Need international/unlocked GSM phone w/ swap battery & SD expansion

[EliteRetard]

Operation on at least 850MHz. What options are available?

I found the Samsung Galaxy S5 seems to fit the requirements (tons of versions, unsure exact one/s yet).

 

[paperwastage]

2G or 3G or 4G/LTE?

for 2G, quadband support would be enough for most of the world (850, 900, 1800, 1900). most phones would support this now

for 3G, pentaband support would be enough for most of the world (bands 1, 2, 4, 5, 8). some phones only support quad band (missing band 4 or 8), some phones support pentaband

for LTE, there isn't a global phone that supports all... closest would be nexus 6 (there are two models) and iPhone 6/6S (two main models as well). but they don't have swappable battery/SD. 850mhz band 5 or 850mhz band 26?

http://prepaid-data-sim-card.wikia.com/wiki/Network_Compatibility_of_common_phones


if you only care about 2G/3G, I'd wager that all of the modern phones (past 2-3 years) would have 850mhz support. The major phones with removable battery/SD card would be the LG G3, Samsung line (pre-S6/note)

 

[EliteRetard]

Thanks for the info, are those my only options (G3, S5, Note 4)? After doing some comparison it appears the S5 is much better than the G3...with the Note 4 pretty much being a bigger more expensive version of the S5. Note 3 being older, slower, and just as expensive as the S5 leaves it out.

Seems that would make the choice easy then, but it doesn't. There's an S5, S5 mini, S5 sport, S5 active, S5 plus, etc etc. and there are tons of model numbers like:
SM-G900A (AT&T), SM-G900F, SM-G900H, SM-G900I, SM-G900R4, SM-G900T (T-Mobile), SM-G900V (Verizon), SM-G900RZWAUSC (U.S. Cellular), SM-G900P (Sprint), SM-G900W8 (Canadian LTE), SM-G900FD (Dual SIM)

I pulled these off Wikipedia, and I've run into many more than they have listed. Some are "explained" (carrier specific versions, same otherwise?) but most are not. Then I see there are indeed various hardware versions, with what looks like 3 CPU options, different RAM amounts, and at least 2 resolution options.

The goal here is to get a good quality phone for as cheap as possible, $700+ for the newest thing seems unnecessary. Nearly half that ($400) for some versions of the S5 looks like a better deal...but some versions are indeed $700+. I'm pulling all this from Amazon, where I plan to buy the phone. Why are there so many options and prices? The Note 4 seems to hover around $550-600, seems much better than a $600-700 S5.

Tempted to get a simple $200 mid range phone like the Asus Zenphone 2...but it's terrible battery life (with no interchangeable option) would make it almost useless where it's going to be for the next 2-5 years. Theft is also a concern, and replacement phones not an option (would have to get another from the US)

Actually, that's an issue as well...sim card sizes. The only option is going to be a standard sim size. If I have a phone with mini/micro/nano whatever, is it possible I can somehow make it work? I know they have devices to transfer stuff off sim cards here in the US, can I get one? Will they go from standard to any smaller size?

 

[notposting]

You didn't specify - is Android a requirement? The low-mid Nokia/MS WP devices (especially some of these later ones) are tailor made for international, usually have swappable batteries, microSD, dual-SIM options, on the mid-level you get Clearblack (or Clearblack Lite) displays, and relatively decent cameras. Something to consider.

 

[EliteRetard]

You didn't specify - is Android a requirement? The low-mid Nokia/MS WP devices (especially some of these later ones) are tailor made for international, usually have swappable batteries, microSD, dual-SIM options, on the mid-level you get Clearblack (or Clearblack Lite) displays, and relatively decent cameras. Something to consider.

I don't think android is required, but do need a good quality phone with good performance that will last several years of hard use. The phone is going to act as a primary computer...so want to avoid low end/slow options.

The phone needs to be able to load/use maps offline and carry language translation software offline, among other things. Hence the need for SD expansion. Also need to be able to run without access to power for a few days (or swap in spare batteries).

Any specific models you had in mind?

 

[notposting]

Probably something along the lines of the 640 (5") or 640 XL (5.7") fit the bill. If you can find a 1520 at a good price, it could be a steal. Though it does NOT have a swappable battery (but it is 3400 mAh).

HERE maps, and Bing Translator both offer offline usage - download needed bits ahead of time of course. Translator can do text/images in offline mode. Larger screen versions might be appreciated of course.

Double check, but I think the 640/XL are coming with 8.1 Update 2 currently, which also allows Bluetooth keyboard/mouse, and Miracast or USB for screen output. Not sure how good Windows 10 will be on the phone, but as a mobile-slash-desktop it could be nice for you.

Android will likely offer more local custom apps however, and have more local options for spare batteries, etc, especially depending where you are. But, an option to consider.

 

[paperwastage]

Seems that would make the choice easy then, but it doesn't....

