Vodafone offered me a free S3

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stone2

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Topic # 148755 30-Jun-2014 12:24

Im currently on a $39 monthly plan with my aging s2. Vodafone have offered me a free s3 if I sign for 24 months on the current plan.
I'm tempted but worried that something better will be offered in the near future. What does everyone think? Should I do it ir wait?

michaelmurfy

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Reply # 1076991 30-Jun-2014 12:29

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The S3 is not much of an upgrade from your S2 - I'd say drop the money and get a current generation phone.

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muppet

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Reply # 1076995 30-Jun-2014 12:33

I wouldn't lock yourself into a contract for two years with a phone that's what, 2 years old already? You'll be 4 years behind at the end!

stone2

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Reply # 1077007 30-Jun-2014 12:42

Yeah i hear you but im paying that monthly anyway and I don't have the clams for the latest and greatest.
Ill be gutted if they have a better promotion a month after I sign up.

johnr

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Reply # 1077010 30-Jun-2014 12:46

You could ask for the S3 i9305 that supports 4G / LTE maybe

AidanS

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Reply # 1077012 30-Jun-2014 12:48

johnr: You could ask for the S3 i9305 that supports 4G / LTE maybe

I have that version, it's definitely worth the slight increase in price as you get twice the RAM and 4G connectivity.

-A.

NikT

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Reply # 1077019 30-Jun-2014 13:04

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Would agree that the i9305 is a significant jump over the i9300, but I believe it hit end of life a while back so may not be available.

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AidanS

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Reply # 1077021 30-Jun-2014 13:06

You can still buy it yourself here: http://pricespy.co.nz/product.php?p=1434498

But obviously if you want to get it through Vodafone you'd need to check with them.

-A.

mattwnz

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Reply # 1077025 30-Jun-2014 13:14

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If you are going to be locked into a 24 month contract, you want a current model of phone. I would suggest the s4, but that is now 15 months old, so perhaps the s5. The s3 is a good phone, but it is over 20 months old, and as others have said it will be in it's 5th year wen you are nearing the end of your 24 month contract, so you will possibly need to replace it during that time. The purpose of getting a phone as part of the contract is that the phone will last you throughout the entire contract. Also it is not free, you are paying for it as part of the contract.

kiwiharry

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Reply # 1077086 30-Jun-2014 14:46

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Keep in mind that the OP is staying on the $39 plan which normally offers a $150 handset subsidy. Vodafone show the S3 at $59 with the $69.00 plan.

I don't think any carrier would be offering the S4 or S5 for $0 on a $39 plan.

stone2

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Reply # 1077139 30-Jun-2014 16:14

kiwiharry: Keep in mind that the OP is staying on the $39 plan which normally offers a $150 handset subsidy. Vodafone show the S3 at $59 with the $69.00 plan.

I don't think any carrier would be offering the S4 or S5 for $0 on a $39 plan.

Quite right kiwiharry, I think I'm just gonna go with it. Basically its a free phone upgrade thats not going to cost me anything more than what I'm paying now. (just a worry that its two years locked) By posting here I wanted to get an idea if anyone has been offered better or knows of a similar offer been made by the other providers.
Thanks everyone for your input.

Yabanize

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Reply # 1077216 30-Jun-2014 18:00

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$39 x 12 months means you're paying a total of $468 in the year which is near what a new S3 costs, I would consider it quite a bit of an upgrade from the s2, plus you get all your minutes and data etc

Would be good if its the i9305

nakedmolerat

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Reply # 1077240 30-Jun-2014 18:41

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Are you sure this is not a galaxy s3 mini?

mattwnz

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Reply # 1077250 30-Jun-2014 18:49

stone2:
kiwiharry: Keep in mind that the OP is staying on the $39 plan which normally offers a $150 handset subsidy. Vodafone show the S3 at $59 with the $69.00 plan.

I don't think any carrier would be offering the S4 or S5 for $0 on a $39 plan.

Quite right kiwiharry, I think I'm just gonna go with it. Basically its a free phone upgrade thats not going to cost me anything more than what I'm paying now. (just a worry that its two years locked) By posting here I wanted to get an idea if anyone has been offered better or knows of a similar offer been made by the other providers.
Thanks everyone for your input.

Yes, and you have highlighted the problem, that you will be locked in. What is the break fee? The thing is that prices are unlikely to go up, they will instead likely go down or offer more bang for your buck. So the saving you maybe making in getting the phone maybe false economy if you can get the same plan elsewhere at a cheap price, or a better deal elsewhere for the same price. You also probably need to factor in that you will likely need to buy a replacement within the next 2 years, and you probably won't be able to get that one free as part of a contract. IMO there are always better deals out there in the future, and personally I always buy my handsets outright, so I am not tied to any contract. But it depends on your situation.