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Dick Smith has these also listed for $99 or $199 unlocked.
I'm pretty sure I know someone who can unlock them cheap in WA
Huawei U8150 Virgin for $79.00
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Yes, you can pay $80 directly to unlock if you want.
It's supported by DC-unlocker now, so you could always go that route to get it unlocked…
Or $10 Euro using DC unlocker http://www.dc-unlocker.com/ thats been around for years and a very successful unlock Utility
Thanks for sharing the knowledge guys. I've taken your advice onboard and bought dc-unlock credit and unlocked my and the wifes new phones! We'll actually be saving money with these phones - we're on Virgin prepaid and their data prices are enormous - I check my Gmail occasionally and it's costing me 30-40 a month - TPG have some pretty awesome call + data prepaid plans (18.99 p/m) so we're switching over. Cheers.
the virgin call center is a nightmare it took me almost a week to get a phone unlocked, in the end I just dealt with them via email.
I'm not sure what type of lock is on this phone, but if it's only a network lock (not a network subset/service provider lock) then this should work with any Optus or Optus-reseller SIM.
is this a good phone
Curious to know too. I'm getting laughed at for having a "dumb phone" (I am actually surrounded by iPhones), but I really don't mind it. That said it's starting to get a little old and if this is a good phone, I'll definitely consider.
Its a good phone EXCEPT the screen is pretty terrible for looking at photos & reading. The screen is responsive but too small for me when using the virtual keypad. Plastic casing is also a bit tacky and there's no default all black colour scheme. It comes with back cover plates but only in blue, yellow & pink
If you can live with that its a good phone, speaker is nice & loud too
This Virgin edition comes with black back cover. Look at the photos on the DSE website.
The screen isn't the best but I wouldn't say it's terrible. I installed the Kindle software and read an entire novel, cover to cover, on mine without a problem.
Depends on your definition of "good"… It's a very good phone for the price, but compared to the Samsung Galaxy S 2, it's not a good phone at all!
The CPU is slow, but fast enough..
Memory is OK, especially if you install apps to the External SD card
Screen resolution is minimal, but usable
Screen size is pretty small - not easy to use if you have "sausage fingers"
It runs stock Android and has a decent hacking community supporting it for future updates.Well comparing to an S2 might be unfair, since that's supposed to be one of the most "up there" phones. My current "dumb phone" still works really well (k550i) and I'm not yet swayed. I'll keep waiting I think.
For $79 you can't go wrong with this phone. I've had mine for 8 months now, it's never missed a beat. You won't go back to a dumb phone.
i'll stick to my nokia 3310 ;)
haha good one!
Yeah don't make em like that anymore, but those days are gone for most of us
It's a nice small smart phone. I got it unlocked for $110 many months ago and refresh it with customized Andriod system which enabled multi-touch-turned this phone a more decent deal.
Right you cant go wrong for $79 apparently.
which customized android that enabled multi-touch?
Check here mate, it details the procedure to root and flash the ROM.
http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/huawei_u8510Cheers
I have this phone, great little piece of kit…
hey andy, is this phones sim slot a "slide in" or a "flat slot"?
Not sure of the difference, but it's under the battery and not easy to remove… I suspect it's flat slot
slide in when there is a slot that the sim goes into. like a mail box. so you just see the very end of the sim. like an iphone
http://www.iphonepreviews.com/iphone-SIM-slot-Aido2002.jpgflat slot is where you see the connectors (before you put the sim in) and the sim from above when in place.
http://www.theunwired.net/media/column/qtek_8500/sim_slot.jp…
This is the cheapest smart phone you can get and it is an awesome phone. Before this phone I had never owned a mobile phone - smart or dumb. My favourite features are web-browsing (ie Ozbargain when i'm at the shops), Google voice navigation GPS in the car, watching my Itune video clips on Double Twist, easy upload of photos to Facebook. You will find the knockers saying "it doesn't have this and it doesn't have that" and they will be right…but at between 5 to 10 times the price of this phone.
doesn't have a blender attachment
I bought a Huawei X1 (which I think is basically a re-skinned U8150) last week and I absolutely love it. FYI if you're on an Optus network you can get an X1 couriered to you direct from optus for 89 bucks (free delivery; I bought mine late on Wednesday and it turned up first thign Friday morning)
link ? Gsmareana doesn't list any Huawei X1
Thanks, U8180 marks it as a minor 'upgrade' on the U8150. :)
Now my wife wants one too. to be honest I'll probably just get her a 79 buck 8150 if I can find one in FNQ
Whirlpool thread of X1 http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1723435
Since its pretty much the same as the U1850 in terms of hardware, I wonder if rooting and all that would be the same.
Have you tried rooting it? (in a non-sexual way)
these phones don't have multitouch (pinch to zoom) so how does one zoom in/out web content, photos, etc ?
double-tapping?
A little button usually pops up at the bottom of the page.
