new title: going to netherlands, would like unlocked android cheap, suggestions

[ElFenix]

going to europe in a couple weeks and i know my sprint phone won't work there. so i'd like an unlocked gsm phone to use. and it'd be nice if it were android. and even nicer if it were under $150. options seem to be lg optimus gt540 for about $130 and samsung galaxy 5 for about $130. there's probably some huawei or other chinese maker ive never heard of also selling something.

then i found that tmo is selling the optimus t refurb for $119. seems like a halfway decent android phone, better than the galaxy 5 or gt540. and it doesn't seem to have any strings attached. $119 and they never see me again. $20 unlocking later and i'm home free.

so a) am i right that i don't have to buy anything else from tmo? no nasty letters and knocks on my credit report if i don't buy a bunch of minutes?
b) any other phones i should consider?

there's a lot of stuff on craigslist for 'unlocked' but there's a lot of shadiness.

 

[pm]

You often can buy them over there for the same or less than you can here, and you will have a lot more choices.

You didn't say where in Europe you are going, but for example:
http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/pay-as-you-go (United Kingdom)
http://www.carphonewarehouse.ie/category/Pre-Pay-Phones/1_1 (Ireland)

Before you buy something here, check the pricing of wherever you are headed. They are all unlocked over there, and if you spend enough you can get the tax back in most countries.

As far as (a)., you should ask T-Mobile, but I didn't like the wording of the checkout screen where they said "Please enter your billing address. We'll use it to qualify you for your account. No P.O. boxes, please." The words "your account" didn't sound reassuring. But I'd talk to T-Mo and see what they say.

 

[ElFenix]

You often can buy them over there for the same or less than you can here, and you will have a lot more choices.

You didn't say where in Europe you are going, but for example:
http://www.carphonewarehouse.com/pay-as-you-go (United Kingdom)
http://www.carphonewarehouse.ie/category/Pre-Pay-Phones/1_1 (Ireland)

Before you buy something here, check the pricing of wherever you are headed. They are all unlocked over there, and if you spend enough you can get the tax back in most countries.

going to amsterdam. unfortunately i can't read dutch very well. if i got it here i could also spend time here loading it up with software, etc., rather than spending time doing it there. and i can use it to entertain myself on the plane.

As far as (a)., you should ask T-Mobile, but I didn't like the wording of the checkout screen where they said "Please enter your billing address. We'll use it to qualify you for your account. No P.O. boxes, please." The words "your account" didn't sound reassuring. But I'd talk to T-Mo and see what they say.

i'll probably just sit and read the t&c later this week if no one knows for certain.

 

[ImDonly1]

T-mobile US 3g bands are not compatible with other countries. Which means no data only call/text or wifi.

If it is prepaid, then no I don't expect any strings attached. Same as if you would buy a prepaid phone from walmart. Once you get it, it is yours.

 

[pm]

T-mobile US 3g bands are not compatible with other countries. Which means no data only call/text or wifi.

If it is prepaid, then no I don't expect any strings attached. Same as if you would buy a prepaid phone from walmart. Once you get it, it is yours.

I was going to write that too, but I checked the specs of the phone, and it looked to me like it's EU compatible. "UMTS 2100"... that's EU.

 

[jpeyton]

Buy a Samsung Galaxy S Captivate (AT&T GSM version) wherever you want (Craigslist, eBay, AT&T Store, etc.).

Download a free app from the Android Market called "Samsung Galaxy S Unlock Tool".

Voila. You have a Euro-GSM-compatible unlocked Android handset with good developer support.

 

[ElFenix]

T-mobile US 3g bands are not compatible with other countries. Which means no data only call/text or wifi.

