SIM Only Guides & Advice

In-depth information to make you a smarter shopper.

We spend hours searching, trialling and testing – then make these guides so that you don’t have to.

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What are megapixels?

On: Friday, 6 March, 2020

When it comes to marketing new handsets, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of jargon surrounding smartphone camera megapixels, picture quality and lens types. The pixel is one of the most misunderstood aspects of photography, with manufact...

Using TikTok on a smartphone

By: Neil Cumins

On: Wednesday, 4 March, 2020

It can be hard to keep up with changing social media trends. If you’re just starting to acknowledge the incredible power of Instagram, it might surprise (and depress) you to learn of a newer generation of social media platforms. The likes...

The best handsets for storing loads of data and files

By: Neil Cumins

On: Sunday, 1 March, 2020

Before we begin, here’s a quick question. How much data do you have on your smartphone? It’s bound to be more than you expected. Smartphone operating systems tend to occupy several gigabytes of storage, while pre-installed bloatware lik...

How do new folding phones work?

By: Neil Cumins

On: Thursday, 27 February, 2020

It’s often said there’s nothing new under the sun, and the current excitement about folding phones is a case in point. Folding phones were ubiquitous twenty years ago, with iconic models like the Samsung A800 and Motorola Razr proving h...

What is a ‘notspot’?

By: Neil Cumins

On: Sunday, 23 February, 2020

The word ‘notspot’ traces its origins back to the late 1990s, when wireless internet access was first rising to prominence through the GPRS and EDGE mobile data networks. While most of the country had some degree of 2G connectivity, spa...

Do budget smartphones involve many compromises?

By: Neil Cumins

On: Thursday, 20 February, 2020

Back in the dial-up days of the new millennium, a mobile phone was something you phoned and texted people from. If you owned a Nokia, you also got to play Snake. That was about as far as it went, and most consumers accepted the limitations ...

How to use your phone on a GPRS/EDGE 2G connection

By: Neil Cumins

On: Sunday, 16 February, 2020

There’s a common misapprehension that mobile phones were only able to access the internet following the launch of 3G, back in 2001. In fact, the technology for sending and receiving data wirelessly had existed since 1991 – the same year...

What happened to the headphone jack?

By: Neil Cumins

On: Tuesday, 11 February, 2020

There aren’t many modern technologies which trace their origins directly back to the Victorian age, but the 3.5mm headphone jack certainly can. The quarter-inch jack plug familiar to switchboard operators (and latterly musicians) around t...

What do system updates accomplish?

By: Neil Cumins

On: Friday, 7 February, 2020

Every now and again, mobile devices will announce they need to perform an update. Sometimes this is announced in advance, giving device owners the chance to schedule these updates for a convenient time like 3am. Other occasions involve an e...

Should I wait to buy a 5G handset?

By: Neil Cumins

On: Tuesday, 4 February, 2020

It’s an unfortunate fact that early adopters always have to pay a high price for being among the first to benefit from new technologies. In many cases, that price is a literal one. Cutting-edge tech generally gains economies-of-scale affo...