I have a $299 discount voucher to swap over from the old Telecom network to the XT network.  It expires tomorrow.

My problem is which phone to choose, or, indeed do I choose any at all and wait, or buy a compatible phone from elsewhere and get it connected to the XT network.

To be honest none of the current offering really stands out as an obvious choice.

I currently have a Nokia 6255 which I really like.  About the only thing it doesn’t have that would be nice is GPS and the option to use Google maps or similar.

 

I would like something with reasonable size buttons , virtual or physical.  Good Bluetooth connectivity is a must, I don’t need a flash camera or MP3 player.  I will use it as a modem for my laptop occasionally.

Since it was a Nokia, one phone I thought might be OK was the Nokia 6600, but I have been told that it is really a city phone, i.e. it doesn’t work well in fringe coverage areas, also I was a bit concerned about the buttons being a bit small.  Any comments on the coverage and the buttons?

 

The Samsung F480 looks OK.  Any comments on the functionality of the touch screen or the lack of a normal 3.5mm phone socket. I have a plug in handsfree kit I use in a special application.  Does it have a memory card slot?  The Telecom info says no included memory card but other info I have read says it has a Micro SD slot.  Therefore I take this to mean that Telecom does not provide a card with the phone but there is a memory slot.

 

One phone that was recommended was the Sony Ericsson W705 as it has GPS.  However one review I read said that unless you wanted the music player function there was better options out there and it doesn’t have a 3.5 mm socket.

 

At the moment the Samsung is my pick, particularly if I could get a blue tooth interface to replace my 3.5 mm interface.

 

Does anyone have any other suggestions in the $400-500 price range either thru Telecom or a third party?

 

What other phones are likely to be available on the XT network in the near future?

 

Perhaps I just flag the $299 voucher and wait.

 

All comments appreciated.

Thanks