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Category: Mobile Phone Reviews

Mobile Phones, Smart Phones, Cell Phones and anything like them review and comparisons.

  • Telstra T2 Review

    hyp4mhz
    Welcome to the Telstra T2 ''EasyTouch' mobile phone review. The Telsta T2 is based on the same operating system as the other Telstra/ZTE models so expect the same experience.  However it has been designed to target people who are upgrading from older mobiles non-3G mobiles or those who this is the first mobile phone. The operating system has been given a new 'theme' without flashy graphics.  It reminds me of the Nokia's of the late 90's.  The simplified menu system has been redesigned with large and easily recognized icons for the various features.  Although it does look simple all the basic features of a standard mobile phone is available.  The simplicity is only surface deep because there are quite a number of other menus that aren't all that simple to use after the in initial one. Based on a clam-shell or flip phone the construction is best described as sturdy.  The rubberised  rear of the case feels good but doesn't wear well.  Overall it is not flashy to look at but is quite sturdy.  It is much better than the older T7 though. Based on our other Telstra phones it will probably be reliable though.  The keys are big so that it is easy for the less dexterous to use.  The screen is a standard 2.4 inches although they would like us to think this is large for a phone - it isn't.  Strangely it has a smaller battery than the other models. The functionality offered by the phone is no different from the other related models so you get all the basics for voice and video calls, texts, music, pictures, contacts, calendar, FM radio and internet.  You have to purchase other apps to get more interesting stuff.  Like the other phones in the Telstra/ZTE product range the web browser is next to useless on all but the Telstra WAP site. If you've ever used a hearing aid you'll also know the squeaking feedback whenever you use a phone - apparently they have solved it and it is hearing aid compatible.  I suggest you try one first with your hearing aid to make sure its does work. Just activate T-Mode in tools menu for the function to work. Furthermore if Telstra where serious in catering for the older folk then they should have included an AM radio - at least for Australia to cater for country residents and a radio that does not need to have the headset connected to get a radio to work. All the latest Telstra branded mobile phones are now Windows and MacOS compatible.  However you must install the new 'JoinME' application on your PC or Mac before it you can Sync or backup data.  The 'JoinME' software is included with the phone and is relatively simple to use.  With the software installed you can also use the phone as a wireless broadband modem but you'd better have a decent data plan for that. Despite being a 3G or NextG phone it also has all the GSM and UTMS frequencies.  So you should be able to use the phone anywhere in the world. Conclusion All up the Telstra T2 is a perfect mobile phone for people new to or who haven't upgraded in years.  It is not flashy to use or look at but it does work.  Nice big buttons and sturdy construction phone.  This is the better choice than the F858 despite lacking the front music buttons.  Good phone. Specifications
    • Telstra/ZTE T2
    • Network Tri-band UMTS 850 / 1900 / 2100 / MHz 3G HSDPA 3.6 Quad-band GSM 850 / 900/1800 /1900 MHz
    • Design Rugged - Standard L101 x W51 x D17.6 mm Weight 110 grams
    • Display/s Internal TFT 176 x 220 Mono-exterior display
    • Camera Dual cameras 2MP auto-focus main camera
    • Connectivity USB Bluetooth V1.2 - Supports FTP / HFC / A2DP
    • Memory 64MB internal memory 40MB available to user Up to 8Gig MicroSD or Trans Flash cards
    • Ring tones MP3, MMF, MIDI, Vibration
    • Features FM Radio SMS, MMS, WAP, EMAIL MyWords predictive text JAVA MIDP 2.0 Speaker Phone/Hands free Customizable backgrounds Picture Viewer Video calling Voice memos Calender and organizer 180Hrs Standby, 180 minutes Talk Time 900ha
    • Package contents XP/Vista Compatible PC suite Mac OSX Compatible software Personal hands free kit Travel charger USB cable User manual
    • Price history Approx $xxx

