Hi
Just received an email from Kogan,
Agora 4G Smartphone for $229 with free shipping.
see below specs from their website :
5” HD IPS Display.
8MP BSI Camera
Android 4.4 KitKat
1.2 GHz Quad Core Processor
ARM Cortex A7
8GB internal storage
1GB Ram
Battery : 2520mAh Li-Ion
This is presale, as per website phone will be available from 5th August.
Seems like a strong Moto G copy.
storage can be expandable using microSD..
i think Moto G 8GB version doesnt allow microSD and moto G is 4.5" and this is 5
Regular 8GB Moto G doesn't, but the 8GB Moto G 4G does.
Pros: Larger screen, larger battery
Cons: It's a Kogan
Its a BenQ .. the only thing Kogan about it is the logo sticker. Like the Google sticker on the LG Nexus 5
Pretty big con lol
Nothing a case wouldn't cover up
Its made by BenQ and SOLD by Kogan so all in all it should be a good product!
Like the Nexus 5 is made by LG and sold by Google.
Is it just the current one with 4G added?
Yeah pretty much, but it supports Cat 4
Old phone was made by some generic manufacture under contract by Kogan
This one is made by BenQ in a distribution partnership with Kogan
Maybe not quite 'generic'. I did a little bit of detective work on the previous model at the time of its release and came to the conclusion that it was a re-badged Micromax model.
At least from the reading I have done, Micromax - an Indian outfit - have big plans, and are already highly regarded - if only in their home market at this point.
Before seeing this deal posted, I made a comment here for anyone unaware of BenQ's past as regards phone-making.
Why is this a bargain? What is the usual price?
New product that's just come out made by BenQ and at a very good price for what you get.
You wouldnt find anything that would come close to this thing for the same $
You wouldnt find anything that would come close to this thing for the same $
The new Moto G , surely!?
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/154519
You'll get much better support for that than anything from Kogan or BenQ (Acer's unwanted bastard child.)
i stand corrected :) .. i guess when this goes on "sale as well" it will be the better value
You can compare it as Aldi products, every week new but cheaper than similar products (not same) in the market. Lot of people love giving + to Aldi no-name/own products.
@stargalaxy
Why is this a bargain? What is the usual price?
JV have you changed your handle ?
It would be the cheapest 4G phone with the same specs,that's why it is a bargain.
New product at standard price isn't a bargain. If you want to post about new phone products write for Gizmodo.
I think the bargain is "Free Shipping" but apart from that.. nothing special.
Wouldnt go so far as to neg Free Shipping FREE is FREE! its not the oz bargain way to neg any discount no matter how small.
can someone tell me what the attraction of the 'presale' is? Kogan sometimes gives you a cheaper price if you buy early but this seems to be standard price, how times have changed, before you would have layby or just leave a small deposit but now presale means full payment upfront for something that hasn't been released yet! this ain't no kickstarter project…
Maybe limited stock?
Would jump on this if it had dual-sim.
Needs a bigger battery. The Achilles heel of all modern smart phones (except my LG G2 :p)
Does not sound overly enticing compared to the $359 Nexus 5 last week. I would not want a new phone with just 1GB of RAM. Then lower resolution screen, much slower CPU, less storage, no direct Google OS updates. And once I get the GST back on the Nexus 5 the price difference is a mere $100.
GST on Nexus 5's purchase? mobilecity?
Damn I'm tempted.
The main reason I didn't jump on board the older Agora phone was that people were finding it was missing one of the main Optus bands (900 I think it was) despite advertising it did. And that was because it was a cheap chinese made thing.
Now this has it. and the 5" screen I want. And now supposedly better quality. And with free shipping today.
Should I impulse?
Most mobile phones are made in china these days ;). Heck there's plenty of chinese brands better value…
Yes I meant that those with Chinese brands are often missing one of the Optus frequency bands as they are designed for the Chinese/US market. Since I'm with Optus that's a big downer.
There are lot's of bigger brand phones such as Samsung and LG to name a few, up to the $200-250 mark that only support either 850 or 900 bands and not both.
