Buying a cellphone

Gatecrasher

Gatecrasher

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I lost my cellphone and want to buy another. I already have a contract and a replacement SIM.

But Cell phone prices in SA are grossly inflated thanks to the cellular cartels' pricing and contract cross subsidies. Prices are artifically high to encourage customers to buy free-phone contracts. For example, MTNSP quoted me a price on a Nokia 6680 of R5000 - that was double anywhere else in the world. They didn't even have the phone I want. They advised I take out another contract. Much cheaper, they said.

Well, that would have been a reasonably good idea, except that my employers pay for my contract, and they have offered to pay up to R2500 for a replacement phone. I just need to cough up any excess.

So it still makes sense to buy a cellphone.

I'm interested in the Nokia 6270

I've seen the following:
CaCell R4350
Cybertrek R3900
Expansys R2600 (From UK, but one has to self-import and get UK plugs, and are probably liable for VAT and duties)

Has anyone else had experience buying a SIM-free phone in SA? Any pricing or links most welcome.
 
The N70 goes for R3850 at CaCell. The Nokia N70 is an option, but I like the fact that the 6270 is a slider - I hate having to lock and unlock keypads. Ideally, I'd want the 6280 (with 3g) but I don't think it's arrived in SA yet. The N80 would be even better, but I think that is still a long way off.
 
I decided on the N70.

In the end, it was price + 3G + Video cam versus slider + Higher Res Display.

And it was also pointed out that the N70 has an autolock setting, which will help alleviate my locking/unlocking blues.

By the time my upgrade is due, the N80, or better, should be available.
 
I am basically in the same situation ... well, I want to get rid of my 6680, but I don't know what to get to replace it with ... also looking at the N70, but haven't had time to research the models properly. So, anyone want to buy a 6680?
 
Gatecrasher, haven't looked at the 6270, but if it has anything in common with 6230i, you better run away as fast as you can ... haven't seen bigger rubbish than 6230i

look at the SE, the K750 apparently is very good, I had SE T610 until recently and it is much better phone than Nokia in the same class
 
Luke7777 said:
Stick to knocking Samsung and leave my phone out of it :D
Click to expand...
honestly, the 6230i seemed ok initially, but first had problems with the speaker, some nasty noise, they replaced the phone, the new one switches itself off at least 3-4 times a week for no reason whatsoever.

I don't like the nokia menus either, they look so much like from the last century, but I can't stand unreliable products!
 
Nickste said:
Would really like to hear what you think about the N70... I'm looking at getting it soon. Between that and the D600.
Click to expand...
well, if it is reliable, I will probably go for nokia over samsung, but if unreliable, then not sure, consider SonyEricsson, much more reliable and much better design. I had some UI gripes with the T610, but they were minor compared to the Nokia issues ...
 
I've got the SE K750i. Awesome phone. Battery just goes on and on and on................:D
 
Because I'm with MTN I really wanted a phone with EDGE. But very few non-Nokia phones have EDGE, and even fewer have 3G and EDGE. The only one I recall was the Sony Ericsson W900i, which was very tempting, but also very, very expensive.

If it was available I would certainly have chosen the 6280. It has the same specs as the N70, but it is neater, smaller and lighter. Sadly, it still seems to be stuck on the runway (figuratively speaking), and I'm far too impatient to wait for them to get here. They'll probably sell for a rip-off price for a few months until the novelty wears off.
 
So, here's the deal:

I need to replace two phones: Nokia 6680 and 9300. Take into account that I've had it with Nokia Smartphones, and the 9300's functionality is an overkill, what should I look at ito Nokias and other brands?

Thanks

EDIT: Is there anything worth waiting for that is coming out in the next couple of months, otherwise I am buying today
 
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I got my N70 today. Testing it out. I'm now connected via MTN's 3G on my laptop. Was very simple to set up, as was the PC software. Linked Laptop to phone via bluetooth. Had all the settings sent to the N70 via MTN's website. All working 100%. Got 261kbps on GamCo speed test.

Still would have a liked a slider phone with bigger keys, but the N70 is a looker, though, and quite a lot smaller than the 6680. Sound quality from the mp3 player and radio is top notch too.

So far, I'm a very happy chap. But still plenty of things to discover...
 
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Gate, would you mind letting me know about 2 things...
1. Are the buttons a reasonable size?
2. How strong is the vibrate? (girlfriend is pretty fussy! JKS!)

Cheers, Nick
 
Nickste said:
Gate, would you mind letting me know about 2 things...
1. Are the buttons a reasonable size?
2. How strong is the vibrate? (girlfriend is pretty fussy! JKS!)

Cheers, Nick
Click to expand...

I don't have a problem with the buttons. I would like them bigger, but these are much the same size as on my previous phone (Nokia 7610). I haven't miskeyed anything yet. On the D600, for example, the keys is a fair size bigger, although there are also less buttons.

It vibrates well. I was at Sandton City on Saturday, and didn't miss any calls, even though I couldn't hear my ringtone.

Feature for feature, I think the N70 clearly wins it:

http://www.gsmarena.com/compare.php3?idPhone2=1153&idPhone1=1103

But the smaller size and weight of the D600, plus the slide-out keys balances it up some.

I guess it really does depend what you (think) you are going to use the phone for, beside phoning, of course! ;)
 
LandyMan said:
I am basically in the same situation ... well, I want to get rid of my 6680, but I don't know what to get to replace it with ... also looking at the N70, but haven't had time to research the models properly. So, anyone want to buy a 6680?
Click to expand...

for how much?
 
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