Kogan Agora 8

Not worth the purchase – Understandably for the price of just less than $150, you can't really expect too much for a "smart" phone. We needed something for basic message and phone calls. After about 7 months the phone had already drastically slowed, and would not hold charge with minimal use for more than a few hours, needing a recharge at least 3-4 times a day at the… Read more

very least. The returns process to Kogan was absolutely lengthy taking a month for any outcome (going back and forth via email), but was able to get a credit as it was still under warranty. Would not recommend.

crappy phone and even crappier support – I have not only wasted money on a product that does not work by my time and effort from Kogan for help to resolve the issue of how useless this phone is. For a start the phone would not stay charged from more than eight hours despite having all the apps turned off and not talking on the phone, the other main problem was my sim card kept falling… Read more

out of its cradle so if you wanted to talk on the phone you couldn't so 1 year on still no joy so I find it hard to give even 1 star for the product of the retailer for that matter

I will never deal with Kogan or its subsidiary Dick Smith on line

Absolute meltdown – I had the same problems as above and sent it back for repair. 10 days later they contacted me for my security code! That's how much they cared about me having a functioning phone. However, things have got a lot worse since then. The phone overheats dramatically and changes settings by itself, it is totally unusable. I'm buying another one tomorrow… Read more

and sending this one back to Kogan. If they fail to act in good faith I will take the matter to Fair Trading NSW. Ron Murdoch

April 30th 2018 Update: Simply not good enough.

The Kogan Agora 8 may or may not be value for money and I might just be unlucky. However the complete lack of pro active concern by the Kogan help desk/customer service beggars belief. My phone is now with them for the second time, they have had it for over 4 weeks. They haven't replied to My Email of April 24th and it is almost impossible to make telephone contact. I have now submitted a formal complaint to Fair Trading NSW. Be very careful when dealing with Kogan Australia. After my experience I would recommend paying a little more to a more reliable and committed trader. Ron Murdoch

June 19th 2018 Update: I give up!

I purchased the Agora 8 in December 2017, and it did not work, people on the other end could not hear me. I sent it back at their expense and after quite some time it was returned, assuring me that the software problem had been fixed. However it soon became obvious that this phone had a multitude of problems, not the least of which was its ability to overheat alarmingly. I had to go overseas early April and as I could not trust the Agora 8 I bought another phone from Harvey Norman. I returned the Agora to Kogan at my expense, letting them know what I had done and asked for a full refund or store credit. I specifically said that I did not want the phone back. However they ignored this request and after 6 weeks replaced my phone with another unit which they assured me had been tried and tested. Almost immediately this new phone started overheating. I communicated this to Kogan and let them know that if I had any more trouble with this unit I would refer the matter to Fair Trading NSW. Guess what this unit has developed the same problem as my original phone, people on the other end can't hear me. I simply can't deal with Kogan any more, it has become far too stressful. When they communicate with me they go out of their way to let me know that the phone works perfectly well when they test it, it's like they're trying to gaslight me, and in many ways they've got me beat. I know it didn't cost the earth, but it should still work! If Fair Trading NSW can't resolve the problem then I've just done my money cold.

Awesome for the price! – There is a lot of online hype about these phones and I have to say for under $200 you will not find a better phone. It runs on the latest version of android, has all the bells and whistles (finger print, high quality camera and all the standard smart phone built in settings). If you can't afford a new high end phone then you will not be… Read more ·  1

disappointed! I'm yet to put in a micro SD card to expand the memory - will update post when I have.

Some of the downers...Speed certainly doesn't compare to a late model iPhone or Samsung Galaxy, the entire system runs just a tad a slower so if you are used to moving through your phone really quickly then you will notice that you will need to slow that down (it isn't annoyingly slower but its definitely is slower), the speaker volume is pretty bad - you won't put on music in the bathroom like one might usually, its too quiet! The back camera bezel juts out so the back casing isn't flush, there's no voice to text option on the keyboard and the control/home buttons are not as responsive as a smart phones should be!

But hey, all in all it is fantastic value, has a sleek modern design (looks like a top range phone) and if you're on a budget or between phones then its pretty good :)

Good but not great – Good phone for the price. Disappointed after buying that apps you download cannot be moved to SD card which means your GB will fill up quick. Don't know at this stage if anything really can move over to SD card as have not tried. Other than that my phone works really well. Nice loud ring, can hear caller loud and clear when call comes through,… Read more

camera takes good photo, colour is really nice, recharges quickly but also runs out quickly. Customer service was really good as returned my emails. Live chat have not had enough training on the phone as I knew more about it than they did only because I downloaded the manual and studied which obviously they had not. Overall a basic mobile for amateurs but not enough GB if you use it for everything. Drawback for me is that there is no full cover available for it only a poxy plastic cover for the back so if you drop it you will be very lucky if you can use it again with no protection. OVERALL, I would thoroughly recommend it but don't expect the quality of a $1,000 dollar mobile.

