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Telstra F165

By Joseph Hanlon on 21 December 2007

The F165 is a phone on a mission and it achieves this. Rugged and easy to use with excellent reception for regional areas. HSDPA helps provide a decent mobile TV experience.

Editor's rating:7.4 User rating:4.7

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  Countryman 2000 gave 9/10 on 27/02/2008 16:45 Report abuse

  Good All-Round Mobile Phone...still could be improved...

  • Good: Much better reception, not as good as it should be, but a remarkable difference in once low signal areas.
  • Bad: Could be made stronger for farmer and trades use.
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  Cheezy gave 9/10 on 24/02/2008 00:32 Report abuse

  Reception a little better than my other Next G phones. Not a totally bad phone, easy to use.

  • Good: Large Buttons and Screen
  • Bad: Stupid plastic belt cradle that comes with the phone.
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  Anonamouse gave 4/10 on 23/02/2008 18:45 Report abuse

  Country Phone! What the? The only thing Country is the SIZE.... Its an average phone with average features. I got the phone because the T-Shop said this phone will work where others fail...thats BS! Its not the phones that concern me its the poor network coverage...I travel the World and have no problems with any phone because their networks actually work...maybe we should all protest we pay top dollar for an inferior service. Phones are just a cosmetic thing. I just what a phone to BE A PHONE... not some jazzed up multimedia gadget. This phone lacks everything and more!

  • Good: Phone is practical for outdoor use etc...
  • Bad: The CON is Telstra's poor Network...no Dead Spots...my ***
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  PLO gave 5/10 on 22/02/2008 16:21 Report abuse

  Telstra con again - Country Phone my **** the cheaper under-rated phones such as some Samsungs etc are stronger and work just as well - I have one on trial which so far has not impressed me - reception not much better. The old CDMA phones and network was the best...this new 3G Network is a scam...I have lost 1000's in drop calls and loss of business due to poor networks and phones etc.

  • Good: Its a phone....
  • Bad: Read above....
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  aberfeldy gave 5/10 on 14/02/2008 18:30 Report abuse

  Very good, almost outstanding reception areas that CDMA didn't cover (central Gippsland Vic mountains).

  • Good: Great reception, good battery capacity
  • Bad: Turns off without warning, address book freezes and takes up to a minute to open, very flimsy build, to end calls end key has to be pressed twice, difficult to use text (predictive text won't burn off)
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  anonymous gave 2/10 on 05/02/2008 16:42 Report abuse

  For a phone which is being advertised as a Country phone it is hopeless.

  • Good: big buttons
  • Bad: Flimsy aerial, flimsy case ( it is advertised as " sturdy") the screen is so glarey if you are outside, that is if you can read the small faint fonts in "contacts" and also when someone phones you. Battery and signal display are near impossible to see. and NO my eyesight is excellent! Buttons on side are nuicance going off every time you touch the phone. I am also locked in a 24 months plan. Telstra, who sold me the phone, don't want to know me, and the manufacturers attitude was :tough luck" stay clear of this "lemon"
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  Kim gave 3/10 on 04/02/2008 15:14 Report abuse

  Only had a 165 for 4 3 weeks and it has gone faulty. Coverage on nxt G not as good as my old LG CDMA. LOT OF CALL DROPOUTS.

  • Good: Nothing special over an above previous phone.
  • Bad: Did not come with car charger. Told by telstra it did. Buttons on the side are a pain. Had to go on contact when my old phone worked better and was paid for.
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  turkey tom gave 2/10 on 19/01/2008 22:51 Report abuse

  Ive just purchased a 165 phone,its not rugged its very fragile, the buttons on the side of the phone are a complete balls up, they went off 3 times on the way from the telstra shop to my car, you must be very carefull when picking the phone up and leaving it in your pockets,as touching these buttons lights up the screen and sends the battery flat quickly. The arial thats just as bad ;very fragile,dont handle it in a hurry or it may not be there next time you go to it.Ive come from a nokia 5110, and there seems to be twice as much button pushing to adjust anything and do anything,I think the makers thought we dont have other jobs in our lives,it didn't come with a pouch either ,i cant leave it in my pocket at work or it'll get very dusty and dirty,but this could be a blessing in disguise as it may retire early and i'll buy a different phone,which may be better, the car charger also had to be brought seperately $25. It came with my old nokia and so did the pouch. Im now using a pouch off a different phone sewn up at the sides to protect it till they make one. The buttons all move at once almost synchronised when you press on the outsides of all the other buttons move ,you now like those cheap calculators you by at WA salvage, only they cost $4.99 not $500 like this phone .And dont strain you eyes looking for the battery and signal levels.The phone is only 2 days old I'm not looking forward to the next month of it .Recomend you stay away from this phone,its a pity you can't test drive a phone for a day like cars .I have no one to blame but my self. Im on a 24 month contract I hope the time goes quickly.