• expired

Huawei U8300 $49 Boost Droid at Dick Smith

510

This is a Huawei U8300. It's a qwerty and touch mobile. I believe it's okay for less than $50. This is my first contribution.

Related Stores

Dick Smith / Kogan
Dick Smith / Kogan
Marketplace

closed Comments

  • +1

    Almost half the price of the deal posted about this phone last month so great deal. http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/46750 The link has some great comments as to the quality and uses of the phone.

  • Any news on unlocking this? Would like to use it with Telstra.

  • Flip phone lol :D

    Awesome. I wish there was a an android flip phone with touch screen, Hi res screen + camera with slimmer form factor.

    |_| wishes :(

    • +2

      This is exactly what you want, AQUOS PHONE THE HYBRID 007SH from Sharp.

      • With all these touchscreens nowadays, I'd like to contribute to a push for more clam-shell touchscreen phones to prevent screen surface damage.

        That Aquos phone looks beautiful!

  • this sets a new low standard for androids

    must be the cheapest ever

    since it seems to work on optus and the networks under them it seems like a good deal

    • Have it on a TPG sim. I bought one earlier. Yes, an excellent unit but strains a bit if streaming the likes of Slingbox.

  • New standard Optus/Boost Pricing for this phone… It's not just limited to Dick Smith… Should be this price ANYWHERE this phone is sold…

  • I like the look of this phone.. Dunno bout the speed/features tho

  • +3

    I bought one for the cook last month. Its good enough for her as she does not really want any features except a little bit of web. She complains about battery life though, but she talks on the phone way too much.

    I couldnt use it myself, but for $50 awesome deal for a kid or a spare phone.

    • +11

      The cook ROFL

    • +3

      Did you get one for your butler too?

  • +1

    Here some detailed spec:

    • Qualcomm MSM7225 @ 528 MHz (ARMv6, slow)
    • 256MB memory
    • 320x240 QVGA display
    • No GPS so use of Google Maps would be quite limited

    Looks like it could run Froyo?

    • GPS is there according to GSMArena.
      http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_u8300-3162.php

      I reckon it should be there.. coz. it is built into Qualcomm MSM7225.

      No official support for Android 2.2 is a bummer. Was thinking about getting it and use it as a wifi hotspot. Anyone knows any Wifi Tether app. that supports WPA2-PSK (for Android 2.1)?

    • RESISTIVE DISPLAY.

      Yes it can run 2.3 (with various things not working).

    • Word. Has A-GPS does Google Maps with Navigation (with voice).

  • not a bad deal for $50

    there are custom roms for 2.2 and 2.3, however both fairly unstable (2.3 more so)

    • Yeh it'd make a great WiFi device for the home network if there was an official 2.3 release for this phone.

  • Awesome value. How is the standby battery life on this phone? Hopefully it can last more than 2 days with wifi and data connection off.

  • +1

    Anyone know the unlocking fee for Boost Mobile?
    Phone looks nice for 50 dollars.

    • DONT WORRY… FOUND IT

      Network Locking: Boost Mobile handsets are locked to the Optus Network. An $80 fee applies if network locking is removed within the first six months of activation. Alternatively, if you have recharged to the value of $80 no fee applies

      Its pretty expensive for unlocking though… Voda does it for 30-50 … then again its VODAFONE.

      Not sure abot comparing to Telstra network unlock.

      Hey can anyone help me find a different 365 expiry prepaid plan … right now i'm using the VODAFONE one, but since everyone kinda hates them right now, i kinda want to change networks…

      • +1

        mate depends on what you need a mobile network to do.
        considering you're on the 365 day prepaid plan, I gather all you need the network to do is make calls and send txts. In this case Voda is fine, the people who are whining are those that use 3G.
        I'm also on Voda using the 365 day plan, and found them just fine, no drop outs, reception is fine (GPRS), and texts are sent and received in reasonable time. Although costs are kinda creeping up, and that's the only reason I am considering switching to another network. Haven't looked yet though cause I'm also thinking about holding out until November and get a iPhone 5 or Galaxy 2 on a plan, it's not that far away.

  • Wow that's awesome! Would make a good spare phone especially for Optus/Virgin/etc

  • this will work with TPG SIM cards?

    • Yes.

  • -1

    this phone looks interesting, but.. how is it compared to iphone 4? is the scrolling speed smooth or lags? and does it unit freeze up alot? running games no problem? and battery life? if its a a android, it needs to pass a certain level, before people would consider it.

