Buying a Phone Overseas
I'm going to Korea in a few months and have been following some of the upcoming PDA phone releases. As we all know, the US seems to get them last, and while buying through mobilebee.com or other online merchants presents availability, is it cheaper to just buy the phone myself in asia? Would they even sell a usuable GSM phone in the US (850/1900 version) for sale if they have the same phone which is used on other frequencies over there? Some phones I was considering were the Sony M600, Nokia E61 and 9300, Samsung i320 and Moto Q (doubtful due to CDMA release first). Any suggestions would be great.
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From my recollection, Korea uses a CDMA network. I did do some ventures to Hong Kong and you can get GSM unlocked phones there that are as you correctly state, released earlier than here in the US, and find that when the product is first released here (if it does) it goes for the same price inially than what I paid overseas (given currency exchange). Thus, I would seriously consider buying a phone in those markets. Just make sure that it's a GSM phone.
Some other items to consider - most of the phones they sell over there have European plugs. Make sure then the power supply can be used with 110/120V and 60 Hz so you can use it in the US (most of the supplies have it stamped on the plug). Then all you'll have to get is an adapter. If...
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Some other items to consider - most of the phones they sell over there have European plugs. Make sure then the power supply can be used with 110/120V and 60 Hz so you can use it in the US (most of the supplies have it stamped on the plug). Then all you'll have to get is an adapter. If...
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Right now my only plans are to travel to Korea.
Is the CDMA used in S. Korea the same CDMA that is used by Verizon/Sprint? I know Sprint doesn't allow non-sprint branded phones, so unless I could use a CDMA phone from there on the Verizon network it doesn't sound like it's worth buying anything over there, unless they do sell GSM phones for other Asian users who travel a lot within the continent.
Would you have any other phone suggestions to keep an eye out for other than the ones I mentioned???
Is the CDMA used in S. Korea the same CDMA that is used by Verizon/Sprint? I know Sprint doesn't allow non-sprint branded phones, so unless I could use a CDMA phone from there on the Verizon network it doesn't sound like it's worth buying anything over there, unless they do sell GSM phones for other Asian users who travel a lot within the continent.
Would you have any other phone suggestions to keep an eye out for other than the ones I mentioned???
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I believe they are on a CDMA network band similar to GSM in the region - 900MHz. And if I'm not mistaken, similar to GSM phones you need a world phone which has the capability between 850 MHz and 900 MHz. I believe this is why Sprint and Verizon force you to buy through them...you need to know how to program your phone to meet their requirements. I'm sure there are sites which you can find to help you with the code if you buy things overseas.
Sorry, can't help you with phone suggestions - not being from the industry, I'm not sure what's available in CDMA for smartphones which you can buy overseas and re-program to meet your carrier's requirements here.
Again, good luck.
Sorry, can't help you with phone suggestions - not being from the industry, I'm not sure what's available in CDMA for smartphones which you can buy overseas and re-program to meet your carrier's requirements here.
Again, good luck.
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scubadvr1 said:
I believe they are on a CDMA network band similar to GSM in the region - 900MHz. And if I'm not mistaken, similar to GSM phones you need a world phone which has the capability between 850 MHz and 900 MHz. I believe this is why Sprint and Verizon force you to buy through them...you need to know how to program your phone to meet their requirements. I'm sure there are sites which you can find to help you with the code if you buy things overseas.
Sorry, can't help you with phone suggestions - not being from the industry, I'm not sure what's available in CDMA for smartphones which you can buy overseas and re-program to meet your carrier's requirements here.
Again, good luck.
It has noth...
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And this is why all my statements start with I BELIEVE.
Try helping the poor chap out rather than trying to pick apart what I said. Or everyone else for that matter.
Try helping the poor chap out rather than trying to pick apart what I said. Or everyone else for that matter.
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Thanks to everyone for your input. I don't think I'll go with the hassle of re-programming any phone for CDMA. I was hoping there would be more GSM phones which would be worth looking into. Overall it sounds like anything GSM that might be worth it will be tri-band 900/1800/1900 which should work OK in the US. Worst case, I'll at least get to see working units of GSM phones in Asia as a preview to what the US might receive and provide some feedback for users here on Phonescoop.
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