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$49.50 LG Optimus Spirit (P690) Locked to Telstra at Coles with Flybuys Card

490

Got this on a flyer in the post with the new flybuys card.

Not a bad deal for a fairly newly released cheapo android phone. Running 2.3.3, 800Mhz processor, and a GPU.

Specs:
http://www.lg.com/au/mobile-phones/all-lg-phones/LG-bar-phon…

http://www.gsmarena.com/lg_optimus_net-4043.php

Beware: low res 320x480 screen, 512MB RAM, 130MB Storage, locked to Telstra. No idea how to unlock.

Looks like a few roms are popping up over on xda: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1483204

oh and they're throwing in 1000 flybuys points. Probably brings price down to $49.49!

edit: confirmed locked from T&C's in linked page.

Related Stores

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closed Comments

  • +1

    Anyone know is it easy to unlock?

    • Nearly all LG mobiles are very easy to unlock. Simply buy a code from eBay (usually around $5-$10).

      I haven't bothered confirming for this phone.

    • +1

      Cost me $1 to unlock with this ebay seller -
      http://bit.ly/JM4fdI
      Received code in less than 1 hour, unlocked at first try.
      Works perfectly with my $4.99 per month LiveConnected plan (ie. Optus network).

  • -5

    Beware! If it is locked to Telstra and if you cannot unlock it, then this phone will cease to work in 3G come September 2012.

    Telstra plans to turn off its 3G 2100 MHz network and switch exclusively to 850 MHz. GSM Arena's specs shows 3G Network: HSDPA 900 / 2100.

    • Do they have 2 version one is 850/2100 and one is 900/2100?

      If not why Telstra sell a 900/2100 phone?

    • +1

      probably for different regions/models. LG specs show:
      GSM: 850/900/1800/1900
      UMTS: 850/2100/GPRS Class 12 (4+4)/EDGE Class 12/HSDPA Speed 3.6Mbps

    • I am happy to be proved wrong and for this deal to succeed, but I am not rushing out to check in-store at 11:50 PM.

      Please neg my original comment so that others are not misled by incorrect information. I cannot edit my comment after you replied to it.

      demod: You might consider removing the link to GSM Arena if its specs are wrong.

      • :) Nah, its a valid point. As always buyer beware. I'm not purchasing myself, although am tempted. Wife has a HTC Wildfire I picked up for $150 over a year ago and this would definitely be an upgrade. Although I was looking to get her something a little better!

        The GSM Arena page is for the "Optimus Net" also known as LG Optimus Net P699 and LG Optimus Link P690.

        • Net and Spirit are the same phone except maybe for differing 3G frequencies - 900/2100MHz vs 850/2100MHz.

      • +2

        I've -1 your comment …. the phone is a local version 850/2100.

        GSMArena reports mainstream versions most of the time, so i wouldn't base anything on the specs there.

        Telstra only releases phones that are compatible with 850Mhz.

        On the note of 2100Mhz it will still work come September, Telstra are integrating their share of 3GIS 2100Mhz into the Next G network (Vodafone are taking the other 50%).

        So no more stupid comments that misinform people like OMG THE PHONE WONT WORK COME SEPTEMBER 2012……

        All 2100Mhz phones will work on Telstra once they integrate towers + increase capacity (which they have done in CBD areas around Australia)

        • Dick Smith have a warning label on all their unlocked mobile phones (900/2100).

          *Not recommended for Telstra 3G from 31/08/12 or Next G.

  • +1

    This phone is the Next G (850MHz) version, verified by the "Blue Tick" approved statement in the flybuys link.

  • Step daughter had one of these for a very short time, found it to be a piece of rubbish - gave her no end of problems. Maybe she just got a dud, maybe she didn't.

  • Anyone able to unlock it for free?

  • This phone gotta be better than the Huawei x3
    Positive for me. Wish I waited for a while, bought X3 for $69 few weeks ago…

    • No Camera Flash (or more importantly torchlight) on both the LG P690 and the Huawei X3.

      • You're asking a lot for sub-$100 phones! I don't know who buys a sub-$100 phone for the camera.

    • why better than x3?

      • Twice RAM isnt it?

  • +2

    I've just called 11 coles supermarkets around brisbane and none of them have stock or even heard of this promotion. so fk you flybuys and fk you coles for wasting my time and getting my hopes up..

    but i still appreciate the demod's effort for posting..

    • +2

      Sometime I cannot understand how they do promotion in Australia.

      Seems no communication between the management and the staff and the store.

      Like the HN Ultrabook promotion, some stores have a difference understanding.