  • Telstra T90 Review
    Welcome to the Telstra/ZTE T90 mobile phone review.  This is one of the newest models (late 2009) that has been released.  The Telstra/ZTE T90 as you see a is a ruggerized phone meaning it for those who drop phones or like to keep one handy for outdoor activities.  It's IP54 rated which means its much tougher than your average mobile phone.  The stand out feature is that it is one of the few ruggerised 3G capable phone. Sure its not designed to the extent as the Sonim XP3 for example, which also has GPS but the T90 looks as if it could. (The new T90 is not a  replacement for the Testra/ZTE F159 since the 159 has A-GPS) The T90's construction is solid and the edgy design makes it one of the best looking and practical phones in this category.  Sure the pictures does not reflect the actual physical phone but it is pretty close.   However it is still toy like but may just be a best seller based on this purpose.  It's a man's phone!  It is not a small phone but light enough and feels quite sturdy.  Not sure how the screen would stand up to scratches so an additional screen protector is probably essential.  The T90 is better than the F159 in this regard. The functionality offered by the phone is no different from the other Telstra or re-branded ZTE models so you get all the basics for voice and video calls, texts, music, pictures, contacts, calendar, FM radio and internet.  You have to purchase other apps to get more interesting stuff.  Like the other phones in the Telstra/ZTE product range the web browser is next to useless on all but the Telstra WAP site. They say the screen can be read in day light but we think it is a tad dim.  The F159 seems to have better go at day light visibility. Being a dedicated 3G or NextG phone it also has all the GSM and UTMS frequencies. So you should be able to use the phone anywhere in the world.  As a bonus it has better transceiver hardware so it can still pull a signal in areas where a normal mobile phone give up. All the latest Telstra branded mobile phones are now Windows and MacOS compatible.  However you must install the new 'JoinME' application on your PC or Mac before it you can Sync or backup data.  The 'JoinME' software is included with the phone and is relatively simple to use.  With the software installed you can also use the phone as a wireless broadband modem but you'd better have a decent data plan for that. Conclusion All up the Telstra/ZTE T90 is a perfect phone for outdoors adventure types, in particular trades people.  Although the underlying functionality is identical to most of the other Telstra/ZTE phones available but at least this one has a genuine selling point compared to most.  Unfortunately the outright price is quite high too. Specifications
    • Telstra/ZTE T90
    • Features IP54 standard compliant shock resistant water and dust protection
    • Network Tri-band UMTS 850 / 1900 / 2100 / MHz 3G HSDPA 3.6 Quad-band GSM 850 / 900/1800 /1900 MHz
    • Design Rugged - Standard L107 x W47 x D14 mm Weight 108 grams
    • Display/s Intenal TFT 176 x 220
    • Camera Dual cameras 2MP auto-focus main camera
    • Connectivity USB Bluetooth V1.2 - Supports FTP / HFC / A2DP
    • Memory 64MB internal memory 40MB available to user Up to 8Gig MicroSD or Trans Flash cards
    • Ring tones MP3, MMF, MIDI, Vibration
    • Features FM Radio SMS, MMS, WAP, EMAIL MyWords predictive text JAVA MIDP 2.0 Speaker Phone/Hands free Customizable backgrounds Picture Viewer Video calling Voice memos Calender and organizer 200Hrs Standby, 3.5 hours Talk Time 1000ha
    • Package contents XP/Vista Compatible PC suite Mac OSX Compatible software Personal hands free kit Travel charger USB cable User manual
    • Price history Approx $xxx Available only on a monthly plan.

  • Telstra/ZTE T106 Review
    Welcome to the Telstra/ZTE T106 mobile phone review. I our opinion this model is essentially a T6 model in a classier case. The T106 differentiates its self from the other models in the range by a partly metal body.  It's construction is solid but the design of the case and buttons are not exactly up there with the other manufacturers.  However higher quality materials are used than the T6 and predecessors. Probably one of the better made cheap pre-paid mobile phones you can get at the moment. The screen is a tad small or rather the same size as the other ZTE model.  Specs say it has a resolution of 176 x 144 but I think it looks better than that - it is definitely 176 X 220, regardless it is perfectly acceptable and readable whatever it really is. The functionality offered by the phone is no different from the other Telstra or re-branded ZTE models so you get all the basics for voice and video calls, texts, music, pictures, contacts, calendar. FM radio and internet.  You have to purchase other apps to get more interesting stuff.  Like T6 the web browser is next to useless on all but the Telstra WAP site. Being a dedicated 3G or NextG phone it also has all the GSM and UTMS frequencies. So you should be able to use the phone anywhere in the world.  As a bonus it has better transceiver hardware so it can still pull a signal in areas where a normal mobile phone give up. Conclusion All up the Telstra/ZTE T106 is another typically good but increasingly basic mobile phone.  It is the older T6 in a new more stylist case.  Yes it does look better than the other models in the ZTE range and low end phones but that is it.  You will be happy with it because it because at the current low pre-paid price there is very little competition.  Great for talk and text, receiving emails and the odd video call. Specifications
    • Telstra/ZTE T106
    • Network Tri-band 3G HSDPA 3.6 / UMTS 850 / 2100 MHz Quad-band GSM 850 / 900/1800 /1900 MHz)
    • Design Rugged - Standard L107 x W47 x D14 mm Weight 108 grams
    • Display/s Intenal TFT 176 x 220
    • Camera Dual cameras 2MP auto-focus main camera
    • Connectivity USB Bluetooth V1.2 - Supports FTP / HFC / A2DP
    • CPU 270MHz Processor
    • Memory 64MB internal memory 40MB available to user Up to 4Gig MicroSD or Trans Flash cards
    • Ring tones MP3, MMF, MIDI, Vibration
    • Features FM Radio SMS, MMS, WAP, EMAIL MyWords predictive text JAVA MIDP 2.0 Speaker Phone/Hands free Customizable backgrounds Picture Viewer Video calling Voice memos Calender and organizer 200Hrs Standby, 3.5 hours Talk Time 1000ha
    • Package contents XP/Vista Compatible PC suite Mac OSX Compatible software Personal hands free kit Travel charger USB cable
    • Price history Under $60 AUD Late-2010 (Pre-paid) Under $90 AUD Mid-2010 (Pre-paid) From $99 AUD 2009 (Pre-paid)

