.
2. "buy it yourself and get free upgrade credit" no such thing as free credit anymore, you must top up by 20 a month to get it.
3. "get it unlocked and put the vodafone settings on it" possible, but as its a new handset/cpw exclusive, codes may not be easily got, at least straight away. this will be a problem if you want it unlocked for xmas
4. "unlocking voids warranty" technically true, and if you do unlock it and a fault develops and you bring it back....the shop may not help you. i personally dont care if an unlocked faulty phone comes back to me, i'll log it for repair regardless, but you do run the risk of the repair company locking it again when they fix it, which means you have to go to the hassle of unlocking it again....which sometimes cant be done.


my advice? buy it on meteor and keep it on meteor....save yourself from tears in the long run.

cojomo2

ardmacha wrote: »

Why would that be? The manufacturer has to warrant the phone for normal use and receiving a manufacturers unlocking code through Meteor is surely normal.

The OP could seek out an unlocked version of this phone from Expansys, Pixmania or the like, it will just cost more, but will not have any warranty issues and will be a lot simpler.

well what i mean is that meteor wont offer any support if there is a prob with it..they will tell you to take it up with the manufacturer directly as they take no resposibility once the phone is unlocked..

Eoin087

Are you 100% on that? I had a k800i unlocked by vodafone and it was repaired twice by them under warranty, just speaking from my experience. Don't see why it would be any different with meteor. Anybody got any experience with this from meteor??

dlambirl

120_Minutes wrote: »

just to clear up some misinformation on this thread

1 "walk into meteor" ..you cant, phone is only available at cpw.
2. "buy it yourself and get free upgrade credit" no such thing as free credit anymore, you must top up by 20 a month to get it.
3. "get it unlocked and put the vodafone settings on it" possible, but as its a new handset/cpw exclusive, codes may not be easily got, at least straight away. this will be a problem if you want it unlocked for xmas
4. "unlocking voids warranty" technically true, and if you do unlock it and a fault develops and you bring it back....the shop may not help you. i personally dont care if an unlocked faulty phone comes back to me, i'll log it for repair regardless, but you do run the risk of the repair company locking it again when they fix it, which means you have to go to the hassle of unlocking it again....which sometimes cant be done.


my advice? buy it on meteor and keep it on meteor....save yourself from tears in the long run.

Thanks. I was kinda thinking that getting vodafone settings would be a hassel so its either gonna be get that Samsung Noire and keep it on meteor (even though her whole family is on Vodafone - Free Calls and Texts) or get a phone from Vodafone (possibly that pink samsung slider)

Which sounds like a better idea?

Craig-S

dlambirl wrote: »

Thanks. I was kinda thinking that getting vodafone settings would be a hassel so its either gonna be get that Samsung Noire and keep it on meteor (even though her whole family is on Vodafone - Free Calls and Texts) or get a phone from Vodafone (possibly that pink samsung slider)

Which sounds like a better idea?

go with the phone from vodafone but show her first to clear it by her and if she goes for the noire

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=106942

thats what you need for the wap settings.

metalfest

i still say unlock the phone..

Craig-S

metalfest wrote: »

i still say unlock the phone..

He wont get the phone unlocked unless he spends €120 credit on the sim though.

metalfest

ok,
but if he gets it a an upgrade for himself....he , when tops up by 20euro each month will be getting himself credit,
they might unlock it for you, ring CC and ask if you buy an upgrade will they supply unlock code, say you have a work sim card too, so you need it unlocked or something

Craig-S

metalfest wrote: »

ok,
but if he gets it a an upgrade for himself....he , when tops up by 20euro each month will be getting himself credit,
they might unlock it for you, ring CC and ask if you buy an upgrade will they supply unlock code, say you have a work sim card too, so you need it unlocked or something

ya and i forgot some places acually unlock phones for you so check in town

metalfest

or if he's willing to be difficult get a turbosim

frecklier

I always go for Nokia, purely because no matter where you are, someone usually has a Nokia charger. Are 12 year olds good at remembering to charge their phones? Actually, they probably are!

dlambirl

Craig-S wrote: »

go with the phone from vodafone but show her first to clear it by her and if she goes for the noire

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?s=&threadid=106942

thats what you need for the wap settings.

I cant really run it by her as its a surprise christmas present

I dunno which is better to get her-
Vodafone - Free Calls and Texts to Vodafone users (all her family are vodafone)
Meteor - free texts to all networks

metalfest

or meteor, (get the phone unlocked)

cojomo2

wellk im with 3, and last week i sold my mate my old phone but he is on meteor..i rang 3 to ask them to unlock it..cost 25 quid and they tell you they are no longer responsible for the handset in any way once the unlocking code is supplied...they said if anything goes wrong i have to take it up the the manufacture directly or a 3rd party repair place at my own cost..

i assumed this was a standard thing with all networks i stand corrected if im wrong

metalfest

that's basically it.
but if the OP buys the phone as a payg upgrade,
he/she will most likely top up by 20e a month and get all the free credit,
and c'mon like, most of the time networks are very reluctant to repair phones free.
as the girl is 12, the odds are it won't be broken, if anything it will be lost or stolen

dlambirl

I've printed off the phones from the vodafone website (and disregarded the last few pages cos i'm not getting her a tocco or n95!) and i'l see if she takes a fancy to any of them.

If she does.....good

If she doesnt....i'l either have to get her the samsung noire on meteor and unlock it or get the samsung noire and keep it on meteor.

Havent decided yet which would be the better option

metalfest

getting it unlocked would be better...


maybe show her and say oh i'm thinking of moving to vodafone and gettting a new phone as a present to myself

Walkman

Just get her the phone she wants. She is 12yrs old and appearance is everything. No point in letting her down and getting her a phone knowing there is another one available she wants. When her friends get phones they will probably be on meteor as that is the network choice of the young and the free meteor texts to every network will work cheaper then, than the free vodafone calls and texts. She is 12 so will probably not call anyone so it makes no difference what network her family are on as she will have free texts to every network on meteor......and the phone she is looking for.

Ah-Watch

Walkman wrote: »

Just get her the phone she wants. She is 12yrs old and appearance is everything. No point in letting her down and getting her a phone knowing there is another one available she wants. When her friends get phones they will probably be on meteor as that is the network choice of the young and the free meteor texts to every network will work cheaper then, than the free vodafone calls and texts. She is 12 so will probably not call anyone so it makes no difference what network her family are on as she will have free texts to every network on meteor......and the phone she is looking for.

Maybe I'm wrong but do you not know that vodafone do free texts to any network? I think you should get her the phone she wants, get an upgrade pack and a sim pack, then that way if she wants to be on vodafone she can get it unlocked straight away under your number...

Walkman

Ah Watch your totally correct. Ya get her the phone and if she wants get the phone unlocked. I wouldnt imagine internet or mms would be that important.

metalfest

putting voda's settings on the meteor phone won't be difficult...

elderlemon

agree 100%. My 12 year old NEVER EVER calls anyone. Its all about text so get the best text deal you can. And image IS everything to a 12 year old so if she's picked a phone out its not on a whim - she's tought about it.

Walkman wrote: »

Just get her the phone she wants. She is 12yrs old and appearance is everything. No point in letting her down and getting her a phone knowing there is another one available she wants. When her friends get phones they will probably be on meteor as that is the network choice of the young and the free meteor texts to every network will work cheaper then, than the free vodafone calls and texts. She is 12 so will probably not call anyone so it makes no difference what network her family are on as she will have free texts to every network on meteor......and the phone she is looking for.