Discounts for Buying a New Sony Phone?

[Catweazle]

Yes, I know. You're probably reading this on an iPhone or a Samsung. But I'm typing this on a laptop, with my Sony phone sitting next to me. Strange maybe for you, but true.

Anyway, I'd like to upgrade to a new Sony Xperia phone. No, don't start. This isn't an Apple vs Samsung debate. Put those thoughts into another thread!

However, you can't officially buy them in Australia as they don't market them here anymore. I know Kogan sell them, for example. Or possibly Amazon. Last time I claimed $$ back on to my account after an ANZ rewards sign-up bonus, which essentially meant I got my phone for free, but I can't go down that path this time, I suspect, because I already have the QFF card. Are there any current discounted loopholes that I haven't noticed yet to help me out a bit, like discounted vouchers through the Woolworths gift cards that have been discussed here or some QFF sale? What are your thoughts?

 

[tdimdad]

Oh, good old Xperia! Happy memories.
What would they cost overseas if you picked up one from there or had someone bring it over?

 

[Catweazle]

A good question. Not entirely sure, but Amazon lists last year's model (Xperia 1 V) for USD$899 plus postage. If I try to buy that from here, they add AUD$260 import charges on to it. I wonder if any AFFer would be willing to...

 

[Thibault]

I'd be triple-checking that the phone supports VOLTE/VOWIFI for Australian phone providers - otherwise you will not be able to call over 4G networks.

My European Android phone does not support any VOLTE/VOWIFI settings for Australian phone providers - making the phone useless here.

 

[Catweazle]

Oh good point, yes. Thank you.

It's all IT-type jargon to me but my current phone apparently won't work with things when Telstra and other companies blow up their old towers later this year.

To confirm if future handsets will, what should I look out for in the list of specs and stats?

 

[daft009]

basically 4g mobiles were still defaulting to 3G when making calls & sms if they didnt support VoLTE.
So once 3G turns off your current handset will only be able to be used for data/hotspotting/whatsapp calling etc.

so its as per what thibault said

 

[Thibault]

It means that your call is going through as data-packets over 4G/5G instead of a proper voice call via the 3G network.

You need to check that the phone has VOLTE/VOWIFI in their specifications - they usually all do now - however, what you need to check is that Telstra is supported in their system to be able to receive/place calls on their 4/5G network.

See below link - previous Sony Xperia Mark V does not support VOLTE/VOWIFI for Telstra but kind of works for Optus and Vodafone :

Sony Xperia 1 Mark V - Sony - Android phones - Whirlpool Forums

forums.whirlpool.net.au

Same story with Xiaomi :

Xiaomi 14 and Xiaomi 14 Pro - Xiaomi - Android phones - Whirlpool Forums

forums.whirlpool.net.au

See below link for Telstra voLTE and voWIFI :

Telstra Voice over LTE (VoLTE)

whirlpool.net.au

No Sony phones are supported officially.

How do I enable VoLTE on my mobile phone? - Telstra

Find out what is VoLTE (Voice over LTE) and how to enable it on your mobile phone.

www.telstra.com.au

Few old Sony smartphones.

Sony left the Australian market - I would not recommend getting a Sony handset if you want a ready to go smartphone.

 

[Must...Fly!]

One wonders what will happen to tourists with said brands. One suspects there will be a raft of more compatible smartphones to be added to the telco lists - but I wouldn't bet on it if buying one new for use in AU.

 

[Catweazle]

Oh, I just made a boo-boo and started a new thread after forgetting I'd started this post months ago. It's been a rough year folks and my brain isn't working. My humblest apologies!

Anyway, yes, I do wonder what might happen to foreigners coming in from overseas with other branded phones that the Telstra network may not support.

Is it really only Telstra that has the better coverage when it comes to the more rural areas? Tempted to jump ship and take up another network, if that's even a possibility. What do you rural folks use?

Best deal I can find at the moment for buying phones is 3 points to the $ via QFF Market Place.

 

[Chicken]

It's all IT-type jargon to me

Then don't get Sony unless you are willing to learn how to root the phone and add the files for Telstra VoLTE settings ......

Is it really only Telstra that has the better coverage when it comes to the more rural areas?

Yes. Half of western Sydney is only covered by Telstra, and all the rural staffs at my work (primary industry) just breathe a sigh of relief after work migrated to Telstra.

Best deal I can find at the moment for buying phones is 3 points to the $ via QFF Market Place.

Try API or Cashrewards

 

[Must...Fly!]

Is it really only Telstra that has the better coverage when it comes to the more rural areas? Tempted to jump ship and take up another network, if that's even a possibility. What do you rural folks use?

Telstra or Boost. Either/or, both give you the full whack of Telstra's network.

 

[encryptededdy]

The new Xperia 1 VI (I've got one that I picked up in Japan) works fine with VoLTE on Telstra. Regardless, I would strongly recommend against importing a non-AU phone unless you are aware of the technicalities of getting them working (if you that's even possible).

Also, even though my Xperia 1 VI does work on Telstra fine, I can't confirm that E000 works correctly on it over LTE (and this cannot be confirmed without actually calling 000 and monitoring the network connection). It most likely does work though. The 10 VI and 5 V do not work on Telstra from what I've seen from other users.

