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ZTE Boost 4" Zume 5 Mobile Phone $29 @ Coles

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ZTE Boost 4" Zume 5 Mobile Phone $29 @ Coles
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Pdinomartino1 on 07/04/2018 - 11:19 shop.coles.com.au (641 clicks)
Last edited 09/04/2018 - 14:13 by 2 other users

I needed a cheap phone for my grandmother, you can get the unlock code on ebay for $2.99 so you can use the amaysim unlimited $10 plan.
The Zume 5 is identical to the Telstra 4GX Smart (ZTE A112).

DIMENSIONS:
125 x 64.6 x 10.8mm
WEIGHT:
127 grams
OPERATING SYSTEM:
Android [6.0 Marshmallow]
5MP camera & 2MP front facing camera
SCREEN:
4.0” WVGA (480×800)
PROCESSOR;
1.0 GHz Quad Core Processor
BAND SUPPORT:
4G: 700/1800/2100/2600MHz
3G: 850/2100MHz
GSM/EDGE: 900/1800MHz
TALK TIME:
3G up to 7.5 hours
STANDBY TIME:
Up to 290 hrs
MEMORY:
8GB On Board (Expandable up to 32GB)
SIM TYPE:
Micro

From this review

"It’s running on a Mediatek MT6735M 1.0GHz quad core CPU with 1GB RAM, 8GB of memory and an SD card slot that takes up to 32GB."

https://cheaparse.wordpress.com/2017/02/11/boost-zume-5/

UPDATE [ assuming user will be using phone and perhaps incoming message function only]
Unlocking the phone from the ebay code was no problem.
Amaysim sim worked no issues.
The boost logo will still come up at startup and you will need to delete a few of the boost numbers that will be in the contacts.
It's easy to turn off unwanted apps, I now have the screen totally blank except for the time and the flashlight [torch] on/off button and four icons in the task bar.
The only thing I could not remove to reduce clutter on the screen was the icon on the task bar at the bottom of the screen which takes you to the apps and widgets, it states in the manual it cannot be removed or moved.
You will require a minimum of three icons on the home screen, the phone and the contacts, they can be on the screen or the task bar, the non removable icon that goes to the apps will be in the task bar.
The sim card goes in sideways not straight in as shown in the manual.

http://www.ztemobiles.com.au/downloads/User_guides/B112_Help…

Mobile Mobile Phone ZTE Android

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closed Comments

  • merivetio on 07/04/2018 - 11:28
    +1

    For the price, it's not a bad backup phone (I got one from AusPost when they are at this price previously). Just a warning for the users that are looking to root, the model should be rootable but running adb reboot bootloader doesn't actually give you fastboot…currently trying to get in touch with ZTE Australia to ask what's up with that/if we can unlock the bootloader (nothing to do with the network unlock code mentioned above).

  • XoiThit on 07/04/2018 - 11:48
    +2

    Cause it supports 850/2100MHz 3G, Lycamobile's Unlimited 10 plan may be a better choice.

  • INFIDEL on 07/04/2018 - 12:16
    +9

    Not sure of how used to touchscreen smart phones your Grandmother is. Some seniors have difficulty using screen input as they are used to a dedicated keyboard.

    A resident of an aged care facility I visit was given a nice Samsung by relative to replace her trusty old keypad phone. She was in tears. Instead of knowing where keys where - they kept disappearing. There were too many options in too small icons. She found the larger phone difficult to hold to her ear.

    Not much I could do as it was a decision made by her family. Apps could be added to automatically turn on speaker on calls, limit functions to make & receive calls, use picture buttons to make calls, etc. But in my experience, that often results in frustrating accidental calls.

    It was a well meaning attempt to help her, but she was much worse off.
    The only thing I liked was it was on a cheap Kogan plan.

    Best to check needs & abilities of person first. Maybe she will love it.

    • bargainparker on 07/04/2018 - 12:21

      Well, if they are blind, they won't see it, that is if they really cared to help her, not just to be fashionable. And if I was their grandma, I'd smash it if they didn't want to give me back my old one.

      • INFIDEL on 07/04/2018 - 12:35
        +2

        Well intentioned but… Strangely, that would have just ended badly, police called, me banned, & lot of misunderstanding. And she would still have a too complex replacement phone to use.

        As a person with limited English, the phone was her only lifeline to family and information. It was vital for her. I really felt sad, but could do nothing. Interfering in family matters is a dangerous territory.

        Most people only think "what would I want / use in that situation?". Don't think it was a fashion statement.

        They would be unaware how others use what they take for granted. This is very common, with people only seeing the issue when they finally see it from the other persons point of view. (My work & studies at Universities was in this field.)

