Mobile phone

There is easy and there is easy. While phones might not have removable batteries any more (ie tool-less batteries you can swap every day), some have serviceable batteries - undo a few screws, back pops off, unplug battery cable, plug in new one. You might need a small Torx screwdriver but that's it. Then there are the phones that are full of glue and you first need to heat gun off the screen

It's worth looking at iFixit for their repairability ratings as they tell you how easy it is to do this sort of thing.

Most phones nowadays have the SIM on a tray that slides into the side. The battery removal is just an ancient design pattern of 'phone must be powered down when SIM is changed' which they enforce mechanically by putting the SIM underneath the battery. They didn't notice you can leave the phone on charger while removing the battery.

Theo

Samsung M31 available only on Amazon looks good - I've just ordered one. £245 might be more than you want to pay

All smart hones maybe. My Samsung feature phone is over 10 years old, and I reckon I drop it most months.

Andy

Whichever you go for I've found the "otter-box" case is excellent. It doesn't have a screen protector well, not on my Galaxy S8 but it's had a few bounces on concrete and because the rubber case sits proud of the top and bottom edges of the phone by at least 3 to 4mm it's managed to survive without any damage so far.

In message , Murmansk writes

Indeed:-)

The whole purpose of changing contract was because Vodafone, by various subterfuges, have crept my monthly payment from ?8.00 to around ?13.50. (the not previously mentioned ?1.50 discount ending in... etc.)

They stuffed the offer with an extra 3Gb of data when I would happily have settled for the reduction to ?7.00/ month. (2 years only:-(

My needs beyond text and phone are relatively simple.

camera with PC connection provision

Micro SIM because I've got one.

What 3 words location app.

Maps/navigation useful although my wife carries an i-phone if she remembers!

My biggest concern is that modern life is becoming reliant on possession of a working mobile, public transport, bank security etc...

Vodaphone will give you a replacement SIM if your new phone needs a different size.

Yes. They have just supplied a triple. Most modern stuff seems to require Nano SIM.

Somebody will be along shortly to explain how to use a pair of scissors:-)

Or even give it to someone who wants to steal your identity !

Hmm.. The card payment system won't allow the card expiry date to be entered:-(

Thanks for the suggestion.

The Sim wont work until the recepient uses the Vodafone website to transfer the number from the old Sime. Well that is what I have had to do.

In message , Tim Lamb writes

Ah! Argos don't like Firefox! OK on Google crome!

I used Firefox to order from Argos only a couple of weeks ago.

I use Firefox and buy quite frequently from Argos, I've never had a problem.

I tried two different cards and two log-ins. (Barclays and NatWest.)

I had a problem with this: it appears not to accept the value but registers it anyway. (Stupid Argos losing sales.)

I'm still on W7 so maybe FF/W7 combination.

Moto E has swappable batteries IIRC.

Indeed. Currently charging on my desk:-)

Slightly twitchy at the amount of personal data Google is pushing to have use/access.

Maps seems easy enough.

I find the key strokes rather quick for my aged faculties. The pressed key illuminates but I am finding TNP quantities of errors particularly passwords where the symbol is quickly hidden.

You can go tweak what google see/keep... if you go to:

Most bits I have turned off, although the location history is quite handy I find - especially working out where I have been, how many miles etc.

(well pre covid anyway - these days its a *very* dull maps timeline!)

For general typing (rather than passwords as such) its worth trying the swipe typing. Basically stick you finger on the first letter, then just slide to the approximate location of the remaining letters in sequence without lifting. It makes a surprisingly good job of working out what you probably meant to type.