Mobile phone for under $300

[Deactivated] on 17/05/2013 - 12:37
Last edited 19/05/2013 - 09:15

Hi there:)
I'm looking for a cheapish phone for hubby. We found his current one in the fish tank this morning… still looking for the culprit. Could hv been the twins, the ewok, ..hell could even have been hubby, himself,who's dropped it in there.He's quite absent-minded.. and very accident prone.Hence, why I'm looking for a phone which is under $300.
As far as I can tell , he only needs one to make/ receive calls,sms,check emails,couple of apps,take pics …just basic stuff really.The phone which was at the bottom of the fish tank was an HTC legend.
Oh, and he needs it by monday night.

Thanks guys.

EDIT: Thanks everyone:) I got a samsung galaxy S3. i had a play with it and I fell in love. So we've swapped: he now has my old samsung galaxy s, which he likes, and I've got an s3. YEAH!!!

Mobile

Comments

  • _Bruce_ on 17/05/2013 - 12:44
    +1

    Good deals currently are the Nexus 4 (but you have to have it delivered) or the Galaxy S3 (good price due to S4).

    Mostly it is going to depend on what you can get in your area if you need it that quickly.

    • [Deactivated] on 17/05/2013 - 12:54

      I'm in Vic. Mentone/ parkdale area.I like the Samsung S3 but the cheapest I could find is this deal http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/103434 , which is close to $500 :(

  • ozhunter on 17/05/2013 - 12:45
    +1

    Nexus 4 - $370 for 8Gb version or $420 for the 16GB

    Edit: Didn't read that he needs it by Monday night. It does say 1-2 business days for delivery though.

    • [Deactivated] on 17/05/2013 - 12:59

      I've heard way too many horror stories about the nexus 4. My friend has dubbed it the "most fragile smartphone ever built" and hubby is …well.. hmm ..a little clumsy sometime. I'll be spending $$$ on repairs.

      • Ughhh on 17/05/2013 - 13:04

        You'll need a case for the Nexus 4, even though it means covering the sexy back. Ive got mine in a one of those flip wallet cases. Ive dropped it on gravel once and its still working- no cracks, but a little scratch on the top, but that would happen to any phone really…unless its a Nokia brick.

        • [Deactivated] on 17/05/2013 - 13:06

          Thanks JLove and Ozhunter. The Nexus 4 is now officially plan B! If i can't find anything better by sunday, I can grabbed one from Harvey Norman on my way to work Monday morning.

      • scrimshaw on 17/05/2013 - 13:06

        The N4 is very slippery, bit like a ice hockey puck. Don't know what possessed LG to think that a phone with both glass fronts and backs would be a good idea, but at least it makes the phone shiny. In the end most people cover their phones with case and google even shipped an official bumper case to protect it.

      • ozhunter on 17/05/2013 - 14:43

        Yep it is quite fragile but also the best performing android phone in that price range. As scrimshaw linked below there are some tough cases on ebay.

  • SAAZ on 17/05/2013 - 14:20
    +4

    Motorola Razer v should be just right for $229 with JB promised to be rolled out this month

    http://www.jbhifi.com.au/phones/motorola/razr-v-sku-89773/

    • [Deactivated] on 17/05/2013 - 14:43

      I like the Kevlar back but the reviews aren't so good:
      http://www.techradar.com/au/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/mot…

      • [Deactivated] on 20/05/2013 - 19:28

        Razr V is not a good phone is your husband is clumsy. One drop and one extremely cracked screen. It was so bad that when i dropped mine the touch sensitivity wouldn't even work! The LCD under it was fine but the screen/sensor was screwed.

        • cooperdog on 27/05/2013 - 15:16

          Happened to me too, replacement $180

  • iChopstick on 17/05/2013 - 14:27

    This, if you really need it so soon.

