Best Camera Phone on XT or Vodafone/B&W

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traceywnz

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#43874 22-Oct-2009 14:01

So I've heard rumours that XT is probably the best coverage for a mobile network in NZ?? (I live in the South Island, and most of my travelling is done around the S.I.) Given that CDMA will be discontinued in a couple of years.. Also, does anyone know whatsort of reception/coverage Black&White gets (is it similar to Vodafone? - if so what sort of coverage does Vodafone give outside of the main centres)???

Coming from a Sanyo SCP-8400 on Tcom, I am looking to upgrade, would XT would be the network to switch to?

I'm not linked with any business or plan so pre-pay or an open term plan is what I will likely go with. Could you please let me know what you think of the phones on XT (or if there is any star performers from other networks I'll consider them on Vody or B&W)..

I want to get a new phone and have read reviews to death.. so am looking for some tried and tested advice from people who have actually used the phones.. especially with regards to the camera. Brand-wise I am partial to Nokia, but would consider anything. Budget wise I probably wouldn't go as high as $1200-$1500 but would consider most other options. Have heard iPhones are overpriced for what they offer.

I'm not super techy and don't need it for business purposes..

Essentially my main purpose for a phone is text or MMS messaging with the odd call thrown in. I travel a bit (mainly on State Highways) so reception is important (though I know much of the rural S.I. doesn't get reception), and if I spot a bit of pretty scenery on the way (or am at an 'occasion' and photo opportunities present themselves), I would like my phone to have a decently performing camera aboard as I won't always have a 'proper' digicam with me. In this vein, geotagging would be plus.

Other features that would be cool (but not necessary):
Ability to set multiple daily alarms (doesn't have to be through the 'alarm' function specifically)
GPS and/or Maps (or at minimum the ability to download google maps)
Fair to reasonable battery life or better
MP3 player (with some sort of option for 3.5mm headphones)
Video calling
Fair easy to operate UI (though I am sure most phones offer this nowdays?)

To date I have considered the SE C903 (vodafone handset), SE C510 (got bad reviews for camera), Nokia 6600 Slide, Nokia E71 & E75 (both got bad camera reviews).

The reviews (especially on camera performance) were not great on most of these, but I figure user experience counts for a lot too - so would really appreciate your advice and experiences.

As far as photos go - if it was a good scenery pic I may get it printed to A4 size, but most would only be to standard 6"x4" or 6x8 size. Yea, digicams will give better photos, but this is like a backup option for when the camera is at home..

Cheers
Trace

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19 posts

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#266096 22-Oct-2009 14:08

Oh, and on B&W the Nokia E71 is $750 where on XT its $899.. Are their differences when buying it from a different network? There does not seem to be differences in the model name.. is it likely the configuration will be different, or would either model work similarly with different network SIMs in it?

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#266098 22-Oct-2009 14:12

Black+White uses the same network as Vodafone - it actually uses Vodafone's network so coverage is the same for both. It also uses the same GSM and WCDMA bands, in effect making a 3G handset from one of those companies useless on Telecom XT.

Make sure you select your provider wisely. Once you get into one you can't easily move from Vodafone to Telecom without end up having to buy a new handset - the other way is easier but still wouldn't give you 3G coverage on Vodafone's extended service.

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traceywnz

19 posts

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#266101 22-Oct-2009 14:29

Cheers. Yea I was just looking at B&W's site. Man Vodafone charge too much for their handsets.. a Nokia e75 is $995 on Tcom and $127 on Vody!! So I won't try and play switchie with networks after I buy a new phone. I see Vodafone still have the SE C905 for $500 so I may just get that (for now) and chuck it on B&W (cheap texting!) until Telecom bring in some decent phones.

I am wondering if I am just too picky with regards to phones - nothing is QUITE what I want lol! Or is way expensive :P

kiwiscoota

237 posts

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#266122 22-Oct-2009 15:30

I've now had five SE phones, while I have really liked the phones in terms of being user friendly, I have been very disappointed by the reliability or should I say lack of reliability and the rapid deterioration of the case.

I take great care to look after "my toys" and to have the paint wearing off the SE's in a matter of months was disappointing. Currently I'm using a Motorola that has a stainless steel finish, it's now 13 months old and still looks as good as the day I bought and I've never experienced any problems with reliability.

antbs

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#266266 23-Oct-2009 00:05

Looking at the features you want you should get an iPhone! Will suit your needs perfect and has heaps of other great uses.

Just my opinion and I'm a little biased!

kiwiscoota

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#266272 23-Oct-2009 03:15

antbs: Looking at the features you want you should get an iPhone! Will suit your needs perfect and has heaps of other great uses.

Just my opinion and I'm a little biased!

I'd agree with you, at this point in time, when I replace my current Motorola it will be with an iPhone.

traceywnz

19 posts

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#266317 23-Oct-2009 10:50

Lol.. the iPhone is certainly one of those dream phones and I know I would go nuts buying all the awesome games they have available.. How would you rate the camera for both functionality and quality of the pictures it takes? Beyond ease of texting and reception - the camera is my next biggest deal maker/breaker - would be keen to hear what you think of the picture quality from iPhone 3GS

kiwiscoota

237 posts

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#266321 23-Oct-2009 11:11

I am very impressed with the picture quality and the video recording of the iPhone, a mate regularly sends me pics and video clips from his iPhone and it streets ahead what I ever achieved with the SE's or my Motorola

Handsomedan

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#266324 23-Oct-2009 11:20

iPhone's not ideal if you want a decent camera on your phone - plus if you are texting more, buttons are probably better for you.

Sonyericsson have traditionally been the leaders in the camera phone market and the 8MP one that is available on XT is a good one, but I too have had reliability issues with my SE's.

