Telstra Explorer (T165+) Review
Mon 30 Aug 2010Filed Under Mobile Phone Reviews, Telstra-ZTE | Leave a Comment
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Welcome to the 2010 Telstra Explorer T165+ mobile phone review. The Telstra Explorer was released in mid-2010 specifically for the Telstra 3G network. It is a rare style of phone and one we where strangely attracted to based on the design. This is a modern mobile phone yet has a retractable antenna that doubles as a FM radio antenna as well.
The Explorer T165+ is a mix of modern electronics in a physical case which is clearly retro and for those to dedicated to live outdoors. As a bonus you can use it as a FM radio without needing to attach a wired headset. It is not a Telstra T90 competitor since that phone has a ‘toughness’ rating.
However like most of the Telstra branded phones the quality of materials in particular plastics used on the phone feels cheap. Even the rubber surround could be made of better stuff likewise the keypad. However the screen looks good. Overall it feels like half hearted effort to replace the last T165i model.
The network reception should be very good due to the design and it also has a external antenna plug which is very rare these days. We also do not know if the extendable antenna actually improves reception or whether it is a gimmick. It also has a A-GPS receiver but no dedicated software which means you can only use Google Maps hence need a data plan to go with the phone. Technically the Explorer has multiple 3G and GSM frequencies so it will work in most countries when traveling overseas.
The Explorer T165+ can do all the basics you need voice, video calls, text, picture messaging and emails. With the built in browser you can get mobile versions of Facebook, Myspace and so forth. However due to the small screen (although good image quality) and lack of a proper qwerty keypad you can’t do very much. You can also purchase apps from the pricey Telstra online store.
The Explorer 165+ is not currently available as a pre-paid package thus not cost effective. Why? There are lots of better phones you can get for the same plan level. Put it on pre-paid guys
Conclusion
All up the Telstra/ZTE Explorer T165+ is yet another typical phone for the brand. Its selling point is network reception. Apart from that there is nothing to commend it. The older T165i is a better quality phone only lacking a few up to date features.
Specifications
- Telstra Explorer T165+
- Network
Quad-band GSM 850/900/1800 /1900 MHz
Tri-band UMTS 850/1900/2100 MHz
3G HSDPA 3.6 - Design
Touch screen
115.4mm x 51.5mm x 15.5mm
Weight 110 grams - Display/s
2.4inch 240 x 320 pixel TFT - Camera
3MP main camera
2nd video call camera - Connectivity
USB
Bluetooth V2 - CPU
- Memory
130MB available to user
Up to 4Gig MicroSD or Trans Flash cards - Ring tones
MP3, MMF, MIDI, Vibration - Features
A-GPS
CTM (Hearing impaired)
External antenna plug
SMS, MMS, WAP, EMAIL
JAVA MIDP 2.0
Speaker Phone/Hands free
Customizable backgrounds
Picture Viewer
Voice memos
Calender and organizer
400Hrs Standby
240Mins Talk Time
1300mAh Li-ion battery - Package contents
XP/Vista Compatible PC suite
Mac OSX Compatible software
Personal hands free kit
Travel charger
USB cable - Price history
Available on a monthly plan only.
Less than $xxx AUS 2010 (Outright)
LG Optimus Review
Thu 19 Aug 2010Filed Under LG, Mobile Phone Reviews | Leave a Comment
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Welcome to the 2010 LG Optimus (GT540) review page. The LG Optimus released in early 2010 is the first Android based mobile phones we have tried from LG. With such name that is derived from optimal we had high expectations as to its performance. Thankfully we where not disappointed! In addition considering its speed we where impressed by its outright price of under $280. However there are a few missing things to bring down the price.
The LG Optimus is an Android 1.6 (Donut) based mobile phone not the latest version 2.1. It does not appear to be upgradeable but I’m sure some enterprising hack will find a way. It is our opinion that you will not miss much functionality offered in the 2.1 version because the hardware behind the Optimus is not the top end anyway. You only get a 3 inch 320 x 480 pixel resistive touch screen that can only show 65,000 at the one time but it is still nice to look at. What you do get with the phone is pretty good which includes Wi-Fi, a reasonable camera and A-GPS. The Optimus has more features than our current favorite the Nokia E63 in terms of value for money. Definitely value for money here!
The LG Optimus is a very fast phone. We encountered no lags of sluggish or any unexpected lags worth pointing out during our test. The menus and transitions work perfectly and the apps open with minimal delay. The touch screen in general and keypad work very well too.
Construction wise the Optimus is well built but it is a bit chunky. The larger size means it is not sleek to look at and its all plastic is reasonable quality. You can’t really complain due to the relative cheap price.
Based on price the camera and video camera are on par with the competition. From the demos it looks acceptable. The Optimus appeals to all sorts of people so you can’t really say this is a kids phone and so forth. We think its the new mid-range paradigm.
Overall the LG Optimus GT540 is probably the best of the value touchscreen phones in the price range. The Optimus is better than any other Nokia touch screen for example and our prior favorite the Samsung Preston ICON. Nice screen well made and designed so it doesn’t look low end and has all the connectivity options you need. Along with the new Android Store for apps you have the what is a do it all phone. We think you’ll be happy with one.
Specifications
- LG Optimus
- Network
Quad-band GSM 850/900/1800/1900
Dual-band 3G 850/900/2100 (Dependent on country)
HSDPA 7.2 Mbits data speed (download) - Design
Touch screen - L109 x W54.5 x D12.9 mm
Weight 115.5 grams - Display/s
External 3.0 Inch TFT 320 x 480 - Camera
3MP - Video Camera
800 x 480 video camera 15FPS - Connectivity
Wi-Fi
Bluetooth V2.1 - CPU
600 Mhz - Memory
Up to 200MB available to user
MicroSD up to 32Gig - Ring tones
MIDI, MP3, Video, vibration and others - Features
A-GPS
Accelerometer
FM Radio
JAVA Apps
Music and Media player
Organiser/Calender
SMS, MMS, IM, Email
Speaker Phone/Hands free
Li-Io 1400mAh battery
Up to 350 hours Standby
Up to 250 minutes Talk Time - Price history
Under $279 AUD Mid-2010 (Outright)