  • Palm Treo Pro Review

    hyp4mhz
    Welcome to our review of the Palm Treo PRO.  The Treo Pro is the update for the Palm 750 and the Treo 500 although the previous models can still be bought new if  you're lucky.  The Treo PRO being the latest version has the latest hardware and software.  The most significant inclusions are Wi-FI and GPS. We can understand why manufacturers have different case designs but Palms recent efforts apart from the Tero Pro has been - lets say extremely basic.  It's quite a drop from the leading edge Palm devices in the past. Windows Mobile phones in general are prone to having a lot of issues with stability even without additional software installed.  However the latest version Mobile 6.1 has solved much of the stability issues.  But the quality of some 3rd party software is not very good and chew through battery and cause other issues if left running even when not actually doing anything. The Treo Pro is a fast and usually stable phone for both personal and business use. It plays music takes pictures and do some Excel spreadsheets and write up your life story on the MS Word.  You can even sync with your desktop MS Outlook for calendar and notes.  It's email features in particular Exchange enabled push email function works.  The ability to cut and paste also makes life easier.  The multi-tasking aspect is still a bit of joke and causes most of the stability problems but it works most of the time.  The Internet browser is very poor - cheaper Nokia's and Motorola's have better browsers. The main problem with Windows Mobile phones in the user interface.  Palm hasn't added or changed much which is good and bad. Many companies have tried to cover up the primitive  WM icons and added interactivity to the idle screens and so forth but it doesn't cover up the underlying old hardware and apparent programming flaws inherent in WM.  Simplicity works in the Treo Pro and we have only suffered one reset required issue so far. The construction is modern but uses the latest shiney plastic trend so finger prints and scratches are easy to come by.  It is resistant to both but still it happens for so than the prior rubberized coating on the Palm 750.  Holding and using it is a more sastisfying experience because it just looks good.  The buttons feel nice to press and the touch screen is responsive. The picture quality from the camera is poor likewise the video quality but at least it has them. The keypad back light is very bright, the white number keys an excellent idea! If you don't like the keypad you can always use the touch screen. The ability to dual input makes the phone cool to use. The screen is mid size and the resolution is an up to date 320x320 so the graphics look clear.  I didn't mind not having a large screen as per iPhone because when using the iPhone keypad reduces the viewing size to less than the Tero Pro anyway. Functionality is WM6 OS standard and there aren't any noticeable Palm specific apps like the more popular HTC models. However the the usual applications like Word, Excel and Powerpoint are available.  Since WM phone can only sync with MS Outlook also limits its broad use especially with many having Apple computers. In terms of operating speed - the phone is fast compared to the latest 2009 mobiles with similar CPUs. Not as fast as the benchmark E71 or the Blackberry Bold but it is very good for WM phone. Standard battery life was good for a Windows Mobile based phone lasting 3 days with full 3G and Exchange running all the time but no calls. With the phone functions switch off it lasted 5-6 days. It was no different to the Palm 750 overall.  Overall 1 da better than the Apple iPhone on average. The speaker sound quality is excellent but its ability to get the best signal could probably be improved. It is 1000 times better than the iPhone 3G - but then which phone isn't in terms of keeping a signal? The Nokia E61i 3G transciever is the benchmark here and has nearly full reception where as the Palm only had half. The Treo Pro has a A-GPS receiver built in but  it doesn't have any standard software to make use of it.  So you'll need to buy an application or use the free Google Maps for Windows mobile. Wi-Fi is fantastic too but because the web browser is so bad it doesn't add an real benefits.  Again you'll need to download the  Opera web browser to make use of Wi-Fi properly.  However Opera does charge for program. Conclusion: The hardware of the Treo Pro is up to date and a significant improvement on the prior Treo 750 - all in a neat new case.  However like all Windows mobile based phones it lacks a features that you'd expect for the price.   The only standout feature is integrated MS Exchange support.  We do like to use the phone, solely for business related purposes, it is missing entertainment apps like a proper web browser and JAVA the ability to play FLV files and view Youtube that are standard functionality in other phones in the high end price range in particular the cheaper Nokia E71, our new benchmark QWERTY phone. Specifications * Palm Treo Pro * Network GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA Tri-band 3G HSDPA 3.6 / 850 / 1900 / 2100 MHz Quad-band GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 /1900 MHz * Design Mini QWERTY keyboard L114 x W60 x D13.5 mm Weight 133 grams * Display/s Single TFT 320 x 320 pixels * Camera 2MP main video/camera * Connectivity GPS Wi-Fi 802.11b/g USB Bluetooth V1.2 Infrared * CPU Qualcomm MSM7201 400MHz Processor * Memory 256MB available to user 100MB available to user Up to 32Gig MicroSDHC * Ring tones MP3, MIDI, WAV, Vibration etc.. * Features SMS, MMS, WAP, EMAIL Word/Excel/Powerpoint PDF Viewer Internet Explorer (mobile) Speaker Phone/Hands free Themes Picture Viewer Calender and organizer 250Hrs Standby, 5 Hrs Talk Time * Price history Between $700-900 AUS 2009

