New smartphone with a $400 budget

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AT

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#112963 29-Dec-2012 22:29

I will be getting a new smartphone in the next few weeks to replace my current Samsung Galaxy Y that I got in June. I have my Samsung Galaxy Y running on Telecom's XT network with the $19 Big Value Pack.

What I am looking for in a phone:

-Good core apps such as e-mail, calendar, contacts and web browser. I am currently using G-Mail but I am considering a switch to outlook.com to take advantage of exchange with desktop outlook.

-It will get also used for social networking, news reading and light note taking. I use desktop OneNote at university.

-Larger screen than my current phone.

-Good build quality. This is a real gripe that I have the Galaxy Y since I previously owned solid Nokia phones in the 2280 and then the 3120c that I really liked. -Minimal bloat ware.

-Casual photo taking.

-Relatively up to date. I don't like that I am using Gingerbread with the Samsung Galaxy Y.

I am currently considering the following:
HTC 8S
HTC Desire X
HTC One V
LG Optimus L7
Nokia 620 (I can wait)
Sony Xperia P or U

I am relatively open minded as to what I get and I am willing to change carrier if that helps. I have around $400-450 to spend.

I would really appreciate any thoughts that forum members have on what I should get.

Batman

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#738441 29-Dec-2012 22:38

Harvey norman had a motorola atrix 2 for 197 ... Not sure if they will still offer that price tomorrow but you can try to play nice with the manager :)

AT

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#738445 29-Dec-2012 22:59

Unfortunately I am off on a camping trip over the next 3 days. I won't be able to make it to Harvey Norman.

billgates

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#738457 29-Dec-2012 23:59

HTC 8S from Telecom. Works on all mobile networks in NZ. Has a 4" display with Windows Phone 8. Email and social networking integration built into the OS is top notch.

Do whatever you want to do man.

Krishant007

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#738461 30-Dec-2012 00:26

I would go with 8S or the Desire X. Both are decent phones. However, you could also consider the Samsung S2 for that price (470?)

AT

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#738462 30-Dec-2012 00:29

Are there any considerable advantages spending more and getting the S2? How is it build quality wise?

Batman

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#738468 30-Dec-2012 01:04

One hundred percent plastic

martyyn

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#738483 30-Dec-2012 08:41

I hate to tell you this but the 8S was $399 at Warehouse Stationery this week but is now back to $499

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Wade

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#738484 30-Dec-2012 08:48

Asa recent Android to WP8 convert I would say go Windows Phone 8, it covers off all of your requirements, The HTC 8S appears to be a surprisingly good phone and the WP8 OS is a very good compromise between the benefits of a closed ecosystem such as Apple (set hardware configurations, no OEM OS skins) and an open system such as Android (multiple hardware manufacturers so choice of handsets, customizable homescreen).

WP8 shouldn't run into the fragmentation & OS update issues associated with android which is a huge thing in my mind, if you take Samsung for example they are now starting to show a pattern, S2 shipped with 2.3, S3 shipped with 4.0, S4 will (probably) ship with 4.2. Then you look at how quick they get updated, S2 didn't get updated to 4.0 until well after the S3 received the 4.1 update and I bet the S3 wont see 4.2 until the S4 has had a few months of sale under its belt, and who knows if the S2 will ever see 4.1 let alone 4.2.

AT

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#740483 5-Jan-2013 18:56

Thanks for the advice. I got the HTC 8s a few days. I am really happy with the phone it is definitely an improvement on the experience I was having with Android. Thanks again.

jeffnz

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#740568 6-Jan-2013 09:10

joker97: One hundred percent plastic

really wow I must have been so lucky when i had mine, hard to believe that a phone company would build a phone entirely of plastic, what a break through for battery technology though

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lolcano

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#740584 6-Jan-2013 09:53

I have just upgraded from the Samsung Y which decided to die on me to an HTC One V and I'm loving it. Picked it up from Dick Smith for $299 last week. Found it in a random display case at the back of the shop with no price tag on it. Had to Google the specs myself in store as the salesman was rather useless and had no idea which network if it was for.