Best value for money smartphone which is 3G and Next G compatible

Candour on 23/10/2012 - 09:41

I want a smartphone which has a big screen [old] and is across 3G and Telstra so that when the 4g comes In I can still use it. specs seem not to allow this?

  • Network Band : GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900, 3G 900 (Optus YesG/Vodafone), 3G 2100
  • Recommended Networks : Optus 2G, Vodafone 2G, Telstra 2G, Optus 3G 900, Optus 3G 2100, Vodafone 3G 900, Vodafone/Three 3G 2100
  • Sim Size : Dual SIM
  • 3G : Yes
  • Next G Compatible : No
  • Telstra/Optus 4G Compatible : No

Confusing to newbie [me] it seems that this does not do telstra next G? but does 2100? and 850mhz? newbie i thought if it does 850/2100 it does next g telstra and that 2100 is the way to go if I want 3g only so far? and only much later move to 4g if ever.

Mobile

Comments

  • klaw81 on 23/10/2012 - 10:39
    +1

    I'm not sure which phone you're looking at, but here's the deal with carrier frequencies:

    Almost all mobile phones currently sold are currently capable of accessing the old GSM (also known as '2G' or 'digital') network. This network is fine for voice calls and SMS, but data is very slow. These are listed in phone descriptions as GSM 850, GSM 900 etc. All of the Australian networks use similar frequencies for GSM, and most phones can work on any of these bands - so you can safely ignore them, they are not really relevant.

    Most newer phones can also access the 3G networks. These often operate on the same frequencies as the GSM networks, but are entirely separate networks. The 3G network can be used for both voice calls and high speed data, and it's the important one for a good smartphone experience.

    Here's the essential part - your phone needs to be able to send and receive on the correct bands. Many phones can only use 2 or 3 of them, and you need the right ones for your network. If you want to have full compatibility with all of the Australian 3G networks, your phone MUST have both the 3G 850 (Telstra NextG) and 3G 900 (Optus/Vodafone) bands.

    (Bear in mind that 3G bands are sometimes referred to as 'WCDMA' or 'UMTS' so you might see them appear as UMTS 850 etc.)

    Finally, the relatively new 4G networks are entirely separate again. The 4G network currently only allows very high speed data, but 4G phones can also access the 2G and 3G networks for voice calls. Both Optus and Telstra use the LTE 1800 band for 4G networks.

    I hope that clears up any confusion.

  • scotty on 23/10/2012 - 10:41
    +2

    For Next G you need a phone that does HSPA/3G 850MHz, and the phone specification you have listed above only does 3G on 900MHz and 2100MHz frequencies, i.e. Optus. Telstra and Vodafone also do 2100MHz but you'll want one that do 850. Note that 4G LTE is something completely different and you'll need a 4G LTE capable phone.

    Motorola DEFY+ on Telstra Prepaid would be the best Smartphone deal at the moment that I think of for Telstra network — http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/82419

    The only problem is that it's only 3.7inch screen and old'ish processor.

  • ESEMCE on 23/10/2012 - 11:25
    +2

    And NextG is Tesltra's 3G.
    I thin what you're looking for is a Galaxy S2 4G or higher.
    Personally, I wouldn't buy a phone now for using 4G in the future. 4G is still new technology and the current chips suck battery… future chips will be more energy efficient for 4G connections.
    So you're better off buying a good 3G handset and then upgrading to 4G in a couple of years time when 4G is more entrenched.

    • Candour on 23/10/2012 - 12:38

      ty to all 3 of you!
      am on 2g
      have to go to 3g 850 and 900 optus
      i only mention 3g telstra because I read somewhere that that is the band to watch for as optus is unsing that as well now?
      will ensure these two bands are there always.
      so the other bands seem to be irrelevant to 3g?
      I want to upgrade to 3g at most only so I can get familiar with how to use the phones, and swipe /touch them etc.
      if it has 1800 then may I get 4g as well now?

      next Q is how easy is it to buy a phone and unlock it as opposed to buying an unlocked one right now?

      • Geewhizz on 23/10/2012 - 13:04

        how easy is it to buy a phone and unlock it as opposed to buying an unlocked one right now?

        It depends on the individual phone really.

      • ESEMCE on 23/10/2012 - 15:10

        High end phones generally come compatible with compatibility for Telstra and Vodafone 3G (850MHz) and Optus 3G (900MHz) 3G radios.
        Galaxy S2*
        Galaxy S3*
        iPhone 4, 4S and 5*
        HTC One X*
        Sony Xperia S, P and U

        As far as I'm aware if you buy a 4G handset (* above have 4G versions), they also come with both 850 and 900MHz 3G.

        Optus will not use 850MHz for 3G. and Telstra and Optus are using different Frequencies for their 4G networks.
        (another reason against 4G is that the government is planning to sell off old Analogue TV spectrum in the 700MHz band for 4G networks, which none of today's handsets can receive)

        • Candour on 24/10/2012 - 07:57

          ty. i read somewhere that it is better to opt for telstra 3g if you cannot have both bands on the phone as optus is switching to that?
          so if I get 850/2100 that would future proof my 3g basic smartphone a while?
          am looking at basic cheapest phone initially to cut my teeth on it.

        • ESEMCE on 24/10/2012 - 14:01
          +1

          telstra 3g if you cannot have both bands on the phone as optus is switching to that?

          Wherever you read that is incorrect, or you misunderstood.
          Vodafone have increased their metropolitan 3G coverage with some 850MHz, but I've heard nothing of Optus moving to 850MHz and globally 900MHz is more commonly utilised than 850MHz.

          Optus and Telstra will focus on growing their 4G networks in the coming years, I don't imagine 3G coverage will change much.

          Plus if you're buying a cheap phone, with a mind to upgrading in the future, you should buy for the network that exists now.
          In the unlikely event that Optus do start to switch to 850MHz, they will do so only slowly, they wont turn off the 900MHz coverage overnight.

  • ESEMCE on 25/10/2012 - 10:31

    Check out the Motorola Atrix deal
    $208 from JB HiFi
    http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/82879
    Has Next G and Optus Yes G compatibility.

    • Candour on 28/10/2012 - 09:55

      thank you for your great find
      was looking at htc desire https://www.uniquemobiles.com.au/catalogsearch/result/?q=htc…
      but the cheap ones unlocked are either next g or optus 3g, not both
      will wait for something nearer $100
      saw the HTC chacha recently on EB games on ozB recently too for $69?
      but not full screen and the keys are pointless I think
      at 60+ I find it hard to learn the swipe ways of smartphones
      so want to start with a chep value for money one

  • kyteflyer on 28/10/2012 - 11:50
    +1

    Look for a Pentaband phone. You'll spend more money, but you'll get coverage on every network, regardless. You may NOT get access to LTE. What this means, though, is that you'll need to spend a little more.

    at the very least you will be wanting to get UMTS 850/900/2100. Thats at the very least. It will cover you for Telstra NextG, Optus YesG, and Vodafone 3G.

    Dick smith have a lot of unlocked phones and its worth having a poke around there, but be aware that if you are restricting yourself to $100 or less, you will have to make a choice between Telstra/Vodafone and Optus. Unlikely you'll get access to both 3G networks on the same phone at that price.

    • Candour on 28/10/2012 - 12:19

      ty
      will do
      will look for something over $100 to $150!
      with full screen
      not chacha

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