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stevenz

2802 posts

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#136370 25-Nov-2013 11:10
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Need to buy the fiancee a new phone as her old LG is getting a bit long in the tooth. Thought the 520 looked like reasonable value for money and suitable for a non-techy type. Anyone got any thoughts on the device?

The 625 might be a possible alternative, but may be a bit large for her.

She doesn't really need a smartphone for much, but she likes being able to check\update Facebook from time to time and take the odd photo.





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nitrotech
1285 posts

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  #940179 25-Nov-2013 11:14
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We get a lot of them in for repair (broken screens)

I actually quite like them - well built quite quick - camera is not the best but OK for the price.

They were on sale at the warehouse a couple of weeks ago for circa $190

Remember it's not quad band so you can't go network hopping with it.

Klathman
301 posts

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  #940189 25-Nov-2013 11:27
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I was looking at getting either a 520 or 625 for an employee and ended up going for a parallel imported 625. It was cheaper than a telco supplied 520 but had LTE for if that was ever required. Really nice phone and surprised by how good the camera was for such a cheap phone.

CapBBeard
211 posts

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  #940200 25-Nov-2013 11:44
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The 520 is our standard issue non-power-user phone here. They have gone pretty well, certainly pack a punch for the price. Looks like they have recently dropped from $300 to $200 as standard. Certainly worth a look imo.

On the other hand, I've just ordered one of these for my mother's birthday: http://www.clove.co.uk/motorola-moto-g

$300 delivered, and is getting incredible reviews. Of course you have the hassle of international ordering / warranty to contend with at the moment, so take that in to account. Cheers.



old3eyes
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  #940277 25-Nov-2013 12:39
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CapBBeard: The 520 is our standard issue non-power-user phone here. They have gone pretty well, certainly pack a punch for the price. Looks like they have recently dropped from $300 to $200 as standard. Certainly worth a look imo.

On the other hand, I've just ordered one of these for my mother's birthday: http://www.clove.co.uk/motorola-moto-g

$300 delivered, and is getting incredible reviews. Of course you have the hassle of international ordering / warranty to contend with at the moment, so take that in to account. Cheers.


Let us all know  what you think of it when  you get it.  I think this will have a wife acceptance factor if Telecom sells it..




Regards,

Old3eyes


stevenz

2802 posts

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  #940869 26-Nov-2013 10:18
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The Motorola might be a good option, that way she can stick with Android, and also get whatever pretty colour suits. (A very important feature apparently!)

$300 isn't bad for what is a fairly powerful device. Lack of LTE is a total non-issue. The fact that at best it only has 16GB and no MicroSD slot could be a bit irritating, but may not matter. Shall shortlist it I think. Will go see if I can get a hands-on with the 520 and 625. Wonder when the 525 will turn up.





CapBBeard
211 posts

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  #940872 26-Nov-2013 10:23
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Yeah looks like a pretty cool phone. Just to let you know, I ordered the 8GB yesterday and now have a DHL tracking number, and should hopefully see it late in the week. So I'm pretty happy with the service received so far.

The storage issue can be a bit contentious, though I'm still running around with my 16GB SGS3 without any real issue. All comes down to preferences I guess :)

Will report back with anything else of interest. Cheers!

marlinz
441 posts

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  #942090 28-Nov-2013 10:23
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CapBBeard: The 520 is our standard issue non-power-user phone here. They have gone pretty well, certainly pack a punch for the price. Looks like they have recently dropped from $300 to $200 as standard. Certainly worth a look imo.

On the other hand, I've just ordered one of these for my mother's birthday: http://www.clove.co.uk/motorola-moto-g

$300 delivered, and is getting incredible reviews. Of course you have the hassle of international ordering / warranty to contend with at the moment, so take that in to account. Cheers.




$199 from Vodafone mobile only


https://www.vodafone.co.nz/shop/mobileDetails.jsp?skuId=sku25330360&voucherCode=&selectionKey=mobile&menuKey=mnit1800018





 

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CapBBeard
211 posts

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  #942121 28-Nov-2013 10:48
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marlinz:
CapBBeard: The 520 is our standard issue non-power-user phone here. They have gone pretty well, certainly pack a punch for the price. Looks like they have recently dropped from $300 to $200 as standard. Certainly worth a look imo.

On the other hand, I've just ordered one of these for my mother's birthday: http://www.clove.co.uk/motorola-moto-g

$300 delivered, and is getting incredible reviews. Of course you have the hassle of international ordering / warranty to contend with at the moment, so take that in to account. Cheers.




$199 from Vodafone mobile only


https://www.vodafone.co.nz/shop/mobileDetails.jsp?skuId=sku25330360&voucherCode=&selectionKey=mobile&menuKey=mnit1800018


Telecom are offering the same deal: http://store.telecom.co.nz/mobile/personal/phone-details/nokia-lumia-520-black/prepaid

Nice to see though, it's a great phone imo.

Hammerer
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  #942135 28-Nov-2013 11:07
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Vodafone Nokia Lumia 520 is available for $179 from Noel Leeming and The Warehouse.

I hoped this thread would have more detail about ease of use from someone using one as I'm looking to get one for my wife too. She also doesn't need a smartphone.  She has been put off by a bad experience with an old Android with a useless resistive touch screen that she was given. It was almost impossible for her less-precise typing to produce a readable TXT.

sidefx
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  #942155 28-Nov-2013 11:24
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Can't say I've used the 520, but the after using the 720 for a couple of months I was very impressed with it. My better half now has it and she's also very happy with it. Specs-wise it's not all that different to the 520 - screen and perhaps battery\camera are the areas where I think you might notice the difference. Though looking at sample pics from the 520 they're actually quite decent.

IMO, bang for buck it's very hard to beat the 520 @ $180 from an NZ retailer.




"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there."         | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
              - Richard Feynman


qraider
374 posts

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  #942200 28-Nov-2013 12:32
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The Nokia Lumia 520 accounts for over a quarter of all Windows Phone devices

Link: here

Seems to be the most popular WinPhone 8 device in the world ...
Hands on - a solid little device with a range of colours, does the job if you're not after a high-end smartphone.




Current Phone:
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- Win Phone 8: Samsung ATIV S (XT)

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- Acer Iconia 7" Android Tablet

 

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billgates
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  #942205 28-Nov-2013 12:37
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We have close to 140 Windows Phones with Nokia Lumia 520 being 60 odd out of the 140 deployed now in the organization. Had 1 DOA last week where the screen was just waaay too dim when it was turned ON and setup. Great phones for the price.




Do whatever you want to do man.

  

GregV
928 posts

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  #942213 28-Nov-2013 12:46
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Similar position here, and looking at the 520 from the Warehouse, which includes a 2nd case and a car charger for $179. Doesn't state anything about being SIM-locked to VF only, as I want to use it on 2D. This is to replace an aging/failing iPhone 3GS for my wife. No real lock-in to the iFruit world.

macuser
2120 posts

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  #942218 28-Nov-2013 13:01
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Lumia 525 just announced...altho that won't make a difference I'm sure

StevenWg
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  #942221 28-Nov-2013 13:06
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No front Cam. Screen is too reflective.
But really cheap and really stable for daily use.

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