This is how I modified my Telstra ZTE F165 car phone cradle, to accept my later Telstra T165i phone.

PS interested in Buying My near new ZTE165i ($250) or the pre-loved ZTE F165 ($150) just drop me an email.  specs below. Free Post anywhere in Australia.

Firstly, get a circular grind stone, fit to a drill and grind out a small ammount of Plastic from the bottom portion of the cradle, this needs to be done as the newer T165i phone has a wider body because of the grip material around the phone casing.

With a stanley knife / box cutter cut some material from the two side grips to allow the phone to easily and neatly drop into the cradle, make sure the Aerial socket is exposed on the phone.

Grinding and cutting took only a few minutes and was done in car, If I was to do another I would use a smaller grind stone, as you see it was too big for the task.

Phone can be then gripped by the cradle as was the older F165, also Cut with a hacksaw a slot that allows the Charger plug to enter the side of the phone (instedad of the bottom).

All works as did the F165 , ( although a low tone is heard thru the car kit speaker when the plug is connected).

Usage to date shows all is good. battery charges as normal.

I can also us the phone in LoudSpeaker mode and not have the charge cable connected.

This very quick mod has saved over $400 AUD not to mention the cost of ripping the still usable car kit out and fitting the newer more expensive Bluetooth kit.

165i Features:

• Daylight viewable TFT LCD display
• FM radio#, MP3 player and ringtones
• A-GPS (Assisted Global Positioning System) support
• Tri band UMTS, Quad band GSM
• Extendable antenna
• Bluetooth 1.2 with stereo headset support
• 2.0 megapixel auto-focus camera with digital zoom
• Dual camera design for video calling
• T-Flash (1) memory up to 4GB microSDHC
• Personal organiser / calendar
• Speakerphone
• Java MIDP 2.0 for games and applications
• USB connectivity included
• Compatible with handsfree car kit (2) with external antenna
• Predictive text and built in dictionary for easy SMS
• Large Li-ion battery for long life
• Next G Blue Ticked

Specifcation:

• UMTS 850 / 1900 / 2100 MHz
• HSDPA 7.2 Mbps*
• GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz
• 250 hours standby, 3.5 hours talk time (3)
• TFT display 240 x 320, 262K colours
• Java MIDP 2.0
• Bluetooth 1.2 - FTP / HFP / A2DP (Stereo) / DUN
• Size 117mm x 51mm x 16mm
• Weight 119g (including standard battery)

Comes with:

• USB cable
• Windows 2000 (SP4), XP (SP2), Vista compatible PC software
• MAC OS drivers and Dial Up Client
• Personal handsfree kit
• AC charger
• User manual
• ______________________________________________________
  

 ZTE F165 per loved-

has some scratches and wear n tear , But still works great and has best coverage of all ZTE phones, even better than the latest ones.....