What’s the best phone & service for someone like me, who will rarely use the device but may need it:

a) To call emergency services if my netphone is not working when I need an ambulance etc.

b) To use in hospital.

Bubblecar said:

What’s the best phone & service for someone like me, who will rarely use the device but may need it:

a) To call emergency services if my netphone is not working when I need an ambulance etc.

b) To use in hospital.

Phone plans are like spectacles. Everyone has widely differing needs.

Bubblecar said:

What’s the best phone & service for someone like me, who will rarely use the device but may need it:

a) To call emergency services if my netphone is not working when I need an ambulance etc.

b) To use in hospital.

I did a bit of research a few months ago on this.
I got my sister a cheap smart phone from K-Mart, Konika or some such.
It’s unlocked so not tied to any network. Then I got a sim card from Aldi that lasts for 12 months, it didn’t cost much.

Bubblecar said:

What’s the best phone & service for someone like me, who will rarely use the device but may need it:

a) To call emergency services if my netphone is not working when I need an ambulance etc.

b) To use in hospital.

To use in hospital for what purpose?

dv said:

Bubblecar said:

What’s the best phone & service for someone like me, who will rarely use the device but may need it:

a) To call emergency services if my netphone is not working when I need an ambulance etc.

b) To use in hospital.

To use in hospital for what purpose?

To make phone calls and browse the internets.

Bubblecar said:

dv said:

Bubblecar said:

What’s the best phone & service for someone like me, who will rarely use the device but may need it:

a) To call emergency services if my netphone is not working when I need an ambulance etc.

b) To use in hospital.

To use in hospital for what purpose?

To make phone calls and browse the internets.

…possibly. I may just get a non-smart one if they still make them.

Bubblecar said:

dv said:

Bubblecar said:

What’s the best phone & service for someone like me, who will rarely use the device but may need it:

a) To call emergency services if my netphone is not working when I need an ambulance etc.

b) To use in hospital.

To use in hospital for what purpose?

To make phone calls and browse the internets.

To look up the drugs you are being given.

Get a cheap android smartphone, then get a cheap SIM.

If you are anything like anyone normal, you will find that over time you end up using more features than you think you will. Smartphone apps are not all useless and superfluous, there are some you will wonder how you ever lived without.

Bubblecar said:

dv said:

Bubblecar said:

What’s the best phone & service for someone like me, who will rarely use the device but may need it:

a) To call emergency services if my netphone is not working when I need an ambulance etc.

b) To use in hospital.

To use in hospital for what purpose?

To make phone calls and browse the internets.

Kogan have some good inexpensive Android smartphones that will do whatever a namebrand version will do. Kogan Agora Xi goes for $170. Kogan Agora Go has somewhat lower specs and is $100: honestly for browsing you won’t really notice the difference.

They also offer cheap service plans.

Bubblecar said:

What’s the best phone & service for someone like me, who will rarely use the device but may need it:

a) To call emergency services if my netphone is not working when I need an ambulance etc.

b) To use in hospital.

Any mobile phone will call 000 if it’s got battery and reception with any carrier. You don’t need a contract or credit or anything. Buy a SIM card for $2 at the IGA and register it, stick it into any handset, and you’re good to go.

party_pants said:

Get a cheap android smartphone, then get a cheap SIM.

If you are anything like anyone normal, you will find that over time you end up using more features than you think you will. Smartphone apps are not all useless and superfluous, there are some you will wonder how you ever lived without.

At fires we use the compass app frequently,

Tamb said:

party_pants said:

Get a cheap android smartphone, then get a cheap SIM.

If you are anything like anyone normal, you will find that over time you end up using more features than you think you will. Smartphone apps are not all useless and superfluous, there are some you will wonder how you ever lived without.

At fires we use the compass app frequently,

Mobile banking, BOM weather radar, calculator, flashlight, units converter, footy and cricket scores, messaging apps, skyview, Centrelink, emails, calendar/planner, music, compass, maps, GPS navigator… etc.

All of these on a phone I got just for the a few odd phonecalls and text.

party_pants said:

Tamb said:

party_pants said:

Get a cheap android smartphone, then get a cheap SIM.

If you are anything like anyone normal, you will find that over time you end up using more features than you think you will. Smartphone apps are not all useless and superfluous, there are some you will wonder how you ever lived without.

