Vodafone Huawei G300

• 

  auna on 08/09/2012 - 04:39

  GPU is utter garbage. 512MB RAM is not for ICS. Screen doesn't appear to be Gorilla Glass.

  In some ways it appears to be worse than the Acer Liquid Metal that was $128.

  • 

    scrimshaw on 09/09/2012 - 14:54

    The liquid metal has a massive downside though, and that's its extremely limited internal memory.

    Hardware wise is great, but what use is good hardware when you can't install more than 10 apps on it?

  • 

    taraganache on 11/09/2012 - 16:30

    You're talking out of your elbows.

    While 512 MB might not be optimal for ICS indeed, GPU runs just about any non-Tegra game perfectly (G300 behaves way better than Galaxy S+ and other more expensive handsets).

    And the screen IS Gorilla Glass, additionally to that being mentioned in the package, I found out the hard way. After some quite careless handling and cruel conditions (high temperatures, sand, humidity etc.) it still behaves perfectly and looks as new.

    And the bundled Huawei software layer is actually pretty good and adds ergonomics to the standard Android shell.

    The only major downsides it truly has are:

    • the low ringer volume (solved via a ROM, but annoying nevertheless)

    • some WiFi oddities (sometimes it connects to my home router, but cannot access the internet through it, sometimes it just hangs while obtaining IP address - all this while netbook and other WiFI devices connect fine and are given internet juice); also, you might sometimes turn around and find the WiFi signal strength gets strangely low.

    • the touch screen is a bit stubborn; not in the sense it lags or doesn't work, but rather, you need your finger to have firmer contact with it than with other, more expensive handsets; otherwise you quickly get used to it, but it's a bit of a put-off at first.

    • audio quality is medium-low and does not improve much by using headphones; not the kind of smartphone to use as a music player often.

    • still camera takes a couple of seconds to focus and is susceptible to every single move, including moving subjects; I suspect it just won't use a very short exposure time (it's around 1/15 - 1/30, which isn't enough to freeze most movement)

    • movies aren't HD, they only look good on its own screen

    • awkward power button placement (top side) vs Samsung phones (side, middle-upper section)

    • only soft keys, a bit laggy too sometimes and easy to press by mistake in landscape mode

    On the plus side:

    • fast and responsive, feature packed phone, dirt cheap

    • still picture quality is actually better than more expensive cameras (when stuff in the frame is static enough to capture it without motion blur)

    • very fast in games, better than more expensive phones; 3D is actually pretty strong in this one

    • Extremely fast and accurate GPS receiver; takes a blink to find position; G300 is highly recommended for GPS navigation

    • you can expand its internal memory (storage) from 2GB (that's how much of the 4GB is actually available) to 64GB via SDHC; card placement requires back cover to be taken off, but not battery as well

    • Corning Gorilla Glass (tested, just as good as expensive devices

    • pretty solid build; it's well put together; gives user more confidence than an Galaxy S2

    • fits nicely in most hands, be them large or small, comfortable rubberized grip on corners

    • quite a looker for its price range

    • while not a battery life champion, it's actually somewhere in the middle, with good juice time for its price range

• 

  taraganache on 11/09/2012 - 16:36

  @OBNewbie - The phone requires a factory unlock code to get it working in any mobile network, which can be purchased from Huawei&friends :) or even given away by a generous Vodafone employee. You don't need to network unlock it in order to upgrade to ICS, just root. But firmware upgrade won't break the network lock, that's for sure. Just codes you can purchase separately (I found some for around nine or ten Euros).

  So:

  A. Root it.
  B. Yes, need unlock service.
  C. Google Nexus S, for no such hassles and free upgrade/downgrade to whatever Android version you want.

• 

  [Deactivated] on 14/09/2012 - 15:53

  Or get it here for $140 (but must buy $29 recharge at same time):
  http://www.allphones.com.au/prepaid/vodafone/huawei-g300.asp

  This Armenian dude will unlock it for about $7.70:
  http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/251134407533

  The world is a wonderful place.

• 

  zelda707 on 16/09/2012 - 09:50

  how much is it to get it unlocked from vodafone?

  btw the interface looks horrible but you can always install a 3rd party launcher

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 16/09/2012 - 13:36

    $100, but $75 if you do it online ($25 discount).

    The Armenian gives you all the numbers - not just the network unlock pin code.

    [START]

    Dear [user],

    Your unlock code for your mobile phone IMEI : [#0] has successfully been calculated.

    Unlock code : [#1], [#2], [#3], [#4].

    The FIRST code is the NETWORK UNLOCK PIN Code (this is the code that 99% of Huawei phones ask).

    The LAST code is the Simblock/RESET code in case if your phone counter is BLOCKED and its asking to Reset.

    SECOND and THIRD codes are needed for some phones only which ask for Service Provider Code (ex. U8510 Tesco phones).

    UNLOCKING INSTRUCTION:

    1. Insert an unauthorized Sim Card and turn ON your phone
    2. Phone will ask "SIM Network Unlock PIN"
    3. Enter Unlock Code and confirm

    NOTE!

    If the phone ask for another Unlock code, like Reset/UNblock or Service provider Code, use other codes or let me know pls if you didnt get them.

    [END]

    • 

      zelda707 on 16/09/2012 - 16:53

      so it definitely works? $75 to get a phone unlocked is way to much..

      • 

        MtlOz on 17/09/2012 - 10:44

        +1

        I think FreckleNuts is referring to what the Armenian dude is giving for ~$7.70, really nice to have all those codes!

      • 

        [Deactivated] on 17/09/2012 - 13:59

        +1

        Well it worked for me - ie using the ~$7.70 eBay Armenian dude.

        The edited email above is what i got which spells out what you'll probably get if you go with them.

      • 

        zelda707 on 17/09/2012 - 16:55

        thanks!

      • 

        [Deactivated] on 17/09/2012 - 17:48

        BTW, i find it hilarious that i can go onto eBay, determine from this guys rating that it will probably work, buy it, wait 12-24 hours, get the code & punch it in.

        Despite the high eBay rating & vote count, no one was more surprised than me when it worked! He claims it's straight from Huawei's database!

        Circumventing Vodafone & their locking policy has never been easier…

      • 

        Lucky Ivan on 20/09/2012 - 18:25

        Great info. Taraganache, tx for review. Just what I wanted.

        Don't know what to do with a Vodafone recharge, but that deal is more bang for your buck.

        Tx everyone,.

        Ivan

• 

  [Deactivated] on 20/09/2012 - 00:38

  Holy smoke.

  They're selling this for squat in UK.

  Can't see how i can work it though…