The Lumia 800 is the leading Windows Phone launch device for Nokia in the Australian marketplace. However, accompanying the Lumia 800 is a more modestly specced device at a value-for-money smartphone entry price. This is of course, the Lumia 710. Whilst its larger brother takes most of the limelight – it still packs a punch with the same latest Mango 7.5 Windows Phone OS, a 1.4Ghz “Gen2″ processor – and other specs at least broadly in line with the 1st generation of Windows Phone devices. And all this for less than half the price tag of what those handsets were when they launched a little over 12 months ago!

As per the announcement by Nokia on their Facebook page – the Nokia 710 is available on contract through Optus and VirginMobile. Whilst VirginMobile are yet to confirm any prices or plans, Optus finally went live today with both the 710 and flagship launch device, the Lumia 800 today. WPDownUnder had previously linked to the WIP pages and discussed in an earlier post. Pre-orders are now open. Details of the plans Optus are launching on are below:

• Lumia 710, Plan summary (below) and link to Optus page.
• Lumia 800, Plan summary (below) and link to Optus page.

WPDownUnder has put together a basic analysis of both plans – comparing these to the Optus BYO plan. Readers should do their own research – as the summary we have attached does not take into account call rates or other “small print” charges for message bank etc that each plan may have. Our review is just the headline Monthly Contract offer + MRO payment and call value and Data.  It yields some interesting results.

1. Based on a “street” outright price difference b/w the 800 and 710 of ~+$249, both the $19 & $29 Optus plans charge more than this for the Lumia 800 versus the 710 over the term of the contract (most significantly on the $29 plan).
2. On the $49 Optus plan (the first Optus Lumia 800 plan with no MRO extra) over 24 months, a Lumia 800 is only costing you $98 more than the Lumia 710, or just over $4 a month! (saves you ~$150).
3. Unless you REALLY love and want a Lumia 710 – if you take a $59 or $79 plan – you will pay EXACTLY the same amount over 24 months as you would for the Lumia 800.  A no brainer really – with 800 being almost $250 more as a handset.
4. The OPTUS BYO plan doesn’t really justify an outright purchase – unless you need extra call/data value on either the $29 or $59 plan – where you can bridge the price gap/value to the next contract plan.  Better value might be gained via an outright purchase and then a 3rd party plan/cap (Woolies, Independents etc).

Here’s our full analysis as a PDF for those that are interested: LINK. Please let me know if you see any errors, oh – and buyer beware (do your own plan research please)! (updated V2 analysis with corrections – tnx Narna)

Here’s a video of the Lumia 710 for those that haven’t seen much of it just yet:

I mentioned a surprise….WPDownUnder confirmed exclusively with Nokia Australia earlier today that whilst the Lumia 710 is launching on contract (and outright sale) with Optus and VirginMobile via the 900band 3G Network frequency) – selected Nokia Australia’s retail partners, eg JB Hi-Fi, will have a separate (NOT QUAD BAND!) 850band unlocked Lumia 710 device for sale in March, which can take full advantage of Telstra’s as well as the new Vodafone network 3G speeds. WOOT, great news for customers of those carriers looking to grab a cheep and cheery Gen2 Windows Phone device!  We will confirm retail partners as we learn more.

Another Lumia 710 promotional tool that WPDownUnder has been able to track down is this 1-page PDF from the global Nokia site (all specifications outlined can’t be confirmed by WPDownUnder). Click for the full PDF version.

So there you have it. Some news, analysis and an exclusive on the Lumia 710 for the Australian market. Let us know if you are planning to grab one of these babies next month – and what appeals about this economy Gen2 device with benefits!

Sheeds.