The Biggest Thing to Happen to iPhone was the iPhone 5

Codenamed N41/N42, the iPhone 5 was the fourth major redesign and second major improvement to the phone’s display since the original iPhone.  Unveiled in September of 2012, the phone was the 6th generation of the iPhone succeeding the iPhone 4S and preceding the 5S and 5C.

This redesigned phone included an aluminium-based body which was thinner and lighter – 25% thinner than previous models, a taller screen with nearly 16:9 ratio – giving more of a cinematic feel, LTE support and lighting and a new compact dock connector replacing the 30-pin design used by the previous iPhone models.

Apple switched to in-cell technology which allowed them to combine the touch sensor and LCD into one layer. The pixels on the iPhone 4 and 4S looked like they were painted beneath the glass; the pixels on the iPhone 5 looked as though they were painted inside the glass. This reduced reflection and made everything look that much better.

Instead of a glass back and stainless steel band, Apple went back to the aluminium of the original iPhone, making a uni-body that covered the back and sides, and also included diamond polished chamfered edges.  A third mic was also added for noise cancellation and beam forming meaning we can talk at our phones and from all around them. Texting was also aided by the voice assistant who converted speech to text.

And many more improvements and changes were made; starting off the trend of the phones we know and love today.

Sadly, while the phone was the best Apple had created, it was discontinued just a year after the launch - despite the huge success. Two million units were sold in the initial 24 hours after pre-order.

The withdrawal of this phone made way for the 5S and 5C

Here at Hot Bargain Phones we stock the iPhone 5 and have some fantastic deals on offer.

Check them out today.

The lowdown on the iPhone 6S

It’s been 8 months since the launch and release of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 plus, and rumours have been swirling ever since as to whether there will be an iPhone 6S following or whether Apple will jump straight to the iPhone 7.

Both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus serve jointly as successors to the iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S. The phones include a number of changes over its predecessor, including models with larger 4.7 & 5.5 inches displays, upgraded camera, improved Wi-Fi connectivity and a faster processor.
So can the iPhone 6S get any better?

The design and specs with an ‘S’ model tends to stay the same with a few tweaks here and there, it is likely the 6S will look the same as the current iPhone 6.
The screen size with an S model usually sticks with the same screen size so it could be likely remain at 4.7 inches. But if it is an iPhone 6S Plus, we’ll be seeing it remain at 5.5 inches.

Rumours are circulating that the upgraded iPhone will feature a rose gold casing colour which will match the Apple Watch Edition bringing the number of colour options up to four, joining the existing silver, gold and space grey, as well as featuring a 12-megapixel camera and 2-gigabytes of Ram.

There will also be a microphone added near the speaker to enhance voice quality, with the bending issue improved by different casing materials and internal mechanical design changes. If drop test issues can be resolved, it’s likely there will be a number of units with a sapphire cover lens.
Finally, the recognition rate of Touch ID will be further improved in a move to promote Apple Pay.

But as the rumors are just that, Apple may decide to jump ahead and launch the iPhone 7 with the same design and spec as per above.

While you wait for more updates on the iPhone 6S or 7, take a look at our range of phones. We’re going to be introducing the iPhone 6 which are second hand iPhones but will be as a good as new.
Keep your eyes peeled.

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iPhone 4S 4 U

Apple iPhones are everywhere. More often than not, you know somebody with an iPhone, whether it is the latest model or the oldest model you didn’t know was still sold.
And maybe you’ll be surprised to know that the iPhone 4S is still to this date the most requested iPhone.

Released back in October 2011, the 5th generation iPhone’s sales have gone from strength to strength. As recent as last year it was suggested the iPhone 4S accounted for 25 percent of iPhones sold by Apple drawing in nearly 10 million new users.
With the phone proven to be so popular, Apple has opted to keep the model around, while discontinuing its successor the iPhone 5.

