What to get for new Cell Phone international? - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

SpeedyVV · 2012-01-16, 05:24 PM

Hello:
My contract with Bell is comming to an end

.

I am getting a new job that will require international travel, US, Europe and APAC.

What should I look for? I would love a smartphone that will be reasonable to use worldwide.

THanks

Jase88 · 2012-01-16, 05:28 PM

Bell does offer an add-on for US roaming. Not sure if they do the same for international (non-US) roaming.

I myself typically just buy pre-paid service SIM cards wherever I land internationally. Far cheaper than using a domestic carrier and roaming. Obviously this complicates SMS somewhat...but the aggravation is worth it for me.

Some international carriers--perhaps like Vodaphone--may offer pre-paid SIM's that work in various countries. Though I've never tested this myself.

57 · 2012-01-16, 05:45 PM

Quote:

I am getting a new job that will require international travel, US, Europe and APAC.

Will your employer not supply the phone/service? Are going to freelance and bill?

SpeedyVV · 2012-01-16, 09:37 PM

No, it is a US company, so I will get my own phone\service.

recneps77 · 2012-01-17, 05:06 PM

Get a galaxy nexus and pop in a SIM local to wherever you go.
It's pentaband and fully unlocked. Should work anywhere in the world that has GSM.

(or even if you don't get SIM cards wherever you go, the GN is a pretty nice phone and will support roaming wherever you go that has GSM

)

SpeedyVV · 2012-01-17, 10:32 PM

Thanks recneps77. That does sound good... would the latest iPhone be similar? I mean from a phone perspective, not iOS vs Android.

TorontoColin · 2012-01-18, 12:41 AM

The newest iPhone is unlocked only if you buy it from Apple outright. Buying it on a contract, it will be factory locked to the carrier you buy it from.

SpeedyVV · 2012-01-18, 11:54 AM

What about the Google Nexus? If I buy it from Bell, wont it be locked too?

Or can I buy it somewhere unlocked?

notsure · 2012-01-18, 12:41 PM

^^^ the Google Nexus is supposed to be unlocked no matter who you buy from.

2012-01-16, 05:24 PM	#1
SpeedyVV Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 34	What to get for new Cell Phone international? Hello: My contract with Bell is comming to an end . I am getting a new job that will require international travel, US, Europe and APAC. What should I look for? I would love a smartphone that will be reasonable to use worldwide. THanks

2012-01-16, 05:28 PM	#2
Jase88 Moderator Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Kitchener, ON Posts: 4,109	Bell does offer an add-on for US roaming. Not sure if they do the same for international (non-US) roaming. I myself typically just buy pre-paid service SIM cards wherever I land internationally. Far cheaper than using a domestic carrier and roaming. Obviously this complicates SMS somewhat...but the aggravation is worth it for me. Some international carriers--perhaps like Vodaphone--may offer pre-paid SIM's that work in various countries. Though I've never tested this myself. __________________ DMX 68' tower, HyGain HAM 5 rotator, Antennas Direct 91-XG & C5, Channel Master 7777 preamp, Siemens surge protection

2012-01-18, 12:41 AM	#7
TorontoColin Moderator Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Toronto, Wind Mobile, Rogers Cable, Teksavvy Extreme Cable Posts: 3,232	The newest iPhone is unlocked only if you buy it from Apple outright. Buying it on a contract, it will be factory locked to the carrier you buy it from. __________________ Rules of the Forum \| DHC Help Desk DHC now supports Tapatalk for mobile devices!

2012-01-18, 11:54 AM	#8
SpeedyVV Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 34	What about the Google Nexus? If I buy it from Bell, wont it be locked too? Or can I buy it somewhere unlocked? Last edited by Jase88; 2012-01-18 at 01:45 PM. Reason: Removed unnecessary quote

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2012-01-16, 09:37 PM	#4
SpeedyVV Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 34	No, it is a US company, so I will get my own phone\service.

2012-01-17, 05:06 PM	#5
recneps77 Veteran Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Whitby Posts: 2,815	Get a galaxy nexus and pop in a SIM local to wherever you go. It's pentaband and fully unlocked. Should work anywhere in the world that has GSM. (or even if you don't get SIM cards wherever you go, the GN is a pretty nice phone and will support roaming wherever you go that has GSM )

2012-01-17, 10:32 PM	#6
SpeedyVV Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 34	Thanks recneps77. That does sound good... would the latest iPhone be similar? I mean from a phone perspective, not iOS vs Android.

2012-01-18, 12:41 PM	#9
notsure Veteran Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ottawa, ON; OTA, XBMC, ATV Posts: 1,608	^^^ the Google Nexus is supposed to be unlocked no matter who you buy from.