From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

I have had my realmePro 6 for over 5 years now.
It has always performed well, but now it is being hit by the 3G switch off (see previous post).

Although it supports VoLTE it appears to not be compatible with 2 of the 4 main providers.
O2 (Tesco) it works
Talkmobile (Vodafone) it doesn't work
iD mobile (Three) it doesn't work

The underlying issue seems to be that it is running Android 11 and big
changes were made to the 4G code in Android 12.

I haven't tried an EE SIM yet, so it might be sensible to get a PAYG SIM
for -u10 or so for one month just to check this out before going for a new phone, as I could soldier on for a bit.

However this leaves me with the main issue.
Phones such as Oppo offer more bangs per buck.
However Samsung offers longer software support.
So should I be once bitten twice shy and go back to the Samsung Galaxy
range, or is this incompatibility likely to be a one off?

My basic requirements are WiFi calling, dual SIM, NFC, 4/5G.
Prices for some phones are in the -u1,000 range which is too much.
However I would consider prices around -u5-600 for 7 years of software support.
This conundrum also extends to buying from the previous range (S24 instead
of S25) with a shorter software support time line.
I have done this in the past, but am wondering now if this was false
economy.

Any recommendations welcome.

Cheers




Dave R
--
AMD FX-6300 in GA-990X-Gaming SLI-CF running Windows 10 x64

--
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

On Wed 03/12/2025 17:55, David wrote:

I have had my realmePro 6 for over 5 years now.
It has always performed well, but now it is being hit by the 3G switch off (see previous post).

Although it supports VoLTE it appears to not be compatible with 2 of the 4 main providers.
O2 (Tesco) it works
Talkmobile (Vodafone) it doesn't work
iD mobile (Three) it doesn't work

The underlying issue seems to be that it is running Android 11 and big changes were made to the 4G code in Android 12.

I haven't tried an EE SIM yet, so it might be sensible to get a PAYG SIM
for -u10 or so for one month just to check this out before going for a new phone, as I could soldier on for a bit.

However this leaves me with the main issue.
Phones such as Oppo offer more bangs per buck.
However Samsung offers longer software support.
So should I be once bitten twice shy and go back to the Samsung Galaxy
range, or is this incompatibility likely to be a one off?

My basic requirements are WiFi calling, dual SIM, NFC, 4/5G.
Prices for some phones are in the -u1,000 range which is too much.
However I would consider prices around -u5-600 for 7 years of software support.
This conundrum also extends to buying from the previous range (S24 instead
of S25) with a shorter software support time line.
I have done this in the past, but am wondering now if this was false
economy.

Any recommendations welcome.

If you can wait until the new year you may find new phones available are
eSIM only - which makes life a whole lot simpler!

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

On 03/12/2025 17:55, David wrote:

I have had my realmePro 6 for over 5 years now.
It has always performed well, but now it is being hit by the 3G switch off (see previous post).

Although it supports VoLTE it appears to not be compatible with 2 of the 4 main providers.
O2 (Tesco) it works
Talkmobile (Vodafone) it doesn't work
iD mobile (Three) it doesn't work

The underlying issue seems to be that it is running Android 11 and big changes were made to the 4G code in Android 12.

I haven't tried an EE SIM yet, so it might be sensible to get a PAYG SIM
for -u10 or so for one month just to check this out before going for a new phone, as I could soldier on for a bit.

However this leaves me with the main issue.
Phones such as Oppo offer more bangs per buck.
However Samsung offers longer software support.
So should I be once bitten twice shy and go back to the Samsung Galaxy
range, or is this incompatibility likely to be a one off?

My basic requirements are WiFi calling, dual SIM, NFC, 4/5G.
Prices for some phones are in the -u1,000 range which is too much.
However I would consider prices around -u5-600 for 7 years of software support.
This conundrum also extends to buying from the previous range (S24 instead
of S25) with a shorter software support time line.
I have done this in the past, but am wondering now if this was false
economy.

Any recommendations welcome.

Buy a middish-range Moto, 150-200 quid maybe, every 2-3 years, and keep
the last-retired phone as your spare when OS support ends.

They are refreshingly bloatware-free. eSIM+SIM, some still with SD card carrier and 3.5mm headphone socket.

..if you lose or break it it's less to replace too

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

On 03/12/2025 17:55, David wrote:

My basic requirements are WiFi calling, dual SIM, NFC, 4/5G.
Prices for some phones are in the -u1,000 range which is too much.

