Android Phone Unlocked that works overseas.

[Deactivated] on 02/07/2012 - 15:28

I'm looking at purchasing an unlocked android phone that i will more than likely be using on the Vodafone or Optus network, (definitiely not Telstra.) Also i need it to be unlocked and able to use in Europe.

So far i'm looking at these 3 phones:

LG Optimus 2x (Approx $250 on ebay.)

Htc One V ($278 Kogan.)

Samsung Galaxy W ($259 vodafone store.) (Not sure if it comes unlocked.)

I'm not really sure what phone works best on what network and will work in Europe. If anyone can suggest one of the above or a phone as good around the same price range i'd appreciate it.

thanks.

Find Me A Bargain

Comments

  • georgedeka on 02/07/2012 - 15:46

    Something with quadband 3G should work almost everywhere
    Look up the countries that you are travelling to and what 3G band they use.

    If the phone is for optus you only need 900/2100
    Vodafone 900/2100 will work however, you will get better quality data etc if you use a 850/900/2100 phone (of which it appears that the One V is - not sure about the others)

  • _Bruce_ on 02/07/2012 - 15:49

    What you need to know is UMTS frequency. Here are the providers:
    Optus: 900/2100
    Telstra: 850/2100
    Vodafone: 850/900/2100
    Europe: 900/2100

    So if you don't care about telstra you only need 900/2100. The catch is Vodafone, who are doing most new stuff in 850, where as their existing stuff is a mix of 900 and 2100, so it is a mess.

    LG: This phone does 900/2100, OK apart from the vodafone note.

    HTC: This phone does 850/900/2100, so you are fine.

    Samsung: This is 900/2100, as per LG.

    Note that the phone will either need to be on a roaming plan or be unlocked for you to use a local sim (usually cheaper).

    Also Note that in other parts of the world things are different again.

  • ESEMCE on 02/07/2012 - 16:35

    Depends where you're going and what the network type is on the network you'll connect to overseas.
    US networks are largely CDMA based, so no Aussie phone will connect to some of them.

  • scrimshaw on 02/07/2012 - 20:51

    If you go the World Time Zone website, you can see a table listing the GSM&UMTS mobile frequencies used by each country:

    http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html

    That should help you work out which phone to buy.

    As Bruce points out, I think the HTC One V is your best bet for European coverage and Vodafone support.

  • Postulative on 03/07/2012 - 10:51

    Last time my wife and I went to Disneyland we each picked up a $20 disposable. Much cheaper and easier than taking along our own phones and reconfiguring. And paying roaming or getting a local SIM.

    • _Bruce_ on 03/07/2012 - 12:16

      Depends what you are doing. If you want to use your phone for email, gps, booking hotels, flight check ins, even connecting to the hotel TV if you have HDMI then I would take my phone over a laptop in a second.

      In europe at least, US is more broken.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/07/2012 - 19:24

    Thanks for the replies and explaining network types really appreciate it. After consideration i'll be going with the HTC One V, seems like i'll have all bases covered with that phone. Thanks again.

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