Basic phone under $150

zooter on 09/08/2013 - 19:42
Last edited 10/08/2013 - 23:24

edit: bought nokia 520 — http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/112757

All:

I would very much appreciate if you could help me find a decent Android phone for under $150. My requirements are very basic:

Unlocked phone is a must — I have my own prepaid that i'm using.

1) good call quality — yes, that's the basic feature that i'm looking for as the previous android phone I bought had very bad quality and the reason i'm looking to change it

2) Wifi connectivity so that I don't use up data

3) Android is optional. I'm even leaning towards the Nokia 520,but somehow want an Android due to various apps (Tramtracker, Traintrapper, ING, some games like Tom, pocket planes etc). Nothing very graphic intense

I even shortlisted the Samsung Galaxy Y Duos selling at around $149 at OW and with some pricematch and ING 5% off, I could probably get it around $130

Please don't ask me to extend my budget, $150 is stretch budget, even a $100 phone with the above features is welcome

Thanks in advance for your help

Mobile

Comments

  • tunzafun001 on 09/08/2013 - 20:51
    +7

    Got to be the Huawei Y201 (Coles deal) for $39 - $49. After I downloaded the free SWYPE keyboard, I can't fault it. Can't think of any feature it needs..wait..a flash on the camera, that's about it.

    • zooter on 09/08/2013 - 21:08

      unlocked phone please

      • scrimshaw on 09/08/2013 - 21:11
        +6

        Go to Bagman and pay him $5.49. Send him your IMEI and he'll unlock it for you. Hundreds of ozbargainers have done it.
        http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/91771

        Also look for the dual core Huawei Y300 (Dick smith) for $99. Again, locked to Telstra but it's easy to unlock it using a purchased unlock code.

        Another option is Sony Xperia E. $128 delived unlocked from Unique Mobiles. It's not a very high end phone though, it's only a single core CPU device.

    • BlazinPast on 11/08/2013 - 18:56

      I'm looking for a cheap phone like that as well. Are there any other smartphones like that for around 50 bucks?
      Also, what's the standby battery life for that phone?

      • scrimshaw on 11/08/2013 - 19:06
        +2

        For $50 bucks there's only one option: the Huawei Y201 via coles.

        I don't know about standby life, never owned one but most budget Android phones will manage at least 1 day of light usage, or 2 days of standby on 2g mode (no wifi or syncing).

        • BlazinPast on 11/08/2013 - 19:18

          Alright, thanks. All I do is pretty much make calls and SMS. Not interested in wifi at all. I'm looking for a cheap Android so I can use Swype to type faster. All I really want is long battery life and a responsive touch screen. Seems like the Huawei is the way to go so far. I guess I'll wait for the Coles special to pop up again.

  • p1 ama on 09/08/2013 - 21:16
    +1

    Kogan Agora?

    • zooter on 09/08/2013 - 22:54

      price is beyond my budget — 169 + delivery…as I mentioned 150 is stretch budget

  • cloudy on 09/08/2013 - 21:49
    +1

    How about the LG phone in woolies on special for half price this week?

    • zooter on 09/08/2013 - 22:16

      edit: LG Optimus L3 — locked phone though, looking for unlocked one…So far the Huawei Ascend is on top of my list now

      • gsrt22 on 10/08/2013 - 10:35

        This LG phone has 350 ram. I purchased it few days ago and bagman unlocked it for 2$ , but you can only install 4 apps on it , before it runs out of memory.

  • aragorn on 10/08/2013 - 00:16
    +1

    How about Huawei Ascend Y300?
    https://onlineshop.telstra.com.au/prepaid-mobile/
    and unlock from $5.49

    • zooter on 10/08/2013 - 08:12

      definitely a candidate

  • dmc900 on 10/08/2013 - 03:07
    +3

    No one has mentioned about the network you want to be on and what bands these phones support will limit you to what network you can use on them even if they are unlocked if you want 3G data. Voice and TXT should work all networks on all phones.

    For example if you buy the Huawei Ascend Y300
    some models have
    HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100
    and others have
    900 / 2100

    850Mhz is used predominantly with Telstra NextG, and Vodafone.
    900Mhz is used predominantly with Optus networks.

    So with the budget phones I find it hard to get a phone that completely supports all networks.

    Keeping in mind 2100Mhz is on both networks, so it will still work it depends on how many 2100Mhz towers they have in your area on that network.

    Remember I'm no expert and I'm tired so it's affecting my judgement tonight. But that's how I have found the networks to work and if you want to change between networks willy-nilly budget phones rarely cut it.

    But AFAIK you don't want to change networks often, we just don't know your preferred network.

    Sorry if I ranted on these wee hours of the morning.