Reliable good value BUT Help line is useless – I can't get answers to simple help queries. I can't use usb storage to work but my dji drone controller works fine. The help desk will not provide general help. They are geared to product failures. Kogan used to be great, ring up get quick advice or confirm that there is a fault. Now your on your own and noone to complain to.  Show details ·  1

Battery problem – I purchased it from Kogan, but in a short period of time the battery became erratic in its charging, and now it won't charge. The phone worked well, but I cannot get Kogan to give me any details on the return of the phone. The phone itself has performed well in all ways.  Show details ·  1

Great for basic use – The phone has a large screen which has great colour quality. This was a gift for my mother-in-law who is quite tech savvy but does not require state-of-the-art update technology and specs. Has been working very well for phone calls, messaging, app usage and emails. Battery life and system functions have been working well as required. Great for someone that needs basic functions and isn't too fussed about the little details.  Show details

Pretty good value for the price – You pay for what you get with this phone. If you use this phone for the basics, phone calls, SMS and searching the net then this phone is perfectly fine. The Camera is average but all in all the phone is not bad I've never really had any issues with it.  Show details

Terrible~ kogan agora 8 plus – At first I was happy. Then after 7 months things started to wrong. The battery indicator was playing up. Swithing off at 20%. Battery going flat way to soon Next the phone displayed "heating issues" while it was being charged in car. This month the volume buttom got stuck, now the phone will not charge. Not happy. Its a lemon.  Show details

Waste of money – Biggest load of crap I have ever purchased...not user friendly...camera is next to useless..instructions are virtually non existent....even answering the phone is a hassle and you end up missing most calls...alarm clock works ok so that is what it will be from now on. Would not even recommend it for my worst enemy to use....Stay away from it.  Show details

Phone charging and battery life – I bought this phone at the start of this year and when I first got it, it worked well, but all of a sudden I found it very hard and difficult to charge my phone. I also find my battery doesn't last for very long and finally lately I have been trying to find where I can refund this phone and what my warranty is because I am not getting any answers.  Show details

Kogan 8 mobile phone – I purchased a Kogan 8 through Tandy online store December 2017 by June 2018 it had blacked out loosing all photos data everything I had during that time after at least 25 attempts to Kogan and Tandy neither would respond to the problem when your dealing with things you can't replace this has to be the lowest. Ignoring their warranty and not… Read more

responding to the complaint is just rude and bad business

September 6th 2018 Update: No technical help or warranty

I have contacted Kogan 46 times after my 5 month old phone just blacked out loosing everything. Now four months later they have responded but only to request the same information 14 times now they acknowledge receiving the information requested then ask for more. As they've stalled out their replies I've been told by technicians they do this until you give in and forget about it all. Not having a direct contact for them makes it impossible to get anything resolved

Crap phone – I have changed my opinion from a great phone to very bad. Does not hold its charge after less than a year. Microphone is so bad and people always complain that my voice cuts in and out, even with full bars reception. Always have to use headphones when making or receiving calls.  Show details

No active warranty or repairs – I hadn't even had the phone 6 months when it blacked out loosing photos numbers everything absolutely no reply from dick smith whom I purchased it from. I ve basically lost all our newborns baby videos everything Dick Smith do not reply to any contact . Buy from a real shop where you can actually return goods  Show details

Was OK at first then no updates – I was really pleased with this on paper and when I first got it but things went south pretty quickly. Main issue no updates with some apps "you version is not supported" and the camera is just not good despite being billed as 13 megapixels. Call quality is OK and battery life is good but the lack of updates and super crap never in focus camera ruin it. Won't buy again  Show details

No service, no refund, not working! – Dreadful, phone doesn't work, customer service close to zero and completely useless when do get back to you if ever, they just keep asking what you already told them, completely untrained, a con of a company. Still waiting for a refund after 3 months, they promise the world but just keep conning you!  Show details

This phone is rubbish and terrible customer service – Beware, if anything goes wrong with your goods Kogan makes it very difficult to get a refund. We purchased an Agora 8 phone that for no reason locked and could not be unlocked. It was incredibly difficult to the the phone serviced, we have had to send it back to them after numerous emails back and forwards, now they have asked us for private… Read more

information (email and passwords) for no other reason just to make it difficult to get a refund. We have already bought a Huaweii phone of similar price and has had no problems at all. We do not want the phone back which is very poor quality. Do not be fooled by the marketing and the prices, these guys are just not worth it.

Bad customer service – Once I receive my new kogan Agora 8. I could not get it to turn on every after changing for 10 hours. it took 7 email for kogan to agree to return it. They seem to just replied with generic reply. Even though I explained it was now a charger problem. It was with the phone. As I tried the charger on my other phone. I'm still waiting for. A refund or replacement phone after a week.  Show details

Load of Rubbish – Two of these phones purchased recently. Little use as only for emergency use, one for a disabled person. I could not use mine today when away from home due to it going into an internal self check / diagnostic routine as an endless loop upon start up, then all day long (still happening) with no way to exit or reset. I guess I will have to bin it.… Read more

With Kogan being a non-contactable online Co. I have no opportunity for a remedy. SIM card drawer flimsy.

