Android Phone Bargain with 900MHz/2100MHz

• 

  cannedhams on 31/10/2012 - 13:37

  I dont think you'll find a phone that can satisfy all those requirements. The fact is that Telstra sell cheap phones (like the current Defy deal for $99) because they can pick up the money later via their higher network charges.

  The closest decent phone that I know of:-

  Mobile City is selling a Lumia 710 900/2100 phone for $189 plus shipping.
  http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/82517

  I bought one recently when it was $168 including free shipping. Good times.
  http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/81589

  As far as physical stores, you could pick up a Galaxy Ace or Galaxy Gio mini from Dickies:-

  http://dicksmith.com.au/mobiles-wireless/prepaid-mobile-phon…

  but those phones are showing their age by now.

  Short answer is, I don't know of any phone deal that can satisfy all of your requirements.

• 

  nickj on 31/10/2012 - 16:11

  -1

  You could get the Defy+ for $99 from Telstra, and then put the unlocked ROM and change it to the 900/2100 band. But your downsides are 1) You have to invest the time and effort and faffing about to get it set up like this. 2) Because you're modifying it, you're likely voiding your warranty unless you can get it restored back to its original state before returning it. 3) There's the risk that something might go wrong. (seems to work for most people though). 4) It is via an online store (Telstra's).

  Also, you could try asking at this Whirlpool forum (recommend me an android phone): http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=1851824&p…

  • 

    cannedhams on 01/11/2012 - 12:14

    This is intriguing. I thought that it would be impossible to change the ability to use different 3g bands as it is normally hardware dependent. But apparently it is possible:-

    http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1909403

    Suddenly the Defy deal is looking interesting.

    • 

      [Deactivated] on 04/11/2012 - 19:39

      Why don't you guys just leave it on 850/2100mhz.

      It will still connect to 2100mhz 3g.

      • 

        judgeg on 05/11/2012 - 13:06

        +1

        Optus' 2100mhz is overcrowded. They have been converting their 900mhz to 3G progressively. It is working in my area. On a 2100mhz only-phone I also can't get a good signal inside my bedroom etc. A phone with both frequencies easily gives me 3G coverage right inside my flat in every room.

        Thus the point of my thread.

        However the consensus from Ozbargain seems to be that there are no phones available that meet my criteria. <sigh>

• 

  YYY on 01/11/2012 - 13:13

  This link http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/1909403 doesn't mean anything about the 900Mhz as Hong Kong uses 2100Mhz so the unlocked Telstra Defy+ will work in Hong Kong. Most Asia countries use ONLY 2100Mhz UMTS frequency and Most Europe use 900/2100Mhz UMTS. Most 3G phones sold in Asia have 900/2100Mhz by default as the market for these phones is larger than 850/2100Mhz (not many countries use 850Mhz). Telstra, Telekom NZ and US AT&T are some of the networks use 850Mhz.

  We need someone to test this Telstra Defy+ in Optus 900Mhz area in order to confirm that. Cheers.

  • 

    cannedhams on 02/11/2012 - 19:52

    i just bought a defy and unlocked it following the thread here. Great phone for the price. Gotta love Ozbargain.

    http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/82806

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 04/11/2012 - 19:33

    +1

    … o_O How do you know if it is connecting to 900mhz or 2100mhz?

    • 

      judgeg on 05/11/2012 - 13:07

      +1

      I've tried a phone that has 2100mhz but not 900mhz inside my flat and the signal is crap. The LG Optimus 3 gives a good signal right inside every room because it does both 2100MHZ/900mhz. 900mhz is better for going through buildings and walls.

      • 

        [Deactivated] on 05/11/2012 - 15:24

        Yeah, in my area "Burwood" NSW, there is only 2100mhz… I can only ever get 1 bar of 3g, before it drops back to 2g..

        I have the optus huawei sonic and x1 which runs on 900mhz. However, I noticed that the price for the huawei x1 has jumped from $69 to $119…

        The sonic kind of meets your requirements, once overclocked. You can add the microsd to move apps2sd. It's going to be hard to find a phone within your specs. I'm not sure if you can buy the sonic anymore…

      • 

        scrimshaw on 05/11/2012 - 16:28

        If you are willing to import a phone from overseas like 2ndEffort did in this post, there is a very cheap dual-sim, dual core phone that supports 900/2100 MHz 3G and it costs around $154 USD delivered from HK.

        http://www.etotalk.com/zte-v889m-3g-wcdma-40-wvga-dual-sim-a…

        Spec	Value
        Brand	ZTE V889M
        CPU GPU	MTK6577 Cortex-A9 Dual-core 1.0GHz with PowerVR SGX531 Ultra
        OS	Android 4.0 Multilanguage
        Memory	RAM 512 ROM 4GB
        Camera	5mpx
        Battery	Li-ion Battery 1650mAh x 1
        Screen	4" WVGA 480 x 800 TFT LCD
        Networks	Dual sim standby 3G:WCDMA/HSDPA/HSUPA: 900/2100 MHz

        On paper this sounds much, much better than the Huawei Sonic.

• 

  [Deactivated] on 06/11/2012 - 16:19

  Received my order for the defy+ along with a 4g wifi hotspot

  I took a look at telstra's simplicity prepaid which basically has cheap calling rates and the $180 dollar plan with 12gb data for a whole year. It also has some SMS and bonus talk, but i haven't figured how it works yet.

  I don't usually buy telstra products but hey the network really is the best.

• 

  [Deactivated] on 06/11/2012 - 22:02

  not really sure why i bought the telstra products when i am getting good coverage on my defy+ on optus…

  damn.

  i still haven't worked out if it is actually working on 900 MHz. but in all seriousness wifi radios themselves have a small range they can move within. unless we can find someone who knows how to test for 900 MHz, I'd not recommend the defy yet unless you want to try and possibly eBay it later.