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Galaxy S8/S8+ | $79/$82 Mth | 12GB Data | Unlimited Calls/SMS | 300 Int Min | $50 Cashback | @ Woolworths Mobile via Cashrewards

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CASHREWARDS

My very first post from Trump Land. Currently on vacation in the US and just started the coastal drive from LA to SF. Putting this together on a mobile was near impossible, but just couldn't keep away from OzB lol. This is the bigger brother of the deal I posted last week. Please ensure you apply coupon CASHREWARDS on the checkout page for a $13 monthly discount on the large plan only. Offer ends 11:55pm Saturday AEST unless sold out prior. Have fun :)

Note you must click out via this link before you purchase to be eligible for the $50 cashback.

Use promo code CASHREWARDS at checkout. Monthly cost for the S8 is $79 per month (min cost $1896 over 24 months) including handset fee. Monthly cost for the S8+ is $82 per month (min cost $1968 over 24 months) including handset fee. Downloads stop when data limit is reached. Data charged in 1kb blocks. Individual customers only. For more information on all plans and inclusions, visit woolworths.com.au/mobile

Referral Links

Referral: random (385)

The referrer and referee will both receive a $10 WISH eGift Card. Referral codes can only be shared after 35 days of service and gift cards sent only after staying for at least 3 active months. Maximum of 10 referrals per year. Once referred customer activates on Woolworths Mobile, they must download the Woolworths Mobile App, and enter the eligible referral code within 30 days by selecting “Refer a friend” from the slide out menu.

Related Stores

Everyday Mobile from Woolworths
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closed Comments

  • +3

    thanks TA! Enjoy your holiday!

  • +6

    Currently on vacation in LA

    Be careful Tightarse, I wouldn't tell anyone your Ozbargain name in LA.

    • +5

      Hope he doesn't overstay his visa. But if he does I'm ready to start a new campaign to free him: #freetightarsenow

      • +25

        freetightarsenow

        I think I've seen that graffiti on an Oxford street public toilet.

      • +1

        In America he's known as "tightass"

      • How do you know TA is he?
        I thought TA is she ^^

  • Found any bargain at Desert Hills Outlet?

  • +1

    Thanks TA. I've bitten the bullet on the previous deal. I think you probably want to clarify this:

    • In cashrewards coupon special term, it mentions "Bonus 4GB data offer is valid on all approved Woolworths Mobile Medium (8GB + 4GB bonus) Phone Plan". As far as I know, woolworths 8GB plan is considered large plan. My understanding medium plan is 4GB based data (2gb BONUS) which the deal you've posted earlier.

    • If it is a Large plan, the included international call should be 300 mins. Again pending your clarification.

    References from Woolworths Mobile:
    https://mobile.woolworths.com.au/woolworths-phone-plans.html

  • +7

    I'll probably be voted down but here's something to consider. If it helps one person, it's worth the downvotes.

    "Repair Shops Are Stoked That the Samsung Galaxy S8 Is the Most Fragile Phone Ever Made"
    https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/samsung-galaxy-s8…

    • +5

      the iphone was voted most fragile as well :
      https://www.wired.com/2010/11/report-iphone-4-is-most-fragil…

      mine never broke :) and i never used a case either.

      Could just be hearsay or some goofer dropped his wrong, immediately smashed and went public. its a per user basis this kinda thing :)

      • +2

        If you read the article they were doing testing. How well controlled or standard I couldn't tell you. I think some of the Sony phones also had issues with fragility. Frankly I'm no longer interested in the flagship phones after my last experience (LG G4). Not worth the hassle when things go wrong.

        • +1

          You can see the bevy of tests via the video 6 foot drops, tumble, immersion in water, etc…

          Well yeah this is expected as the trade-off for a screen that is rounded, goes edge-to-edge and the move to an aesthetic with glass exteriors and very little metal (and aluminium at that) in the design (just like the Mi Mix, which has a ceramic back though which is probably just as fragile).

          I know I swaddle my phones with a case / screen protector from day 1.

          There will presumably be the more rugged the S8 Active, in the vein of the previous Actives like the S7 Active (also if you dig camo and a rubberised grip, though it does remind me of the Note 4's Samsung Protective Cover ):

          http://gadgets.ndtv.com/mobiles/news/samsung-galaxy-s8-activ…

    • Will it blend?

    • seriously.. all phones are fragile.. I've had a Galaxy S7 edge from day one with the same case but still no damage but well looked after!

      • They are not equally fragile. Some are more fragile than others. That's the point. Buying a phone that doesn't smash into pieces the first time it is dropped from chest height is a good idea, don't you think?

      • Which case you were using. Are the transparent TPU ones fine or we need SPigen sleek ones which makes phone a bit thicker and ugly?

  • +5

    +1 for post from MERICA whilst trawling bargains in STRALIA

  • How long does it take for Cashrewards to acknowledge when you've made a purchase? I clicked through the site when there was the first pre-order deal on the S8 and still haven't got anything.

    • +2

      My sister still hasn't received her cashrewards cash back for the original $65p/m deal or the woolworths online shopping cash back. So in her case it's at the very least 30 days. I honestly think they are just hoping she forgets or doesn't pursue them.

      I won't be using cashrewards once my referral credit comes through, not worth buying things that you ordinarily wouldn't because of a perceived "bargain" only to have to chase it to get the savings.

  • +5

    California is a liberal State, definitely not Trump land

    • +1

      Despite their "resistance" he is STILL their President!