  • Motorola V3xx Review

    hyp4mhz
    Welcome to the Motorola V3xx mobile phone review.  We've had this phone for at least a year now but due to various reasons haven't done a write up.  However its 2009 now and about time we did something... The V3xx is the 3G version of the V3 model range.   It was released back in  2006 when it was still one of the thinnest and arguably the best looking clam shell phone around.  In 2009 its still a good looking phone and one that should really sell better than it has. The phone clearly has had decent software updates over the years because our latest version (Telstra) is obviously better than a Vodaphone version 18 months older.  So watch out and make sure you get the latest V3XX models.  Make sure your carrier has a stable phone software. Construction wise it has a metal faced flip part and quality plastic base topped with the Motorola trademark aluminum keypad.  (The battery cover at the back also felt like it was made of metal) The Key pad is customized for whatever network is offering the phone.   It's a very well built phone with no creaks.  The spring loaded flip works very well and reliably over the thousand or so open and close its been subjected to.  Overall a very well made phone that's nice to hold. It is slightly bigger than the original V3 and subsequent V3i models. The most important thing you should consider when buying is to get one which has multiple 3G and GSM network frequencies eg. 2100mhz, 850mhz or even 900mhz etc.. because get the wrong version it won't work internationally. The operating system is the ages old Motorola OS and it shows.  It has long menus and menu names which are not quite right.  Most annoying is the inability to personalize the OS with custom themes without spending a lot of time and with dubious certainty modding the OS.  Nevertheless the phone is quite stable with only an annoying backlight bug  for the external screen which we have yet to mod out of the OS! The menu navigation and activating is very fast!  However a few options that you need to change are located in illogical places.  Eg. Open flip to answer is in the in-call options menu.  The dual naming of Skins and Themes.  Yes they are the same thing (except for icons).  Furthermore you cannot video call directly from the contacts menu!  You have to have already called the person by voice and then go to the call logs to be able to video call. The best feature of the V3XX is definitely the internal screen.  It's brilliant literally.  Very high quality display better than any mobile phone we've used to date (2008).  The external screen however is not very good too small and too dim - at least it's color. The keypad is very easy to use but feels stiff - after all it is aluminum!  The backlight is a nice iridescent blue and the keys if important enough have their own coloured backlight.  There are 3 keys on the flip part - one for volume, camera and one to activate the backlight. The speaker volume is pretty decent on par with say most Nokia's. Sound quality is a bit tinny as per most mobiles but fair enough.    However the call quality - microphone and earpiece quality is very good.  I dare say better than most other phones we've used.  The background noise reducer actually works in almost all instances! The implementation of SMS or texting is not as good as the competition.  It requires several buttons and options before you can send a message off - specifically to someone not in your phone book!  Not good for those game shows where you need to be quick to enter. The internet browser seems to have been updated and now using Opera 8 - better than many others I don't care to mention for this type of phone. Also missing is a File Manager.   You can't create folders and organise files yourself it does it all for you.  Its good for those who can't be bothered sorting out files or older folk who don't want additional complication.  All you do is to go to the Multimedia - Media finder option and all the files are there.  Icons will only appear if it can read the file so easy to see what works or doesn't work on the phone. There are plenty of customization options . The standard options are wallpaper, tones and the most important soft key reassignment.  The installation of skins and JAVA software was easy enough but you have to be sure they are made for Motorola phones.  There aren't too many because Motorola have not made a easy to access skin editor/designer.  That's probably why Nokia and Sony Ericson are now more popular phones - which allow anyone with some determination to fully create their own. Overall it's got all the usual functionality including MS Exchange compatibility which was a nice surprise.  This software may not be available on phones from certain networks.  And I guess that's the main issue - the V3XX is clearly heavily modified by whatever network you're buying the phone for.  So some may have much better software than others... As for other features the phone has everything a mid-range phone would have but at a cheaper price.  Although some V3XX do not have a airplane mode - the latest models finally have one! Due to the very thin profile there's only a mini-USB connector for everything including earphones.  That can be forgiven since it doesn't have an FM radio but it does have a microSD slot for extra memory. Battery life is a decent 7 days on standby. Network reception is very good.  It was quite surprising especially comparing the signal levels to the Telstra branded and made for network ZTEs phones.  The V3XX kept full signal bars whilst the ZTE only had two less than 1/2 strength. Conclusion: The V3xx is a very good phone - in particular the Telstra software version we tested.  It's not embarrassing to show off to your mobile savvy friends and has all the latest functionality for 3G networks.  (Mind you if they don't know it's a XX they aren't as savvy as you think!) If you get one it should keep you happy for a couple years that's for sure. There are a few annoying things caused purely by illogical placement and/or naming but we got over it and you probably will too. It's a phone that has definitely gotten better with age. Specifications
    • Motorola V3xx
    • Network Quad-band GSM 850/900/1800/1900 3G 850/1900/2100 (Dependent on country) HSDPA 3.6 data speed
    • Design Flip or Clamshell
    • L102.9 x W53 x D17.3 mm Weight 108 grams
    • Display/s Internal TFT 240 x 320 External CSTN 96 x 80
    • Camera 1.3 MP
    • Video Camera 480x 272 pixel video camera
    • Connectivity Bluetooth V1.2 Mini-USB
    • CPU
    • Memory 50MB available to user Micro-SD card up to 2Gig
    • Ring tones MIDI, MP3 and others
    • Features Menu Themes Image and Video viewer Organiser/Calender Video calling Voice memos SMS, MMS, IM, Email (inc. ActiveSync for some countries) JAVA MIDP 2.0 Speaker Phone/Hands free Battery 940 mAh Up to 300 hours Standby Up to 3 hours Talk Time
    • Price history From $149-199 AUS 2009 (Pre-paid) From $499 AUS 2007 (Outright)

