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Telstra (Prepaid) Huawei Ascend Y201 Smartphone $39.50 at Coles + 2500 Flybuys Points

1050

2500 Flybuy Points equals $12.50. So it's really $27.00.
Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
3.5" screen, 320 x 480 pixels, 3.5 inches (~165 ppi pixel density)
3.2 MP Camera
Video Yes, VGA@30fps
CPU 800 MHz Cortex-A5
Wi-Fi hotspot
4GB Storage (2.5GB User accessible) 512 MB RAM
microSD, up to 32 GB
More specs here (Not sure if this is the pro?) -
http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_ascend_y201_pro-5112.php

Locked to Telstra.
Before you go and purchase an unlock code, try your sim card first. It may just work.
Huawei Y201 Unlock Codes $5 -
http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/91771
USD$5.59
http://ebay.nckserver.com/page/1007/home.html

More info here -
http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/91573
http://forums.whirlpool.net.au/archive/2017695

Not all stores have stock, you might want to ring and check.
The sale is on until 01/05/13.

Mod: Updated link to offer in catalog.

Related Stores

Coles
Coles

closed Comments

  • +5

    This is the best phone for the cash by a long way. Can be unlocked for $5 (see the forums).
    Is this available now, or from Wednesday?
    Edit: oops. from the 17th (learning to read)

  • Bought one for my son last time so far so good.

    I still don't know whether it is necessary to activate the Telstra sim to get the flybuys.

    • Yes you have to activate the SIM to get the bonus flybuy points

  • might pick one up, currently using an old samsung slide while waiting for my note 2.

    2000 flybuys = $10 fly buys dollars too

    i'll use paywave too, extra 5%

    is this available widely at coles?

  • Does anyone know if Skype with Video will work on this phone and if i can setup a wifi hotspot on it.

    • +4

      There's no front camera for Skype.

      • Thanks. I m travelling overseeas. Will this phone work in other countries once unlocked?

        • +1

          I think unlocked means that literally it should work with any other provider.

        • True, but there are other factors at play, such as network type gsm/cdma etc, frequency bands. So BrisbaneBargainer's question is a bit vague. But my answer to him would be, generally yes but need research what the country(ies) you are traveling to to see if its supported.

      • +5

        Use a mirror in conjunction with the back camera? lol

        • My housemate used to do this before she upgraded, it worked really well!

    • Hotspot is available since Android 2.3 OS version.

  • i've got one of these. phone has good features but reception - esp 3g is dodgy if you're using it with a non-telstra provider. there's some sort of bandwidth mismatch as the phone was built to telstra's network specs.

    • I understand this is true in non-metro locations only? I believe the phone does 2100MHz which is available on all networks in cities, but only has 850MHz (nextG) in regional areas (V&O use 900MHz).
      I'm happy to be corrected if this is incorrect.

      • If you mean Virgin then yes, they use the 900MHz Optus network. However, Vodafone uses 850MHz.

    • Because this phone is 850/2100 for Telstra or Voda.

      • How about optus network?

        • it won't work as well because optus is 900/2100

    • I Have the telstra sim that came with the phone installed and can only get edge data at home, where my Lg Spirit gets 3g. Otherwise good.

  • Seriously? $39.50 !!!!!!!!!! Damnnnnnnn

  • The one I bought a couple months ago has a fault power button, but I lost the receipt. Maybe should get another one this time and use the new receipt to claim warranty for the first?

    • IMEI will be different…

      • Can't remember if that's shown on the receipt, (among a list of groceries), can anyone confirm this plz?

        • +1

          I have the receipt and no imei number on receipt you can claim warranty.

        • Great! Thanks.

    • +3

      Take it back. They can look up when Telstra shipped it without your receipt.

  • +2

    The phone is actually AUD 31.50 only.

    2500 flybuy points (2500 points can exchange for $12.50 flybuy dollars credit).
    Unlock only need AUD 5.

    Hence, the phone is actually AUD 39 - AUD 12.50 + AUD 5 = AUD 31.50

    • I suggest OP to put this into the post as well :)

      • +1

        Done.
        Or grab an Aldi or Kogan (telstra) prepaid, save $5.00 and don't bother unlocking.
        $39.50 - $12.50 = $27.00

        • Does this work with Lycamobile. They also use Telstra network…

      • NVM got beaten to ING paywave remark

    • paying wtih ING pay wave, save another 5% off $39.50, = $1.98

    • +2

      not everyone collects flybuys. $10 isn't incentive enough to handle over my details

  • +2

    Good phone for the price, but be aware that it's GSM 850/900, and UMTS 850/2100.