At fires we use the compass app frequently,

Mobile banking, BOM weather radar, calculator, flashlight, units converter, footy and cricket scores, messaging apps, skyview, Centrelink, emails, calendar/planner, music, compass, maps, GPS navigator… etc.

All of these on a phone I got just for the a few odd phonecalls and text.

You presumably spend a lot more time away from home than I do.

dv said:

Bubblecar said:

dv said:

To use in hospital for what purpose?

To make phone calls and browse the internets.

Kogan have some good inexpensive Android smartphones that will do whatever a namebrand version will do. Kogan Agora Xi goes for $170. Kogan Agora Go has somewhat lower specs and is $100: honestly for browsing you won’t really notice the difference.

They also offer cheap service plans.

Ta I’ll have a peep at them later.

As has been mentioned, just get a cheap Android phone and a suitable sim card. Telstra covers more area that any other provider so what might be best is to get a pre-paid card from them. But to be sure, have a look at a few of the various mobile network providers to see which ones cover your area. It’s unlikely, but one of the others might work better than Testra does.

My mobile phone was something like $29 at Coles or Woolies. I use it as pay-as-you-go. $30 for 186 days connection, so $60 per year. Expensive calls and texts, but I use it so rarely that this arrangement works fine. No data volume is included, so I don’t connect it to the internet.

I just paid for the next 6 months. Here are the details:

…………………………………………………………………………………………………..

Receipt

Receipt number
(redacted)

Recharge amount
$30

Expiry
20/03/2021 23:59:59 AEST

Inclusions

Recharge Credit
$30

Connection Fee
0c to standard Australian & international numbers.

Calls
30c per min (or part) to standard Australian numbers.

Text
30c to standard Australian numbers.

Data
7c per MB (charged per MB).

Roll over
Roll over your unused recharge credit when you recharge before your expiry date.

Telstra Air® Free Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi data at over one million Telstra Air hotspots across Australia and millions of Fon hotspots overseas.

Expiry
186 days

Bubblecar said:

party_pants said:

Tamb said:

At fires we use the compass app frequently,

Mobile banking, BOM weather radar, calculator, flashlight, units converter, footy and cricket scores, messaging apps, skyview, Centrelink, emails, calendar/planner, music, compass, maps, GPS navigator… etc.

All of these on a phone I got just for the a few odd phonecalls and text.

You presumably spend a lot more time away from home than I do.

Not recently. I still have a home computer I prefer to use for some things, but others I prefer the phone.

Oh, and I forgot to mention the camera.

Bubblecar said:

What’s the best phone & service for someone like me, who will rarely use the device but may need it:

a) To call emergency services if my netphone is not working when I need an ambulance etc.

b) To use in hospital.

I have one. Costs me about $5 a year. Less if I don’t use it.

Amaysim.

Bubblecar said:

dv said:

Bubblecar said:

To make phone calls and browse the internets.

Kogan have some good inexpensive Android smartphones that will do whatever a namebrand version will do. Kogan Agora Xi goes for $170. Kogan Agora Go has somewhat lower specs and is $100: honestly for browsing you won’t really notice the difference.

They also offer cheap service plans.

Ta I’ll have a peep at them later.

Boost do one for $20 per month.

https://www.kmart.com.au/product/unlocked-konka-sp5-smartphone—-black/2847352

party_pants said:

Bubblecar said:

party_pants said:

Mobile banking, BOM weather radar, calculator, flashlight, units converter, footy and cricket scores, messaging apps, skyview, Centrelink, emails, calendar/planner, music, compass, maps, GPS navigator… etc.

All of these on a phone I got just for the a few odd phonecalls and text.

You presumably spend a lot more time away from home than I do.

Not recently. I still have a home computer I prefer to use for some things, but others I prefer the phone.

Oh, and I forgot to mention the camera.

OK, the camera goes without saying,

but apart from the camera, Mobile banking, BOM weather radar, calculator, flashlight, units converter, footy and cricket scores, messaging apps, skyview, Centrelink, emails, calendar/planner, music, compass, maps, GPS navigator,

what have the smart phones ever done for us?

Spiny Norman said:

As has been mentioned, just get a cheap Android phone and a suitable sim card. Telstra covers more area that any other provider so what might be best is to get a pre-paid card from them. But to be sure, have a look at a few of the various mobile network providers to see which ones cover your area. It’s unlikely, but one of the others might work better than Testra does.

