It's new phone time.

[ozziii]

I've been using HTC phones for around 6yrs, all have been great although 1 of them (about 5yrs back) did have a problem & it was replaced (HTC Sensation). HTC are the only ones who have a 2yr warranty as well so thats a good thing.
No matter what phone you go with, there is always people who have had phone problems with them, no matter what brand it is, my daughter & her partner both had problems with Sumsung & Iphones.
If I didn't have HTC then it would be Samsung but SS don't have the extra strong Gorrilla glass like HTC.
I've had my HTC One for 2yrs now, still works great & just went onto a new plan using same phone, so if you have been with Telstra for a while ask them about the Telstra valued customer plan, can get it for your internet if you have that through Telstra as well. I only had a small plan, cost was $65 month, $5 was for phone payment, $60 for plan & I got $600 in calls & MMS & unlimited txt's plus 1gb data. Now on Valued customer plan using same phone, I pay $50 p/m but get $1000 in calls & MMS, unlimited txt's & 2.5gb data with no phone payment, can also get the VC Plan with a new phone but have to pay the extra cost but it still works out a lot cheaper.

 

[GaryO]

My choice would be a Samsung phone , preferably a Galaxy S 4 or Note 4 onwards. Although the previous versions are still good phones they are coming to their end in the way of ugrades. As you are looking at doing a 2 year deal the newer phones should still be supported for future andriod updates during that time.
Samsung also has a reasonable warranty service and a massive aftermarket supply of parts and accessories if ever needed.

Gaz .

 

[Hotrob]

Samsung Galaxy S5 is my choice . Works well out bush & is big enough without being HUGE.
Rob.

 

[Jaros]

Try these Kogan tels. Unlocked and all the bells and whistles.
https://www.kogan.com/au/shop/phones/android/

 

[TheSilentBugler]

I'm a big fan of Sony phones, waterproof, tonnes of battery, and way sexeh.

 

[GaryO]

I wouldnt put the waterproof claim to a test , even though they claim to be they will not cover warranty for it
My daughter's phone has dust in it , so I hate to drop it in water.

 

[TheSilentBugler]

Have done, no dramas, got a phone that I've taken underwater pics with (sony camera is brilliant) and used my tablet to watch movies in the bath.

They MUST cover warranty due to Aust consumer law.

No ifs, no buts.

 

[SCROUNGER]

Movies in the bath hey TSB?

 

[blisters]

I have had two sony xperia z3 because they were meant to be robust and waterproof. First one busted from a very low height like 50cm after three months. Bought another and three weeks later got water ingress. Seven weeks later Telstra says no warranty on any water ingress as it must be the users fault. This is how they shift the blame to the user as if the phone passes all sonys tests then the user has not complied with the phones advertised usage. The phone is in pristine condition, not a mark.

In my case the port cover did not seal properly as it pops open by itself which they recognised and still rejected a warranty claim. They wanted me to pay $700 to fix a $600 phone. I put in a complaint to Telstra who have made out they are doing me a favour and will waive the cost for repair. Now Telstra claim it will cost $350 to fix it and have no record of the $700 quote, so I provided two different references to the $700.

The sonys sound great but don't deliver, the warranty conditions are a sham and you really have to fight to get them to honour it. I'm sending my sony back again to be fixed and will flog it off when I get it back.

So $100 and 30 minutes later I got my samsung s3 screen fixed and used it ever since. From now on an older phone that does the job will do me.

Jon

 

[GaryO]

Have done, no dramas, got a phone that I've taken underwater pics with (sony camera is brilliant) and used my tablet to watch movies in the bath.

They MUST cover warranty due to Aust consumer law.

No ifs, no buts.

http://www.abc.net.au/technology/articles/2014/10/15/4107561.htm

Hope you are one of the lucky ones , id google your phone model and have a look at the complaints .

 

[GaryO]

I have had two sony xperia z3 because they were meant to be robust and waterproof. First one busted from a very low height like 50cm after three months. Bought another and three weeks later got water ingress. Seven weeks later Telstra says no warranty on any water ingress as it must be the users fault. This is how they shift the blame to the user as if the phone passes all sonys tests then the user has not complied with the phones advertised usage. The phone is in pristine condition, not a mark.

In my case the port cover did not seal properly as it pops open by itself which they recognised and still rejected a warranty claim. They wanted me to pay $700 to fix a $600 phone. I put in a complaint to Telstra who have made out they are doing me a favour and will waive the cost for repair. Now Telstra claim it will cost $350 to fix it and have no record of the $700 quote, so I provided two different references to the $700.

