buying a smartphone

[Nick G]

Hi, I was looking at buying a smartphone and wasn't sure which model.
I have a budget of about $450nz and am cool with buying online.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[pcuser42]

Lumia 710. Windows Phone is absolutely stunning.

[Chilling_Silence]

All this depends on what network you're using? 2Degrees / Vodafone? Or Telecom XT?

[plod]

All this depends on what network you're using? 2Degrees / Vodafone? Or Telecom XT?

Hey chill, my 12 year son wants a smart phone for his 13. What can you recommend in the $200 range if any. I have tried to tell him their are crap at that range. Sorry for the hijack.

[The Error Guy]

Any WP7 or Higher end android is nice. The Lumia is esp nice as pcuser said.

I recently got my Galaxy SII for $500 NZD on ebay (2nd hand) if you don't mind 2nd hand and don't mind taking the risks associated with online buying there are some good deals on ebay. The NZ market is ridiculously expensive for 2nd hand phones. Especially the iPhone! A good condition 2nd gen iPhone (3G 8GB) goes for $450 on trademe!! rip off!!

My personal experience is that the WP7 experience is very nice and uniform across brands due to the minimum spec requirements and design consistencies applied by Microsoft. However there are always nicer handsets than others.

The WP UI is really gorgeous and I think that's a real winner.

With android the Galaxy SII is great. I love mine. I'm currently running Westcrip's Resurrection on it which is an Ice cream sandwich mod. It's stunning. With any android device, get one that you can put Ice Cream Sandwich on, either through a manufacturer update or mod. ICS is incredible compared to Gingerbread/Froyo and there is no way I could ever go back. It fixes many shortcomings with android. The SII has an amazing screen, good processor and performs nicely all round. Swype is great once you get the hang of it.

iPhone is a touchy one, personally I don't like them. Over simplified/limited OS and the glass has a tendency to break rather easily when dropped.

I'd go with a nice WP7 like the Lumia series or a Galaxy SII when they release the S3 and prices drop.

Unfortunately I have no personal experience with Mid end smart phones and can only offer my experience for the more expensive ones. If I get a S3 it will be 2nd hand. I don't see the point in spending $1000 for a new one and the SII is more than powerful enough.

[Nick G]

hi again.
just to add a bit more info
I'm running on 2degrees so a phone made for Vodafone will work fine. I would prefer not to buy second hand (bad experiences). I am either looking for a android or a wp7 device, and am thinking about either the Nokia 710, Samsung galaxy w, HTC incredible a or desire s. I'm not looking a an iPhone or something with a screen larger than 4.3 inches.

[Nick G]

Hey chill, my 12 year son wants a smart phone for his 13. What can you recommend in the $200 range if any. I have tried to tell him their are crap at that range. Sorry for the hijack.

hi, I would either recommend Vodafone 858 or LG optimus me, or, if you are willing to look around for a deal the Huawei ideos x5. x5 is by far the best phone, but is currently selling for 300 new. Also, it may be possible to find a Motorola defy for 200 second hand.

[Nick G]

If you can stretch for it the $300 huawei ideos x5 is by far the best. 3.8 inch high res screen, android 2.2, and a 800MhZ processor

[pcuser42]

I'm running on 2degrees so a phone made for Vodafone will work fine.

Pretty much any phone (except CDMA) works on 2degrees anyway

Interestingly all three major carriers stock the Lumia 800...

[Chilling_Silence]

@Nick G,
Get the LG Optimus Black or the Motorola Defy+

@plod,
By *far* the absolute *best* in the sub-$300 range is this: http://www.vodafone.co.nz/shop/mobil...obile&menuKey=
If you can stretch it just over the $200 mark ... They had a special recently, my brother got his for $200.
Otherwise the Vodafone 858 is about all you can get, but just keep in mind that the Vodafone 858 is certainly a very *budget* phone...

@pcuser42,
Not quite, only those that support the 900 / 1800 GSM bands I believe, whereas aside from the fact that XT is a totally different (WCDMA) technology, it also runs on 850 / 2100 bands