      • +1

        The term "Trump land" refers to the Midwest, Rust Belt, Bible belt.

  • +4

    Outright cost of the Phone is starting to trend downwards so unless you are looking for a phone with a plan I would hold out from signing up to a 24 Month contract.

  • -7

    I love trump….. + or - away!

  • +1
  • +1

    Seems the s8/+ deals are a lot better (cheaper and more data) than the previous s7 and edge. Must not be selling as well as anticipated.

    • +1

      No it's just that lots of data is becoming the norm ….in the US Verizon has gone unlimited on some plans and in Asia once you've used your cap they throttle it but don't do the $10 for 1gb trick.

      • But this is Australia. Always behind the ball.

      • I remember when i was in the US back in 2005, i had a $20 unlimited data plan with Tmobile, it was GPRS that time…

  • +8

    Sorry, but I find this is an extremely weak deal. The previous CR deals have been better.

    E.g. for the S8

    $77 * 24 = $1848

    Optus = $36 * 24 = $864, or $40 * 24 = $960

    $1848 - $864 = $984, $1848 - $960 = $888

    For most people, you are 'saving' a measly $120 / $200 if you don't have an edu mail (or don't have someone that can vouch you in to the same plan). This is taking into account a $1100 overestimate of what a S8 is worth or will be worth very soon.

    However, you lose:

    • No unlimited Spotify and Pandora Streaming
    • No Premier League etc.
    • Locked into contract for 24 months and miss any amazing deals that pop up (which is almost guaranteed for a time period that long), ultimately losing more than $120/$200 of value
    • You get a phone you would NEVER buy for that much money outright but basically you are financing something you can't really afford or shouldn't buy due to impulse - this is a bad thing.
    • Guaranteed price drops of phone very quickly (after early adopter phase)
    • Worse network (even though companies claim to use the same gateway/network (which they do), attaining 100% same as if you were signed up direct is NOT true - only Optus and Virgin have rights to the full network, the rest may be connecting to the same gateway but don't receive 100% service, this is a widespread scam/misconception. You will get similar network, but only what Optus has given the rights to. I have tested this out with the same phone on various plans) <— I will leave this point out however, as people will surely be angry/question it. That does not speak against its validity though.
    • Can't data share with anyone else on Optus
    • No Optus Perks (e.g. 3 month free Spotify)

    Honestly this is an impulse deal that doesn't get you much or any savings while losing heaps of benefits.

    You could argue the previous plan had better benefits ratio due to 6GB being a decent amount to use each month and no similar plan on other carriers, but this one just screams bad decision making.

    • +2

      Woolworths is Telstra network, not Optus. So yes you actually gain alot of coverage (and less network congestion) compared to your Optus deal.

      • I know that. I provided the Optus/reseller thing as an example.

        The exact same thing applies to Telstra and its resellers.

        Attacking that point is nothing but strawman.

        Woolworths Mobile is not the same as having Telstra. This is why they cleverly word it as using 'parts' of Telstras network. They word it like that for a reason, and its not because it sounds better :)

        https://mobile.woolworths.com.au/coverage.html

        I'm also happy to receive negs from people who can't handle the truth.

        Trying to protect you guys from an average RRP impulse purchase. Be my guest to do as you wish though :)

        • Many have said that besides the regional coverage, the metropolitan map of coverage is unaltered though.

        • @SaberX:

          Yes, the same towers are used. But the main companies rent out a subset of the bandwidth.

          And yes, they can tell which provider you're with easily.

          You won't notice this on a day to day basis for average use and in most areas, however. Which makes it a moot point I guess.

          I have tested this out and am fairly certain this is the case.

          Then again, if you don't know that they do this it probably won't affect you.

        • @takutox:

          Agreed - that's the issues. Like NBN, are woolies using a substandard amount of bandwith? Someone suggested I use a sim card and try it. but unfortunately can't without activating the prepaid sim, which I didn't want to setup an account for hmmm.

          Has there been much claim apart from service of woolies in terms of the network though?

          Aldi also do the same on Telstra network and seem to be pretty popular so seems like bandwith isn't an issue?

        • @SaberX:

          I've done some more research and it seems that Optus actually potentially has more coverage than Woolworths mobile despite being on the Telstra wholesale network. It isn't just regional, there are significantly less towers which affects bandwidth indirectly as well as no access to VOLTE. In certain areas you might get 3G or 4G or no reception instead of 4GX. Nothing deal breaking but does have an effect.

          For a long time Woolworths mobile capped their data to 7.2mbps gimped compared to the Telstra network. They have since removed the cap it seems but its an example that shows that this is/was actually being done.

          The Telstra wholesale network is different to the Telstra network direct which is only offered to Telstra or Boost customers. This would definitely lend itself to less bandwidth due to the lesser amount of towers. It's hard to prove on a day to day basis but definitely in regional or metro areas you won't be getting the same service as Telstra or Optus direct.

          The Telstra wholesale network looks most similar to the Optus wholesale network in terms of coverage. So I think having a direct Optus would be a step up to this provider. But Telstra or Boost would obviously beat Optus in terms of speed, coverage and congestion but is much more expensive.

          edit: Telstra rep 'claims' no priority given but a hard cap of 100mbp/s. Although no proof has been given of such and the past shows bandwidth has been limited (and there still is a cap that detects whether you are on WW Mobile so they are not the same).