  • Palm Treo 750 Review
    Welcome to our review of the Palm Treo 750.  It's a Windows Mobile OS based phone that's been around for a few years now.  Due to various corporate issues with Palm other factors its hasn't been very popular outside the business world. Palm has introduced a few benchmark products over the years and the qwerty Palm OS based phones where one of the first.  Palm then decided to introduce Windows Mobile based phones as a means to attract the business user.  The Treo 750 was the top of the range phone until the release of the Palm Pro in late 2008. We've actually bought the Treo as a run out special well below RRP. The Treo 750 originally ran Windows Mobile 5 which is not a very good OS.  It had crashes, data sync issues power drains and all sorts of things you would expect from anything with a Microsoft OS but you'd also expect Palm to have sorted out the mess but didn't. The initial release was a shocker - it crashed all the time - simply did not work properly on a new and clean installed phone! Thus in Windows 5 form the Treo 750 like every other Windows based phone was not reliable.  Other than that - simple things like MP3 ringtones where beyond the capabilities of this version. THANKFULLY Palm released a free Windows Mobile 6 OS update for almost every user of the Treo 750 and I must say the change is dramatic. We did the upgrade and was finally happy with the phone.  So if you see a Treo 750 on special only buy if it has Windows 6 installed. With WM6 the Treo finally had all the features (except for Wi-Fi) ou'd expect from a decent smartphone.  Moreover it was actually stable and has so far failed to crash since it's new OS upgrade.  Even more important  is that it could now play MP3 ringtones! The construction is certainly old tech - large and plastic but it was well made. No creaks could be heard.  The back has a rubberised cover so it feels good to hold.  There are plenty of buttons but it is well designed keypad so easy to use.  The buttons may feel hard to touch but the spring action is excellent so it cheapness is only in appearance.  Of note is the dedicated Windows Start Menu button and a OK/Close button.  We are utterly serious when we say that these two buttons make the Treo superior to most WM6 based phones.  Overall a sturdy and well made phone if a little on the large side. The camera lens is set into the back along with a mirror! and the main speaker.  Very tidy arrangement and again well made but the speaker is blocked when you set the phone down - which is unfortunate. More so because it's for some reasons we could not get the volume of the ring tones to make themselves heard. The picture quality from the camera is poor likewise the video quality.  At least it has something... The keypad back light is very bright, the white number keys an excellent idea!  If you don't like the keypad you can always use the touch screen.   The ability to dual input makes the phone great to use.  However we found using the keypad superior to using the stylus or touch screen.  Phones should be capable of one handed operation.  Speaking of which the sensitivity of the screen is very good even if you have a stick on screen protector. The screen is very large by 2006 standards but now only average size for Qwerty based phone in 2009.  Nevertheless screen resolution is also perfectly acceptable. Functionality is WM6 OS standard and there aren't any noticeable Palm specific apps like the more popular HTC models.  However the the usual applications like Word, Excel and Powerpoint are available.  The Web browser is still very poor. The most useful feature in WM6 is the ability to connect to MS Exchange for push email services.  So if your company runs Exchange email, the Treo 750 can receive push email messages (just like the Blackberry).  This basically means when you get normal email it is also sent to the Treo.  It can also Sync calender items notes etc.. Just like the regular Activesync. In terms of operating speed - the phone is sluggish compared to the latest 2009 mobiles with similar CPUs but its not too slow either.  Faster than the HTC Touch and even the latest Sony Ericsson Experia on first impression. Standard battery life was good lasting 3 days with full 3G and Exchange running all the time but no calls.  With the phone functions switch off it lasted 5-6 days.  You can still get the extended battery option if you want longer operating time. The speaker sound quality is excellent but its ability to get the best signal could probably be improved.  It is 1000 times better than the iPhone 3G - but then which phone isn't in terms of keeping a signal?  It also has a external antenna plug! The worst feature of the phone is the propriety PC connector.  It is bulky and odd just like the separate power cable. Also the use of the largely defunct mini SD card...  You can use adapters if you can't find appropriate cards. One final oddity is that the Treo does not have an OFF button.  It stays on - so if you travel you'll have to manually turn the phone functionality off rather than turn off the whole phone. Conclusion: Despite a very bad start we have come to like the Treo 750.  WM6 update made all the difference.  Sure the physical design is dated but it is well made.  It is NOT better than say the arguably market leader, the Nokia E71.  But it is just as good as the 2008 HTC models.  However it is a cheaper option to the Treo Pro. Specifications * Palm Treo 750 * Network Tri-band 3G HSDPA 3.6 / 850 / 1900 / 2100 MHz Quad-band GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 /1900 MHz * Design Mini keyboard L111 x W58 x D22 mm Weight 154 grams * Display/s TFT 240 x 240 16-bit colour 65,000 * Camera 1.3MP main camera * Connectivity USB Bluetooth V1.2 Infrared * CPU 300MHz Processor * Memory 128MB available to user 45MB available to user Up to 4Gig MiniSD * Ring tones MP3, MIDI, WAV, Vibration * Features Word/Excel/Powerpoint SMS, MMS, WAP, EMAIL Speaker Phone/Hands free Customizable backgrounds Picture Viewer Calender and organizer PDF viewer Internet Explorer (Mobile) 200Hrs Standby, 4 Hours Talk Time * Package contents XP/Vista Compatible Activesync Personal hands free kit Travel charger USB cable * Price history Between $650-900 AUS 2009

