'Appy' Valentines Day with Vodafone Smart Prime 7

Smart Prime 7 // Hello loves, hope you’re having a great week so far. Oh, and Happy Valentines! I’ve got some exciting news – I was recently contacted by Vodafone, who have kindly offered me the chance to review one of their state-of-the-art smartphones, the Vodafone Smart Prime 7. Now, I’m very much an Apple ‘kind of girl’. My first phone as a young teenager was the classic Sony Ericsson W810 (who didn’t have one of their phones?!), but as soon as I could afford an iPhone 3GS, I was obsessed. I’m now using an iPhone 6, but if I’m being honest, I’ve never used any other kind of smartphone or brand.

I know that there are so many other options out there, and therefore jumped at the chance to review a different model. The Smart Prime 7 phone has only been lent to me for the purpose of this review, but I’m still very excited to try it out over the next few weeks and share my thoughts with you all. What are my first impressions though? Well, I am already warming to this super sleek smart phone – the design is perfectly simple and stylish.  The handset, so far, is incredibly easy to use and I’m impressed with the wide range of innovative features – it has everything you would ever need and want from a modern phone. And the best part, and possibly the most surprising? It’s incredibly affordable – the phone will cost just £16 per month or £70 pay as you go.

(Vodafone Smart Prime 7)

So, I’ve been set a challenge – I’m to use and review some money-saving apps on the Vodafone Smart Prime 7. From deals at restaurants and hotels, to the best taxi fares and discounted concert tickets, I’ve been sent some apps perfect for a great date night that won’t break the bank. The apps include:

• Voucher Cloud: 'Get the best savings and offers available at your favourite restaurants straight to your phone with Vouchercloud. Simply search for the best savings available on Valentine’s Day in your area, and you’ll be sent a discount voucher you can use at several nearby restaurants.  There's also a huge range of online shopping vouchers and codes, so you can impress your date with a gift too!'

My thoughts: I’m already a huge fan of Voucher Cloud and have used it several times in the past to save some money when eating out! It offers great savings on all your favourite restaurants, so you’ll definitely find a deal you’ll love – you’d be silly not to use it! :-)

• Table Pouncer: 'if you’re not much of a forward planner but need a table for two, TablePouncer lets you book last-minute tables at top local restaurants – with savings of up to 65%. You can instantly book a table in just a few easy steps, simply search for restaurants offering deals in the area.'

 My thoughts: This app sounds brilliant and I can’t wait to try it out. My boyfriend and I recently spent some very frustrating 45 minutes waiting for a table at our favorite restaurant last week. We forgot to plan ahead and book, and therefore were left incredibly ‘hangry’ by the wait. If I’d known about this app earlier, it could have helped to make our evening slightly more pleasant!

        

• Hotel Tonight: 'If you’re whisking your date away this Valentine’s Day, with Hotel Tonight you can book last-minute hotel rooms. Book a room in just 10 seconds – with 3 taps and a swipe the room is yours – perfect if you’re feeling spontaneous. With Hotel Tonight you can make mid-week bookings and book longer staycations in locations all over the country – and every hotel is screened by the Hotel Tonight team beforehand to make sure you get the very best!'

My thoughts: this app sounds right up my street – I love planning spontaneous trips away with friends but last minute accommodation can always be a problem. Last year, I spent a couple of days at the Edinburgh Festival. Whilst the event was fantastic, my friends and I wish we had booked a place to stay in the city beforehand. Finding last minute accommodation was a nightmare and I wish we had known about this app then – I’m downloading it as we speak!

• Dice: 'If live music is more your thing on Valentine’s Day, you can discover incredible new music and find tickets to the best gigs and theatre shows with Dice. Find tickets for performances from world famous artists such as Adele, Taylor Swift and Disclosure, as well as up and coming artists such as Skott, The Amazons, and Rex Orange County.'

My thoughts: this is such a great idea - I always wish I could go to more concerts and gigs, as I love them so much. Last year I managed to see Adele and Macklemore and Ryan Lewis and I’ve caught the bug – I’m dying to see and hear more live music around the country! I also love discovering new music and talent, so I’d love to see what suggestions this app may give me.

    

• Minicabit: 'This app will get you the best taxi fares anywhere in the UK. It’s simple and affordable, so you can ditch the tube, train or bus. With Minicabit, you can book anything from an airport transfer – if you’re off on a mini break – to a lift home in more than 40 cities across the UK. You’ll also find the best local mini-cabbies around so you can enjoy the benefits of their local knowledge – from short cuts and the congested areas to avoid.'

My thoughts: Okay so, I’m sure we’ve all heard of Uber by now but I’m intrigued by Minicabit. I’m always looking for the best price for my travel and usually reluctant to take the bus – travelling by taxi cab is much more comfortable and usually faster! Since I don’t have my own car, I’m that person that always relies on a lift from someone else, so apps like Minicabit are great to know about, especially since Uber doesn’t even operate in my hometown… so frustrating!

Over the next few weeks I’m going to try and use some of these money-saving apps on the Vodafone Smart Prime 7. I’m excited to see how I get on and how the phone performs. I’ll be sure to keep you guys updated and let you know my thoughts. Do any of you already own this phone? Have you tried any of the apps? Let me know in the comments below.

More soon,

Helen

x

** This post is sponsored by Vodafone but all words, thoughts and opinions are my own. I only ever work with brands I truly love and Vodafone fall into that category – thanks again! **