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Huawei IDEOS U8150 Android 2.2 Phone+4GB MicroSD $159 Crazy Johns Prepaid

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Huawei IDEOS U8150 Android 2.2 Phone+4GB MicroSD $159 Crazy Johns Prepaid
Go to Deal
manobik on 31/10/2010 - 14:27 crazyjohns.com.au (2460 clicks)
Last edited 01/11/2010 - 22:28 by 1 other user

The Huawei IDEOS U8150 is now available for purchase from Australia Post. Crazy John's retailers next week and soon from their website.

Package comes with 4GB microSD!

EDIT: Get unlock code (17.99US$) from http://www.unlockallcellular.com/australia-vodafone-huawei-u…

Key Features

  • Android™ 2.2
  • 2.8 inch Touchscreen (not multitouch)
  • TFT capacitive touchscreen, 256K colors
  • 240 x 320 pixels, 2.8 inches
  • 512 MB ROM / 256 MB RAM
  • Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate
  • HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps
  • Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
  • 3.2 Megapixel Camera
  • FM Radio
  • A-GPS support

Full specification:
http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_u8150_ideos-3513.php

Review: http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/reviews/index.cfm?reviewid=324642…

Lots of video demo/unboxing/review on youtube

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=huawei+ideos&aq=…

News source: http://ausdroid.net/2010/10/29/huawei-ideos-available-from-c…

Mobile Huawei Mobile Phone Android

Related Stores

Crazy John's
Crazy John's

closed Comments

  • Fred on 31/10/2010 - 14:33

    You should mention that it is locked.
    "Yep, prepaid phones are locked. $100 to unlock within the first 6 months of activation."
    http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1559207#r…

    • manobik on 31/10/2010 - 14:41

      No mobile carrier sales UNLOCKED prepaid these days. Do they?

      • kazines on 31/10/2010 - 15:02
        +5

        we all know that
        BUT some people aren't that bright ;)

      • hfhf on 31/10/2010 - 18:06

        My Blackberry Curve from Optus wasnt locked. Although it was on the Optus's webpage, it worked when i slotted a telstra prepaid.

    • ESEMCE on 31/10/2010 - 15:34
      +1

      Presumably unlock is overridden by root access though…
      This could be a super-bargain if/when it it rooted!

    • mutantjohn on 31/10/2010 - 18:13
      +1

      $220 at Dicksmith Unlocked.

  • scrimshaw on 31/10/2010 - 14:39
    +2

    Finally, a sub $200 Android phone that isn't a Shenzen ripoff.

    • matt4711 on 31/10/2010 - 20:14

      Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd. […] is headquartered in Longgang District, Shenzhen…

      • [Deactivated] on 31/10/2010 - 20:25
        -2

        note: ripoff

        Only if this supported multi-touch then i would actually buy it. Its the only thing preventing me from doing so

        • massari on 31/10/2010 - 23:27

          its 150 :p what do you expect? better than any shitty nokia thou

      • TtiGeR on 31/10/2010 - 22:57

        At least Huawei ranked 397 in Global 500.

  • kazines on 31/10/2010 - 15:03

    Personally I'll buy a $249 sony Ericsson one from… Hmm was it DSE?
    it has a bigger screen and is from more reliable manufacturer IMO

    not negging this deal or anything ;)

    • johnn on 31/10/2010 - 16:58

      The X8 runs on Android 1.6 however, and with SE only JUST annoucing that they're going to update the X10 series to 2.1 (NOT 2.2), I doubt there'll be an update for X8 (to 2.2 at least) very soon

      • kazines on 31/10/2010 - 18:29
        -8

        as an iPhone user (yup i know typical)
        honestly… i don't really care LOL

        but very useful info for people wanting 2.2 on their X8

        • johnn on 31/10/2010 - 19:55
          +2

          I'm sure you'll be much more interested in knowing when apple will finally decide to update iOS to include a web browser with flash support, especially since it took 4 updates to include something with some semblence to multi-tasking.

          Maybe iOS 8? :P

          (btw no I didn't neg your comment)

        • Cheeper on 31/10/2010 - 21:59

          Apple as a fruit is great, otherwise ….. :-(

    • fchis on 31/10/2010 - 21:54
      -1

      well, considering there is a $90 price gap between these two phones. That's a big difference in terms of price/performance ratio in today's competitive smartphone markets. This phone's biggest selling point is Android 2.2. According to the net, it's probably the only mobile that runs on Android 2.2 on the market so far.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Npp6jM9k_U

      • Zippy7 on 31/10/2010 - 22:36

        Just FYI - Telstra/HTC have released a Froyo update for the Telstra (Aus) versions of the HTC Desire just in the last week :)

      • massari on 31/10/2010 - 23:29

        Not true.. lots of phones run 2.2 lol I could list them all but yea..

