Considering that a typical Smartphone is essentially a self contained micro Computer with Display, CPU, RAM, Storage Space, Camera and removable Media, for some they store and maintain their entire Life within its confines.

To others it's just a Phone. Assess what you want it to do, and buy accordingly.

5 hours ago, ViperPilot said:

Considering that a typical Smartphone is essentially a self contained micro Computer with Display, CPU, RAM, Storage Space, Camera and removable Media

 

Yeah, it's astonishing what they can do these days. Navigation, opening car doors, controlling security systems and home heating, real time language translation, numerous health monitoring features... and lots more.

You can even use the phone as a PC and feed it to a monitor. 

 

Edited October 10, 20241 yr by martin-w

If I have no place to carry it (my jeans pocket), then I don't want it for my primary phone. An expensive phone works for leaving in your car or in your house. Or in your purse if you are female.

As for navigation, the Garmin gps Drives are dedicated to only that, so it's easier to use than a general purpose device. Never runs out of battery, small, thin, easily semi permanently mounts to the vehicle (velcro). So it's always there. You won't forget it. It's also cheap.

Comes in 5,6,7 or 8 inch screen. Even the 5 inch size is bigger display than an iPhone.

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1240929/pn/010-02858-01

 

8 hours ago, Fielder said:

If I have no place to carry it (my jeans pocket), then I don't want it for my primary phone

 

You must have very small pockets then. My old phone is the same size as my new one. Both fit in my jeans pocket. Wallet in my left pocket phone in the right. 

I had a Garmin like you linked to, and sold it on Ebay. Didn't need it. My phone does everything, not just the single function the Garmin does. 

 

8 hours ago, Fielder said:

As for navigation, the Garmin gps Drives are dedicated to only that, so it's easier to use than a general purpose device.

 

Nope. Google maps works great on my phone. Very easy to use. And no need to update the nav database.

It's about personel preference. I use many of the features my old and new mid range phones provide, all in one, easy to carry device. If you prefer something different that's perfectly okay.

When people without phones or nav on their phones ask me for directions, I find they are almost always over 60. So I suspect there's a degree of technophobia at play.

I've always been interested in science and technology, so I guess it's different for me, despite being 66.

24 minutes ago, martin-w said:

Both fit in my jeans pocket. Wallet in my left pocket phone in the right. 

speaking of  phones  and  wallets , well my phone is  my wallet  and  phone,  havnt  carried  a wallet  in over  3  years  now 🙂 

1 hour ago, pete_auau said:

speaking of  phones  and  wallets , well my phone is  my wallet  and  phone,  havnt  carried  a wallet  in over  3  years  now 🙂 

I'd still have to carry a wallet.  I have a few ID cards  and insurance cards that I have to show at various doctor's offices, and bank and credit cards.  I've also got  couple of wallet cards identifying medical devices implanted in my body.

I assume you have at least a physical driver's license.

I may not get either a cell phone or a cell connection for the house phone.  We can transfer the house number to my wife's cell phone, and if I need a phone I can use hers.  Still need to have an all-family meeting to see what everyone else thinks.

Hook

2 hours ago, pete_auau said:

speaking of  phones  and  wallets , well my phone is  my wallet  and  phone,  havnt  carried  a wallet  in over  3  years  now 🙂 

 

I thought about it, but not sure I'd like it. I do Carry some cash, not much. 

50 minutes ago, LHookins said:

 assume you have at least a physical driver's license.

 

I have a drivers licence, two debit cards and credit card in mine. Plus an old UK store card. 

I do carry some cash and stuff my keys in the change pouch, because I'm paranoid about losing them.

I also insist on a flap over the cards so they can't fall out. 😁

2 hours ago, LHookins said:

I'd still have to carry a wallet.  I have a few ID cards  and insurance cards that I have to show at various doctor's offices, and bank and credit cards.  I've also got  couple of wallet cards identifying medical devices implanted in my body.

I assume you have at least a physical driver's license.

I may not get either a cell phone or a cell connection for the house phone.  We can transfer the house number to my wife's cell phone, and if I need a phone I can use hers.  Still need to have an all-family meeting to see what everyone else thinks.

Hook

my phone  is  in a folder type  case on  the flap side  is  where i keep my  cards  etc where got  my health, license etc,  although   got  most  of  my cards on  my phone wallet any way

1 hour ago, martin-w said:

 

I thought about it, but not sure I'd like it. I do Carry some cash, not much. 

yea here  in oz  in  shops  they are  trying  to go  cash less,  banks  are getting  less  and  less  forcing  us  to  got online  banking  and paying  by  cards,  some  banks  are even  charging  people  in  taking  out  their  own money out of  their own account

9 minutes ago, pete_auau said:

yea here  in oz  in  shops  they are  trying  to go  cash less,  banks  are getting  less  and  less  forcing  us  to  got online  banking  and paying  by  cards,  some  banks  are even  charging  people  in  taking  out  their  own money out of  their own account

 

Where I am it's very much pay by card. Fewer people are paying by cash these days, especially with contactless where you simply tap your card, almost all places are set up for that now. Charging somebody for taking their own money out is bonkers though. 

"stuff keys in change pouch". Every wallet that I ever owned has a zippered pocket for keys. House keys, car keys, and others. If I lose the wallet, or am robbed, the 2nd set are in my pocket. I don't live in the UK which has one seventh the serious crime per capita as here in America.

The cash I carry in my wallet (a few hundred dollars) is a very small amount compared to what's in my bank account. Buying with a card puts the whole account at risk because you are giving away all your personal information to some low wage clerk who is processing that card

39 minutes ago, Fielder said:

"stuff keys in change pouch". Every wallet that I ever owned has a zippered pocket for keys. House keys, car keys, and others. If I lose the wallet, or am robbed, the 2nd set are in my pocket. I don't live in the UK which has one seventh the serious crime per capita as here in America.

 

Mine's quite a basic wallet, I've had it years. Does the job for me, although it will soon need replacing.

I don't live in the UK, either. Guernsey crime rate is very low, a fraction of that in the UK. 

21 minutes ago, Fielder said:

The cash I carry in my wallet (a few hundred dollars) is a very small amount compared to what's in my bank account. Buying with a card puts the whole account at risk because you are giving away all your personal information to some low wage clerk who is processing that card

 

The cash in my wallet is currently zero..😁 Most I have in there is a tenner. Rarely need it. My daughter never carries cash at all. 

Buying with a card is relatively safe, millions do it. And loses, as long as it's not your fault, are covered by the bank. It's mostly automated these days, it's not usually a clerk sitting at a desk for routine transactions.

The only issue is if some unscrupulous baddy has put a fake screen over the ATM terminal or card machine in a shop. Not likely unless you are in a dodgy shop.

I certainly would be a bit worried about being in certain places in the UK with a couple of hundred quid in a wallet. 😀