THL W8 as an alternative to Galaxy S2?

Adz81 on 03/07/2013 - 08:25

Morning All,

I dropped my trusty Galaxy S2 this morning, resulting in a very cracked screen… I was considering getting the S4 when the price came down, but this has pushed me into having to make a purchase a little quicker… I'm not going to fork out huge dollars for the S4 just yet, so I was wondering, rather than buying another S2, would the THL W8 be worthwhile? I've seen that some have bought it here and was wondering if anyone had much to report on it? I plan on running it on the Amaysim (Optus) network, and from what I can see, the band should be fine (Support Network Quad-band SIM1/SIM2/GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900MHz),SIM1/3G(850/2100)) as I understand Optus utilises the 900 & 2100 bands… From what i've seen, I should be able to pick one up for around the $200 mark… Any thoughts folks?

Cheers.

Mobile

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 03/07/2013 - 08:31

    This won't work very well with Optus — it doesn't have 900mhz 3G band.
    If you're getting this phone and you live in the metro area where you can receive 2100mhz, then it's fine — but without 900mhz support you won't be able to access mobile broadband.

    It's a great phone (mine just arrived) and is very good bang for buck however it's only suitable for Telstra / Vodafone et al.

    • ESEMCE on 03/07/2013 - 08:49

      Speaking from experience, I'm using my LG Optimus G (from JB HiFi) on Optus. In the city 3G coverage will be fine, you'll have none in the country but you'll still have 2G coverage for receiving calls.

      • Adz81 on 03/07/2013 - 08:53

        Thanks gents… This pretty much makes the phone unsuitable for me as I work 550km's from the nearest capital city and 350km's from the nearest proper sized town… And I use my phone as a WIFI hotspot. I shall try and find me a cheapish alternative…

        • ESEMCE on 03/07/2013 - 08:55

          And you get good Optus coverage there?
          I'd double check the coverage map.. sounds like you may need to go Telstra anyway, in which case, this handset would be perfect!
          Check Kogan/ALDI coverage maps, if they don't cover your area, then check Boost.

        • Adz81 on 03/07/2013 - 09:01

          I get full coverage here (at work), no issues at all… Data speeds vary, but usable for browsing (need to dial back on the resolution for viewing youtube, but it's not terrible)… Under the phone status in my settings, it comes up as Network: Yes Optus. Network Type: HSDPA:9.

          Not keen on Kogan, I trialled them up here and it actually seemed slower than my current Amaysim speeds, and they can insert their 400mb daily limit… Looked at Boost, but like the extra 1gb of data on the Amaysim unlimited (also, no data charge for social media is a win for me)… Might try out an Aldi then…

        • ESEMCE on 03/07/2013 - 09:05

          ALDI will be similar to Kogan.. they're both reselling the same service.

          Check Gumtree for secondhand S2's, they're around the $200 mark now.

  • Adz81 on 03/07/2013 - 08:34

    So the bit where they say it supports 900mhz is a bit of a fib? Bugger.

    • ESEMCE on 03/07/2013 - 08:50
      +1

      The 900MHz they mention is 2G only.

  • Adz81 on 03/07/2013 - 08:37

    Scratch that. Just read on the website that it doesn't… Dang…. Alright then… Suggestions of an alternative anyone?

    • scrimshaw on 03/07/2013 - 08:40

      Edited — Jiayu g4 has no 900mhz, my mistake. Merimobiles spec is wrong.

  • Adz81 on 03/07/2013 - 08:48

    Bugger, I was just about to tip my hat to you… it looked kind of cool.

  • shaybisc on 03/07/2013 - 09:47

    I have a THL W100- I'm in the bush- and it has an Optus network (Dodo) sim card in at the moment, therefore only 2G but it's usable for internet though slow of course- bit faster than dialup. Doesn't bother me but it's only a 30 day deal and I'll get a Telstra network sim card when it expires, not that it will make much difference to me.

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