        • @takutox:

          Optus actually potentially has more coverage than Woolworths mobile despite being on the Telstra wholesale network

          Where I work underground 2 levels, only optus (Im on Vaya) has reception. Phones on Telstra and Vodafone networks have 0 reception. I have 1-2 bar and can make calls, use my data as normal, same as others on Virgin Mobile.
          Depends on where the towers are.

        • @takutox:

          I really doubt that. I've just done a quick check on one regional spot I know I am likely to go to every now and then, Kogan QLD 4406, and what do you know, woolworths mobile (using the Telstra network) have 3G coverage nearly all over… Optus… Nothing.

          Happy for you to provide some example of this great research you have done? Places where Optus has coverage that Woolworth don't (and Telstra does). Not saying I've done extensive checks, but it doesn't bode well for your 'story' that the first place i check refutes your claim.

        • @brad1601:

          Read cwongtechs reply, it really depends where and either way anecdotal evidence isn't going to prove anything even if I do tell you all the times my reseller couldn't reach my direct.

          The onus is on you to provide (actual) evidence that this deal is good/better than Optus, since you guys brought up that in the first place (That WW Mobile being on Telstra network made it better than Optus). This was not any point I made in my original post as one of the main reasons this deal is average.

          No need to get all defensive over something that isn't even the main point of my criticism.

        • @takutox:

          I don't really understand what the main point of your criticism is then? It just seem you've gone over the top to try to 'prove' this isn't a good deal, whilst not providing any better deals, just saying that people should pay the full price upfront so they can have the ability to change plans easily over the next 24 months… like I kinda get what you are saying, but you have to be an adult to sign these contracts so I think people can decide for themselves if they value a contract with low/no upfront cost, or flexibility.

        • @brad1601:

          I provided a whole checklist, it is not my fault you can't read.

          • No Spotify, Pandora or Premier League streaming.
          • 24 Months Locked In Contract losing value of any future amazing deals (4 of which have popped up in the last month)
          • Essentially paying $1000 for the phone but financed, very close to retail at the moment.
          • Financing things you can't afford and would never buy is not a good thing and preys on bad decisions
          • Steep drops in value of phone after early adopter phase (few months will likely see a $200+ drop)
          • Arguable whether Telstra wholesale network is better than Optus direct
          • No data sharing (e.g. 2 Optus can mean 24GB if paid on same bill with partner).
          • Easier to get out of contract (only pay $12 per remaining month on SIM only plans)
          • No Optus Perks (e.g. AirBnB, 3 Months Spotify, Netflix, Competition Entries)
          • Less service (e.g. access to 24/7 live chat and heavily staffed business hours phone support)

          By the way, being an adult doesn't mean you can always make rational decisions. Which is why I am helping OzBargainers reduce impulse and increase reason.

          If you want to save an arguably imaginary $100 (completely negated in anywhere from 1-3 months) over 24 months over something you would never spend on anyway, be my guest.

          The amount of people that would actually be buying an S8 anyway is extremely minimal. The amount of people who are impulsing because of financing is who these deals are aimed at.

        • @takutox:

          Lol you have a go at me for being overly defensive and you start off like that. Righto mate.

          Let's see,

          1. Premier league streaming - little value to most people, hence why Foxtel dropped it. Ex pommies may disagree but hey, $0 value to me. Unmetered Spotify streaming may have some value of you use those services a lot.

          2.address already in my comment on upfront cost/freedom, that's a choice and adult can make.

          3.Yes, that's how much they cost right now. $1200 for an S8 and $1349 S8+ Australia stock. We are talking prices day, not future pricing we can all speculate on.

          4.Agreed I guess, so if you can't afford the $70 a month don't buy it, pretty simple.

          5.Yes, common knowledge for anyone off the street really.

          1. It is, definitely, Optus network is a congested pos and they don't seem to care about improving that offering 17GB plans for 30odd dollars.

          2. May or may not be usefull for someone. For me not so much.

          3. Well yeah, you aren't paying off a phone are you.

          4. Nothing of interest, just marketing promos. Just like how with a galaxy S8/8+ everyone gets 3 months free Google Play music.

          5. Can't remember the last time I had to call support for a mobile service.

          So I guess that sums up all your points, and to me they don't seem to bring much to the table.

        • You can tell who's studying law.

        • -1

          @brad1601:

          They cost $1075 right now through Mobileciti Aus Stock. Please keep your misinformation off the OzBargain streets.

          All you've provided in rebuttal is

          'yeah, so what'

          'lol yeah so what'

          'lol yeah so what'

          'nah'

          Nice rebuttals :)

        • @Jaystea:

          Must be me.

          I'm using ultra l33t legal speak to tell you that 24 months locked in a contract is not a good thing.

          The rest are justifying how good a 24 month plan is paying $75 less over 24 months and how all the benefits I've listed means nothing at all. Natural born criminal defense lawyers.

          Lel.

          I'll be enjoying my carefree Spotify on my 24GB shared plan purchasing phones that are within my budget. After all, who cares about any of the deals that pop up on OzBargain, won't be needing that $48 S7 anytime soon.

          Oh yeah that Virgin data rollover is crap too, as is the Optus Perks 3 Months Spotify I'm using atm. All imaginary, 'meh' benefits.

          Oh, you guys :)

        • @takutox:

          Lol I guess I've met my first Optus fanboi.

          Enjoy your congested network ;)

        • @brad1601:

          From logical fallacy to ad hominem and being mad.

          The wheels keep turning and turning.

          It's beautiful

        • @takutox:

          I think you are getting your people mixed up.

