Getting Started.

Oppo is one of the world’s biggest phone brands, and its three latest handsets are available at iD Mobile! After something a little different? Think that Oppos might attract? Then read on. Oppo has just released a trio of stunning smartphones. And at the time of writing, iD Mobile is the only place you can get them on a pay monthly deal. If you don't want to pay the full cost of a phone upfront, spreading out the cost on a pay monthly plan is a great option. You might not have heard of Oppo before, but the Chinese phone maker is kind of a big deal. It’s one of the biggest smartphone brands in the world, and now you can see what all the fuss is about for yourself – at iD Mobile! Meet the Oppo RX17 Neo Key features: · 6.4-inch Full HD display · 16MP + 2MP dual camera · 128GB internal storage The RX17 Neo is affordable smartphone with all the specs of a flagship. Its 3D gradient design looks stunning from every angle, and it’s made from super strong Gorilla glass 6. The huge 6.4-inch Waterdrop display has a screen ratio of 91%, so you can really lose yourself in high-quality gaming and your favourite blockbuster movies. The main 16MP + 2MP dual camera takes crystal clear photos in all sorts of lighting conditions, and the 25MP front camera uses AI to instantly recognise 296 facial expressions - giving you the best selfie possible. If that wasn’t smart enough, it has an algorithm that uses more than eight million reference points to make sure it focuses quickly on whatever you’re shooting. What’s more, the fingerprint sensor’s right under the screen, so you can access your phone with a mere tap of your finger. Buy the Oppo RX17 Neo from iD Mobile. Our exclusive pay monthly deals start at just £15.99 a month. Meet the Oppo RX17 Pro Key features: · 6.4-inch Full HD display · 12MP + 20MP dual camera · 128GB internal storage The RX17 Pro’s shimmering two-tone metal frame fades between blue and purple, and it looks amazing. This phone might have the same gorgeous 6.4-inch display as the Neo but it’s got a few extra premium features under its hood, like the triple rear-facing camera that takes amazing quality shots at night. And selfie fans will appreciate the whopping 25MP front-facing camera, complete with a huge range of beauty modes. Like a speedy charge? This is one of the first devices to include Oppo’s new 50w fast charging. It’ll give you 40% of charge after just 10 minutes plugged in. And, like the Neo, the fingerprint sensor’s right under the near bezel-less screen. Buy the Oppo RX17 Pro from iD Mobile. Our exclusive pay monthly deals start at just £22.99 a month. Meet the Oppo Find X Key features: · 6.4-inch Full HD display · 20MP + 17MP dual camera · 256GB internal storage And now for the flagship. The Find X is the closest any manufacturer has ever come to creating an all-screen smartphone. That’s right, there’s no notch – just an amazing high-quality metal and glass body, and razor-sharp screen. Wondering where the cameras are? The Find X has a fantastic sliding camera module that extends and retracts to reveal the front and back cameras. And the pictures it can take are truly next level, with loads of AI-enhanced shooting options doing all the work for you. Like the RX17 Pro, the Find X comes with that fast charging feature. And who needs a fingerprint scanner when you’ve got 3D facial recognition? Plus, the eight-core Snapdragon 845 processor means this device is super-fast, responsive and powerful. Buy the Oppo Find X from iD Mobile. Our exclusive pay monthly deals are available from just £24.99 So, what do you think? Do you think you’ll be upgrading to one of these Oppo phones? If so, which one will you go for? Post a comment below, and share your thoughts.

Please note: This article has been archived. For more information, click below.

Honor has just launched the View 20 - a spectacular flagship phone packed with ‘world firsts’. In other words, tech that’s simply never been seen on a smartphone before. Let’s take a closer look. Biggest camera ever The Honor View 20’s main 48MP camera is the biggest that’s ever been on a mobile phone, and it’s capable of taking great photos day and night. In bright light, the sensor uses every single one of those 48 million pixels for incredibly detailed shots. In low light, it merges the pixels for photos that are bright and clear. The camera also uses AI (artificial intelligence) to make taking Insta-worthy shots an absolute doddle. It couldn’t be easier - just point and shoot, and the AI automatically adjusts the camera settings to give you the best possible picture. It can recognise over one and a half thousand different scenes, apparently – everything from pets to sunsets. Rear of the year If you look at the back of the Honor View 20 and give it a slight turn or twist, something magical happens. It catches the light and shows off a ‘V’ shaped chevron that gives the phone a cool retro-style look. The 80s revival is still going strong, so it’s bang on trend. Then round the front, you’ve got an amazing 6.4-inch All View display. It’s the world’s first phone with an in-screen camera design - so rather than a big notch at the top for the camera, there’s just a tiny punch-hole. This gives you an uninterrupted viewing experience, with nothing getting in the way of your gaming sessions or movie marathons. All the speed you need The other world first on the Honor View 20 is the Kirin 980 chipset. It’s fast and smart, and makes everything you do super smooth and responsive. Honor says that the camera processing is up to 46% faster, and AI recognition is 120% faster – so you’ll be able to snap all those ‘blink and you’ll miss them’ moments. The chipset also uses AI to make things more efficient, including battery management. You’ll be able to keep going all day before you need to head to a plug to charge it up again. All the space you need There’s a huge amount of inbuilt storage space on the Honor View 20. You’ll have more than enough space to store loads of your favourite games and apps – even entire movies if you prefer to save films on your phone rather than streaming them. Oh, and here’s some exciting news for Fortnite fans. The View 20 comes with an exclusive ‘Honor Guard’ Fortnite skin. Get in there! So, what do you reckon? When your upgrade day comes around, will you be doing the honours with a new View 20? It’ll be available to buy from iD Mobile soon, so check this webpage if you’re interested. If you’ve got any questions in the meantime, post a reply below.

Want to get your hands on the latest Samsung Galaxy S10 phone? Of course you do… Simply ask or answer a question on the iD Mobile Community between 4 March ‑ 10 March and we'll pick one of you at random to win a NEW Samsung Galaxy S10 phone! Each question or answer counts as a unique entry, so for a greater chance at winning, make sure to be someone's hero this week! Need some help? iD Mobile Community can help with all sorts of questions. Ask about: - Apps or mobile recommendations - Latest mobile trends - Help and support with any phone issues You can ask your question here. Or help answer some of these burning questions: - Any good battery saving tips? - Is using apple pay/wallet safe? - What’s the best phone for photography? Good luck! T&C's Apply

