Recommendations for sub $150 phone that can be used on Telstra's network?

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  slow on 09/01/2013 - 19:09

  +1

  I bought one of these a while back and been very happy with it. I have since recommended it to others who have been similarly happy. One of the main features is that it has a big screen compared to most others in the range, and it ruins every app that I have thrown at it quite happily. Cost $8 to unlock via ebay

  http://shop.vodafone.com.au/mobile-details/buy-huawei-g300?p…

  • 

    scrimshaw on 09/01/2013 - 21:57

    it ruins every app that I have thrown at it quite happily.

    Ruins apps?

    Doesn't have a front camera, but if its essential the bigger brother of this phone is the Ascend G330.

  • 

    h4lcyon on 11/01/2013 - 09:30

    I looked at the reviews and ended up buying the g300 from dick smith for $129. Last night I rooted it, and upgraded to ICS.

    Decided to install the Cyanogen ICS ROM because it's has less vodaphone junk.

    The phone is smooth and responsive, the screen is a nice size and the .3 of an inch (over my desire s) is quite noticeable.

    I think the recipient will be very happy, thanks slow :)

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  MddMdd on 09/01/2013 - 21:20

  $29 one at Coles. It's Telstra network so no cost to unlock. not too bad.

  • 

    Candour on 10/01/2013 - 21:59

    why no cost to unlock?
    is this still at coles in sydney?
    3G?happy to buy if unlock is free.

    • 

      h4lcyon on 11/01/2013 - 09:26

      I believe he means there is no cost to unlock if you want to use it on the Telstra network, as opposed to the Vodaphone G300 which costs $8 to use on the Telstra network.

      • 

        Candour on 11/01/2013 - 09:30

        i thought unlocking meant that you could use it on all networks. so was confused

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  h4lcyon on 09/01/2013 - 21:58

  Thanks guys, the g300 looks good!

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  bdl on 09/01/2013 - 23:17

  long shot, but otherwise futureproof yourself and go 4G :) http://www.pcworld.idg.com.au/review/mobile_phones/telstra/f…

  • 

    h4lcyon on 10/01/2013 - 10:18

    Thanks, although it's a little too pricey.

    I'm actually giving this to someone in NZ to use on the Telecom XT network (same frequencies as NextG).

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  h4lcyon on 14/01/2013 - 10:35

  I thought I'd update this post, turns out after following the instructions on http://huaweig300.com/ to root, and upgrade to ICS I disabled the frequencies needed to operate the phone on Vodaphone AU, Telstra Next G or Telecom XT all which are the 850Mhz band.

  The fix included flashing with an international version of the ICS rom c00b952, wiping the imei to get to the factory settings, changing the preferred band frequency, then restoring the imei. Using the instructions detailed in this thread.

  Suffice to say, unless you want to spend a day or so unlocking and upgrading this phone to ICS it's probably best to leave it on GB and waiting for Vodaphone to release an update.

  The upside is the phone is so much more responsive in ICS!