        But I guess 'offical from the carrier' 2.2 one of a few…However most phones these days have 2.2 in one form or another (not the old ones)

  • Jiggles on 31/10/2010 - 15:05
    +2

    Chock full of features for the price you pay :)

    Sure it's got a lower resolution screen, a slower processor (528 MHz) and less RAM (256 MB) than a high end Android device - but it has Android 2.2 with Wi-Fi hotspot functionality and a capacitive touchscreen which is sorely needed in other entry level Android phones.

  • focused77 on 31/10/2010 - 15:08
    +1

    Love the price and android 2.2 and capacitive touchsceen, only wish it did 900mhz HSDPA

    • manobik on 31/10/2010 - 15:18

      Do major carriers have 900 mhz hsdpa in urban areas? afaik most 900 mhz hsdpa is in the country. am i correct?

    • ESEMCE on 31/10/2010 - 15:36

      Oh… That's a big negative for me!
      Why are they making non 900MHz 3G handsets these days???

    • Mossy on 31/10/2010 - 15:41

      Connectivity
      3G Network: HSDPA 900 / 2100
      2G Network: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900

      Says it in the details on the crazy john page…

  • kogi on 31/10/2010 - 15:12
    +2

    So. Is this the normal price or a special?

    • manobik on 31/10/2010 - 15:19

      normal

  • ESEMCE on 31/10/2010 - 15:38

    From the review it sounds like it's running Vanilla Android!!!

  • medium_tight on 31/10/2010 - 16:00
    -1

    This is big slap in my face, I got Samsung Galaxy S (contract)- and still waiting for that bloody 2.2 froyo update

    • ESEMCE on 31/10/2010 - 16:14

      Should be out on 7th or 8th Nov apparently

    • BartholemewH on 31/10/2010 - 19:58

      You'll quickly learn that this is how Samsung operates. The original i7500 Galaxy didn't even get a 1.6 Donut update. I'm using Galaxo 1.6 on on mine, a community created build.

      • [Deactivated] on 31/10/2010 - 20:27
        +1

        cupcakes are yummyier :P

        • chansthename on 31/10/2010 - 22:09
          +3

          I'm sure gingerbread will taste so much better.

    • Advv on 01/11/2010 - 18:39

      flash 2.2 or use regedit if it still works. TBH, I didn't notice that much of a difference between 2.1/2.2 with the way I use the SGS. GPS seems to work a bit better though. Not that I use it often.

      • ESEMCE on 02/11/2010 - 08:53

        regedit method doesn't work anymore…
        I was going to do that on the weekend. I'm just going to hang out until the official Optus release now.. It's supposed to happen on Monday or something.

  • morpheu on 31/10/2010 - 16:16
    +1

    you're not the only one, i'm still waiting for the LG android update that was promised months ago!

    this is a good price for the feature set, but one point re lcd resolution, you might have problems with program compatibility, a lot of apps expect 320X480 or bigger, check out reviews for other android phones with qvga like the X10 mini, you'll be doing a lot of scrolling when browsing!

    • cheapo.one on 31/10/2010 - 17:05

      if you have the lg optimus, it got releaed a week or so ago - i'm already running eclair :)

    • hfhf on 31/10/2010 - 18:07
      +1

      Nothing beats the HTC Hero. I waited over a year and a half for my Eclair.

      • massari on 31/10/2010 - 19:37
        +1

        When I had my hero, I ended up rooting it around may, and ended up getting my nexus one soon after (and selling the hero). Never looked back with the Nexus one! amazing phone!

        • Koonit on 31/10/2010 - 20:48

          Indeed. Nexus One still feels new and top of line after almost a year now.. :P

          Its going to take some might good tech to make me change anytime soon.

  • joshptyltd on 31/10/2010 - 20:13

    GREAT price for an android phone with froyo. I guess biggest bummer would have to be screen res, as some apps wont function with 240x320.

  • frozensolid on 31/10/2010 - 20:52

    Not bad. I'd certainly be buying it if I wasn't so happy with my Nokia 6760 slider.

  • sane on 31/10/2010 - 21:31
    +2

    Personally I say that the screen resolution and memory compare badly with where the competition (ZTE Blade) is today, and even the original Pulse(U8220). However I have the Pulse and as a cheap toe in the water its great. You should expect any smartphone to have a life-till-obsolete of less than a year, so don't break the bank.

