Looking for a first mobile for the daughter, had bought the Nokia 2.2 which would be ideal if it wasn't locked to Telstra and not able to be cheaply be unlocked. Plan on using it on a $10pm prepaid plan and need it by Monday so buying from OS isn't an option.
What's the best bang for your $$$ smartphone for about $100
OMG, mum! Sarah has the iPhone 11 Pro Max. Everyone will laugh at me if I take this phone. I need to have an Apple phone for school. OMG, you just don’t get it. Why can’t I have nice things?? I hate you.
Good Sarah, then you will keep it in your bag and only get it out when you really need it.
"Sarah" has been led to believe she is only getting a dumb phone (which may yet happen) and is fine with that.
what?!
@ChatCPT: Should have read
Good, unlike Sarah then, you will keep it in your bag and only get it out when you really need it.
My daughter has been led to believe she is only getting a dumb phone (which may yet happen) and is fine with that.
Would the Nokia work with an Aldi sim in it? They are backed onto the Telstra network and have the $15/m plan.
The problem is, in that price bracket, everything is basically rubbish. What you may be better off doing is looking for a good quality higher end phone that is used. I know I have half a bucket in my cupboard that has 3 or 4 year old mid~high end phones that would run rings around a $120 paperweight.
Or belong. They have a $10 plan and a telstra mvno.
I tried a Woolworths Sim (Telstra Network) in it and it was locked, was fine with an actual Telstra Sim though. I originally thought all the mvno's would work in it but apparently not.
Galaxy Pocket Neo (S5310) for $129 from Coles.
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/517010#comment-8314756
Target has a few in that range too but Optus/Voda.
https://www.target.com.au/c/entertainment/phones/mobile-phon…
Oppo make really good phones in the mid $200 range, I purchased an Oppo aX5s for my Year 7 son this year and it's been great for him - and I think that's quite an old Oppo model but does the job for him.
Stretch it and get the Samsung Galaxy A20 from $159-179 depending on which telco sells it. Proper midrange on a budget phone
Contemplated that, seems to have GPS issues which might not be a deal breaker but makes it harder to justify bumping the budget for one.
Do you really think every single one sold has this issue?
There is a few, majority is fine. You get 2 years warranty to sort out that one
My last 2 deal posts were for the A20 and there hasn't been a flood of comments complaining about it.
Also don't forget this is currently the Best Budget Smartphone (Under $300) in 2019 How would it top the list if they all had the GPS issue?
Yep if you bought one that had it then you definitely have the right for a full refund under Aus Consumer Law.
Looks like it will be about $200 to get one to work on a Telstra MVNO ($169+$30 unlocking fee), still probably a good deal but in reality about twice as much as I am looking to spend.
It's only 3 pounds (~AU $5.74) to unlock. Have a look at the last 2 posts.
Your budget is $80 - $120, so for the extra to buy the A20 you get such a massive step up in performance it's really a no brainer.
Thanks, that's a cheaper unlock than the one I saw on eBay, So about $185 all up, or can maybe hock the starter kit off for $10 to bring the overall cost to $175 which is certainly more tempting.
So about $185 all up
More like $176. If you buy the one from Big W with the free clear case then see the OP on how to get it for $170.05.
The Fonefunshop Rep posted the unlock instructions here as well, but you get them in the email too.
It's not hard if you follow the steps. If I can do it then anyone can haha.
Kogan is selling nokia 2.2 for $150 free delivery right now.
Xiaomi redmi 7a
What did you end up buying?
The A20, haven't tried the GPS yet though but seems a pretty good fine for the dollars.
Did you end up getting a Voda or Telstra prepaid model, or even an unlocked one.
If so, how much did you get an unlock for?
I have one and pretty happy with it, even gps seems ok.
Unlock code is about $5 off eBay.
I bought mum a telstra one and dad a voda one. Managed to get both unlocked free lol.
@Slippery Fish: Wow, well done getting a free unlock.
I tried once a year ago with vodafone on Live Chat and was denied, and after reading here that it's hit and miss, sometimes needing to try a few I did not feel like begging for this one. Just called Voda to ask if the six months ( before the $50 fee is reduced to $25 ) start from purchase or first sim activation, and they offered me a free unlock as long as I activated the new Vodafone starter pack included. Took another day and phone call, but got it.
Are they happy with phones, gps?
@ozhunter68: They love them. Had no this or that doesn't work and they are very quick and smooth for what I paid.
The telstra unlock was hard to get free :p
Vida, there was a deal on Ozbargain for the unlocking code, was about $4.5 I think.
If you can stretch the budget a little bit, an iPhone 11 Pro Max.