Geekzone: technology news, blogs, forums
Guest
Welcome Guest.
You haven't logged in yet. If you don't have an account you can register now.


Paparangi

166 posts

Master Geek


#138091 19-Dec-2013 15:44
Send private message

Hi all,

I have finally decided to buy a Lumia 625 as my next phone. :) One question I have is which carrier I should buy it from? Does Vodafone release software WP updates (i.e GDR3/ Nokia Black) faster than Telecom or vice versa? Finally, any comments about the general experience from someone that actually owns the phone would be good.

Thanks,
P

Create new topic
thelimoman
81 posts

Master Geek


  #954934 19-Dec-2013 15:49
Send private message

You're able to get the OS versions early now thanks to the Preview for Developers program, although it voids your warranty. Firmware updates (like Amber and Black) are still carrier controlled though. To avoid that you're best to get a parallel import as they tend to be generic OEM versions not tied to a carrier.



nathan
5695 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user


  #954968 19-Dec-2013 16:33
Send private message

installing software does not void a hardware warranty

thelimoman
81 posts

Master Geek


  #954972 19-Dec-2013 16:35
Send private message

nathan: installing software does not void a hardware warranty


Oh wow I thought using the preview voided the warranty! Good to know that it doesn't.



Paparangi

166 posts

Master Geek


  #955011 19-Dec-2013 18:30
Send private message

Thanks for your replies. :) I want to buy it either from a Vodafone or Telecom store, not a importer as I have had a bad experience in the past with them..... :(. Generally, which carrier is faster in regard to WP updates?

Don't wont to go down the beta software route as phone uptime is critical for work.

Thanks,
P

billgates
4705 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #955064 19-Dec-2013 19:59
Send private message

I reckon Vodafone approves Windows Phone updates faster than Telecom going by previous update history.

I just got the first Nokia Lumia 625 in the company. There is a black back cover included in every Nokia Lumia 625 box (atleast with Telecom models) so you get 2 back covers in total.

It's a very nice phone. Feels good in the hand though I could feel a bit of weight. It's not ugly/bad weight but after having deployed so many Lumia 520 and Samsung Ativ S, I could notice the difference straight away.

Both the front and back cameras are great. Battery life is also excellent.

They are $300 at www.parallelimported.co.nz. These guys have physical stores across Auckland and Hamilton and I have had good experience with them.

Also Lumia 625 is 4G ready(at least Telecom bands are supported). Battery is non removable but there is a slot for Micro SD card and Micro SIM. Out of the box you get around 4.7GB free storage out of the 8GB built in. There are quite a lot of pre-installed apps which can be uninstalled easily.




Do whatever you want to do man.

  

thelimoman
81 posts

Master Geek


  #955069 19-Dec-2013 20:08
Send private message

Assuming NL have a 20% off the big brands sale at Boxing Day you should be able to get one for $320. The website doesn't say what carrier though.

nathan
5695 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user


  #955075 19-Dec-2013 20:21
Send private message

625 works on all the 4G networks here and black and orange covers in box. Personally I really love the orange case. Largest screen available on any Lumia here

 
 
 

Cloud spending continues to surge globally, but most organisations haven’t made the changes necessary to maximise the value and cost-efficiency benefits of their cloud investments. Download the whitepaper From Overspend to Advantage now.
Paparangi

166 posts

Master Geek


  #955093 19-Dec-2013 20:59
Send private message

Thanks all for your help! I think i will go for the Vodafone model just because of the faster software updates. @billgates, is the screen in the phone noticeably bad. Reviews say that it is very poor ppi, but I tried it in the telecom store and it seemed fine. Just wondering what you think. Does anyone know when the Nokia Black / GDR3 update will be available for this phone? Finally, does anyone know if it will get WP 8.1 update when it comes out? Thanks.

nathan
5695 posts

Uber Geek
Inactive user


  #955150 19-Dec-2013 22:09
Send private message

If i was you i wouldn't worry too much at all about what carrier image is on the phone for updates

as others have pointed out you can get even cheaper from parallel importers if price is your driver

updates comes our early next year

yes its not amazing PPI for a $300-500 phone, but if you've used it in store you've seen it with your own eyes. More ppi costs more simple as that. I know loads of very happy people running 625 with the big screen. 625 represents amazing value for a LTE phone

personally i prefer a higher res, but I say that as IM used to the res on $1000 phones like 920, 925, 1020, 1520

cbsos
14 posts

Geek


  #956202 22-Dec-2013 15:47
Send private message

If I purchase through Vodafone will I be able to swap SIM cards (2 degrees) and does the nokia suit work well with this phone, I have this still on my computer and found in the past it was FAARR better than Keis system which was supporting my Samsung Gio particular exporting and importing photos to my phone.
Chris

