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4G Huawei Ascend Y550 $99 Vodafone. Starts Wednesday 12/11/14 TBC

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4G Huawei Ascend Y550 $99 Vodafone. Starts Wednesday 12/11/14 TBC
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babiguling on 10/11/2014 - 16:45 news.com.au (846 clicks)

Was reading this news just now. Mod please to move this to forum if it's not considered a deal.

Suitable for for those on VERY tight budget, or thinking to enter Android O/S phone market, giving as a gift.

Full spec here:
http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_ascend_y550-6676.php

Summary
OS Android OS, v4.4.2 (KitKat)
Chipset Qualcomm MSM8916 Snapdragon 410
CPU Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A53
GPU Adreno 306
Card slot microSD, up to 32 GB
Internal 4 GB, 1 GB RAM
Size 480 x 854 pixels, 4.5 inches (~218 ppi pixel density)

Am currently still using Samsung Galaxy S2, this phone is still better than mine, other than the internal memory and screen resolution.

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Referrer & referee receive $25-$50 credit after referee's 3rd monthly bill.

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closed Comments

  • IJustKnowStuff on 10/11/2014 - 16:49

    pretty good budget phone IMO. I'm guessing this is Vodaphone locked though….not sure if that's easy to get around though.

  • happychild100 on 10/11/2014 - 16:58

    I wonder if it will actually 'sell like hotcakes', like they are predicting.

  • darmz on 10/11/2014 - 16:58
    +1

    CNET gave it a bad review but honestly for the price it's not too bad at all, find another name brand that is 4G, Quad Core, 1GB RAM and has a terrible screen :p

    http://www.cnet.com/au/products/huawei-ascend-y550/

    Hopefully Bagman can do a good unlock deal on these

  • iNeedMoreMoney on 10/11/2014 - 17:10

    Locked = no buy

  • edgar28 on 10/11/2014 - 17:18

    any news from bagman able to unlock this?

  • Merlict on 10/11/2014 - 17:18

    A resounding meh for bad reviews and locked to Vodafail.

  • kronicmacstigator on 10/11/2014 - 18:07
    -1

    GAH, DAMN IT!

    Just bought two HTC One X's and an LG G2… (they are fixers).

    The G2 needs a screen and the seller has gone AWOL, while one of the HTC's got stolen by the roommate (32GB) on the proviso that I sell their old broken Note 2 (which I might repair for another roommate who just sunk his old Samsung in some water).

    I'm on the receiving end of a One X 16GB that has screen issues, a firmware install should fix it…

    Does anyone else have these sort of problems being the tech guy in a house???

    Meanwhile I feel bad for selling two G526's new to my landlord a couple of months ago… I think the Y550 might be the new G526…

    Then I sold a G750-T20 to a friend, he's ecstatic, still more than I wanted to pay, but great value :P

  • camelthief on 10/11/2014 - 18:31
    +2

    I bought a Vodafone G526 for $79/- from Target a few months ago and on trying to unlockwith Vodafone online the system could not find my IMEI, so I emailed Vodafone who kindly put my IMEI on the system for a free unlock. WIN!

    Try unlocking on vodafone.com for free before paying to unlock (Link below).

    https://unlock.vodafone.com.au/voila/handsetunlock/self-serv…

    • rayski57 on 15/11/2014 - 18:34

      Saw someplace that VF will charge to unlock these. Their usual fee is $25 if you do it online or $50 if you do it over the phone. I think there's now also a penalty for doing it within first 6 months just like Optarse used to do.

      Anyone had any luck with unlocking yet?
      I'm looking to buy a few of these to replace some Y201 Pro's we bought on the Coles promo and my old S2 needs an update to 4G. Trouble is we're on the Optarse network, so must be able to unlock them or it's a complete fail.

  • Steptoe on 10/11/2014 - 18:57
    +1

    Spec comparo to G526

  • AnophthalmiaCervidae on 10/11/2014 - 19:26

    So other than the crappier screen resolution this is a better phone than the G526?

    • cannedhams on 10/11/2014 - 22:08

      There's not much in it. A better front facing camera, maybe the rear one is better as well. And kit Kat updates, if you care about those.

      Not sure if this phone has the same screwed up partition that the g526 does. Its the only thing that annoys me about the phone.

  • cim85 on 10/11/2014 - 19:35
    +1

    Just watched a segment on Melb Channel 9 - A Current Affair re this cheap new phone. Hmmm unsure if I am sold?

    More details via this link for anyone interested:
    http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/article/8927843/the-new-99-smartph…

    • altomic on 10/11/2014 - 19:40
      +2

      you are gathering information from ACA?!

      • cim85 on 10/11/2014 - 19:42

        No gathering, just observing but wasn't too impressed!

