Recommendations Needed: Need Fast Cheap Replacement Phone
-Need immediate replacement.
-LOW BUDGET and replacement time priority. (needed now, not long term use so don't care about specs, just needs to be reliable and easy to use)
-Not locked to any network. Want to use current provider/limited downtime.
-Happy to use second hand.
Any recommendations appreciated, thanks.
Gumtree Iphone 6s
Thanks for your suggestions:
I'm not looking to do an in person trade as time consumption and reliability are concerns. Sure you are reliable person, but there are many out there who are not.
Would be OK with ebay but I am not trusting of Gumtree due to past experience.
LOW budget temporary replacement Sub $100 preferred, so not looking at iphones.
Thanks again
What network provider are you with, there are some 1/2 priced phones in the Woolworths/Coles catalogue this week I think.
I'm with Kogan for another few days, was looking to swap out to another network (maybe moose) and then maybe back to kogan after that to take advantage of an offer. If I were to swap over to another network temporarily I can't do one which requires photo ID as I'm without at the moment. Optus already gave me the runaround with one of their sim offers.
So it needs to be someone who does quick and easy porting.
Yeah I don't know about Kogan, might need a unlocked phone for that.
There is a $24.50 Vodafone Smart Mini 7, $44.50 off. Optus one for $69 5" at Woolworths. Specials end on 13th.
Great bargain! They would be locked to network though I assume? As mentioned above Optus sign up not an option unfortunatelty. Need to check if I need 4G to stay on Kogan.
Kogan uses the Vodafone network, but you will still need to unlock a phone if the phone is sold by Vodafone.
Many Huawei phones and ZTE devices can be unlocked yourself, usually by purchasing unlock codes via Ebay. These range from $2 to $5 dollars.
Assumed so, thanks for confirming. Do you know what unlocking options are. Not aware of the process. Thanks.
Just saw your edit :)
So, even if those brands are locked to a network I can still unlock?
Do I still need photo ID to activate it in the first instance before I then go through the unlock process?
You begin by inserting a SIM that the phone normally rejects, it will ask for an unlock code. Punch in the code you bought from ebay and that's it.
This unlock code has to be generated using a special algorithm, usually phone companies keep it pretty secret as to what the algo is but Huawei and ZTE ones tend not to be too secret about it. There is special software online that generates these codes (the software is not free).
The cheapest method is to just buy a code from someone who owns the software. There used to an Ozbargain user called "bagman" who sells these codes.
Great info! Thank you!
-So I don't need to set the phone up on it's locked network before I attempt this?
-Is it only Huawei and ZTE, or can I use other brands, for eg the vodafone or optus phones above? (if so, not familiar with those brands do you have any recommendations?)
-Assume I could also do this with a locked second hand?
Yes, you can find unlock codes for a lot of other brands on ebay. Samsung, LG, nokia etc. just that ZTE and Huawei are generally the cheapest
-So I don't need to set the phone up on it's locked network before I attempt this?
No you don't. You can unlock the phone right out of the box. The process is the same for any locked phone, whether it's old or new.
You should say your location perhaps someone here is close by and they can visit you or you visit them and buy their old phone they have around and probably upgraded from. I have a iPhone 4 with a smashed screen and a Galaxy 1 which is too slow now, got nothing you would want. Good luck!