Your friendly Post Office people may be able to help you. My very basic phone came from the Post Office.
My plan is $70 a year from Telstra. I rarely use it. I’ve still got about $50 left from last year and it’s due for recharge in October. As long as I do it before the 14th I keep the leftover, and add the new $70. My plan isn’t available any more, but apparently I can just keep renewing/recharging it. I’ll pop into the Hamilton Telstra shop soon and ask if I am understanding this correctly.

Mine is an earlier version of this:

https://auspost.com.au/shop/product/telstra-lite-2-55993

Spiny Norman said:

As has been mentioned, just get a cheap Android phone and a suitable sim card. Telstra covers more area that any other provider so what might be best is to get a pre-paid card from them. But to be sure, have a look at a few of the various mobile network providers to see which ones cover your area. It’s unlikely, but one of the others might work better than Testra does.

Telstra also offers the advantage that other people can transfer data credit to you if you get caught running low. You might recall that I was able to transfer credit to Curve a couple of times when he was in hospital.

The Rev Dodgson said:

party_pants said:

Bubblecar said:

You presumably spend a lot more time away from home than I do.

Not recently. I still have a home computer I prefer to use for some things, but others I prefer the phone.

Oh, and I forgot to mention the camera.

OK, the camera goes without saying,

but apart from the camera, Mobile banking, BOM weather radar, calculator, flashlight, units converter, footy and cricket scores, messaging apps, skyview, Centrelink, emails, calendar/planner, music, compass, maps, GPS navigator,

what have the smart phones ever done for us?

But seriously,

for the things you do from home, why would anyone use a mobile when they could use a computer?

if you aren’t going to use it much go Aldi pay as you go. telstra prepaid are expensive and if you don’t use all the credit and don’t recharge on time you lose what you have. I am using Telstra prepaid and thinking of going to Aldi.

The Rev Dodgson said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

party_pants said:

Not recently. I still have a home computer I prefer to use for some things, but others I prefer the phone.

Oh, and I forgot to mention the camera.

OK, the camera goes without saying,

but apart from the camera, Mobile banking, BOM weather radar, calculator, flashlight, units converter, footy and cricket scores, messaging apps, skyview, Centrelink, emails, calendar/planner, music, compass, maps, GPS navigator,

what have the smart phones ever done for us?

But seriously,

for the things you do from home, why would anyone use a mobile when they could use a computer?

I agree. I also use a real camera not the phone one.

Tamb said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

OK, the camera goes without saying,

but apart from the camera, Mobile banking, BOM weather radar, calculator, flashlight, units converter, footy and cricket scores, messaging apps, skyview, Centrelink, emails, calendar/planner, music, compass, maps, GPS navigator,

what have the smart phones ever done for us?

But seriously,

for the things you do from home, why would anyone use a mobile when they could use a computer?

I agree. I also use a real camera not the phone one.

phone ones are superb these days. quite a few youtubers just use their phones.

The Rev Dodgson said:

party_pants said:

Bubblecar said:

You presumably spend a lot more time away from home than I do.

Not recently. I still have a home computer I prefer to use for some things, but others I prefer the phone.

Oh, and I forgot to mention the camera.

OK, the camera goes without saying,

but apart from the camera, Mobile banking, BOM weather radar, calculator, flashlight, units converter, footy and cricket scores, messaging apps, skyview, Centrelink, emails, calendar/planner, music, compass, maps, GPS navigator,

what have the smart phones ever done for us?

The aqueduct finder app.

Bogsnorkler said:

Tamb said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

But seriously,

for the things you do from home, why would anyone use a mobile when they could use a computer?

I agree. I also use a real camera not the phone one.

phone ones are superb these days. quite a few youtubers just use their phones.

I bought a padded case for the phone. To use the camera you slide the phone up until the camera lens is exposed. Works really well.

party_pants said:

Bubblecar said:

party_pants said:

Mobile banking, BOM weather radar, calculator, flashlight, units converter, footy and cricket scores, messaging apps, skyview, Centrelink, emails, calendar/planner, music, compass, maps, GPS navigator… etc.

All of these on a phone I got just for the a few odd phonecalls and text.

You presumably spend a lot more time away from home than I do.

Not recently. I still have a home computer I prefer to use for some things, but others I prefer the phone.

Oh, and I forgot to mention the camera.

