Best android for under $500

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SuperHemi

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#92561 1-Nov-2011 21:11

I'm thinking about upgrading to a smartphone. I'm a 2degrees subscriber, and interested in anything under $500. Ideally I would like a phone with GPS and a decent camera.

I've been looking at the following phones on the 2degrees website. Keen to hear any thoughts on which is the best option out of these (or any other smartphone for under $500).

Samsung Galaxy Gio
IDEOS X5
LG Optimus One P500

I've read that battery life can be pretty average on android phones. How long can I expect to go before needing to charge the phones listed above?

Thanks in advance for your help!
Cheers.

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Snowflake

#540070 1-Nov-2011 21:24

set on android? you can pick up an htc trophy windows phone 7 device for <$500 at a few parallel importers still, and they're bloody good for a sub five hundred dollar phone....

a colleague has the X5 - battery lasts about a day on average which is somewhat normal for a smartphone. it not overloaded with running apps though.. pretty nice device overall, but you might be better with a 2nd hand, excellent condition galaxy. nzben did a decent review here on the X5: http://www.ben.geek.nz/2011/02/2degrees-huawei-ideos-x5-review/

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#540071 1-Nov-2011 21:25

I have a LG P500 on Trade Me for under $500 - brand new, with cradle for GPS in car...

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Loismustdye

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#540073 1-Nov-2011 21:29

The Motorola defy is currently 389 at Harvey Norman, although apparently Noel's will have it for 349 from tomorrow.

tigercorp

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#540093 1-Nov-2011 21:55

Samsung Galaxy S?

tdgeek

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#540094 1-Nov-2011 22:00

Its Xmas, check the ISP offerings/deals/contract options

WTB here will likely get some good options, as most of us upgrade too often.

Ive read that Android is not great on battery life, and while I use an iPhone, everything I read points to smartphones, not Androids as the cause of battery life, not the platform. Googling your phone/Android will give the usual tips to maximise that

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#540124 1-Nov-2011 22:56

The P500 is now $199 from Telecom.

Something I would recommend though is the Motorola Defy (which is $399 Retail) or if you are after speed + a durable phone the Sony Ericsson Active (also $399)

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#540132 1-Nov-2011 23:16

I'll probably get banned for making this suggestion on an Android forum but since you said "Keen to hear any thoughts on which is the best option out of these (or any other smartphone for under $500)" here goes, especially since you mentioned battery life, a good camera. and GPS, which I presume means maps.

If you're willing to look at Nokia, 2 degrees have the Nokia C7-00 for $399 with no contract. Down to $29 on one of the their contracts.

https://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/shop?p_p_id=konakart_portlet_WAR_konakart_portlet&p_p_lifecycle=1&p_p_state=normal&p

It's a very nice looking phone and has the latest Anna software, the Belle update will be available shortly adding more features. This later Anna software is pretty nice to use. It has an 8Mp camera. The battery life is better than most other smartphones, I have an E7 and comfortably get 2 days plus. The other big feature is the preinstalled the Ovi maps with free updates and free turn by turn navigation. The maps are on the phone so there is no need for a data connection out on the road.

So far as apps go there is a good selection on the Ovi store, perhaps not as big a number of apps as the Android Market but a good selection all the same.

It may not be what you want but it sure will give you good battery life, has a good camera, and a GPS with an excellent maps app, you definitely don't need a Navman or Tom Tom. It will also give excellent 3G coverage on any of the three networks here in New Zealand.

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hangon

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#540149 2-Nov-2011 01:20

Loismustdye: The Motorola defy is currently 389 at Harvey Norman, although apparently Noel's will have it for 349 from tomorrow.

yeah Noel's price updated to 349 after midnight, "no sim".

xmas comes early. they could sell a lot of defy at this price.

Wade

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#540163 2-Nov-2011 07:24

Noel Leemings have the Galaxy S at $479 off contract until the 8th November

toyonut

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#540193 2-Nov-2011 08:54

Just saw that, bloody good deal for that phone.
http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/communications/mobile-cellular-phones-cellphones/vodafone-mobile-phones-cellphones/samsung-i9000galaxy-galaxy-s-smartphone/prod106263.html

Defy:
http://www.noelleeming.co.nz/shop/communications/mobile-cellular-phones-cellphones/xt-mobile-phones-cellphones/motorola-defy-xt-smartphone/prod132661.html

Wish I had some spare cash lying around as I would grab the defy in a heartbeat. The Galaxy S is also a great price. If buying from a 2 degrees store, I would go the x5. Seems a good phone for the price.

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#540212 2-Nov-2011 09:50

tdgeek: Its Xmas, check the ISP offerings/deals/contract options

WTB here will likely get some good options, as most of us upgrade too often.

Ive read that Android is not great on battery life, and while I use an iPhone, everything I read points to smartphones, not Androids as the cause of battery life, not the platform. Googling your phone/Android will give the usual tips to maximise that

Agree. Last Christmas 2Deg had the deal where if you top up a certain amount you get that much off the phone. I got the LG P500 for $400 including a $150 topup.

Good value phone, particularly with the GPS navigation and car cradle. Couldn't comment on battery life as it depends on how much you use GPS and data.

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#540268 2-Nov-2011 11:38

Loismustdye: The Motorola defy is currently 389 at Harvey Norman, although apparently Noel's will have it for 349 from tomorrow.

anyone getting this and use them on vodafone/2degrees?

xt phones are unlocked afaik, seems they r dumping stock?

SpookyAwol

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#540289 2-Nov-2011 12:20

Thats an awesome phone for the price. Less than parallel importers.

Advertising on the net shows them as "GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900, 3G 850 (XT/US3G), 3G 1900, 3G 2100"
Mobicity recommend them as compatible with Two Degrees, ., ., XT Network, Telecom 3G 2100MHz, Vodafone 2G

Im assuming they would be compatible if thats the case - but perhaps not with the 3G spectrum in some areas?

I run a parallel imported Defy which is listed as :

2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 900 / 2100

Technofreak

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#540299 2-Nov-2011 12:41

SpookyAwol: Thats an awesome phone for the price. Less than parallel importers.

Advertising on the net shows them as "GSM 850, GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900, 3G 850 (XT/US3G), 3G 1900, 3G 2100"
Mobicity recommend them as compatible with Two Degrees, ., ., XT Network, Telecom 3G 2100MHz, Vodafone 2G

Im assuming they would be compatible if thats the case - but perhaps not with the 3G spectrum in some areas?

I run a parallel imported Defy which is listed as :

2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G Network HSDPA 900 / 2100

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.

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nitrotech

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#540307 2-Nov-2011 12:56

+1 for the defy - a fantastic deal at the price - also the galaxy s is a good price too

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