If it is prepaid, then no I don't expect any strings attached. Same as if you would buy a prepaid phone from walmart. Once you get it, it is yours.

eh? it'd still get EDGE while over there even if it didn't get "3G" UMTS service (EDGE meets the specs for IMT2000 which makes it 3G though AT&T hadn't come up with the marketing genius of "3G" at the time). that should get me data.

i seem to recall some hot deals or fatwallet talk from back in the day where you'd be required to purchase x amount of minutes in the next x amount of months after signing up for a prepay from at&t. so that's why i'm asking

 

[ElFenix]

Buy a Samsung Galaxy S Captivate (AT&T GSM version) wherever you want (Craigslist, eBay, AT&T Store, etc.).

Download a free app from the Android Market called "Samsung Galaxy S Unlock Tool".

Voila. You have a Euro-GSM-compatible unlocked Android handset with good developer support.

nice phone. craigslist scammers seem to want <$200 for that or it's tmo vibrant variant. i feel like i'd need a burner just to text them for info.

like this guy. i've been looking on craigslist for a few days now and "eddy" is selling a lot of phones.

 

[jpeyton]

~$175-$200 is the going rate for a SGS off contract in good condition.

You can always go to a cell shop if you don't like Craigslist.

 

[ImDonly1]

eh? it'd still get EDGE while over there even if it didn't get "3G" UMTS service (EDGE meets the specs for IMT2000 which makes it 3G though AT&T hadn't come up with the marketing genius of "3G" at the time). that should get me data.

i seem to recall some hot deals or fatwallet talk from back in the day where you'd be required to purchase x amount of minutes in the next x amount of months after signing up for a prepay from at&t. so that's why i'm asking

pm was right. I didn't look at the specs of the optimus t. It goes have UMTS 2100 which is euro 3g. Should be good.

 

[kaerflog]

1) Buy a Samsung Vibrant. I got one 7 months ago for $225 of CL so it should be close to $150 now. I say Vibrant instead of Captivate is its much easier to get one unlocked. t-mo customers can get their phones unlocked with ease.
-Or get a HD2 which will even be cheaper but its a hassle to get it to run Android without problems.
-If you are too afraid to deal with CL, then get one of the more inferior Android phones that cost more.
2) Pretty much all ATT and T-Mo smartphones have 2100mhz 3G band which is mostly compatible worldwide.
- I don't see the need for 3G when you are traveling for a few weeks.
I travel alot and I need a phone to make calls/text, etc...
If you want to surf the web, wifi are available everywhere.

 

[ponyo]

Captivate or Vibrant can be unlocked easily with the free Galaxy S unlock app from the Google App store. Takes like 5 seconds. No need to call AT&T or T-Mobile for the unlock code.

Or you can get AT&T or T-Mobile "7 Galaxy Tab and unlock it for free using the simple instructions on XDA. Then flash European Gingerbread firmware and use it as a phone and tablet. This would be the option I would choose.

Captivate, Vibrant, or GSM Galaxy Tab should all be around $200 or so used.

 

[lupi]

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/LG-Optimus-T-Google-Titanium-Prepaid-Refurbished

?

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

you won't get EDGE in Europe or Asia. They don't use EDGE. That's an Americas thing. They use even slower GPRS... lol. I always forget because I expect to be able to use EDGE overseas with my other phone, but am always disappointed as it says GPRS ><

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_EDGE_networks

With that said even if T-Mobile's 3G bands are not compatible, most T-Mobile phones have the 2100 band meaning you can get UMTS 3G in Europe. Additionally, I'm pretty sure almost every phone now is 2G quad band compatible.

Pick up a Vibrant or Captivate or even the OEM 850/1900 SGS or the Euro SGS. Preferably pick the one that you may one day use in the US.

 

[ElFenix]

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/LG-Optimus-T-Google-Titanium-Prepaid-Refurbished

?

whoa even cheaper today

 

[jpeyton]

I say Vibrant instead of Captivate is its much easier to get one unlocked.

They unlock exactly the same; it takes 60 seconds using the free Android market app.

However, the Vibrant won't operate on AT&T's 3G bands. The Captivate will operate on both AT&T and T-Mobile's 3G bands, making it a more desirable unlocked phone.

