Mobile Phone for a Kid (Buy Phone Outright / Prepaid Data etc)

Lglobalgirl on 15/11/2016 - 15:32

Looking to buy (outright) a cheapish new phone for a pre-teen. I really don't want to spend more than $250 (is that even possible???!) Recommendations? He'll use it for occasional calls/texts and app use (but mainly just an "in case" phone for when he's away from home). He's happy for an older model android as it's his first mobile, but not second-hand.

Also, which service would you recommend for prepaid? I doubt we'll be racking up much usage with calls/texts and most of the time he'll be using wifi at home, so something with credit that doesn't expire in a month would be great.

Rest of family is on Virgin mobile (if that makes any difference?)

Thanks for helping out :)

Mobile

Comments

  • mskeggs on 15/11/2016 - 15:40

    $50 Telstra 4GX from the supermarket is suitable. Can be unlocked for cheap on ebay.
    In my experience credit gets used up extremely quickly, regardless of expectation.
    I would suggest a cheap prepaid plan if you have the same experience, otherwise something like the ALDI pay as you go credit could last a long time.

    • ProjectZero on 15/11/2016 - 16:21

      Agree with the cheaper phones such as the Telstra 4GX.

      OP consider the vaya or some of the build your own style plans, if calls and sms is not really necessary I'd say at least have 1 GB of data in case your son decides to watch a video or two when he is out an about… 1GB should cover 2 youtube vids rather nicely.

  • Savas on 15/11/2016 - 16:41

    I really don't want to spend more than $250 (is that even possible???!)

    Are you sure you mean that much money? Probably want to go with Aldi or Lycamobile prepaid. Aldi lasts for 365 days and Lycamobile lasts for infinite. Also make sure to screw with the APN settings so he can't access internet.

  • ItsNotMe on 15/11/2016 - 17:36

    If you're on Virgin Mobile, you can get a VM $19 prepaid recharge "simple plan" that lasts 90 days and includes unlimited calls to your VM phones. The downside is that you only get 100mb of data, but that will be less of a problem if you mainly use WiFi. You can also use some of your credit to buy an extra data pack. Be warned that vm does not sms or email to let you know when you have used up the included data and extra data at standard rates will eat up your remaining phone credit in no time. See their website for more info.

  • scrimshaw on 15/11/2016 - 19:43
    +1

    kids under 14 probably don't need data at all. They can access the internet while at home and have unlimited free wifi usage at school, meaning that they are connected to the internet pretty much 80% of the time anyway.

    I would go with either Aldi or Lyca for simplicity's sake, and for long credit expiry. Their inconsistent usage patterns means they could be using more call credits a lot during school holidays but not as much while school is on, so a long expiry gives you more cost savings in the long run.

    as for the 4GX, i had some issues with the phone being unable to charge which I had to refund. I suspect the microUSB charging port is not well manufactured.

    • mskeggs on 15/11/2016 - 21:12

      I had the same charge issue and got a warranty replacement.
      Irritatingly, the replacement was unable to be network unlocked!

  • globalgirl on 15/11/2016 - 19:50

    Thanks so much guys…it was all getting too confusing so it's nice to be pointed in the right direction. I really appreciate it….my reason for the budget was that I was in JB HiFi today and couldn't see anything at all under about $300 so your other suggestions are far more appealing to my wallet!

    So at the risk of sounding completely ancient and out of touch (!!) I'm going to ask another question that I'm sure will seem incredibly dumb but here goes….if I went for something like the Telstra 4GX which is locked to the Telstra network, I can easily unlock it by buying an unlock code on Ebay? (does it matter what country - my first search brings up a UK seller?) and then get an ALDI sim/pay as you go credit, and we're all good to go?

    Let's just say the phone I use is a Samsung Galaxy S and I'm on a $29 a month plan that suits me just fine, so I haven't had to shop around for mobiles for a loooooong time!!

    • scrimshaw on 15/11/2016 - 19:52

      I can easily unlock it by buying an unlock code on Ebay? (does it matter what country - my first search brings up a UK seller?

      Yes. you might see different results on ebay…the phone is actually called "ZTE Blade Q Lux" in other regions, and in australia it's sold under the Telstra 4GX Buzz. It's just their fancy marketed name. The unlock code is generated by entering an IMEI code. You give seller the IMEI code and the seller gives you the unlock code.

      IMEI is found on product packaging.

    • [Deactivated] on 15/11/2016 - 21:10

      just be aware each main provider (optus, telstra) sell phones which work best on their own networks. So in general good rule to choose a phone that is originally sold by the provider whose network you want to use.

      • mskeggs on 15/11/2016 - 21:14

        I think the Optus ZIP is the closest match for the specs/price on the optus network. It is also cheap to unlock, although I think will work on Virgin out of the box.

  • 0p on 16/11/2016 - 02:16

    I will just leave this here-
    Alcatel Pop 5"
    (~$59)
    -Full hd
    -Compass
    -1Ghz quad core
    -Marshmello
    -Almost stock android
    -4Gx
    -Can be unlocked for free if you know where to look 😉
    -Can personaly +1 this phone…

    As for plan maybe pick up a kogan plan?(~$14(P/m))

    -0p

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