bxl4373

I'm looking at unlocked cell phones on Amazon to bring to Italy.If I purchase a phone and SIM card do I still need to have a cell phone provider, such as we have here AT&T, Verizon etc? I have an IPhone but Verizon said I can't unlock it.
Thanks

lavandula

If I understand correctly the phone provider is the SIM card brand (i.e. Vodaphone) If your phone is unlocked it in most cases will come without a SIM. I would advise buying a SIM in Italy - will be much cheaper rates, and usually easy to pick up everywhere. This is on my radar at the moment because I just bought an unlocked quad band phone from one of our local electronics shops (I live in Australia). I bought the Nokia Asha 300, which is on Amazon. It was initially a toss-up between that and the LG T510 for me, but I quickly realised that a phone with apps that need the internet is pointless if you just have a prepaid plan without data. That's what I've got here (I am very minimalist) and at least one of my German SIMs is like this too (we have a couple of SIMs, one of which was for an internet stick).

The phone is quite OK. It's partly a touch phone, partly type (better for texting IMO), and quite simple; caters mostly to those people who just want to talk on their phone. There is an excellent review of it here: http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_asha_300-review-709.php .
There weren't so many reviews that I could find of the other phone, which was a shame, as it was a cheaper phone. But I'm quite satisfied with my purchase - it does what I think it should.

Lavandula

J62

No,that's the point of an unlocked phone.

You can put in a SIM card from any provider in Italy or other country and connect to their network.

Also look on ebay - a few years ago I purchased a basic unlocked quadband GSM phone for <$20. Works just fine for making calls.

jent103

Which iPhone do you have, and what do you plan to use the phone for (i.e., lots of calls and texts, or just to have in case of emergency and for an occasional call)? I have an iPhone 4S with Verizon and used the international voice/text plan. No need to unlock the phone, and really easy - just a call to Verizon and I was set.

If you plan to do a lot of talking or texting, though, I've done exactly what J62 said.

bxl4373

Thanks for the replies. I have an iPhone 4S. But, I like the idea of the quad band so I won't come home with a huge bill for roaming,data etc.I'm hoping to find one with a keyboard for easier texting.

jent103

I recently got back from 8.5 days in Paris, where I kept data roaming turned off unless I needed it (used it once or twice a day), placed one call and sent a few texts (maybe ten). I won't get my bill for this cycle for a couple of weeks, but I called Verizon yesterday to make sure it wasn't going to be insane. The total cost for all that should be quite a bit less than buying a new unlocked phone at the prices I'm seeing on Amazon. Unless you're investing in it for future trips as well (or this trip will be long enough to where you'll really want/need the phone a lot), I'd at least call and see what they tell you.

If you do go with the unlocked phone, do check eBay as well - you might get a better price there.

lavandula

Hi again - re prices - I found my phone was cheaper at the electronics shop than online, especially when postage was factored in. Also cheaper than Amazon - so do shop around, especially if you are buying a new phone - online isn't necessarily the way. If you want a second-hand phone, obviously eBay may have something for you.

Lavandula