A new phone can be quite an investment, so it makes sense to protect the display with a good screen protector. It’ll help you avoid unsightly scrapes or scratches, and keep your phone looking its best. Which screen protector should I buy? There are few different types available, so here’s what to look out for when choosing one: PET type – made from semi-hard, clear plastic. They’re extremely durable and are one of the most common types available. Glass type – made from clear tempered glass. Very hard and smooth to use. They’ll have a plastic layer that holds everything together in case of any damage. Soft vinyl plastic type – these can be cheaper and more tempting, but they’re usually not very pleasant to use and can peel easily. Applying a screen protector without an applicator Some screen protectors come with applicators. If yours doesn’t, these steps will help you get it spot on. Before you start, you need to: Set things up in a clean, dust-free environment Wash your hands, then make sure they’re completely dry Clean the screen with rubbing alcohol or screen cleaner, then make sure it’s dry Now you’re ready to apply the screen protector. We recommend reading through the instructions before you start peeling, so you can be confident it will go on perfectly. Check the placement of the screen protector by positioning it over your screen (before you remove the backing) and check how much space needs to be left on each side. You should also look out for any camera or mic holes. Do a final dust check, this will be the thing that can ruin your hard work. Dabbing the sticky part of a post-it note on the screen can help remove any residue. Carefully align the edge of the screen protector, then peel off the backing from one end. When you’re happy with the margins, peel off the entire back and smooth the protector over the screen. You can use a cloth to make sure it’s properly applying as you peel. Sometimes, little bits of dust can find their way under the screen protector, no matter how careful you are. But if it’s barely noticeable, we’d suggest that you leave it alone. You could do more damage trying to fix it. If there’s a big speck that you just can’t ignore, you can try gently lifting it and ‘fishing’ with a bit of scotch tape or a sticky note, just be careful to leave the adhesive intact. You can get rid of any air bubbles with a firm, smooth-edge, like the side of a credit card. Try to be gentle as you do it, you don’t want to be scratching it when you’ve just put it on. Now you can enjoy your device, with the peace of mind that your screen is safe. Applying a screen protector with an applicator Here’s how to apply your screen protector if it comes with an applicator. You should still: Set things up in a clean, dust-free environment Wash your hands, then make sure they’re completely dry Clean the screen with rubbing alcohol or screen cleaner, then make sure it’s dry Now you can open the box and get started. The applicator will be built into the packaging – so lift the screen protector out without peeling back any of the adhesive. Fit your phone into the applicator. If it doesn’t fit, you might need to exchange it for a different size. Give the screen a final clean with the included microfibre cloth. Carefully peel off the backing, then pulling the applicator down stick it to the screen. Peel back the applicator and remove your phone, and you’re ready to start using it. Have you got any tips for applying the perfect screen protector? Or any questions? Then post your thoughts in the comments below!

If you’re looking for a phone with plenty of power and an amazing display, what about the Motorola G6 Plus? We got our hands on it recently and we’ve got to say, Motorola has pulled out all the stops to produce a stunning smartphone. Here’s what we made of it… A superior design and display The G6 Plus is a big phone, with a 5.9-inch edge-to-edge HD+ display that lets you see and do more. It feels comfortable to hold despite the large size, and that’s all down to the curved edges and 3D glass design. The G6 Plus is completely wrapped in super-tough Corning Gorilla Glass, giving you outstanding protection from scrapes and scratches. A camera with brains The dual-lens rear camera (12MP + 5MP) on the G6 Plus features Dual Autofocus Pixel technology, which lets you focus in an instant. Meanwhile, its large aperture means you’ll be able to take great shots in low light. It’s also a camera with some serious brains. For example, if you’re on holiday and want to know what landmark you’re looking at, just point and shoot, and you’ll get the information you need. Round the front, you’ll love what the 8 MP front camera can do for your selfies. The face filters let you add fun animations to them, and the ultra wide-angle group selfie mode will make sure your friends never get left out of the picture. Plenty of power The Motorola G6 Plus’s 3200 mAh battery will last you all day, and when it’s time to recharge, the TurboPower charger gives you hours of power in just minutes. Under the hood, a blazing-fast Qualcomm Snapdragon 2.2 GHz octa-core processor runs the show. If you’re in the habit of firing up loads of apps at once, it should give you all power and speed you need. There’s also 64GB of internal storage on board, giving you plenty of room to keep your all-important apps, games and videos. If you’re interested in making the Motorola G6 Plus your next smartphone, we’ve got some fantastic deals from just £15.99 with no upfront cost. Check them out here.

Foldable phones seem to be popping up all over the place, and now Huawei has got in on the act. The Chinese tech giant has unveiled the foldable Huawei Mate X, and it looks incredible. Here’s all we know so far… At a special event held on Sunday 24 February, Huawei CEO Richard Yu, wowed the crowd with the company’s first ever foldable phone, the Huawei Mate X. We’ve seen a few prototype foldable phones recently, but this one of the first that's actually ready for market and due for release soon. Huawei Mate X - check out the view The Huawei Mate X features what Huawei calls a FullView display, inside and out. When it’s folded, the front of the phone measures a generous 6.6-inches, while the back measures an equally impressive 6.38-inches. Unfold the phone and you’ve got an 8-inch tablet. The Mate X is going to give us the best of all worlds. It’s a regular smartphone when you want it to be, but when you want to catch up on your favourite Netflix show, just fold it out and you’ve got the perfect device for a TV binge. The patented hinge contains over 100 components to create a completely seamless fold, and the ‘Falcon Wing Design’ delivers a true back-to-back fold - with no seams or notches to spoil the view. A perfect device for multitasking Because the Mate X has so much screen space, it’s going to be absolutely ideal for switching between apps. It'll offer side-by-side browsing, letting you drag an image or file from one open app to another. And when you’re taking a photo, you'll be able to send the camera feed to the other side of the phone so the person in shot can see exactly what you’re seeing. More speed, more power It’s not all about the funky foldable design - this phone is packed with some serious tech. For starters, it’s going to compatible with 5G, and Huawei says it’ll be able to offer download speeds of up to 4.6Gbps (that’s gigabits per second). At these sorts of speeds, Huawei says you’ll be able to download a “1GB movie in 3 seconds”. According to Huawei, the Mate X will come with the world’s fastest charging. It’s called SuperCharge and it gives you an 85% charge in just 30 minutes. Very impressive. The big question – when can I buy it? Huawei told us an awful lot about the Huawei Mate X, but it didn't confirm an actual release date. But it does seem likely that it’ll be available sometime this summer. One thing’s for sure, we can’t wait to unfold it as soon as we get the chance! Are you excited about the new Huawei Mate X? What's your take on foldable phones? Do you think they'll justify the hype? Post a reply and share your thoughts below.

The Galaxy Fold was finally revealed at Samsung’s recent Unpacked event, so here’s all the exciting news about this much awaited smartphone/tablet combo. How does the Galaxy Fold look? You may be surprised to hear that it’s actually pretty sleek – not bad for a device that has a hinge system down the middle. From what we saw at the launch event, the Galaxy Fold spears to fit in the hand pretty well, and it’s not as bulky as you might expect. When folded out from the standard 4.6-inch front screen, it transforms into a tablet-style 7.6-inch infinity-flex display. Videos are going to look simply stunning, take it from us. There are four awesome ‘galactic’ colours to choose from as well, for added personalisation. There’s Space Silver, Martian Green, Cosmos Black and Astro Blue. How will it perform? Until we get our hands on one, it’s hard to know for sure, but if the specs are anything to go by, then we’re in for a right treat. The switch between screens is completely seamless thanks to so-called ‘App continuity’, which means that if you’re looking at something on the front screen – a map for instance – you can open up the device and that same map will be there, just bigger. What about the hinge though? Won’t that put a great big line across the screen after a while? Well, Samsung has thought of that, and say that it should be able to withstand thousands of folds and unfolds. Any good for multitasking? It’s GREAT for multitasking. When opened up, you can use three apps at the same time. And it worked So, if you’re mid-video and a message comes through, there’s no need to pause the action – just reply while the content’s still playing. What about the speed? Even though there’s a lot of tech packed into the Samsung Fold, speed won’t be an issue. With 12GB RAM and 512GB of onboard memory, it’s responsive and fast. And, for the first time in a phone, there’s Universal flash storage 3.0, which means it can read data twice as fast as other phones on the market. Whether it’s unlocking it, launching your favourite apps, or looking for directions, just tap and it’s done instantly. But won’t two screens drain the battery? You would think so, wouldn’t you? But Samsung’s on top of this as well, with TWO batteries - one on each side of the hinge. Their clever engineers have used some rather special technology to combine them into one 4,380mAh power source, and that’s a lot. What about the camera? It’s not all about the screen. The cameras are pretty neat, too. This beauty packs six cameras - three on the back, two inside and a selfie cam. Excited about the Samsung Fold. You’re not the only one. Tell us below what you’re looking forward to seeing the most.

