what's the best value Telstra nextG handset?

[halledise]

what's the best value Telstra nextG handset?

it seems the humble Samsung A812 flip-phone works best in the marginal areas - but I'm looking for something with a higher res screen and more aesthetic appeal

any suggestions/comments ?

[krafty]

thats funny, telstra & value used in the same sentence.

[Brentnal]

I'd recommend the Nokia 6120 Classic.

[silverdreamer]

Originally Posted by halledise

what's the best value Telstra nextG handset?

it seems the humble Samsung A812 flip-phone works best in the marginal areas - but I'm looking for something with a higher res screen and more aesthetic appeal

any suggestions/comments ?

If I where you, I would look at selecting something cheap and functional, that does not lock you into a long term contract, then go with the iphone when it's released, can't be far away.

[spilla]

Originally Posted by Brentnal

I'd recommend the Nokia 6120 Classic.

+1

The Nokia 6120C is a great phone, and it gets reception in more places than the LG and Telstra NextG handsets.

It looks great too.

[forgie]

What's the go with sites like this:
http://becextech.com.au/catalog/prod...4035708ec23bc6

Do these guys just import them from Hong Kong and then re-sell them here pseudo-legally?

What networks does the 6120C run on? Clearly it runs on the NextG network, but what other Australian networks does it run on?

Sorry to hijack - I'm just interested because I'd like to go with NextG when my current contract runs out, but I'd rather buy a phone outright and go pre-paid, that way the phone will have more resale value, and I can re-assess when the iPhone comes out. And I don't have to put up with the Telstra software s%$t.

[krafty]

Originally Posted by forgie

What's the go with sites like this:
http://becextech.com.au/catalog/prod...4035708ec23bc6

Do these guys just import them from Hong Kong and then re-sell them here pseudo-legally?

i don't know about imports from HK, but most mobile phones in the world come through a company call brightstar.
Telstra don't even buy direct from Nokia and others. They do not have any purchasing power. They are too small as a buyer. So any phones that are heaps cheaper than those sold here buy our telco's are probably being sold at a realistic price.

[halledise]

Originally Posted by krafty

thats funny, telstra & value used in the same sentence.

now now

[halledise]

Originally Posted by forgie

and I can re-assess when the iPhone comes out.

yes - but when might that be?

(probably a week after signing up for a 2 yr contract with a carrier who doesn't do 3G iPhone)

[njd]

nokia 6120 classic - out in the sticks here - have had the telstra zte and lg 550 - LG had teh blue tick of approval. The nokia doesn't but it works heaps better than the LG - excellent coverage. We are 40km from the telstra mobile tower and get reception in a designated mobile coverage blackspot.

[grimmy]

rather remarkably the 6120 classic actually runs the same OS as the top end N series models!

You get a symbian smartphone running S60 FP1 in a baseline model.

This is the same OS powering the N95. It will sync with isync as well which is a bonus.

However if you want media functionality (ie) good camera, excellent video recording then go with the N95-3.

[msilsby]

Originally Posted by krafty

thats funny, telstra & value used in the same sentence.

(By anyone other than Telstra or and 'official' partner!)

Stay away from Telstra if you can. If you must, go pre-pay so you can change your plan when (and if!) a better one becomes available. Vodafone and Optus are both rolling out large scale 3 G networks over the year to challenge telstra, and both networks will work with existing 3g handsets.

Can you wait a bit?

[SteveClark]

G'day all

My employer (a largely rural-based state government department) has recently switched us all to Next G. We were offered the LG TU550 and the Nokia 6120C. The LG was recommended for staff who spent a lot of time out in the sticks rather than stayed near base.

I'm in the latter category and went for the Nokia (also because it played better with Macs!). I get reception nearly everywhere, much better than the old CDMA phone I had. The LG staff are very unhappy with the reception on their phones and the department is looking to replace them with a better option as soon as possible.

So, another vote for the Nokia 6120 Classic.

Cheers
Steve

[forgie]

Originally Posted by halledise

yes - but when might that be?

(probably a week after signing up for a 2 yr contract with a carrier who doesn't do 3G iPhone)

That's the point.... buy a phone outright on pre-paid, then re-assess...? No contract, no locked in phone, everyone's happy!

[forgie]

Originally Posted by SteveClark

G'day all

My employer (a largely rural-based state government department) has recently switched us all to Next G. We were offered the LG TU550 and the Nokia 6120C. The LG was recommended for staff who spent a lot of time out in the sticks rather than stayed near base.

I'm in the latter category and went for the Nokia (also because it played better with Macs!). I get reception nearly everywhere, much better than the old CDMA phone I had. The LG staff are very unhappy with the reception on their phones and the department is looking to replace them with a better option as soon as possible.

So, another vote for the Nokia 6120 Classic.

Cheers
Steve

Every single person I know that's owned an LG phone has complained about one thing or another - I've never heard an LG owner say "yeah, this phone works great/fine/properly". I always tell people to NEVER buy LG phones.

It sounds like the 6120 Classic is the way to go if you want good reception with NextG. Unfortunately, I'm pretty happy with the UI of my SE k610i (on 3). I really like the "Events list", it is much more practical than the way that Nokia phones inform you of missed calls and messages. Only problem is, the reception sucks.

[spargo]

I'm a heavy 6120 user for business and have found it to be a great phone. And as a bonus if you're on NextG you can browse the base pages (news, sport, weather, etc) on Bigpond's WAP site for free - something for free from Telstra? who'dathunkit!!??.

[forgie]

Does the 6120C work on 3's network? (I'm currently on a contract with 3)

As in, could I buy a 6120C outright, use it on 3 until my contract is out, then get a Telstra Prepaid NextG SIM-card and use that?

[soulman]

<hijack>

Originally Posted by forgie

I've never heard an LG owner say "yeah, this phone works great/fine/properly".

Well and FWIW, you have now: I had an LG TD6000 on CDMA before I got this POS Motorola V3xx I have to suffer with now and the LG worked fine. Good even. I wish I could still use it.

</hijack>

The Moto V3xx loses service regularly and can't reconnect to the network, even when it is in a good signal strength area. It needs to be rebooted before it will work again. Just rubbish. Could never recommend it.

[spargo]

Yep, 3 have the 6120C also with 3-logo branding front and back. No idea about outright buying.