Android Phone (noob)

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farns

61 posts

Master Geek

Topic # 92879 8-Nov-2011 14:09
Im a complete noob to smartphones but do have the need for mobile email and web-browsing on occasion. Im after something fairly practical as its for work mostly. Any idea which of these Telecom phones is best or which is not? Each is free on a 24 month $40 plan LG Optimus One P500 HTC Wildfire S (Android 2.3, others listed are 2.2 if its much diff) Telecom Huawei X1 Motorola Defy ($60 plan)

cyril7

5672 posts

Uber Geek

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Subscriber

Reply # 542599 8-Nov-2011 14:20
Hi, all of these phones are fine, however all do not retail for the same price as they have performance and build quality points that should be noted. The Wildfire would be my pic, but it also retails for twice the price of the other two. The other LG and X1 are both good phones but I would probably choose them in that order. Cyril

lokhor

2128 posts

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Reply # 542631 8-Nov-2011 15:06
The wildfire s is is pretty slow and kind of squat looking. Current Devices: Samsung Galaxy S3 Old Devices: SGS I9000, HTC Sensation, SGSII I9100, Asus Transformer Associate Editor-in-Chief for AndroidNZ.net TelecomTech is a sponsored blog reviewing the latest in communications technology. All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

bener

161 posts

Master Geek

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Reply # 542686 8-Nov-2011 16:23
Wildfire vs. Huawei X1 Wildfire vs. Defy Wildfire vs. Optimus These comparisons may look daunting but just compare memory, CPU, screen size and camera really. The Defy (at a quick glance) looks to be higher spec'd with its 800MHz processor, larger screen and gorilla glass display, but like cyril7 mentioned, you may want to take new price into account. Michelsen Computer Services Whangarei ----------------------------------------------------------- I was born in a cross-fire hurricane And I howled at my ma in the driving rain, But it's all right now, in fact, it's a gas... -----------------------------------------------------------

Paulthagerous

546 posts

Ultimate Geek

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Reply # 542695 8-Nov-2011 16:43
If you are going for a 24 month $40 plan, then I would say Wildfire S. Prepaid, well its a bit harder. Defy if you are terrible at looking after phones and need something extra tough. But best bit is to pop instore and have a play, one may jump out at you.

lokhor

2128 posts

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Reply # 542738 8-Nov-2011 18:21
bener: Wildfire vs. Huawei X1 Wildfire vs. Defy Wildfire vs. Optimus These comparisons may look daunting but just compare memory, CPU, screen size and camera really. The Defy (at a quick glance) looks to be higher spec'd with its 800MHz processor, larger screen and gorilla glass display, but like cyril7 mentioned, you may want to take new price into account. What comic is your avatar from? Current Devices: Samsung Galaxy S3 Old Devices: SGS I9000, HTC Sensation, SGSII I9100, Asus Transformer Associate Editor-in-Chief for AndroidNZ.net TelecomTech is a sponsored blog reviewing the latest in communications technology. All comments are my own opinion, and not that of my employer unless explicitly stated.

crackrdbycracku

864 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 542747 8-Nov-2011 18:33
Go the Defy. It doesn't have the newest software but I've had mine since march and it has never let me down. Very good 'basic' smartphone. Didn't anybody tell you I was a hacker?

farns

61 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 542748 8-Nov-2011 18:45
Thanks, cheers for the GSMArena links, looks a good site. I think Ill go for the Defy as its well specced (despite not having latest Android release) , reviews well and I do need a durable phone. Ill have a look in store for build quality etc but just need a shortlist as they are often prone to BS instore. Any more opinions gratefully received and Ive just read the "Under $500 phone" thread too. Thanks!

uglyb0b

209 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 542801 8-Nov-2011 20:15
You mentioned the Defy not having the latest android version, keep in mind the cyanogenmod team have added official support for it in cyanogenmod 7.1. I am using this rom on my nexus one and it's great. You will pretty much always have better luck getting updates through third parties rather than the manufacturer. Especially with the Defy+ being released, Motorola are probably going to drop official support for the 1st gen Defy.

bener

161 posts

Master Geek

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Reply # 542944 9-Nov-2011 08:52
lokhor: bener: Wildfire vs. Huawei X1 Wildfire vs. Defy Wildfire vs. Optimus These comparisons may look daunting but just compare memory, CPU, screen size and camera really. The Defy (at a quick glance) looks to be higher spec'd with its 800MHz processor, larger screen and gorilla glass display, but like cyril7 mentioned, you may want to take new price into account. What comic is your avatar from? Haha it's from Achewood. The character is Nice Pete. He's nice... Michelsen Computer Services Whangarei ----------------------------------------------------------- I was born in a cross-fire hurricane And I howled at my ma in the driving rain, But it's all right now, in fact, it's a gas... -----------------------------------------------------------

RealityClash

192 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 543139 9-Nov-2011 14:22
I have an HTC Wildfire and an HTC Sensation and I've never really had any problems with either of them. The main things I love about HTC are their build quality and the software they run on their phones over the standard Android OS (HTC Sense), aswell as the fact that HTC are generally one of the first manufacturers to update their phone's software. The main concerns I had with my Wildfire was the low resolution screen and the lack of GPU (which meant the games you were able to play was limited). The Wildfire S has fixed both of these problems, with a 320x480 resolution screen (double that of the original Wildfire) and its got a faster CPU aswell as having the GPU so in general it also feels smoother to use (I've tried the Wildfire S in a telecom shop). Although the Defy has a slightly faster CPU the Wildfire makes up for a lot of it with the newer software. Unless you're "accidentally" planning on throwing your phone around or dropping it in puddles then I'd go for the Wildfire S :P