Telstra 4GX Buzz (2015)

Worst phone ever – My wife has had this phone for two years now, and it's about to go in the bin. It's been nothing but trouble, in particular with the charger failing. When we first had charging problems a year or so ago, we got a new battery for it on the advice of a repairer and that seemed to sort it out for a while, but after a few months it failed to charge… Read more

again. We'd kept the old battery and tried it in desperation, and it came to life, so the battery hadn't been the problem at all the first time. On the charger it came with, it's flakey, but usually ok. On any other charger, it won't charge at all. Tried dozens of cables and charging blocks, and none work with it. My wife's just left behind her ZTE charger on a work trip, so now despite having plenty of compatible micro USB chargers, it's impossible to charge, and we're just trying to nurse it through the weekend until a replacement can be purchased.

Impossible to recommend, would never buy ZTE again. Unbelievably poor quality.

Good All Rounder – I love this phone. It's been going strong for almost 2 years now, & while it can be a little slow sometimes, it's very reliable & user friendly. Good battery life, reception is very good & it has enough storage space for all the essential apps. I would highly recommend!  Show details

Excellent phone, when its working – Purchased this phone 9 months ago, is a great phone to use, and no problems with the operation, but then it started having charging problems about three months ago, and shortly after, people could not hear on the other end, so it was time to return it. Telstra were going to repair it, but instead decided to send some inferior model as a replacement. Not happy with the whole situation.  Show details

Cheap and it works – Suprised by how good this is for the cost. This is a great burner phone and great to give to people who will break an expensive phone in a few days like kids or people with special neeeds. Be aware though ZTE are notorious for not providing updates to Android software.  Show details

Average Phone Good Network – We got these from the supermarket because they run on the Telstra network and we needed that reliability in the bush. The phones themselves are pretty average for anything except basic calling and texts. The screen is dull and very slow to transition when browsing and apps run quite slowly. I tried using google maps and it was very slow. They do hold a reasonable battery charge though. Good network, very average phone.  Show details

Buzz...well if it worked I would – I had the expectation this phone was going to work - that’s what the box said. Turns out, doesn’t work in a car park, shops, building, lift, buds stop, tram, dr surgery, 80% of the time in the car...oh not does it do internet searches or send text msg...otherwise a very nice & compact looking phone. Thanks Telstra! Another quality product, that doesn’t work because I’m not using it properly??  Show details

Piece of junk – Very bad phone, I replaced twice because I didn´t have much time to look for another and after a month the battery died and obviously I lost files and lots of pictures that I wanted. I don´t recommend it at all. The camera works good, but the ram memory doesn't support many apps working at the same time, no annoying coming from a phone that supposes to be the best of the ZTE squad.  Show details

Great phone - great price – Bought this phone for $79.00 at AP Shop. During the early part of the warranty I feared that there was a problem, so ZTE replaced the phone under warranty. Since then I have had no problem with it. If there have been places when I could not get any reception, it was due to the Telco that I was with. I see that some owners seem to have had problems… Read more

with reception in many and varied places - something that I have not experienced. I have no problem accessing my emails or doing internet searches. My only problem is that the Ram is not large enough to continually update apps. Then again, some of them don't really need the latest update to work for my needs.

Pretty Ordinary Phone – I got this for my sister to use when visiting but when I saw how it ran I wish I had got her something better. It was cheap as anything ($59) on special). The screen resolution is not the best but the main thing is it has a weak processor and RAM so resolving pages takes ages sometimes. It does get good reception being Telstra but its not a phone I would recommend even at the cheap price.  Show details

Telstra 4 g – Had this phone for 1 month. Just died and trying to restart without success (it's not flat battery) Up to this point it was the most frustrating thing I've ever owned. Told that Telstra install Google as standard and was receiving ads during calls, sending texts and it was driving me made. Told in a forum to stop google and the ads would… Read more

stop....well they did because the phone no longer works. How can Telstra get away with selling a phone that is basically a full on advertising platform which ruins the phone. Will go back to the Telstra store tomorrow and I'll update on what they say...nasty.

Find a better phone as they say you get what you pay for – I am not impressed with my phone I have had it about 6 months and it has done some weird things like stats ringing someone from my contacts and I try to stop it and it will not always stop ringing, and been writing a text message and it has changed my spelling. Also it has been going flat yet in the morning before I started getting it said battery… Read more

was full and I had not used it it had just been in my bag for just over a hour and it has switched off because flat battery which does not make sense and it has done that a few times now so I am thinking it might be better to get another phone than buy another battery.

January 31st 2018 Update: Worst phone I have bought

I have had to replace the battery because it kept going flat so thought it would help but no still going flat and it keeps cutting out doing a call which is making me angry, so I am getting rid of it in the bin. I also have problems with reception and some days I struggle to get many signals on it so much for it being a 4gx.