I use my phone as my magnifying glass via the camera. With the built in light it is bloody magic.

Spiny Norman said:

As has been mentioned, just get a cheap Android phone and a suitable sim card. Telstra covers more area that any other provider so what might be best is to get a pre-paid card from them. But to be sure, have a look at a few of the various mobile network providers to see which ones cover your area. It’s unlikely, but one of the others might work better than Testra does.

Yes to Telstra.

An Aldi sim uses the Telstra network. Not sure what Kogan offers, but I do recommend stay away from the Agora. It’s a shit phone. Ref: Mr Mutant had one.

sibeen said:

party_pants said:

Bubblecar said:

You presumably spend a lot more time away from home than I do.

Not recently. I still have a home computer I prefer to use for some things, but others I prefer the phone.

Oh, and I forgot to mention the camera.

I use my phone as my magnifying glass via the camera. With the built in light it is bloody magic.

no such thing as magic.

Tamb said:

Bubblecar said:

dv said:

Kogan have some good inexpensive Android smartphones that will do whatever a namebrand version will do. Kogan Agora Xi goes for $170. Kogan Agora Go has somewhat lower specs and is $100: honestly for browsing you won’t really notice the difference.

They also offer cheap service plans.

Ta I’ll have a peep at them later.

Boost do one for $20 per month.

Aldi have $15/month. I’ve never come close to using my allowance. I have something like 16 gig rollover.

Tamb said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

OK, the camera goes without saying,

but apart from the camera, Mobile banking, BOM weather radar, calculator, flashlight, units converter, footy and cricket scores, messaging apps, skyview, Centrelink, emails, calendar/planner, music, compass, maps, GPS navigator,

what have the smart phones ever done for us?

But seriously,

for the things you do from home, why would anyone use a mobile when they could use a computer?

I agree. I also use a real camera not the phone one.

Same here. The camera on my new(ish) Samsung phone is incredibly annoying.

They are much better for low light conditions without flash though.

Divine Angel said:

Tamb said:

Bubblecar said:

Ta I’ll have a peep at them later.

Boost do one for $20 per month.

Aldi have $15/month. I’ve never come close to using my allowance. I have something like 16 gig rollover.

Do you have to go to Aldi or can it be arranged online?

dv said:

Bubblecar said:

dv said:

To use in hospital for what purpose?

To make phone calls and browse the internets.

Kogan have some good inexpensive Android smartphones that will do whatever a namebrand version will do. Kogan Agora Xi goes for $170. Kogan Agora Go has somewhat lower specs and is $100: honestly for browsing you won’t really notice the difference.

They also offer cheap service plans.

Note that while you can get non-smart phones these days, they are basically in the same price range as the low end Android smart phones.

Also as soon as I posted that I got emails about Kogan smart phones

Bubblecar said:

Divine Angel said:

Tamb said:

Boost do one for $20 per month.

Aldi have $15/month. I’ve never come close to using my allowance. I have something like 16 gig rollover.

Do you have to go to Aldi or can it be arranged online?

https://www.aldimobile.com.au/plans/payg/

Bubblecar said:

Divine Angel said:

Tamb said:

Boost do one for $20 per month.

Aldi have $15/month. I’ve never come close to using my allowance. I have something like 16 gig rollover.

Do you have to go to Aldi or can it be arranged online?

Online.

Bogsnorkler said:

Bubblecar said:

Divine Angel said:

Aldi have $15/month. I’ve never come close to using my allowance. I have something like 16 gig rollover.

Do you have to go to Aldi or can it be arranged online?

https://www.aldimobile.com.au/plans/payg/

Normally I don’t use direct debit but I do for the phone. No chance of running out of credit.

The Rev Dodgson said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

party_pants said:

Not recently. I still have a home computer I prefer to use for some things, but others I prefer the phone.

Oh, and I forgot to mention the camera.

OK, the camera goes without saying,

but apart from the camera, Mobile banking, BOM weather radar, calculator, flashlight, units converter, footy and cricket scores, messaging apps, skyview, Centrelink, emails, calendar/planner, music, compass, maps, GPS navigator,

what have the smart phones ever done for us?

But seriously,

for the things you do from home, why would anyone use a mobile when they could use a computer?