Kogan was on Today show - I have never seen a sales person bag out a product as much as he did (his own). He was comparing the phone to the 5S and Galaxy 5 - but kept saying..the camera isn't good (don't use for holidays), the battery was ok, the brightness isn't as good, It doesn't have the features… but its cheap.
I give him credit for his honesty - For the money it does look a good cheap phone.
Either way, a lot of people would check out the site and possibly look at the better phones mentioned. In a way he was upselling.
Let me guess, Today carried on like his price was "revolutionary" or some shit? Not like there's been decent Androids at this price point for ages. But suddenly this weasel puts his name on one and it's suddenly news worthy.
Wonder how much he paid for this "interview".
http://www.eglobaldigitalcameras.com.au/mobile-phones/xiaomi…
Why would you get this Kogan phone instead of Xiaomi MI3, other than that you wants 4G? This phone is $259+ shipping of $29.
External storage.
I guess it is a single simm phone.
I bought an Agora HD and nothing but trouble. Turning itself randomly and losing charge. Returned it and got an HD+, same problems. They didn't learn from their first model! Then after the fact I found that lots of people have the same problem. Tried with a new battery, no difference.
I generally find Kogan products to be fairly good, but avoid their Agora phones at all costs.
this is a BenQ phone… not a Kogan.. Kogan are just selling it with a logo thats all.. .. old ones were custome made Kogan products
I truly hope so, and if it is, then good riddance. If it is a BenQ phone they should brand it as such (even if it is a 'Kogan' exclusive) because as far as I can tell, the Agora brand is trashed in the same way as Kogan Mobile.
8GB internal storage
1GB Ram ?
C'mon, these are 2011-12 specs.
What you will get with kogan is months and months wait and finally just disappointment. Spend your money on something better. Tell you by my experience dealing with these guys. Don't expect any help with their customer service.
I can't believe anyone would seriously consider this…..
1) 1gb ram is appallingly sluggish with android. Forget a out running widgets on the home screens, or running multiple apps simultaneously.
2) 8gb will only leave a couple of gb's for apps after the OS and bloatware. Yes you have external storage for media, but remember kitkat does not allow apps to be transferred to sd, with the exception of certain data files.
3) like a nice case and a screen protector? Forget about it!
$120 would seem to be realistic.
Yeah I doubt support as in future updates won't happen either. At this price point I'd say you are better off with the Moto G.
agreed, even with 1.2ghz quad core cpu, this phone needs 2GB ram to make it run like a smartphone otherwise you have an all show no go.
Considering 1Gb Ram and 1.2ghz, I don't feel it is good enough bargain for $229.
To be fair, the much raved about Moto G is also 1gb /8gb (with a 16 model)
Also aren't they claiming thisnoutperforms the Motorola?
http://www.news.com.au/technology/gadgets/kogan-claims-4g-sm…
He had rubbed up someone at news.com the wrong way!
Just had a watch of the 'hands on review'. Frankly, this phone would not even stand up to Chinese androids within this price range.
The reviewers can't comment on speed, Android profession and the ability to last day to day.
The things that make this a negative
Kogan phones don't even receive Android updates according to Ausdroid.
The very very low end specs: 1GB RAM and that atrocious core.
The fact that kogan compares the phone to big name brands and their products based only on price.
Apparently this is the better than the motoG simply because of price. There is no mention of the actual hardware used. ie: a low end core vs a snapdragon
A phone that most likely go beyond its launch OS version compared to Motorola's new dedication to providing faster updates.
Furthermore, kogan hasn't even provided review units for their previous phones, meaning their statements will not be scrutinized until the public has the phone already.
$229? I don't see how this would qualify that price tag… Especially with this being a preorder and the price of the motog 4G becoming more affordable and Chinese phones becoming more prominent in the Australian market.
http://ausdroid.net/2014/07/28/kogan-unveil-kogan-agora-4g-2…
Why is this a bargain?
Where else can I purchase a Kogan phone?
If I wanted a cheap phone I would get it direct from China (cheaper)
Not sure if it is a bargain if it is the normal price.
Only thing worth mentioning is "free shipping today" on this phone and a few other Kogan products as well, such as the other Kogan Agora Smartphone.