    GSM 1800 is very commonly used (in AU and overseas), and is not supported by this phone. And UMTS 900 (needed for Optus and vodafone in some areas) is not supported either.

    Probably best if you use it on Telstra or its resellers (aldi, boost, kogan).

    • Do you mean I do not need to unlock this phone if I buy an aldi or boost sim card ?

      • Correct.

    • But the description here http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_ascend_y201_pro-5112.php States:
      2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
      3G Network HSDPA 900 / 2100

      • Might have been customised for Telstra. Maybe an owner can clarify.

        • I have no idea when and what frequency band is in use, the only thing I can tell is if it's on 3G or GSM. Is there any way to check which frequency the phone is on?

      • Phones are released in many different versions (for different providers/countries) - you can't just look at GSM Arena for the exact spec's (especially frequencies.)
        This particular version is the U8666E-51.

    • Hey raven2000,
      Do you have any links for this? I found some old posts by you saying the same thing but all the links were 404. I have been looking around for definitive tech specs on this unit and cant find the Telstra variant. I kinda cant believe this is only dual band GSM. Not that I don't believe you, just wanna see it in black and white.

      • Well there were two links I posted before that proved this, like you said they're 404 now. I suspect either Telstra or Huawei got them taken down.

        Apart from that, I'm 100% sure it's not GSM 1800. I bought one last year and took it overseas. On a network that's 1800 only it wouldn't work, but on a network that's 900/1800 it would work for the most part.

        Basically telstra got these made specifically for their network. You say you can't believe this is the only Dual band GSM. Well it's the only Y201 variant with 850 UMTS, the others are 900/2100. Is it so hard to believe that Telstra got theirs to be 850/2100 UMTS and 850/900 GSM, considering their 1800 is exclusively for LTE now?

        Anyway whether or not you believe me is up to you. I dont think it matters that much in Australia now, as all the big 3 (telstra, optus, vodafone) are refarming their 1800 spectrum for LTE.

        PS: The model number of this y201 is U8666E-51, you won't find this specific model anywhere other than telstra.

  • Good phone for Aldimobile or Boost

  • +1

    Thanks window7 you taught me something regarding these flybuys

  • +1

    This is my spare phone - very happy with it.
    However few apps can be very slow (i.e. Facebook, Youtube even Chrome)
    Also the stock ROM will consume most of the ROM memory (mine has only 8MB memory left)
    I cannot find any 3rd party ROM like CM9
    Less internal storage is no big issue as I'm using Link2SD
    Overall - very good phone for the price.

    • +2

      I'm going to try flash jellybean onto it when I pick one up on wednesday.

      http://www.myhuawei.net/Thread-ROM-JB-SHENDUOS-4-1-2-Y201pro

      • I've seen that but nobody confirmed if the JB Rom was working properly
        Please let us know how you go with JB

        • I have a Samsung Salsa and almost useless (except as a phone, surprise) due to very little internal memory. Can't put any more apps on phone. Not sure if this is the same. Can check on gsmarena.com.

        • its got 2.5 user accessible which is enough for apps

        • abacus,

          You mean HTC Salsa i.e. the "Facebook Button" Phone? :P

          You should be able to root the phone and install Link2SD
          This will free-up your internal memory issue

        • Yeah, sorry HTC. Thanks for Link2SD suggestion, will look into it. As it is, it's not a very usable phone.

        • might just do root and load up cyanogen mod 10 instead.

          http://www.myhuawei.net/Thread-Anleitung-Root-CWM-U8666E-1

        • i only got 2.05 GB User accessible. Thats strange. i did not even start using it.

    • the standard interface is good enough. straight forward to root. then install a launcher.

  • re notes about optus network above…does this mean it will NOT work with tpg/optus??

    • It supports UMTS 2100 - so as long you are within this coverage… you should be fine

    • i've got a tpg sim in it and it works. tpg speeds have never been incredible for me.

      • Hi, do you mean you are using 3g data connection with you tpg sim and what speed of download you can do?

        • yes. seems to be about 122kB/s. i find optus 3g reception is pretty horrendous in shopping centres

        • Did you get higher speed in open area?

        • that's my house, which i would consider pretty open. so about 1Mbps. but i think it has more to do with optus rather than the phone

  • +1

    it comes with Telstra sim so you can sign up to telstra movies too for $10 event tickets

  • +1

    thanks Bappy! This will be fine as back up phone for my S2 which is driving me crazy…

    • Easy solution… buy an s4

      • Or buy S3 and save the money for S5 ;)

  • Great deal for a budget Phone, thanks op for also including the details to unlock.