          Anyway you have successfully justified to yourself why you made such a great decision, as I now believe that truly was the point of your whole post.

          I'm sorry you aren't confident enough in your own decisions that you need to be searching for online confirmation.

        • @takutox:

          Not not exactly, but its quite clear you are, ah, not interested in any other opinions other than your own. I think there is a word for people like that, just can't put my finger on it… ;)

        • @brad1601:

          Thank you for the inner explanation of your psyche and why you guys feel the need to get all rude and mad.

          It's all marketing, bro.

          I'll give you a task. Get me a legit 3 month Spotify trial that's free.

          All marketing, bro.

          I'm not interested in your 'wrong' opinions with no backing. Saying 'nah nah nah' to everything is not an opinion, its ignorance.

          Saying the price of an S8 is $1200-1300 at the moment is not a fact, its ignorance.

          Saying a 24 Months contract is fine and awesome, is ignorance.

          I don't respect ignorance.

        • @takutox:

          lol well firstly, you say to someone else "Oh of course, who cares about Spotify mobile. I don't personally care or use that." and then to me you say "'ll be enjoying my carefree Spotify " So which is it?

          As for 3 months free spotify… you really think that is hard to find and not just marketing? Firstly I already stated all new galaxy S8/8+, no matter the carrier, outright or on plan, come with 3 months free google play music, which is arguable better than spotify, is that good enough?

        • @brad1601:

          Both, I don't care about Spotify but the partner does. She is enjoying it on our mutually shared plan paid on the same bill. I certainly am enjoying that the Spotify she uses does not add to our data usage, and by association I listen to the music she does when I'm with her, even though I personally don't care and only use with Echo Dot, which is a benefit but not 'Spotify mobile' as I stated :)

          Yes, it is hard to find, and it is marketing. The two are not mutually exclusive.

          Yes, go and find one.

          No, Google Play Music is not the same as Spotify.

          And buying an S8/S8+ worth '$1200' is not 'easy to get'

          You failed the task, so naturally, ignorance.

          Btw, can I have that 3 month Google Play Music.

          I want one, after all its so easy to get :)

        • @takutox: Can i have your 3 months free spotify?

          What a pointless question, the ignorance.

          Also I didn't say it was the same, I said it was better ;)

        • @brad1601:

          LOL, you are proving a point.

          I said that you can only get the 3 Months Spotify if you have Optus Perks. I'm not the one that said its easy to get and just marketing, you are.

          You said getting Spotify is easy (but somehow you can't get it), but Google Play Music is easy (but you can't get that either unless you buy a $1000+ phone).

          Oh god, lollling so hard. You're just proving my point.

          Thus, ignorance. Thus, your viewpoint is not to be respected.

          edit: Stop changing the subject and attacking yet another strawman yawn. Where's my easy to get Spotify / 3 Month Google Play subscription.

          OH w8 let me just buy this $1100 phone.

          L E L

        • @takutox:

          Lol you don't seem to understand you have also had to sign up to Optus to get your great "3 months free" spotify.

          So it is comparable.

          Also I'm not scouring the web to find a deal. All I know is I've had several free trails of Spotify, probably 6 months in total. No purchase necessary. Plus probably 5+ months free of GPM, also no purchase necessary plus various trials of other music streaming services. Even 12 months free apple music with my last Telstra contact. The all have basically the same contract's with the recording companies so they are all much the same, apart from some app specific features. So no, they aren't hard to find, i really can't believe you are arguing that they are lol.

        • @brad1601:

          Lmfao.

          If they're so easy to find, post a deal and get 500 upvotes. That's roughly what the last few deals got for 3-4 months of Spotify and Google Play Music.

          Oh wait, they aren't. Apart from certain promotional periods, you actually have to sign up to things and buy $1000 phones to get them.

          You're extremely logically deficient. Signing up to Optus doesn't mean you still can't buy an S8 from Mobileciti, duhhhh.

          So you get both Spotify AND Google Play Music. You're douching yourself.

          And ding ding ding, you're right. It's comparable in the way that comparing nothing, to something is comparable.

        • @takutox:

          I don't even know what you mean by that last comment… I never had these deals at the same time.

          Also here I've got something you will LOVE soon as you think 3 months free spotify is such a great perk.

          Here is FOUR months free Microsoft groove music. You'll love it.
          www.microsoft.com/en-gb/groove/default.aspx

        • @brad1601:

          You can perform all the mental gymnastics and ad hominem you'd like. It just makes you look less capable of reasoning.

          Now where's that Spotify and Google Play Music that's so easy to get?

          Oh wait, its limited time deal thats not available now? LOL.

          Alrighty Mr. easy to get marketing BS :)

          We should all really believe you from now on. I'll be waiting for my subs in my PM. They are so easy to get.

          I must need to buy a Ferrari to get that 4 Month groove subscription, so ez

        • @takutox:

          They are all the same… But ok mate you are obviously very happy with yourself with your Optus deal, congrats man.

          I'll be enjoying my $65 pm galaxy S8+ :)

          Such a massive improvement in user experience from my past phone.

        • @brad1601:

          Yeah the $65 pm Galaxy S8+ is a decent deal if you have lower data requirements. That's why I said the previous deals were better.

          Honestly tho you're still paying $1000 for the phone and getting locked in 24 mo paying $23.33 for 6GB lol. The good thing is that no other provider has a $20~ for 6GB mid range plan so its still an impulse but not as bad as this one.

          However this is not a war of plans or providers. OzBargainers only have loyalty to discounts. We need to band against average deals such as these.