If you are still having doubts as to whether to buy an iPhone 4S, here are some reasons why you should:

• The 4S is compatible with old accessories. Unlike the newer iPhone models which use a lightning connector, the 4S is compatible with chargers using a 30 pin cable. The 4S also takes a micro SIM which can be found on any other Smartphone while the iPhone 5C and 5S both use Nano SIMs.
• It’s the only iPhone with a 3.5 inch screen. The iPhone 6 has a 4.7 inch screen with the 6 Plus stretching ahead with 5.5 inches. The 5S and 5C respectively have the 4 inch screens. If you like your displays to be small, the 4S is the phone for you.
• It is relatively cheap. Lots of phone companies offer the phone for free with contracts, and on our website prices start at £162.50 unlocked. 
• The phone has a 1432 mAh battery capable of up to 200 hours of standby time or talk time. The iPhone 5S has a 1560 mAh battery which gives just 2 hours more talk time.
• It supports iOS 7, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, and 3G.

While the iPhone 5S & 5C are more up to date, the 4S is a comfortable and trustworthy phone. It’s stylish, user-friendly and affordable.
Buying Second hand iPhones or a Used iPhone 4S from us couldn’t be easier. Visit our website to find out how.

Upgrading – what to choose?

The time has come. It has perhaps been long overdue and you’ve decided to put some time aside to make it happen. You want to upgrade your phone.

While you may feel like you are late to the party in upgrading your phone from an iPhone 4 or 4S, you really aren’t the only one.

There are plenty of people out there who don’t upgrade as soon as a new iPhone comes out. Some like to stick with what they have, others are tempted but wait until their contract ends.

But the question now is: Which iPhone?

Here we are going to list the pros and cons of the iPhone 5S and 5S which are available on our website.

iPhone 5S

 
Pros:

•    Sleek, thin and lightweight design with durable aluminium back panel
•    Improved front camera quality
•    Extremely fast – great 4G LTE speeds
•    Fingerprint sensor
•    Above average battery life – long enough to provide all day use for many
•    The screen is bigger and better
•    Supports iOS 7 & 8

Cons:

•    Aluminium back panel can be subject to dents and scratches.
•    Camera lacks optical zoom
•    Can be expensive

 iPhone 5C

Pros:

•    Available in a larger range of colours including pink, blue, green and white
•    Made from a polycarbonate shell, crafted from a single piece of plastic making it lighter
•    Has a better front camera than the iPhone 5
•    Relatively inexpensive upfront if tied to an expensive contract
•    Internally similar to the iPhone 5

Cons:

•    There is no 64GB version of the 5C meaning less storage then the 5S
•    Rear camera is of lower quality when compared to the 5S
•    The four inch Retina Display feels small compared with most Android phones.
•    No MicroSD Slot


To sum up overall: If you would like a cheaper phone and don’t mind compromising on storage space, then the 5C is the phone for you.

If you are looking for speed, durability and more storage, the iPhone 5S is the phone of choice. There is also the choice of the now discontinued iPhone 5 which is also available on our website www.hotbargainphones.com.

Top 5 Mobile phones of 2015

We’ve put together our top 5 mobile phones of 2015, which is the one for you?

1)    The iPhone 6/6 Plus

We believe it to be a real step forward for Apple. It comes with the usual ingredients that make the iPhone special and iOS 8 is the best software we’ve ever know. It’s simple and intuitive. The camera on the 6 is fast; pictures come out clear and bright.

The iPhone 6 Plus is bigger than bigger. Larger in size and thinner in shape. Powerful and power-efficient. Known as the first Apple Phablet, it is packed with things to love.

2)    OnePlus One

If you haven’t heard of OnePlus, there’s a good reason why. The phone is hard to get hold of with an invite-only system so the firm can keep on top of production.

It does everything else other phones can do, and it is value for money without the compromise.

3)    Nokia Lumia 830

Sleek and sophisticated, the Lumina is an eye-catching blend of polycarbonate and metal coming together beautifully. The 20MP camera will give you astonishing photos and the phone can be charged wirelessly.

4)    Moto X
This phone is said to hit all the right notes delivering stock Android inside a powerful high-end handset you can customize yourself. Uncluttered with decent front speakers and fairly smooth performance overall.

5)    iPhone 5/5c/5s

Okay so we’ve cheated a little here. The iPhone 5 was released in September of 2012, and the 5C and 5C were released 10 days apart in September 2013. However, we still absolutely love them. Solid, with a premium look and touch ID, it is still popular with consumers today.