    I'm happy that no one has raised any ethical concerns on this yet :-)

    Love OZB !!

  • Great phone for the price. Long battery life, recent Android version, easy and cheap unlock. Takes about 1 month to get the Flybuys into your account.

  • +1

    my only gripe is the back speaker is a bit quiet. i had to install an app to boost the speaker

    great value @ $40

  • +3

    looks like @Bagman is gonna be quite busy once again :D

  • I am interested in this phone, but would like to know if anyone using this unlocked with optus 3g 2100m data connection?

    • I got this phone few months back from coles, good for the money spent. Unlocked it and used with woolworths sim which is a optus network. I could not find any difference in 3G speeds for browsing.

  • -6

    The U.S. House Intelligence Committee says no (to Huawei).

    "Huawei and ZTE seek to expand in the United States, but as a result of our investigation, we do not have the confidence that these two companies with their ties to the Chinese government can be trusted with infrastructure of such critical importance," the committee's chairman, Michigan Republican Mike Rogers, said. (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/united-states-house-intelligen…)

    The House investigation found credible reports of illegal behavior by Huawei, including immigration violations, bribery and corruption, based on statements from current and former employees, according to the report. (http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-10-07/huawei-zte-provi…)

    FYI - Telstra official unlock rates: If the handset is less than 6 months old, it is $100. 6 months to 2 years old is $27.50. For 2 years above, unlocking is free of charge.

    • +3

      Huawei Y201 Unlock Codes $5 -
      http://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/91771

      • -1

        Read that, simply stating official unlock rates.

        • I've re-read your post a few times but am unable to see how is this relevant to us? What am I missing? Could you explain please.

          btw Like everyone else I got mine unlocked for $5

        • -1

          It's called ethics.

        • +1

          What's called ethics?

  • +1

    wtf that small low powered thing has android 4.0, yet my Xperia Play is stuck on 2.3.4, real smooth Sony, might buy one of these

  • when is this deal gonna start ?

    • Top line:
      Starts 17/04/13.

      So, tomorrow!

      • sorry mistakenly voted down your comment. :s

        thanks for info.

  • If I dont have a flybuys card do I have to pay full price?

    It seems to indicate that but I dont know.

    Considering buying it for a gift but not for full price.

    • That's what the footnote says, but you can get a temp Flybuys on the spot at the shop I think.

    • Just signed up online, took 2 minutes and you get a temp card to print.

    • last time they offered these i didn't need a flybuys card.

      however, in case they do, grab a temporary flybuys card application from the shelves at the store and just scan that.

    • No you won't pay full price, you just miss out on the 2500 flybuys points.

  • For what it's worth, the wife & I have this phone, a Huawei X5 and a Huawei X3 all as back-up's. I've found them to be excellent in every regard as generic phones, no real issues to note. The X3 and X5 both had minor issues connecting to wireless internet (they would have to attempt to connect like 3 or 4 times, but once connected you were fine), but this one was manageable. No problems with speaker levels, reception or any of that sort of stuff. The only real downsides are the phones have REALLY shite camera's on them & they aren't exactly great for gaming unless puzzle games are your thing (in which case, they work perfectly fine).

    My 2c on the phone, anyway.

  • Like most Telstra phone only supports Australian 3G bands: 850MHz (Telstra, Vodafone). Does not support or work on the Optus 900MHz network.

  • would i be able to use this phone overseas without problems?

  • I'm thinking of getting a couple of these phones to use to stream music around the house.

    I could leave them permanently plugged in and connect headphone jack to a stereo. In order to control the music, I'd use a "remote" on another smartphone.

    Any ideas on what apps could be used as the "player" and the "remote" in this type of set-up?

  • I've struck out at three branches in my area already. Wonder if any of theses phones will actually make into stores.

    • Both Brisbane CBD stores had none.

    • It's on sale for 2 weeks, maybe ask when they are getting them.
      See if they will put one aside for you.

    • My wife picked a couple up from Malvern (she couldn't see the stock) & Elsternwick (saw 4 boxes.)
      Malvern didn't know where the stock was initially, but made her fill out a form for the SIM, whereas Elsternwick were the opposite.
      There are big ads all over the place and on the registers - the fine print states one per customer.

  • Chatswood Chase: No stock
    Chatswood Westfield: No stock

  • I;ve got this today from Hornsby Westfield Coles, really good phone for the price, and interestingly I used Aldimobile SIM with this, because it's operating on Telstra network. It is working just fine :)

    • Can u try a Sim Card that does not use the Telstra Network and check if it is unlocked?

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