‘Presenting’ a phone for every person in your life

Whether they’re clinging to an old model or they’ve had a broken screen for years, we all have that friend or family member whose phone badly needs an upgrade. So, this Christmas, you might be looking to gift a brand new phone to someone who needs it.

But with such a wealth of new phones out there, how do you match the right smartphone to your loved one?

It’s simple: the key is knowing what sort of phone user they are.

The ‘always on the go’ person

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Everyone knows someone who’s always dashing from meeting to coffee catch-up, and then on to wine with pals. The last thing they want to worry about is whether their phone will run out of juice, so the iPhone 13 is ideal for them.

For starters, its battery lasts 2.5 hours longer than its predecessor, the iPhone 12, while its low power mode helps when you’re in a tight spot.

These aren’t the only benefits; it’s splash, water and dust resistant, so able to withstand a few little bumps along the way. Taking photos when you’re out and about is also easy thanks to its optical zoom and digital zoom features and its ultra-wide aperture. And with FaceID, it’s a cinch to open your phone while running around town.

There’s a reason why 1.5bn people globally own an iPhone – it’s a classic. The Apple iPhone 13 128GB phone is free upfront for Virgin Media customers, and €55 a month for 24 months, which includes the phone and an unlimited SIM plan from Virgin Mobile. At the end of the 24 months, your phone is paid for, and you will only be billed for your unlimited SIM plan.

Fine out more here

The photography lover

If you want to buy a smartphone for someone who can’t go a day without snapping everything from their breakfast to their back garden in the golden hour, Samsung Galaxy S23 is the ultimate gift.

The Samsung Galaxy line is hugely popular globally, and it’s a particular hit with people who are into smartphone photography. It takes crisp selfies (thanks to its 12MP selfie camera), captures great landscapes and is also excellent for video. Even more enticing is the fact the S23 has a Nightography mode, which means you can take selfies and video at night.

Plus, with 8GB memory and up to 512GB storage, your loved one won’t have to worry about running out of space. A further bonus? You can take photos of the night sky with its Astrophoto mode, and you can save photos in a range of formats, including JPG and RAW.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 128GB phone is free upfront for Virgin Media customers, and €55 a month for 24 months, which includes the phone and an unlimited SIM plan from Virgin Mobile. At the end of the 24 months, your phone is paid for, and you will only be billed for your unlimited SIM plan.

Find out more here

The tech-savvy streamer

For those who use their phone to stream films, TV series or YouTube, Google Pixel 8 is the phone to grab.

This is a great present for anyone who loves streaming their favourite shows on the go, as the Actua display (and its 6.2-inch full screen display) means that images on the screen are clear and vivid even in direct sunlight. Meanwhile, its stereo speakers will make everything from YouTube videos to Instagram Reels sound great.

Streaming can use up battery, but that’s not a worry with this fast-charging phone and Extreme Battery Saver mode, which helps you save power for when you need it. It’s also made of durable material so it can withstand everyday scratches and spills.

The Google Pixel 8 128GB phone is free up front for Virgin Media customers and €55 a month for 24 months, which includes the phone with an unlimited SIM plan from Virgin Mobile. At the end of the 24 months, your phone is paid for, and you will only be billed for your unlimited SIM plan.

If you purchase the iPhone 13, Samsung Galaxy S23 or Google Pixel 8 from Virgin Mobile, you’ll also get a gift with purchase of a JBL Live Pro 2. These wireless earbuds offer 40 hours of sound and noise cancelling. We won’t spill if you keep these for yourself!

Find out more here

Regardless of the age of your loved one, you’ll want them to know that they’re signing up with the best mobile company for their needs. Virgin Mobile smartphones come with different plan options, with exclusive offers for Virgin Media customers.

Plus, Virgin Mobile is the only provider to show your phone and SIM price separately. So once your phone is paid off, you’ll see your bill drop. What a gift indeed.

Find out more at virginmedia.ie