Acer Liquid E Mobile Phone - Android 2.1.
Comes with 8GB MicroSD card and soft case.
Best price on staticice is $605. This is $267.
Just bought one for my missus from HN in Brisbane CBD - it was their last one there. Seems OK from all the reviews - main complaint was price and plasticyness. But for $267 I reckon that's OK.
Can be upgraded to Android 2.2 (download from Acer website).
Phone is unlocked and unbranded.
The CPU on this phone is 1 gen behind the one in X5. So, even though it is 1GHz.. it might not be faster than X5. Also, the embedded GPU is weaker than X5.
That said, the specs. is similiar to HTC Desire, except the LCD screen is not AMOLED. This phone has no LED flash.
Interesting, X5 vs Liquid E. You cannot go wrong with either at the current price. Good deals.
OP did not mention this phone is unlocked… I am assuming it is.
Yes - the phone is unlocked and unbranded.
CORRECTION: CPU is only 750Mhz faster. GSMArena listed the wrong CPU speed. So X5 is faster. X5's GPU is much faster.
scrimshaw,
Where can you buy Huawei X5 for $299?
It is $350 at staticeice.
Crazy Johns - Online only (locked to Vodafone network). The good thing is… like the first batch of IDEOS U8150, this first batch of X5 appears to be unlocked… BUT don't quote me on this.. Please assume you may get a locked one.
its unlocked at CJ
how does is compare against the ideos u8150 also on special? http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/40854 better?
The IDEOS U8150 is a very basic Android phone. You can probably expect it to run a few basic apps, browse the net, do everything a phone can etc. generally its an OK phone if you're not going to use a lot of apps or don't need the fast performance for 3d games etc. The big downside with this phone is the 240x320 resolution which limits the apps you can use and the games you can play.
The Acer is about 2x times faster than the IDEOS, has a much higher resolution screen and is considered a high end business phone. It is a bit outdated though and Acer isn't exactly great at building phones.
when was it released? any reason why it's so cheap? never used Acer's phone dunno if it's a gd in making phones
seems like i should go to HN tmr…
since smartphone market is getting a bit crowded, new players sometimes have to sell the phones close to their cost price in order to gain market share.
The phone was released a while ago. Based on the spec. and the fact that it comes with Android 2.1 by default, means it has been around for quite some time.
Nowadays, you cannot get any "new gen" mobile phone with just wireless G (because the low end wireless N chipset is basically around the same price - not to mention any sane wireless chipset maker would not make wireless G only chipset anymore). Even IDEOS U8150 comes with wireless N support.
Android phone makers should start releasing dual core phones now (except probably Huawei - still aiming for low end / mid market). iPad 2 is out so you can guess the CPU that's going to be in iPhone 5.
Unfortunately it's not for nextg. I'm looking for a not so expensive (but at least with capacitive screen) android phone to use on nextg. Any opinions?
get yourself a HTC Hero on eBay. Well worth the money.
how does this compare to nuvifone A50?
Basically, this phone is 2X faster than A50. The LCD screen and resolution is also much better. It is also unlocked (compared to the A50 - which is now locked by Optus and painfully hard to unlock - well, unless you are willing to wait 6 months or pay $80 to Optus).
Garmin Asus A50 has the Garmin software with "lifetime" map update (plus you get some goodies from Garmin for about 1 year - Petrol Price Check). Let's hope lifetime update is really going to happen. You also get the car mounting kit. A50's GPS lock speed is pretty impressive. It seems to be on par with iPhone 4 (if not better). Dunno about Acer Liquid. A50 has more internal storage (though it only offers 512MB for app. installs - which is not too bad).
Bottom line: Acer Liquid's hardware is 2X more powerful. Android 2.2 support is also good (ability to install apps. on SD). It is $67 more expensive.
great review..cheers
CORRECTION: CPU is only 25-30% faster. GSMArena listed the wrong CPU speed. GPU is the same for both phones. Acer Liquid screen has much higer res.
However, Garmin A50's GPS locking speed is quite impressive. You also get the car mounting kit. Not to mention Garmin GPS software is the best for Android (no TomTom for Android yet.. CoPilot is not too bad… Sygic is also decent.. but Garmin is still better). The check petrol price is good. Garmin A50 also gives you 500MB of its 4GB internal storage to install apps.
Pity Asus/Garmin will not release Android 2.2 firmware for A50.
thnx buddy. i probably stick with my nuvifone A50. still a great phone for me. but this acer phone is tempting too..hope there'll be an update for nuvifone
holy shit…
i have never seen this much bang for buck on a android phone…..the san francisco comes close, but this is owning with 5mp and 1ghz cpu
+1111111111111
I want ittt! Hugely regret my x10 mini pro.
