Better to Buy Mobile Phone in Malaysia or Sydney?

Candour on 12/01/2016 - 14:41
Last edited 12/01/2016 - 14:43

dear friends

I am returning to sydney on feb 4 2016 after 9 mnths in malaysia. it seems the prices of mobiles might be cheaper in malaysia with full warranty locally as well.
http://www.lazada.com.my/lenovo-vibe-p1-p1m/
gives the lenovo for rm 599 less 10%. say, rm540/3= aud 180 which seems cheap?

it seems they use 4g lte bands 1,3,5,7,8,20 and fdd 40
3g 900 and 2100 umts
and 2g 850/900/1800/1900
will this work for sydney or australia?

plan to spend time in both countries.

not tech savvy so bands etc are not clear to me.
my first smartphone.

other brands seem expensive in malaysia.
the local warranty may be fine at big stores.

xiaomi seems cheaper here as well but not much stock it seems.
sells out fast?

will be in sydney for 3 months so I need a phone which works in oz.

am open to other offers if they are better value for money

Mobile

Comments

  • ctrlaltdel on 12/01/2016 - 15:54
    +1

    looks like it will work in Australia.
    here are the various bands (4G/LTE) from telco providers
    https://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/mobile_phone_frequencies

  • Candour on 12/01/2016 - 20:58

    thank you. I did go to whirlpool but was confused by the bands shown for 4g there and the timelines for their introduction, suspension etc.
    I was not sure how up to date whirlpool was.
    the article was written at various times and with information forecasting the future so it was hard for me to be sure of what currently exists and how I can map this phone against the bands in oz.

  • ilikeradiohead on 13/01/2016 - 16:40
    +1

    Not sure how GST rebates work in MY (I think they have 6% GST there), but if you purchase a phone that is $300+ (or a combination of goods that you bring back with you over $300 on the one receipt - I think), you get the GST removed when you leave AUS.

    So if you can get the GST rebated in MY, you take 6% off there and 10% off here.

    As for which one is cheaper, can't help I'm afraid. You can check the deals here to see if a specific phone you want has been on sale. I guess check the telcos' websites and see what deals they have.

    • Candour on 13/01/2016 - 18:13

      thank you. i was not aware I could get 10 % off here? in oz?? I thought I could only get the gst taken off in malaysia not in oz when I return with the phone?

      • ilikeradiohead on 13/01/2016 - 18:44

        More info here

        • Candour on 13/01/2016 - 18:49

          i misunderstood your message as getting malaysian and ozzie gst for the same deal. the govt site clarified that it is still one purchase at either end getting the gst from them.
          thank you. i see that they are two separate scenarios now.

        • ilikeradiohead on 13/01/2016 - 18:50

          @Peccadilloes: Ah yeah re-reading I can see the confusion, sorry about that.

        • Candour on 14/01/2016 - 14:27

          it is difficult to see these things when we write as we have our own mindset; read that dick smith is going to liquidate at cost so I might come back and buy something of a bargain at home?

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join