Simple backup phone recommendation

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timmmay

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#177223 27-Jul-2015 08:23

I'm in the market for a simple backup phone, to use if I myself or my wife manage to break our smartphone. Requirements:
- Make calls, send texts, robust
- Any smart features (Internet, email) are a bonus, not necessary
- Works on Telecom, Vodafone, and ideally 2degrees
- Charges from USB
- Long battery life
- Takes the same SIM cards as smartphones (adapters are fine)

I'm thinking a basic Nokia for $100, but no idea about which ones work on which networks. Any suggestions?

The $30 Huawei U2800 might be an option, it appears to work on all networks. I'd prefer a Nokia as I've had them before and they're pretty close to bulletproof.

billgates

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#1352290 27-Jul-2015 09:18

The $30 Huawei phone bands are 2G? If so, it will not work on Spark. Spark needs 3G/UMTS 850MHz. I doubted the $30 Huawei has a 3G chip supporting all 3 NZ networks.

Do whatever you want to do man.

timmmay

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#1352292 27-Jul-2015 09:20

From here

GSM frequencies 850 900 1800 1900
Standard UMTS 850 1900
Standard LTE No

Talk time (max.) 2G: 230 min. (3,8 h)
3G: 262 min. (4,4 h)
Stand-by (max.) 2G: 365 h. (15,2 days)
3G: 461 h. (19,2 days)

I don't know much about this stuff, that's why I'm asking. Happy to get another recommendation.

NikT

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#1352311 27-Jul-2015 09:38

Get a Smart prime and unlock it. Supports all NZ operators' 3G bands + 1800/2600MHz LTE. Best backup smartphone ever.

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Wade

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#1352312 27-Jul-2015 09:38

Not sure if you can still buy new but a Spark Nokia 520 should fit the bill, iirc the Spark/Telecom models covered all necessary bands

NikT

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#1352329 27-Jul-2015 09:57

Wade: Not sure if you can still buy new but a Spark Nokia 520 should fit the bill, iirc the Spark/Telecom models covered all necessary bands

530 would be a better fit for this. 520 supported either 850/2100 or 900/2100.

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timmmay

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#1352337 27-Jul-2015 10:05

Thanks for the thoughts guys. I'd rather spend $50 on a basic robust feature phone than $100 - $150 (plus unlock fee) on a smart phone, especially a windows one. Think more along the lines of what people use in developing countries, I don't even need a color screen, just the ability to call and text on any network. If I can't have any network then Telecom is #1, Vodafone is #2, 2degrees is a distant #3 but could be beneficial.

Wade

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#1352366 27-Jul-2015 10:25

NikT:
Wade: Not sure if you can still buy new but a Spark Nokia 520 should fit the bill, iirc the Spark/Telecom models covered all necessary bands

530 would be a better fit for this. 520 supported either 850/2100 or 900/2100.

:P TBH if the Smart Prime is anything like the Smart Ultra then that would be the best choice full stop

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NikT

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#1352413 27-Jul-2015 11:06

timmmay: Thanks for the thoughts guys. I'd rather spend $50 on a basic robust feature phone than $100 - $150 (plus unlock fee) on a smart phone, especially a windows one. Think more along the lines of what people use in developing countries, I don't even need a color screen, just the ability to call and text on any network. If I can't have any network then Telecom is #1, Vodafone is #2, 2degrees is a distant #3 but could be beneficial.

The Lumia 530 is $49.99 at Noel Leeming right now.

You will be hard pressed to find any device with 3G on 850/900/2100 that is unlocked for under ~$200 these days, so that will need to be factored in.

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timmmay

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#1352444 27-Jul-2015 11:42

Ok, maybe it's a decent option. It'd be $30 to unlock, right? I wouldn't have to get another Vodafone SIM?

I really wanted something battery efficient as part of my emergency kit as well as the "oops I broke my S4". An old Nokia would last at least a week on standby, smartphones can't compare. At least it's a bit more capable.

NikT

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#1352486 27-Jul-2015 12:38

timmmay: Ok, maybe it's a decent option. It'd be $30 to unlock, right? I wouldn't have to get another Vodafone SIM?

I really wanted something battery efficient as part of my emergency kit as well as the "oops I broke my S4". An old Nokia would last at least a week on standby, smartphones can't compare. At least it's a bit more capable.

Yes, $30 to unlock. Comes with a SIM. If left fully charged and powered off, I would expect it to last a very long time.

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timmmay

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#1352501 27-Jul-2015 12:53

Great, thanks NikT. Still interested if anyone has a feature phone option rather than smart phone, though not many will be available these days. Maybe I have to import one from India?!

NikT

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#1352504 27-Jul-2015 13:00

timmmay: Great, thanks NikT. Still interested if anyone has a feature phone option rather than smart phone, though not many will be available these days. Maybe I have to import one from India?!

Anecdotally, the best standby I've seen in recent times is on the Sony Xperia SP - I've had one sitting in flight mode with Stamina Mode and WiFi enabled for the last ~45 days(!) and it's still going.

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