Windows Phone goes big – Vodafone launch Nokia Lumia 1520 in Black

Vodafone have launched the Nokia 1520 in black today, a full 3 days before Nokia’s initial statement suggested.

This monstrous beast is the biggest Windows Phone ever, sporting a massive 6? full HD display. You think the handset’s too big? You should see the price! If you want to be the proud owner of the Lumia 1529, then it’s cost you from £52 per month on a 24 month contract plus £19 up front!

Aside from an epic phone with a 20MP PureView camera and a 2.2GHz quad core Snapdragon 800 processor, what do you get for your £1,267 then? Unlimited texts and minutes, plus 4GB per month data. You can, of course, lower the monthly cost by paying more up front. There are no pay as you go prices currently.

Source – Vodafone

***UPDATE***

It seems Vodafone were a little hasty in putting that link live. It’s actually launching tomorrow (6th December), as per Nokia’s original statement!

Here’s a reminder of the specs and a nice video that Nokia made.

Operating System: Windows Phone 8 with the latest updatesNetworks: GSM/EDGE: 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz; WCDMA: 850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz; ROW LTE: 1, 3, 7, 8, 20; USA LTE: 2, 4, 5, 7, 17; HSPA+: DL 42 Mbps (Cat 24) / UL 11.5 Mbps (Cat 7)Speed: LTE 150/50 mbps, DC-HSPA 42mbpsMemory: 2GB RAM, 32 GB internal user memory; 7 GB SkyDrive cloud storage, micro SD card support up to 64GBDisplay: 6-inch full HD 1080p LCD , ClearBlack, High Brightness Mode, Sunlight readability, Super sensitive touch for glove and nail usage, Gorilla Glass 2Processor: 2.2GHz Quad Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800Primary camera: PureView 20-megapixel Auto Focus ZEISS optics with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), 2x lossless zoom, oversampling technology, dual LED flash, 1080p @ 30 fps full HD video with optical image stabilizationSecondary Camera: HD 1.2-megapixel wide angleSize & weight: 162.8 x 85.4 x 8.7mm (volumetric). Weight: 209gConnectivity: NFC, A-GPS+GLONASS, WLAN (2.4/5Ghz) a/b/g/n/ac, µUSB, BT 4.0 LE, Accelerometer, Proximity sensor, Magnetometer, Gyroscope, Ambient Light SensorBattery: 3400 mAh (integrated) with built-in wireless charging (Qi compatible)Audio: Rich Recording with four microphones; Wideband Voice and multi-microphone noise reduction with four microphones; Dolby(R) Headphone, Graphic equalizer, Audio leveling; FM radio

Xmas Gift Guide 2013: Sony Xperia Tablet Z from Vodafone

Christmas 2013 is coming up fast and time to bag those top presents is running out.

We here at Coolsmartphone have asked several top retailers and suppliers for their recommendation for a Christmas gift, one that is either of exceptional value or the best quality.

Here then for your delectation is one of the selections sent to us from Vodafone, the Sony Xperia Tablet Z

Now you can experience movies on the go like never before thanks to the breathtaking, vibrant colours and stunning HD display on the Sony Xperia™ Tablet Z. Awesome high speed processing power delivers online gaming with the most jaw-dropping graphics wherever you choose to play.

This sleek, super-slim tablet is highly portable but also highly durable with a water-resistant construction and super-strong glass display.

Water resistant up to one metre and anti-shatter screen

Great viewing indoors and out on the vivid 10’1” Full HD display

Experience super-fast gaming with a high-speed 1.5 GHz quad-core processor

Runs on Android 4.1 Jellybean platform

3G and Wi-Fi connectivity & 4G-ready

The team reviewed the tablet Z back in May and were rather impressed.  Whilst acknowledging that you are going to need pretty deep pockets to give this one as a gift for Xmas, any recipient is going to be very very happy with the Sony Xperia Tablet Z.

The tablet Z is available from Vodafone for as little as £49 for the 4G model with a monthly commitment of between £28 and £42 per month depending on contract.

So, feeling generous?  Other half in need of a tablet?  Take a good look at the Sony Xperia Tablet Z and put a smile on someone’s face this December 25th!

Vodafone announce iPad Air pricing and availability

Voda have stepped up with their pricing for the newly-announced iPad Air. Here in the UK the “iPad Air with WiFi + Cellular” will be on offer from £28 a month, with a £129 upfront cost.

Although the iPad Air is available now, you’ll have to wait a little longer for the iPad mini version. That’ll be available later this month and again has both “WiFi + Cellular” connectivity, which of course means that you can get online through the Vodafone 3G or 4G network.

Further details can be found below, or you can visit their website to get more details on the pricing and packages that are available to you.

