Technology & Online

Trying to find out about cost and functionality of smartphones

Technology & Online

Posted by: terry

22nd Jul 2013 11:49am

I've been thinking of buying a smartphone and have heard a lot of great things about having one, but I'm worried about how much it might cost. How good are they? Is the technology as good as I have heard? And are they too expensive for what they are?


Comments 104

Goulah
  • 26th May 2017 09:16pm

I am torn by this topic. My smart phone was a "hand me down" so I did not have the initial cost but the follow up ones have to be watched. I keep to the minimum data usage and can usually do so by careful usage.

On the other hand I am sight impaired and before my smart phone was cut off a lot by not being able to read or write. With "voiceover" and various applications I am now able to live a very different life.

angry mum
  • 26th Mar 2017 02:23pm

I just bought my first smartphone just before Christmas. I had an old flip phone but received a message from my provider telling me the 2G network was disappearing in April 2017 and therefore my phone would no longer work. I am not a big user of my mobile and never have been. Probably make 2 calls a year but do text regularly. They are expensive but it seems the way the world is going, we all have to keep up with technology or get left behind. I purchased the Huawei GR5. Cost me around $340 but its much cheaper than the better known brands eg, Samsung and Iphone. My phone has almost all of the same features as the ones that can cost $1,000 up. I am happy with it.

riq
  • 23rd Jan 2017 12:03pm

prestige branded smart phones are extremely dear, but there are many lesser known brands available at no extra charge with contracted plans (and u need to get some sort of plan to utilise even basic phone use.....also , e bay is a good place to get a phone from someone who is continually upgrading.

Rossissmellingtheroses
  • 17th Dec 2016 02:05pm

I suggest that you visit a Telstra or Optus store & check out the models. If you are in a rural or semi-rural area or regularly travel to those areas, only select a phone that is remote area capable. The store advisor will show you those. If you are into technology, choose the best models & try to link the purchase & plan with an internet connection or other plan. This will get you a new phone up front for zero dollars cost. If you are not into technology, all the best makers make phones that are remote capable, with large screens, but are much lower cost. If you are a low usage person, then consider a pre- paid purchase deal. Be totally upfront with the sales person with exactly are your needs, usage & technology requirements. They will then guide you to the best phone. Then you can compare deals between Telstra & Optus.

Ashar
  • 16th Dec 2016 01:11pm

I have an Apple iphone 7 Gold that is brand new that I'm trying to sell. in original package unopened. Its RRP price is $1465. You can have it for $999.

hools
  • 14th Dec 2016 08:04pm

I recently bought an oppo f
Very happy with the photo and video clarity

Ajit
  • 10th Dec 2016 03:23am

yes tried many times to compare the prices of smartphones but more costly beyond my pocket capacity pl

super88
  • 20th Nov 2016 08:24am

It's about the value to you.
Everyone seems to have a smart phone these days.
There are some smart people that don't.

I can live without Facebook and Twitter etc. , but my smart phone is a friend that keeps me company on a train and saves me from accidentally looking in the eye of my fellow passengers.
It is another bill to pay and keep me on the money merry-go-round.

I probably wouldn't save the extra cash if I didn't have the smart phone.
It would just disappear on something else.
I guess it comes down to priorities.
Maybe the value comes down to a comparison of what alternative use the expense would be put to.

Once the money is spent, it has a horrible habbit of staying gone and those all in annual cost figures that the telco's now have to provide in their advertising can be pretty sobering.

Timbo
  • 18th Aug 2016 11:14am

Smartphones are really valuable tools if you are prepared to learn how to get the best out of them. My wife and I are on prepaid plans with Telstra but Aldi is probably the best if you are not planning on doing much travelling around Australia. Overseas we found Truphone to be the most reliable and best value for money. My wife has a new Samsung S5 with a 128 GB micro SD card add-on and I bought all that on the internet for under $550. I bought a cheap Medion P4502 from Aldi for $120 and while it's good value for what I paid it does have it's shortcomings - particularly battery life and connection to WiFi. The Samsung S5 I think in many respects is better value than the S6 and S7 but it really depends on what you want to do with it. I simply love being able to talk to my smartphone and get spoken answers to my questions almost immediately. For instance while out shopping my wife asks "What time does Bunnings at Thornleigh close tonight?" and the answer comes back straight away "Tonight Bunnings at Thornleigh closes at 8:00 PM". I set up appointments in the calendar and list all the questions that I want to ask my doctor or dentist etc. It's really like carrying around a reasonably powerful computer in your pocket. By the way I'm 70 in January 2017.

super88
  • 16th Jan 2016 10:55am

1) try to establish an idea of what you want the phone for.
2) If you think you will only use it for a few calls and text, prepaid through Aldi or Amaysim works out to be least costly.
There is always a "but" with every phone deal and using prepaid through a cheaper provider means you'll have to buy an unlocked phone ( not locked to a specific provider). There is no contract with these providers and your prepaid credits can last as long as a year - so you are not paying for something you don't use, as far as I know they are using Telstra or Optus networks anyway. You won't need a fancy phone $200 will get you a pretty good one.
3) if you want all the bells and whistles you might as well go on a contract, I prefer Optus, but again smaller providers may prove cheaper.
On a contract your provider will supply a phone. The bigger the monthly bill = better phone and more usage per month. You usually get a new phone when you start a new contract.
Remember it's your phone, if you break it. You will have to repair or replace it. Your contract payments (usually 2 years) go on whether your phone works or not.
If you are not sure what you need, I suggest prepaid - if you decide to go on a post paid monthly contract you'll find most companies will offer a cheaper monthly bill if you bring your own phone.

