I am after a an el-cheap andorid phone/device to tether my 8gb mobile data from optus with.
I assume all android devices can do wifi tethering?
Anyone know of a cheap one less than $70 maybe ?
In Aust or overseas
Cheapest Android device for tethering
bargrin on 20/02/2012 - 02:37
Comments
Huawei IDEOS or X1
huawei X3 is (was) just $79 from Vodafone …. would cost you another $10(ish) to unlock it via a link here on ozB. somewhere
I assume all android devices can do wifi tethering?
No, Telstra Smart Touch will not.
Yes Huawei IDEOS X1 which is cheap on prepaid if you can still find them. It does not matter that it's locked to Optus as you are using an Optus SIM anyway.
Just make sure there are not bad reviews for the tethering on the phone you get.
I've seen some older models have issues when tethering for long periods
cool thanks, will set my bargain radar for huawei x1.
EDIT: nevermind, mine is locked.
I started a similar thread.
Seems like Voda is doing the X3 with some useless freebies (hair straightener or hat & sunnies) for $79.
http://shop.vodafone.com.au/offers/all-prepaid-mobiles
Big W will do the same. Assuming Kmart will.
Must find a cheap, quick way to unlock.
Anyone know if its possible to get your friend who's on say Optus, to unlock your Optus locked phone for free?
Since unlocking is free if "you" have been their customer for X months.Worth a shot but if you ring in to unlock a handset that isn't on your contract or linked to a number YOU pay for, they might now.
I understand that ability to create a wifi hotspot became a built in feature of Android OS as from version 2.2 onwards. Some phone/tablet models using earlier versions could do it via extra installed apps. So Android version might be one thing to look for.
Other features that I would add to search/choice criteria would be:-
- speed of connection that the device's 3G modem can use for HSPA - mainly download speed ("HSDPA") but also some interest in upload speed ("HSUPA") which will be relevant to effective use of Skype et al);
- battery endurance for running 3G wifi hotspot.
- number of 3G bands and what frequencies they use - only an issue if you travel overseas and want to use the device while overseas. (this is particularly important to me as usually overseas I use this device with a local sim and keep my Australian sim in my phone for sending and receiving texts (with all incoming calls diverted either to the overseas sim number or to my VOIP account wherein voicemail messages are delivered via email as wav files.)Best answer I have found was the Optus MyTab (aka "ZTE V9") which I got for $99 a year ago. Tri-band 3G (900, 1900, 2100 MHz) at a good speed (10.2Mbps down 2.0Mbps up) and a large 3400 mAh battery (it is a 7 inch tablet) which delivers wifi hotspot for a good length of time when no mains or 12V power available. It is a tablet but also completely usable as a full phone with quad band GSM (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz) and has built-in A-GPS.
Optus direct no longer have them in stock - however lots of resellers appear to still have them in their display cases in Optus prepaid boxes - unsure what prices they are asking.
Don't know if anyone will ever read this, but this week I was looking for a tetherable phone for cheap. Read this post and others and so bought the x1 for $69 + shipping from here:
http://www.pocketronics.com.au/epages/shop.sf/?ObjectPath=/S…
Could have bought from the same supplier via ebay for $59 + shipping - http://www.pocketronics.com.au/epages/shop.sf/?ObjectPath=/S… but I wanted super fast shipping and wasn't 100% sure the product was the same.
Fast delivery and helpful staff: and a great price! It had been opened, is listed as ex-display but it looks brand new to me & seems to come with a 1 year warranty.
huawei x1?