We hit the world’s biggest mobile tech show to give you a glimpse of the future. Foldable phones were the star turns, but they weren’t the only amazing things on display. Let’s take a closer look… For phone fans, there’s no better place to be than Barcelona in late February. That’s when MWC (Mobile World Congress) 2019 hits town. It’s the world’s biggest tech show, and it’s a chance for all the major phone manufacturers to wow us with their wares. We’ve rounded up the show’s highlights below. Think of them as sneak peek into the future of mobile tech. None of these products are available to buy just yet, but hopefully it won’t be too long until they hit these shores… Foldable phones We saw some incredible folding phones at MWC, thanks to a huge leap in screen technology that enables screens to be completely flexible. Let’s meet two of the best… Samsung Galaxy Fold Samsung announced the release of the Galaxy Fold at its own event prior to MWC. It’s a powerful smartphone/tablet combo, it looks surprisingly sleek, and seemed to fit nicely in the hand as a phone. The magic happens when it’s folded out, and it transforms from a standard 4.6-inch display to a huge 7.6-inch infinity-flex display. When it’s open, three app multi-tasking will reportedly let you use three apps at the same time, flawlessly. And it worked well in the demo too. So, next time you’re mid-video and a message comes through, you won’t need to pause it to reply, and you can even browse for more info on the web at the same time. Samsung says it’ll be able to withstand 1000s of folds and unfolds because of the multiple interlocking-gear design, all hidden for an elegant finish. The Huawei Mate X 5G A few days after Samsung’s big reveal, Huawei did its best to steal the show with its own foldable. Meet the Huawei Mate X 5G. Instead of opening like a book, the screen wraps around the outside of the phone when it’s closed, so it looks a lot like a standard smartphone. But fold it out and you’ve got a full-sized 8-inch tablet! Huawei has packed some serious tech into this phone, including: • 5G compatibility means you’ll be able to “download a 1GB movie in 3 seconds”. • Huawei’s SuperCharge tech gives you 85% battery charge in just 30 minutes. • A huge 4500mAh dual battery means longer between charges. Our pick of the non-foldable phones A 5 lens camera from Nokia Yes, you read it right, the new Nokia will be rocking a five-lens camera! It’s called the Nokia 9 PureView and the most striking thing about it is the camera layout on the back of the phone. It has seven dots all arranged in a kind of crop circle design. Five of them are camera lenses, with one flash and a light sensor. You can really see a passion for photography built into this tech. It offers beautiful shots in simply unrivalled, stunning detail, all with the minimal effort of getting your phone out of your pocket. The Nokia 9 PureView’s camera setup comes with a range of alternative shooting modes that even the pros would be jealous of, but most notably there’s an atmospheric ‘black and white’ setting, which actually gives you the genuine melancholic effect that’s so characteristic of true black & white photography. It’s something no normal greyscale Instagram filter could achieve. Other key features of the Nokia 9 PureView: · 8mm-thin, lightweight body · 5.99-inch pOLED 2K display · Fingerprint Sensor + Face Unlock options 5G – everybody’s talking There was a lot of chatter about 5G at MWC, but perhaps not as much action as we expected. After all, 5G isn’t actually with us yet – but a few phone manufacturers still seemed keen to get in there first with their 5G-ready devices, including Samsung, Huawei, Xiaomi and LG. Read our dedicated 5G article for more details: 5G is the future! Ready for it? Flexible wearables As well as some incredible advancements in phone tech, MWC showed is that flexible screens will soon be everywhere. And one of the obvious areas is wearables. Chinese manufacturer Nubia unveiled its prototype of a smartwatch/phone hybrid called the Nubia Alpha, and we absolutely love it. The screen is integrated into the strap so when you swipe, the menu rolls around your whole wrist. It can do everything a phone can, so you’ll be able to make calls, send texts and take photos on it. Hopefully, we’ll be seeing more big name manufacturers producing their own flexible wearables wearable tech adopting this approach. We can’t wait to see what the likes of Fitbit, Samsung, and Garmin make of flexible screens. Over to you, Community tech fans! Are you excited about foldable phones and the awesome power of 5G? Or is there another piece of future mobile tech you’re looking forward to? Post a reply below and share your thoughts.

Samsung's Unpacked 2019 event in London brought us not one, but three new Samsung phones and the most surprising part… they’re all S10s. Yes, Samsung has given us three versions of its Galaxy S10 to choose from. There’s the flagship S10, the S10+ which is the biggest of the three, and an entry-level version called the S10e. From what we saw at the event, these are going to be three incredible phones with super-sharp camera tech and hi-res displays. So let’s take a look at what each one offers… The Samsung Galaxy S10 – “The result of 10 years of pioneering research” This is the regular sized S10 and we love its simple, yet stylish design. Galaxy S10 key features: · 6.1-inch Infinity-O display for stunning clarity · Triple lens rear camera capable of ultra-wide shots · PowerShare wireless sharing, charge other devices wirelessly from your phone · Ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, built into the screen A stunning notch free edge-to-edge display Despite its relatively compact design, the screen comes in at a whopping 6.1-inches and it’s what Samsung is calling its Infinity-O Display. The ‘O’ represents the small dot opening that the camera peeks through at the top-right corner. Until very recently, Samsung has stood its ground when it comes to the notch, preferring to opt for straight lines with an uninterrupted screen. But with the Galaxy S10, the company has done something we weren’t expecting. The camera lens is embedded into the top-right corner of the screen meaning the display has been pushed right up to the edges of the phone offering an incredible viewing experience. The S10 also offers a super-high 550ppi pixel density giving you extreme clarity and sharpness whether you’re watching movies or flicking through your photos. A multi-lens True Vision camera Samsung says its S10 camera will let you “shoot like a pro, without being a pro”. The phone comes with a total of four lenses, three on the back and one on the front. On the back of the phone you get a 12MP telephoto lens, a 12MP wide-angle lens, and a 16MP ultra-wide lens. Put all of these lenses to work, and you get some incredible results. The S10 boasts the ability to take great looking daytime shots and equally stunning night time photos thanks to its Dual Aperture. Lots of phones come with wide-angled lenses these days, but the addition of an ultra-wide camera means you’re able to “capture the scene as you see it”, and the results can have quite an impact. Samsung’s new ‘S’ feature lets you share your power Here’s another first from Samsung’s ‘S’ series, a new feature called PowerShare and it’s pretty smart. It lets you wirelessly transfer power from your phone to your friends, like a kind of phone life support system. It doesn’t just work with phones either. Charge your smartwatch, or even your headphones if they’re running low on juice. Another first from Samsung – an in-display fingerprint scanner This is something you’ll get on the S10 and the S10+. The Ultrasonic Fingerprint Scanner now sits under the display, so unlocking your phone just got a whole lot easier. Just touch the glass and your phone’s unlocked… that’s it. It works instantly too, and in any conditions – strong sunlight, freezing temperatures, even in the rain. This is something that’s been on the horizon for some time now and we’re over the moon it’s finally here. The Samsung S10+ - Everything you get with the S10… just bigger Simply put, the S10+ is the big brother to the S10, it’s got all the same incredible features, just with a bigger screen. With the amount of camera tech that Samsung has squeezed into the S10, it makes sense that they’ve released a version that comes with a huge 6.4-inch screen. It’s perfect for showing off how good the photos are. The big screen is ideal for watching movies on the go. The 522ppi pixel density means whatever you watch, it’ll look its absolute best. The Samsung Galaxy S10e – smaller, but everything you’d expect from an ‘S’ series phone The Galaxy S10e, despite being the entry-level version, comes with a host of top features that would rival any current high-end handset. It features Samsung’s impressive and immersive 5.8-inch Infinity-O display, plus it also comes with the same True Vision camera setup that you’ll find on the S10 and S10+. On the S10e, Samsung has moved the fingerprint scanner from the back of the phone to the side, so it feels much more natural when you unlock it. When will the S10 be available? If you’re interested in ordering the Samsung Galaxy S10, the good news is, you won’t have to wait long. There’s more good news, you can get an extra 50GB data boost if you pre-order with iD Mobile. Click to pre-order the S10, S10+, or S10e