    EDIT: Look up the phone on GSMARENA for frequeinces (bands) used
    http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_ascend_y300-5386.php

    check whirlpool for Australian mobile frequencies
    http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/mobile_phone_frequencies

    • zooter on 10/08/2013 - 08:15

      my current provider is Amaysim (which I believe is Optus). Currently I don't have a need for 3G data and don't expect to use it in near future (given the ridiculous data charges). So am happy even with 2G network (was previously on lyca). But yes, I need to keep in mind future consideration too

  • hello007 on 10/08/2013 - 07:18
    +2

    Another option in your price range (about $160 usd delivered) is the quad core
    Thl-w100

    See search results and chat here:

    www.google.com/search?client=ms-opera-mobile&site=webhp&source=hp&ei=OlsFUtqRB4yXkgXPz4CgDQ&q=Whirlpool%2Bthl-w100&oq=Whirlpool%2Bthl-w100&gs_l=mobile-gws-hp.12…7922.30379.0.33723.21.16.1.4.4.0.1574.6872.0j3j1j6j4j1j8-1.16.0….0…1c.1.24.mobile-gws-hp..

    A reliable supplier is Chinavasion

    I have bought other phones from them no problem.

    Search and read online reviews.

    Generally positive reviews so far.

    • zooter on 10/08/2013 - 08:16

      not sure about importing a phone, little wary of that….also USD 160 will stretch my current budget….would prefer one of the better known brands purely from a psychological point of view

    • zfa on 10/08/2013 - 10:49

      I've got one of these and am very happy with it. Needed to download an app to get the GPS working initially but after that its all good. They also seem to update the firmware quite regularly (although its not 4.3 yet). Two downsides - wife says my voice is a bit muffled, internal space could be better partitioned so not great if you have lots of games etc.

  • zooter on 10/08/2013 - 08:18

    not had any comments on the samsung phone I had mentioned:

    http://www.officeworks.com.au/retail/products/Technology/Pho…

    is it bad that nobody is recommending this?

    also the Nokia Lumia 520 going at $150 — is this any good either? The only reason for me not going in for Nokia is for apps..I don't know if the apps I currently use (Tramtracker, ING etc) are availabl for this…

    • scrimshaw on 10/08/2013 - 13:52
      +1

      The DUOS is a fairly outdated phone running Gingerbread and has a very small display (terrible to type on) and fairly slow performance as well. Doesn't have a lot of memory for apps either.
      This phone is worth at most $40 given it's age and specifications — you can buy much better dual SIM phones from China for $150.

      Re: Nokia Lumia. Good phone for the price, but you won't find Tramtracker (have to use an alternative like TramFinder).
      The Windows Phone 8 app ecosystem isn't as diverse as IOS or Android, which is kind of sad but it'll improve in the future.

      If you want a 3G 900 Optus network capable phone, you have the following options

      Sony Xperia E (buy this from MSY for $99 — note there are 2 variations of this phone — 850mhz and 900mhz 3g)
      Huawei G300+ (is the variation of the original G300, but the G300 + is the one that does 900mhz 3g). $99 via Voda locked.

      If you don't care about 3g 900mhz support, then

      Huawei Y201 (Coles $39)
      Huawei Y300 (Dick Smith or Telstra $99)

  • ibelynn on 10/08/2013 - 08:25

    Go to http://www.pocketronics.com.au/
    They have seconds for different reasons, still have 12 month warranty.
    We have bought 3 from them for the family and are very happy with them,we use prepaid as well.
    there's a phone numberas well for any questions.
    I too go to the site http://www.gsmarena.com to check out the model and also to find out if its telstra or Optus, just to make sure it will work with my mobile provider.

  • thewheat on 10/08/2013 - 10:43

    Just saw the Medion Dual SIM 4" Android phone at Aldi on Brunswick St. Posted a deal here too: http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/112969

  • p1 ama on 10/08/2013 - 11:05

    Well MSY has the Xperia E for $99

    http://msy.com.au/Parts/notebook.pdf

    Just scroll right down to the bottom, looks like a reasonably good phone for $99.

  • MasterNoob on 10/08/2013 - 13:55

    The Kogan Agora.

  • zooter on 10/08/2013 - 23:24
    +2

    thanks for all the suggestions finally went in for the Nokia 520 — http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/112757 from OW

    Hope this gets my family and friends off my back who say i'm not adventurous enough and am stuck to geek stuff!

    • Windows7forever on 11/08/2013 - 16:03
      +1

      Good choice. Welcome to WP8. I am very happy with my HTC8X from a previous deal and it was only $150(same as your budget limit).

  • TheMatrix on 11/08/2013 - 14:16
    +1

    Good choice for Lumnia 520

  • porsche26c on 11/08/2013 - 18:33
    +1

    great phone. its actually the most sold WP in history. for price, it is the best quality and stable/smooth phone. forget any android under 250…basically they are rubbish in terms of speed etc due to being heavy in the back door.

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