        • @takutox: Nah, just the language used highlighting the pretentiousness. Never said anything about legal speak specifically.

        • @Jaystea:

          If you think this language is pretentious, I wonder what your reaction will be when you actually come across someone that is pretentious.

          We're all using basic everyday language. This is how educated people normally speak on OzBargain.

          There's just no better way to describe what they are doing but strawman and ad hominem. They keep attacking plans/phones/ideas that don't even relate to my main point, and keep attacking my character.

        • @takutox:

          Lol you can't help yourself can you.

        • @brad1601:

          Well you did just sign up to a $1000 phone plan with $23.33~ for 6GB.

          Just thought I'd comment on that, lol.

          I don't doubt the user experience of a $1000 phone is good compared to your previous phones.

          I am the impulse dream crasher. lol

          That being said, that was an ok deal. 1-3GB is too little to the point of having to conserve, 6GB is perfect for most people.

        • +1

          @takutox:

          I was more talking about the reply to Jaystea. Anyway, I'm done.

          I don't need you to bring down any more of my dreams… Picking up a GT Mustang in the coming months.

        • I know that.

          But does not look like you do after your reading your post above.

          Attacking that point

          He just mentioned and less aggressive than you. I hope less people jump to woolworth, so that their bandwidth is available customers.

          You both mentioned good points. So calm down.

        • @takutox:

          edit: Telstra rep 'claims' no priority given but a hard cap of 100mbp/s. Although no proof has been given of such and the past shows bandwidth has been limited (and there still is a cap that detects whether you are on WW Mobile so they are not the same).

          None of your explanation has any proof either. I have used both Optus and telstra on dual sim mobile and they are fine for metro areas. Telstra is a bit better. Same for Woolies sim. You wont see it.( I dont use S8). If most of the users are here in Metros, not a big issue. People in regional will already know the limitations of the providers…

          I've done some more research and it seems….

          So you think people should believe your research. but not others. Proof?

          I half read your and other user comments and despite you saying they are attacking or being defensive, I think it is more your behaviour towards them.

        • @Gaggy:

          More worthless anecdotes attacking my character and nothing relating to the point.

          Lol at hypocrisy. Says I have no proof and rambles forever with no evidence. At least the facts I'm presenting (wholesale network vs direct have basis in reality through reps and discussion on forums such as whirlpool). And there used to indeed be a 7.5mbps limit and there still is a limit albeit a bit higher. This is 100% proof bandwidth limiting is going on. There is also confirmed no VOLTE. The map of Woolworth's coverage is not only missing regional towers but certain metro towers. You can see the map for yourself. It's freaking fanboy retarded that you guys are arguing that the coverage is the same and that the same towers are given access to when the map is clearly significantly different from what Telstra direct has even in metro areas.

          Your entire existence is just pointless hearsay and conjecture adding nothing to the discussion but whiteknighting your super friends.

        • @takutox: You have some serious anger issues and phobia that everyone attacking you, when it is all you.

          Your entire existence is just pointless

          Like your pointless arrogant comments. I just highlighted them.

          Get some friends and learn to discuss online rather trolling..

        • @Gaggy:

          Angry ad hominem when you have no logical rebuttals.

          Hahaha

          Discussion is 2 hard bro, you are the master

        • @takutox: Thanks bro.

        • @takutox:

          Still would rather 12GB on the Telstra network than 20GB on Optus.

        • @brad1601:

          Whatever helps you sleep at night ;)

    • Besides regional areas - for those in cities eg. I'm perth, the likeliness of the network coverage via woolies to Telstra network is meant to be next to no difference. In that sense I have to assume Telstra network is going to be better than the Optus/virgin (im on amaysim currently) that runs in Perth suburban areas.

      I don't see how this is a worse deal than the prior woolies. I was one of the ones asking tightarse for a deal on the large plan. Exactly as you said: no spotify etc, how could I Get by on 6gb data?

      For $10/extra a month you're getting 6gb extra data. It'll cover you for most spotify use during day - wifi at night. WIth Netflix - you can download for offline viewing. Won't help those wanting to stream on demand. Not so much an issue for me just yet.

      Optus refuses to go below $85 or $91 it hink for their plans for me, so this is cheaper, and on a better network I'm "assuming" - given it's Telstra.

      Do note that on the virgin website at least - I don't know about optus, spotify was free until jan 2018. There is no guarantee it will continue past that. How do you know Netflix free streaming will too?

      For at home - the recent nbn plan I signed up to with skymesh is one of many which offer unmetered Netflix. So again -download at home or just stream at home (where you'll most likely be watching anyway) for free.

      The perks really are:

      a) not outlaying for a phone outright. And yes, as you said I can't afford $1,000 now, but spreading the cost sure helps. I'm not a student, as I'm sur emany won't be (without trying to cheat the system with an email account) - so $40 optus plan x 24 months is $960. $82 for this plan x 24 = $1,968. $1,968 - $960 - $1,008 for an unlocked phone. SO no bloatware from woolies etc.

      So you're getting the $1000 s8+ for the next 24 months for $42 ($82 plan - $40 optus) equivalent. In 12 months you've only paid $504. So time value of money.

      I'd also argue that if you were wanting to take advantage of 'good deals' with mobiles in the next 24 months you probably wouldn't be going on plan to save money anyway - as you obviously have a lot of money to spend if your updating your mobile that often. Just my opinion - I think switching phones under 2 years just to be up to date is a huge waste of money. This is a brand new, latest gen phone so assuming it doesn't break you should get 2 years out of it.Easily.

