There have been a lot of cool new devices announced in the past week or so thanks to the wonder that is the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES!). Having all these devices out in the wild is all well and good, but what really matters to most people is knowing whether or not some of these devices are coming to a carrier near you. Well the carriers don’t want anyone to know yet is seem, so we’ve put together a list of what devices we think might be going to each carrier. We could be right, we could be wrong, but it’s the best we’ve got until the carriers get official (probably after Mobile World Congress).
Telstra
Telstra love having the best handsets on the market at launch, and then continue to treat as the best handsets on the market for the rest of their shelve lives (eg, HTC Desire, Xperia X10). They have great connections with LG, Motorola and HTC. So here’s what we’re thinking Telstra will get:
- Motorola Atrix
- LG Optimus Black
- No doubt any HTC device launched at MWC (if any)
Optus
Optus have scored some really great exclusives in the past, with both the Samsung Galaxy S and Dell Streak, so I’m thinking Samsung & Dell will stick with what they know and launch the following:
- Upcoming Galaxy S successor
- Google Nexus S
- Dell Streak 7
- LG Optimus 2X
Vodafone / Three (VHA)
VHA have great connections in Sony Ericsson, HTC and Samsung so we’re thinking they’re going to have a bit of barrage of both newer and older devices in 2011 to keep people on their deteriorating network. There is still a heap of devices yet to be announced at MWC, which I’m sure will make their way to VHA. But this is what we’re thinking so far:
- Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc
- Sony Ericsson X10 Mini Pro2
- Samsung & HTC devices that are yet to be announced at MWC
MWC will see a heap of new devices announced, with some big players like Sony Ericsson planning on launching their flagship in the Playstation Phone or Xperia Play. Samsung have said they have stuff lined up and HTC, who didn’t really announce anything new at CES, will surely have a few tricks up its sleeve. Exciting times ahead!
Any info on desire z availability?
yep. Vodafone are building their own 850mhz network…its already working in some parts of Aus.
Can it maintain a user-base of more than 4?
anybody heard that VHA is building their own 850Mhz network?
Is the Samsung connection your thought process for the Nexus S going to Optus, or something else? Otherwise Vodafone is the one with the history of taking the more pure Google Experience Android phones, Nexus 1 and HTC Magic.
Otherwise Sony Ericsson appear to do very few exclusives, the X10 came out on multiple carriers at once did it not?
Woo up for an upgrade now on optus.. bring on the 2X
Atrix and Telstra is a no brainer unless Telstra goes and puts Atrix on a 99 dollar plan. Put it on 49 and I’m sold. I’m done trying to struggle with ridiculously slow 3G in Melbourne CBD from both 3 and Optus. Come on Telstra! Atrix on $49 plan!
I dont think you will ever see the Atrix on a 49 Cap, 79+ at the very min i think.
Ugh, stupid double post, and I don’t know how to delete the first one.
Now, just in case people thought no Aussie Networks were ready for 4G, read here http://apcmag.com/optus-demos-lte-network-at-43mbits.htm
Oh Man! Telstra have had the capability for HSPA+ forever! They also have a dual band usb modem stick which does up to 42 Mbps! Now the devices are becoming common place in the US it’s wake up time for the big T.
This is exciting =D unless they (Telstra and Optus) keep sitting on their hands regarding LTE. Both companies have the technology ready to go so B
Telstra with the Motorola Atrix….. considering they have been testing LTE/4G in the past year or so, this would not surprise me in the slightest…. if this happens, I’m definitely seeing this handset as Australia’s answer to the HTC Evo 4G, as Australia’s flagship 4G device.
It’s also HSPA+ if the LTE plan doesn’t work out.
now that’s also handy!
finally, Telstra have the chance to actually bring out their first HSPA+ device…. little late I think, but then again, it’s Telstra, need I say more 😛
NextG (ie. Telstra) is not LTE. its not supported by LTE
kc: read these links below:
http://dynamicbusiness.com.au/articles/articles-news/telstra-lte-4g-nokia-siemens-networks-1713.html
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/australian-it/telstra-to-trial-lte-in-may/story-e6frgakx-1225842397175
This is nothing to do with the NextG network, which is what I was referring to.
get phones unlocked. its the easiers way and best way
Absolutely, but not everyone wants to do that.
I’m all about non contract / unlocked / outright but I got my X10 Mini Pro on contract w/ Virgin for $3 a month (in addition to the smart cap) over 24 months.. when the guy asked me if I wanted to buy insurance I had to laugh!