Hey guys. As per the title, looking for a budget 5G device to use as my internet connection for a while. I am currently 500m from a Vodafone 5G tower and I want to make the most of it. I am not fussed if it is used or new. An Android handset is fine, I can do either Wi-Fi or USB tethering to the router I have at the moment. Any ideas? Was hoping to spend as little as $200 if possible.
Cheapest 5G Phone / Modem?
stephendt on 03/02/2022 - 18:57
Comments
Those are fake IIRC. Says 5G but it's actually 4G
what data plan are you on?
Looks like a good plan, they only let you use 30GB/Month for hotspot though, is 30GB/Month enough for your average use? Keep in mind that something like Netflix uses 3GB per hour
They have no way to detect hotspot usage unless you use an iPhone, so yeah not something I'm worried about.
I bought a Moto Edge 5G phone for $197 from Officeworks a month ago or so on clearance so no idea if any of your local store/s would have stock being clearance, but works great as a little wifi "router" for my apartment paired with a good extender.
Try Poco or Xiaomi Redmi Note
Both are pretty good and one of the cheapest 5G phones, (Vodafone wont give u telstra 5G level speed anyway, so dont be expecting 1000Mbps or anything crazzy close to that, expect 400Mbps at max average being 180 ish Mbps).But honestly If you are that close to tower and really only stay home, (or only wanna take advantage of 5G at home) then why not get their 5G Home internet? So much cheaper than 5G mobile broadband, (unless you talking prepaid) and even cheaper than NBN.
This plan is cheaper
https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/674052
Plus, they don't want to give me 5G home internet at my address for some reason.
I am on this deal https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/667956
Its ridiculously cheap $42.5 for max Vodafone 5G network capable speed.
(First month was free)I think they might have discontinued the half pricing on 5G home internet plans.
I heard long time ago (after this deal ended that they were still offering this deal BUT IN-STORE ONLY)But ofcourse they aren't offering it anymore then, no deal, can try TPG 5G home internet. (its on same Vodafone network)
They won't let me use this unfortunately. Says it's not available despite the tower being right there.
@stephendt: I have heard at Ozbargain from some people that TPG was able to offer people 5G home internet on Vodafone network (at time when Vodafone refuses to honor them 5G home internet despite 5G tower being there)
Was about to pull the trigger on a refurb Iphone 8 through amazon for $308 but then saw this thread. Is the Samsung A22 a better phone that the Iphone8? Im already with Optus so that wouldnt be an issue, however as I already have an ipad thought all my info is kept under one account.
Thoughts anyone please? Thanks
iPhone 8 is a 3 year old phone by now. If you don't need 5G, look at the Poco X3 Pro or Poco F3.
You do realise you can only use 30Gb per month don't you?
They have no way to detect hotspot usage unless you use an iPhone, so yeah not something I'm worried about.
Ended up getting a Xiaomi Redmi Note 9T 5G from Mobiciti for $285 delivered, does the job nicely.
can you get around the 30 Gb limit?
I don't see any data usage recorded
thats good then, its just that your phone plan says after 30Gb of hotspot use the speed will be capped at 2Mbps which is super slow, maybe it doesn't track right and you are lucky, i noticed another user put there sim card in an actual 5G modem and they said that the usage didn't count as hotspot usage, so that is good
i got same one (from banggod though, Its pretty good as a phone, However too much bloody MIUI tracking aka chinese data collection, If you dont believe me, then install Blockada and see how many trackers track your phone).
Yeah I fully debloated it and run Adaway. Wouldn't use it otherwise
You can get ~$100 Chinese ones on eBay, but no idea how good they are. Optus are currently selling a locked Samsung A22 5G for $250.