        • altomic on 10/11/2014 - 20:47
          +2

          not too impressed with ACA or the Huawei?

        • Cheeper on 10/11/2014 - 22:59

          @altomic:
          I saw it on aca too and I NEVER watch that crap…. :-( Huawei came up fine… it was a pretend news item but really an ad for the phone and vodafail.

    • cannedhams on 10/11/2014 - 22:13

      I have to say watching that segment the screen looks fine to me.

  • duodeta on 10/11/2014 - 22:44

    wats TBC

  • kronicmacstigator on 10/11/2014 - 23:18
    +2

    For those crapping on the phone, it's a trade, slightly worse screen for a true quad core vs the dual core G526

    • cannedhams on 11/11/2014 - 14:36

      Definitely. I don't know why CNET crapped all over it either. Jeez they can be princesses when it comes to reviewing a budget phone.

  • rokufan on 11/11/2014 - 02:20

    I just got the Huawei G526 for $99 and love it. Only thing wish it had Kit Kat - doubt it will get an update. Seriously considering this for KK and the processor bump.

  • jackofspade on 11/11/2014 - 12:43

    It also comes with 3 months Spotify Premium, $40 starter pack and 2-year warranty.

  • me786 on 11/11/2014 - 13:46

    Is the sale started yet? Anyone got it?

  • daver on 11/11/2014 - 14:57
    -2

    Blergh.. the mere inclusion a modem ain 't worth revisit-2011 for those specs /
    Worst cam.Storage,screen eva…
    no L / cm11s…
    Snapdragon 210-in a few months hopefully >8h battery perf. as well. 700mhz

    • CVonC on 11/11/2014 - 18:20
      +2

      trying to understand your post is worthy of a headache.. but anyway..

      lol really? for a sub $100 phone with 4G?

  • cannedhams on 12/11/2014 - 11:23

    from itwire's review, it supports telstra and optus regional 3g bands as well:-

    Network Support
    2G: 850/900/1800/1900.
    3G: 850/900/2100.
    4G: 850/1800/2100/2600. LTE Cat 4.

    http://www.itwire.com/your-it-news/mobility/66036-vodafone%E2%80%99s-cheapest-prepaid-64-bit-4g-smartphone-ever-at-$99

  • daver on 12/11/2014 - 13:22

    Notable, if one has bought the pocket Wi-fi [vodafone] from Coles' good deal $19/3GB, you'll have these regional HSDPA+ 900,850 & Skpe thru(Voip). I guess Id rather to go forward with something new ie: A 2ND phone to hold Data Cards(x2), 4G(700MHz nice, tho not essential) perhaps w. a bonus (IMX214)module worthy of photos. Leave RAM 1GByte and level it $100, then that won't make just a cheapest phone..it 'd be a keeper. China may be already onto it.

  • OZJet on 12/11/2014 - 14:35

    Still can't find this device on Vodas website? Both news.com.au article posted by OP & ACA story said it will be available 12/11/14? Anyone been able to vie the device as of yet?

  • edgar28 on 14/11/2014 - 18:03

    anyone see Harveynorman selling it?

    • rayski57 on 15/11/2014 - 18:30

      Be gentle peoples, not my first post but only a few to date.

      It's now on VF site with price so orderable. No mention of the $40 SIM and 2GB data etc. that I could see.
      DSE site has it too, no luck with their discount for $99-299 (excludes prepaids).

    • rayski57 on 18/11/2014 - 12:15

      Only places I have found with stock are DSE but only 1 place on the Gold Coast and online. Vfail online taking orders, but doubt their store staff would have a clue yet.

  • kronicmacstigator on 18/11/2014 - 23:15

    I received mine today POSTED and CHARGED to my door for $85!!! From DSE!!!

    Haven't fired it up, but bought a trusted code from eBay for $4!!! So $89 for an unlocked Y550, NOT BAD!!!

    • AnophthalmiaCervidae on 19/11/2014 - 09:23

      How did you get $85?

    • rayski57 on 20/11/2014 - 12:57
      +1

      Lucky beggar. I tried to use that code and it flat out refused it.
      There must have been a window when they hadn't closed the loophole and you snuck in.

      Finally, someone who has one in the flesh.
      You've had the phone for a day or so, anything to report - is it less/more than you expected given the specs and pricing.

      • kronicmacstigator on 20/11/2014 - 19:15
        +1

        Everything I could dream of…

        I even beat Dick so hard that he also gave me a $50 Vodafone sim starter pack as well. Which I'm now trying to flog on ebay for about $25 (after costs). If I do sell it, it'll of cost me $60 for the phone total not to mention the free spotify. The unlock service I paid $4AUD for worked perfectly. Even the Vodafone apps let you delete them, 4.4 KitKat is a little different and the screen isn't the best. But for the price? Absolute world beater!