    • Both Wynnum stores in Brisbane have stock as of today. Just got flybuys e-mail promoting this last night (nearly 1 month after the original post) and missed this post seing it had moved off the front page by mid the next morning. Must remember to also read page 2 of a morning if the boss isn't in yet.

      So I now finally have an Android phone. Have been torn between so many models in the last 2 weeks with same specs in the $100-$150 range but just couldn't bring myself to make a final decision. Thanks for the post as this finally got my A into G.

  • I think they should have a lot of stock.

    "Offer available at Coles Supermarkets (including BI-LO & Pick 'n Pay) until 22/07/12 or whilst stocks last.

  • +2

    Thanks OP. Picked one up today for the old man since he's on Telstra (not for long hopefully).
    I'd already bought a Huawei X3 in the last deal for my mother, so he was a bit jealous.

    Comparing the LG to the Huawei, I still like the Huawei better cosmetically. It feels better built and looks classier. The LG is a bit like a bar of soap. The standard UI on the Huawei is also better and lets you revert to vanillaish Android pretty easily. The LG has the ugliest Telstra implementation of Android I've ever seen, but it was easy enough to fix with a few free clock/weather, etc widgets from the store, and I've read that there are a few custom ROMs getting around for both so no biggie. They both run Sygic navigation with ease which is the main reason I bought these. Both came with 2GB memory cards.

    Unlocked the X3 for about $9 on eBay (Voda unlocker didn't work). About to attempt the same thing with the LG.

    No real complaints on either, for the money it's a no brainer. Especially at 50 bux.

    For anyone on the Gold Coast, after calling a few stores I found that Worongary had stock. They had not heard of the promotion and it scanned at $99 while we were on the phone. Has to be scanned with a Flybuys card to get the deal.

    • +1

      Glad to hear it actually exists!

      • Me too :) very cheap gift, thanks

        Seems to get better mobile and wifi signal than the X3 too

  • oh, 1000 fly buys point? Doesn't that mean you can get a $10 discount? :p

    • +1

      Hey you know what. I had no idea what 1000 points was worth. Turns out it is worth about $5 in discount on Coles purchases, based on the $10 discount costing 2000 points.

      In ozbargain style - brings the phone cost down to $44.50. :)

  • Got one in Sydney today.

    Has anyone had luck unlocking theirs yet?

    Welcome any advice.

    Nice phone for the $50.

    Thanks Coles and LG :-)

  • Got one today… Really nice for $49.50 - $5(1000 FlyBuys) - $10 Telstra Credit

    Called to FlyBuys Call Centre confirmed that My5's not working on it… SHAME :(

    Anyway, it's selling out quickly… Bought one this morning which the staff said they have plenty of stock, went back Afternoon and it's all gone!

    Going for phone hunting tmr for friends… Need TWO !!

  • +5

    Hi

    Unlock your Telstra Optimus Spirit LG-P690f for only $2.41

    Just to confirm for everyone - I bought my unlock code on ebay for $2.41.

    This works on my first attempt to enter the unlock code - and I got a fast turnaround.

    http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Unlock-Code-Australia-Telstra-LG-…

    Here is the ebay seller's site:

    http://myworld.ebay.com.au/boyal_soondh/?_trksid=p4340.l2559

    Service was fast - I expected to wait 24 hours - but got a response with the unlock code and instructions within about three hours.

    Just make sure you email him your IMEI code on the phone - just enter *#06# to get the code.

    My phone is now happily humming along on a TPG $1 per month sim card.

    I'm now going back to ebay to give this guy a five star rating from a VERY SATISFIED customer. The price and speed can't be beaten

    (I have no association with him — I only learnt about him from camelgrass posting above)

    Thanks camelgrass —- and thanks Coles, LG and Telstra … :-)

    I'll now lie awake having nightmares about not paying Telstra their $100 unlock fee! lol

    Enjoy!

    • hi, hello007, I also bought one yesterday, When I insert a vodafone or virgin sim then turn mobile on. screen only shows up network locked, but no way to enter unlock pin code. do you know where is a place I can input unlock code? thank you. (my phone's model number is LG-P690f, Build number is GPj22, software version is v10c-sep-29-2011, your one is similar?)

      • +1

        go to your phone's keypad and dial 2945#*690#

        • Hi Wayne
          I got the unlock code from the UK site and followed your instructions. After I dial 2945#*690# I get a window headed Sim Unlock Process listing network lock, SP Lock, Net. Subset Lock, Corporate Lock, SIM/USIM Lock. Is this right when it is the PHONE I need to unlock??
          Cheers Jonbar

        • Press "Network Unlock" and it will take you to the screen to unlock it from the Telstra network.