Vodafone offers iPad Air in the UK

Vodafone today announced that it will offer iPad Air with Wi-Fi + Cellular in the UK, and iPad mini with Retina display with Wi-Fi + Cellular later in November. Vodafone will offer these new iPads with a range of attractive data plans that will allow customers to connect to its fast 4G network with speeds typically six times faster than 3G*.

iPad Air features a stunning 9.7-inch Retina display in a new thinner and lighter design. Precision-engineered to weigh just one pound, iPad Air is 20 percent thinner and 28 percent lighter than the fourth generation iPad, and with a narrower bezel the borders of iPad Air are dramatically thinner—making content even more immersive. iPad mini with Retina display brings all the pixels from the 9.7-inch iPad to its 7.9-inch screen, delivering razor sharp text and detail in the same amazingly thin and light design. The new iPads feature the powerful and power-efficient Apple-designed A7 chip with 64-bit desktop-class architecture, ultrafast wireless with faster built-in Wi-Fi and expanded LTE cellular connectivity, and the newly-designed iOS 7 featuring hundreds of great new features.

Customers can buy iPad Air with Wi-Fi + Cellular from Vodafone stores, through telesales and online from today. iPad Air will be available from £28 a month, with a £129 upfront contribution. For complete details on pricing, please visit www.vodafone.co.uk/ipad.

For more information on iPad please visit www.vodafone.co.uk/shop/ipad-and-tablets.

*Vodafone Ultrafast 4G services with speeds typically 6 times faster than Vodafone 3G, may vary due to coverage and demand

BlackBerry Z30 lands at Vodafone

If you are a fan of BlackBerry devices and want to get your hands on their latest flagship, listen up. Vodafone have just put the Z30 on sale here in the UK.

The Z30 is the largest phone BlackBerry have made and comes with a 5? display, 8 megapixel camera, 16GB of internal memory and, of course, 4G ready so you get super fast access on the move.

 

Customers can pick up a Z30 for just £19 up front cost when signing into a £37 a month contract over 2yrs giving unlimited calls, texts and 1GB of 3G data. If 4G is your thing, then £42 a month will get you the same deal but a massive 6GB of data. This package also adds an entertainment pack.

When we had short hands on time with the Z30 a few days ago something I was impressed with was the build quality, the Z30 feels like a premium phone.

Full pricing is available online now or just pop into your nearest Vodafone store.

Vodafone reveal iPhone 5s pricing. Spoiler – You need to save.

Let’s face it, the super-cheap iPhone 5c failed to really materialise. Sure, it’s here, but is it super-cheap? No. What you’re left with is (effectively) an iPhone 5 with a bit of colour or, if you’re loaded, the all-new iPhone 5s.

Today Vodafone have revealed their prices for the latter and, with their shiny new 4G network and Sky Sports or Spotify Premium packages, they’re keen to get you on-board.

Now, I’ll do some preparation before you read these iPhone 5s prices. They’re going to be expensive. Very expensive. If you decide to go on a two year 4G plan and want 2GB of data to use (it’ll be 6GB per month if you sign up before the end of next month) then you’ll be paying £47 per month and, if you choose the top-of-the-range 64GB iPhone 5s, you’ll need to pay £229 up-front. That’s a two-year cost of £1357. I could buy a car for that! Unlimited texts and calls are included though, and you can choose to reduce that up-front cost by going for the slightly cheaper 32GB or 16GB model.

 

Switch to 3G-only and the two-year plans are .. well.. have a look for yourself below. For £42 per month you’ll get a measly 1GB of data and unlimited texts / calls. The iPhone 5s has an upfront cost of £79 for the 16GB model, £149 for the 32GB version and £229 for the 64GB version. That, my friends, means you’ll be paying a £1237 overall cost over two years.

 

If you’re sold on your 4G stuff and want to have the Sky Sports Mobile package or the Spotify Premium package then go for it, but you can get the iPhone 5s (16GB model) on 4G with EE for £46 per month and you get a whopping 10GB data allowance, plus you’re paying £49.99 up-front. Compare this to the Voda 4G plan where you pay a pound more per month (£47) and £79 for the iPhone 5s 16GB.. and you get 6GB for the duration of your contract if you sign up before the end of October, otherwise you get just 2GB.

Oh and to top it all, we originally thought that the EE iPhone 5s prices were expensive!

Let me know what you guys think, because I’m just scratching my head in amazement here.

Full details in the press release below.

It’s likely that both versions of iPhone will be popular, so any customers unable to get hold of an iPhone on day one will be able to order across all our channels (telesales, online and shops) and we’ll deliver it as soon as stock becomes available again.

iPhone 5s is a 4G-ready device, available from launch on Vodafone’s Ultrafast* 4G network – with a choice of either Sky Sports Mobile TV or Spotify Premium included, and we’ve set out the 4G plans below.  Once online ordering of iPhone 5s goes live on Friday morning you’ll be able to find out more here http://www.vodafone.co.uk/iphone/pay-monthly-iphone/index.htm.

iPhone 5s will be available on both Vodafone Red 4G-ready  and Vodafone Red 3G 24 month plans. We’re also offering both 4G-ready SIM Only plans (from £26) and 12 month plans.

