HTC Tattoo or Wildfire with Vodafone?

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bananamuffin

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#65602 4-Aug-2010 10:49

Hi all,

I'm looking to get an inexpensive Android phone to use with my Vodafone prepaid sim, not ready to go for a plan yet. So far the cheapest one I've found and liked is the HTC Tattoo which I would buy from Parallel Imported. The other one they recommended, which they didn't have in stock, was the HTC Wildfire. The Tattoo looked pretty decent although it took forever to boot.

Just checking if anyone has any experience using either of these phones with Vodafone? I know they run Android 1.6 but they're both under NZD500 which is very appealing to me as I'm working with a small budget.

Any feedback?

Handsomedan

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#362815 4-Aug-2010 10:53

I'd go Wildfire.

same screen, slightly newer technology.

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Handsomedan

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#362816 4-Aug-2010 10:54

There are probably better Samsungs that are upgradeable, too at that price.

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bananamuffin

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#362817 4-Aug-2010 10:55

Handsomedan: There are probably better Samsungs that are upgradeable, too at that price.

Can you suggest specific ones that I can check out?

Handsomedan

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#362841 4-Aug-2010 11:18

The Galaxy Spica i5700 is a goodie for the money. Can run 2.2, too.

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kyhwana2

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#362858 4-Aug-2010 11:39

The Wildfire is running Android 2.1.

I have a friend who's gf bought the wildfire, while he has a HTC Desire.
He described it as a mini desire, basically..

Clove has it: http://www.clove.co.uk/viewProduct.aspx?Manufacturer=HTC&Item=HTCWildfire&Product=EBC9312F-9F5C-432E...=

Handsomedan

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#362860 4-Aug-2010 11:41

Min Desire with lower-spec screen.

there's a good review on gsmarena.com

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bananamuffin

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#362867 4-Aug-2010 11:47

Thanks guys, looks like the Wildfire is a better deal then. Handsomedan, the Galaxy Spica looks good, but it doesn't look like Parallel Imported have ever had it in stock, will ask them.

How does one figure out what the total cost of buying a phone, say on the Clove website and having it delivered to NZ, plus customs, would be? I feel better about walking into a store and purchasing it then because I don't have to guess at what the bottom line will be.

Sorry for all the questions, quite new to NZ so trying to figure all this out :)

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Handsomedan

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#362869 4-Aug-2010 11:51

THere's a Wildfire in the cabinet in Parallel Imported in Queen Street.

Had a play with it the other day.

Screen isn;t that bad, so not sure why it's deemed to be an issue.

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bananamuffin

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#362874 4-Aug-2010 11:56

Handsomedan: THere's a Wildfire in the cabinet in Parallel Imported in Queen Street.

Had a play with it the other day.

Screen isn;t that bad, so not sure why it's deemed to be an issue.

Was at that store on Queen St. yesterday evening and the Wildfire was gone, sold earlier in the day, they only had the tattoo at that price range

Not sure when they'll get the Wildfire again. Bah. Just reading reviews over at gsmarena.com now, thanks for the link

kyhwana2

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#362877 4-Aug-2010 11:58

Easy, you add shipping (24gbp) to the price of the phone, convert from gbp to nz, and then multiple that by 1.125 (or 1.15 if you wait till october).

There is a chance you'll get it through customs without having to pay GST. Apparently the royal mail option (rather than fedex) has more of a chance of getting through..

ie, 195+24gbp == 219gbp, convert to NZ is $475 * 1.125 == $534.

bananamuffin

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#362878 4-Aug-2010 11:59

kyhwana2: Easy, you add shipping (24gbp) to the price of the phone, convert from gbp to nz, and then multiple that by 1.125 (or 1.15 if you wait till october).

There is a chance you'll get it through customs without having to pay GST. Apparently the royal mail option (rather than fedex) has more of a chance of getting through..

ie, 195+24gbp == 219gbp, convert to NZ is $475 * 1.125 == $534.

Thanks much! That's very helpful.

lokhor

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#362907 4-Aug-2010 12:55

I'd go for the Galaxy Spica as it has a higher res screen than the wildfire. You will probably find it very difficult to browse the web on a 240x320 screen. If you want a great phone for ~$500 and aren't too fussed about the OS you could go with the Samsung Wave S8500, it's pretty awesome for the price and runs Samsung's new Bada OS.

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_s8500_wave-3146.php

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Handsomedan

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#362927 4-Aug-2010 13:17

If you want to check either of them out in the flesh, it would appear that Cool Mobile (in the Imax centre in Akl City) have them.

http://coolmobile.net.nz/product_display.php?id=1064

http://coolmobile.net.nz/product_display.php?id=1019

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bananamuffin

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#362972 4-Aug-2010 13:41

Handsomedan: If you want to check either of them out in the flesh, it would appear that Cool Mobile (in the Imax centre in Akl City) have them.

http://coolmobile.net.nz/product_display.php?id=1064

http://coolmobile.net.nz/product_display.php?id=1019

Awesome! Will take a stroll over there and have a look. Thanks Handsomedan for all your help.