    For those that get it, you can unlock this phone for $19.99 from:
    http://www.unlock-tmobilepulse.com/

    No connection, but I unlocked my Pulse via this lot, no problems.

    • manobik on 01/11/2010 - 10:42
      +1

      Got another unlocker, which charges US$ 17.99.

      http://www.unlockallcellular.com/australia-vodafone-huawei-u…

      • sane on 01/11/2010 - 13:01

        Yep, its just I've experience with that $19.99 unlocker personally, and know they didn't rip anyone off or deliver codes that didn't work. The other one might be OK as well, but I couldn't vouch for it.

      • bamzero on 09/11/2010 - 17:57

        This is showing $33.99 when I checked.

    • sharky_k on 04/11/2010 - 21:59

      When you say "no connection" does that mean you cannot access data over 3G when unlocked?

  • Cheeper on 31/10/2010 - 21:51
    +1

    WOW… Great value for someone wanting to get an android phone. It does have satellite gps too so no need fof a-gps if you get the right map setup.. :-) :-) ;-)

    Products like this force the market price down of other makes… good to see.

    PS: Ya gotta love the ones that come in and say it is not as good as their $700 - $1000 phones… DOH!!!!

  • [Deactivated] on 31/10/2010 - 22:25

    FYI None of the Sony Erricson phones have multi touch ethier. The resolutuon is an issue IMO.

  • Benmc on 01/11/2010 - 11:34

    What does Wifi-Hotspot allow? Does it mean i can set the phone to have a wireless hotspot and then i can use my laptop to connect to that wireless network and use the phones 3G capabilities for internet surfing?

    Cheers

  • Reion on 01/11/2010 - 11:43

    Anyone been able to get one yet?

    Been to two ausposts so far, both have no ideos :)

    • Koonit on 01/11/2010 - 11:57

      Australia posts??

      It's a crazy john deal.. :/

      • nickj on 01/11/2010 - 16:35

        The confusion arises because description says "now available for purchase from Australia Post. Crazy John’s retailers next week" - but sounds from other comments like the Australia Post is no-go, and best to just wait for Crazy Johns.

    • DoctorDubb on 01/11/2010 - 16:21

      At least in WA, went to 3 Aus posts in northern suburbs, all basically gave me the same "no idea" face. Anyone know any stores in WA that has got stock?

  • manobik on 01/11/2010 - 17:01

    Better check whirlpool forum for the availability

    http://whrl.pl/RcwlIm

    on whirlpool one says "Just bought ideos from DSE unlocked for $157 after price match. Typing on my new little device."

    Poor DSE employee!

  • manobik on 01/11/2010 - 17:10

    Good news from Brisbane GPO. On whirlpool forum one says it comes with 1 GB microSD inside the phone as well as 4 GB sandisk retail pack microSD!

  • [Deactivated] on 01/11/2010 - 20:51
    +1

    Bargain bin basement Android smartphone is still infinitely more useful and functional than the average Nokia at its price-range. This is great as a secondary device to carry around or for backups. Just don't pick this as your first Android and condemn the rest of the platform based on this :)

  • LukeSmith on 01/11/2010 - 22:12

    Just picked one up today from DSE for $229 unlocked. Tried two POs in the Brisbane CBD without luck. Anyways.

    Works really well as a mobile access point with my Virgin Broadband postpaid SIM in it. "Hotspot Widget" from the market makes it really easy to toggle between being a hotspot or a wifi client.

    Love the pure Android 2.2 experience - much more consistent than my Samsung Galaxy S - but obviously much slower and lower res.

    Quite a few apps in the Market dont show up due to the low res screen, namely Dropbox, but it sideloaded and works fine.

  • microsonanticirrus on 01/11/2010 - 23:18

    Where does it say on the Crazy John's website that it's $159? (and also the dick smith website that it's $229)

    Link plz

  • cuteseal on 02/11/2010 - 22:11

    If it's locked to Crazy Johns, is it able to be used on Vodafone network?

    • manobik on 03/11/2010 - 19:33
      +2

      okay this is the real deal. On the packaging it says "locked to voda/CJ network" but many on whirlpool forum confirm it is not. I personally got one from auspost today and found it unlocked, using my three sim now.

      • netsurfer on 04/11/2010 - 00:38

        Thanks for the info. It is indeed unlocked. Another big plus.

  • qazwsx on 03/11/2010 - 03:04

    Any opinions on the Huawei IDEOS vs HTC Wildfire??
    I'm a Telstra user so I'll have to get the Huawei unlocked if I go through that route.