Samsung A16 5G ticks all those boxes at about -u140, although it is about
a year into its support life. Used on giffgaff (O2 reseller). -u1,000
would be the Samsung S series, their premium phones.
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

Mark <codvimyst@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

Buy a middish-range Moto, 150-200 quid maybe, every 2-3 years, and keep
the last-retired phone as your spare when OS support ends.

They are refreshingly bloatware-free. eSIM+SIM, some still with SD card carrier and 3.5mm headphone socket.

If eSIM+SIM is an option, that opens up a lot of further choices.

eg Pixel 9a is about -u250, and older flagship Pixels are similar prices
used. They get 7 years of support from new starting from the Pixel 8
series.

Theo
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

On Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:47:07 +0000, Theo wrote:

Mark <codvimyst@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

Buy a middish-range Moto, 150-200 quid maybe, every 2-3 years, and keep
the last-retired phone as your spare when OS support ends.

They are refreshingly bloatware-free. eSIM+SIM, some still with SD card
carrier and 3.5mm headphone socket.

If eSIM+SIM is an option, that opens up a lot of further choices.

eg Pixel 9a is about -u250, and older flagship Pixels are similar prices used. They get 7 years of support from new starting from the Pixel 8
series.

Theo

My partner has a Pixel 7 and so far I have struggled with the UI which si different from the standard(ish) Android UIs.

Cheers


Dave R
--
AMD FX-6300 in GA-990X-Gaming SLI-CF running Windows 10 x64

--
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

David <wibble@btinternet.com> wrote:

On Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:47:07 +0000, Theo wrote:

Mark <codvimyst@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

Buy a middish-range Moto, 150-200 quid maybe, every 2-3 years, and keep
the last-retired phone as your spare when OS support ends.

They are refreshingly bloatware-free. eSIM+SIM, some still with SD card
carrier and 3.5mm headphone socket.

If eSIM+SIM is an option, that opens up a lot of further choices.

eg Pixel 9a is about -u250, and older flagship Pixels are similar prices used. They get 7 years of support from new starting from the Pixel 8 series.

Theo

My partner has a Pixel 7 and so far I have struggled with the UI which si different from the standard(ish) Android UIs.

Hmm, Pixel *is* the standard Android UI, as written by Google. All the
others are reskins of it.

Somes apps (phone, camera, messages, etc) are Google's own and differ from
AOSP (the baseline everyone starts from) but I think most of the system UI
is the same as the baseline.

(You can install Google's apps on other phones too if you want their UI)

Theo
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

On Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:26:13 +0000, Theo wrote:

David <wibble@btinternet.com> wrote:

On Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:47:07 +0000, Theo wrote:

Mark <codvimyst@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

Buy a middish-range Moto, 150-200 quid maybe, every 2-3 years, and
keep the last-retired phone as your spare when OS support ends.

They are refreshingly bloatware-free. eSIM+SIM, some still with SD
card carrier and 3.5mm headphone socket.

If eSIM+SIM is an option, that opens up a lot of further choices.

eg Pixel 9a is about -u250, and older flagship Pixels are similar
prices used. They get 7 years of support from new starting from the
Pixel 8 series.

Theo

My partner has a Pixel 7 and so far I have struggled with the UI which
si different from the standard(ish) Android UIs.

Hmm, Pixel *is* the standard Android UI, as written by Google. All the others are reskins of it.

Somes apps (phone, camera, messages, etc) are Google's own and differ
from AOSP (the baseline everyone starts from) but I think most of the
system UI is the same as the baseline.

(You can install Google's apps on other phones too if you want their UI)

Theo

Interesting.

For yeah these many years I have been used to a similar UI on all phones.
The Pixel seems quite different.

Cheers



Dave R
--
AMD FX-6300 in GA-990X-Gaming SLI-CF running Windows 10 x64

--
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

On Wed, 03 Dec 2025 17:55:46 +0000, David wrote:

I have had my realmePro 6 for over 5 years now.
It has always performed well, but now it is being hit by the 3G switch
off (see previous post).

Although it supports VoLTE it appears to not be compatible with 2 of the
4 main providers.
O2 (Tesco) it works Talkmobile (Vodafone) it doesn't work iD mobile
(Three) it doesn't work

<snip>

Now have -u10 EE SIM in the phone and this doesn't offer VoLTE in the
settings menu.

So it looks as though Tesco/O2 is the only carrier that integrates with
the phone.

New phone time it is, then.

