Android phone for Aldi network - $200 range and do i need 700 band?

• 

  altomic on 25/04/2017 - 12:03

  +5

  read this page

  TL:DR

  *1800 is the current anchor. If you’re buying a new phone, make sure 1800 is supported.

  *700 will have the widest and deepest coverage. Why? Low frequency signals penetrate better. If you’re buying a new phone and you are using Telstra / Optus, this is beneficial to have. Do you REALLY need it though? That depends. Internet surfers may find it more difficult to achieve full 4G speeds while inside a building or underground, but those who don’t utilize mobile data as much could live without it.

  *2600 might not have wide coverage (primarily where you would have congestion without it) but it has the highest capacity. Basically, in metro areas, this will be pretty important.

  *900 and 2100 is very uncertain, but likely rolling out to supplement other frequencies.

  Regarding the B28 700mhz 4G LTE frequency: Telstra is now offering CAT6 services on this spectrum. This is called Telstra 4GX and for CAT6 services to work your device must support B28.

  Just like Telstra, Optus too have begun the rollout of their 700 and 2600MHz LTE networks, so make sure your new Optus device also supports the bands listed above, along side 1800mhz and 2100mhz

  There’s not a lot of publicity about the new 2600MHz 4G network, but despite having a very short range it’s important to help reduce congestion in densely populated areas such as city centres where the operation of a long range transmitter would have considerable self interference (due to the long reuse distance required).

  • 

    kywst on 25/04/2017 - 12:07

    OzBot perhaps?

• 

  sane on 25/04/2017 - 12:10

  +1

  Yes you still get the other frequencies, but it means you either can't connect to particular towers, or can't get the full bandwidth.

  See https://www.frequencycheck.com/carrier-compatibility/R9XGug5… for a way to check any phone's compatibility.

  Upgrades for cheapy phones are not to be relied on. Quite often they will see no upgrades at all. Lenovo are probably good for about one upgrade, don't count on more.

  https://support.lenovo.com/au/en/solutions/ht501098

• 

  Diji1 on 25/04/2017 - 12:21

  +2

  I just bought the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 Pro for $219 (eBay) but I'm almost certain it'll be cheaper from Aliexpress although shipping will take much longer. It has been as low as $167 in the past.

  It supports Band 28 700Mhz plus every other relevant band.

  http://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_redmi_note_3-7863.php

  The only way to be sure you will recieve updates is buy Google devices which used to be called Nexus and are now called Pixel. Other brands have good and bad records for updating but in almost all cases you will be behind Nexus and using a device with known vulnerabilities - and since Pixel and Nexus get patched all the bad guys also know what the vulnerabilities are.

  If you're worried about security the situation on Android is dire, the worst of any operating system period. Windows mobile platform is much more secure.

  • 

    Low Punt on 25/04/2017 - 17:13

    Some sites dont list band 28 for the Note 3 Pro; is it just a typo or is there multiple models?

• 

  Low Punt on 25/04/2017 - 14:24

  Seems band 28 probably wont be that important for me. What would be the best phone around $200?
  I wouldn't want smaller than my 640, larger would be ideal but not necessary, it would be good if the phone had updates or developers so later versions of android could be installed, however as long as it is rock solid.
  I do not know how the google store works but i would obviously want access to all the usual apps.

  I've read a new generation of chips is due very soon, should I wait for the release?

  • 

    peterpeterpumpkin on 25/04/2017 - 14:45

    Despite all the statements of people saying not having B28 doesn't affect them, it would be prudent to test a similar device in the areas you commonly traverse beforehand.

    I have a phone with B28/700 MHz and I still struggle. But I live in a hilly area so I'm used to it. Lower frequencies like 700 MHz help somewhat in complex terrains but the frequency is still too high to have a miraculous impact.

    But I would never spend a lot of money on a phone that doesn't do the one thing I need it to do the most these days. And that's browse the internet when out of the house.