Best android for under $500

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626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#540317 2-Nov-2011 13:34

Technofreak:

Telecom's primary frequency for their 3G WCDMA (HSDPA) XT network is 850 with 2100 as infill in the cities. So a phone with only 900/2100 HSDPA could be fairly limited on the XT network. You really want one with 850 for the Telecom XT network, if it didn't have 2100 you probably wouldn't notice.

I thought so - for the OP, that would mean limited access as a 2Degrees subscriber.
As you have no 900 hsdpa (only 850) , speed would be limited - unless you are in an area with 2100 spectrum. The imported models have 900/2100

As 2degrees have only just put them in the shop at 749, it kinda rains on their parade a little.... :-)

rayonline

1734 posts

Uber Geek

#540330 2-Nov-2011 13:56

Maybe something like a $450 parallel imported HTC HD Desire?
The LG P500 has been advertised at Noel Leeming is it on their mailouts for like under $200.

As much I am a diehard Nokia fan. They are switching to Windows OS so you may get left behind so to speak. They do have offline maps with Ove Maps .. and you can route and search for all kinds of POI. But without AGPS it can be annoying, plus the fact that with other phones like the iPhone and Androids you have the latest Google Maps (beta?), that allows much more features. Like knowing what bus number to get on or subway train in many countries incl NZ and it reminds when you get off, plus you can cache 10 mile radius - not that useful if you are doing more travellling. The Nokia and Blackberry phones for example don't have access to the fancy versions of Google Map.

But I basically found that, a local prepaid simcard even in a country like NZ is not too bad for a traveller, compared to the old days, it is much more affordable than a payphone. It's quite marginal in terms of travel expenditure. Back home, many people don't necessarily need to pay data for GPS, as they don't really need it and if they do they could just cache their home city and maybe a few others which they travel too now and then.

If it matters the higher end HTC have HTC Locations - like Ovi Maps but they don't do guidance support, only text I was told. But I was in a store here and yeah you can download a whole NZ or Australia map.

jpanwala

72 posts

Master Geek

#540415 2-Nov-2011 18:09

EDIT - I see this has been posted before, my apologies.

Just FYI

Vodafone NZ are selling Samsung Galaxy S for NZD 499 (thats UNDER $500!!!) as a X'mas deal. Can't be a better phone than the mighty galaxy S, can it be?

And plus, it is NZ new will official warranty and all (buy from VFNZ, you see) so pretty good IMHO.

Hope it's not too late to make your purchase...

Axe

49 posts

Geek

#540421 2-Nov-2011 18:22

^ The Galaxy S also $479 at Noel Leemings.

The Defy looks like a good deal, I'm considering getting one, but would probably rather spend a bit more and get the S2 - does anyone think the S2 could come down to about $800 NZ new by Christmas, or is it too new still?

P1n3apqlExpr3ss

853 posts

Ultimate Geek

#540427 2-Nov-2011 18:32

Axe:does anyone think the S2 could come down to about $800 NZ new by Christmas, or is it too new still?

From a carrier? No chance of that happening
You can already get it for under $700 from importers, see here: fairbuydotco.nz is a bad word? O.o (www dot fairbuy dot co dot nz)
If you want to doubt the legibility of them ive been following a thread over at pricespy for a while and they seem pretty legit. As for all the one time reviewers, they can be explained by them offering a $30 discount (free shipping basically) for posting a review of any kind on pricespy
http://pricespy.co.nz/forum/index.php?showtopic=1346
http://pricespy.co.nz/store.php?ftgid=13960

lapimate

352 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#540450 2-Nov-2011 20:10

SpookyAwol: ...As 2degrees have only just put them in the shop at 749, ...

That is the "Defy +" w. Android 2.3 not the old "Defy" (see Telecom NZ) w. Android 2.2. Notice Telstra takes Blue Tick from Moto Defy (But the "Defy +" is now available on Telstra Next G w. the "Blue Tick" so maybe will become available on Telecom NZ).

SpookyAwol

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#540484 2-Nov-2011 21:38

Fair call, but apart from the battery they are the same phone. And who doesnt update to a different os version straight away? :)

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loganjames

272 posts

Ultimate Geek

#540519 2-Nov-2011 22:45

Defy+ is not just a better OS, it has a faster Processor (1Ghz), higher water certification. Android 2.3 is a huge jump from 2.1

hangon

397 posts

Ultimate Geek

#540526 2-Nov-2011 22:56

loganjames: Defy+ is not just a better OS, it has a faster Processor (1Ghz), higher water certification. Android 2.3 is a huge jump from 2.1

same processor different clock

same body construction afaik, other than lense on early defy

defy stock 2.2, and runs defy+ stock 2.3.4 just fine

for me it's really just 100 mA more juice, not worth $400+

bluey

82 posts

Master Geek

#540575 3-Nov-2011 08:46

hangon:
loganjames: Defy+ is not just a better OS, it has a faster Processor (1Ghz), higher water certification. Android 2.3 is a huge jump from 2.1

same processor different clock

same body construction afaik, other than lense on early defy

defy stock 2.2, and runs defy+ stock 2.3.4 just fine

for me it's really just 100 mA more juice, not worth $400+

Can the standard defy be easily updated to the defy+ 2.3 ?

SpookyAwol

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#540582 3-Nov-2011 08:56

Yep, although you wouldnt use the stock rom. I'm running cyanogenmod7 (2.3.7), but there are lots of options. All fairly simple to upgrade to.
The Defy came out under clocked originally and most mods allow overclocking. A lot run them at 1.2ghz with no issues.

nakedmolerat

4629 posts

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#540587 3-Nov-2011 09:07

bluey:
hangon:
loganjames: Defy+ is not just a better OS, it has a faster Processor (1Ghz), higher water certification. Android 2.3 is a huge jump from 2.1

same processor different clock

same body construction afaik, other than lense on early defy

defy stock 2.2, and runs defy+ stock 2.3.4 just fine

for me it's really just 100 mA more juice, not worth $400+

Can the standard defy be easily updated to the defy+ 2.3 ?

no! only defy with red camera lens can have defy+ rom. if you have a green one, you can however put cyanogenmod running 2.3.7

Skeamz

48 posts

Geek
Inactive user

#540628 3-Nov-2011 10:29

The galaxy S for under $500 is a no brainer, better than every other phone listed, unless you wanted to go with a imported phone. Its on par or better than the iphone 4.

lyonrouge

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#540789 3-Nov-2011 16:04

I would discourage LG Optimus One (P500h), given the chance again, I'd grab the Galaxy S (although I think the "better than the iphone 4" claim is optimistic).

loganjames

272 posts

Ultimate Geek

#540848 3-Nov-2011 19:15

Skeamz: The galaxy S for under $500 is a no brainer, better than every other phone listed, unless you wanted to go with a imported phone. Its on par or better than the iphone 4.

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