Everything you need to know about the new Sony Xperia 10, as revealed at MWC 2019, the world’s biggest tech show. MWC in Barcelona saw a huge influx of new tech announcements. And for us, one of the most exciting moments was when Sony Mobile President, Mitsuya Kishida revealed details of the Sony Xperia 10 - a fantastic phone you'll be able to order from iD Mobile. Here's what makes it so special... Design and display Covered by tough Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5, the Xperia 10 is gorgeously sleek with a metallic finish, and its screen offers 6-inches of HD glory. The Xperia 10 is a mover lovers’ dream – sporting an ultra-wide 21:9 format. And if you’ve seen the film before and desperately need to send that email, split the screen and multitask away. And Sony's legendary audio expertise is onboard for a satisfyingly loud and rich sound. Camera You'll be able to make every moment picture perfect with the dual camera (13MP + 5MP) on the Xperia 10. It captures every moment in crystal clear clarity, and you can even add a beautiful blurred background for those special portraits. Then, round the front, show off your best side with the 8MP selfie camera. You’ll get loads of recording options, too. There’s 1:1 which is ideal for Insta, while 21:9 is an amateur movie makers best friend. Under the hood The battery on the Xperia 10 weighs in at 2,870mAh, and should easily keep you going all day. And if you need something powerful to keep up with all your needs, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8630 processor will make everything fast and responsive. But back to the battery – this phone boasts Adaptive Charging which monitors your phone as it charges to make sure the battery isn’t overworked. Plus, Smart Stamina predicts how long your power will last and then adjusts your usage to keep you charged up for longer. You can pre-order the Sony Xperia 10 from iD Mobile right now. Plans start at just £15.99. If you've got a question on the new Xperia 10, post it below.

Random Act of Kindness Week Inspired by Random Act of Kindness day on the 17th February, we’ve created our very own Random Act of Kindness Week on the iD Mobile Community. Simply be someone’s hero between 18th – 24th February by helping to answer a question or two from your fellow Community users. Need more motivation? We'll pick our favourite answer to any of the questions on the iD Mobile Community before the end of the week (Midnight 24th February), and reward the member with a £200 Currys PC World Voucher to spend on their own dream tech. Here's a few to help you get going: Helpppp android or apple? Best app game for kids? Photo editing apps? Any good phone case recommendations? Terms & Conditions Apply

The 91st Academy Awards (aka The Oscars) are just days away. And, if you’ve had your fill of big-screen fun watching all of the nominated films, why not hunker down with a few classics on these superstar smartphones. The show stopping Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus Roll up the red carpet. All you need is a sofa, some snacks and an S9 Plus for a spectacular cinematic experience. To infinity and beyond! No we’re not insisting you watch a Pixar classic, we’re talking about its 6.2-inch revolutionary Infinity Display. There will be no interruptions between you and your beloved blockbusters – the curved, end-to-end screen will make sure of that. And if you like your movies loud, the true-to life AKG surround sound will make those explosions and gripping film scores feel like they’re coming from inside the house. Get the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus from iD Mobile now. Make the Huawei Mate 20 Pro your movie buddy Who doesn’t love watching movies with their mates? We’re talking about the Huawei Mate 20 Pro of course – actual mates just chat all the way through. Settle in for a series binge on the 6.39-inch Full HD+ display and that ‘click to play next episode’ button will be a no-brainer. Watch animations in rich colours that pop, and thrillers with deep blacks for when you’re in the mood for something a little darker. Get the Huawei Mate 20 Pro from iD Mobile today. iPhone XS for ultimate viewing We don’t want to keep throwing the word ‘immersive’ around but the iPhone XS’ Super Retina 5.8-inch display is truly the definition. Whatever your genre – whether it’s hide-under-the-blanket horrors or car-chase crime thrillers, the iPhoneXS delivers the most accurate colours in the industry. It’s also perfect for documentaries if you need a bit of a break from fiction. Team up with the iPhone XS from iD Mobile now. OnePlus 6T for an uninterrupted watch For a top-notch movie session, the OnePlus 6T has shrunk down its notch to a tiny teardrop design. This gives you more screen for your flicks and boxsets – 6.41-inches to be exact. It’s got an 86% screen to body ratio, so you know you’re going to get the bigger picture, whatever you’re watching. Now onto picture quality. In short, it’s gorgeous. That’s thanks to the AMOLED technology. Every frame will be bursting with vibrant colour and the picture detail is a true sight to behold. Get yourself a OnePlus 6T from iD Mobile today. Which phone would you most like to watch films on? Or, is your current phone full of movie magic? Let us know in the comments below.