    • +3

      You can't compare this phone with iphone 4, it have a different class and you can see it by the price too, not mention it also running on a different platform.

    • +5

      mate, it's $600 different to an iPhone. no comparison… even though it can do a lot of what an iPhone can do, just less elegantly.

    • The phone cannot even beat iPhone 3G (and that's 3G, not even 3GS), let alone iPhone 4.

      But, for $49, it is hard to beat. Pity it does not have Android 2.2, otherwise, get this one instead of the Optus prepaid wifi. I guess you can still get some wireless tethering software for Android 2.1.

      • +2

        Yes, it even have tethering software pre-installed :)

        • +1

          It also has pirated software pre-installed. :)

          A night city_Live Wallpaper_Cracked by Irishink.apk

  • +3

    $50 buys you ALOT of phone these days!

  • Just bought one at Tandy Leichhardt and it was the last one.
    Wanted black but only got white.
    Seems like it is not available in most stores, had to ring around to track it down.

  • +1

    I've got about $100 to spend, which is the better phone out of this one or this: http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/49504

    • simple, do you want a keyboard or not ?
      the touchscreen on the SE is better.
      but nothing beats a physical keyboard if thats your flavour

  • +1

    TRue, but lets hope its not UNusable like the other cheap chinese phones on the market… It will break within a month, or from anger lol.

  • Tempted to get one. Lucky (well or unlucky) that I have lots of bills to pay this week so cannot afford to spend another $49.

  • anyone have an online source for this?

  • Just got the last one from Adelaide Central Arcade Tandy

    it looks like a really solid little device, mostly stock Android 2.1 is a bonus, has wifi hotspot app if you dont want to upgrade to experimental froyo for inbuilt wifi sharing.

    playing the FM radio on it right now at work :)

    • VIC: I doubt there's more than a dozen units left. Best bet is Northland/northern suburbs, Southland had 1-2 earlier today.

      I got the last one from Dick Smith Chadstone (outer).

      This item is CLEARANCE - all to be sold by 1st August 2011 according to the sticker tags.

      Does anyone stock that would price match?

      • optus stores are selling it at the same price. just ask them to order it in for you

  • +2

    What an awkward looking phone! It looks great though and I imagine at this price its a top bargain!

    • +1

      Yeah tell me about it, especially with the resistive touch screen!

      Well it is only $10 more than the Vodafone wifi hotspot, and it does the same thing.. and is also a smartphone. xD

  • Might be ok for $49 but a very frustrating phone to use

  • just got one from Broadmeadows, works great, comes with a 1GB micro SD card, plus a useful USB wall power plug thingie

  • +1

    I bought one today

    1. 11n wifi
    2. GPS working
    3. CPU MSM7225 600MHz. No 3D hardware
    4. Can be Z4rooted
    5. Can do wifi tethering with a customised wifi tethering for root users ver.2
    6. Resistive screen. feels like Telstra I-touch
    7. 1GB SD card and usb card reader included
    8. Can be unlocked by DC-unlocker for 10 euro
    9. Built-in UI and input languages are Eng Aus, Eng US and ch-cn
  • that makes the phone to $65.

    • It can be unlocked by remote unlock code for around AUD$4 if you can read this link

      http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=12365635270

      So 49+4=53

      • It can be unlocked for free if you wait 6 months.

        • You need:

          1. activate the sim that comes with the phone
          2. then wait for 6 months.

          Because Optus states you have to keep connected with them for 6 months

        • Does anyone know if you activate the SIM and buy the six month expiry prepaid, then do you have to ring before your credit has expired. I.e. on the day of the 6 months?

        • I was under the impression that you only need to wait 6 months after activating, not keep connected/active. the box says:
          "Handsets are locked to the Optus Network. An $80 fee applies if network locking is removed within the first six months from activation, if you have recharged to the value of $80 no fee applies"

  • I think the biggest problem is the inability to fully upgrade Android to 2.2 or 2.3
    Stuck with 2.1

    • You can.. but it's not pretty!

  • would a virgin sim work in this phone?

    • +1

      Yes, you can. If that doesn't work. I can provide remote unlock code for $8

  • Was looking at this, can someone confirm it does WPA2 for tethering?

    All I could find about it points to WEP only.

    • On the phone I can only find how to enable "Wireless Encryption" and Windows (laptop client) says that it's wep. I can't find different encryption/security methods on the phone.