As the largest supplier of used iPhones in the world, the iPhone would of course be our top choice.  All the iPhones in the series would make our top 5, nay 10. But we had to be fairish.

Second hand and refurbished means you can get a great deal without breaking the bank. We also offer Warranties, delivery worldwide and exceptional customer service.

Gaining is Winning

We are the largest suppliers of used iPhones in the world. We refurbish used and pre-owned phones, which we also unlock and make them available and affordable to you.

Why choose us?

•    We offer FREE insured delivery in the UK and FREE accidental damage cover (for 3 months).
•    100% warranty cover for 365 days.
•    Excellent customer service guaranteed.
•    An efficient technical team available.
•    The best prices and deals you can find.
•    Worldwide delivery available.
•    Orders dispatched between 24-48 hours after thorough inspection.
•    We buy unlocked phones from you!

We also sell accessories. From adaptors and batteries, to chargers, cables and data storage devices.

 

What are refurbishing phones?

Refurbished phones are returned or donated from the previous owner and made ready for resale. All phones are fully inspected and tested by our qualified engineers.
Refurbished phones can contain minor cosmetic flaws but this will not affect the phones function or performance.

Why are phones refurbished?

Mobile users tend to routinely upgrade their mobile phone every few years, with some trading up more frequently. Used phones are sent back to the manufacturer to be refurbished, especially if they are not very old.

Mobile providers do usually allow customers to return a phone within a short period of time – known as a “cooling off period”, if they do not like it or have changed their mind. These devices are usually in perfect working order, but because they have been used, they cannot be sold as new. They are wiped of all data and resold as refurbished.

Locked or unlocked?

A locked phone will only work with a specific provider. An unlocked phone will work with any provider. Most mobile phone companies install special “locking” software on their phones that prevents them from being used with any other network’s SIM card.

It’s important to remember that you may have to purchase a SIM to operate the phone if you no longer have a SIM or if the refurbished phone is in addition to your current phone.
There are benefits to both locked and unlocked, but unlocked has proved the most popular.

Used Vs Refurbished

A used phone is sold as it is. It has not been fixed or tested and comes with no warranty or guarantee. If a used phone has a cracked screen, it will be sold with a cracked screen.
A refurbished phone is thoroughly tested, repaired if necessary and has been cleaned.

Gaining a refurbished phone is a great result because they are sold for a lot less than a new phone.

The History of Mobile Phones

From the picture above, you can see just how much the mobile phone has changed over the past 30 years.    

Motorola was the first company to produce the handheld mobile phone in 1973. Martin Cooper, a Motorola researcher and executive, made the first telephone call from handheld subscriber equipment – weighing in at 1.1kg and measuring 23cm long, 13cm deep and 4.45cm wide, to Dr Joel Engel of Bell labs. The phone offered talk time of 30 minutes and took 10 hours to recharge.

 

Britain’s first mobile telephone call was made on January 1st 1985 and the first text message was sent via computer 24 years ago simply saying “Merry Christmas”. The original 160-character size limit for text was the brainchild of German engineer Friedhelm Hillebrand. He arrived at the number by typing a series of random questions into his typewriter, and after counting the characters, he found 160 to be “perfectly sufficient” to write in any question or thoughts one may have.

There are 40,000 masts today compared to just five (all in London), 30 years ago. Britons make over 130 million mobile phone calls every day while messaging app WhatsApp, sees 50 billion messages per day, more than all SMS combined.

Then:

Nokia’s 3210

The Nokia 3210 is one of the most popular mobile phones in history with over 160 million sold. Released in 1999, it ditched the antenna and was one of the first to allow picture messaging which was a huge selling point.

Now:

 

Former Apple CEO Steve Jobs introduced a revolutionary touchscreen smartphone known as the iPhone in 2007 with the slogan “Apple reinvents the phone”. Steve described the iPhone as a combination of 3 devices: a “widescreen iPod with touch controls”, a “breakthrough internet communicator” and a “revolutionary mobile phone.”

Since the release of the First Generation phone, iPhones have exploded in popularity with a further 9 models being created.