Nokia’s new flagship is set to be unveiled at MWC Barcelona later this month. Our favourite tech publications have been busy predicting what to expect, so let’s check out the latest rumours. It’ll be called the Nokia 9 PureView First things first, what will this new Nokia be named? Well, most of the articles we’ve read refer to it as… the Nokia 9 PureView. “Nokia's next big handset might be the true flagship stunner to boost the brand to new heights. It's reportedly called the Nokia 9 PureView, and it could pack some high-end surprises.” Stuff TV “It now looks as though the Nokia 9 might be the perfect device to mark the return of the PureView name and the pedigree that comes with it.” Trusted Reviews Its standout feature will be the world’s first penta-camera The Nokia 9 PureView will almost certainly be rocking a five lens camera, which will obviously give it some big advantages over its lesser-lensed competitors. Here’s what T3 has to say about it: “The Nokia 9 PureView is set to live up to its name by bringing us the world's first penta-camera, yup that's five snappers on the rear. That new penta-camera should be enough to sell handsets right away thanks to up to ten times more light let in, meaning super low-light photography, fantastic video stability and awesome effects options.” T3 And once again, Nokia has teamed up with legendary lens makers Zeiss. “As previously rumoured, the Nokia 9 will come with an unprecedented five camera setup with Zeiss optics on the rear. This should vastly improve low-light shots (supposedly capturing "10x more light" per photo) and will allow for shot refocussing after the event using Google Photos.” Expert Reviews The display will be as close to 6 inches as it gets The next Nokia’s display will be 5.99-inches 2K HDR display, according to Trusted Reviews. “The Nokia 9 PureView is expected to pack an extended 5.99-inch AMOLED panel with an 18:9 aspect ratio, a 2K resolution, HDR support and an in-display fingerprint sensor.” Trusted Reviews That 2K resolution means the display will be pin-sharp, and the HDR will pump up the brightness in areas where it’s supposed to be bright, while dimming down the darker parts. We can’t wait to see it: It’ll be a powerhouse with loads of storage Previous Nokia flagship phones have had bags of power and loads of storage, so we’re expecting the same from the Nokia 9 PureView. Rumours of the exact specs differ though, as you can see… “Leaks so far are backing earlier rumours of the Nokia 9 coming with 2018’s Snapdragon 845 processor, as well as 6GB of RAM” Digital Trends. “There could also be 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage and a 4,150mAh battery.” Tech Advisor “Both 128GB and 256GB internal storage has been mentioned, but we'll have to wait and see what the final device carries” Stuff TV When can I order the Nokia 9 PureView from iD Mobile? The Nokia 9 PureView is expected to be launched later this month at an exclusive Barcelona event, as part of MWC (Mobile World Congress) 2019, the world’s biggest mobile tech show. “The best Nokia 9 PureView release date rumour we've had so far comes from HMD Global's Chief Product Office, Juho Sarvikas who tweeted a message asking followers to join the firm on February 24 at MWC 2019.” Tech Radar. It’s a little too early to say when it’ll be available to order from iD Mobile, but we’ll definitely be stocking it (and we’ll update this article as soon as we’ve put some deals together). In the meantime, if you’ve got any questions on the new Nokia, or upgrading to a new phone, post a reply below.

Top notch front facing cameras are perfect for selfie fans, and some phones are packed with clever tech to help you take your selfies to the max. Here are some of our top phones for selfies. Everyone loves a selfie now and then, and a good selfie cam is essential. If you’re on the lookout for an upgrade and you love a selfie, here are some top handsets that are worth a look… Google Pixel 3 – get great group selfies With the Pixel 3, you don’t just get one selfie camera, you get two. The secondary wide-angle camera is perfect for big group selfies. So no more stretching your arm out to get everyone in the frame, the Pixel 3 does it effortlessly. The Pixel 3 also has a Portrait mode that blurs the background using some clever software. Making your selfies look like they were taken by a professional photographer. Another great feature of the Pixel 3 is Night Sight. This setting takes multiple images in low light, merges them together and also uses some fancy software to achieve incredibly bright, low light images – no flash needed. Take a look at the Google Pixel 3 Galaxy Note9 – no more arm stretching, just use the remote The new Samsung Note9 is ideal for group selfies. And, thanks to the updated Bluetooth S Pen, you don’t even need to be holding the phone. The S Pen works as a remote for the camera, so you just need to prop your phone up, make sure everyone’s in shot, then click the S Pen when you’re ready. When you’ve taken your shot, there are loads of fun emojis and stickers you can add to your photos to create that Instagram classic. The main camera on the Note9 is a powerhouse of tech that can even detect what’s going on in your scene and adjust the settings to match the scenario. So, whether you’re shooting fast-paced sporting action or a low-light pic in your favourite restaurant, the Note9 will have you snapping like a pro. Get the Samsung Galaxy Note9 Huawei P30 – it’s all in the detail With its incredible 32MP selfie camera, the Huawei P30 is the perfect phone for taking hi-res selfies. Huawei has also added AI to the selfie camera - so the phone automatically adjusts its settings based on the environment in your scene. For example, if you’ve got your back to the sun, it’ll make sure your face is still well lit. The main camera on the Mate 20 Pro is even more impressive, it has a triple lens setup that includes a 40MP wide-angle lens, 16MP ultra wide-angle lens, and an 8MP telephoto lens with 5x optical zoom. With all these lenses working together, you get truly stunning photos, from super-detailed photos to incredible scenic landscapes. You also get a whole host of extra features to help you add a professional touch to your pics. Like Portrait mode, which lets you adjust how blurry the background is, making it look like your photos were taken using a high-end DSLR camera. Get the Huawei P30 Galaxy S10 – for super speedy selfies and video stars The Galaxy S10 has a 10MP selfie camera that gets things done fast. It detects faces and focuses quickly for stunning self-portraits in a snap. If you want to up your selfie game and make them more arty, you’ll love playing with the Live Focus mode that lets you blur the background in lots of cool ways. Our favourite is the moody black and white. Oh, and it also lets you record your own 4K UHD videos - so if you’ve always fancied yourself as a YouTube star, well, now’s your chance. Get the Galaxy S10 Will you be snapping selfies like a pro with one of our choices, or do you have any handy tips for taking the perfect selfie shots? Let us know in the comments below.

Award season is upon us, and with all the buzz of who’ll win what, we thought we’d get in on the action with our very own. So, take your seats ladies and gentlemen – because the nominations are in! Award category: Best camera for a selfie star Who can forget the incredible Oscar selfie from 2014? If you’re someone who loves rallying your friends and family for a big old group selfie, this is the category for you. That’s right, epic selfies will be yours, with the help of a few features. For starters, a phone with a secondary wide-angle camera will help you get more of the gang into the frame – and if you’re not always perfectly lit, Night Sight mode works wonders to brighten up those darker selfies. A true star needs top notch lighting, after all. And the winner is… The Google Pixel 3 Get the Google Pixel 3 from iD Mobile today. Award category: Best battery for a supporting friend Every leading man or women needs their supporting cast members, on hand to really elevate their performance. And you can’t get more supportive, or elevating, than by charging up their phone with a little juice – directly from yours. You’ll be considered a modern-day saint with reverse charge, a new feature that lets you power up other Qi enabled devices. You’ll be getting your nearest and dearest out of all sorts of dead battery blunders with tech that really pushes the envelope. And speaking of envelope, the award for best battery for a supporting friend goes to… The Huawei Mate 20 Pro Get the Huawei Mate 20 Pro at iD Mobile today. Award category: Best display for a film aficionado We know you don’t like to brag, but you do know a thing or two about films. That’s why you need a screen worthy of your talents. If you watch more films than your average person, and fancy critiquing all of the hottest releases on an amazing Infinity Display, with thinner than thin bezels, this is the one for you. Get ready to lose yourself in a large 6.4-inch screen, with absolutely nothing to interrupt those gripping performances and thrilling, action-packed moments. And the winner is – its beauty knows no bounds… The Samsung Galaxy Note9 Get the Samsung Galaxy Note9 from iD Mobile today. Award Category: Best recording for a breakthrough director As a creative person, you need the right tools at your disposal to make your masterpiece. If making movies is your particular forte, we think we’ve found your muse. Not only does our winner help you make movies good enough to show on your TV, but it also records in glorious 4K HDR. We’re talking about incredibly lifelike recordings, even at night. Want to up the tension? Well, filming in 960fps Super slow motion in Full HD resolution will have the audience eating out the palm of your hand. And without further ado, the award of best recording for a breakthrough director goes to… The Sony Xperia XZ3 Get the Sony Xperia XZ3 at iD Mobile today. What a marvellous event! We’d like to thank all of these giants in smartphone tech for making our dreams come true, and of course, to you guys for reading. Whether you agree with our winners or not, make some noise in the comments below.