Ignore any CDMA versions (Sprint, US Cellular...). Verizon might be fine, AT&T would be best bet (they use 850mhz 2G and 3G), T-mobile phones might be missing 850mhz 2G and 3G

Actually, that's an issue as well...sim card sizes. The only option is going to be a standard sim size. If I have a phone with mini/micro/nano whatever, is it possible I can somehow make it work? I know they have devices to transfer stuff off sim cards here in the US, can I get one? Will they go from standard to any smaller size?

you can always cut a standard sim -> mini/micro

nano sim card is techncially thinner than standard/mini/micro... you could try cutting, but the card might get stuck in the slot-> don't do this for phones with sim trays, only for phones with visible sim slots where you can remove it




SM-G900A goes around $400 (AT&T S5)
LG Optimus G Pro, around $200?
LG G Stylo, LG G Vista, LGG3 Vigro, LG Nitro HD, Samsung Mega 1/2?

try-> http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/finder.php. I checked AT&T/Tmo, >720p display, memory slot, removable battery, got mostly LG/Samsung phones

The goal here is to get a good quality phone for as cheap as possible, $700+ for the newest thing seems unnecessary.

for those who hate 5inch+ phones, Z3 compact @ $400 is actually the best bet.... it doesn't have removable battery, but everyone raves about the battery life, has microSD, flagship specs in mini body, D5803 version has a lot of 2G/3G/LTE compatibility... too bad Sony USA discontinued it (you can still buy it from B&H/amazon/...)

 

[spdfreak]

I second the good used WP option... great international phones.

 

[EliteRetard]

O.K. I think I'm getting confused with all this band stuff. There's more than one type with the same frequency? It looked like all I needed was something with 850MHz to work, but it seems I was wrong/confused.

I'm going to try to get a bit more specific, much appreciated if you're willing to help me more.

I want the phone to work correctly with T-Mobile in the USA (no contract, cheap, easy to get, can swap sim/carrier anytime, can jump on with friends/family who all have it), as well as South American countries using Claro (apparently largest/best option and also sim based). Time in the USA will be relatively short (few months), South America will be 2-5 years (kind of unknown really, could be longer)...and I need the phone to reliably make calls most anywhere. Data isn't critical, and may not even be available most of the time, so many things need to be downloaded on an SD card for offline use. If I can get data and it's not terribly expensive, it'll probably be useful where available...otherwise WiFi to get necessary data.

I really don't know what 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, EDGE, GSM, CDMA, UMTS, HSPA, GPRS etc etc...all that crap means. No idea what I need to get good reliable coverage, in the US or South America.

Doing some searches on the international version of the S5 (G900F) I found some T-Mobile info that suggests the phone only works on 2G (roaming?) in the US and that it's a bad thing. I searched for T-Mobile spectrum and got this:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-Mobile_US

Looks like T-Mobile only works with Band 2, 4, and 6 and somehow the bands work as multiple things. The S5 G900F though says it works on 4G / LTE band 2...so shouldn't that mean that it would work on 4G and LTE on T-Mobile here?

My research on Claro suggested I needed GSM 850MHz. Acording to the G900F specs I found it says it supports 4G / LTE Band 5, which appears to be the 850Mhz spectrum I need (based on that T-Mobile wiki page). But it's not GSM. Or something?

Like I said, I'm confused. I see 850MHz listed as Quad Band, GSM, UMTS, and 4G /LTE all at the same time in some places, without band numbers. What does that mean?

I guess I need to find more info on Claro, and I have the website, but it's all in Spanish. I'm having a hard time with this band/spectrum stuff already...and not getting solid info on the most used/available frequencies that Claro uses (other than the 850Mhz I got). I think Ecuador is going to be "home base", so working there the best/most would be good.

I have found lists like this:

http://www.gsma.com/latinamerica/gsma-la-operators

But it's a list only for GSM(A?)...not all the other stuff. So I have no idea how complete that info is, or what frequencies of the other stuff they support. So I still have no idea what version of which phone I want/need. I think I need to understand all this spectrum crap first, and could use help putting together a proper list of the specific frequency, band, spectrum, and/or types I actually need to look for in both countries.

Again, very much appreciated if you can help me sort this out.

 

[s44]

Check Wikpedia:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_planned_LTE_networks

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_UMTS_networks
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_HSDPA_networks

Basically, it looks like there's a lot of 850, 1900, AWS (1700/2100 aka band 4) and 2100 used for 3G (UTMS/HSPA), with some 900 thrown in. That's good because US models should cover those. For LTE you see some refarming of the above bands (also good), with some additional 2600 (band 7) and 1800 (band 3) deployment.

The T-Mo S5 covers all of those except 3G on 900. The Euro-international model (the F) covers that but doesn't cover AWS, either in 3G or 4G. The G900M (originally for Vodafone?) covers both of those but doesn't cover 1800 in LTE. Amazingly, you can actually get this latter model in the US, and IMO it's the best coverage (one less-used LTE band is the smallest loss).

You could also get a Note 4 with coverage of the two new bands being built out down there, 28 (another variant of 700) and 40 (2300), but there's no model that has both of those and doesn't drop either 900 3G or AWS.

Using a Windows Phone as a primary computing device seems a rather deep circle of hell, so I'd ignore that suggestion.