More brain strain. :-(

Cheers



Dave R
--
AMD FX-6300 in GA-990X-Gaming SLI-CF running Windows 10 x64

--
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software. www.avast.com
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

On 03/12/2025 17:55, David wrote:

I have had my realmePro 6 for over 5 years now.
It has always performed well, but now it is being hit by the 3G switch off (see previous post).

Although it supports VoLTE it appears to not be compatible with 2 of the 4 main providers.
O2 (Tesco) it works
Talkmobile (Vodafone) it doesn't work
iD mobile (Three) it doesn't work

The underlying issue seems to be that it is running Android 11 and big changes were made to the 4G code in Android 12.

I haven't tried an EE SIM yet, so it might be sensible to get a PAYG SIM
for -u10 or so for one month just to check this out before going for a new phone, as I could soldier on for a bit.

However this leaves me with the main issue.
Phones such as Oppo offer more bangs per buck.
However Samsung offers longer software support.
So should I be once bitten twice shy and go back to the Samsung Galaxy
range, or is this incompatibility likely to be a one off?

My basic requirements are WiFi calling, dual SIM, NFC, 4/5G.
Prices for some phones are in the -u1,000 range which is too much.
However I would consider prices around -u5-600 for 7 years of software support.
This conundrum also extends to buying from the previous range (S24 instead
of S25) with a shorter software support time line.
I have done this in the past, but am wondering now if this was false
economy.

Any recommendations welcome.

Cheers

Dave R

I was a user of mid-range Samsung phones for some years but now have an
Oppo Find X5 which I got a couple of years ago. I've been reasonably
happy with it and I think it satisfies your requirements. It can use
two SIMS but the second one is an eSim (which I've used a few times when travelling). I expect there are newer models at various prices, but the
brand seems fine. Oppo have provided software updates several times a
year so far - sorry that I can't remember how long these are guaranteed
for.
--
Clive Page

--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

David <wibble@btinternet.com> wrote:

On Wed, 03 Dec 2025 17:55:46 +0000, David wrote:

I have had my realmePro 6 for over 5 years now.
It has always performed well, but now it is being hit by the 3G switch
off (see previous post).

Although it supports VoLTE it appears to not be compatible with 2 of the
4 main providers.
O2 (Tesco) it works Talkmobile (Vodafone) it doesn't work iD mobile
(Three) it doesn't work

<snip>

Now have -u10 EE SIM in the phone and this doesn't offer VoLTE in the settings menu.

So it looks as though Tesco/O2 is the only carrier that integrates with
the phone.

New phone time it is, then.

More brain strain. :-(

It's like I said a bit back in this thread (I think it was this
thread) the whole lack of backward compatibility and lack of
information about what works with what seems to be becoming worse and
worse.
--
Chris Green
-+
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

On Wed, 3 Dec 2025 22:50:43 +0000, Mark <codvimyst@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:

On 03/12/2025 17:55, David wrote:

I have had my realmePro 6 for over 5 years now.
It has always performed well, but now it is being hit by the 3G switch off >> (see previous post).

Although it supports VoLTE it appears to not be compatible with 2 of the 4 >> main providers.
O2 (Tesco) it works
Talkmobile (Vodafone) it doesn't work
iD mobile (Three) it doesn't work

The underlying issue seems to be that it is running Android 11 and big
changes were made to the 4G code in Android 12.

I haven't tried an EE SIM yet, so it might be sensible to get a PAYG SIM
for -u10 or so for one month just to check this out before going for a new >> phone, as I could soldier on for a bit.

However this leaves me with the main issue.
Phones such as Oppo offer more bangs per buck.
However Samsung offers longer software support.
So should I be once bitten twice shy and go back to the Samsung Galaxy
range, or is this incompatibility likely to be a one off?

My basic requirements are WiFi calling, dual SIM, NFC, 4/5G.
Prices for some phones are in the -u1,000 range which is too much.
However I would consider prices around -u5-600 for 7 years of software
support.
This conundrum also extends to buying from the previous range (S24 instead >> of S25) with a shorter software support time line.
I have done this in the past, but am wondering now if this was false
economy.

Any recommendations welcome.

Buy a middish-range Moto, 150-200 quid maybe, every 2-3 years, and keep
the last-retired phone as your spare when OS support ends.

They are refreshingly bloatware-free. eSIM+SIM, some still with SD card >carrier and 3.5mm headphone socket.

..if you lose or break it it's less to replace too

My wife, sister and I all use Moto in the <u200 range. Mine is 2018,
MOTO G6+. It's just getting to the stage where some Apps are
grumbling about the OS. SWMBO is very happy with here G23. Both
models are full dual SIM and SD card. Sister didn't seek advice on
updating her phone and now realises it's either second SIM or SD card.