 

[jpeyton]

LG Optimus T

Screen
Size: 320 X 480 pixels
Dimensions: 3.2 inches

That screen size/resolution makes baby Hayzeus cry.

 

[kaerflog]

They unlock exactly the same; it takes 60 seconds using the free Android market app.

However, the Vibrant won't operate on AT&T's 3G bands. The Captivate will operate on both AT&T and T-Mobile's 3G bands, making it a more desirable unlocked phone.

You have it the other way around.
The Vibrant has the 1900mhz ATT 3G band but ATT don't use that band for 3G much anymore.
They started moving all 3G to the more desirable 850mhz band.

I know about the free unlock thing.
I got the Captivate a long time ago and unlocked it myself.
Then I got the Vibrant and couldn't do it.
I researched and found out that if the phone got the over air update, you couldn't unlock it.
I haven't not try the free Google unlock app. If someone tried it lately and say that it works, then I won't argue that fact.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

You have it the other way around.
The Vibrant has the 1900mhz ATT 3G band but ATT don't use that band for 3G much anymore.
They started moving all 3G to the more desirable 850mhz band.

I know about the free unlock thing.
I got the Captivate a long time ago and unlocked it myself.
Then I got the Vibrant and couldn't do it.
I researched and found out that if the phone got the over air update, you couldn't unlock it.
I haven't not try the free Google unlock app. If someone tried it lately and say that it works, then I won't argue that fact.

Newer 3G is 850, but I guarantee you a lot of 1900 3G is still here in the Bay Area. I did field tests on iPhone 3GS before and I have yet to find 850 service.

They unlock exactly the same; it takes 60 seconds using the free Android market app.

However, the Vibrant won't operate on AT&T's 3G bands. The Captivate will operate on both AT&T and T-Mobile's 3G bands, making it a more desirable unlocked phone.

Captivate does not work on T-Mobile's 3G bands. Captivate runs 850/1900/2100. T-Mobile 3G requires 1700. The 1700 band is technically 1700 up, 2100 down, but it's not the same as what is typically referred to as the 2100 band.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS_frequency_bands

 

[ElFenix]

LG Optimus T

Screen
Size: 320 X 480 pixels
Dimensions: 3.2 inches

That screen size/resolution makes baby Hayzeus cry.

it'd still be an upgrade from my current phone. and from my sister's if i end up giving her the phone after i'm done with it.

 

[vshah]

T-mobile US 3g bands are not compatible with other countries. Which means no data only call/text or wifi.

I wish people would research before saying this. TMO phones works fine on 3g pretty much everywhere in europe. as always check the frequences that your intended carrier uses.

OP, you could try looking here: http://swappa.com/

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

a lot of people dont know about bands

T-Mobile: 1700
AT&T/other GSM in Americas: 850/1900
Euro/Asia: 2100

 

[pm]

a lot of people dont know about bands

T-Mobile: 1700
AT&T/other GSM in Americas: 850/1900
Euro/Asia: 2100

This is true, but there are lots of them and it is pretty confusing and the whole upstream and downstream frequencies vs. the name of the frequency band makes it even more confusing.

Here's the full list of everything:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS_frequency_bands

 

[kaerflog]

a lot of people dont know about bands

T-Mobile: 1700
AT&T/other GSM in Americas: 850/1900
Euro/Asia: 2100

Yes, and pretty much all T-mo and ATT phones also have the 2100mhz 3g band.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Yes, and pretty much all T-mo and ATT phones also have the 2100mhz 3g band.

Be wary:

Some 850/1900 phones don't. While they aren't all AT&T phones per se, they are either Canadian or some sort of Americas.

The HTC Legend, HTC Desire, Desire HD and a few other HTC variants (pre 2011 models) offer a 900/2100 version or a 850/1900 version. Their newer phones like the Sensation and Incredible S have a NAM version but now they are all triband in having 850/1900/2100.

Just double check those UMTS frequencies before buying any phone, and never mix them up with 2G bands because 2G is almost always quadband nowadays.