If your aim is to do better than last year’s gift of a generic heart-shaped card and petrol garage flowers, then point your arrow at these four ways to really bring it this Valentine’s Day. Cue heart-eye emoji levels of affection. Make them a personalised card with Funky Pigeon If your better half is one of those “I’ll be happy with just a card” people, they’ll love a personalised one from Funky Pigeon. It’s super easy to design on your phone, and it'll be professionally printed and sent in a couple of days - or delivered First Class (if you’ve left it to the last minute). So, it’s time to dig out all of those romantic or hilarious couple’s photos and get creative. Free on Android and iOS . Order a bouquet for your beau Never underestimate the power of flowers. This Valentine’s Day, delight your loved one with some stunning stems courtesy of global flower delivery company, Bloom & Wild. There’s a great app available, where you can choose from an amazing array of bouquets and you can request free next day delivery too. So, even if you forget to order a present, you can still save the day with a last-minute romantic surprise. Download the Bloom & Wild app free on Android and iOS . Create a tape playlist for them We think someone once said “music is the language of love” – and whether that person actually existed or not, we wholeheartedly agree with them. Why not make your partner a personalised playlist full of all of the songs that tracked your romance? Whether you use Spotify,Apple Musicor Google Play Music– making a curated playlist is completely free and lots of fun. Plus, it really shows that you’ve made an effort and thought about them, by creating something personal. Ah, aren’t you lovely. Book a romantic meal for two Looking for something fancier than your local pizza joint? Then consider the Opentableapp ‘the one’. It’s perfect for finding and booking a suitable restaurant for you and your partner. You can search for tables by location, cuisine, price and even special offers. Plus, booking couldn’t be easier. So, whether their preference is Indian or Italian cuisine, finding a spare table somewhere for the 14th should be a doddle. Download the Opentableapp for free on Android and iOS . If you’re single but fancy nabbing yourself a hot date in time for Valentine’s Day, check out our 5 of the most lovable dating apps article. Whatever you’re doing for Valentine’s Day, we hope you have a good one. If you’ve got any hints for creating the perfect romantic day, leave them in the comments below.

This Valentine's, treat yourself and a loved one to a meal on us! Win one of 5 £50 The Restaurant Choice vouchers which can be spent in a selection of dining chains across the UK including Pizza Express, Nando’s, Yo! Sushi, Café Rouge, Ask Italian, Jamie’s Italian, Byron Burger, Pizza Hut Restaurants and The Real Greek. For your chance to win, simply comment below telling us who you'd share it with... 5 winners will be selected at random by midnight on Sunday – Good luck! Competition closes 23.59 on the 10th February 2019. Terms & Conditions

Not a fan of the notch? We’ve gathered together some of the latest phones that are completely notch-free… Since Apple introduced the notch on iPhone X, plenty of other phone manufacturers have adopted their own notch designs- with good reason. For a while now, manufacturers have been trying to push screens all the way to the edges of the phone but, they still need somewhere to put the camera and other sensors – hence the notch. The appeal of notch phones is largely down to personal preference but there are some benefits of a notch-free design you just can’t argue with: · You get an uninterrupted viewing experience, with nothing invading your screen while you’re trying to enjoy a movie or play a game. · Bezels at the top and bottom of your phone are great for housing big, powerful speakers – perfect if you love watching movies or music videos on your phone. So if you prefer the clean straight lines of a notch-free phone, here are some of our favourite notchless handsets that you should definitely check out… Samsung Galaxy S9 – edge-to-edge screen, with no compromise The S9 features a stunning 5.8-inch Infinity Display with no bumps or blemishes to ruin its beautiful lines. The screen stretches all the way to each side of the phone with only a tiny bezel at the top and bottom. Amazingly, it’s still able to house powerful stereo speakers and an 8MP selfie cam. Other top features from the Galaxy S9: · A 12MP rear camera with dual aperture, so you’ll always get the best shot in any lighting conditions. · Film in super slow-mo, at 960 fps – perfect for capturing amazing live action shots. · With an IP68 waterproof rating, you won’t have to worry about using it in the rain. Get the Samsung Galaxy S9 from iD Mobile Looking for the ultimate screen size in a notch-free phone? Try the Note9 As the number suggests, the Samsung Galaxy Note has been around for a while now and that’s because there are plenty of people who love a big screen. It’s not just big either, the quality of everything it displays is incredible making the Note9 perfect for everything from watching your top flicks to working on sprawling spreadsheets. With the Note9, you get: · Crystal clear video and pictures – perfect for streaming TV shows or catching up on work while you’re on the go. · A Bluetooth stylus that works as a pen, or a remote for the camera – ideal for large group selfies. · A huge screen that’s perfect for multitasking – no need to pause the movie to check your email, just split the screen. Get the Samsung Galaxy Note9 from iD Mobile Google Pixel 3 - Super powerful software and sleek design If you’re looking for notch-free design that comes with a range of incredible features, the Pixel 3 ticks all the boxes. While the XL version does feature a notch, the more compact Pixel 3 doesn’t. But don’t let the modest size fool you, it’s still got all the same incredible features that you’ll find on its big brother. With the Pixel 3, you get: · Bang up to date software – because it’s Google, you’ll always be the first to get updates. · Storage for as many photos as you want – All Pixel users get unlimited free photo storage with Google Photos. · Stunning photos with features like Portrait mode that blurs the background, making it look like a pro photographer took the shot. · Help from Google Assistant – check the weather, commute time, or control your smart home. No need to say “Ok Google”, just give it a squeeze to activate your assistant. Get the Google Pixel 3 from iD Mobile What do you think of the notch, love it or hate it? Let us know in the comments below.

Facebook is planning on integrating its three big messaging services; Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger. Want to know why this is such a big deal for how we communicate? Read on for all the facts. Don’t panic – your three favourite apps aren’t about to be merged into one. You’ll still be able to enjoy Facebooking, Instagramming and WhatsApping to your heart’s content. The plan is simply to allow easier messaging between them. So for example, if you’re using WhatsApp, you can fire off a message to a Facebook friend, even if they’re not on WhatsApp themselves. Facebook said: "We want to build the best messaging experiences we can, and people want messaging to be fast, simple, reliable and private." Sounds simple, right? But when you think about it, there could be a lot of change behind the scenes. For example… Better security for Messenger and Instagram WhatsApp is an incredibly secure messaging platform, because it uses end-to-end encryption to make sure that just you and the person you’re messaging can read what’s been sent. Facebook Messenger and Instagram don’t have that level of security. But will this integration change things? Will end-to-end encryption be added to Facebook Messenger and Instagram to beef up their privacy? We hope so. It would instantly improve the security of millions of users, and that’s got to be a good thing, right? What’s in a name? At the moment, you don’t have to give a real name on WhatsApp. So if you value privacy, you can protect your identity. Facebook Messenger, on the other hand, asks you to go by the name you use in everyday life. And Instagram asks for your full name when you register. So the big question is, when the three messaging platforms are integrated, will WhatsApp users be allowed to remain anonymous? Not having to reveal your true identity is a big benefit for lots of people, such as political activists in countries with human rights issues. We wouldn’t like to see that change. Could other apps follow suit? If Facebook’s integration is a success, then you should probably expect other big companies to try and do the same thing. And we’re not just talking about a company integrating its own in-house apps. What’s to stop different companies hooking up to combine their messaging. What about Snapchat siding with Skype? Twitter teaming up with Tumblr, perhaps? Anything’s possible, so watch this space. When we hear more big news, we’ll let you know. Have you got any questions on Facebook Messenger, Instagram, WhatsApp or anything else to do with the wonderful world of messaging? Then post a reply below!