  • Telstra/ZTE T7 Review

    hyp4mhz
    Welcome to the Telstra/ZTE T7 mobile phone review.  The T7 is not really a replacement for the F256 clamshell phones.  It is more like a new model above the F256. It's slightly smaller then it's predecessors but is NOT simply a clone of the cheaper T6! The T7 has much more functionality and specified to meet mid-range handsets of other manufacturers.  Hence it is better than the F256 in every way. The T7 packs almost all the industry standard hardware like a QVGA ot 240x320 pixel screen,  and A-GPS receiver is now included as part of the phone.   Unfortunately no navigation software but then you can always use Google Maps.  However you'll need a decent Internet data plan... The screen is better good but not as good as the Motorola V3xx which is still available Construction and finish, like all Telstra ZTE branded phones you really need to see the phone in real life because they arguably don't look as good.  It is constructed well but has a brick like feel due to it's size.  It's old fashioned when compared to the latest clam shell designs. Even the 3 year old Motorola V3xx as mentioned previously. Also like most Telstra branded phones there's an external antenna socket which does wonders when traveling to isolated regions.  It also has an FM radio which is handy but not AM which in isolated regions the only form of radio available.  Most younger users probably don't even know what AM radio is... A new 3 megapixel camera is also included but we haven't tried it yet so can;t tell whether its any good. It's got lots of functionality through various applications that are standard fare on most mid range range phones but being a NextG like all 3G linked phones is functionality offered through the network's internet homepage.  Customization functionality is limited to light levels and wallpaper.  Yes it plays music and MP3 ringtones... It's also  Tri-band UTMS and Quad-band GSM, one of the few mobile phone with the complete set of modern frequencies so you should be able to use it around the world.  Interestingly its got a ton of modem capabilities, most interesting is the Bluetooth and Dail-up networking profiles.  It would seem like an inexpensive wireless modem - with the right data plan. Conclusion All up the Telstra/ZTE T7 is a typically good mobile phone.  It's much better than the F256 and just as good other manufacturers in terms of features especially since it comes with a A-GPS receiver. So like most ZTEs another good, stable but cheap looking mobile phone.  Nice but there are better for the price in terms of looks. PS. If it had navigation software including localized map data - it would probably sell much better.  Unfortunately most Nokia mobiles in the price range have more capability. Specifications
    • Telstra/ZTE T7
    • Network Tri-band 3G HSDPA 7.2 / UMTS 850 / 1900 / 2100 MHz Quad-band GSM 850 / 900/1800 /1900 MHz)
    • Design Clam shell L103 x W51 x D17.3 mm Weight 108 grams
    • Display/s Intenal TFT 240 x 320 External TFT
    • Camera 2MP main camera
    • Connectivity A-GPS Reciever USB Bluetooth V1.2 - Supports FTP / HFC / A2DP
    • CPU 270MHz Processor
    • Memory 64MB internal memory 45MB available to user Up to 2Gig Trans Flash cards
    • Ring tones MP3, MMF, MIDI, Vibration
    • Features FM Radio SMS, MMS, WAP, EMAIL MyWords predictive text JAVA MIDP 2.0 Speaker Phone/Hands free Customizable backgrounds Picture Viewer Video calling Voice memos Calender and organizer 180Hrs Standby, 160 Mins Talk Time