He can’t take his computer to hospital

dv said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

The Rev Dodgson said:

OK, the camera goes without saying,

but apart from the camera, Mobile banking, BOM weather radar, calculator, flashlight, units converter, footy and cricket scores, messaging apps, skyview, Centrelink, emails, calendar/planner, music, compass, maps, GPS navigator,

what have the smart phones ever done for us?

But seriously,

for the things you do from home, why would anyone use a mobile when they could use a computer?

He can’t take his computer to hospital

Cairns hospital have free wifi & I take the laptop.

Tamb said:

Bubblecar said:

dv said:

Kogan have some good inexpensive Android smartphones that will do whatever a namebrand version will do. Kogan Agora Xi goes for $170. Kogan Agora Go has somewhat lower specs and is $100: honestly for browsing you won’t really notice the difference.

They also offer cheap service plans.

Ta I’ll have a peep at them later.

Boost do one for $20 per month.

No, seriously, which would you prefer to pay. $20 a month or $5 a year?

Divine Angel said:

Spiny Norman said:

As has been mentioned, just get a cheap Android phone and a suitable sim card. Telstra covers more area that any other provider so what might be best is to get a pre-paid card from them. But to be sure, have a look at a few of the various mobile network providers to see which ones cover your area. It’s unlikely, but one of the others might work better than Testra does.

Yes to Telstra.

An Aldi sim uses the Telstra network. Not sure what Kogan offers, but I do recommend stay away from the Agora. It’s a shit phone. Ref: Mr Mutant had one.

What about this one from Officeworks? $149.

https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/nokia-1-3-unlocked-smartphone-charcoal-innok13bk

Or this one with larger display and higher specs, still under $200.

>This Vivo Y12 is great for anyone looking for a stylish new smartphone. It has a long-lasting, 5000 mAh battery ensuring that you can experience the super-wide angle camera throughout the day. Plus, with 3GB of RAM and an Octa-Core processor, it runs smoothly and swiftly throughout browsing social media, taking photos and other types of general use.

https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/vivo-y12-smartphone-64gb-blue-brvivoy12b

Thought of getting a tablet?

Can be used as a phone if required, but much larger and suitable for hospital use.

Bubblecar said:

Or this one with larger display and higher specs, still under $200.

>This Vivo Y12 is great for anyone looking for a stylish new smartphone. It has a long-lasting, 5000 mAh battery ensuring that you can experience the super-wide angle camera throughout the day. Plus, with 3GB of RAM and an Octa-Core processor, it runs smoothly and swiftly throughout browsing social media, taking photos and other types of general use.

https://www.officeworks.com.au/shop/officeworks/p/vivo-y12-smartphone-64gb-blue-brvivoy12b

Looks good.

Dark Orange said:

Thought of getting a tablet?

Can be used as a phone if required, but much larger and suitable for hospital use.

If all goes well I won’t have to spend enough time in hospital to justify that :)

The say the hernia operation should just be a same-day affair.

Bubblecar said:

Dark Orange said:

Thought of getting a tablet?

Can be used as a phone if required, but much larger and suitable for hospital use.

If all goes well I won’t have to spend enough time in hospital to justify that :)

The say the hernia operation should just be a same-day affair.

You may find a cheap second hand tablet to do what you need a lot cheaper than a phone.

mollwollfumble said:

Tamb said:

Bubblecar said:

Ta I’ll have a peep at them later.

Boost do one for $20 per month.

No, seriously, which would you prefer to pay. $20 a month or $5 a year?

Boost is Telstra so it uses the Telstra network, but unlike other service providers who use Telstra’s network, they use all of Telstra’s network.

I’m on a $150 prepaid 365 day plan, which includes unlimited calls and texts as well as 80GB of data, which is way more than I need.

As for whether Telstra is actually a better network to be on, it typically is as it has the widest coverage. We were disappointed when travelling the Oodnadatta Track last year, however, when we had no coverage when our friends who are with Optus had full coverage. I’m convinced that this is a marketing tactic by Optus. They provide full coverage in the most remote tourist spots (with signs stating there is Optus coverage “here” at town entrances, just so that people like me later tell their friends and/or post to places like this forum.

Bubblecar said:

What’s the best phone & service for someone like me, who will rarely use the device but may need it:

a) To call emergency services if my netphone is not working when I need an ambulance etc.

b) To use in hospital.

Given your description I think you need a priest not a mobile phone

Speedy said:

mollwollfumble said:

Tamb said:

Boost do one for $20 per month.