    Target have the HTC Wildfire in their catalogue for $299 with case and screen protectors (Telstra prepaid).

    • BartholemewH on 03/11/2010 - 08:53

      This phone is not Telstra NextG (UMTS 850). I'm not sure if the Wildfire is.

    • netsurfer on 03/11/2010 - 17:24

      If you want to use Telstra NextG service, don't get this phone. This phone does not support UMTS 850. The 3/Telstra 2100 band service is no where near as good (probably the worst 3G service in Australia).

      Wildfire (advantages) - Multi-Touch, Better Camera (with LED flash), Thinner, Digital Compass. Telstra version is 2100/850. Standard version is 2100/900. The main reason to get the Huawei one is cheaper (half price). Huawei has 802.11n (though I doubt the phone can really pump that much data). Huawei comes with Android 2.2… I imagine Wildfire can be easily upgraded to 2.2.

      • qazwsx on 03/11/2010 - 18:21

        Ah yeah silly me forgot about frequencies… thanks for that.

        The thing is I am migrating to either Voda or Optus in 12 months time - I guess by then I'd have to rely on the Voda/Optus 2100 frequency or look at a new phone…

      • OhSmeg on 09/12/2010 - 11:03

        Telstra NextG compatible Huawei U8150 IDEOS unlocked from Mobicity here: http://www.mobicity.com.au/huawei-u8150-ideos.html
        Specs claim it is NextG compatible, but $100 more than Crazy John's Locked Voda Prepaid at $249.00 on sale?? Hate Tel$tra but no other option in Tasmania for coverage!

  • bratgirl on 08/11/2010 - 19:11

    This is on page 14 of the Australia Post catalogue if anyone wants further confirmation:
    http://catalogue.auspost.com.au/portal/dynamiccatalogue?Cata…

    It doesn't mention being locked/unlcoked, though it does mention Vodaphone in the fineprint at the bottom of the page.

  • bamzero on 09/11/2010 - 21:02

    I tried to get one from my local Auspost, but then saw a post elsewhere that someone got one from CJ's that was also unlocked, so took a punt this arvo and grabbed one, and is indeed unlocked.

    • noskich on 11/11/2010 - 10:01

      Just spoke with someone on the phone from Crazy Jones shop in Sydney. He said the phone is locked to Crazy Jones network. I wanted to buy it, but now not sure.

      • bamzero on 11/11/2010 - 15:06

        pretty sure thats going to be the official reply at all CJ's.

        I looked at it this way, $159, then if it turns out to actually be locked, another $20 or so get unlocked online, so at most $179 with a bonus 4GB sd card.

  • noskich on 12/11/2010 - 21:11

    Got one from Aus Post and it s locked, but can work on Lebara. Any ideas how to unlock it cheaply? Can recommend any stores in Sydney?

  • bamzero on 13/11/2010 - 17:14

    Have you had a look at the online ones mentioned above?

  • noskich on 13/11/2010 - 19:26

    Yeah, the first recommended claiming to be 17 is actually 34, other is 20. The issue I have with those sites is that they are not guaranteed. I took upon myself a risk to buy a phone which might be locked even though everyone said it s not and now I don t want to lose 20-35 dollars for nothing. That s why I would prefer to unlock it in a shop in Sydney, even for 35, but to be sure. So please recommend some. I asked around and so far no shop can unlock it.

  • noskich on 16/11/2010 - 22:20

    thanks man

  • stevewestoz on 05/12/2010 - 13:30

    After reading these threads I bought one from Crazy Johns. It turned out to be locked and my Optus sim wouldn't work in it. I hoped I would be lucky, but not so. I have a sim unlock kit I bought on eBay for $9.95 with a money back guarantee. I tried it in one and beautiful. Works straight away. If you want one for a cheap unlocking solution with a money back guarantee go to eBay and search for Mobile Phone Turbo SIM Unlock Kit. Here is a direct link http://cgi.ebay.com.au/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110619…. I must say I love what this little phone can do. After a bit of a sharp learning curve I find I can do so many things that my old windoze phone did badly and slowly. So cheap! $159 for the phone and $9.95 to unlock it.

  • noskich on 05/12/2010 - 13:36

    I ordered one from Focal price for 3.5 dollars, free postage. If you are willing to wait for up to a month this is a good deal.

    • stevewestoz on 05/12/2010 - 14:13

      The unlock kit seller is in WA same as me. Overnight delivery, comes in an envelope so will be fast all across Australia. I didn't want to wait weeks for it. It costs under $10 bucks and overnight delivery.

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