Need a new phone, don't where to start!

**Dave_S** · 2nd November 2012, 11:23 AM

I've got an ancient Nokia on a pre-paid vodaphone plan. The thing does phone calls and text only and is almost indestructable. Unfortunately the coverage is terrible - it is even patchy in the Brisbane CBD. The battery is starting to go and I think it's time I caught up with the cool kids and got a "smart" phone.

I've tried talking to sales people in phone shops, but sadly they seem to know very little about what they are selling. They want to sign you up to a plan, but usually don't know what the finer details of the plan are and don't know where to get a copy. They also know surprisingly little about each phone and what it can do, other than how good the built in camera is. I assume these guys take a lot of pictures of themselves.

I would like something that is useful from an off road driving, mountain biking, outdoors type point of view. Things like navigation/GPS I suppose. I would like something that will stand being dropped and getting wet, but I expect that comes down to getting a decent cover.

I'm told that an iPhone is good if you are a 12 year old or not very tech savvy, but that there are things about owning anything made by Apple that aren't so good. Apart from that the research I've done just seems to be confusing or contradictory.

So, any views on what questions to ask, what features to look for, how to get the best coverage and so on? If I link to the internet, how much data do you normally need on a plan? Any help would be appreciated.

**mojo** · 2nd November 2012, 11:46 AM

Hi Dave, my missus has a Samsung Galaxy S2. I'm sure she would have no hesitation recommending it. She uses it for email, web browsing, games, taking pictures and videos etc. And it can even make phone calls!

And best of all, now that the Galaxy S3 is out, you should be able to pick up a Galaxy S2 relatively cheaply.

It can also work as an in car navigator. I think it uses google maps, and it can determine it's position from either satelite or mobile base station info. I think most smart phones will have GPS fuctionality these days.

Network wise (reliability and coverage), Telstra is the best. Vodafone are the worst. Optus somewhere in between.

I don't know that too many smart phones will be good at withstanding be dropped or getting wet. As you say, the best way to protect against that would be to get a cover.

Cheers
Sean

**Tote** · 2nd November 2012, 11:49 AM

I have an Iphone on a $49 plan from Telstra. For that I get more calls than I've ever used and 1 GB of data.
It provides me with a portable wireless hotspot so I can always crank up my laptop (even on the side of the road at somewhere like Marla on the sturt highway)

It seems reasonably rugged if kept in a protective case although I dont often destroy phones.

It runs TomTom so it can be used as a navigator

It only goes out of fashon every couple of years when a new Iphone vomes out.

It can carry all my music and I dont have to burn compilation CDs anymore. (big win)

Regards,
Tote

**Eevo** · 2nd November 2012, 12:05 PM

s3 or razor
on telstra for coverage

**isuzurover** · 2nd November 2012, 12:23 PM

As much as I dislike them, Telstra has the best mobile coverage Dave.

As far as phones go, samsung seem pretty good. Bec has an HTC aria, which has worked well. Other friends / colleagues have HTC phones also, but samsung seems to be taking the lead in android phones.

Of you could join all the sheeple and get an iphone...

**Rohan** · 2nd November 2012, 12:50 PM

Hey there,

Recently went through the same mine-field and ended up with a Nokia Lumia 800 on a Telstra plan. IMHO it seems to be the best at being a phone (which I find quite handy).

Has a lot of other handy gadgets like a decent camera, nokia maps etc. etc. and also runs windows software so stuff like microsoft office is on there.

Has the Telstra blue tick for country coverage too.

I don't work for Telstra or Nokia.

Hope this is helpful.

**weeds** · 2nd November 2012, 12:59 PM

we have two iphone's, the do everything we need. one on a plan the other is a corporate phone

**Dave_S** · 2nd November 2012, 01:50 PM

Well I just ducked in to a retailer at lunch. He recommended a Samsung Galaxy III, but to almost every question I asked, he answered "don't worry about that". Also he said you have to recharge it every 5 or 6 hours

What's the point of a phone that won't even last a day?

**isuzurover** · 2nd November 2012, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by Dave_S

Well I just ducked in to a retailer at lunch. He recommended a Samsung Galaxy III, but to almost every question I asked, he answered "don't worry about that". Also he said you have to recharge it every 5 or 6 hours

What's the point of a phone that won't even last a day?

5 or 6 hours may be for the average teenager who is constantly using their phone.

However - that is the thing that annoys me about smart phones. Bec's HTC lasts 2 days between charges. My ancient nokia lasts a week, and we both use our phones as much for the same stuff.

**incisor** · 2nd November 2012, 02:27 PM

my S3 lasts three days between charges.. and it is always in use, bluetooth, wireless networks etc etc etc

if you need to sync with outlook contacts and calendar, go iphone as it is more reliable

if you use google for calendar and contacts go an android like the S3 or the top of the range HTC

just been thru it in the last few weeks

the iphone is a slick package compared to the android options but they are getting closer and are certainly useable.

Thread: Need a new phone, don't where to start!

Thread Tools

Need a new phone, don't where to start!

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions