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Forums › Mobile handsets › Advertised prices vary for same device
Rickles

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#323847 25-Jan-2026 11:22
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Been looking at phone replacement, and noticed that several retailers offer exactly the same device and varying prices.

 

Only differences I can see in their descriptions are things like "Spark/Open Network" vs. "OneNZ/Open Network".  One is a few dollars more than the other.

 

I assume that the Open Network descriptor means they are the same thing?

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freitasm
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  #3455745 25-Jan-2026 11:36
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Correct. If the difference is only a few dollars I would be inclined to buy from the network you intend to use it. This way, if it doesn't work on another network you would not have a problem from the start.

 

As it is now, devices should have all local operators loaded into their settings (and I have had no problems with big names like Samsung, OPPO and certainly not with Apple) but it may happen that a parallel imported device doesn't have the local profiles, or a low-tier device has only the profile for the operator it's being sold from.




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  #3455746 25-Jan-2026 11:40
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Open network means not SIM locked

Rickles

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  #3455754 25-Jan-2026 11:53
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Network 'settings' did cross my mind, but they were both cited as open network ... also same specs and colours etc. 

 

I wondered if the more expensive one included a SIM and some free usage, but nothing like that in the blurb.



freitasm
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  #3455756 25-Jan-2026 11:55
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Open network is just not SIM locked. It's no guarantee some network-dependent feature, or settings-dependent feature linked to a specific network will be available.




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Rickles

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  #3455758 25-Jan-2026 11:59
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OK, got it .... thanks.

 

Interestingly, other (well known) retailers simply describe the phone with no network attribution at all.

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  #3455759 25-Jan-2026 12:03
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Yeah, in which case you could buy it and if it doesn't work, ask for CGA protections.

 

Buying from one network, if it doesn't work on another they could always say "We didn't promise it would." and you would have to start a process to say "it's not fit for New Zealand" and go around, around, etc.




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