MrsPohara
  • 6th Jun 2015 02:11pm

My husband gave me his smartphone when he upgraded his. I have always had a basic phone and am content with just sms-ing and calling on it. To be honest having a smartphone has made no difference to my life other than now I can mess around on the internet whilst I wait for a bus! I guess it all depends on what you want one for.

Samson
  • 17th Jul 2014 01:11am

Compared to tablets and notebooks, the price of smart phones is not worth it due to its small size. The text in it is small to read and the browsing server of the internet needs more space for display.

SashaAbramzon
  • 15th Jul 2014 10:12pm

Smartphones are great. If you're looking for value-for-money, the new nokia range is worth having a look at if you don't mind/like running a window operating system

mikeleehm
  • 23rd Jun 2014 11:45pm

Information is the key to our future. It is not too expensive given there are many mobile operators.

hakor0
  • 23rd Jun 2014 02:47pm

The technology is better because the power of even older smartphones is rarely if ever fully utilised
The longer you wait the better they get
Getting one on a plan is quite handy because money upfront is not required
Think about coverage of phone and carrier (telstra is the best in australia) when deciding especially if you live away from city cenres it really matters no coverage equals no phone

Brab
  • 1st Jun 2014 05:13am

My first Smartphone was a Blackberry, which I didn't like - the level of security in the operating system restricted access when travelling and made it useless. I switched to an Apple iPhone and love it! My service provider supplied the phone FOC on a 12 month plan, which includes data and talk time to higher levels than I ever use.

Fozzie70
  • 27th May 2014 06:12am

I'm on a contract with my iPhone through Telstra. I find the monthly charges not too bad. There are always different packages that you can choose from with varying prices. The quality of the technology of the phone is really subjective. I find that I can have all my electronic gadgetries in one piece of equipment. In years gone by I used to carry around my iPod, Personal Organiser and my phone. Considering the many apps available makes the iPhone a handy tool for business and pleasure, it also keeps the kids quiet on occasion. I am on a two year contract with Telstra which means at the end of that period I can get a new phone, usually I just upgrade to the latest iPhone. I have found on both occasions that before the two years is up things start to go wrong with the phone. From a personal point of view if you were to get an iPhone and intend to load it up with music and pictures I would recommend you go for the one with 32mb of memory.

Aliyaraya
  • 24th May 2014 07:13pm

It is hard trying to find out the cost and functionality of smartphones. The other things is do you actually need all of the special features that are on them? Do you actually use them? I have found that with my smart phone it uses a lot more battery power and you have to recharge it more often.

renee516
  • 22nd May 2014 03:48pm

Yes, a smartphone is a must. But if you are worried about the cost of possessing one, you don't actually worry about it at all. Me, myself, I bought a second hand iPhone 4 for only $100. It is just as good as the brand new ones. And it is very practical. I kept all my useful notes in my phone. whenever I need logging in details I always go and check my smartphone. It has all the records and database i need. It is very useful. Besides, if you have one of the smartphones, I doubt that if you ever will need GPS again when you are driving. Just simply download a app for free then start to use it to lead you to wherever you want to go.

However, there are some downsides about having smartphones too. For example, of youngsters over use smartphones for games or browsing internet, they will not focus on schools anymore. It will distract them and affect their study qualities. Moreover, if some adults who like to keep their privacy in their phone might find these phones are very annoying. because, sometime, due to operational mistakes or systematic mistakes, their privacy will be leaked to the public. Hence, having a smartphone means you have pose your privacy to risk.

So after discussing about both sides of having smart phone, i would recommend you to choose a carefully when you are actually getting one. a smartphone with good quality and reasonable price which will hopefully has its own tough privacy protecting system and will not let you to get into troubles.

John1946
  • 21st May 2014 11:19am

Smartphones can be cheap or expensive whichever way you wish,but, I personally buy them outright for under $300.00 and can use any of the telcos for carrier and the carrier costs are no more than the standard phone costs,however,if you access the internet with it then can get costly if you dont be carefull.Many of the app's are quite usefull depending upon what you want to do

super88
  • 26th Aug 2016 01:17am
Smartphones can be cheap or expensive whichever way you wish,but, I personally buy them outright for under $300.00 and can use any of the telcos for carrier and the carrier costs are no ...

I agree it can be expensive or less expensive.
I originally had a cheap phone purchased for a little over $100 which I only used for calls. That was with Aldi prepaid, which was great when I didn't make too many calls.
Then I found my calls and cost began to increase, so I decided to bite the bullet and go for a post paid plan, I went to Optus,because I had my internet with them. They offered me a smart phone and because they already supplied my internet connection gave me a free smartphone ( on a 24 month contract) with a $10 discount on my monthly bill of $40 = $30 per month - unlimited calls and a very small data allowance.
I don't use much data on it because I mainly use my home computer, but it's proved handy for things I didn't anticipate like emailing a photo taken on the phone to supplier of a faulty item and another to a tradesman ( a picture's worth a thousand words).
I've also used navigation on it to find out where I'm going. And checked emails whe on holiday
As I say I don't use the smart stuff much and have managed to stay well within my measly monthly allowance. But it is handy to have,

On my old prepaid phone I could go for a few months and not recharge my calls as with aldi the prepayment was valid for 12 months or until used up. But, I found I'd have a lot of calls in a bunch and then a few recharges in quick succession, so The actual cost of $30 per month, unlimited calls, plus a free phone (on a plan) worked out OK.