VoWiFi (WiFi calling) is not supported on any modern Xperia on any Australian carrier.

that the Telstra network may not support

It's probably more accurate to say the phones don't support the Telstra network - they're missing the VoLTE configuration files (e.g. mbn files for Qualcomm phones) or are blocked on purpose (e.g. VoWiFi is blocked by Sony in the modem override file for many carriers) on some overseas phones.

Unfortunately the way VoLTE needs to be configured is a lot more complex than for circuit switched calls on 3G, so you'll need more than a spec sheet to confirm that a given overseas phone model will work correctly here, and it can differ between carriers or firmware versions (as I understand for earlier Xperias whether they work on Optus/VF depends on whether you're on South East Asia firmware or not).

 

[elanshin]

The new Xperia 1 VI (I've got one that I picked up in Japan) works fine with VoLTE on Telstra. Regardless, I would strongly recommend against importing a non-AU phone unless you are aware of the technicalities of getting them working (if you that's even possible).

Also, even though my Xperia 1 VI does work on Telstra fine, I can't confirm that E000 works correctly on it over LTE (and this cannot be confirmed without actually calling 000 and monitoring the network connection). It most likely does work though. The 10 VI and 5 V do not work on Telstra from what I've seen from other users.

VoWiFi (WiFi calling) is not supported on any modern Xperia on any Australian carrier.


It's probably more accurate to say the phones don't support the Telstra network - they're missing the VoLTE configuration files (e.g. mbn files for Qualcomm phones) or are blocked on purpose (e.g. VoWiFi is blocked by Sony in the modem override file for many carriers) on some overseas phones.

Unfortunately the way VoLTE needs to be configured is a lot more complex than for circuit switched calls on 3G, so you'll need more than a spec sheet to confirm that a given overseas phone model will work correctly here, and it can differ between carriers or firmware versions (as I understand for earlier Xperias whether they work on Optus/VF depends on whether you're on South East Asia firmware or not).

Don't forget that JP Xperia are also different to HK Xperia and TW Xperia, so where you get the Xperia 1VI from also matters heaps. (I had to do a lot of reading but gf has now gotten a red 1 VI after her 1 II started dying and support would be dropped too).

 

[Catweazle]

But, VoWiFi wouldn't really matter if I only make calls over usual data, right?

VoWiFi would only be for calling, say, by WhatsApp?

 

[Chicken]

But, VoWiFi wouldn't really matter if I only make calls over usual data, right?

VoWiFi would only be for calling, say, by WhatsApp?

VoWiFi is for making Telstra calls over WiFi, not WhatsApp. For example, you gone to a farmstay with no mobile signal, but they have Wifi, so your phone would connect to Telstra via hotel wifi, still able to call Messagebank and make and receive calls without Telstra coverage.

 

[downgraded]

Why Sony? I'm a Moto man myself and these are readily available here and the current models are fine on Telstra and Optus. My previous phone wouldn't do 4G calling on Optus but did when I switched to Boost. My current model is fine on either network.

 

[elanshin]

VoWiFi is for making Telstra calls over WiFi, not WhatsApp. For example, you gone to a farmstay with no mobile signal, but they have Wifi, so your phone would connect to Telstra via hotel wifi, still able to call Messagebank and make and receive calls without Telstra coverage.

You can even receive calls whilst 35000 ft in the air connected to a solid wifi. Its why theh start asking you not to take calls on planes now.

 

[elanshin]

Why Sony? I'm a Moto man myself and these are readily available here and the current models are fine on Telstra and Optus. My previous phone wouldn't do 4G calling on Optus but did when I switched to Boost. My current model is fine on either network.

Sony phones are an interesting breed. Imo they're very niche especially for their price, but for the people that fit that niche its among the best option out there.

 

[Catweazle]

Then don't get Sony unless you are willing to learn how to root the phone and add the files for Telstra VoLTE settings ......


Yes. Half of western Sydney is only covered by Telstra, and all the rural staffs at my work (primary industry) just breathe a sigh of relief after work migrated to Telstra.

Try API or Cashrewards

Oh, so it's actually possible with a few downloaded files? Is that easy when you know what to do and how?

I've never made Telstra calls over WiFi and don't see myself really needing to do that, so might be alright then.

 

[Chicken]

Oh, so it's actually possible with a few downloaded files? Is that easy when you know what to do and how?

Read the post above by Thibault, and maybe read Sony Xperia 1 VI - 2024 release which people talk about getting VoLTE to work

You are going to have to spend more than a few days to get your head around all these things (and realistically a few weeks if you have a day job), then you would need to attempt to do it, and you are going to hit some roadblock at the most unexpected part of the process.

I used to do this when I was younger; now I just want my phone to work with Telstra, not having to spend weeks to root it and make all these modifications to work

Also, once you have rooted your phone, there is a good chance that all your 'high security' apps would refuse to work, because you are breaching security of your phone. Think all the internet banking apps from banks and credit unions, authenticators and MS Office apps from work.

Personally, I am not willing to risk AUD$1500 on a new Sony when there is a good chance that either I have problems with making calls, or unable to use Internet banking and MS Office from my employer.

I've never made Telstra calls over WiFi and don't see myself really needing to do that, so might be alright then.

Yes and no, as you may also have problem with VoLTE if you cannot get VoWiFi to work, and VoLTE doesn't just affect 000