    • seller no longer registered on ebay - I bet ebay shut him down

  • +1

    I'm just curious how come there are only 15+ for this post? I think it's even better than the $199 Sony Ericsson Xperia Play Kmart deal with 105+ … Both Telstra Locked!

    • +1

      Low-end products are not glamourous, and the perceived value of the discount is correspondingly low.

      From memory there was a supermarket mobile deal: $29 prepaid starter pack and add $1 for a throw-away call-and-text phone. The discount on the phone is massive (think how much resources it took to make it) but the perceived value on the phone is, well, $1. Did you see people queuing overnight at your local supermarket?

      Compare this to an iPhone. Very glamourous and very expensive. Whatever price Apple charges, people perceive it as good value and are willing to queue for one. If there is a half-price FlyBuy deal on an iPhone, the OzBargain server will melt.

      • Compare $44.5 to $199… About 22% which this phone isn't that bad! Much better than those $50s android phones selling in supermarkets. 800mhz CPU + 512mb ram is not that low-end

        • This deal should have at least 30+ votes.

          One reason for the lower vote count is that it's a Telstra phone. A lot of OzB users are on Optus network (TPG, Live Connected, etc). The phone is not compatible with Optus 3G network unless located in major urban / metropolitan regions (UMTS 2100MHz). The Optus 3G network in most regional and rural areas is UMTS 900MHz which this phone does not support.

        • +1

          camelgrass: the $199 Sony Ericsson Xperia Play Kmart deal with 105+ is also Telstra Locked!

    • Me too. Probably my fault a bit by posting at 11:20pm which didn't give it enough time to get to the front page/email before the next day started. So it just got buried.

      There's also a few people who picked up phones and even commented but didn't give a +1. cough wink cough :)

      • Anyway… thanks so much! Cost me $1.3 AUD to unlock, came up with $45.8(1000 Flybuys=$5) and $10 Telstra credit which is useless for me with postpaid plan

        • Hey mate,

          Can u share with us how you got the phone unlocked for 1.3?

          Cheers.

    • I do not need to rely on my memory any more. I have just posted a deal from Big W. A Virgin $19 recharge voucher and a Nokia 1800 for $20.

      Yes, a mobile phone for $1 just as I remembered, except the offer is on now. Keep an eye out and see how many votes it gets. It will be an interesting experiment. (Not that I use OzBargain for experiments. Just a coincidence.)

      • Yeah but you posted the deal in the middle of the night!

        If you waited till mid-morning I bet you more votes.

        • This LG deal was posted at 11:20 PM, so my Nokia deal posted at 12:00 AM should give a good comparison. If I posted mid-morning then it would not be fair.

  • I've been driving around few Coles stores in the Northern suberbs of Melbourne but couldn't find a single phone. Either they are not aware of this promotion or no stock in hand. Could someone please let me know of a store in Melbourne that you have seen stock available. For me this looks like a bragain that should not be missed.
    I really would not want to hope this to be a "special" where they sent 2-3 phones to each store.

    • there are plenty of stocks in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne… Camberwell, Glenferrie, Richmond, etc

  • no stock in stores i have been to out west sydney as well…due to public holiday yesterday, they didnt get stock delivery, check back later today or early tomorrow is what i have been told.

    • I tried 3 stores today, around Sydney Northern Beaches. No dice. One of them said they only get phones delivered once a week, and to try next week.

  • went to coles (W.A.) just now, the person refuse to sell me at 49.50
    stated its 99 dollars. scan fly buys card, still 99……….

    • Had the same issue but just be persistent, helps to bring the brochure with so they dnt argue :D
      Phone is awesome btw, almost the same as my previous htc desire only difference is the sensitivity of the screen isn't as smooth.

  • +2

    As a Ozbargainner, I found out a cheaper unlock code at Ebay. There is about 1.60AUD (0.99GBP), compare to @hello007’s suggestion, which is 0.80aud cheaper ;-). I got a unlock code from this seller it worked fine. Here is the link: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170…

    • Hi onebee, ur link is returning an error.
      can u pls resend.

      cheers,

      • search this seller: mobiworkshop or this item: 170827811007

        • Can confirm that onebee's suggested ebay unlocker is 100% legit, just unlocked phone the LG for 1.50!!! got reply back within 5mins after payment.
          thanks heaps!

    • Yeah, that seller is cheaper but has lower feedback score. I'd rather pay a bit more (a few cents) for seller with higher feedback.

      I feel more confident with a seller with higher feedback — generally less hassles as they are more experienced and proven track record over time.

      It's only a few cents here or there so doesn't really matter either way.

      Great find for 99P — bargain!!

      • +1

        Been 13 hours and still waiting for his reply …..

