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Iphones - anyone know the cheapest model that allows wifi calling

(50 Posts)
Shandy57 Wed 16-Jun-21 15:09:21

Hello everyone, I've just discovered that a) my Iphone is too old to allow wifi calling and b) giff gaff don't offer it.

I've just missed a chance of a lifetime call because the signal is so poor here.

Anyone got any ideas please?

Aveline Wed 16-Jun-21 15:50:00

Does it have to be an I phone? Would an Android not be cheaper?

Katie59 Wed 16-Jun-21 17:10:05

If it’s an iPhone you want then an iPhone 7 can update to the latest software, not a good idea to get an older one, new and recent “apps” need the later software.

MiniMoon Wed 16-Jun-21 17:29:54

I wouldn't have an iPhone. You are stuck with apple services.
Android would be my choice. I need a new phone and am looking at the Samsung range.

silverlining48 Wed 16-Jun-21 17:55:17

I have an iPhone se5. I hardly use it apart from taking photo’s it’s very small ... and old. Photos look better with bigger phones. Does anyone have any helpful comments.?

toscalily Wed 16-Jun-21 17:57:42

An iphone SE 2020 will support wifi calling. I have had an older version for several years now and like it a lot, smaller than most of the iPhones which for me is a bonus, fits in a pocket or smaller handbag and has all the features that I need. We are in a black spot and had to have a booster box previously as we could not receive calls but now just use wifi calling in and around the house. I would definitely recommend unless you really want a large phone with a large screen.

Birdwatcher4 Wed 16-Jun-21 18:08:14

I agree with toscalily iPhone se 2020 I have a good contract with Tesco brand new phone plenty of minutes and texts £16.99 a month you can have cheaper contracts depending on how my storage you need
lovely phone to handle I do online banking on it very safe read my kindle on it and listen audio books from my library on BorrowBox good battery life takes excellent photos.

J52 Wed 16-Jun-21 18:10:33

Until I bought my IPhone10, I always had a contract with EE through Carphone warehouse. They always sorted me out the best iPhone deal, being stingy, I insisted it was around £20 per month, all in. If you have other Apple devices, everything is held on all of them, good in my opinion.
I now only pay for the unlimited phone, text, and data, which is just over £8 per month. I’d ask them to sort you a tailor made deal.

Birdwatcher4 Wed 16-Jun-21 18:10:39

“much storage “

Shandy57 Wed 16-Jun-21 18:19:55

Thank you everyone, it's scared me a bit the signal here is so rubbish, hardly any point carrying the phone round me at all times if I can't make a call! I'll research the options you gave me, I do like Apple best having tried Android in the past. smile

Missedout Wed 16-Jun-21 18:23:13

Whether or not you can take advantage of WiFi calling depends on the network carrier and the model of your smartphone. I have WiFi calling on my Android phone using EE's network.

toscalily Wed 16-Jun-21 18:24:32

Shandy57, this might be of use:
www.techradar.com/uk/reviews/iphone-se

Grannynannywanny Wed 16-Jun-21 18:41:10

Shandy57 I have a 2016 iPhone SE and it supports WiFi calling. I wonder if it’s your network rather than your phone that’s the problem?

I’m with o2. £8 a month for unlimited calls and texts and 12gb of data. The mobile signal isn’t great in my house and I rely on WiFi calling.

greenlady102 Wed 16-Jun-21 19:17:21

does whatsapp work? Sis and I use that for calls, I am on O2, she is on Tesco

Jaxjacky Wed 16-Jun-21 19:39:30

Another iPhone SE 2020 user, yes, I use WhatsApp for calls, different networks.

Missedout Wed 16-Jun-21 20:33:14

WhatsApp is an application you download to your smartphone, the application is owned by Facebook. You agree to Facebook's terms and conditions to use it, with a login and password. Calls are made from within the app using your internet connection, to other WhatsApp users.

WiFi calling (depending how your network carrier has implemented it) means that your mobile phone can be used as 'just' a phone but it uses your internet connection. You can receive and make business calls by inputting the mobile number. You would normally do this if you are in an area where there is a poor mobile signal. If you move to an area with a better mobile signal, the phone may switch back to using the mobile network without dropping the call.

The OP would find WiFi calling useful but Giffgaff isn't a carrier that provides it. Changing to a network that does support WiFi calling may help but the new network mobile signal strength may mean that it isn't needed anyway! A case for shopping around I think.

Ashcombe Wed 16-Jun-21 20:43:42

The great bonus with WhatsApp is that it enables users to make free calls to overseas users. I take advantage of it to call my family in Australia and occasionally DH olddudders in France, if Zoom is unavailable.

Lolo81 Wed 16-Jun-21 21:11:08

If you definitely want an Apple phone, maybe try looking on Vodafone or one of the other big network websites - many of them sell refurbished iPhones and they come with a guarantee.

Shandy57 Wed 16-Jun-21 21:12:44

Thanks everyone, I'm going to update my phone and will have to leave giff gaff, as Missedout so rightly says they don't provide wifi calls yet although there is discussion about it. Just off to 'Which' for a look before I cancel my membership!

Shandy57 Thu 17-Jun-21 16:08:10

Thanks so much everyone, I've just bought an IPhone SE 2020 this morning from Tesco, on 02. I've missed three more calls over the past two hours because of 'No Service', it's too ridiculous, hopefully using wifi calling in future it will be a thing of the past. smile

Shandy57 Fri 18-Jun-21 10:38:18

Amazingly it is going to be delivered today by DPD - unfortunately to my neighbour, I've had to book an emergency appointment at the opticians.

Shandy57 Fri 18-Jun-21 17:19:08

Oh I can't believe it. Tesco mobile do not support wifi calling. I've now got a three year contract with them and a new phone I didn't need.

Grannynannywanny Fri 18-Jun-21 18:39:17

Oh no Shandy57 that’s so frustrating when it’s O2 that Tesco mobile use and O2 does WiFi calling. Check your contract and see if there is a cooling off period and don’t use the phone in meantime. Could you maybe go in to a large branch of Tesco that has a mobile phone section and explain the predicament you are in.

Sparkling Fri 18-Jun-21 18:45:58

I love my I phone as it links up with other devices. People o know that don’t have I phone swear by Samsung.

Grannynannywanny Fri 18-Jun-21 18:46:48

Have a read here about terms and conditions and 14 day cooling off period. I think you might be able to get out of it. Fingers crossed for you.

www.tescomobile.com/about-us/terms-and-conditions/terms-and-conditions-pay-monthly/pay-monthly-service-terms-conditions