    • Package contents XP/Vista Compatible PC suite Mac OSX Compatible software Personal hands free kit Travel charger
    • Price history Between $379 AUS 2009

  • Telstra/ZTE T6 Review
    Welcome to the Telstra/ZTE T6 mobile phone review.  For 2009 the complete range of phones from Telstra and ZTE has been refreshed.  The old models are still available but in run out sales mode.  If you've checked out the other ZTE reviews you realize that they are decent phones just a tad basic.  However for the price you can't really complain. From the pricing the T6 is a replacement for the F153 and F158.  They've made it longer but thinner and lighter.  It's construction is solid and certainly comparable to other models in the basic phone category. Of note the micro SD card slot has been moved to a slot under the battery.  No big deal since you can't do very many things with the phone anyway. In terms of functionality they've added a variety of new features.  The most obvious is a FM radio and what we think is a slightly better camera.  They've apparently added a faster CPU and it does seem faster to navigate the menus than phones with the older CPU.  Essentially they have updated the specifications to match the offerings from other brands specifically Nokia in the basic phone category. Unfortunately it is now only a dual band GSM, dropping the 1900Mhz frequency.  Which means there is no point unlocking it.  However it is still a 3G or NextG capable phone so you can access reasonably fast data downloads. The battery life of the T6 (like the others) is very good. On standby essentially 7 days. The only let down was the screen.  Same 176x200 pixel as it's predecessors.  The predictive text is still not very good. Additional MicroSD cards are not included in the sales packages. The main selling feature of the T6 in comparison to all others, specifically the cheaper Samsung A411 is that it is one of the cheapest 3G or NextG capable phone with a FM radio.  It's also HSDPA 3.6 compatible so you can use it as a reasonably fast wireless modem.  However the plans for internet are still very high. (The on board web browser is next to useless for general internet browsing.) Conclusion We can't say very much more about it  - after all is is a very basic phone.  All up the Telstra/ZTE T6 is a good mobile phone.  It's better than the prior F153 and F156 with the radio and additional apps.  Don't judge the phone by the internet pictures see it for your self - its very different. Specifications
    • Telstra/ZTE T6
    • Network 3G HSDPA / UMTS 850 / 2100 MHz Tri-band GSM (900/1800 MHz)
    • Design Standard shape L111 x W48 x D15.4 mm Weight 98 grams
    • Display/s Intenal TFT 176 x 220, 262K colours External TFT
    • Camera 2MP main camera
    • Connectivity USB Bluetooth V1.2 - Supports FTP / HFC / A2DP
    • CPU 270MHz Processor
    • Memory 64MB internal memory 45MB available to user Up to 2Gig Trans Flash cards
    • Ring tones MP3, MMF, MIDI, Vibration
    • Features SMS, MMS, WAP, EMAIL MyWords predictive text JAVA MIDP 2.0 Speaker Phone/Hands free Customizable backgrounds Picture Viewer Video calling Voice memos Calender and organizer 200 Hrs Standby, 180 Mins Talk Time
    • Package contents XP/Vista Compatible PC suite Mac OSX Compatible software Personal hands free kit Travel charger
    • Price history Approx $129 AUS PRE-PAID 2009