        • Same here. Apparently the LG server is down or something…

        • Which seller?

        • Mobiworkshop for me

        • has been 48 hours….. still didn't get mine from "more reputable" ebayer

        • Same Mobiworkshop, won't even reply to my message simple 'Is there an issue'.

        • got refunded, seem like telstra might be involved in this?

        • Seems the LG server was down as said by dzero. Fast service comes back as unsupported however the longer method comes back fine. Guy said will have to wait 72 hours more. Comes back tonight with it and unlock fine :) Communication was crap until I said I'd leave neg then he replied straight away.

        • Yep, got my key finally and unlocked.

  • If they refuse to give you the offer on in-store stock on presentation of a flybuys card then ask to speak to the store manager.

    If he/she refuses ask them to call their area manager for a decision.

    If still refusing then ask them for their name and say you will lodge a formal complaint via coles.com.au.

    They will quickly change their mind.

  • Thanks for the post - the LG's great value. Unlocking may be problematic, as the UK bloke said "…please doubl check imei number as it comes up unsupported..". Phone model number is LG-P690f, Build number is GRJ22, software version is v10c-sep-29-2011 - slightly different build number to one mentioned previously.

    Anyway, here are two useful links:

    The LG P690 and Android Gingerbread (review)
    http://warrenmars.com/blog/2012/2012.htm#The%20LG%20P690%20a…

    Guide to a quick root
    http://androidforums.com/optimus-net-all-things-root/476090-…

    • unlock is very easy and super cheap, i bought unlock code from ebay and it worked well. please check my previous reply.

  • anyone able to flash new rom on it? I'm having trouble with any other roms install except the original one, it;s keep looping in the beginning??

  • Does this have heaps of Telstra Branding?

    • No, not much - and you can remove icons such as Foxtel and Bigpond by dropping them into the bin. There are only three Telstra icons on the home page anyway and you can remove - not uninstall - all of them.

  • I am having trouble setting this phone up to sync with my laptop. There is a version of pc suite 4 on the sd card, but incompatible with windows 7 64bit home premium. I cant find any other versions on www.lg.com, so I looked for an alternative program on Google Play. These would not download as there appears to be no Google Play app on the phone.

    Any suggestions?

    • Im using windows 7 64bit home premium as-well, I downloaded the drivers from LG official site… it should be working

      Between, you dont really need to connect the computer for normal use if you're not going to root or flash roms on it.

      1. Connect Wifi
      2. Click Android Market
      3. Sign in Google Account
      4. The phone will update automatically and you'll see Google Play after
  • My wife has a Telstra phone on a cheap pay by the ($20) month plan and still has a few months to go. Can I buy this phone, put her Telstra Sim Card in it and it will work? I am a bit of a newb with this sort of thing.

    • Same question from me….so an "expert OzB response" would be appreciated.

    • It should be working… Im using it with my Virgin $29 Plan

    • It is a Telstra prepaid phone so any Telstra SIM will work right away.
      However, the device is configured with 3G enabled, so if your Telstra has limited data, make sure you watch the usage - since Telstra do charge you lots when you go over your data limit.

      Non-Telstra SIM, you will need to buy the unlock code from eBay first (~$2).

  • Just bought this alot better for $10 than the other Telstra one

    • u mean the $39 one? Both of them are "Telstra"…

      • Yes….referring to phone quality…

  • Can someone report where in Sydney they have seen stock of these? Thanks

    • Hey mate, I picked up two at Coles in liverpool westfields..On saturday, past w.e

      • I tried to buy 2, but was refused; "only one per fly-buys customer". She also insisted on seeing (and keeping) the glossy fly-buys add. (South Tweed Coles)

  • I spoke Coles Customer sevice they replenished the stocks on daily basis.

    • One of the 4 stores I called said they only get stock once a week and none of them had any!

  • Just picked one up at Brandon Park(VIC) Fantastic deal!

  • Ripper tune boris!

    Not bad for the price
    thank you

  • seem like can't be unlock anymore from ebay :(

    • WHY? I just bought one today. what will I do?

      • which ebay seller did you go for? Please let us know the result. Thanks.

    • Yes it can. Just got mine unlocked.

  • edgar28

    Why is that have you tried just now?

    We all need the latest info if can can advise please

  • Found following unlock sellers on ebay:
    1. cell_techs, US Seller, AUD 2.34, 1178 feedbacks, 99.7% positive
    2. mobiworkshop, UK Seller, AUD 2.17, 67 feedbacks, 100% positive

    Can anyone let me know which did you go for? and the results?

    • +1

      mobiworkshop worked for me. It took 18 hours, but he apologized for the delay.

      • THANKS A LOT.

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