Buying a new phone, PLEASE HELP!

Forums › Legacy mobile platforms (Windows Mobile, Palm OS, Web OS, Symbian, Meego, Blackberry) › Buying a new phone, PLEASE HELP!

Spootmaker

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#64427 15-Jul-2010 11:57

Kia Ora,

I have just recently broken my phone so am on the prowl for another one.
As I want to be able to use the XT network, I needed to study up. Apparently they function on the 850 frequency?
So, I have been looking at some phones that I can whack in my XT sim and that's the end of it.
Was just wondering if you guys could provide me with some information and help.

I've been looking at the Nokia n97, but have had differing responses. As time goes on I find it to be only Vodafone, and not compatible with XT. Am I right? Really hope I'm wrong :P

Have also been looking hard at the iphone 3gs, and Nokia 5800, both compatible with XT and two very good phones by the looks of things.

Yes I'm a Nokia fanboy, and no I don't paticularly like the hype that surrounds the iPhone and would much perfer an Android.

Any suggestions and help is much appreciated!

Regards,
Jono :)

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4100 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#351826 15-Jul-2010 12:26

Yes - it seems unreasonably hard to get some 'good' phones on Telecom XT.

My mrs wants to upgrade to XT and likes Nokia - I thought this will be easy - I will find a moderate priced WiFi/GPS largish (maybe touch) screen that doesnt cost the earth.

Looked on the Nokia site (international I guess) and saw lots of candidates.

Looked on the Telecom site and was underwhelmed. Nothing particularly promising.

Then googled around and found lots of Vodafone/2 degrees compatible Nokias that would have been ideal models (obviously not network compatible). They were all from parallel importers/corner PC shops etc.

Looked (out of interest) on the Vodafone site - they have a very small offering as well - made Telecom look ok.

The problem seems to be that there is NO parallel market for XT compatible phones....

If you find a good source/range of Nokia/XT phones post a link!

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

heavenlywild

5063 posts

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#351841 15-Jul-2010 13:06

I think Parallel Imported stocks some XT phones, don't they?

In fact, many of the high-end smartphones now can work both on Vodafone and XT.

robjg63

4100 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#351848 15-Jul-2010 13:17

From Parallelimported.co.nz website:
"Unless stated otherwise, all phones are compatible with the Vodafone, Slingshot and 2Degrees networks only."

Most sites that sell mobiles may have a couple of obviously XT capable phones - but its 95% Vodafone/2 degrees.....

Nothing is impossible for the man who doesn't have to do it himself - A. H. Weiler

Spootmaker

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#352194 16-Jul-2010 08:38

Done some more looking around.
Looks like if I want a N97, best thing to do is import the American version as it is [as far as I know] compatible on the XT network.
The closest substitution would be the E75, but personally isn't what I'm looking for.
You guys know any phones that are able to function on XT that are much like the N97?

Regs

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Snowflake

#352224 16-Jul-2010 10:20

heavenlywild: I think Parallel Imported stocks some XT phones, don't they?

In fact, many of the high-end smartphones now can work both on Vodafone and XT.

not quite true. in my searches i've discovered that most of the phones only do UMTS 2100/900 and not UMTS 2100/850 which makes them basically useless for XT. My *old* palm treo 750v does UMTS 1900/850 which works ok. The smartphones for the US market will often work with XT, but mostly we get the euro models here which dont.

everything seems to have quad band gsm these days, i wish they did the same for UMTS

Sales Engineer
Snowflake
www.snowflake.com

about.me/nzregs
Twitter: @nzregs

Regs

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Snowflake

#352226 16-Jul-2010 10:23

Spootmaker: Done some more looking around.
Looks like if I want a N97, best thing to do is import the American version as it is [as far as I know] compatible on the XT network.
The closest substitution would be the E75, but personally isn't what I'm looking for.
You guys know any phones that are able to function on XT that are much like the N97?

the Sony Ericcson Vivaz is like the nokia, i'm told. I have one for XT, but i personally prefer the windows mobile phones or the iphones.

Sales Engineer
Snowflake
www.snowflake.com

about.me/nzregs
Twitter: @nzregs

Spootmaker

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#352404 16-Jul-2010 17:35

Checked out the Vivaz, and it's not too bad. I'm down with the touch screen with an optional QWERTY keyboard too.
Any of you guys imported from ebay or any sites like that? I don't imagine it would be as risky as trademe, knowing the amount of lawsuits and the way the yanks sell their second hand goods, everything is stated because feedback seems to be more important than integrity.

Thoughts?

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heavenlywild

5063 posts

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#352427 16-Jul-2010 19:21

There are more risks on eBay than TradeMe. If you use Paypal, it's pretty safe. They provide a 100% money back guarantee on purchases.

