Best mobile for reception with good camera

Yes, the S7 (and dunno about the S8) do have fewer megapixels (12 instead of 16), but I believe that is due to the incredible low light capability - it was a trade-off which Samsung thought worthwhile.

If you want ultimate huge enlargement, then yes, the loss of ultimate resolution might be an issue. In normal use for happy snaps it is not, but the gain in low light capability (with no flash) is quite astounding.

Presume they also gave a complete car kit to attach with external antenna for blue tick compliance requirements.

Having same phone I find the antenna attachment bit delicate to attach patch lead cable everytime.

Apart from screen cracking with a small drop of 10cm screen down not a bad phone to have or use

I'd second the Telstra blue ticked "Tough" model from reception point of view.

Whatever phone you get, ensure its Blue Ticked - On the Telstra Network - and also get an external aerial with it (This can be as simple as a $30 magnetic base one that you put on the car roof when needed )

I think you are assuming too much. He only said he was going bush ..not remote travel. I lived many years in remote NT but anywhere within 30klm radius of a mobile tower we had reception. Mobile phones within range of a tower are generally very reliable. For $1000 you can now get a really good vehicle mounted receiver that sees your phone pick up signal a lot further than before. I used to carry several sat phones when working remote and there were times that I could not get a signal with the handheld or vehicle mount...so they are definately not 100% reliable for getting a signal. Often had to wait till later at night to call in when skies allowed transmission. Atmospheric conditions can have a big influence on a sat phones performance. Mate rolled his Nissan on the Central Arnhem Hwy and not badly hurt but could not get a dial tone on his sat-phone. 3 hours later a passing motorist picked him up and drove 60klm to Aboriginal community where he got on the mobile and organised pick up. The Telstra tick phone is better than the average Samsung or I phone. You can get a blue tick Samsung. There isn't a communication device yet invented that is 100% reliable but a Telstra Blue tick will greatly increase your chance of a signal than just an ordinary phone.

You can't go for a bush walk with a $1000 car kit.

Better a $500 second hand satphone in a pocket.

Hi Bigfish

You do not have to remote to have no phone reception.

Try making a phone call between say Pimba and Glendambo, or Coober Pedy to Marla and you will not get any phone reception....or even out east of Burra in station country.

As for your mate that could not get his sat phone to work on the Central Arnhem Highway after his accident. You have not said what phone he had and if it was damaged?

We have an Inmarsat and it has never let us down and picked up phone reception from many true remote locations around Australia.....and yes we have driven the Central Arnhem Highway all the way through to Nhulunbuy.

When you are on foot and away from your vehicle, a satellite phone will be your only true reliable communications with the outside world if you need help, with the exception of a PLB or SPOT,but you can not talk on them.


Cheers



Stephen

Gooday Stephen. Mate had a vehicle mount that didn't work as antenna damaged. He also had a handheld that could not get a signal. Like me he was a remote area tech. I,ve worked in remote areas that 99% of people would never see or be allowed into. Many a time we had no signal using sat phones. These were Telstra issued using Imarsat. Can remember once at a community 50klms south of Gove that there were 3-4 people all trying to use their sat phones..No reception However I had reception as I had the only Telstra sat phone. Cant remember who the other sat phones were with. My point is that you can never rely on any form of communications equipment to be 100% reliable ( able to be used). AS a Telstra tech for 30 years , this I know from experience Several weeks ago I spent 4 nights west of Cairns camping. Nearest mobile tower was 80=klms away. Nearest town 80klms...yet I still could make and receive phone calls...Still cannot figure out how though! Original poster said he wants a phone with camera and good reception. Lets assume he aware of his limitations and surrounds. As I said a Telstra Blue tick will be the best optioned phone. I,m sure if he was after a sat phone he would have asked. Best policy for him would be to monitor the girls medical condition and know how to treat as well as only camp/travel in mobile reception areas if he is really concerned. Dont forget that a sat -phone can also have trouble getting a signal in bushy areas.
cheers.

Except if it's the Oodnadatta Track.....Optus only along there. :-)

It is now legislated that 000 and 112 must work form ANY phone on ANY network if there's coverage. So a mobile on a Telstra plan will be able to access 000 or 112 through the Optus network if it can get a signal. But you couldn't talk to NRMA or RAC, etc for vehicle problems, etc.