      • +1

        You're not switching phones under 2 years, what a logical fallacy. You just have the freedom to buy whatever phone you want whenever you want and take advantage of any phone deals or phone plan deals that pop up within a HUGE 24 month period.

        You're switching to a better plan. That could include a phone, it could be SIM Only. It doesn't change the fact that plans and phone deals will always be getting better, especially up to 24 months from now.

        A year ago Optus $36 on 10GB was amazing. Then we have Virgin doing $41 for 17GB, or Optus S7 for $48, or Optus 12GB for $30

        Time value of money is negligible considering most people are impulse purchasing these plans and would never in a million years consider buying phones this expensive. The amount of early adopters are very little. The amount of people who get scammed to sign up to plans such as this due to the promises of financing are high.

        Talking about time value of money when phones half in price after 2 years (punishing you heavily as an early adopter) is stupid.

        What you're basically doing here is paying retail on something you shouldn't be buying. You are being fooled by the charm of financing.

        If you can't afford the $1000 now because you're a student, you're basically one of the impulse purchasers I was talking about. Companies love when you finance things you really shouldn't be buying :)

        • Yes, fallacy but in that sense why do you need the freedom to buy another phone whenever you want? You don't need one within two years. If your phone breaks, you'd have to buy a new one on plan or prepaid, regardless. So the point is moot. You don't need the freedom to purchase another phone unless you have a junkie 'must be the latest adopter' attitude to throwing moolah away.

          Yes, the sims do get better. But prepaid sims are always high data compared to data plans. You're punished by deferring mobile payments over 24 months. And yes - you are being punished because someone is paying $1,000 now for their s8+ on grey. You're getting it equivalent of say $800, over 2 years. So you're saving on initial outlay. To argue that this phone will be 600 in a yr is pointless, anyone who buys it outright will be subject to the same drop in retail price.

          If you want to change ever increasing data then yeah, sure don't go on a plan. But short of streaming Netflix and video content, all data of this magnitude e.g. 12 gb here, or 10 gb on optus, is more than enough for the everyday web browsing, emails, mobile phone user. Those that need to stream wouldn't last anyway, they would need the Netflix free streaming on optus or the like as < 20 gb just isn't enough to watch anything consistently over a month.

          Mind you - the spotify on virgin states to jan 2018. what happens in 6-7 months if they stop it? Netflix on optus is subject to change anytime either if I read right. So what if they remove that too in 9 months?

        • @SaberX:

          The Spotify benefit is actually grandfathered into the Optus plan and has no end date.

          On Virgin the Spotify benefit is not important as the 17gb of data heavily outweighs any other carrier for that price, on top of even giving a Spotify benefit to you for 9 months (which is offered for a grand total of 0 months on woolworths mobile).

          You're employing a logical fallacy here that the person on the $36 SIM Only plan needs to buy the $1000 phone outright, right now. What is true only remains that the person signing up to this plan must finance a S8 over 24 months, right now.

          If you're happy to pay that amount either financed or outright, as a student who has clear issues affording the phone in the first place, all the best to you, that is exactly how financing works and who it preys on :)

          BTW, its not a prepaid sim. The Optus plan is also a postpaid SIM, as is the Virgin. If you wanna talk prepaid SIMs it gets even cheaper :)

          Amazing Optus deal such as $48 with S7 phone or $30 / 12GB, Virgin 17GB, S7 or S8 deals with purchase bonuses is just a small taste of what you are going to miss out on in the next 24 months if you decide that the benefit of having the latest and greatest $1000 phone is required as a student.

          Btw, you can also jump out of Optus plans for $12 per remaining month, a reasonable amount as great deals start to resurface. Good luck getting out of this Woolies mobile contract if something pops up.

          Also, in response to 'why do you need the freedom to buy whatever phone you want within 24 months. Would you rather be able to choose any phone you want in the world or be forced to buy a $900-1000 phone even if you are impulsing and can't really afford it? Do you really need that slightly better camera RIGHT NOW or are you just impulsing due to a financed deal that sounds good on paper? Financing turns reasonable people into impulsive early adopters.

          This applies at month 0 all the way up to month 24. You have all the freedom in the world to utilise any deals that may pop up on outright phones, including your initial phone. Whether you want a Xiaomi, an S7, a HTC 10, a OnePlusOne, the freedom is yours.

          You can relinquish this freedom to 'save' $120 over 24 months while being forced to buy an early adopted $1000 phone and losing various perks. That is completely your choice.

        • @takutox:

          Those are some big assumptions your making with phone plans. look at the current s7 edge even - $77 will get you ($40 plan = $37 phone) 1 GB of data. Your expecting to get this down to $48 with a decent amount of data? Big stretch, and will it happen? Anything could happen - but how likely and will you wait in hope is up to each individual person. Frankly I think it's stretching it somewhat.

          The Samsung s5 is offered on optus now (I don't know why they don't have s6) - that's two generations behind from a s7. Even then a $40 plan has 1 gb data. $65 plan will get you 3.5 gb data. I don't see how you can expect the s7 now to be down to $48 with any decent data.

          The deal would have to be very good to jump out and pay $12 outright of your optus to warrant paying for another plan. Currently on historical plans a lot of the times jumping out at a cost of $12/month will probably negate most deals. If you have little time left on your plan in this day and age a new deal is always around the corner.