I wouldn't get too excited unless you want a phone right now. The Huawei X5 has just released at 350 unlocked at DSE, and at Netsurfer suggested, the first batch at CJ for 299 maybe unlocked as well.
Therefore the 200-400 price range will probably held for these mid-level devices for quite a while. Especially when the Tegra devices start showing up here. E.g. high end Tegra will retail at 600-1000 range, good brand name (Samsung, Sony etc) Snapdragron at the 400-600, followed by these mid level phones.
CJ rep confirmed on whirlpool. X5 prepaid is $299 and unlocked from CJ.
Checked it out yesterday. It looked too curvy to me but I would have still bought it if it had been nextg compatible.
i need the huawei x5 at 299
that would be a killer
Then get it! It's available at CJ.
Be careful though - this phone "only" has 200MB of free storage space internally which means you cannot install many programs that do not use "move to SD" capability.
On the plus side - it is very well made and its way better than the other mid-range phones because it has a 800x480 resolution (whereas the others are lower resolutions of 320x480 or 240x320). worth the money!
Liquid E vs X5 comparison of features/specs @ gsmarena:
http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone1=3156&idPhone2=…
seems like the Liquid E doesn't have multitouch?
how come they both don't have FM radio =\
according to a couple review the Liquid E does have multi-touch
GSMArena specs are incorrect. It says that it is 1Ghz but its only 768Mhz. It does have multitouch!
damnit i wouldda thought gsmarena would've gotten it right =\
Does this phone have a wireless tether app built in? (sorry I'm not familiar with Android). I only have a wireless iPad, so I need to be able to connect it via 11g.
You need to download Android 2.2 upgrade from Acer web site. Android 2.2 has wireless tethering.
You need to download Android 2.2 upgrade from Acer web site.
Ok cheers for that…..is that a free download?
alternatively, you can download the wireless tether app.
Does the wireless tether app. support WPA? Besides, it is better to run Android 2.2 on the phone anyway.
If you can afford an iPad, maybe consider getting one of those pocket wifi devices.
maybe consider getting one of those pocket wifi….
I like the idea of using the data from my mobile plan, rather than having a separate plan.
If 2.2 gives me wifi tethering out of the book that is cool!
Hey, does anyone know if it is available at other store locations? I wanna go get me one
Something to consider when choosing between the HUAWEI X5 and the Acer Liquid E is the X5 sometimes has issues connecting to wifi. Problem seems to be affecting quite a few people.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptg6cLdA9OU
"Update 17-Feb-2011: The phone has received an OTA update a few days ago. While the market now works, the WLAN does not. All I get with my own WPA secured router is a loop of connecting-authenticating-obtaining IP-connecting-.. until Android blacklists the network and gives up. I haven't been able to test elsewhere though."
Called my local HN, they said the RRP on this phone is now $269 following a large reduction is price.
In true HN fashion, they have generously shaved $2 off the RRP!
Not sure how true this is though.
I believe they are running out on this model given the Acer Liquid Metal is on the market, hence the price drop.
oh ic…..other than the case any differences?.
haha lol
$2
Liquid E does not have multi touch. Otherwise I would buy one.
It does have multi touch. Capacitance screen - have one and played many games with it with multitouch and onscreen gamepad.
so are you going to buy it now?
Chadstone crazy Johns is selling Huawei X5 only through $29 plan and there is no outright deal.
yeah the stores aren't offering the $299 prepaid deal
only online http://www.crazyjohns.com.au/huawei-u8800-x5-black/view-prep…
How can you buy the phone without any plans?
I am with optus, and since this is practically unlocked, I would like to buy the phone only.
You can select any plan online since you don't need to buy credit at purchase. Just throw away the CJ SIM if you don't need it :)
Buy it outright on a prepaid plan. You don't actually pay anything for the plan until you activate it. If the phone is unlocked then you don't even need to bother with activating the CJ plan, just insert your Optus sim. Mind you the CJ prepaid plans are good value compared even considering they are on the Vodafail network.
Bear in mind that CJ's distribution centre is in Melbourne and will be closed on Monday for Labour Day.
Practically unlocked means it will work on the Telstra network?
EDIT : nevermind.. found the answer.
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1596839&p…
Thanks Nosni for this post, grabbed one from the castle hill store yesterday… fabulous phone love it.
The finish the interface everything looks brilliant, great value for money!
Agree - now I've had a day or so to play with it, I've got to say it's not far off being as good as my HTC Desire. What a bargain!
You Luckey !! Who GOT.
I tried 5 HN & all of them SOLD out. I asked if it is on order but all told "it is discontinued & is not on new order. So wan't be available".
I missed. poor my self!!!
(Not available in Auburn, Blacktown areas in NSW) IF you can get, take it, You can sell for more on ebay!!
Good value, probably the fastest phone you can buy for under $300 (asides from the Huawei X5 for $299, running a 800mhz CPU)