Mobile Phone

Hendo · Guru

Mobile Phone

Possum3 · Guru

I use Samsung Galaxy Android Blue tick. Usually better coverage than others when remote camping.

Certainly heaps cheaper than Apple.

Whenarewethere · Guru

Going off on a tangent, what about an actual camera. Phone camera are good if you shoot within their limited capabilities.

As soon as there is a scene slightly difficult, out comes the camera.

Hendo · Guru

Main camera is a Nikon Coolpix P900.
Forgot to ask, should I consider going with Optus?

deverall11 · Guru

Apple iphone compared to other brands. Bit like comparing a Ford or Holden with a Mercedes or BMW.
The main thing if it has any significance to you is the operating system. Apple vs Android.

Are We Lost · Guru

Hendo wrote:
Forgot to ask, should I consider going with Optus?

Presumably you ask because of package deals with Optus? Telstra is more expensive but people pay it mainly because of better coverage. So if you travel around, you may find it worthwhile to stay with Telstra. But see below under the maps.

For a comparison of coverage try this interactive map.

Interactive maps of coverage

Here is a comparison of Telstra vs Optus. Zoom in on the interactive map to get a better look at areas of interest.

If you want to stay on the Telstra network but save money, choose Boost. Identical coverage whereas all the other Telstra resellers have less. Scroll half way down that link above to see another map comparing them. I have the 12 month Boost plan. $200 up front for calls and 130GB of data (about $17 per month). Prices go up 4 July.

Possum3 · Guru

Hendo wrote:
Main camera is a Nikon Coolpix P900.
Forgot to ask, should I consider going with Optus?

See; Samsung Galaxy S22: The Best Camera Phone? (pcmag.com)

I no longer use my Pentax DSLRand carry all the differing lenses.

Definitely best carrier is Telstra with blue tick handset.

Basher · Senior Member

Hendo wrote:
Main camera is a Nikon Coolpix P900.
Forgot to ask, should I consider going with Optus?

Have look at Boost, uses Telstra system, wthout going into politics of it, good value and very good reception in the country

Basher

Cuppa · Guru

x3 for Boost. Have been with then for about 6 years now.

landy · Guru

X4 for Boost

Rob Mac · Member

Hi Hendo

You have a quality camera and I presume you looking at a mobile phone service.

I suggest Belong, it is a related to Telstra and the has a reasonable coverage area in comparison to Telstra.

I have Belong and so does my wife the key benefits are;

1. we can transfer saved data between our phone

2. Data cost is cheaper that Telstra

3. not in a contract

Make enquires and see how it fits in your plans.

Cheers

Rob and Julie

Whenarewethere · Guru

X5&6. We are both on Boost 12 month prepay. Only had to pay $170 ea in April. Previous year was $200.

wombat50 · Veteran Member

For the phone/camera look at Google Pixel they are supposed to be the best camera, and for the telco either Boost or Telstra

Are We Lost · Guru

Rob Mac wrote:
I suggest Belong, it is a related to Telstra and the has a reasonable coverage area in comparison to Telstra.

I would have to question that. Did you try the interactive map I linked above?

Sure, Belong, Aldi and other resellers on the Telstra Wholesale network are OK if you stay in populated areas. But they are very poor cousins if you depart from those areas.

The Belong deal is quite good, although if you don't need that much data then Boost is $200 for the year with 130GB data (about $17 a month). It increases to $230 for 160GB next month or $300 for 240GB .... identical to Belong's cheapest, but you have to pay for the year upfront.

For the small difference in value either way it is not worth thinking about, in which case, choose Boost for their FAR better coverage away from populated areas. If you don't plan to travel around, but need the data or sharing, then by all means choose Belong.

Telstra and Boost

Telstra..jpg

Belong and all other Telstra resellers.

yobarr · Guru

Well said Stephen. No comparison. Cheers

Whenarewethere · Guru

The 12 month prepay are even better valve (as long as you don't need truckloads of data) than the so called monthly prepay which are only 28 days, so in other words "13" months per year.

Geeco · Senior Member

Re Optus, as can be seen from the maps Telstra has broader coverage than Optus. Both our iPhones use Optus and we are totally satisfied with the value for money equation. When we did a lap during Covid I purchased a cheap Telstra prepaid sim in an old phone we had In case of an emergency. fortunately It did not need to be used.

Hendo · Guru

Thanks everyone, I'll let you know the outcome.

Hendo