        The latest complex tech maybe good if your brain is agile, but frustratingly useless for others. She had no interest in relearning how to make simple phone calls. Why should she?

        Did think of losing or breaking the phone, but next week would be replaced with more complex model😞

        • bargainparker on 07/04/2018 - 12:42

          Didn't say you to smash, but their grandma. The reality is if she can't figure out how to use it and great difficulty in using it, she is no better off with having it vs. not having it. if they wouldn't give the old phone back or another phone for old people if her old one is broken, that's what I would do, smash and complain it's too slippery, hard to hold, etc.

          She can speak for herself, I would hope so and simply say it is too hard to use, give me my old phone back or another one for people like me.

        • INFIDEL on 07/04/2018 - 12:46

          @bargainparker:
          My guess is they binned it to make her use her new phone. She's too gentle & quiet to smash an expensive phone given to her by her Italian family. She won't speak up. That's why I would have had to get involved…

          Finding tech that is suited to individuals needs is difficult. We are expected to change to use the tech. Some people can't, or shouldn't be expected to. It's a constant battle.

          Still trying to find a solution for a blind man, to make calls. He wants an iPhone with Siri placing calls, but can't afford it.

        • dinomartino1 on 07/04/2018 - 12:51

          Yes that's good advice I have few elderly relatives who can't use any modern technology , I let her use an old button phone phone and my iPhone first to see what would be best, she preferred the larger size of the touch phone screen buttons, it will only be used for making calls the rest would be beyond her.

        • bargainparker on 07/04/2018 - 13:31

          @dinomartino1:

          Why give her an iPhone if it is going to be used just for calls? Just get one of those old people friendly phones. Big keys, easy to use. No point driving a Porsche even an old Porsche if she's going to drive at 20kms an hour.

        • INFIDEL on 07/04/2018 - 14:45
          +1

          @bargainparker:
          Seems it was just used as a trial to see if she wanted to use a smart phone. She does. So she's getting this cheap phone according to deal description.
          Now, where did I leave my Porsche keys😁

        • bargainparker on 07/04/2018 - 16:29

          @Infidel:

          right there behind Bentley keys :P

    • huu on 07/04/2018 - 12:35

      Agree, something like this https://www.target.com.au/p/optus-nokia-331-3g-prepaid-mobil… would be more useful. It even have 3G!!

      • INFIDEL on 07/04/2018 - 12:38
        +2

        A $9 option but I think bands limit to Telstra https://www.harveynorman.com.au/telstra-zte-lite-f327s-pre-p…
        Reports that battery lasts & is very robust.
        Discussions

        • naturaldecay on 07/04/2018 - 17:21
          +3

          I got something very similar for my gramps. I set his main contacts on the bottom three buttons as long presses, and then glued some fat pieces of different color rubber on each one so it's easy to press. I also made my own stupidly loud ringtone in Audacity by cutting and looping the frequencies that oldies can hear well. This is after we tried expensive 'pensioner' phones which had pathetically weak speakers and too many menu options. It is unfortunate that it is difficult to get a very loud, very easy to use mobile phone..

        • INFIDEL on 07/04/2018 - 18:03
          +2

          @Suckmyorbitals:
          Good ideas. Each case throws up different challenges.

          I've tried attaching buttons & tried stopping unwanted areas of screen from registering click (little success). That's reinventing the old button phones with smart features.

          Smart phones are great with availability of apps (or write your own) & ability to change settings. (Text size can be increased, sounds amplified as you did, etc.)

          Good idea selecting frequencies older people can better hear. Choice of screen colours could be another area. (The person I am currently designing for - family member, has twin hearing aids & does not respond to sound. He only focuses on speech when someone is in front of him. So ringtones are just ignored noise.)

          So smart phones are ideal for customising to individual requirements. And they're cheap.

          My first research work (while an undergrad student - I'd forgotten about that!) was into how people use computer menu systems. Limiting choices is necessary, possibly cascading a small number of options, with most readily used on top. Memory may be an issue for older users. So simplicity & repetition helps (keeping things in an easily remembered order). It's easy to get lost. So I lock menu systems so can't be accessed by user.

          Using a small number of buttons is easier if possible.

          And best not to upgrade or change system once the user gets used to it! (As soon as I see how the user interacts with a system, I can see possible changes. But the changes may not greatly benefit that user, so it may be "good enough" rather than make major changes that may confuse that user.)

    • dinomartino1 on 07/04/2018 - 12:49
      +2

      Yes that's good advice I have few elderly relatives who can't use any modern technology , I let her use an old button phone phone and my iPhone first to see what would be best, she preferred the larger size of the touch phone screen buttons, it will only be used for making calls the rest would be beyond her.