If you use a lot of data you'll have to pay more, the more you use but, if it's time to replace your old phone but it still works you
have plenty of time to keep an eye on what is being offered, it took me a while to figure out what was best for me, and special promotions with different phones come up from time to time. It was a while ago now but I picked up an apple 5c ( basically a new phone, but an old model).

Jen
  • 16th May 2014 10:54pm

Honestly, it depends on what you need and want. If you need entertainment or a lot of functions for business on your phone then a smartphone is so useful an worth every cent. If you are surviving without a smartphone atm then you should continue. Smartphones hinder face to face communication. AVOID AT ALL COST.

lpullman
  • 6th May 2014 06:14pm

Terry,

I'm paying $45 a month including a Samsung Galaxy S3. I've never run over my data cap - I can't actually tell you what it is! - and I use email and the web a fair bit. I also use it as a portable WiFi hotspot occasionally. Whether its worth it is entirely up to you. Are they as good as you've heard? I dunno - what have you heard?

My advice is go find an old one second hand, reset it to factory (don't trust the seller to do this) and replace the battery. Then go get a cheap, short term BYO plan or pay-as-you-go and see how it works out for you. If it becomes something you really want and are willing to blow $50 a month on, then see what the various carriers will do for you*

* Hot Tip: don't be shy of telling a sales rep what the other guys are offering and that he'll need to beat that to get your business.

Anonymous
  • 4th Apr 2014 04:25pm

I haven't had a home phone in over 3 years, and have moved a fair deal around the place. my smart phone has always meant I've had a reliable internet connection, meaning always having thr ability to gain information, apply for jobs, find a route for where I'm trying to go, check my work roster, email, keep in touch with anyone in the world through international messaging and social networks. I think they are worth what we pay as an item that can virtually connect us to anything. I'm on my galaxy right now.

Anonymous
  • 26th Mar 2014 10:46pm

it's worth every cent if you find the suitable one. buying a suitable smartphone can be complicated, you'd have to compare which system is more suitable e.g. android, ios. i think it's a compulsory thing to have one, but yes they are a bit expensive depending on the models and hardware. most of the technology are just gimmicks, but as long as you can utilise it, it makes life a bit easier.

Anonymous
  • 25th Mar 2014 01:27pm

Smartphones to me are hand held computers. I bought my first one for internet access and on road navigation. Never regretted it and now that I'm used to using smartphones, I can't imagine leaving the house without one. With that said, I still don't care to have the newest or most fashionable phone out there.

I'd say if you are thinking of using your phone for anything more than call, txts and photo taking, it will be a worthwhile investment and learning experience.

mego
  • 14th Mar 2014 04:04am

Because of its name smart phone so the name it's enough to describe it

Anonymous
  • 8th Mar 2014 03:13pm

hi i pay 40$ per month for an iphone 4 on plan. amnd iam satisphied with its features but if you can pay more i will suggest you to pay 60$ each month for plan of iphone 5

Anonymous
  • 5th Mar 2014 03:04pm

I believe smartphones are quite useful in many things you endeavour. This kind of technology can be used for weather updates, messaging to friends, games for past time, personal clock and alarm and many others.

Regardless of whether you decide to purchase a iphone or android, they are both equally good in ways of making everyday tasks more simple. They are worth their value.

Anonymous
  • 1st Mar 2014 06:42pm

If you just want to make/receive and text then don't get one, but if you want to have apps, games, roam the internet etc. then get a smartphone.

Gypsy
  • 28th Feb 2014 03:25am

Because you really never have control over contracts with phones and internet, I have always used prepaid and never regretted this.
The reasons are obvious shop around and compare all services available read up on all charges, I especially recommend you opt to not have international access as this can be expensive, every entry you do for competitions especially, once you give your phone number you are charged for texts until you opt out. At least with prepaid you are in control. Now with the smart phones, I have also always bought all my mobiles outright, unlocked. Unlocked is important as you can use any carrier, from the beginning without a fee for transferring. Lots of people disagree with pre-paid but like i said you are in control of how much you spend a month or a year. No surprise bills. This information is for the data and calls and texts I have always liked Nokia and Samsung phones, both these have great smart phones, it depends what you want to do on the smartphone. Maybe your first one see look into a seconds perhaps ebay good place to look, as some people buy and update constantly, but make certain of unlock phone, unless they have the carrier you have decided to use.

kidwithsmurf
  • 27th Feb 2014 02:54pm

Yes, I have HTC Desire X and it's alright. Just buy a reasonable one (Don't get a cheap one as they can have limited space for installing apps etc and give you no end of trouble) and you'll be fine.

Also I pay $20 a month and get 1gb of internet and pretty much free calls/texts to anyone else on the same carrier as I am on... so I can call anyone and not have to worry.

So it's relative cheeper than a landline and comes with internet (Landlines cose a shitload just for having one). Plus ontop of the phonecalls and internet... you can download apps and use wifi. These apps can turn your phone into a gaming device, personal planner, notebook, camera, recorder, pager, calender, tv remote... you name it... it can be done.