Wont work on Ships – Was working fine until I went on a cruise recently. It will not pick up "Cellular at Sea" coverage. I was assured it would cover you anywhere in the world. Pretty pathetic you cant use it on a ship. Went to the Telstra shop where I purchased it ( Buddina ) and were told they could not help me. What else do you expect from Telstra.  Show details

Utter disappointment – Overpriced. Misbehaved within hours of being purchased. Does not come with an instruction sheet which means that you have to look up instructions on line. Poor navigation, unresponsive, and poor screen. On the first morning the alarm went off 65 minutes before the set time. Phone calls drop out, messages send themselves when they are halfway complete, poor reception even under a phone tower. Avoid like the plague.  Show details

Just something to get me by – I purchased this product, simply as my previous phone broke, and I couldn't afford to replace it at the time with a good quality one. So this product was just a temporary thing, and to tell you the truth, all I can say is thank goodness it was only temporary. Very cheap and nasty. Would not purchase again.  Show details

Telstra prepaid ZTE Buzz with micro sim – This is information you should take notice of if you are seriously considering buying a ZTE mobile phone. ZTE mobile phones are unreliable and not necessarily cheap they have poorly calibrated touch screens very poor battery life and many functions fail or just don't work. I've owned three and regardless of price they've all been duds. You've been warned.  Show details

Not Happy – This phone does not stand up to other phones I have brought in the past. I have been a regular customer of telstra for at least one decade now and have felt that the level of their products and customer service has slipped way down. Not only are their devices complicated bland and difficult to use their support and feedback service is below pare I… Read more

will be attempting to cut my losses soon and resell the phone and buy a new one after doing some research.

Failed battery – After 3 months I replaced the battery in this phone at my own expense. Then a month later I decided to return the phone as it would not recharge properly. That was over 5 weeks ago. Still no word. In the meantime I have since been given a replacement phone from BigW - a ZTE Blade. Not really impressed  Show details

Works OK for a cheap phone but not reliable – I thought that this was a great phone for the price, I had one as did my wife and son. Every one has had problems. My first one, the camera stopped working, then the replaced phone stopped charging, my son has had two stop charging, my wife's was the most reliable but it stopped the other day( the only one that lasted more than 12 months). … Read more

Telstra has replaced at least 3 of them for me under warranty and generally have been OK about it, except some shop staff are hard to get along with.

But when working, they do everything you ask of them, nothing flash or fast but OK. Battery life is better than the Kogan Agora that I replaced it with. I would be reluctant to buy another ZTE phone for anything but a temporary replacement. If you do get one, keep the receipt so you can get it repaired.

Phone – My last phone smashed as I brought one I have had a fue problems with this new one it has been playing up since I got it. I would not be getting another one. It runs to slow and battery runs out every afternoon it doesn't pair up with its own charger anymore.  Show details

Dame good phone – I have had phone 4GX Buzz since 9 /8/16 use it as phone and texting only don't need other crap,is reliable and can use it any where with no problems, for its price its ok l will say this if iphone company cane make a phone that receives and makes calls and can text , and recievetexts plus camera with out all other crap that is on phones these… Read more ·  1

days they would make a few dollars and the 4GXBuzz would make a perfect normal phone for people that don't use WF or the internet yours truly tex

Cheap and cheerful – A cheapy android phone I bought in August 2016 with a flybuys bonus points promotion at Coles. I've mainly used it for internet rather than phone calls and sms's. Has good wifi connectivity. The Chrome browser has been working pretty well on most mobile enabled websites including Facebook's mobile site. The Gmail app does the job. I've played… Read more

youtube videos on it successfully. I think the screen display is very good for 4.5 inches, with good visibility even with the phone at an angle. The camera I think is very good indeed on such a budget phone. I also bought the 4GX Plus with a 5" screen as a spare phone for my son and comparing the two I think the screen quality and camera are better on the Buzz even though the screen is smaller. No issues with charging. I'm not an expert on android phones but then if i were, I'd probably be after a phone in a higher price range. This does what I wanted it to do, and I'm happy.

the new Ph – The first one only worked for 10 days then went dead so they replaced it .you don't get a book to show how it works manual is in ph it self.not as much coverage as it should as for rural area an I am in rural.But as time goes by I will no doult get use to it. as it is a nice size to see things and plenty of things on it  Show details

not a bad phone for the price – bought this phone as i had to upgrade from the 2g network, I only use it to send and receive text, but regardless, it needs recharging EVERY day, even though it has minimal use. i would hate to be in town for the day without a charger. My previous phone, (a cheap little Nokia flip phone) only needed charging once a week.  Show details

Lots of problems!!! – This was my second mobile phone, it was supposed to be an upgrade because Telstra 2G network was being phased out. My wife bought it for me from Big W and I had a very steep learning-curve, so I had to call in to the local Telstra store to get some help. The young man there was extremely helpful and I started using it, getting progressively… Read more

better. But many of its features left a lot to be desired, especially answering an incoming call and then missing the call because it hung-up before I could answer! The keypad keeps disappearing when trying to tap in the required digits for voice-mail, and now, finally, the phone and its charger are giving trouble so that even after hours of charging it's still remains where it was before, ie. uncharged! To say I am disappointed would be putting it mildly, I am sick of it and would like an exchange or an upgrade!