I've recently gone to a Nokia and find the camera to be acceptable but not as good as the SE but the phone is better.

My personal opinion would be go with XT if you are in the south and get either the W995a or the W705a. Either one would be a good choice and they have both had pretty decent reviews.

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nickd

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#266338 23-Oct-2009 11:57

I bought a N85 about 2 months ago for use on XT (and occasionally 2degrees), I'm happy with the photo quality.
It has all the requirements that you listed above as well as a FM transmitter so you can play your music through the car stereo (I find this most useful when driving on open road).

It's nice and sturdy and the lens cover is quite solid, something that I worried about when looking at buying some of the other phones out there (SE 705 I seem to think).

The thing I hate most about the N85 though is that when on vibrate it makes a hell of a racket as the slide seems to have about a 0.5mm gap, not sure if this is just a fault on my phone but there you go.

antbs

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#266557 24-Oct-2009 14:09

Handsomedan: iPhone's not ideal if you want a decent camera on your phone - plus if you are texting more, buttons are probably better for you.

Sonyericsson have traditionally been the leaders in the camera phone market and the 8MP one that is available on XT is a good one, but I too have had reliability issues with my SE's.

I've recently gone to a Nokia and find the camera to be acceptable but not as good as the SE but the phone is better.

My personal opinion would be go with XT if you are in the south and get either the W995a or the W705a. Either one would be a good choice and they have both had pretty decent reviews.

I don't agree. I find the iPhone perfect for any normal camera user, ie not for someone who wants to print out A4 photos.

In comparing my iPhone 3GS vs a 8 megapixel Sony Ericsson the iPhone picture came out better as megapixels on their own don't make the hugest difference for an average user.

NZtechfreak

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#266589 24-Oct-2009 17:48

The best one would be the Sony Ericson Satio (available from parallel importers) for Vodafone or Vodafone compatible networks, or the Samsung Pixon 12 for the same networks. A cheaper phone that is still very good for imaging is the N82 - if you can find it via a parallel importer you'll see it between $500-600 - its a 5mp Nokia with a Xenon flash which makes a huge difference in low light/indoor/night environments.

The iPhone is a fine phone, but if you look at proper comparisons online you'll see it falls well short of the better offerings from Nokia, Samsung, and Sony. It takes passable casual photos, and that may be good enough for most, but the OP asked for the best camera phone available and its not the iPhone.

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kiwiscoota

237 posts

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#266592 24-Oct-2009 18:00

NZtechfreak: The best one would be the Sony Ericson Satio (available from parallel importers) for Vodafone or Vodafone compatible networks, or the Samsung Pixon 12 for the same networks. A cheaper phone that is still very good for imaging is the N82 - if you can find it via a parallel importer you'll see it between $500-600 - its a 5mp Nokia with a Xenon flash which makes a huge difference in low light/indoor/night environments.

The iPhone is a fine phone, but if you look at proper comparisons online you'll see it falls well short of the better offerings from Nokia, Samsung, and Sony. It takes passable casual photos, and that may be good enough for most, but the OP asked for the best camera phone available and its not the iPhone.

Actually he asked for "Essentially my main purpose for a phone is text or MMS messaging" with a "decently performing camera aboard"....

Canterbury

177 posts

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#266594 24-Oct-2009 19:25

kiwiscoota:
NZtechfreak: The best one would be the Sony Ericson Satio (available from parallel importers) for Vodafone or Vodafone compatible networks, or the Samsung Pixon 12 for the same networks. A cheaper phone that is still very good for imaging is the N82 - if you can find it via a parallel importer you'll see it between $500-600 - its a 5mp Nokia with a Xenon flash which makes a huge difference in low light/indoor/night environments.

The iPhone is a fine phone, but if you look at proper comparisons online you'll see it falls well short of the better offerings from Nokia, Samsung, and Sony. It takes passable casual photos, and that may be good enough for most, but the OP asked for the best camera phone available and its not the iPhone.

Actually he asked for "Essentially my main purpose for a phone is text or MMS messaging" with a "decently performing camera aboard"....

Actually she also (Trace) states prior to your selective quote... " so am looking for some tried and tested advice from people who have actually used the phones.. especially with regards to the camera.".....

which is clearly what has been pointed out by NZTechfreak.

kiwiscoota

237 posts

Master Geek

#266599 24-Oct-2009 20:17

Canterbury:
kiwiscoota:
NZtechfreak: The best one would be the Sony Ericson Satio (available from parallel importers) for Vodafone or Vodafone compatible networks, or the Samsung Pixon 12 for the same networks. A cheaper phone that is still very good for imaging is the N82 - if you can find it via a parallel importer you'll see it between $500-600 - its a 5mp Nokia with a Xenon flash which makes a huge difference in low light/indoor/night environments.

The iPhone is a fine phone, but if you look at proper comparisons online you'll see it falls well short of the better offerings from Nokia, Samsung, and Sony. It takes passable casual photos, and that may be good enough for most, but the OP asked for the best camera phone available and its not the iPhone.

Actually he asked for "Essentially my main purpose for a phone is text or MMS messaging" with a "decently performing camera aboard"....

Actually she also (Trace) states prior to your selective quote... " so am looking for some tried and tested advice from people who have actually used the phones.. especially with regards to the camera.".....

which is clearly what has been pointed out by NZTechfreak.

1. My selective quote was to point out that Tracey was not only looking for a camera phone whereas NZtechfreak had erroneously claimed " OP asked for the best camera phone available".

2. The name Tracey is a non-gender specific name (I have a male friend & a female cousin whose names are Tracey, and not personally knowing the original poster, I should have avoided using the gender specific "he". Infact a little research on the use of the name Tracey shows it is 4.164 times more likely to be a female name.

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