Locally available super cheap androids with dual sim that will work in AU

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richms

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#317722 9-Nov-2024 16:34

Since AU have decided to be morons and let the telcos block phones they dont like, my usual spare sime/traveling phone will be useless over there next time I go, and its also not getting security updates anymore so I need to replace it anyway.

Does anyone know of anything I can get here like a redmi or mi or oppo or something that has dual physical sim slots, and will be good to go over there with an AU sim in the second slot (So not roaming) and my NZ sim in the other (so I get SMS as a roamer)

Richard rich.ms

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#3307305 9-Nov-2024 17:42

What is your budget? I'd caution that a lot of super cheap Androids imported from overseas won't work on NZ networks' 5g, VoLTE, or VoWifi, plus work on Australian VoLTE or VoWifi or 5g.

nztim

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#3307306 9-Nov-2024 17:51

iPhone..... anything over a 6s will work android there is no guarantee and you are runing the risk of buying something that wont

This for example

iPhone 6s | iPhone | Trade Me Marketplace

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richms

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#3307315 9-Nov-2024 18:42

I dont want to go iphone as that would mean making an apple login and dealing with them.

Probably $300 tops for something brand new. I was thinking of maybe going for a Samsung but no idea what the compatibility of them to take over there is like. Its very hard to find any details about finding if they have a phone in the allowed list over there.

Richard rich.ms

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#3307316 9-Nov-2024 18:56

Since AU have decided to be morons and let the telcos block phones they dont like

Some extra context for others: Vodafone AU had already shutdown their 3G network, but at the end of October, the remaining players began to shutdown their 3G network.
The regulator has issued a directive that Telcos must only allow devices that are compatible with the operators VoLTE and E000 implementations. There are some grace periods for inbound roamers and also non-voice devices eg. Laptop modems, Wifi Hotspots, IOT etc are exempt (as they're data only).

Fair to say that there is a bit of carnage on Whirlpools mobile forums:

Some niche devices that the Telcos never supported (eg. gaming handsets) are effectively blocked from the network outright.
Some folks are finding some devices work with some operators whilst not on others.
Some folks are finding their devices are being blocked even though they've flashed their devices with the right profiles/firmwares to enable them.
Some folks with known working devices aren't able to make calls due to loading custom firmwares on etc.
Telcos are generally using TAC lists which is logical whilst also being a fairly blunt instrument.

@nztim, if the intent is dual SIM, you'll need to get an iPhone 11 or higher. The earlier iPhone dual sims only supported an esim + physical sim configuration whilst the later ones can support 2x esim's as well. iPhones have faired extremely well (due to their centralised profiles).

An Samsung Galaxy of some sort might get you through, but would pay to ensure that the TAC codes are the same as their AU counterparts.

You might find value from using https://www.telstrawholesale.com.au/3G-Network-Closure-Blocked-Devices-Checker.html (TAC code) or https://amta.org.au/3g-closure-old/check-my-device/ (wants an IMEI)

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boosacnoodle

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#3307328 9-Nov-2024 19:53

richms:

I dont want to go iphone as that would mean making an apple login and dealing with them.

This isn't strictly true. An Apple ID is not required for setup nor ongoing use (App Store excepted).

richms

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#3307329 9-Nov-2024 20:03

boosacnoodle:

This isn't strictly true. An Apple ID is not required for setup nor ongoing use (App Store excepted).

Is there any other way to get apps onto the device? Because without the apps that I want, its as useless as a dumb phone.

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nztim

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#3307343 9-Nov-2024 20:48

You will be SOL to find an Android phone with al the NZ and AU VoLTE profiles for all three carrriers there and all three here.

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jayemm

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#3307355 9-Nov-2024 21:01

I would recommend the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G Dual Sim. RRP is $399 but regularly on special at Noel Leeming or Harvie Norman for under $300

Samsung has guaranteed security updates for 5 years and 4 generations of Android

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#3307358 9-Nov-2024 21:23

jayemm:
I would recommend the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G Dual Sim. RRP is $399 but regularly on special at Noel Leeming or Harvie Norman for under $300

Samsung has guaranteed security updates for 5 years and 4 generations of Android

But will that model and sub model work on Aus networks?

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#3307367 9-Nov-2024 22:36

If you have a friendly store person, you could ask for the TAC code (they probably won't give out the IMEI :) and then check against the Australian compatibility tools.
You might be able to even do it instore if they aren't busy.

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gzt

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#3307369 9-Nov-2024 23:00

I'd gamble on a Galaxy A05 dual sim or A06 dual sim. As low as $169 and $209 respectively, after a quick Google. Available in all the usual places.

For certainty why not go the other way, buy a cheap phone in Australia?

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#3307480 10-Nov-2024 13:06

jayemm:
I would recommend the Samsung Galaxy A15 5G Dual Sim. RRP is $399 but regularly on special at Noel Leeming or Harvie Norman for under $300

Samsung has guaranteed security updates for 5 years and 4 generations of Android

The nz model appears to be the international model (dual sim) while the au market ones is single. So will be a different model code/version.

Although the bands are the same, the issue remains. They're all avoiding the international model as it's not AU market specific.

Think our Volte/vowifi isses between providr oe import handsets. But a bigger headache.

richms

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#3307482 10-Nov-2024 13:10

gzt:
I'd gamble on a Galaxy A05 dual sim or A06 dual sim. As low as $169 and $209 respectively, after a quick Google. Available in all the usual places.

For certainty why not go the other way, buy a cheap phone in Australia?

Because I want to set it up before the next time I go.

Moving phones is a real PITA so I don't want to be wasting time doing it there.

Other options are to just rely on the sim in the phone roaming to get SMS as that seems to work on the old Xiaomi over volte and they allow roaming and to just get a wifi hotspot for data but I really do want to get off old android in any case to choosing a phone I can take there now means I stop carrying around a giant vulnerability phone.

Richard rich.ms

stuartmac

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#3308197 12-Nov-2024 17:05

But will that model and sub model work on Aus networks?

My understanding is that the Aus networks block on IMEI number range, not simply by models. That is irrespective of your model, the telco only tests models they sell (in Australia). If it is not a model they sell, or if it is a model they sell but was sold outside Australia then they are obligated by the Australian govt to block all service - voice and data.

Even if you have a handset sold by an Australian telco (and therefore certified) and fully works, it is no guarantee it will not get blocked on other australian networks (if they have not certified that model).

The implementation in Australia is a huge regression back to single-carrier handsets. Or only handsets with the largest profit margins and therefore sold by all networks (i.e. Apple, Samsung).

It is not consumer friendly.

stuartmac

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#3308202 12-Nov-2024 17:12

nztim:

iPhone..... anything over a 6s will work android there is no guarantee and you are runing the risk of buying something that wont

This for example

iPhone 6s | iPhone | Trade Me Marketplace

By the One NZ site - models from iPhone 6 to iPhone X are marked as voLTE capable but not roaming enabled. Which I take to be - no that won't work in Australia, at least not with a NZ SIM.

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