Phone for a 12 year old boy

BrookieD

Hi Guys
So my son is 12 and I am buying him a phone for his confirmation. Looking to get a decent handset and looking for what your recommendations are.

The phone plan is with Meteor or Three but open to others so long as its no more than 20 a month, comes with hefty data pack 1gb or more and calls. Text not botherd about as he will use viber and so use the data channel.

So far i have a HTC 510 in Grey
Sony E1
Lumia 635 - i know its a windows phone but in terms of a device it ticks the boxes and also has everything he needs at a cracking price

So any thoughts?

daytob

Sorry are you going prepay or bill for the phone? will you be buying the phone outright or on a bill?
Moto g is a class phone.

BrookieD

so want to go on a pre pay phone - forgot to mention that

The Moto G is one i did consider also - slightly too high at 200 notes though

daytob

ok so just under 200e
Htc Desire 610 from 3
http://www.gsmarena.com/htc_desire_610-6160.php

180e on 3
http://www.three.ie/online/shop/productDetail.aspx?src=p&p=voice&pid=2249&tariffType=prepay

Htc desire 510 on meteor is only 130e
https://store.meteor.ie/phones/pay-as-you-go-phones/htc-desire-510

Comparing 610 vs 510
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=6160&idPhone2=6608

I would go with 3 or tesco mobile * depending on coverage in your area. 3 because for the 20e you get 4g. And I think its unlimited.

Though this is only around 175 and you can go changing sim cards till you find the best deal
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Motorola-Moto-4G-SIM-Free-Smartphone/dp/B00NZ3QV5M/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1422440883&sr=8-6&transaction=device_only&keywords=moto+g

BrookieD

the 510 seems a likeable device to be honest. Something that looks half decent, but not so much it attracts unwanted attention. still attracted to the Nokia 635 also....

daytob

I have no idea about nokia phones but the specs on that only has 512mb of ram. I know android phone would be slow as a snail in tar if that was the case. It could be ok though. maybe ask someone who knows or in the windows thread as well?

Sam Mac

Buy him a Moto E. Less than €100 and can be unlocked for less than €2. Solid Android phone that is unmatched for the price you are paying.

You can buy it here from Tesco Mobile: http://www.tescomobile.ie/phones/displayPhone.aspx?p=228

Get him a 48 SIM free from here, you'll have it by Friday: https://www.48months.ie/free-sim

They have a great €10 prepay plan which gives him 300 mins to any network, unlimited texts to any network, 60 mins to landlines & 1GB of data. Exceptional value. I am on this plan myself and have never had an issue with it. Delighted with them tbh.

spix

Xiaomi redmi 2? It trumps all the phones you mentioned spec wise, and it would be more appealing to youngsters imo as the interface is kind of iphoneish and very customizable. You can get it from China with 3-4 day delivery for around 150 euro and guaranteed no custom charges.

BrookieD

Sam Mac wrote: »

Buy him a Moto E. Less than €100 and can be unlocked for less than €2. Solid Android phone that is unmatched for the price you are paying.

You can buy it here from Tesco Mobile: http://www.tescomobile.ie/phones/displayPhone.aspx?p=228

Get him a 48 SIM free from here, you'll have it by Friday: https://www.48months.ie/free-sim

They have a great €10 prepay plan which gives him 300 mins to any network, unlimited texts to any network, 60 mins to landlines & 1GB of data. Exceptional value. I am on this plan myself and have never had an issue with it. Delighted with them tbh.

Thats a great plan from 48 in fairness. i think 1gb is plenty as he will be on wifi most of the time. so its a simfree phone choice then. The Moto E looks ok

Sam Mac

BrookieD wrote: »

Thats a great plan from 48 in fairness. i think 1gb is plenty as he will be on wifi most of the time. so its a simfree phone choice then. The Moto E looks ok

It certainly is, very happy with them.

beauf

daytob wrote: »

I have no idea about nokia phones but the specs on that only has 512mb of ram. I know android phone would be slow as a snail in tar if that was the case. It could be ok though. maybe ask someone who knows or in the windows thread as well?

Windows phones doesn't have the lag Android has, even with 512mb it flies. There also isn't the bloat you get with Android.

That said I would go Android for a wider choice of games. The HTC 510 and the Moto E lack an autofocus camera and a flash. If a Camera isn't that important then that's not a big issue. And these seem good otherwise.

It hard to pick anything other than a moto E or G for under 200 on Android.

Sony M2 is the same price as Moto G.
Sony E3 only has 4GB of onboard storage which is useless.
Ace 3, S3 mini might be an option. Getting old now though.

hfallada

Use 48. 1GB, 300 network mins and unlimited texts for €10 per month.

Use the savings to get him a Moto G. A Moto E doesnt have a selfie cam which is NB for every young person. You need it for snapchat.

