Hello everybody,
can anybody offer me any advice on where I can buy an unlocked smartphone (I do not care which brand as long as it is functioning and reliable) for as cheap as possible?
It should be able to work with an unlimited Amaysim card.
I am grateful for every advice or suggestion as this is intented to be a Christmas gift for my partner.
Looking forward to your replies.
Are you sure Virgin runs on Optus?
Yes Virgin is run in AU by Optus and uses their network. I can't say with certainty that the lock is the same however.
OK. Thanks. Maybe buy from Optus then.
Virgin are 100% OWNED by Optus.
Branson sold off the brand about 4 years ago.
In order screen size:
Huawei Sonic $188 (Woolworths, DSE)
http://dicksmith.com.au/product/E7421/huawei-sonic-android-v…
LG Optimus One P500 from eBay ($129) free shipping
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/170666752933?hlp=false
LG Optimus ME from DSE ($138) free shipping
http://dicksmith.com.au/product/E6849/lg-optimus-me-p350-and…
Thank you. I will have a look at them shortly.
I take it all these phones would allow my girl-friend to browse the web and have a decent calendar (or there are decent calendar apps for them), right?
Yes, they all use Google Calendar. Its fairly manageable, but there are always about a hundred other alternatives floating around on the market if you don't like the stock calendar app.
My favourite is Business Calendar. Not a free app though, but well worth the few bucks IMO.
For other free app recommendations, you can look in this forum thread.
Thank you.
Are the Samsung Monte or the Huawei Ideo any good? Normally Samsung products are pretty good, right?
Samsung Monte
Not a smartphone, also is a very old model (2010)
Have a look at the Samsung Galaxy range if you're interested in Samsung brands.
Huawei Ideos
Better alternatives nowadays. Also outdated and replaced by the Huawei X1 now. Don't recommend it though, because of poor battery life and tiny screen.
OK. Just asking as the Optimus ME has received quite mixed reviews on DSE.
I am not even sure of the difference of a smart phone and a non-smart phone.
Basically what my girl-friend requires is a phone which lets her browse the net and has a good calendar to keep her appointments. Camera, Musicplayer etc. is not really important. I assumed to be able to download apps and browse the net decently a smart phone is required. Please correct me if I am wrong.
The definition is quite vague. It is mostly based around the platform.
- iOS: This is what iPhones run. It is fine, but probably out of budget (unless old second hand, but not worth it).
- Symbian (and derivatives): This is Nokia's (old) system which has also been used by other cheap(er) manufacturers. The later versions probably count as 'smart' phones, but are a bit rubbish and it is a dead system, so avoid it.
- Windows: This is a mixed bag. Some versions are quite old and rubbish. Even the newer versions have not been well received. If you are unsure avoid this one, as reasonable options generally are not cheaper than Andriod.
- Andriod: What you should get.
- Others: There are many others (ie: linux on some nokias) but I wouldn't both with them.
In short: Get an andriod phone, it will be fine.
There's also Samsung's Bada Operating System. Their Wave handset (probably discontinued now) used the same internal hardware as their Galaxy S handset that ruled the roost for the majority of 2010.
As far as I'm concerned, a Smartphone is a phone where you can install new applications that expand the capability of the handset from that supplied by the manufacturer.
Your list Bruce sums up the different systems available pretty nicely. Windows Phone 7 based handsets are dropping in price quickly and with Nokia about to bring WinPho7 handsets, it's certainly not a system that's about to die.
I would recommend a WinPho7 or Android…
If you can stretch the budget to a Windows Handset, go with that. The advantage is a more closed system than Android, so you'll have a more iPhone-like experience. The Android experience can be a bit hit and miss, especially if you're not prepared to tinker (I'm very much an Android person myself, but I completely understand that many are not willing or able to tinker).
Isn't Bada a symbian derivative?
I agree that Windows Phone isn't about to die, but Windows Phone 7 may well be, given poor market reception and MSs general 'we'll fix it in 8' attitude.
Bada is not Symbian as far as I'm aware, it's a Linux based system developed in-house by Samsung.
ANd I think Nokia will inject life into WinPhone7. Too many people "only buy Nokia"
a nokia running linux? do want!
They've been doing this for a while, the N900 being the latest, but if you want one you'll have to be quick as the new versions run MS Win7 (and there will not be any more linux phones).
Thanks guys.
I am not a fan of Apple products or their policies of having closed systems so Android is far better to buy for my girl-friend. In fact, anything that is close to an Iphone I would not buy.
I found the Samsung Galaxy Gio for 134 dollars and it looks pretty good. Any experience with that phone?
You can see a video review here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjCgOwKqF3I
For $134 that is a fairly good deal.
Does anyone have any views on the Samsung Galaxy 5? It is locked to telstra (not a problem) for $99 at Harvey Norman and I am thinking of getting that for the hubs.
Pros
Capacitive touchscreen
Loses minimal capabilities of more expensive devices
Swype text input
Cons
Glossy finish
Low resolution display (240x320)
Poor camera
Methinks you're better off spending a bit more and getting an LG Optimus P500, for the 320 x 480 screen resolution over the lousy QVGA that the Galaxy 5 has. The higher resolution allows for better web browsing and lets you see more data on screen (meaning that apps will generally look better).
The Huawei Ideos U8150 is $59.99 at Aldi (cheapest android available by far). I've installed Cyanogenmod and overclocked it. Pretty good for a basic android. They still had stock at Aldi Carindale when I had a look last night. Sold out most other places.
Sounds good but I have no idea how to install Cyanogenmod (or what that is for that fact) and how to overclock it. Is it still OK out of the box?
It's pretty easy. Send me a PM if/when you get it.
Most Optus (and Optus Network) locked handsets will be fine if you're using Amaysim.
Virgin has the LG Optimus One for $99, decent handset and CyanogenMod support for software updates..