Hopefully my next upgrade will have eSIM, SD card and still retrain
the 3.5mm headphone socket, though the loss of FM radio facilities
make that less important as the phone won't need the cable to act as
an aerial.
--
AnthonyL

Why ever wait to finish a job before starting the next?
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

On 3 Dec 2025 17:55:46 GMT, David <wibble@btinternet.com> wrote:

I have had my realmePro 6 for over 5 years now.

Prices for some phones are in the u1,000 range which is too much.
However I would consider prices around u5-600 for 7 years of software >support.
This conundrum also extends to buying from the previous range (S24 instead >of S25) with a shorter software support time line.
I have done this in the past, but am wondering now if this was false >economy.

It can pay to shop around. I got a new Galaxy S25 Ultra for u750 from
an eBay seller (business, not private*) during the summer. Also note
that the prices of phones tend to drop a few months after release.

* In the past I have bought unopened unwanted contract phones on
eBay. I don't understand the logic of that as whoever had the phone
originally was still paying for it but it worked in my favour.)
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

Peter Johnson <peter@parksidewood.nospam> wrote:

On 3 Dec 2025 17:55:46 GMT, David <wibble@btinternet.com> wrote:

I have had my realmePro 6 for over 5 years now.

Prices for some phones are in the -u1,000 range which is too much.
However I would consider prices around -u5-600 for 7 years of software >support.
This conundrum also extends to buying from the previous range (S24 instead >of S25) with a shorter software support time line.
I have done this in the past, but am wondering now if this was false >economy.

It can pay to shop around. I got a new Galaxy S25 Ultra for -u750 from
an eBay seller (business, not private*) during the summer. Also note
that the prices of phones tend to drop a few months after release.

Huh! -u75 is nearer the price I want to pay! My current 'phone is a
tablet, 11", SIM (so it makes calls), excellent battery life, android
15. What more could I want? (It cost about -u90)
--
Chris Green
-+
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:

Peter Johnson <peter@parksidewood.nospam> wrote:

It can pay to shop around. I got a new Galaxy S25 Ultra for -u750 from
an eBay seller (business, not private*) during the summer. Also note
that the prices of phones tend to drop a few months after release.

Huh! -u75 is nearer the price I want to pay! My current 'phone is a
tablet, 11", SIM (so it makes calls), excellent battery life, android
15. What more could I want? (It cost about -u90)

I think we established it doesn't support VoLTE on UK carriers? Hence the
OP's reason for starting this thread.

Theo
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:

Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:

Peter Johnson <peter@parksidewood.nospam> wrote:

It can pay to shop around. I got a new Galaxy S25 Ultra for -u750 from
an eBay seller (business, not private*) during the summer. Also note
that the prices of phones tend to drop a few months after release.

Huh! -u75 is nearer the price I want to pay! My current 'phone is a
tablet, 11", SIM (so it makes calls), excellent battery life, android
15. What more could I want? (It cost about -u90)

I think we established it doesn't support VoLTE on UK carriers? Hence the OP's reason for starting this thread.

So it's worth -u650 just to get a phone that can do VoLTE?

I'm simply moving to using a VOIP app if/when my tablet won't make a
call but so far I haven't been anywhere that it fails to make a call.
--
Chris Green
-+
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: uk.telecom.mobile

Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:

Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:

Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote:

Peter Johnson <peter@parksidewood.nospam> wrote:

It can pay to shop around. I got a new Galaxy S25 Ultra for -u750 from an eBay seller (business, not private*) during the summer. Also note that the prices of phones tend to drop a few months after release.

Huh! -u75 is nearer the price I want to pay! My current 'phone is a tablet, 11", SIM (so it makes calls), excellent battery life, android
15. What more could I want? (It cost about -u90)

I think we established it doesn't support VoLTE on UK carriers? Hence the OP's reason for starting this thread.

So it's worth -u650 just to get a phone that can do VoLTE?

Hardly. I bought an HMD for -u29 that does VoLTE. It is the old Nokia candybar style though.

Plenty of other options are available at all kinds of price points. You
just have to be a bit more picky about models as to which are supported by
your network(s).

I'm simply moving to using a VOIP app if/when my tablet won't make a
call but so far I haven't been anywhere that it fails to make a call.

If you can do everything with VOIP and aren't actually using the mobile
network for calling, I suppose that works. VoLTE is just doing VOIP anyway.

Theo
--- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2