Google HQ is working on Android Q (or Android 10) and there have been tons of recent discoveries. ‘How?’ we hear you ask. Apparently, XDA-Developers have managed to get hold of an early developer build. So, let’s get to it. Here’s what to expect, and when to expect it. Shedding light on a system-wide dark mode It’s finally happening. A system-wide Dark Mode is an approved Q feature, which not only looks awesome, but could even save you battery life once it’s rolled out. Android users have been asking for a dark theme to be added to the mobile platform for years – and now, not only is Android Q bringing the dark side to users, but it could considerably slow down the drain on your battery. There isn’t anything dark about that prospect. Make your phone a desktop You may have heard of Samsung DeX and Huawei Easy Projection – which are devices that let you use your Android phone with a desktop style experience. Well, we’ve heard on the grapevine that these could soon be replaced by an official and uniform one called Force Desktop Mode. This will take doing presentations at work and watching movies with friends using your Android phone to a whole new level. Permission to be simplified If you were chuffed with Android P’s advancements in privacy, wait until you see what Android Q has up its sleeve. Not only could the overview of your permissions be simplified, but your settings should also be able to prohibit the use of permissions in the background. So, your taxi app of choice will only be able to locate you when you’re actively using the app. Also, WhatsApp will only be able to listen to your microphone when you have the chat app open in front of you. Even more security with Native Face Unlock While we’re on the subject of security, it’s been announced that Android Q will feature native support for an advanced and more accurate face recognition system. Face unlock, payments, app notifications… you’ll be able to do it all with just a look. Downgrade your apps Have you ever done a recommended update on one of your favourite apps, only to realise it hasn’t improved at all? In fact, it’s made things worse? Well, thanks to Android Q, a rollback of app updates will be possible. So, if the new version of your confectionary crushing saga is full of adverts, constantly crashing, or is more laggy than the old one – just downgrade back to the version you love. When will Android Q be released? We’re expecting to see an Android Q developer preview 1 sometime in mid-March – while the first public beta build could be out as soon as May 2019. So watch this space. Which Android Q feature are you looking forward to the most? Are there any not on our list that you wish were? Share all of your comments in the space below.

Looking for love this February? If you’d like to find yourself a date in time for Valentine’s Day, check out five of our favourite dating apps below. They could help you find your perfect match. Tinder Let’s start with the legendary Tinder, known as the world’s most famous dating app. Tinder is so well known that the act of ‘swiping right’ if you like what you see has made its way into everyday language. Tinder is simple and fun. Swipe right if you like someone, swipe left to pass. Then if someone likes you back, you’ve got yourself a match. You can then chat online with them, and arrange to meet offline – a date, in other words. Fancy giving Tinder a try? With more than 26 million matches per day, surely you’ve got a chance of romance? If you’ve got an iPhone, get Tinder from the App Store. If you’ve got an Android phone, get Tinder from Google Play. Bumble Bumble is a lot like Tinder, but there’s one major difference. Only women can start conversations once a match has been made. Not only does that stop them receiving lots of unwelcome advances and terrible chat-up attempts, but it also takes a little bit of pressure off the men. Bumble isn’t for slow coaches though. Women only have 24 hours to strike up a conversation, or the potential suitor disappears forever. And the men can’t hang about either. If a woman responds to their initial conversation starter, they’ve also got 24 hours to reply. According to Bumble, the app is all about "empowerment, equality and confidence." Fancy making a beeline for it? If you’ve got an iPhone, get Bumble from the App Store. If you’ve got an Android phone, get Bumble from Google Play. Chappy Chappy is a feature-packed gay dating app for men, founded by Made In Chelsea's Ollie Locke and Jack Rogers. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for a casual date or something more long-term, because Chappy has all bases covered. When you register, you’ll be asked if you’re looking for Mr. Right (someone who’s also looking for a long-term relationship) or Mr Right Now (a more spontaneous hook-up). Then if you see someone who grabs your attention, you can throw a ‘spark’ at them to catch their eye. Chappy sees itself as an alternative to dating apps full off anonymous profiles. You need to log in through Facebook or your phone number to create your profile, and you won’t be able to post faceless profile pics either. So if you’re happy being yourself, give it a go. If you’ve got an iPhone, get Chappy from the App Store. If you’ve got an Android phone, get Chappy from Google Play. Coffee Meets Bagel Coffee Meets Bagel is a dating app that’s all about quality, rather than quantity. You won’t be given endless profiles to thumb through and swipe away. Instead, you get a smaller and more carefully selected list to view. If you’re a guy, you’ll get around 20 potential matches (known as bagels) around mid-day each day. You can ‘like’ or ‘pass’ on each one. If you’re a girl, you’ll get 7 guys that have already liked you (or that meet your preferences). If you both like each other, online chat opens up for a week - which should give you plenty of time to message each other and decide if you want to go on a date. If you’ve got an iPhone, get Coffee Meets Bagel from the App Store. If you’ve got an Android phone, get Coffee Meets Bagel from Google Play. Hinge Hinge is a slick and modern dating app with a real buzz about it at the moment. You’ve got to put some real thought into setting up your profile but don’t worry – it’s actually a lot of fun. You’re asked for lots of details to create your ‘story’, and these can include things like the movies you enjoy watching, how you like spending your money, or how you’d describe yourself in three emojis. Once you’ve created your own story, Hinge gives you 10 potential matches to check out each day. You can like specific parts of their story, from profile pics to answers that made you smile. If the other person replies, a connection is made and you can start a proper conversation. What happens next is entirely up to you. If you’ve got an iPhone, get Hinge from the App Store. If you’ve got an Android phone, get Hinge from Google Play. Have you found love using a dating app, or are you still swiping for Mr or Miss right? Feel free to post a reply below and share your thoughts. If you’ve used one of the apps mentioned above, it would be great to hear how you got on with it!