Paparangi

166 posts

Master Geek


  #956224 22-Dec-2013 16:33
Send private message

cbsos: If I purchase through Vodafone will I be able to swap SIM cards (2 degrees) and does the nokia suit work well with this phone, I have this still on my computer and found in the past it was FAARR better than Keis system which was supporting my Samsung Gio particular exporting and importing photos to my phone.
Chris


Hi,
You should be able to swap provider SIM cards on the Vodafone Lumia 625 as Vodafone only locks sub $150 handsets. As for the Nokia Suite question, I would have no clue as I still haven't purchased the phone yet (trying to get a refund from my old one under the GCA, but that's another story.....)

Hope this helps,
Thanks
P

thelimoman
81 posts

Master Geek


  #956231 22-Dec-2013 16:53
Send private message

I don't think you use Care Suite anymore, or at least I don't with my 925. WP8 has it's own syncing tools, which are pretty average tbh. WP7 used Zune which was pretty nice, but they stopped that :(

I've found I just go through the file explorer in Windows and it's easier. I just copy and paste my entire camera roll. Because Skydrive integrates with the photo hub on WP8 you my find that a good way to have all your photos available without using up storage space. You can also auto upload photos to Skydrive or another service but I've never bothered to turn that on.

Wade
2225 posts

Uber Geek


  #956390 23-Dec-2013 09:14
Send private message

Semi off thread but had a very brief play with one of these at a telecom store on the weekend and have to say its a very nice phone, my 8yo thought it was alright so i guess that will be her first smartphone some time in the new year

The screen does a good job of hiding its lower pixel count as its look more than acceptable for a $400 phone and lets be honest little over a couple of years ago we all accepted a 4.3" 800x480p screen on a Samsung Galaxy S2 as pretty darn sharp.

BrentR
1315 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

  #956427 23-Dec-2013 10:15
Send private message

Nokia Suite is only for Symbian and Series 40 handsets sorry.

Lumia handsets running Windows Phone 8 uses Windows Phone Connector for media transfers. Handset software updates are done on the phone over the air (on wifi) backups are done over the air to Skydrive (as long as you have this enabled) and restores are also done over the air (as long as you have a SIM card in the handset from startup)

Create new topic





News and reviews »

Air New Zealand Starts AI adoption with OpenAI
Posted 24-Jul-2025 16:00


eero Pro 7 Review
Posted 23-Jul-2025 12:07


BeeStation Plus Review
Posted 21-Jul-2025 14:21


eero Unveils New Wi-Fi 7 Products in New Zealand
Posted 21-Jul-2025 00:01


WiZ Introduces HDMI Sync Box and other Light Devices
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:32


RedShield Enhances DDoS and Bot Attack Protection
Posted 20-Jul-2025 17:26


Seagate Ships 30TB Drives
Posted 17-Jul-2025 11:24


Oclean AirPump A10 Water Flosser Review
Posted 13-Jul-2025 11:05


Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7: Raising the Bar for Smartphones
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Brings New Edge-To-Edge FlexWindow
Posted 10-Jul-2025 02:01


Epson Launches New AM-C550Z WorkForce Enterprise printer
Posted 9-Jul-2025 18:22


Samsung Releases Smart Monitor M9
Posted 9-Jul-2025 17:46


Nearly Half of Older Kiwis Still Write their Passwords on Paper
Posted 9-Jul-2025 08:42


D-Link 4G+ Cat6 Wi-Fi 6 DWR-933M Mobile Hotspot Review
Posted 1-Jul-2025 11:34


Oppo A5 Series Launches With New Levels of Durability
Posted 30-Jun-2025 10:15









Geekzone Live »

Try automatic live updates from Geekzone directly in your browser, without refreshing the page, with Geekzone Live now.



Are you subscribed to our RSS feed? You can download the latest headlines and summaries from our stories directly to your computer or smartphone by using a feed reader.