Suggestions of Cheap 4G-Compatible Phones

meong on 06/11/2024 - 09:55
Last edited 06/11/2024 - 10:26 by 1 other user

Hi all, my parent in laws from overseas are coming here to visit next month.

But I'm concerned that they won't be able to connect:

They will be bringing their own phones but want to use local SIMs.

They are now using iPhone XR and Samsung A20. I read in the article above that iPhone 11 also got the ban so I'm thinking likely they won't be able to register their phone on the network in Australia.

What is your recommendation of good Android/iOS phones that can meet the minimum of "able to make emergency calls using 4G" but can also do Whatsapp communications?

Travel Mobile Phone

Comments

  • bobokingdom on 06/11/2024 - 10:12

    For the cheapest phone, either Nokia candy bar type phone OR Telco Branded phones. Depending on their needs, these may be good choices for them.

  • pegaxs on 06/11/2024 - 10:28
    +1

    Depends on your budget…

    Get on Fartbook Sharketplace/Scamtree and pick up some used newer iPhones or Google Pixels. Seen base iPhone 12~13 and Pixel 6 and 6 Pro for around the $200 to $300 mark.

    Or there was a deal on the Motorola G54 last week that was around $200 via BigW is that deal is still going? JB HiFi have some garbage spec 4G phones for under $200 (Opel??) that might be ok as burner type phones.

  • sumyungguy on 06/11/2024 - 10:29

    Can't vouch for the A20 but the iPhone XR will work fine

    • meong on 06/11/2024 - 10:31

      really? i thought XR is older than 11? in the article it was mentioned that the 11 is also banned.

      • scrimshaw on 06/11/2024 - 10:34

        I have a Samsung A20 (local bought) and A30s (international model dual sim) Both are old Samsung devices and they still work on Boost.

        Samsung and iPhone users have much less to worry about, it's the folks with other brands like Xiaomi, OnePlus, Sony Xperia, Huawei that have more headaches. With the exception of OnePlus (Nothing Phone) and Xiaomi, Sony and Huawei have already exited the Australian market. These 2 latter brands will probably never see a whitelist on Aussie networks…

        • meong on 06/11/2024 - 10:47

          yeah its hard to tell if its gonna work as their phones were bought overseas and will likely have different firmware or even variants completely

      • sumyungguy on 06/11/2024 - 10:42
        +2

        I believe there are 4 iPhone XR models: A1984 (US/Canada), A2105 (global), A2106 (Japan), A2108 (China/HK). A2105 & A2106 will be ok as they support FDE-LTE band 28. This is merely my understanding as a consumer/user, I'm not a tech.

      • Jono05 on 06/11/2024 - 12:59
        +1

        iPhone 8, X and XR all still work.

      • mapax on 06/11/2024 - 13:31

        iPhone 6 and first gen SE are still working.

      • jv on 06/11/2024 - 13:48

        it was mentioned that the 11 is also banned.

        only US models of the 11.

        All other iphones work fine

        • meong on 06/11/2024 - 17:32

          Ahh that makes sense.

  • scrimshaw on 06/11/2024 - 10:30

    Voda sells a cheap Nokia for $39 and it includes $35 SIM. The phone however is (or was) very cheap and was being cleared off at $15 with free shipping

    They will be bringing their own phones but want to use local SIMs.
    Suggest good Android/iOS phones

    It will be a waste of money replacing their phones, because Telcos and MVNO's are implementing the mobile blocks individually I would suggest simply trying out different SIM cards until you find a provider that won't block their devices.

    According to Whistleout:

    Vodafone is the only telco currently making use of a clause in the new legislation that allows foreign travellers with a non-compliant phone to keep using Australian mobile networks. The exception allows visitors to use their phone for up to 90 days provided the telco informs the user they won't be able to make emergency calls.

    This is because Vodafone is using IMEI-based blocking to prevent non-compliant devices from accessing its network. An IMEI is a unique number associated with an individual phone. No two phones share the same IMEI. Instead of blocking every iPhone 11 from the United States, for example, Vodafone is only blocking individual models it has detected.

    . In the short term though, travellers visiting Australia may need to turn to a Vodafone SIM.

    • meong on 06/11/2024 - 10:33

      very interesting and helpful advice!

      i suppose we can just vodafone as they will only be staying for about a month.

    • bobokingdom on 06/11/2024 - 10:54
      -1

      I think it means ROAMING on Vodafone will be allowed but getting a local SIM will not work.

  • shxhshzhz on 06/11/2024 - 13:42
    +1

    Moto G04 is good enough for Whatsapp and other basic use.
    $120 from Mobileciti using TPD5

  • TilacVIP on 07/11/2024 - 08:53

    How TF does a iPhone 11 not work? We have a iPhone 6 plus and it is working fine

    • skillet on 07/11/2024 - 09:40

      The article says she bought iPhone 11 from Apple store but they didnt say which country. Perhaps it's the USA model which has a different radio chip from many countries.

      One of my family members has an iPhone 11 and it works perfectly and it is also with Boost which is exactly the same as the woman in the abcnews article.

  • Mugsy on 07/11/2024 - 09:18

    OP, will they be making local calls and will they be away from each other much?

    If they will be together the whole time, and whatsapp is their main avenue for communication, consider getting one phone/sim service and use that as a hotspot.

    When my parents are abroad (which is ever second month), they just get one local sim/travel esim and hotspot from that phone when they need internet access on their other phones.

    • meong on 07/11/2024 - 22:51

      You made a valid point. But we don't have a portable hotspot device for them.

      I think we might just go down the Vodafone path.

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