It’s World Puzzle Day on 28th January – and if you’re partial to a bit of a brainteaser, there’s no better time to download a new app for yourself. Here are five great puzzle apps to get stuck into. Watching TV shows and scrolling through social media on your morning commute is all very well and good, but nothing gets the brain warmed up quite like a puzzle. Here are our current faves: 1. Monument Valley Monument Valley was the winner of Apple Game of the Year and the Apple Design Award in 2014, and 5 years on it’s still enchanting users just the same. This puzzle app sees you guide silent princess Ida through mysterious monuments, discovering hidden paths, outsmarting the Crow People and unfolding optical illusions – and the results are quite frankly, stunning. It’s a great game to play on your phone, but if you’ve got a tablet or a phone with a bigger screen, you’re in for a treat. The mesmerising architecture and serene geometry is what truly sets this game apart from others. Download Monument Valley on Android and iOS. 2. Triple Town Looking for a fun and addictive puzzle matching game? Well, you’ve met your match with Triple Town. The aim of the game is simple – you need to try to grow the greatest possible city. You build your city by matching three or more game-pieces: combine three patches of grass to make a bush, three bushes to make a tree, and so on. Before you know it your board will be full of cathedrals and castles. Beware of the obstacles, though. You’ll also need to outsmart giant bears who will try to block your progress. Triple Town is completely free to download on Android and iOS. 3. Two Dots The number 1 hit game in over 100 countries, Two Dots is a free puzzle game loved by millions. Every day is an adventure when you’re travelling through wacky worlds, finding beautiful collectibles – and uncovering fun challenges along the way. Every week you will travel to a new place and compete against other players worldwide. This is a connect the dots game with a difference. You’ll sink anchors, make a line, fight fire and more, while making your way through 1885 levels. There’s even a ranking system, so if you’re really good, prepare to be recognised among the best. Get Two Dots on Android on iOS today. 4. Okay? How does the idea of an app that lets you pay money or play for free, with no change in the content sound? Confusing? Okay, so let’s explain Okay? The attractive minimalistic game is made up of flat geometric shapes. The goal is to angle a small black ball so that it bounces off the shapes on the screen, resulting in them disappearing. It’s trickier than it sounds but once you’ve mastered it, it’s so rewarding. Once you’ve completed level 20, you’ll be asked whether you like the game and how much you’d be willing to pay for it. If you choose ‘£0’, you can continue playing as if you’d paid. The idea is to give customers a game they like so much, they’re willing to pay solely to support the developer. And people have been donating – so you know it must be good. Give Okay? a go for free. Download on Android and iOS. 5. Words With Friends If words are more your thing, we think the world’s most popular mobile word game, Words With Friends, should do quite nicely. It’s a free word game that lets you connect with your friends while expanding your vocabulary. Test your brain with weekly challenges and solo play (which also works offline). The ‘hindsight’ feature uncovers the best word you could have played after each turn – so you’ll learn while you play. It’s even available in six different languages, which is great if you’re currently learning a new one. Download Words With Friends on Android and iOS today. Which apps can’t you wait to try? Do you already play any of them? If you think there’s anything we’ve missed, post a reply below to share it with the iD Community.

When you’ve had your phone a while, it can start to slow down and become less responsive. Frustrating, we know. So we’ve come up with some simple tips and tricks to help get it back up to speed. 1. Keep your system software up to date If you’re someone who always hits ‘later’ when it’s time to do a software update, that could be the reason your phone has slowed down. Regularly updating the software keeps your phone optimised for the many apps and services it uses, so it runs as smoothly as possible. Every month or so, security updates are released. They iron out any bugs and make sure any safety issues are fixed, so don’t ignore them when they pop up. There are major updates released every year too, so check regularly for them or tap ‘install’ as soon as they appear. To check for updates yourself, just go into the settings on your phone and type ‘update’ in the search bar at the top. If there’s anything to install, follow the instructions on the screen. 2. Make sure your apps are updated The apps you use have software updates too. They fix bugs and push out new features regularly, so you need to keep them up to date to make sure you’re using the best version. Here’s how to check for app updates: · On an iPhone – go to App Store > Updates > Update All. · On an Android phone – go to Google Play Store > Menu (the three horizontal lines) > My Apps & Games > Update All. 3. Keep your browser cache clear Once you’ve had your phone for a while, there’s a good chance you’ve browsed through a fair number of webpages. But your phone saves data and images while you do, so if you don’t clear out the cache it could end up taking up a lot of your precious storage space. To get the space back and lighten the load on your phone, here’s how to clear your browser cache: · For Safari on iPhone – go to Settings > Safari > Clear History and Website Data · For Chrome on Android or iPhone – open Chrome and go to Settings > Privacy > Clear Browsing Data > tick ‘Cached Images and Files’ > Clear Data 4. Clear out any old apps and games If you’ve got a habit of downloading new apps and games and then forgetting all about them, they could be draining your phone by taking up a lot of storage space. The best thing to do is check what you’ve got installed and get rid of anything you don’t use. When you’ve given up crushing candies, here’s how to delete those hefty apps: · iPhone – go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage and Uninstall any apps you don’t use. · Android – go to Settings > Apps and Uninstall the ones you don’t use. 5. Get rid of live wallpaper Those animated live wallpapers on your home screen can be a lot of fun, but they can also slow your phone down. While you might get a few seconds of joy after unlocking your screen, your phone’s battery and memory are taking a hit, so we suggest ditching them and choosing a motionless, neutral background instead. 6. Start fresh with a factory reset When you’ve tried everything, and your poor old phone still isn’t responding, the last resort is a factory reset. This will delete everything and restore your phone to how it was when it was brand new, so it’s not an option to be taken lightly. If you decide to go ahead with a factory reset, it’s important to make sure you have all your apps, games, photos and videos (and anything else important) safely backed up so you don’t lose them. Once everything is safe, you can hit the reset button: · iPhone – Settings > General > Reset > Erase All Content and Settings · Android – Settings > System > Reset > Reset phone Over to you, Community chums. Have you tried any of the tips above? Did it speed up your phone? Or if you think there’s anything we’ve missed, post a reply below to share it with the iD Community.

January can be a long month when it comes to money. Or, maybe you hit the January sales a little too hard? If so, here are some top tips on how you can save cash with your phone. Get a Monzo account If you’re not great at keeping track of your spending habits, and want more control over your budget, why not try a Monzo bank account? It’s different to other bank accounts because the accompanying app lets you see an easy summary of your spending, and lets you set budgets for things like the weekly shopping and going out. When you go on a bit of a spending spree, you’ll get a notification to let you know you need to slow down a bit, so you can stick to your budget. You can use the Monzo app to pay for things too, so if you’re used to using Apple/Google Pay, you can still use your phone to get that coffee in the morning. It’s free to sign up, and is available for both iOS and Android, so get your account today and take back control of your finances. Make calls using Wi-Fi If you make lots of calls, especially to family and friends overseas, you might find your monthly mobile bill has extra charges on it. Try using apps like WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger. As long as you have a good Wi-Fi connection, you’ll be able to enjoy as many conversations as you want, without worry about using up all your minutes. When you want a face-to-face instead, both apps support video calling, so you can save your data and use Wi-Fi for that too. Get WhatsApp for free on iOS and Android. Try the Yolt app Keeping track of what you spend can be tricky, especially if you have more than one card on the go. Did you put that petrol on your debit or credit card? Yolt could tell you. This app lets you connect all your bank accounts and credit cards, so you can see everything in one place. You can see any upcoming bills, keep an eye on the coffee habit and easily set up budgets for yourself. One of the most unique features of the app is how it’s able to search for better deals on the things you already pay for – like energy and internet. It really does take care of every little penny. Get the Yolt app for free, on iOS or Android. Indulge in entertainment for free Trips to the cinema to see the latest blockbuster are great fun, but it can end up being quite costly with tickets averaging £12 each. Your phone has probably got a pretty good screen, so why not try streaming instead? Some services you have to pay for, like Netflix, NowTV and Amazon Prime Video. They cost about £10 per month (still less than that cinema ticket), but there’s free stuff available too, if you really want to tighten the purse strings. Apps like BBC iPlayer are packed with award-winning programs like ‘Luther’, no subscriptions necessary. Nip to the supermarket and grab a multipack of popcorn, and the whole week can be filled with super-cheap entertainment. Download the BBC iPlayer app on iOS and Android today. How do you use your phone to save money? Are there any tips that we’ve missed? Share yours in the comments below.