This phone is not what i ordered and stuffed up all my passwords on my other phone and my laptop and – THis was not the phablet it was supposed to be and and has caused so much problems when the the pre paid runs out i will change provider and any more problems will destroy the phone it has caused so much trouble and i have had previous phones and this is the worst phone i have ever had it stuffed up all my passwords and had to do new and still wont accept the new passwords so the the phone is uselless  Show details

Just what I need it for – Very affordable, have been using this model for a number of months now. Haven't experienced any technical issues. If you rely on the camera for your family holiday pictures. I would upgrade to the next model. Looking for an appropriate ph cover was proven difficult. I also couldn't find a tempered glass screen protector. I easily can use the… Read more

main apps for daily life with out an issue/delay. Coupled with Kogan's mobile plans on a budget I've been successful.

Waste of money – I don't expect much from a phone at this price but still a very disappointing purchase. The ringtone is way too quite and as for the loudspeaker, it might as well not have one at all. Every call made gets automatically saved to favourites list & there seems no way to disable this, so I find I'm constantly calling back numbers in favourites accidentally.  Show details

Great backup phone – Just bought this phone as my back up second phone. It is very good for the price I paid! It has great design with a smooth metallic backing. The phone also already comes with a pre-installed phone screen protector which is a bonus. Very good screen graphics, takes decent photos and battery lasts a long time. It's nice to have a fingerprint scanner on the back of the phone.  Show details

You get what you pay for – For the price $2-300 the Android part was OK the biggest problem came about when you actually tried to talk on the phone, the person on the other end complained of an echo of their own voice every single time. I thought this may have been a problem with the phone company but this has been resolved by using an iPhone 6. I did fit a screen protector but don’t know if this was the cause of the problem.  Show details

Do not waste your time or money – The Kogan Agora 8 is a average cheap phone sold by Kogan. The camera is terrible, the phone is slow and the battery fails to hold its charge. I got this phone a fair while ago but I stopped using it for a better mobile phone. Do not buy it. Just not worth the money.  Show details

OK Phone With Limits – This is an OK phone experience, not top notch but passabe;. Screen lacks a bit of vibrancy and brightness but is large enough and does the job. Camera, well not so much. it works but can't hold a candle to an iPhone or Samsung. It's better to use just one app at a time as can lag a bit if too many are open. Battery life is good- goes for more… Read more

than a full day of normal use and the fingerprint sensor is a good idea.

It's an alright phone, not a champion.

Great value – Considering the price ($199 RRP but you can often get it quite heavily discounted) this phone is a very good budget option. It does everything you want a smartphone to do, it’s nice looking and comfortable in hand. The camera is nothing special, but it still takes a good enough picture. It can be a little laggy but is generally fine. The fingerprint recognition is in a very convenient location!  Show details ·  1

Not bad – Nice phone but almost no instructions, My old LG 400f had 128 pages in it's manual and was great to be able to look something up but the Kogan with many more features had only 16 pages of the most basic of instructions. Not happy with that. It was a bargain at $139 but what's the use if you can't operate it to it's best. Sorry, but only 3 stars for that reason.  Show details

Good phone for the price – My partner bought this as a new work phone, and this phone is serving him pretty well. If it's charged overnight the battery lasts fine through a day of normal use, and having an up-to-date version of Android means it runs most apps without any issue. Call quality is always good, the camera takes great photos, and it's got a big enough screen to show a video to a friend.  Show details

Great value for a smart phone – The phone was purchased because I didn't want to invest in so much money for a smart phone. I had had an iphone so changing to android took some getting used to but it had a lot of excellent features. Big screen, quick processor but there were little things about it that were not quite right compared to an apple product. It was advertised as… Read more ·  1

having two sim card slots, but if one is being used, the other can only be used for 2G which is defunct in Australia.

All in all, for just over $200, it is good value for a smart phone.

Not up to my expectations – There are better phones than this in the market compared to the price range. Not very good with performance and durability. It's only been two months I bought it and it has started to show some functional problems. The finger print scanner is VERY slow. It would suggest Xioami Redmi 4x over that any day by comparing the performance and the price.  Show details

Great value – A very good phone for a great price, very similar to a Samsung phone. Takes very good photos and you don't need filters. Battery doesn't last very long though so need constant charging throughout the day. I would recommend this phone to anyone on a budget plus its unlocked and Kogan phone plans ate the best.  Show details ·  1

Disappointing – About two weeks after purchasing a Kogan agora 8 + along with protective case and screen protector, the screen cracked in two for no reason. After providing a number of close up shots clearly showing that there were no marks to indicate handling had been the cause, Kogan just simply refused to rectify their faulty product. No bargain!  Show details