The sonys sound great but don't deliver, the warranty conditions are a sham and you really have to fight to get them to honour it. I'm sending my sony back again to be fixed and will flog it off when I get it back.

So $100 and 30 minutes later I got my samsung s3 screen fixed and used it ever since. From now on an older phone that does the job will do me.

Jon

SEE ^^^

 

[TheSilentBugler]

Well, guess I'm lucky then, though if they fail under use described by advertising they will be repaired or replaced by Sony, even if they say they won't at first.

 

[GaryO]

Well, guess I'm lucky then, though if they fail under use described by advertising they will be repaired or replaced by Sony, even if they say they won't at first.

All good Buglar , im just adding my info and experience on the subject for Chewy .
Hope you have many years of trouble free bath movies ahead of you

Gaz

 

[Billy]

Chewy, great timing with this post!
I am in the same situation as you and was going to put the exact same question to the knowledgeable folk of this fine forum in the very near future.
Ive never owned a smart phone and always had Nokias ( which have been great) but the time has come!
Not wanting to go the fruit way either and will be keeping a keen eye on this thread.

Cheers,
Billy.

 

[blisters]

Hey bugler, if you get it wet make sure it meets the sony definition of fresh water, whatever that is. Salt water, chlorinated pools etc. void warranty. Bathtub water, hmm? Largely the phones work but if they fail then you have a huge uphill battle to get anywhere.

Ultimately you could go to court under Aus consumer law. But even if winning and them paying your court costs, you won't get 100% of your costs back. This would cost you much more in the end than what a new phone costs so is not a viable option. It would be a reasonable assumption that Sony would know that.

Jon

 

[Tathradj]

My fossilized S2 was practically destroyed so I thought.
$70.00, 1/2 an hours blood sweat and tears and it looks like new.

I have had two sony xperia z3 because they were meant to be robust and waterproof. First one busted from a very low height like 50cm after three months. Bought another and three weeks later got water ingress. Seven weeks later Telstra says no warranty on any water ingress as it must be the users fault. This is how they shift the blame to the user as if the phone passes all sonys tests then the user has not complied with the phones advertised usage. The phone is in pristine condition, not a mark.

In my case the port cover did not seal properly as it pops open by itself which they recognised and still rejected a warranty claim. They wanted me to pay $700 to fix a $600 phone. I put in a complaint to Telstra who have made out they are doing me a favour and will waive the cost for repair. Now Telstra claim it will cost $350 to fix it and have no record of the $700 quote, so I provided two different references to the $700.

The sonys sound great but don't deliver, the warranty conditions are a sham and you really have to fight to get them to honour it. I'm sending my sony back again to be fixed and will flog it off when I get it back.

So $100 and 30 minutes later I got my samsung s3 screen fixed and used it ever since. From now on an older phone that does the job will do me.

Jon

SEE ^^^

 

[GaryO]

Samsung ... the Hilux of mobiles

 

[Dirtdemon]

I buy the Galaxy ace's , my previous galaxy ace PLUS has been in the washing machine twice , and over those 2 times has had a good couple of hours soak .

First time I dried it out in a bag of rice , left on my dash in the car during the day , 2 days later was working fine.

a year later , ( about 6 weeks ago ) had a good 50 minute soak again in my work pants , thought surely this time it was stuffed , so went out next day and bought the new 4G GALAXY ACE 3 , and just threw the ACE PLUS on the bench in the kitchen .

Over the next week or 2 , was still water visible under the screen , and when put the battery in would just keep re-booting the start up screen .

a bit over 2 weeks after I gave it a 50 minute soak in cold water and washing powder (for the second time in 12 months) ,I decided to throw the battery in once more and fire it up .

AND THE FREAKING THING IS WORKING 100% FINE !!!!

The battery is fine and holds the usual charge , no water marks on the screen , touch screen works perfectly , and now has the added bonus of a nice summery breeze fragrance

So yep Samsung is definitely my first and now only choice of phone , and the GALAXY ACE 3 4G , on sale unlocked for a paltry $149 is in my opinion the best phone on the market , their the unbreakable HILUX of the phone world.

 

[AtomRat]

My new samsung note is handling pretty well so far and I'm very happy with it.

By the way if someone would like me to attempt fixing a broken samsung just PM me!!

 

[Tathradj]

That is a terrific deal.

yep Samsung is definitely my first and now only choice of phone , and the GALAXY ACE 3 4G , on sale unlocked for a paltry $149 is in my opinion the best phone on the market , their the unbreakable HILUX of the phone world.
.
Though I would look at the S series as they have a much brighter and bigger screen.
.
Depends if you wear glass's 8)