          Ok - ignoring the spotify benefit. And the Netflix is useful if you stream on the go and cbb organizing offline download the night before at home. But apart from that, the only two real points to note here are a) allegedly the smaller bandwith woolies runs compared to directly going through Telstra and its network b) you're arguing that better deals will come out?

          The fact of the matter is any phone now is going to be subject to a better deal in 1 years time.the life cycle guarantees it.

          You mention the freedom to choose whatever phone you want - not just a $1000 outright now comparison to financing over 24 months. I think its beyond the point. If someone wanted a cheap $400 xiaomi, a one plus etc. then this plan caters to a completely different audience. It would be someone tossing up a $1,000 outlay now or the plan.Comparing this to the chance to get a phone half the price is completely irrelevant I would say - that's merely a buying decision: do you want the latest, high tech phone to last 3 , 4 years hopefully, or something more affordable.

          You'd either be looking for a $500 phone already, or a $1,000 price band phone.

        • @SaberX:

          Again, with the strawman attacks. Stop comparing to other plans that are not currently on deal at the moment. It's silly.

          $36 * 24 = $864.

          You now have $1000 to spare.

          The only difference or 'benefit' in this plan is you are financing your purchase, however you lose a host of benefits, including being locked in 24 months, unable to exit contract, no spotify, no optus perks, no data sharing/sending/bill combining, inferior account management, inferior customer service, arguably worse or similar network,

          What I say isn't to compare someone buying a $500 phone vs $1000 phone. It is merely the freedom to buy that $500 phone. That is NOT a negative, even though you are trying to frame it as one. That person could also buy a $1070 S8 from Mobileciti, and yes they'd be $70 out potentially over 24 months. However they gain all the benefits of freedom and Optus.

          The fact of the matter is this deal preys on impulsive financers such as yourself who are unable to afford the phone, but want the shiny new gadget regardless of what is a sound economic decision. The price is close to RRP and within 2 months or less you are losing out more and more from then on.

          This is why people want to defend this deal so much, justification for the impulsive purchase they've made.

          Also, you keep utilising strawman after strawman. First its a different plan, now its a different phone. I didn't bring up that you could buy other phones to compare the phones, I brought it up that it is a BENEFIT to your FREEDOM to choose what you want.

        • HUGE 24 month period

          I thought the same, but didnt change the provider or never get time to change in last 4 years. 24 months is not a long time. We do that for Broadband as well.

          Optus S7 for $48

          It came after 1 year of release and is also a 24 months plan. Wont it hurt to keep using it for 2 years. That will be a 3 years old tech. phone!!

          At the end, it depends on person to person, so respect it and move on.

        • @Gaggy:

          Thanks for adding completely nothing to the discussion except anecdotal sarcasm and thanks for more justification as to why 24 months contract is a good thing. Jaystea was right, a whole team of crooked criminal defense lawyers.

  • I'm happy to download at home and save on mobile bandwidth to pay a little less. Things like unlimited Spotify downloads on mobile sounds like a nice luxury I can live without. I'm sure others have different opinions and value those nice additions to their plans. :)

    As for networks, I believe Woolworths loses out on coverage in regional areas? So they aren't much different to Optus. Someone posted a map comparison between Telstra and Woolworths before on one of these deals.

    • Oh of course, who cares about Spotify mobile. I don't personally care or use that.

      However what you're doing here is paying close to what the price is normally under the guise that this is an amazing deal.

      Yes, it might be an 'okay' deal. But its not anything special and certainly not something you should upvote to oblivion.

      I'm not saying the plans are that much different at all, except for blowing a lot of money on a mobile phone that is practically financed and locked into 24 month contract.

      If that is what you want to do, go ahead.

      • The Netflix mobiles are well over $100/month for just under the 12 gb woolies being offered now… so yes you pay for spotify.. and the extra gb you get here is likely to outweigh that unless your a heavy spotify user.

        It isn't groundbreakingly cheap to buying retail, but it is a cheap deal to other phone plans out there. The main concern would be the reception/bandwith you mentioned above in metropolitan cities - particularly Perth for me. Apart from that Netflix is great, but do'able for downloading offline before setting out from home.

        You mainly save on outgoing costs for the mobile. I'm on amaysim $50 plan for 9gb data, so really I'm paying $32 extra for 3gb more data… so $32 x 24 $768 for this phone now. It is unlikely to drop in price to $700 in these nxt few months.

        • You are employing logical fallacies of strawman comparing an Optus Netflix plan I or noone ever brought up to this deal.

        • @takutox:

          Well you did start your post with a comparison of optus to this in the first place….and now it's not comparable?

        • @SaberX:

          Yes, because you're not even quoting the plan I was quoting.

          What you are saying is a strawman attack on another plan.

          You even utilised a double strawman saying 'but the plan I'm on currently…'

          When you are attacking another plan that noone brought up, that is not a deal and that noone considers a deal, then you are not providing a reasonable argument.

          I never said 'Optus plans are all better' or '$100 Optus Netflix plan is better' - this is a strawman you are attacking by trying to compare a random $100 Optus Netflix plan to this deal :)

          If you can't see why that is logically fallacious then I don't know what to say.

        • @takutox:

          I don't think you realize it's more illogical that you're comparing phone plans to buying outright and arguing against buying the latest early adoption tech. These are completely diff things.

          The only thing you can compare a $1,000 phone outright now too is the alternative: on plan. The fact that you can get a $400 Chinese phone has nothing to do with comparing a bargain (or not) with this deal. Someone who wants the latest tech: pixel, s8, latest iphone, are comparing within this band, not on the logic of early adoption costs versus the more thrifty road.