 

[paperwastage]

I really don't know what 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, EDGE, GSM, CDMA, UMTS, HSPA, GPRS etc etc...all that crap means. No idea what I need to get good reliable coverage, in the US or South America.

yeah, it's a mess.. that's why people stick with buying directly with a carrier phone

we have different types of technologies -> 2G (EDGE, GSM, GRPS CDMA), 3G (UMTS, HSPA), 4G LTE...

Every newer version provides more benefits (faster data speeds, more efficient use of spectrum). However, each phone needs to implement the "older"/legacy systems to ensure backward compatibility

Within each version (let's pick 2G), there is a document specifying which frequencies are being used. Most countries use the stuff highlighed blue (850, 900, 1800, 1900), and most phones have support for those... That's why I asked you to look for a quadband 2G phone, and you'll be 100% covered for 2G

For 3G, there are more bands . There are 5 bands (out of 26) that cover most deployments, that's why I ask you to look for a pentaband 3G phone, and you'll be covered for most of the deployments worldwide (except Japan)

For 4G LTE, it's even more complicated. There are 44 bands so far, almost all of them are in use by different countries, no single phone that supports all of them.

When you say you want "850mhz GSM"... does GSM refer to 2G, or 3G, or LTE? A lot of people refer to 2G and 3G and LTE as the "GSM standard" or GSM

If you want 850mhz 2G/3G, then look for a quadband 2G and pentaband 3G phone. If you want 850mhz LTE, figure out the band number, and you need a LTE phone that supports that band

 

[EliteRetard]

[size=+10] Thank You! [/size]

With all the information here I double checked the specific recommendations, and I think I've got my best option. Would've still been a pain trying to figure out which of the 100+ (literally) S5 varients/options would work...so thanks for some specific model info. I just like the combination of features on the S5, swap battery w SD and it happens to be water/dirt resistant which I'm sure will be very useful out in the bushes.

I see conflicting reports on the G900m, whether it supports Band 4 1700Mhz. I still think it looks like a good option though, with 850MHz on 2G, 3G, and 4G. Now the only problem is where to buy it.

I see only one option on Amazon, in black or white, from some third party seller. Not sure I want to risk getting a used/hacked/fake version. Looking elsewhere the only other option I found was B&H Photo...don't know if they're really trustworthy either, never used them. Tons of complaints on BBB and despite a good looking rating on resellerratings the actual review stats seem poor (only 50% positive).

Anyway, [size=+1] thanks again. [/size]

 

[s44]

B&H is a real store in NYC, quite legit.

 

[EliteRetard]

B&H is a real store in NYC, quite legit.

I did see that, but there's a sizable amount of bad stuff said about them. Especially any customer service related stuff.

If I do order from them I want to be 100% sure I'm getting a brand new, unopened, retail package containing the exact version I want. So basically I think I'm going to wait until Monday and try to contact them. I'll see how the customer sales department goes...and if I like what I hear I'll probably order from them. Unless I can find a better option/seller at a similar price ($400-450).

Thanks.

 

[paperwastage]

B&H is legit...

they have an actual store front in nyc 34th & 9. Interesting store with conveyor belts and everything

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVg_M6-Wl6U



I have ordered from them instore and online as well, no issues

(other places aren't that legit)

 

[EliteRetard]

Thanks, that place looks crazier than Walmart on black Friday lol.

I guess I'll question you guys once more.

I noticed a dual sim version of the S5, the SM-900FD. The idea/option to use more than one sim was interesting...enough that I wanted to investigate. According to the Amazon page it has almost the same spectrum as the SM-900M but I have some reason to doubt the info in this case.

I'm having a hard time confirming anything on this model...is there a good resource to find the supported frequencies/bands on phones? Or can you guys find anything on the 900FD? If it's not as good as the 900M I'll skip it, but if it's nearly the same I may go for it. I like the fact that I can get the 900FD version for less directly from Amazon (have prime and $250+ in gift cards for extra incentive).

 

[Crono]

Thanks, that place looks crazier than Walmart on black Friday lol.

I guess I'll question you guys once more.

I noticed a dual sim version of the S5, the SM-900FD. The idea/option to use more than one sim was interesting...enough that I wanted to investigate. According to the Amazon page it has almost the same spectrum as the SM-900M but I have some reason to doubt the info in this case.

I'm having a hard time confirming anything on this model...is there a good resource to find the supported frequencies/bands on phones? Or can you guys find anything on the 900FD? If it's not as good as the 900M I'll skip it, but if it's nearly the same I may go for it. I like the fact that I can get the 900FD version for less directly from Amazon (have prime and $250+ in gift cards for extra incentive).

GSMArena usually has bands listed for most phones.

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s5_duos-6272.php

 

[s44]

Yeah, the dual-SIM doesn't have AWS, which seems way too prevalent in South America to skip.

Also, it will have fewer software/mod options than the G900m, making it harder to do stuff like this if you want to fool around:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s5/general/how-to-add-rf-lte-frequency-bands-to-t2886059

edit - btw, B&H respects the Sabbath, so you can't order until sundown today