You have to think about warranty and if anything goes wrong, whether it was worth saving $150 etc etc in the first place.

semigeek

1606 posts

Uber Geek

#352446 16-Jul-2010 19:42

Spootmaker: Kia Ora,

I have just recently broken my phone so am on the prowl for another one.
As I want to be able to use the XT network, I needed to study up. Apparently they function on the 850 frequency?
So, I have been looking at some phones that I can whack in my XT sim and that's the end of it.
Was just wondering if you guys could provide me with some information and help.

I've been looking at the Nokia n97, but have had differing responses. As time goes on I find it to be only Vodafone, and not?compatible?with XT. Am I right? Really hope I'm wrong :P?

Have also been looking hard at the iphone 3gs, and Nokia 5800, both compatible with XT and two very good phones by the looks of things.

Yes I'm a Nokia fanboy, and no I don't paticularly like the hype that surrounds the iPhone and would much perfer an Android.

Any suggestions and help is much appreciated!

Regards,
Jono :)?

I could sell you a LG GC900f ;)

Spootmaker

5 posts

Wannabe Geek

#352483 16-Jul-2010 21:44

No thank you :P
Has anyone got any suggestions as to what to do? American versions are pretty uncommon in NZ, correct?

Technofreak

6531 posts

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#354088 20-Jul-2010 18:18

I made a simlar post on the Telecom section of this forum.

I found several parallel importers bringing in phones for the XT network when I was looking to get a phone for the XT network however the majority of imported phones are for the Vodafone network.

The 850 frequency that XT uses is used on several networks around the world.

I would recommend the Nokia 5800XM or the Nokia X6.

I have a 5800XM which I bought from the US since they have the same frequencies we need for the XT network. I just plugged my Telecom Sim card in and it worked right out of the box. Before putting it to serious use I did update to the latest firmware which was easy to do.

The X6 is a later version of the 5800 with the capacitive touch screen. The 5800 has the resistive touch screen, both types of screen have their advantages.

What do I like about the Nokia 5800 beside it being an excellent mobile phone?
It has the Nokia menu system which I like and is generally easy to use.
There are plenty of applications for the Symbian operating system that Nokia uses, things like Skype, Quick Office, Opera Mobile, Sports Tracker (if you're into sporting activities like running biking, tramping etc) SPB shell (if you want to customose the screen interface) and many many more.
You can expand the memory by at least 16GB, using micro SD cards.
The excellent music player.
The good camera (it can do video calling, it has a front facing camera in addition to the normal one)
The Nokia (Ovi) maps app is excellent and doesn't require you to be online while it is in use. (No big data bills)
It can be used as a mass storage device.

In short I think over all it is as good as or better than the iPhone especially since the iPhone does not have removable storage, you cannot change the battery (Some people like to have a spare battery in case they run the battery down and don't have access to a charger during the day), and you cannot use the iPhone as a mass storage device. Also the iPhone is much dearer and does not have the same range of apps available unless you "jailbreak" it.

Also some phones don't have a standard headphone jack, this is important to me. One phone I had previously had a unique multi puropse jack for the USB connection, charging and headphone. This can be a pain if you want use use a standard headphone and also means that you cannot charge the phone and listen to music at the same time.

I guess it comes down to what functions and applications you find are important.

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

Technofreak

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#354097 20-Jul-2010 18:35

Regarding how common the American ones are I'm not sure. I think they are the way to go for XT. You should be able to buy off ebay if you cannot find a local importer of one. Most of the parallel imported ones are from Asia or the Middle East and while they work just fine they can come preloaded with stuff (programmes and language options) you might not need. Mobicity advertise the 5800 for XT. I'm sure there are others as well. Do a Pricespy and TradeMe search.

Another option is Australia, the Telstra network is the same freq as XT you might find and Aussie outlet that can help.

Get an unbranded phone if you can, i.e. one that has not been sold by a network provider such as Vodafone, Sprint, etc. They will have their proprietary firmware which will not be updated as often as the manufacturer updates theirs.

I got a mate to buy mine in the US from Nokia.

Sony Xperia XA2 running Sailfish OS. https://sailfishos.org The true independent open source mobile OS
Samsung Galaxy Tab S6
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

Charles000

78 posts

Master Geek

#355725 24-Jul-2010 10:50

If you can wait a month or two, the N8 would be a good bet. =)

old3eyes

9120 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#355776 24-Jul-2010 14:00

Spootmaker: No thank you :P
Has anyone got any suggestions as to what to do? American versions are pretty uncommon in NZ, correct?

There's plenty of at&t fones on Trademe that work on XT. I bought a Samsung Eternity of there a few months ago for $260. So far so good though there is no 3G on 2100 only 850 and 1900..

Regards,

Old3eyes

ushare

483 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#356710 26-Jul-2010 18:52

I got the n79 and its just wonderfull. Install anygame from the net, mp3 player, 5 MP camera and what not.

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