So as a landline can only make and receive calls and costs you shitloads for having one and not even using it... why bother having one when you can get a smartphone? Plus you can't take your landline away from your house and still use it... so via having a smartphone it means you can call/text someone whenever and wherever.

Overall, ditch your landline, don't just buy the first smartphone you see on the shelf, get a good carrier and plan, don't go abroad with your smartphone and forget to leave the sim card at home (roaming fees eat you alive) and you'll be the happiest person alive.

Anonymous
  • 26th Feb 2014 09:16pm

Smartphones are almost essential for today's society. Always have a prepaid plan.
Some smartphones can go for $140 which isn't to much.

Squizzy
  • 17th Feb 2014 11:43am

Having just started using a smart phone with my prepaid sim card from my old moble phone the first thing I found out is why the phone companys call them smartphones you can lose your prepaid credit very quick and not a word from the sales person to tell you how to be use it to save money but now that i have found a very easy way to save my credit I leave it on Wi - Fi and dont use any apps and it great. note the only reason i got the phone its a dual sim and i am going to the uk this year and will be buying a sim card in the uk

PGS
  • 17th Feb 2014 12:08pm
Having just started using a smart phone with my prepaid sim card from my old moble phone the first thing I found out is why the phone companys call them smartphones you can lose your prepaid credit...

unless you have someone there to guide you, research the UK SIMs carefully - some of them are very expensive. If you are not going for very long, it may be easier to get a travel sim from here - although some of those are also over-priced.

pachnco
  • 7th Feb 2014 12:04pm

Smartphones are almost essential for most people to carry on their daily lives more efficiently and effectively. By staying up-to-date with smartphone technology, you are able to enjoy the new tools, freedom, organisation and fun that other people are already experiencing. It isn't a necessity in life, but personally it allows me to stay that little more in tune with the world around me. Most can be quite expensive. However for beginners, I recommend a Windows phone, which are cheaper than the exaggeratedly priced iPhone and Androids. Windows Phone for me are the most simple to learn and use, and though lagging behind in terms of application availability, have the most popular apps such as Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, Instagram etc. I would recommend buying a second-hand smartphone first to trial and experience it before purchasing a more expensive handheld with more features.

pachnco
  • 17th Feb 2014 01:09pm
Personally, I don't consider Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram & the likes 'essential', but, yes, others do. Not being able to get the Sydney public transport app is far more important - the...

Ah yes, true, we are very behind in terms of local public transport apps. However, I actually searched for any such apps and if you have a Nokia Windows phone the "HERE Transit" app may be of good use. You could say I'm enjoying observing the integration of more apps on to the Windows system.

PGS
  • 17th Feb 2014 12:11pm
True, the Windows app store is behind in comparison to the popular Android and Apple stores. However, we do have the essential social apps: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and are catching up...

Personally, I don't consider Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram & the likes 'essential', but, yes, others do. Not being able to get the Sydney public transport app is far more important - the Westfield one may be useful, bu I don't want to be targetted with ads all the time.

pachnco
  • 17th Feb 2014 11:55am
I use a windows Phone also - it gets a bit annoying to find so many programs/apps/etc are not made for these also... sometimes it is a blessing though.

True, the Windows app store is behind in comparison to the popular Android and Apple stores. However, we do have the essential social apps: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and are catching up at a rapid pace! I just love the "smoothness" and "cleanliness" of Windows. I've had very clunky, laggy and buggy experiences with Android. So yes, that's why I prefer Windows.

PGS
  • 17th Feb 2014 07:08am
Smartphones are almost essential for most people to carry on their daily lives more efficiently and effectively. By staying up-to-date with smartphone technology, you are able to enjoy the new...

I use a windows Phone also - it gets a bit annoying to find so many programs/apps/etc are not made for these also... sometimes it is a blessing though.

WH
  • 3rd Feb 2014 10:41am

It's always expensive.

Anonymous
  • 31st Jan 2014 01:00am

Very expensive

Fluffymouse50
  • 27th Jan 2014 10:18pm

iPhones are good because they have internet, games, good quality speakers, books and much more

Anonymous
  • 25th Jan 2014 04:41pm

In my opinion I think having a smart phone is great but it can be very expensive, smart phones tend to break easier than the older type of phone, therefore are more cost efficient being put into repairs. But smart phones are the becoming more and more popular so it will eventually just become standard into having a smart phone. This is just my opinion on smart phones.

Kessa1959
  • 22nd Jan 2014 09:59pm

We are actually considering doing away with our landline and using our mobiles instead. I pay $60 a month with Optus which gives me unlimited internet, texts and phone calls to mobiles and fixed lines Australia wide. I often don't even worry about taking a camera when we have a day out as my phone (Samsung Galaxy S2) takes wonderful snaps.