    • [Deactivated] on 17/05/2013 - 15:16

      He's going on a work-related trip on Tuesday…and i can't find a spare phone anywere:(

  • TheGMan on 17/05/2013 - 16:08
    +1

    Coles this week has a super cheap Android phone, locked to Vodafone but can be unlocked in these forums :)

  • georgedeka on 17/05/2013 - 16:36
    +1

    Motorola Razr M - its $480 at JB
    $380 after cashback - just check the IMEI qualifies
    http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/100368

  • [Deactivated] on 17/05/2013 - 16:52

    What would be a good price for a second-hand, but looks new, samsung galaxy I9300T (32 GB) please? A colleague is selling hers.

    edit: will the I9300T work with Optus?

    • _Bruce_ on 17/05/2013 - 20:39

      The internet tells me that the I9300T is tuned to 'favour' the 850Mhz band, which Telstra uses and Optus does not. So assuming it is unlocked, it will probably work, but not as well.

  • debo on 17/05/2013 - 17:40

    unlocked WP8 phones from Nokia
    520 $185
    620 $219
    http://www.uniquemobiles.com.au/mobile-phones?cat=171

    • [Deactivated] on 17/05/2013 - 17:49

      Thanks Debo :) but I need the phone by Tuesday.

      • TheGMan on 17/05/2013 - 20:46
        +1

        The 520 is on sale at DSE atm (its in their catalogue) for $199

  • [Deactivated] on 17/05/2013 - 21:07
    +2

    Thanks everyone for your suggestions, advice and comments.much appreciated:) I ended up buying a near-new SAMSUNG GALAXY GT-I9300T (32 GB) for $ 315. Thought it was a bargain. Was it? Had a play with it and really liked it. Btw, it works fine with a woolies sim.

    • scrimshaw on 17/05/2013 - 21:24
      +1

      Not a bad price. Would probably suggest a tough case to go with it, try an Otterbox case for $25 ish.

      • [Deactivated] on 18/05/2013 - 08:54

        Just grabbed one :) I already got him new earphones from this deal. Now I need a new sport armband…and that's about it, right?

  • Pajexi on 18/05/2013 - 07:45

    Good price. Where did you buy it from?

    • [Deactivated] on 18/05/2013 - 08:43

      From a colleague.She wanted $400 for it but I showed her this receipt. I think she might have agreed to $290… I maybe an ozbargainer but she's a colleague . so $315 sounded fair.

      • strangeloops66 on 19/05/2013 - 19:37

        What the heck is the thing in the 9th photo? I'm gonna have nightmares!

        • [Deactivated] on 21/05/2013 - 13:50

          receipt was uploaded by treeman. Not me. No idea what's in the 9th pic.

      • abacus on 21/05/2013 - 01:12

        I think you should scan documents as pdfs not jpgs. Much smaller file size and better quality.

  • t_c on 18/05/2013 - 11:38
  • May4th on 18/05/2013 - 12:59

    if you have spare time and willing to put in the effort scout around on ebay for good deals on contract phones/ex-demo phones. i have bought 2 nexus phones (Nexus S and then galaxy nexus) for 220 and 250 respectively, each time 12mth after they were released. the nexus s was a contract phone with 16 month warranty left and i was pleasantly surprised to find out my galaxy nexus came with 24 month warranty like a new phone when i registered online with samsung

    although it's a lot of effort and risks involved. i probably can't be bothered to do it again

  • charliebrownau on 18/05/2013 - 22:28

    Woolies sells cheap unlocked android phones for 80-100 bucks. Its a phone does sms and android stuff

  • zigpy_siva on 19/05/2013 - 06:46

    I normally go with Nokia, but you should try the Sony Xperia Go, it is water resistant it might have survived the fish tank :)

    $297 outright in JB HiFi

    http://www.jbhifi.com.au/phones/sony/xperia-go-black-handset…

  • Davros on 19/05/2013 - 07:07

    Still cant go past my $50 LG optimus spirit
    Has taken the knocks and does all the android stuff as well
    Rooted, CPU cranked up and unlocked
    Wish I had bought several more.

    Is your new phone really 6x better?
    How can it be?

    • May4th on 19/05/2013 - 10:37
      -1

      some of us would pay $1 more a day for a flashier looking phone with a larger screen/higher resolution/smoother handling/more connectivities/faster data etc etc

      each to their own

      • Davros on 19/05/2013 - 12:33
        -2

        LOL
        Its the same size as the optimus so your larger screen argument is not valid

        The higher res would not even be noticed on a screen 3.5inch screen.

