Stumbled across this deal for all the adulterers and drug dealers out there looking for cheap burner phone, or people after a My First Android for the kids
Clearance line down from $89. Not in stock at the Telstra store I was in and Officeworks unlikely to price match given it's clearance, but the free shipping sweetens the deal.
Seems like a really good price
$29 @Coles & HN a few months back - handy for discussion - slow, expensive to unlock, Telstra closing down 3G next year…
You know there is a free unlock for your Telstra Essential Plus?
My Telstra Essential Plus has a cracked screen - not much use now
lol ok.
@slowFTL: So how's the free unlock work? I only used it on free WiFi for free food etc. Then sat on it! No respect for a free phone😉
@slowFTL: Thanks for that👍 Hadn't seen that Forum.
Will consider later if its worth the effort. It wasn't a great phone. Screen is cracked, but still usable.
@prhino: Now that's a good challenge for an Ozbargainer😊
Easily achieved with new accounts with $11.70 from Guzman y Gomez, UberEats new user code if you're targeted & offers, etc.
How much and where to unlock
Please think it over if you want to unlock it to use with other networks.
Teltra U5 3G is both network and firmware locked.
So if you buy code to unlock it, then it will work with Telstra and its resellers' sim only, means work only with Telstra, Aldi, Belong, Boost, Lycamobile, Telechoice, Woolworths etc
If you want it work with Optus and Vodafone, you also need to flash to correct firmware.
Lots hassles and risk brick it if incorrect firmware flash in.
Dropped mine.
Not working.
Starting to boot and then it stops.
Drains the battery superfast.
Wait so it supports 4G?
4G network700, 1700, 1800 1900, 2100, 2600 MHz
Nope , it looks like the Telstra page has the spec complete ly wrong
Is this a smartphone? Looking for something which will work with Google Maps as a car gps.
Runs on Android 6.0, so yes
It is a bit slow when running maps app
what type of sim is this?
Click the link
Can we fully unlock it for free?
NO. As above, unlock can only make it work with all sims running on Telstra network. Not with Optus and Vodafone even after unlocked
This phone is WCDMA only, no 4G
Is this confirmed? The specifications seem to list 4G bands too.
https://www.gsmarena.com/alcatel_u5-8591.php
That could be the 4G version using MT6737M
And here's the U5 HD
https://www.gsmarena.com/alcatel_u5_hd-8819.php
I have a 4G-capable U5, Vodafone model. Are there different versions?
Yes, different model.
U5 3G Telstra Alcatel 4047A
U5 4G vodafone Alcatel 5044O
U5 4G Telstra Alcatel 5044T
There's Alcatel U5 3G, U5 4G, U5 HD etc.
This model has only WCDMA, 3G only.
Voice: UMTS
Data: UMTS / HSPAP
And it is using the old MT6580M cpu, which does not support mtk-su / MTK easy root.
So it is not easy to root.
Not easy to get free unlock.
And it is using MT6580M CPU, means no free unlock like the 5033T
If you are already with Telstra, can you use it as a backup phone, ie, don't need to unlock?
yes
It has the play store ?
Like could be good as a cycling / scooting dash, smart remote etc
This is a very good phone TO THE PRICE
At $29.00, it amazingly come with:
+ Fingerprint security which almost no under $100 phone has
+ 16GB ROM which usually 8Gb on phones under $80
+ 8MP rear and 5MP front camera which usually 5MP/2MP in similar price range phone.
The deficits of it are:
+ 3G only
+ Double lock on it. Works with Telstra sim only by default. Works with Telstra and its resellers sims, but not Optus and Vodafone after code unlocked. Works with all sims only after both code unlocked and firmware unlocked.
MP on entry phones doesn't means anything.
I tested this phone to shoot some videos and it is worse than old webcam that does 480x320
Where did you buy the unlock code from?
Thanks OP. My kids have no practical drug dealing experience. Just basic theoretical concepts from TV. As a gentle introduction to the world of trade, I've encouraged them to barter lunchbox contents in the schoolyard.
So anyway, would this genuinely be a good starter phone or would it realistically impede their development or drive to succeed? Parenting is hard…
Lunchbox contents are a gateway drug. It starts with vegemite sandwiches and who knows where it ends😉
You end up wondering why there are so few cookies left in the cookie jar..
Should it work on boost without unlocking?
Guess need to unlock according to above comments
This phone is actually a little faster than the Telstra Essential Plus, on the cpu side. and a lot better screen
When it comes to anything graphics demanded, this feels slower, like google maps or uber (has map)
Cheers got one. Says 32GB! Hope so.
It is actually 16GB, false advertisement, thinking return it or not
Confusing, why is it called "3G" when the telstra page seems to suggest it supports a number of LTE bands?