Which carrier to buy Lumia 625 from?

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Paparangi

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Topic # 138091 19-Dec-2013 15:44

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

thelimoman

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Reply # 954934 19-Dec-2013 15:49

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

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Reply # 954968 19-Dec-2013 16:33

installing software does not void a hardware warranty

thelimoman

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Reply # 954972 19-Dec-2013 16:35

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

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Reply # 955011 19-Dec-2013 18:30

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

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Reply # 955064 19-Dec-2013 19:59

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

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Reply # 955069 19-Dec-2013 20:08

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

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Reply # 955075 19-Dec-2013 20:21

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

Paparangi

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Reply # 955093 19-Dec-2013 20:59

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

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Reply # 955150 19-Dec-2013 22:09

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

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Reply # 956202 22-Dec-2013 15:47

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

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Reply # 956224 22-Dec-2013 16:33

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

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Reply # 956231 22-Dec-2013 16:53

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

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Reply # 956390 23-Dec-2013 09:14

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

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Reply # 956427 23-Dec-2013 10:15

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)