        Smoother handling? It has pretty much the same CPU as the optimus, which has near zero lag and its a phone FFS, anything else I do on a tablet or PC.

        More connectivity? again, same as the optimus (bluetooth, wifi,3.5mm audio)

        Faster data is a provider issue, NOT phone.

        All you have that is arguably better is flashier looks @ 6x the price.
        How pretentious is that.

        • May4th on 19/05/2013 - 13:18
          +3

          not really, 4.7inch is the norm now for a $300 dollar phone - a 4.7 in phone is 1.8x the area of a 3.5 inch

          and the resolution and colour difference is quite noticeable in a phone which you hold close to your face, something you'd know if you switched to a high-res screen - i know even from Nexus S to Galaxy Nexus the difference was huge to me, and Nexus S isn't a $50 phone

          again, you do not know smooth until you've used something like a nexus 4 or sgs3. i encourage to try it out first and then come back and tell us the performance is the same. it's clearly noticeable if you do processor/graphics intensive activities like playing games and watching HD movies. you also had to root/install custom rom and overclock the processor (which reduces battery life) - not everyone can/wants to spend time on that

          more connectivity like HDMI, NFC and more storage in some models - a cheap phone will have only the basic functions and different people need different things so i'm not going to go into that.

          4G capability isn't a provider issue.

          i think you are just imposing your needs on everyone else. you make a good case, i'm glad you are happy with your $50. it probably has the best value but realise people have different needs and expectations of their phone which they spend a lot of time a day with.

          so there's no need to be patronising about it. if it makes you feel better, sure go ahead but realise you'll be making a fool of yourself

    • zigpy_siva on 20/05/2013 - 18:27

      hmm… that is looking like a good option for a spare mobile or if it might get damaged easily(specially in fish tank) well you can get 6 for $300…

      both the mobiles have their own +ve and -ve, comparing LG optimus spirit with Sony Xperia Go,

      • LG has ~2000mAh extra battery,
      • LG is with less CPU speed(even if the 800MHz CPU is cranked up, would it perform like a Dual-core 1 GHz Cortex-A9?)
      • LG is TFT , Sony is LED-backlit LCD
      • LG has more Pixel density than Sony
      • Sony is water and dust resistant (with all the ports closed you can put it in water literally)
      • and a lot more(just from HW)…
        (Edit: you can check the details http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=4043&idPhone2=…)

      but when i take up a mobile personally for my self i would not got for it, i would prefer more CPU speed and features(even if i have to buy a $600 range mobile). I have used low end mobile to high end mobile(though they are out-dated now)

      Mobiles i have used/using
      Nokia - 1100, 1110i, N70, 5800, N8, 808
      Sony - K750i
      Samsung - Galaxy Tab 7.7(as a mobile for an year)

      iPod Touch (for playing games) - 8GB 4th Gen and 64 GB 5th Gen(after loosing my 32 GB 5th Gen)

  • Davros on 19/05/2013 - 17:15
    -3

    We were commenting on a sony xperia Go for $297
    It is essentially the same specs as mine for $50

    I think you are just imposing your needs on everyone else. you make a good case, i'm glad you are happy with your $300 phone. it probably has the worst value but realise people have different needs and expectations of their phone which they spend a lot of time a day with.

    so there's no need to be patronising about it. if it makes you feel better, sure go ahead but realise you'll be making a fool of yourself

    • May4th on 19/05/2013 - 17:19
      +3

      then learn to click reply under that comment

      and grow up :)

  • Davros on 19/05/2013 - 21:39
    -3

    Grow up?
    Thats funny coming from the child that needs his latest shiny toys ;)

    • May4th on 20/05/2013 - 15:05

      oh boys needs their toys. it's just a matter of how big it is. small boys like toy cars, big boys like real cars :)

  • Davros on 20/05/2013 - 16:12

    And then others overcompensate
    I have no such issue, hence the $50 phone which after all, is a phone.

    Tablets and pc's do the other.

    • May4th on 20/05/2013 - 16:14

      i used to keep a tablet but i got tired of having different apps, files and switching back and forth

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