Anonymous
  • 21st Jan 2014 09:51pm

they are a good phone for new people just getting started with touch screens once you have mastered the technology you should have heaps of fun with it and they are not to expensive well not for what you can do with them they do make life a little easy

Anonymous
  • 21st Jan 2014 09:50pm

they are a good phone for new people just getting started with touch screens once you have mastered the technology you should have heaps of fun with it and they are not to expensive well not for what you can do with them they do make life a little easy

DDD49
  • 21st Jan 2014 04:52pm

My daughter smashed my Telstra Easy Touch 4G so had to replace it @ cost of $184 for breaking the contract but got a Samsung Galaxy S4 for only an extra $5 per month on a Telstra 24 month plan :)

Magenta Bruine
  • 23rd Dec 2013 05:40pm

Hi Terry,

I've had one for three years and they truly are fantastic. However, I'm not sure you need the latest version (i5), I'm still happily using my i3 and have no plans to upgrade. The best thing about iPhones is the apps, a lot are free, I have a weather one set to the different cities I travel to, a maps one (replaces a GPS and can be used whichever car you happen to be travelling in), etc.
The other big plus of iPhones in my opinion is the fact that if you have an iPad or macbook air laptop, you can seamlessly transfer your email addresses, personal info or notes, phone numbers across all your devices.
I would recommend you do an online search as they can be found quite cheaply, however make sure if you do buy one online that it is 'unlocked', i.e. that you can transfer it to a different network. I got caught out with my first iPhone I bought on ebay, it was offered at an unbeatable price and looked brand new, still in the box, but was locked to AT&T Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands and I found it was impossible to unlock it and use it in Australia.
Good luck!

lpullman
  • 19th Dec 2013 01:25pm

Cost isn't really an issue as long as you are sensible and are willing to use a carrier other than Telstra. Don't go to a store other than to play with the models on display unless you are willing to play hardball with the salemen (seriously). Work out what you want then ring around. Stick to what you want and remember the worst case is they say no and you are where you are now.. You can generally talk them into giving you a previous model Samsung or iPhone for free at the $50 a month plan level. I got an S3 for free as a sweetener when I renewed a contract with Virgin.

Most of the smaller telcos are just resellers for Telstra or Optus anyway, so a little homework can get you the network of your choice at much reduced cost. Ask a few people in your area who they use and how they get on. Vodaphone, for example, is horrible in Sydney but pretty good here in Adelaide 'cause they had to renew so much of their infrastructure here after it collapsed and not many people use them (its just you and a few corporate customers effectively).

Now, are they worth it is The $64,000 question and the answer is it depends. If you are a just-want-a-phone type or you don't want to learn how to operate a new piece of equipment, then I say don't bother. It will just frustrate you. If you need long battery life, also steer clear. Its also worth getting something similar to what your friends and acquaintances have so you can compare notes on how to do stuff. For me, email on the go is worth the asking price alone. Navigation (Samsung Galaxies get a free version of Garmin's Navigon software) is a very handy extra.

Dragi
  • 28th Nov 2013 12:18pm

For me size matters.
Since the Galaxy Note II has recently had a price drop because the Note III has come out, I could not resist getting it as my contract finished.
All Android's do the same thing, All iPhones do the same thing.
Cost increases a lot for the latest, that is the premium people are happy to pay. I am not.
For me the Galaxy Note II has one of the largest phone screens and also it's inbuilt stylus is terrific.

rufusbabe
  • 27th Nov 2013 11:32am

I've had a few smartphones over the years and I'm not sure I could live without it now. It allows you to check emails when out of the office, access social media when you want to keep up to date on what your friends are doing. But it all depends on whether you'd use these features on a daily basis. If you don't need to deal with emails for work and have no friends that use social media it would sort of be a waste. You really have to evaluate if there is any value added in using a smartphone. There are also many plans and phones available for a cheaper price. I would suggest maybe buying a secondhand handset to see if you like using a smartphone and if you really use the features.

pauline50
  • 27th Aug 2013 02:57pm

Pre paid is good and you can purchase your smart phone outright

annie
  • 26th Aug 2013 09:57am

I dont use a smart phone but just have a normal mobile that does not have a camera or internet available on it and find it just as good as a smart phone and it was not as expensive as a smart phone can be

shazza1988
  • 26th Aug 2013 12:04am

I have an Android phone and I think that it is great. I am on pre paid though, so it is not expensive for me as a contract plan would be.

Anonymous
  • 20th Aug 2013 05:57pm

Just stick with the big brands, companies like Samsung, HTC and Apple are all a good bet.

lee1986
  • 19th Aug 2013 01:03pm

Very expensive $1000 to $5000...

JDS
  • 18th Aug 2013 01:55pm

Expect to pay more than the plans originally claim and you will not be disappointed. However with increasing competition and ever improving technology prices f both smartphones and plans are expected to come down substantially within 1 to 3 years, so don't lock in to a long term plan.

Anonymous
  • 18th Aug 2013 02:17am

A smartphone is the way if the future, you can always pick your monthly cap and talk to your service provider about sending a message when you reach a certain amount of usage, that is what mine dose and I have never gone over my monthly cap.

Anonymous
  • 17th Aug 2013 05:38pm

I currently have a HTC 1XL, and I have been using it for 12 months now. I have not had a single problem with it, and am absolutely loving it!
The main problem with smart phones is that they can be very expensive to run, if you don't get one on a plan. I have mine on a plan, and I never go over my data and call/message limits. Having one on prepaid though is very expensive, because virtually everything on it uses the internet, and this can cost you a lot of credit.

Anonymous
  • 17th Aug 2013 12:15am

I think smartphones are worth buying in today's community. It is basically all that you need. You have internet, games, sms, etc etc. But I personally think some smartphones are too expensive. Just be smart about it. Don't buy just because it is the latest tech, cause newer doesn't always mean better.