    • +1

      Also found a free unlock site here:
      http://www.huaweimodemunlock.com/unlock-huawei-u8300/

      Anyone want to give it a try?

      • did not work mine

        • Just tried myself, didn't work for me either…

        • That code is for Huawei USB modems

      • It didn't work for me

        • that free unlock is for Huawei modems.

          Please note if you input 5 times, it will lock you phone. Then you need a special code to unlock. That is more expensive.

          When put a foreign SIM in, please check whether it displays
          'SIM network unlock PIN'
          'simlock block unlock reset key'

          I can provide unlock code for $8. Just whim me on whirlpool

          http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/user/94979

  • Has anyone bought one of these instore from optus for $49?

    I've found these two links on the optus online store:

    Dark grey - checks out as $98
    http://personal.optus.com.au/web/ocaportal.portal?_nfpb=true…

    White - 'out of stock' with no buy option
    http://www.optus.com.au/store/phone/boost_huawei_u8300_white

    will probably give them a call and see if i can get one sorted out for $49

  • +1

    I just got the phone today and I put in my virgin sim card and it says emergency calls only? How do I fix this?

    • Probably means you need to unlock the phone.

    • Try the usual stuff like resetting etc. If you don't have luck, talk to the retailer.

      The phone is locked to the Optus network (like Virgin uses) and the network lock shouldn't prevent it from working with your Virgin sim, though you might try the Boost sim and see how you go.

    • Said the same with my Liveconnected Sim when I first turned it on. But I continued with the initial setup and it works fine.

    • Just checked, when you put a sim that's not allowed, it shows a modal dialog asking for the unlock code, and you can enter a code and press unlock, or you can press dismiss only.

  • i've had one of these for about 6 months now.. pretty nifty little device, lot cheaper then i paid! the touch screen and keyboard work well, maybe a little lag in the text input at times. as far as the phone goes i have dropped it a hundred times and it is still fine. just don't install any apps other then what you basically need and have a task killer or it will go flat quickly.

    should be locked to optus as it's through boost in australia.

    • question about the battery life, just got this phone this week & I turned off wifi and my battery drained very quickly. In 20 mins I was down to 85%. Another question, I'm currently on prepaid (moving to TPG cap next week) - I had $13 of credit and by the next day I only had $9. Can you advise what I should turn off to avoid it eating up my credit and battery.

      • Turn of the GPS and other auto download data settings in the "Settings" menu

  • Standby time is likeeee 4 days from my testing.

    • Android System usage seemed a little high, but I recall a 2.1 bug had this issue.

  • +2

    Latest Optus boost Latest Boost firmware U8300 V100R001AUSC34B271(Austrilia optus) Jan 2011

    http://www.huaweidevice.com/worldwide/downloadCenter.do?meth…

  • +1

    http://personal.optus.com.au/web/ocaportal.portal?_nfpb=true…

    This link should work. Displays $98.10 but after you click buy, it's $49 in the shopping cart.

  • -1

    custom firmware.. only in beta but still..

    http://pockethacks.com/huawei-u8300-android-2-3-2-gingerbrea…

    • That page just stole the info from XDA Developers.

      http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1091159

      Current known issues:
      - Screen calibration messed up… it's all traslated 3/4 mm up (need help here)
      - Usb can't mount sd card, when selected it report raw file system but at least the size of the sd is correct
      - gps very slow to acquire signal
      - microphone not working
      - onscreen keyboard is cutting off some portions of the screen (minor problem since u can deactivate it)
      - incoming call only appear in portrait, this is not a bug, It's because there is not a xml for the landscape mode (working on it)

      Unless you are able to help them work on it, it not ready for day to day use.

  • I can unlock this phone on the spot for $10, you guys need to bring it to my house in Springvale though since posting it gonna cost you money hence wipe out any saving :)

    or you can buy this from me for $59, I get stock from Boost, unlock and post it to you. I have both White and Black. This way you don't have to go and look for one to buy. Postage will be $6 Aus Wide.

    pls contact via http://www.ozbargain.com.au/user/24969/contact

  • I can provide remote unlock code for $8, you guys just need contact me at whirlpool.net.au

    http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/user/94979

    When putting a foreign SIM in, please check whether it displays
    'SIM network unlock PIN' $8
    'simlock block unlock reset key' $15

    Or $9.5 from ebay
    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/NETWORK-UNLOCK-Code-Huawei-U8300-…

Login or Join to leave a comment