No, seriously, which would you prefer to pay. $20 a month or $5 a year?

Boost is Telstra so it uses the Telstra network, but unlike other service providers who use Telstra’s network, they use all of Telstra’s network.

I’m on a $150 prepaid 365 day plan, which includes unlimited calls and texts as well as 80GB of data, which is way more than I need.

As for whether Telstra is actually a better network to be on, it typically is as it has the widest coverage. We were disappointed when travelling the Oodnadatta Track last year, however, when we had no coverage when our friends who are with Optus had full coverage. I’m convinced that this is a marketing tactic by Optus. They provide full coverage in the most remote tourist spots (with signs stating there is Optus coverage “here” at town entrances, just so that people like me later tell their friends and/or post to places like this forum.

> I’m on a $150 prepaid 365 day plan

I’m of a $5 prepaid 365 day plan.

You choose.

mollwollfumble said:

Speedy said:

mollwollfumble said:

No, seriously, which would you prefer to pay. $20 a month or $5 a year?

Boost is Telstra so it uses the Telstra network, but unlike other service providers who use Telstra’s network, they use all of Telstra’s network.

I’m on a $150 prepaid 365 day plan, which includes unlimited calls and texts as well as 80GB of data, which is way more than I need.

As for whether Telstra is actually a better network to be on, it typically is as it has the widest coverage. We were disappointed when travelling the Oodnadatta Track last year, however, when we had no coverage when our friends who are with Optus had full coverage. I’m convinced that this is a marketing tactic by Optus. They provide full coverage in the most remote tourist spots (with signs stating there is Optus coverage “here” at town entrances, just so that people like me later tell their friends and/or post to places like this forum.

> I’m on a $150 prepaid 365 day plan

I’m of a $5 prepaid 365 day plan.

You choose.

Your plan is only better if you seldom use the phone.

mollwollfumble said:

Speedy said:

mollwollfumble said:

No, seriously, which would you prefer to pay. $20 a month or $5 a year?

Boost is Telstra so it uses the Telstra network, but unlike other service providers who use Telstra’s network, they use all of Telstra’s network.

I’m on a $150 prepaid 365 day plan, which includes unlimited calls and texts as well as 80GB of data, which is way more than I need.

As for whether Telstra is actually a better network to be on, it typically is as it has the widest coverage. We were disappointed when travelling the Oodnadatta Track last year, however, when we had no coverage when our friends who are with Optus had full coverage. I’m convinced that this is a marketing tactic by Optus. They provide full coverage in the most remote tourist spots (with signs stating there is Optus coverage “here” at town entrances, just so that people like me later tell their friends and/or post to places like this forum.

> I’m on a $150 prepaid 365 day plan

I’m of a $5 prepaid 365 day plan.

You choose.

Moll, Bubbles wants a phone that he can also browse the internet with. That makes a difference.

Bubblecar said:

What’s the best phone & service for someone like me, who will rarely use the device but may need it:

a) To call emergency services if my netphone is not working when I need an ambulance etc.

b) To use in hospital.

Get one that uses the Telstra network from say Aldi or boost. Plans start at about $15 including data and calls included.

Samsung, galaxy A , iPhone 7 etc.

Amaysim do a prepaid plan that includes unlimited talk and text with 2GB data for 28 days – $10.00
They use the Optus network.

fsm said:

Amaysim do a prepaid plan that includes unlimited talk and text with 2GB data for 28 days – $10.00
They use the Optus network.

Even though my son worked as the systems analyst for Optus for 12 years, I went off using them. They don’t serve me everywhere in my travels and since they went to Singtel, they have been rife for scams.

Aldi have a $15 dollar a month plan 3GB data unlimited calls

Tau.Neutrino said:

Aldi have a $15 dollar a month plan 3GB data unlimited calls

I’m with Aldi on the $15 month plan.

I also have a Telstra 6 month long life plan on another phone.

Tau.Neutrino said:

Tau.Neutrino said:

Aldi have a $15 dollar a month plan 3GB data unlimited calls

I’m with Aldi on the $15 month plan.

I also have a Telstra 6 month long life plan on another phone.

Thinking I’ll get one of the prepaid Aldi plans and see how I go.

Are these dirt-cheap unbranded Android tablets (which can be used as mobile phones) likely to be any good?

Bubblecar said:

Are these dirt-cheap unbranded Android tablets (which can be used as mobile phones) likely to be any good?