      • INFIDEL on 07/04/2018 - 12:53
        +4

        Glad to read that😊
        Good you tried out first to see what suits her. Everyone is different in their needs, no matter what their age.

        And Apps can be installed to assist (big buttons on screen, turn on speaker when calling, etc).

        I got a stack of free smart phones locked to Vodafone. Add free (first 30 days) Kogan SIMs, add helpful Apps, and give them out free. Some love them, some give them back. It depends…

        Hope she enjoys your thoughtful generosity👍

  • FreoIsaac on 07/04/2018 - 17:44
    +1

    so how do you get rid of all the boost mobile stuff after getting phone unlocked with code from ebay? first time buying a phone with preloaded junk on it so not sure if i can just root it and install a custom rom on it or what is best option for a older person

    • dinomartino1 on 07/04/2018 - 23:06
      +2

      i went to settings and disabled the app for boost it disapeared from the home page, anything beyond that is too technical for me

  • Duff5000 on 07/04/2018 - 19:08
    +1

    how would this go as a cheap tablet alternative for kids? Our 10 year old broke the screen on his tablet (an old nexus 7 2012) and it isnt worth fixing obviously.

    Not planning on putting a sim in it, just for some aps, movies in the car ect.

    • Cluelessly on 08/04/2018 - 08:37

      4” screen. I wouldn’t recommend it as a tablet replacement.

      • ozhunter68 on 08/04/2018 - 10:22

        I would say at this price it would fulfil some of your requirements such as on the road mobile car use.

        Can use at home, probably limited use as they WERE used to a larger 7" screen already ( although better than none ).

        Upside is longer battery life than most tablets/easy to charge in car.

        Downside is kids often could take/hide phone in their bedroom and could stay up too late ( tablet easier to manage for parents ).

  • F1ProjectOne on 07/04/2018 - 19:32

    Can this phone support the Uber app?

  • robertxx74 on 07/04/2018 - 22:23

    The problem with these phones is that the screen will crack if kept in a pocket often over a month or twp. I have had two of them do it in exactly the same way.

  • [Deactivated] on 08/04/2018 - 10:01

    the screen might be too small for older people. the touchscreen on this is also not as sensitive/responsive.

  • figarow on 09/04/2018 - 02:16

    Cheers got 3

  • wisc on 09/04/2018 - 10:08

    Got one for the father in-law last night, thanks OP. will be a decent replacement for the Aldi mobile he used for receiving calls. Just waiting for the unlock code and ordered a case and we should be good to go.

    opinion so for for anyone looking:

    Cons:
    Not a big fan of the charger, why on earth would you run a cable to a USB A port, why not just build the USB a into the charger? pretty sure they just want it to fail in order to sell another one! also not a bit fan of the 4" screen… although, its not a huge amount smaller than the 5" screen its replacing.

    Pros:
    That said, seems pretty responsive for the 10 minutes i played around with it before putting it on charge, - given the 8GB of storage, it should actually hold a few apps as well, unlike the aldi mobile, which had the mifit, aldi recharge app, play store, and that was it!

    the removable battery is also always a good thing,

    the only thing i found a little odd is that they dont list how much RAM it has on either one of the web sites… I cant imagine it would have much.

    interestingly its only 34.50 on the boost site as they have a special as well.
    https://boost.com.au/shop/boost-zume-5/

    • dinomartino1 on 09/04/2018 - 13:52
      +1

      I updated the the description with a link to a review which says "Mediatek MT6735M 1.0GHz quad core CPU with 1GB RAM, 8GB of memory and an SD card slot that takes up to 32GB"
      Android is 6.0 Marshmallow

    • wisc on 09/04/2018 - 15:50

      Got my unlock from here:
      https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Unlock-Code-service-Telstra-Boos…

      ordered Sunday night, was hoping to get it business hour Monday morning some time… quarter to four, and still nothing :'(

      suggest trying another one, hopefully get it quicker than that! - will provide an update when they finally send the lock code…

      • wisc on 11/04/2018 - 12:11

        finally got the unlock yesterday… so ordered Sunday night, was sent Tuesday about mid day… (i was expecting it on Monday.)

        had to send them an email, Then they got back to me soon after, blaming "the server." was about to give them a neg or a neutral, but they did get back to me very quickly after i messaged them with the code, the code went in no problems.

  • aarcana on 15/04/2018 - 18:52

    Can anyone confirm whether these need to be unlocked to work with an existing Telstra SIM? I figure since Boost uses the Telstra network it would be fine but I'm not 100% certain.

    • wisc on 19/04/2018 - 21:36

      Yes, we use Aldi, also Telstra, required code…

      The code is like a few bucks, no big.

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