        Very lightweight non-flashy phone. It does what it says on the box and does it very well. It's all anyone really needs. It's like the VW Beetle of the phone world.

        • rayski57 on 21/11/2014 - 01:56
          +1

          So you were Bagman's guinea pig on this phone, I was lined up for that honour. Just picked one up to test.
          If we're happy with it we'll get a few more and roll all our phones. Yeah I got the $50 SIM pack too.
          Seems Vodafail strikes again, couldn't even get their pack right.

          Used the 7.5% voucher (which didn't scan so they used a Telstra employee discount code). Final price $91.58.

          I concur does what it says on the box and does an outstanding job. Screen is no worse than the entry - mid level big name brands but as it's Huawei they get scorched by the industry media.
          Ordering code from Bagman, I'd rather deal local and not fill ePays pockets anymore than absolutely necessary.

          For the Spotify 3 months of Premium you have to activate the SIM by 1/02/15. I suspect the new owner of the SIM will score that.

        • kronicmacstigator on 21/11/2014 - 08:08
          +3

          @rayski57:

          I'm just amazed they could pack so much into it, I mean a entry level quad core, hell, it's even 64-bit. I find that the higher spec CPU's burn too much battery/heat up too much.

          I'm extremely happy with it, sure it's not a flagship phone but proud to rock it. I have noticed the phone is a little bit iffy when it comes to 'swipe to unlock' and the screen is a little bit slow to respond to finger touches but think it's more my technique. I'm still impressed.

        • rayski57 on 21/11/2014 - 10:25

          @kronicmacstigator:
          Yep, my heart says "keep the S2, it has 16GB & Samsung logo, look at the shiny bezel (Oh maybe not it's starting to peel like the S1 did)".
          My head says "works better, has bigger screen, Droid 4.4.4, 4G & 2 yr warranty. Why are you thinking about keeping the S2?"

          The industry media (yes cnet I'm looking at you) have lost sight of what's important to users at this pricepoint.
          They generally want value for money, mostly function over form and glitz is an unnecessary add-on. I had a look at all the sub-$200 pre-paid & unlocked phones across all the telcos and couldn't find a better phone - not in packaging, features, quality or outright specs.

          As you say the higher clock speed CPU's by nature burn more energy - bye bye battery.

          Just be careful about 64 bit …..it may not be a great advantage on a phone and it could be somewhat of a disadvantage technically speaking.

        • kronicmacstigator on 21/11/2014 - 13:33

          @rayski57:

          I'd honestly be inclined to keep the S2 at this point. Unless you feel you need the quad core.

        • rayski57 on 21/11/2014 - 14:34

          @kronicmacstigator:
          Yeah that was my initial thought but I'm surrounded by KitKat so I will stop fighting it.
          It performs at least as good if not a lot better than my S2. I'm really over 3G, it's like going back to dial-up internet.
          It's not just me, the family are suffering - Y201's (small screens and 512MB RAM) ex-Coles special last year.

  • symo on 24/11/2014 - 17:31

    How does Y550 stack up against g526 (available from target for $100) ?

    • kronicmacstigator on 24/11/2014 - 22:43
      +1

      If you do not buy this phone I will smack you upside the head!

      The quadcore is awesome, great useable power with not too much heat. The display is nice and clear and you really don't notice (though that's probably due to the UI). Kitkat is a HUGE step up and a leap ahead, a little more fiddly but once you customise it, it works so much better.

      I got really pissed off (I've destroyed a few phones lately) and tried destroying this one (since it's cheaper than assault charges). This thing bent a few mm's… everything is warped on it, still fired up and worked perfectly!!! Bent it back to with-in a mm of factory specs. Even the back cover pops on nicely and absolutely no issues, even with a bent battery!

      This thing is BULLETPROOF!!! Buy it from Vodafone/DSE for $100, pay $4-5 to unlock it on Ebay and away you go!!! Would get this over the G526 any day!

      • symo on 25/11/2014 - 11:15

        @ kronicmacstigator,
        nice reply, thank you

      • HN Professional on 28/11/2014 - 03:11

        Is Vodafone's 4G really that bad (that people have to unlock the phone)? I got their 4G Wireless Modem 3 months ago and it works fine (bar a few dropouts here and there) - I would've assumed the mobile phone service works from the same infrastructure?

        • kronicmacstigator on 28/11/2014 - 08:26
          +1

          You really are a 'Professional' aren't you…

          We unlock because those in the know, know that Vodafone isn't the cheapest

  • daver on 24/12/2014 - 11:11

    And down to $69 dollars@D S E.. . Now that is depreciation ;)

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