Edit. Yep, double tap works
3rd rule of zombies
Also, if your up for loading a custom rom onto it, there is a good chance you will get two point multitouch. (Apparently two brands of touchscreen have been used on this phone, one will work one wont, no real way of knowing which you have until you try it)
You can unlock it online for 20 bucks. Just search for it, cant remember the address anymore, did it last year.
By using www.unlock-tmobilepulse.com services you will be able to SIM-unlock it easily and use it with whatever SIM card from other network carriers you want.
Will this work with an optus pre-paid sim??
yes, but you are better off getting the huawei X1 from optus directly for $89.10 with free shipping.
Would Harvey Norman or Dick Smith price match Optus' online price?
Looks like the U8150 might have a larger dev community than the X1 though. Important point to make if you're interested in rooting and using custom ROMs.
Ive had a Virgin pre-paid SIM for years and dont use it much. When I recently bought a Virgin Nokia E63 and wanted it unlocked because I use a different company's SIM more, I phoned Virign and asked them if they would unlock it for me, as I had been such 'a good customer'. I even told them about the other SIM and the better prices I get from it!! They said yes - it didnt work the first time, but the second time, when I whinged about it - the customer service person stayed on the phone with me while I tested it to make sure it unlocked….theres a bit of a knack with Virgin - I dont know why I stay with them really, but they have given me loads of credit to me over the years when I whinge to them that what they have done isnt fair…
its worth a try….if you have history with themNote that this comes with a 4GB microsd as part of the $79 deal at DSE
where do you get that idea from ?
Boxed Contents Handset, AC Charger, User Guide, Data Cable, PHF, 1GB MicroSD Card
from the shop where it was just purchased.
it came up on the sales assistant's screen that it was to be included in the pack.
(the 1GB was not included, just a DSE branded 4GB microsd with adapter)cool….
They should put it on their website….. might just tip someone into buying one….
Confirmed it DOES NOT WORK with the TPG SOUL sim. Even though it is an optus networked brand.
Yeah, wouldn't work with my TPG sim card… had to get it unlocked via dc-unlocker. Cost $13AU.
Just make sure you do it on a comp without Windows7 64bit. Driver needed won't work with it.I can confirm unlock on win7 64bit. Instructions here: http://www.dc-unlocker.com/huawei_u8150_detect_and_unlock_pr…
I actually followed those instructions but my 64bit couldn't find any drivers online. I manually downloaded some from Microsoft but again my Windows said they were the wrong ones O_o. Hopefully it's just my windows7 being a pain.
Besides that, I love this phone. It is a bit slow with games and apps, but for $79 it's been a pleasure.
I also unlocked it last night with dc-unlocker. For the uninitiated - go to the dc-unlocker website (as posted in this thread), download the software, while at the website buy 10 credits for each phone you want to unlock (roughly $13 for 10 credits - you will be sent to Paypal to pay for your purchase). You'll receive a Paypal confirmation email, and an email with your password (check your spam inbox if it doesn't arrive - it should arrive almost the instant you pay with Paypal). Input your username and password into the dc-unlocker software, follow the prompts to select "Huawei Phone" and "auto detect model". Start your phone by holding the volume minus button, red button, and then power button simultaneously. When it starts, it should hang at the Ideos screen. Plug in the usb cable, let Windows auto-find the drivers for the phone and Android, then the dc-unlocker should be able to detect the phone. Select 'unlock', press the go button, wait 30 seconds, when it's all ok unplug, remove the battery to hard reboot the phone, plug back in, and smile!
I find the quality of Huawei phones is becoming better and the prices are still not high. Thank you. When I'm going to by phone, I will take this phone into my consideration.
I used to have this phone and it was great considering the price. Features are mostly all there: GPS, wifi and access to the android market. The screen size and quality were really the only drawbacks, but you get what you pay for.
I am unlocking these phones for $5.00, I have posted a seperate link, thanks. perth Only.
FWIW, LiveConnected SIM didn't work in this phone
My "dumb phone" died randomly today. So I took the plunge and bought this.
And by "died randomly" you actually meant "got 'accidently' thrown against the wall, giving you a convenient excuse to buy a new phone"…right? :P
Haha, unfortunately no. My old phone's actually taken quite a few hits and drops (Sony Ericsson k550i). Unfortunately, with the touchscreen and all, I don't think this Huawei one will be as sturdy :(
My old phone was working fine before a movie and it just would not turn back on after the movie, even after plugging in the charging cable.
-_-; Tried plugging in my old phone again tonight and it's miraculously charging. Oh well.
Oh well, new phone for you, plus you can keep your old one as backup :P
Does anyone know why when I purchase the credits, paypal keeps refunding them back to me? It says "Sorry only verified accounts allowed" in the email. =S
EDIT: nvm turns out it was referring to my unverified paypal account.
http://virginmobile.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/168…
Free unlock after spending $80 on credit…
So it's effectively only $80 to unlock? Am i reading that right?