Handset that will work on XT and Vodafone ?

Forums › Spark New Zealand (including Skinny and BigPipe) › Handset that will work on XT and Vodafone ?

mainlydata

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#83949 24-May-2011 11:17

Hi - I'm thinking to move from Vodafone to XT. I don't mind buying a new phone (current one is v old) but I read this ...

http://www.ben.geek.nz/2009/06/a-question-which-phones-can-i-use-on-xt-and-vodafone/

... and it seems to suggest that there is no phone I can buy which will allow me to use XT (optimally) for a while and then, if I don't like it, go back to using Vodafone (optimally).

The post I've linked to above is a couple of years old. Is what it says still true ?

NonprayingMantis

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#473366 24-May-2011 11:25

it;s a bit out of date. back then there were no quad band 3G phones.

there still aren't many, but there are a few now, with more coming all the time.

iphone 4 springs to mind as the most obvious example. it works on both 850 and 900 3G frequency bands.

freitasm

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#473367 24-May-2011 11:27

There are a few handsets out there that will work in both networks. The iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, Nokia E7 for example and a few others.

The key here is "where?"

All Telecom New Zealand handsets will work on Vodafone 2G.

As for 3G the story is different. Telecom is 100% 3G and uses 850 / 2100 MHz. Vodafone uses 900 / 2100 MHz for 3G.

Assume Telecom 3G is 850 MHz only because the 2100 MHz coverage is small and used for capacity only. This means to work on Telecom your 3G handset must support 850 MHz.

Vodafone uses 2100 MHz in the large cities, with 900 MHz everywhere else. Vodafone will obviously offer 900 / 2100 MHz handsets, but a few exceptions (mentioned above) will cover the whole 850 / 900 / 2100 MHz.

So the answer is:

Telecom handsets will work on Vodafone everywhere 2G is available, plus the large towns where 2100 3G is available. You will get a larger 3G coverage when using a Telecom handset on Vodafone if it supports 900 MHz 3G as well.

Vodafone handsets will not work on Telecom unless they support 850 MHz 3G.

You just have to check the handset specification for which bands are supported.

I personally would say you are going to get a smooth experience with Telecom 3G.

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SteveON

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#473382 24-May-2011 12:11

iPhone 4 :o)

BarTender

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#473383 24-May-2011 12:15

My bet would be to buy a XT handset, then as freitasm said that will work on Vodafone 2G across NZ, and 3G in the main metro areas. The only downside is that you wouldn't have 3G outside the metro areas, but if you only want it for calls then you should be fine.

I have to say I got the Nokia C3-01 from 2Degrees for my mother in law which is a great "non-smart" phone, she is only makes calls and wanted good battery life with a large screen and easy to navigate. And that will work on all networks.

Otherwise if you want to go the smartphone path, you just need to decide between iPhone / Android / Windows. And go from there.

eXDee

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#473385 24-May-2011 12:20

Quad/Tri Band 3G Phones at GSMArena, not that many are available in NZ but these will work to their full potential on all networks

DjShadow

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#473394 24-May-2011 12:31

+1 iphone 4
only if you want full use of 3G

Samsung

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old3eyes

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#473396 24-May-2011 12:40

Samsung SGS2 is quad 3G band but you will have to import it at present..

Regarding a Telecom fone on Vodafone. I had a LG Incite with bands of 850/1900/2100 working fine in 3G mode on Vodafone for about 6 months. Only one place could I not get 3G on it and also there was no GSM as well. Same applied for 2D as well..

Regards,

Old3eyes

pwner

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#473402 24-May-2011 12:54

if you compare the Samsung Galaxy S II and iPhone 4 on Pricespy
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?j=630393,838917

they are pretty much the same price and the Galaxy S II is better or equal in almost every way. especially when it comes to battery life.
The iPhone 4 has a slightly higher res screen and that is about it.

<rant>
after using my iphone 3Gs since it was launched in NZ i can't wait to break free of apples oppressive controls and be able to do simple things like make any of my completely legal songs on my phone a ringtone! most of the songs aren't even available on itunes as a ringtone if i wanted to do it the apple way.
</rant>

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SteveON

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#473406 24-May-2011 13:02

pwner: if you compare the Samsung Galaxy S II and iPhone 4 on Pricespy
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?j=630393,838917

they are pretty much the same price and the Galaxy S II is better or equal in almost every way. especially when it comes to battery life.
The iPhone 4 has a slightly higher res screen and that is about it.

after using my iphone 3Gs since it was launched in NZ i can't wait to break free of apples oppressive controls and be able to do simple things like make any of my completely legal songs on my phone a ringtone! most of the songs aren't even available on itunes as a ringtone if i wanted to do it the apple way.

Except one works like a PC and the other works like a toy =P

btw, change your m4a media to m4r and you get yourself a ringtone!

mainlydata

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#473422 24-May-2011 13:21

Thanks for all the replies so far.

The general advice (buy an XT and get most of Vodafone) is good as are the specific phone recommendations.

What I should have said at the output is that I really am not willing to buy Apple products so any recommendations in that direction are lost on me (although I'm sure they will be useful to others).

Thanks again for all the replies.

old3eyes

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#473525 24-May-2011 16:55

pwner: if you compare the Samsung Galaxy S II and iPhone 4 on Pricespy
http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?j=630393,838917

they are pretty much the same price and the Galaxy S II is better or equal in almost every way. especially when it comes to battery life.

The iPhone 4 has a slightly higher res screen and that is about it.

I suspect that the SGS2 shown on your link are X GST prices..

Regards,

Old3eyes

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coffeebaron

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#473675 24-May-2011 21:43

Nokia N8 & iPhone 4 are both penta band 3G phones and will do both networks. They cover all 850 / 900 /2100 3G frequencies used in NZ

There are a few other Nokias too.

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scuwp

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#473676 24-May-2011 21:51

You don't say how much $$$ you are willing to spend. Brought the missus a Samsung Galaxy 5 (i5503) from Telecom for <$250. We put a VF sim in and a couple of minor setting changes and it works a treat no issues at all with phone services and 3G everywhere we go (main centres)

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Technofreak

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#473691 24-May-2011 22:11

The Nokia N8 and E7 smart phones are penta band and will work on any network. The iPhone 3 obviously works well enought on Vodafone as they sell it even though it's designed to work best on the Telecom XT network. No doubt the same applies for the iphone 4. As has been mentioned most Telecom phones seem to work OK on the other networks.

For my money either the two Nokias or the two Apples. It's a pity that Telecom doesn't currently sell any of the these 4 phones.

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