  • Telstra/ZTE T165i Review

    hyp4mhz
    Welcome to the Telstra/ZTE T165i  mobile phone review. This model is essentially a T7 model in a more rugged shell - without the folding design. We where initially impressed with this phone for a number of reasons.  The construction quality was excellent and the materials and feel was better than most ZTE models we've had.  Also for once the pictures do look like the actual physical model.  The case for example is rubberised and screen is glossy. There are few mobile phones made for outdoor activities these days and we are happy to report that this one actually was really quite good.  It's not weather proof (Telstra does not seem to claim it to be either) to the extent of the Nokia 5140 and the T165i does not appear to have exchangeable covers either.  So dropping it shouldn't cause too much damage as long as it's got a decent cover on the screen.  What's the point then - we don't know? Regardless the phone feels good to hold. I expected more functionality to be included with the T165i - afterall the benchmark (and very old) Nokia 5140 had many features all rugged type phone should have.  Features like flash light, thermometer, and SPL.  Sure the T165i has A-GPS - is a fantastic addition, the lack of navigation software is disappointing. Although a dedicated 3G or NextG phone it also has all the GSM frequencies.  The 3G capabilities allow the phone far more functionality than you'd expect but at a cost - literally.  You need a decent data plan! The screen was surprisingly good - its a QVGA model, so nice refined graphics.  As for readability in sunlight - well it is OK better than normal phones but no where near super bright.  The screen is set into the screen deeper than most due to the over sized case. The T165i packs almost all the industry standard hardware like a QVGA ot 240x320 pixel screen,  and A-GPS receiver is now included as part of the phone.   Unfortunately no navigation software but then you can always use Google Maps.  However you'll need a decent Internet data plan... The external antenna pod is there for a reason so you get excellent network reception without an external antenna.  Also like most Telstra branded phones there's an external antenna socket which does wonders when traveling to isolated regions.  It also has an FM radio which is handy but not AM which in isolated regions the only form of radio available.  Most younger users probably don't even know what AM radio is... A new 3 megapixel camera is also included but we haven't tried it yet so can't tell whether its any good. It's got lots of functionality through various applications that are standard fare on most mid range range phones but being a NextG like all 3G linked phones is functionality offered through the network's internet homepage.  Customization functionality is limited to light levels and wallpaper.  Yes it plays music and MP3 ringtones. The T165i is also Tri-band UTMS and Quad-band GSM, one of the few mobile phone with the complete set of modern frequencies so you should be able to use it around the world.  Interestingly its got a ton of modem capabilities, most interesting is the Bluetooth and Dail-up networking profiles.  It would seem like a inexpensive wireless modem - with the right data plan. Conclusion All up the Telstra/ZTE T165i is another typically good mobile phone but it is in a niche market.  Afterall it's not a truly rugged phone outdoor phone more semi-outdoor.  It is also quite expensive for a mobile phone unless you can get it on a decent plan.  More disappointing is that there wasn't any MicroSD card included considering the price. Specifications
    • Telstra/ZTE T165i
    • Network Tri-band 3G HSDPA 7.2 / UMTS 850 / 1900 / 2100 MHz Quad-band GSM 850 / 900/1800 /1900 MHz)
    • Design Rugged - Standard L117 x W51 x D16 mm Weight 119 grams
    • Display/s Intenal TFT 240 x 320
    • Camera 2MP auto-focus main camera
    • Connectivity A-GPS Reciever USB Bluetooth V1.2 - Supports FTP / HFC / A2DP
    • CPU 270MHz Processor
    • Memory 64MB internal memory 45MB available to user Up to 4Gig MicroSD or Trans Flash cards
    • Ring tones MP3, MMF, MIDI, Vibration
    • Features FM Radio SMS, MMS, WAP, EMAIL MyWords predictive text JAVA MIDP 2.0 Speaker Phone/Hands free Customizable backgrounds Picture Viewer Video calling Voice memos Calender and organizer 250Hrs Standby, 3.5 hours Talk Time
    • Package contents XP/Vista Compatible PC suite Mac OSX Compatible software Personal hands free kit Travel charger USB cable
    • Price history Between $499 AUS 2009