Mazindy
  • 16th Aug 2013 12:25am

My iPhone does everything I need it to except make coffee. If you regularly email, internet bank, use social networks like facebook or twitter, write out lists or reminders, read books, order pizza, follow sporting events, study online, go to the cinemas, or listen to music; you can gain fast access to all of these features and more with a smart phone. The price is going down making them very worthwhile investments, however the latest models available are way too expensive to start with.
I have an Apple but I would recommend getting an Android as the operating systems are easily navigated and interact with a larger number of other forms of technology. Apple prefers to only connect with Apple

Anonymous
  • 15th Aug 2013 05:07pm

it kinda depends on what you want out of a smartphone. they are good, really good. quality 10/10. screen size for videos, movies, reading. all 10/10. like the saying goes "you pay for what get" you want more from your phone, you pay more.

Anonymous
  • 13th Aug 2013 08:45pm

My Nokia knows the same things and if I drop it, the display won't be broken.

Anonymous
  • 10th Aug 2013 05:43pm

they are like $700 but its worth it. My mum has it and it's really good you have hand movement witch is like putting your hand over the screen not that your touching it but it over the screen it then locks and when you swipe your hand it goes with u you have face unlock when you want to unlock your phone you put your face looking at the screen and it opens

Anonymous
  • 8th Aug 2013 09:39pm

I have a plan with DODO and they gave me a range of payment options as well as they let me know when I have used a certain amount of my usage and I have also found the techs have been very good as well

mangroot1
  • 2nd Aug 2013 03:22pm

Hi Terry, Again it depends on how you want to use one.
I need a new handset and like the qwerty keypad so needed a 'smartphone'
As I only occassionally call & text I didn't need anything flash so bought a reasonable (my opinion) one from Kmart for under $100.
It has apps & widgets that I dont understand exactly how they work but I do use the weather one occasionally.
Am on a $70 prepaid with 365 day expiry which suits me. Don't know (yet) what 'allowances' I have with that or how much the weather costs but can delete it if I find it is not suitable.

Anonymous
  • 2nd Aug 2013 11:35am

If you are looking for a smart phone, i recommend been on a prepaid service i have been on a plan for longer then 3 years now and have by far spent more then if i was on pre-paid. although most phones are relatively expensive out right so sites like eBay can be good although its incredibly important tot look at the sellers feed back and the comments about their products otherwise tiger mobile is a little more trusted and the phones are cheaper then retail price. Hope that helps :D

Lisa Brook
  • 1st Aug 2013 12:34pm

I think they are essential but the only way to pay in my opinion is pre-paid, having a contact is a trap for bad debt!

lyne
  • 31st Jul 2013 09:38pm

I have a Motorola Defy android smart phone. I am with Telstra because they give better coverage in rural areas. with my Telstra plan I get $400 worth of calls per month, unlimited texts, and 1 gb of download. To date I have not ever gone over that so have not had to pay more. Many apps are free and have no ongoing costs. an example is that of a flashlight. I downloaded a free app of a flashlight and use it if we are in a caravan park and I need to go to the toilet. I just use the app, the flashlight turns on and lights my path.
I am on facebook and that is free so I can chat to friends privately or on a public forum.
My smartphone costs me $49 per month which also includes me paying off my smartphone. I don't think I could do without it.
As we caravan we often need to quickly find another caravan park to stay at if the chosen one is full and I can do that with my smartphone. Often we discuss things in the car and a question will be asked and I can type the question into my smart phone and find out the answer. They are truly brilliant. Haven't used the email function yet as I don't think I would have enough download. Hope this helps.

Anonymous
  • 19th Aug 2013 04:14pm
I have a Motorola Defy android smart phone. I am with Telstra because they give better coverage in rural areas. with my Telstra plan I get $400 worth of calls per month, unlimited texts, and 1 gb...

I have got 4G vodafone.Its good.I pay 76 and get 750 call value and 750 mb data.The service is pretty good with vodafone and the network is good too.
The internet works very fast as they have updated their network.

maryrose1940
  • 31st Jul 2013 09:02am

I was lucky. I had a Blackberry supplied with my plan, because they ran out of the phones on offer, but I had terrible trouble with it. Might as well have been Greek. I was lucky, swapped with a friend for a Samsung Galaxy 5, and love it. Easy to follow and use. I am 73, and not over fond of technology, but can use this one with ease. I get $450 worth of credit and 1 gig download on a $49 plan with Telstra. They inform me of usage through the month.

hexvenus
  • 30th Jul 2013 07:10pm

I pay about $60 a month for my phone & plan and I honestly couldn't be without it. My phone doubles as my personal assistant, giving me reminders and alerts for things I need to remember. I have a money tracker on it, can do all my banking, check my emails. If you're on the go a lot, I wouldn't walk past getting a smart phone.

