Cheapass Phone for Calls Only and Emergency 4G Hotspot

Hogg on 05/10/2016 - 08:02

I've done some searching on whirlpool and OZB but can't seem to find a definitive answer.

What's the cheapest phone what will be used for calls 99% of the time and as a 4G hotspot in emergencies?

No need to be able to support any fancy apps. It's basically going to replace having to pay for ridiculous landline prices at work.

Would those cheap Telco branded phones sold at Coles/Woolies suffice? I read they can be unlocked fairly cheaply, is that correct?

Are all 4G phones made equivalent in terms of hotspotting or would more expensive phones provide faster speeds?

Thanks!

Mobile

Comments

  • Big Trev on 05/10/2016 - 08:29

    There's probably no "definitive" answer. What I bought when I was looking for a cheap backup phone to have sitting at home (since we don't have a home phone), I bought one of these: https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/265876 (locked to Optus), and then got an Amaysim prepaid SIM. Not sure if it's 4G though.

    In terms of speeds as a hotspot, I'd say they'd all be much the same.

    • Hogg on 05/10/2016 - 08:38
      +1

      Did you get it unlocked or are you using Amaysim because that's on the Optus network?

      Any substance to some of the worry when 2G or whatever shuts down like that some people wrote about in that thread?

      • Big Trev on 06/10/2016 - 08:13

        No, it's not unlocked. From what I can see, they're pretty trivial to unlock for free or very low cost though. I picked an Optus locked phone because I knew I wanted to use Amaysim, and I want to be on the Optus network; our other phones are Telstra, so wanted a backup phone and network in case Telstra craps out again.

        Didn't really worry about the 2G discussion per that other thread. Something you may need to consider if you want to move to Telstra though.

  • [Deactivated] on 05/10/2016 - 11:49
    +1

    i use the alcatel pixi 4.5 which was one of the cheap telco branded phones you refer to. the phone is good enough for calls n stuff, and I use it as a hotspot for my tablet often when i'm on the bus or train. yes I unlocked it (cost about 3 bucks on ebay)

    worry when 2G or whatever shuts down

    every phone supports 3g these days, and most support 4g.

    • Hogg on 05/10/2016 - 11:53

      How do you get the phone unlocked on ebay?

      • [Deactivated] on 05/10/2016 - 11:57

        i searched for "unlock pixi 4.5" on ebay. make sure you do this for the model you're going to get before you purchase. I've seen some where the unlock can cost more than just a couple of bucks.

        • Hogg on 05/10/2016 - 12:34

          What are the logistics of unlocking the phone? The ebay seller will send you the unlock code?

        • [Deactivated] on 05/10/2016 - 14:46
          +1

          @Hogg:

          yeah you send them the imei number of the phone, they will run it through some tool they have and send you back the unlock code

  • Hogg on 12/10/2016 - 10:18
    +1

    I'll wait for the Optus ZTE Zip to go on special. Seems to fit my needs.

    • killergreely on 12/10/2016 - 10:42

      The low end ZTE phones tend to be unuseably slow, might pay to look elsewhere.

      • Hogg on 13/10/2016 - 16:06

        It is unusably slow for calls and texts, or just apps? I'm looking for something to make business calls only.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join