BionicRasher

As others have suggested go for the 48 €10 plan. You can even get an extra GB of data for €3 if needed. Set it up with your debit card to auto pay each month and its hassle free.
With the savings on the phone plan stretch that bit extra to a Moto G.
Great screen, nice camera including selfie cam, its quick and well built. Best Android by far at that price.

The_B_Man

The Moto G is 150 euro, no?

beauf

You'd also consider giving a 12yr old uncontrolled access to the web, via wifi which you won't be able to control. or having to use parental apps on the phone. You could be creating a lot of hassle for yourself. Depends on the child though.

Greenmachine

Any brick phone for a 12 year imo. No internet access just my opinion.

Simi

On paper this is the best value for money phone available in shops here. What it's actually like to use I can't say. But it has a front facing camera, which is probably the most important feature to snapchatting teenagers.

If you're feeling adventurous here's a few of the latest Chinese phones that are great value for money. But beware they can be unstable, won't get any official updates and the camera quality might leave a lot to be desired i.e. 8mp doesn't guarantee the pictures will look nice.

http://www.focalprice.com/MH1152B/ELEPHONE_G4_5.0_Smartphone_IPS_1280x720_Android_4.4.2_MTK6582_Quad_core.html
http://www.focalprice.com/MH1207L/Pre_sale_Ulefone_BE_X_4.5_Smartphone_IPS_OGS_G_F_Full_Lamination_960x540.html
http://www.focalprice.com/MK0364B/Mlais_M9_5.0_Smartphone_IPS_960x540_Android_4.4_MTK6592_Octa_core_1.4GHz_1GB.html

projectgtr

Moto G (4G) will be £99 on tesco direct tomorrow, its a no brainer really, its a brilliant phone. As far as Networks go the €10 plan on 48months will be perfect.

The_B_Man

How do you know it'll be 99 tomorrow?

sparky63

Wife has the Lumia, son has the Moto g and daughter has Moto E.

Lumia: Limited apps and i say limited.
Moto E: Great phone, but as said no front camera.

Moto G: Looks great, big screen, Android apps ( what all kids are using), front and rear camera. Really is impressive for the price.

As already said go with 48.

projectgtr

The_B_Man wrote: »

How do you know it'll be 99 tomorrow?

Came up on my HUKD feed.
http://www.hotukdeals.com/deals/tesco-mobile-motorola-moto-g-4g-white-black-99-tesco-direct-instore-starts-monday-2132223

beauf

sparky63 wrote: »

Wife has the Lumia, son has the Moto g and daughter has Moto E.

Lumia: Limited apps and i say limited.
Moto E: Great phone, but as said no front camera.

Moto G: Looks great, big screen, Android apps ( what all kids are using), front and rear camera. Really is impressive for the price.

As already said go with 48.

If you mean the Lumia 635 its has a 5mp autofocus camera. no flash. Ok in good light only. No front camera.

Moto E 5mp no autofocus. Bad in other words
Moto G 5mp autofocus and flash. meant to so so. front and back camera.
Moto G 2nd gen 8mp autofocus and flash much better camera. Front and back camera

PUnited

hfallada wrote: »

Use 48. 1GB, 300 network mins and unlimited texts for €10 per month.

Use the savings to get him a Moto G. A Moto E doesnt have a selfie cam which is NB for every young person. You need it for snapchat.

id highly agree on this 48 plan, use it myself.

One thing is you might here they have coverage problems this was only in their first while they are very good now

projectgtr

heres the link to the Moto G for £99 if it interests you

http://www.tesco.com/direct/tesco-mobile-motorola-moto-g-4g-black/171-1231.prd?pageLevel=&skuId=171-1231

BrookieD

cheers guys,
have a 48 sim card so think it may be a Moto G

projectgtr

BrookieD wrote: »

cheers guys,
have a 48 sim card so think it may be a Moto G

at £99 you would be a fool not to go for it

unreg999

Sam Mac wrote:

Get him a 48 SIM free from here, you'll have it by Friday:

Sam Mac wrote:

They have a great €10 prepay plan which gives him 300 mins to any network, unlimited texts to any network, 60 mins to landlines & 1GB of data. Exceptional value. I am on this plan myself and have never had an issue with it. Delighted with them tbh. 

WOW That's an amazing offer from 48... but I noticed you have to be between 18 & 22 to get any of their offers!! wtf??!! That's just ageist!!
any way around this? ?

Cantona's Collars

unreg999 wrote: »

WOW That's an amazing offer from 48... but I noticed you have to be between 18 & 22 to get any of their offers!! wtf??!! That's just ageist!!
any way around this? ?

Change the date of birth when filling in the application,I know 40 yr olds on this plan.

beauf

unreg999 wrote: »

WOW That's an amazing offer from 48... but I noticed you have to be between 18 & 22 to get any of their offers!! wtf??!! That's just ageist!!
any way around this? ?

When they don't ask you for proof of age, don't show them any.