Anonymous
  • 30th Jul 2013 07:07am

Smartphones are great, they allow us to interact with others far more easier than before, have a wide variety of other functions and they make up for the cost.

ninna
  • 28th Jul 2013 04:37am

You really have to look at the options a smartphone can offer you & then decide if you would really use it for those reasons. Anything to do with mobile phones is expensive because we have come to rely so much on them & they are a fashion accessory as well. There is no such thing as a cheap smartphone & then you need to add the running costs on top, insurance might be a good idea to take out if you buy one.
The IPhone I have is older & was given to me after 2 previous owners but if I had to buy a new one I would have stayed with a standard phone because I cannot justify the outlay. I found the IPhone much bigger than my standard mobile & it won't fit in my pocket which is annoying so I have to carry it in my bag instead.
I use mine to manage appointments & reminders which is a valuable tool for me but watch the amount of calls I make. It can become expensive if you do not manage how you use it but they are no more expensive for calls or sms than any other phone, the costs involved with any mobile phone are ridiculously high so I choose not to make many calls or sms from it. You really need to shop around to find the best deal based on what your usage would be, I was lucky to get a monthly plan from my ISP of $8 a month which was offered because of loyalty for staying with them for so long. I get a cap on my calls & data use but since I am not a heavy user of it I was very happy with the deal since it is cheaper than prepaid credit.
If you are concerned about the cost you might be better buying the phone outright & going on prepaid plans rather than sign up for a monthly bill & risk going over your budget. My provider sends me a weekly email letting me know how many calls, data & text I have used which lets me know if I approach my limit.
If you do decide to get a smartphone be careful with the new IPhone 5, my eldest son has already damaged 2 so they are not as hardy as the previous models. First phone went swimming & did not survive but he dropped the replacement phone on a hard surface which shattered the screen, I have dropped my older 1 several times on concrete & no damage at all & he was told they are fragile compared to earlier ones.

Anonymous
  • 27th Jul 2013 11:43pm

Depends what you wanna do with it, it does have lots of features wich you are probably not gonna need.

faiyaazul
  • 24th Jul 2013 01:53pm

I think smartphone is a smart investment in today's world. Although it might cost a big deal of money but I think it's worth it. It's probably the best.

als
  • 22nd May 2014 08:43pm
I think smartphone is a smart investment in today's world. Although it might cost a big deal of money but I think it's worth it. It's probably the best.

Smartphones nowadays are as easy to use or as complex as you want them to be.Not having one on you at all times means you miss out on alot of what's going on in the world.

Lukey23
  • 24th Jul 2013 01:11pm

There are alot of great forms of smartphones, it just depends on what you want to use them for. If its gaming and social networking then the best to stay with a low budget phone such as a android phone which from from around 30-100. Those are the ones that are going to get you what you need and specially as your going to be be downloading from the google store. If its photos and such is your thing, then go for the iphones or the samsung range of phones. Those phones maybe expensive but they do alot of good work for you on the go as well as still managing to still call and message when you wish to. Also take note that updates do help with the phone not stuffing up alot. So make sure if you see an update on the phone then you should download it to risk of your phone from freezing and turning off suddenly. The samsung and iphones go for around 300-700 depending on what other features you want on it.
Hope this helps

Anonymous
  • 23rd Jul 2013 04:26pm

If it doesn't fit in my shirt pocket easily then it is of no use to me.

Mulder103
  • 23rd Jul 2013 03:27pm

Hi Terry, I use Amaysim, paying $39.90 a month and at the time I subscribed I had to provide my own phone (it's different now I think). I was also worried about the cost of a smartphone. After spending several months researching Samsung phones I decided on the Galaxy i9305 S3 4G LTE and purchased it through Kogan. My main reason for getting this phone was to have it as a WiFi hotspot for my tablet. I paid $379 and the phone came from Hong Kong. As the Aussie dollar has dropped in value, these phones are a bit more expensive. For my $39.90 I get unlimited phone calls anywhere in Australia, unlimited texts and 4G of data. On the phone I can set a limit for the data download so I don't use more than I'm entitled to. It's easy to use the phone as far as calls and texts, though I did pick the brains of a tech savvy friend a few times. You can get a pdf download of a manual, which I keep on my computer just in case. From my point of view, I did the right thing in buying this phone.

Anonymous
  • 23rd Jul 2013 01:28am

My Samsung galaxy s3 is the best device I've ever owned. It is easy to use and does so much. The camera is 8 megapixels which is a very good amount for a camera on a phone. Videos very well and has16 gig storage and an added SD card up to 32 gigs!!what more could you want?

Anonymous
  • 23rd Jul 2013 01:26am

My Samsung galaxy s3 is the best device I've ever owned. It is easy to use and does so much. The camera is 8 megapixels which is a very good amount for a camera on a phone. Videos very well and has16 gig storage and an added SD card up to 32 gigs!!what more could you want?

Lozy
  • 27th Jul 2013 11:32pm
I think smartphone is a smart investment in today's world. Although it might cost a big deal of money but I think it's worth it. It's probably the best.

and that's my point on average to buy a new S3 will coast around $400

Anonymous
  • 23rd Jul 2013 12:54am

I believe so, it is pretty pricey but I do believe you get what you pay for. With all the handy utilities such as Maps, Weather forecasts, Internet browsing, Video Player etc, it all becomes something that can help you in some way. There are plenty of affordable smartphones selling on the Internet too do best of luck in finding a great smartphone that's cheap :)

Lozy
  • 22nd Jul 2013 11:32pm

Yes its way to expensive

Anonymous
  • 27th Jul 2013 01:53pm
Yes its way to expensive

Smart phones aren't as expensive as they use to be. I think you will find a cheap smart phone that does nearly all the same functions as a more expensive smart phone. But of course you pay for quality. If you want a higher quality phone it will be more expensive. I would personally recommend the new Sony Xperia Z over the new Samsung Galaxy S4 due to the fact that the Sony is cheaper but in this case is cheaper but the same quality. The Sony also has better coverage than the Galaxy and a Scratch resistant screen.