Mr Mutant says it’s gonna be slow. Red flags for him: unbranded, very low memory, low resolution.

Bubblecar said:

Are these dirt-cheap unbranded Android tablets (which can be used as mobile phones) likely to be any good?

No.

The trouble with the more expensive tablets offered by Officeworks is that none of them seem to have SIM slots for mobile phone connection.

Bubblecar said:

The trouble with the more expensive tablets offered by Officeworks is that none of them seem to have SIM slots for mobile phone connection.

My iPad does, but I can’t make calls from it, only text messages. Just because there’s a sim slot doesn’t mean phone calls.

I can receive calls on the iPad via my phone though. But not the iPad by itself.

Divine Angel said:

Bubblecar said:

The trouble with the more expensive tablets offered by Officeworks is that none of them seem to have SIM slots for mobile phone connection.

My iPad does, but I can’t make calls from it, only text messages. Just because there’s a sim slot doesn’t mean phone calls.

I can receive calls on the iPad via my phone though. But not the iPad by itself.

The cheap Android ones have full phone function.

Also higher specs (more RAM etc) than Samsung ones selling for well over the twice the price.

Divine Angel said:

Bubblecar said:

The trouble with the more expensive tablets offered by Officeworks is that none of them seem to have SIM slots for mobile phone connection.

My iPad does, but I can’t make calls from it, only text messages. Just because there’s a sim slot doesn’t mean phone calls.

I can receive calls on the iPad via my phone though. But not the iPad by itself.

Actually, I’m wrong. Last year when my phone went through the washing machine, I used my iPad for phone calls with the sim out of the phone.

Bubblecar said:

Divine Angel said:

Bubblecar said:

The trouble with the more expensive tablets offered by Officeworks is that none of them seem to have SIM slots for mobile phone connection.

My iPad does, but I can’t make calls from it, only text messages. Just because there’s a sim slot doesn’t mean phone calls.

I can receive calls on the iPad via my phone though. But not the iPad by itself.

The cheap Android ones have full phone function.

Also higher specs (more RAM etc) than Samsung ones selling for well over the twice the price.

Can’t seem to find any Samsung tablets that can be used as mobile phones.

Presumably just because they want you to buy more gadgets.

Never mind, I’ll just buy a phone with a peephole screen that can’t really be used for anything except phone calls.

Samsung phones are quite big.

How much do you want to spend on this phone/phablet/tablet thing bubblecar?

Really enjoying ‘The Boys’ Poik.

Oops sorry.

poikilotherm said:

How much do you want to spend on this phone/phablet/tablet thing bubblecar?

Not much :)

It’s mostly for emergency use, but I’d also like to plug it into powered speakers in my bedroom for music and ambient sound etc.

Bubblecar said:

poikilotherm said:

How much do you want to spend on this phone/phablet/tablet thing bubblecar?

Not much :)

It’s mostly for emergency use, but I’d also like to plug it into powered speakers in my bedroom for music and ambient sound etc.

…so no more than about $200.

Bubblecar said:

Never mind, I’ll just buy a phone with a peephole screen that can’t really be used for anything except phone calls.

Carrying and using a very large phone (or tablet as phone) can be a major PITA. Any bigger than 120×70mm they’re too large to use with one hand, for example, and they don’t fit in your pocket.

Divine Angel said:

Divine Angel said:

Bubblecar said:

The trouble with the more expensive tablets offered by Officeworks is that none of them seem to have SIM slots for mobile phone connection.

My iPad does, but I can’t make calls from it, only text messages. Just because there’s a sim slot doesn’t mean phone calls.

I can receive calls on the iPad via my phone though. But not the iPad by itself.

Actually, I’m wrong. Last year when my phone went through the washing machine, I used my iPad for phone calls with the sim out of the phone.

Mrs rb does facetime on her iPad.

I’ve bitten the bullet and ordered this phone from Officeworks and a SIM from Aldi.

Bubblecar said:

I’ve bitten the bullet and ordered this phone from Officeworks and a SIM from Aldi.

Noice 😌

Bubblecar said:

I’ve bitten the bullet and ordered this phone from Officeworks and a SIM from Aldi.

Nice. You’ll be able to forum on that too.

Bubblecar said:

I’ve bitten the bullet and ordered this phone from Officeworks and a SIM from Aldi.

Keep us informed about how it performs.