Next G phones

From most reports, the A412 is a good phone. The A411 is an identical phone, but is sold as a pre paid. At Aust Post at the moment (until tomorrow I think) you can get the 411 for $199, then claim $40 cash back. We bought one yesterday from Aust Post, but have not used it yet. Will wait till after the Christmas rush to get a new SIM with old CDMA number.

If you want it to be post paid, go to Telstra and get a new SIM (with your old number) on a Telstra plan. $15 get connected plan has much cheaper calls than the $20 'free phone' plan.

This is an excellent site to research phones. The link is to the A412 thread, but all the phones you mention (and hundreds more) are covered. 20 pages on the A412.
Whirlpool Samsung A 412 Thread

Without specific knowledge of the Samsung, (or the ZTE 165) I would spend the extra $10 and get the 6120.

When you say you hardly ever use your current CDMA phone, is it because you also have a GSM phone?

Unless you have restrictions (like I do) on having a camera enabled phone at work, a NextG phone is a viable total replacement for any other phone you may have and therefore a quality handset like the Nokia 6120 would be my recommendation to you.

The NextG phone will give you GSM coverage in the metro area as well as 3G, or 3.5G (NextG) coverage over a wider range in the country.

Just did my swap from CDMA and being a 'low needs' user, went for the $20 plan A412 (been on a $10 for years) ......will have to wait and see how it goes on the edge of civilisation - I see no need to take Solly's word for it's expected performance. You do get a Bluetooth headset with it and 240V charger only - a leather case and 12V charger (+$30) was NOT available at Telstra in Adelaide 2 weeks back.
Re practicalities - I think I like a solid body phone better - one that can take an all-over leather case with metal clip on the back. At present, mine is protected in one of my 10 month old grandson's best socks...... can't clip it to the brake cable on the mountain bike....... can't find how to enter my sms signature..... bugger all instructions in the small handbook - less info on their website...... I did get a query answered on the Samsung support phoneline but (sms incoming beep).

Hi, I think you will find the extra money well spent for the Nokia 6120, leather case and car charger all about the same price, more than happy with mine , not a lot of good reports on ZTE,s. around here.
Cheers Des.

Just up graded to a 6120 and very happy with it.Was thinking about a 165 but heard to many bad things about it.
If this nokia lasts like my old one,6385,ill be happy.

Hey Austravel

I have just traveled from Jabiru, Kathrine, Three Ways, Mt Isa, Cloncurry, Normanton, Atherton,Cairns.

In total 2800km I have a LG 500 with an external arial, I had reception for all but 450/ 500 km I was more than impressed.

I had reception for up to 65/70 km out side Barkley Homestead, Normanton and places like that.

Cheers Steve.

Thanks all for your thoughts. May look at spending the extra $10/mth. Will also check out the Whirlpool site.

Australia post have the Samsung A411 for $199 but if you can get one today from them you can get $40 back via redemption. I've been told that the phone is exactly the same as the 412 but with a couple of less features. Did you also know that telstra now have a recharge that lasts 12 months. We were informed of that from our local Telstra shop in wodonga yesterday.

Thanks everyone for the info, has given me more to think about.