First Mobile?

[tomass]

Im thinking of purchasing my first mobile phone for mainly emergency use and to call the parents if i need to be picked up from work etc. What are the good and bad networks, what offers do you get from different networks. Also what phones are good for around $150? sorry if this has been posted before im just to lazy to search.

[W2ttsy]

vodaphone has the nokia 7250i for $200 outright. coupled with their $49 maxi cap pre paid sim and youd be on your way for a little under $250... not to bad.

otherwise there is the popular nokia 1100 or 2100. both are cheap phones and great for going out where if it gets smashed, stolen or dropped in a beer, it doesnt matter. cost for these handsets outright (ie not planned) is around $59 - $99. then with the maxi cap sim for $49 you will have $230 worth of credit all for $49. sweet.

the two models above are fairly limited. calls, SMS, B & W screen, mono ring tones and bugger all upgrade options. but they are attractive for first timers, parents who suck with mobiles and those who lose stuff too easily.

W2ttsy

[tomass]

hm ok, i saw a Sony Ericson for about $134 link here
http://www.dse.com.au/cgi-bin/dse.storefront/43e6e6d8061c4a482740c0a87f9c06eb/Product/View/E9296

Is it true with virgin that the credit lasts 12 months?

[ScottD]

virgin and optus simlock there phones and you gotta have dicey ebay programmes to fix it. i can get you a 6230 for $200, 3 months old in excellent condition it has bluetooth mp3 player 32mb memory card, video camera as well, Pm me for details. i can sort you out with something else if thats not your cup of tea

[donthucktoflat]

Nokia 2112, Telstra CDMA, 70 bucks. easy. (and it has poly ringtones OMGZZ!!!)

[ScottD]

except telstra are sgutting down cdma soon i think exactly at the end of 2008

[dmwill]

Telstra are phasing out all current networks by 2008 and replacing them wiith 3G, so unless you intend to get a new phone by then, I would suggest not bothering with Telstra.

[cam-o]

Telstra are phasing out all current networks by 2008 and replacing them wiith 3G, so unless you intend to get a new phone by then, I would suggest not bothering with Telstra.
Sheeeit kids, who's not gonna get a new phone by 2008?
The way phones are going I predict 90% of you will have newies by then.
Lets assume you don't have a new one, you really think the big T won't offer some kind of sweet deal to get onto 3G?

Pick whatever carrier suits mate, don't stress about the whole 2008 thing, you'll be using a phone implanted into your nostrils by then :D

[donthucktoflat]

Sheeeit kids, who's not gonna get a new phone by 2008?
The way phones are going I predict 90% of you will have newies by then.
Lets assume you don't have a new one, you really think the big T won't offer some kind of sweet deal to get onto 3G?

Pick whatever carrier suits mate, don't stress about the whole 2008 thing, you'll be using a phone implanted into your nostrils by then :D
well said. there is 2 years between now and 2008. i know i am not planning on keeping my current phone for longer than another year at max. it is a great phone, and tough as, but i ike new shiny stuff.

[blt2ride]

Im thinking of purchasing my first mobile phone for mainly emergency use and to call the parents if i need to be picked up from work etc. What are the good and bad networks, what offers do you get from different networks. Also what phones are good for around $150? sorry if this has been posted before im just to lazy to search.

For your situation, I would go with a pre-paid phone. Pay for the minutes you're planning to use...

[leitch]

vodaphone has the nokia 7250i for $200 outright. coupled with their $49 maxi cap pre paid sim and youd be on your way for a little under $250... not to bad.

otherwise there is the popular nokia 1100 or 2100. both are cheap phones and great for going out where if it gets smashed, stolen or dropped in a beer, it doesnt matter. cost for these handsets outright (ie not planned) is around $59 - $99. then with the maxi cap sim for $49 you will have $230 worth of credit all for $49. sweet.

the two models above are fairly limited. calls, SMS, B & W screen, mono ring tones and bugger all upgrade options. but they are attractive for first timers, parents who suck with mobiles and those who lose stuff too easily.

W2ttsy

i have the $49 cap, and the one problem with them, for what he wants to use it for, is that you only have 30 days before you recharge, so if he only wants it for emergencies, etc, then $49 a month for such a small amount of use is a lot to pay..

[tomass]

hey Leitch i know this irevelant but ur user name is my last name. Anyway i still gotta convince dad to let me buy one, i have a job and i save heaps of money for finnancially im good. Maybe i should just one with out his consent any way seeing as im 16

[W2ttsy]

dont worry, i had a mobile for "emergencies" and soon enough i was using it for everything but. especially once girls are involved... the cap saved me from my old $200+ bills i used to get...

W2ttsy

[ScottD]

For vodafone: for the first time he can buy the $30 starter pack use the $30 of credit and then see how it goes, for example if he used it in 10 days ten its time for the $49 cap. If he uses the $30 in 25+ days then he should stick to that but next time he recharges choose the option thats right for you eg talker, texter and night talker. People come into my work and ask this same question every saturday and i gaurentee that at least 3 every saturday are in the same situation(I work saturdays at a vodafone shop)

Now you have that part sorted you can buy a phone off me....;)

[tomass]

nah sorry i never buy anything second hand anymore, im really considering buying the Sony K500. they seem pretty good to me and come with credit, which i understand that most prepaid phones do anyway

[ScottD]

nah sorry i never buy anything second hand anymore, im really considering buying the Sony K500. they seem pretty good to me and come with credit, which i understand that most prepaid phones do anyway


its brand spanking mate the 6230 has only ever been opened and looked at by me