Mobile Phone - $150 - HELP ME PICK!

[rfctigerarmy]

I Got $150 to spend on a mobile phone (I want to get a second hand one) and im not sure in which one to get.
I want a phone that has a few features, small, compact... you know. One thats not to big and chuncky.

I also would rather Motorola, Panasonic, Ericsson or Nokia.

I had a look on ebay and Ive got a few in mind

- Motorola V60 (Probably more then $150)
- Panasonic GB 75 (I think)
- Motorola C330 (Probably more then $150)
and I just need your help on which other phone may be a good buy.

Thanks!!!!!

 

[Milkman]

I think the Motorola omits the most electromagnetic radiation, so i'd give that one a miss.

 

[swansrock4eva]

i just jumped on a new $30/mth plan with virgin and paid $149.95 up front on a new nokia 8250 - very small and compact and so far hasn't given me any trouble. I'm very happy with it so if you're looking at that sort of thing, i'd say go for it

 

[sussudio]

of the three you mentioned, the v60 is the best. it's seriously sexy, because it is made from anodized aluminium, unlike your usual crapola plastic. however, it probably costs more than $150. brand new, the cheapest I've seen it is $475 (if you can find it that is) so I'd imagine that this price would translate accordingly to the second hand market.

the panasonic's OK although the audio quality is crap - volume even at maximum is way too soft.

haven't used the C330, however reviews that I've read of it seems to indicate that it's an OK phone. beware of motorola's menu though - it takes a bit of getting used to, as items are often buried under layers and layers of sub-menu's. also, moto's use iTap for SMS, which is a bit different to the standard Tegic 9 (used on Nokia's etc). it's a good system although it takes a bit of getting used to.

if you can come up with an extra $50 or so, the two brand new handsets that you can get for around $200 are the Nokia 2100 and Siemens A55.

both are very small, compact and do not weigh too much. both have changeable covers if you get sick of the same colour scheme.

Nokia's menus are idiot proof and the 2100 is no exception. The advantage that the Siemens has over the Nokia is that it has WAP, polyphonic ringtones, and a speakerphone function, quite outstanding for an entry level phone.

I believe Telstra are offering the 2100 as a pre-paid package for around $199.

go here for phone reviews:

http://www.imobile.com.au/ (Australian)
http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/handphones/ (Singaporean)
http://uk.gsmbox.com/ (European)

all 3 sites rate both the 2100 and the A55 quite highly.

 

[sussudio]

also, are you already on a plan? or were you wanting to get pre-paid.

because if you sign onto a new plan, sometimes you get the phone for free (you have to pay the line rental for 24 months though).

here are some examples from Telstra: http://telstrashop.telstra.com/CatBrowse.asp?cat=1&cat2=handset

the pick here is the LG G5300, $0 upfront on a $30 plan. it's got one of the best colour screens out there, putting many high-end phones to shame, and one of the best implementation of polyphony.

the Siemens C55, $0 upfront on a $20 plan is also very good.

I'm sure Virgin, Optus, B, Vodafone, etc... would have similar deals, so check those sites as well.

 

[the fly]

I got a Nokia 3315 pre-paid for about $160 or $170 new. If you end up getting a new one, buy from a shop which is independent from the service providers because you get a phone for a better price that way.

 

[carn_the_nmfc]

You would be better off going pre-paid with a new nokia phone.