Advice on a new mobile phone. Getting a new one after 10 years.

Pittcity

Chestnut

Thanks for the link Pittcity.
Several phones have come up when I search, and some are '5G ready'. I don't know whether this is something we should have or not.

5g is the latest in fast data signals. One up from 4g or 3g that your present phone uses to link the to the internet when you've not got WiFi.
It's only worth getting a 5g ready phone if you pay for a 5g SIM too and you can receive a 5g signal in your area. Check here: 5g.co.uk/coverage/

Well probably not worth it as I only make calls and texts, take photos and use WhatsApp. I rarely use the internet on my phone outside the house (or even inside the house).

I have a Nokia 7.2 running on Android and I love it to bits. Bought earlier this year for approx £180. I have a monthly contract with 3 for £32 per month, unlimited UK calls, data and texts. Cheaper deals are available but I live on my phone so it works for me.

iPhone every time for the past 14 years. I bought my first one as new then all the others ‘used’ from eBay, always checking on battery capacity. Last one is an iPhone 8 for £150

Still a novice IT person but my DH is now a total convert to iPhones.

Another iPhone family here.
All the functions you want, and many more, are available on our phones. They link to our iPad which we prefer to use for internet banking as the screen is larger.
The devices we use are quite straight forward and easily navigated.
Although we’re not familiar with android, one DS is. He doesn’t have an iPad and prefers a Samsung Galaxy. He too enjoys the features you desire.

Chestnut, WhatsApp runs over WiFi or roaming data unless you have it included in your contract.

I use my Samsung phone with my iPad and iMac (and Windows PC). It's not automatic but not a problem.

I believe that Apple devices are inherently more secure than others and don't like putting too much data into Google's sticky fingers!

I have followed this thread with interest as I have been supporting a friend to get online. My friend is getting used to the iPad and now asking about a basic, cheap mobile phone with a SIM only package. I'm thinking about an older model or a second hand iPhone because it will be more familiar to my friend.

However, we live in a rural area and mobile reception is patchy. In fact, from my friend's house, only one of the big mobile network providers has any signal at all and not all the time. One service that could help is WiFi calling. If there is no mobile phone signal at least my friend could make and receive calls via the home router.

I've hit a snag though, not all phones support WiFi calling nor do all the networks and I'm not sure if WiFi calling is available on a SIM only package (although I don't see why not), something else to research!

So the choice of phone is not always straightforward, coverage and the services required (as well as familiarity with an Apple device in this instance) may also be determining factors.