Our 4G-ready plans come with a minimum of 6GB data (that’s the standard 2GB you get with Vodafone Red 4G-ready plus the ‘4GB bonus’ which is an extra 4GB per month for the duration of your contract for anyone who signs up before the end of October), unlimited calls and texts and a choice of either Sky Sports Mobile TV or Spotify Premium.

Upgrade early to Vodafone 4G

Customers with an iPhone 5, Samsung SIII or Galaxy Note II don’t have to worry if they’re not due for an upgrade yet. They can bring it back to one of our stores, even if their plan hasn’t ended. We’ll knock 75% off their remaining charges, let them upgrade early and start a new 4G plan. iPhone 5, Samsung SIII or Galaxy Note II customers can take advantage of the 4G Phone Promise until the end of the year (for more details see http://www.vodafone.co.uk/4g/vodafone-4g-promise/) .

Business

Business users will also be able to buy iPhone 5s on both 4G-ready and 3G plans.  Those who want to enjoy Ultrafast* 4G and the ability to share their data allowance at no extra cost with Vodafone Red Business 4G-ready, will also receive an extra 4GB of data for the length of their contract as part of the 4GBonus.

As we’re sure you know, we’ve already launched 4G in London, will launch 4G in Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester, Nottingham and Sheffield on 28 September and by the end of year will have extended that further to Bradford, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle.  By 2015 we’ll have reached 98% of the population with indoor 2G, 3G and 4G coverage.

Consumer 24 month Vodafone Red 4G-ready plans (including VAT)

12 month Vodafone Red 4G-ready plans (including VAT)

Consumer 24 month Vodafone Red plans (3G) (including VAT)

12 month Vodafone Red plans (3G) (including VAT)

Vodafone switching on more 4G and giving a bonus

Vodafone have just announced the next set of cities to have 4G switched on. They are Birmingham, Coventry, Leicester, Nottingham and Sheffield.

These cities will start getting 4G from 28th September. This is in addition to London, which already started rolling out 4G at the end of August. We’ve already seen some very impressive results of 65Mbps in central London.

In addition, Vodafone are giving away a bonus to existing 4G customers and anyone who joins on a 4G plan before the end of October  That bonus is an additional 4GB of data!

And because we’re feeling in celebratory form, we’ve got some even better news for Vodafone 4G-ready customers too. We’re be adding an extra 4GB of data to all existing and new customer plans.

That’s for everyone who’s already taken out a 4G-ready plan, and anyone who signs up to one between now and the end of October. It means you can watch more live sport on the go with Sky Sports Mobile TV, or listen to hours and hours more of your favourite music on Spotify Premium from our great entertainment packs. Good, eh?

Yago Tenorio who is Vodafone UK’s head of networks has been quoted as saying

“It’s going very well!” he says, “In fact, this has been the smoothest and best launch I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen a few! There’ve been no big incidents, and no major problems. As we all know, working with big, complex technology projects, this is not usually the case. There are normally one or two bumps that you can’t predict, but all of our planning and hard work is paying off and it’s great to see our customers starting to realise the benefits of our efforts!”

For more information check out the official Vodafone blog.

Vodafone to sell their share of Verizon Wireless

Vodafone UK has owned a big chunk (45 percent) of American carrier Verizon Wireless since 1999, but that is now about to change.

Verizon has confirmed the rumour that they will be buying all of the Vodafone stake in the wireless division of the company. The cost? A cool $130 (£84) billion, paid in cash and stock. It should close by Q1 2014.

The deal was unanimously approved by the board of both companies, but still has to be approved by the government and company shareholders.

Wonder what Vodafone will do with this new wealth ?

My Name is Ian Furlong and I am 40 something husband to Lisa and dad to Seth
I’ve been a member of this site from its very beginnings, when i first had the original Orange SPV
My current crop of devices are Samsung Galaxy SIII, Nexus 7, Ipad 3rd Gen, Sensation XE.

Vodafone 4G speed test results

Vodafone and O2 switched on their 4G networks yesterday in London so, as I have a Vodafone 4G SIM, I decided to give it a spin on the pretty empty 4G network.

Armed with a 4G phone receiving a lovely 4G signal, it was a pretty safe bet I was going to be doing lots of speed tests to see how well it runs.

What makes this more interesting is the Vodafone network we were testing is running on the new 800/2600 spectrum which was purchased for around £900 million this year.

We first picked up the 4G signal at Heathrow Airport and received a speed of around 40Mbps. In central London things got even better with a peek speed of 66Mbps in Camden Town at lunchtime.

Average tests were around 50Mbps which is great for a 4G network and, sitting here in a hotel in Kensington right now, Vodafone is outperforming the EE network which is advertising it’s ‘double speed’ 4G.

Are you in an area with 4G that was switched on yesterday? Let us know your results in a comment below..