Bookworm9992001
  • 22nd Jul 2013 08:44pm

It all depends on your needs and wants. If all you want to do is make calls and text , then you dont need a smartphone.Personally I am lost without mine. The prices vary and some brands are more problematic than others. Yes, the cost too varies... Best is to do draw up a list of what you wish your phone to do for you and how much you are prepared to pay...and then lots of research... On the internet read up reviews, read magazines ( libraries keep a good selection); talk to friends and family; visit stores and chat to salespersons ; try out display models ; visit service provider websites...Find out the diffrences between android; ios ; windows etc and decide which you prefer.Just don't rush or be talked into long contracts until you are sure.

afn1960
  • 25th Aug 2016 06:43pm
It all depends on your needs and wants. If all you want to do is make calls and text , then you dont need a smartphone.Personally I am lost without mine. The prices vary and some brands are more...

But even on a None smart phone there are still useless, unnecessary applications taking up valuable memory and space, I only use mine to make calls and text.
Making Apps available for those to download as they want or need not have them pre-installed
I would love to find a provider who would remove all the useless crap even from a Smartphone

socker
  • 10th Dec 2015 01:09pm
Oh Chris, I too am in the same situation as you and it is very frustrating to be forced into paying for a mobile phone, let alone a smart phone, and the "market" forcing you to use a mobile for...

I am a pensioner to with very few people to call or be called by and use Amaysim for calls and texts and no contract. If the bill does not reach $30 dollars it is forwarded to the following month. This can happen for up to three months. My usual bill for the three months is $11 to $12.

CSD
  • 28th Aug 2014 05:47pm
Thank you Ayesha. As an aged pensioner who has limited needs for a mobile phone, let alone a smart pone, it's all rather sad - I have no-one to phone and no-one will phone me.

The...

Oh Chris, I too am in the same situation as you and it is very frustrating to be forced into paying for a mobile phone, let alone a smart phone, and the "market" forcing you to use a mobile for things for which you would rather pay cash.

Not only is it, slightly, a digital divide but also a financial divide.

CSD
  • 27th Feb 2014 06:39pm
It all depends on your needs and wants. If all you want to do is make calls and text , then you dont need a smartphone.Personally I am lost without mine. The prices vary and some brands are more...

Thank you Ayesha. As an aged pensioner who has limited needs for a mobile phone, let alone a smart pone, it's all rather sad - I have no-one to phone and no-one will phone me.

The worrying thing is the pressure put upon people to use smart phones to survive. Can't I just pay cash? Do I have to use a phone to pay for something? Do I have to use an application" A bit like credit cards.

I'll just try to keep my life simple, try not to pay charges and survive financially.

Anonymous
  • 29th Jul 2013 01:13am
It all depends on your needs and wants. If all you want to do is make calls and text , then you dont need a smartphone.Personally I am lost without mine. The prices vary and some brands are more...

I totally agree with you Ayesha. these days you have to do plenty of homework/ research to work out which phone best suits you. however, it's completely worth doing all the research to ensure all your needs are fulfilled, such as: the phone network you choose not only provides the best coverage, and enough gigabytes per month for your download/ upload needs, but also needs to be within your budget. sometimes your service provider will offer deals which include a smart phone or mobile phone.

sonb4
  • 22nd Jul 2013 08:14pm

I have to agree, so many of the plans are so expensive and i don't know if you receive a warning message about your usage allowance almost being up.

Goulah
  • 26th May 2017 09:07pm
I have to agree, so many of the plans are so expensive and i don't know if you receive a warning message about your usage allowance almost being up.

I am with Telstra and get a sms to say I have 50%, 85% left on my "allowance".

socker
  • 10th Dec 2015 01:01pm
thats why you get a prepaid phone, no plans , choose when you want to get credit.

I have a post paid plan no contract but never use the internet on it and keep a careful count of y calls and texts. I do not have a contract as there see to be too many where as and why fors

Fragman88
  • 27th Sep 2015 10:58am
I have to agree, so many of the plans are so expensive and i don't know if you receive a warning message about your usage allowance almost being up.

I'm with V. prepaid and get an SMS 3 days before expiry or approaching top-up time.

Anonymous
  • 4th Apr 2014 04:38pm
I have to agree, so many of the plans are so expensive and i don't know if you receive a warning message about your usage allowance almost being up.

my smartphone has an inbuilt app that gives me a graph of total data usage, the individual data usage of each individual application, and I can set the warning ammount.

Anonymous
  • 26th Mar 2014 10:44pm
thats why you get a prepaid phone, no plans , choose when you want to get credit.

I honk prepaid is better then a plan phone

say diamondz
  • 30th Jan 2014 05:27pm
I have to agree, so many of the plans are so expensive and i don't know if you receive a warning message about your usage allowance almost being up.

thats why you get a prepaid phone, no plans , choose when you want to get credit.

alanj
  • 22nd Jul 2013 06:00pm

Communication ( being informed ) today is essential and cant be expensive.

bearman
  • 24th Feb 2016 03:17am
Communication ( being informed ) today is essential and cant be expensive.

totally agree but there needs to be a way to ban their use in cars to cut down on accidents

maulik
  • 20th May 2014 04:18pm
Communication ( being informed ) today is essential and cant be expensive.

i am totally agree with u dear its because of advance technology .

Thanks

elainecafe
  • 11th May 2014 02:20pm
Communication ( being informed ) today is essential and cant be expensive.

totally agree with alan

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