easy to view – I like the larger screen, easy to operate, only that you have to unlock screen and controls are on the opposite side, but after getting used to that it's a terrific phone.It is simple to use and with the locking system, no awkward connections by mistake. It takes a clear photo and has a torch which is very handy.  Show details

ABSOLUTE JUNK – Bought it from Big W and had problems with charging. Big W sent it back to Telstra for repair under warranty. 4 weeks later replacement arrived, plugged it in to charge before using and exactly the same charging problem on brand new unit. Big W and Telstra should be ashamed to have any association with this product. I will be pursuing a full refund or taking complaint to consumer affairs. This product is not fit for purpose.  Show details

Rubbish – Rubbish, had it about 2 weeks, put it on charge overnight and now it no longer works.I am going to write it off as a life lesson. You buy cheap, you get cheap. I a not even going to bother taking it back. I doubt if I will be going to the telstra shop again.  Show details

Another fault – Yes. I had problems with the charging input. Only had phone 6 months, and connection in charging jack became loose and would not charge. Cost me $77 to have it repaired by mobile repairer in shopping centre. Telstra shop did not want to know about it. Now a section of the touch screen will not work. Can't send a message, as some letters won't… Read more

come up on the touch screen. Can't operate some of the icons on home screen, as they won't open when using touch screen.

Yes, a piece of crap.

Telstra Buz has buzzzzed – I purchased one of these phones 12 months ago, now it drives me mad because it won't charge properly. Have replaced charging cord twice, have to wriggle and giggle the damned thing till it decides to work, only for a short time. Time to bin it and get something decent. Don't be fooled by the price, the inconvenience isn't worth it  Show details

Phone with a very short life span – I have bought two of these phones. One stopped charging after about four months. It took 6 weeks but they replaced it. The other phone stopped charging after about eight months. These phone were good when we first got them. But they are complete junk with a very short life span.  Show details

OK simple little smartphone with a serious recharging problem – I've had my Telstra 4GX Buzz for 18 months or so and as I only need a fairly basic phone it has performed adequately with a couple of exceptions. The camera is pretty ordinary. Hardly worth taking any photos on it unless you are desperate. The other problem which has led to the phone being replaced is that I can no longer charge it as the charge… Read more

port seems to have become loose or the charge cable no longer makes contact. A number of other users have complained about the same issue. Surely Telstra should accept this as a design fault and replace these phones free of charge.

Disappointed – Been having trouble recharging the phone for the last month. Connection to cord has become very loose. Was charging when the USB connection was angled and propped up to hold the cord in, however it is no longer doing that either. Very disappointed as the phone is not that old. Will not be purchasing a telstra phone again. Will be sticking to Samsung.  Show details

Absolute crap – This is the second one i have bought I maybe I got unlucky so I spent another 99 on this piece of crap, Won't let me zoom in and on reddit or facebook very hard to type messages because it hits different letters freezes a lot for 99 dollars the spec's looked ok DONT WAST YOUR MONEY.they don't work properly I think I will save for a Samsung P.S don't waste your money....  Show details

You (don't even) get what you pay for – How bad can it be? That's what I thought when I needed a cheap smartphone to temporarily replace an iPhone 4 that went swimming. The answer is 'very, very, bad'. I had low expectations and only intended to have the phone for about 12 months, but it lasted 3 before the battery refused to fully charge. This meant it was constantly being plugged… Read more

in, so the charging port developed a fault so it would only charge when the USB cable was on just the right angle. Initially it seemed like a bargain - basic smartphone functionality, makes calls, browses the web, etc. After that the back started falling off, the aforementioned charging issues started and the touch screen became temperamental. Forget that it even has a camera because it is literally not worth using. Get out a sketchpad and crayons. The results will be better. The few positives - good screen for the money, smooth interface without bloatware, cheap!, doesn't start fires, decent reception. None of this can make up for a phone that charges to 11% on a good day.

Stopped working after 2 months – Bought this phone for my daughter as a replacement for her lost iPhone (while she waited for a new one). Stopped working after 2 months with it stuck on a purple lit up screen. Tried to reset several times. Took it back to Telstra shop. They sent it away and after a few days quoted $359 to repair! This was a $99 prepaid phone. They tried… Read more

to make out that the seal "may" have been tampered with on the battery! Battery can't be taken out, so not sure why the seal would be touched. Telstra shop looked at it before sending for repairs and did not mention anything about the seal when he tried to fix it in store.

Not worth the effort, they can keep the phone and the money. Nice job relinquishing all responsibility for a faulty product Telstra. Australia's finest!