          In comparing like for like - I provided the equivalent optus plans to woolworths.

          You did, after all compare a 12 month optus plan to this plan for cost wise. Then now you say it's a logical fallacy and strawman? Which is it?

        • @SaberX:

          Another logical fallacy and strawman, I never said the equivalent Optus plan to Woolworths was better or cheaper. Trying to put words into my mouth is silly.

          Let's give you an example highlighting your logical fallacy.

          • Let's say Optus is selling a phone for $500, or $700 with case. Woolworths Mobile is selling the same phone for $520 with a case but you can't buy a new phone for 24 months and lose lots of benefits.
          • Optus gives much more benefits in other areas even though it doesn't provide a deal on the case.
          • The case costs $30 on eBay or at Mobileciti.
          • It is logically fallacious (strawman attack) to say that Woolworths is much cheaper than Optus with the case, since the value of this case can be had elsewhere for $30 and can easily be bought from elsewhere if you just buy the $500 plan first. In fact this might be worse since you lose the freedom to buy the case of your choice.
          • The person bringing up the argument did not ever say that Optus was selling the phone + case cheaper than Woolworths Mobile, only that you could buy the phone by itself then source a case elsewhere for nearly the same price or even better in some cases.
          • Therefore, comparing Optus + case direct from Optus vs Woolworths + case direct from Woolworths Mobile is a strawman attack.
          • This is what you are doing.

          Just because something is the cheapest at the moment, does not mean its a good deal.

          It means its a valid deal against OzBargain rules, but it doesn't mean the deal is good.

          You get that?

          This is an argument of early adopters being created out of impulse financers based on an average deal that 'appears' to be good. You are a living example of someone who is an impulse financer who only sees that they are 'winning' by paying 'only' $1000 for a S8 over 24 months. However what you can't see is all the benefits you've lost and how negligible that amount becomes even after a month and how long of a contract you are locked in for.

          Rather, you'd just perform serious mental gymnastics justifying your purchase and how being locked into a contract is a GOOD thing and being an impulsive early adopter is a GOOD thing and losing all the benefits such as Spotify is MEH.

          You are performing these mental gymnastics because the purchase you made was impulsive and rash. You are buying something you can't really afford and living outside your means.

        • @takutox:

          Hi takutox. Unfortunately judging by your tone of words and responses to myself and others here I don't think anything I say or others say will change your mind as you're clearly someone fixated on their own point of view, mixed with an air which somehow reminds me of the lawyers amongst the old group of university friends. Somehow I feel like your fixation on proving said point could be made simpler. IT sounds liek you would - even if a good deal came up - be fixated on over analysing it to the point that it wouldn't really matter if you were locked into a 24 month contract, as you'd probably never really be content with all the options anyway.

          It's simple: Technology and choice changes all the time. IN the here and now - this is a good deal. By ozbargain terms, and by anyone who is financially analysing a decision now. One can specualate on how much plans are going to change and phones in the next 24 months but frankly - don't they always? 1-4gb was the norm back in my prepaid range and now i'm up to 7gb, then 9gb, and frankly i would have been up to 10gb or 17gb if i had taken the optus or virgin deal recently. No matter what it's always changing. By the time this 24 months ends (i did push the button and bought the plan) i'll have a phone that I hope would still be working, and alas I will then make my way onto the next best prepaid at the time.

          You seem to be over analysing if not having something against early adoption and frugality - in the end the fact that people are on plans to afford an 'expensive' phone is their problem, and if you want' to get into the whole ethical boundaries of living frugally we could be here in 24 months time still. Frankly, isn't anything above a $100-200 smartphone not necessary for the most basic of needs? Yet peopel buy everything from $300-500 oneplus to huaweis, to more expensive oppos, sonys, iphones and samsungs.

          Somehow i think you've gone way off track here. You've made this not about a deal but about lecturing people on being impulsive financers on an average deal - this statement pretty much sounded like some cringeworthy mum lecture from above:

          "This is an argument of early adopters being created out of impulse financers based on an average deal that 'appears' to be good. You are a living example of someone who is an impulse financer who only sees that they are 'winning' by paying 'only' $1000 for a S8 over 24 months. However what you can't see is all the benefits you've lost and how negligible that amount becomes even after a month and how long of a contract you are locked in for."

          So in other words you are judging anyone who goes on a plan as not having sufficient money? Where lies sufficient? When I was younger a $30,44 plan meant I could 'afford' it… It was much easier to cop than paying outright $250 for a phone back then. There are alot more people who simply like to even out their cashflow and not pay for big chunks at once.

          If I can flip $2,000 into a $100 or $200 here or there, why would I not keep $1,000 in my pocket and pay it off slowly per month - say net $32 (if I compare my old prepaid plan of $50 to this $82 outlay). If your living on welfare and can't put food on the table fair enough. But given I've had a modest z3 since 2014 (gift) it's not like I , or others in my situation, necessarily buy the latest phone. In essence this 24 month contract means NOT impulse buying the latest prepaid phone every year, as some do. Sure there's the odd ball who breaks a contract to get a new phone, but they're just financialyl and logically silly…

        • @SaberX:

          It doesn't matter how much dribble you type, it doesn't make a 24 month contract paying average price on the most expensive price on release a good deal.

          Keep justifying to yourself though, makes sense as to why you have to write an essay a week later.

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