Cellphones: Calling-Using-Buying-Importing-Activating-Renting

[Simian]

Check with Cricket whether your phone is factory unlocked already, and if not, whether they will do for you. I know Verizon will unlock as long as you are in good standing with them. Then when you arrive in Bkk, pick up prepaid at the kiosks near door 7 at airport.

There are literally hundreds of unlocked GSM worldwide phones available on both CL and eBay, some for well less than $100.

I am sure that if you go around some of the usual places, such as MBK or the IT Mall, you will find someone who can unlock a phone for you. This is a standard service in many cities even in Europe, such as in London. But it is always some guy in a small shop who does it. The big phone companies don't like it.

[Traveler1234]

FYI: My phone is a USA Cricket Samsung 3 Galaxy. It uses CDMA but also has a SIM card. So that's a catch-22!

Check with Cricket whether your phone is factory unlocked already, and if not, whether they will do for you. I know Verizon will unlock as long as you are in good standing with them. Then when you arrive in Bkk, pick up prepaid at the kiosks near door 7 at airport.

There are literally hundreds of unlocked GSM worldwide phones available on both CL and eBay, some for well less than $100.

[Gypsie King]

Thailand Cell Phone.

I did not get a clear answer on whether a phone that I use would work in Thailand. I think it will not.

FYI: My phone is a USA Cricket Samsung 3 Galaxy. It uses CDMA but also has a SIM card. So that's a catch-22!

So I will probably just buy one there in BKK. So I looked them up, a person can buy a Samsung 4 for around $100 USD (States side its $400+). But my understanding is, they are probably knock-offs and although they may seem great at first, the inferior product as time goes on, wears out. Would this be accurate?

If that's the case, then I would probably just get their throw-away cheap phone.

I plan to use the phone to communicate with gals that I encounter FLs and use internet on the phone (buying a local Sim card).

What is the recommendation here?

My recommendation would be to buy at least a quad band GSM phone, they are sold unlocked in thailand and this way you can use them anywhere in the world.

GK.

[TwoTimeTed]

Thailand Cell Phone.

I did not get a clear answer on whether a phone that I use would work in Thailand. I think it will not.

FYI: My phone is a USA Cricket Samsung 3 Galaxy. It uses CDMA but also has a SIM card. So that's a catch-22!

So I will probably just buy one there in BKK. So I looked them up, a person can buy a Samsung 4 for around $100 USD (States side its $400+). But my understanding is, they are probably knock-offs and although they may seem great at first, the inferior product as time goes on, wears out. Would this be accurate?

If that's the case, then I would probably just get their throw-away cheap phone.

I plan to use the phone to communicate with gals that I encounter FLs and use internet on the phone (buying a local Sim card).

What is the recommendation here?

[Traveler1234]

CDMA and GSM are incompatible. If the iPhone 6 has a dual system (I. E. Both CDMA and a GSM SIM slot) then yes. BTW never heard of USA law about factory unlocking.

I don't want to get OT on this thread so I'll be brief:

1. Verizon agreed with FCC to factory unlock their iPhones starting with 5 as an exchange for additional LTE bandwidth. So unlike ATT and TMO; although TMO now unlocks their iPhones after 3-4 month period FOC.
2. CDMA and GSM are indeed different and incompatible. But each Verizon [don't know about Sprint] CDMA iPhone starting with 4's has GSM bandwidth included.

As both a Verizon and Apple fanboy, trust me when I state categorically that:

1. 4's Verizon works on any non-USA GSM network providers. But you need to call the global CS # provided earlier.
2. 5's Verizon and newer 6 models are factory unlocked by default and out of the box works on ALL GSM networks, including TMO/ATT. And if you update to iOS 8. X on 5's or newer models, the Verizon iPhone will even have wifi enabled calls when paired with TMO post paid account.
3. AND THE 4s Verizon and above models all work in LOS, Cambodia, Burma, HK, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Taiwan and China...all based on actual person usage in past 3+ yrs of travel to these countries.

This will help confirm: https://www.apple.com/iphone/LTE/.

[Duniawala]

I've used my 5's throughout Asia with prepaid and post paid sim cards, never a problem. Only the 5's and newer models also work on ATT and TMO. The 4's worked overseas but not domestic US network providers. By far the 'most versatile' iPhone 6 or 6+ is the Verizon model. Can be used worldwide. By USA law MUST BE FACTORY UNLOCKED.

CDMA and GSM are incompatible. If there is no CDMA in use in Thailand CDMAs won't work. If the iPhone 6 has a dual system (I. E. Both CDMA and a GSM SIM slot) then yes. BTW never heard of USA law about factory unlocking. That's what the phone companies say to force their customers to use their Very Very expensive roaming network. They also say unlocking elsewhere will void their warranty. I bet 99% of the phone company workers in the US will have no clue if a phone is locked or unlocked just by using it.

[Traveler1234]

T-Mobile, ATT, and Thailand, and most other countries use a GSM network. Verizon uses a CDMA network which is also used by Sprint and Brazil and Japan if I recall correctly. Will an unlocked Verizon CDMA IPhone work on a GSM network? I don't know the answer but if it works on ATT or T-Mobile it should work with a Thai SIM card.

I've used my 5's throughout Asia with prepaid and post paid sim cards, never a problem. Only the 5's and newer models also work on ATT and TMO. The 4's worked overseas but not domestic US network providers. By far the 'most versatile' iPhone 6 or 6+ is the Verizon model. Can be used worldwide. By USA law MUST BE FACTORY UNLOCKED.

[JesseJames]

T-Mobile, ATT, and Thailand, and most other countries use a GSM network. Verizon uses a CDMA network which is also used by Sprint and Brazil and Japan if I recall correctly. Will an unlocked Verizon CDMA IPhone work on a GSM network? I don't know the answer but if it works on ATT or T-Mobile it should work with a Thai SIM card.

My unlocked ATT Galaxy S4 works great with a Thai SIM card. I bought the Samsung Galaxy S4 in large part because it works with sim cards of so many countries. Thanks for the tip oin Fortune Town. Pantip is a pain in the ass to get to especially with the heat of BKK.

My CDMA 4's phone verizon was able to be unlocked last year but not this year. MBK is the best place for phones. Fortune town for IT and cameras,

[Allover]

Verizon iPhone 5's and newer models are ALL factory unlocked, can use on TMO, ATT and any international sim card.

T-Mobile, ATT, and Thailand, and most other countries use a GSM network. Verizon uses a CDMA network which is also used by Sprint and Brazil and Japan if I recall correctly. Will an unlocked Verizon CDMA IPhone work on a GSM network? I don't know the answer but if it works on ATT or T-Mobile it should work with a Thai SIM card.

My unlocked ATT Galaxy S4 works great with a Thai SIM card. I bought the Samsung Galaxy S4 in large part because it works with sim cards of so many countries. Thanks for the tip oin Fortune Town. Pantip is a pain in the ass to get to especially with the heat of BKK.

[Traveler1234]

I think it's a little known fact but Verizon iPhones are already unlocked. Check at a Verizon store or Google it but I think it's one of the rare cases that an American phone comes unlocked.

Verizon iPhone 5's and newer models are ALL factory unlocked, can use on TMO, ATT and any international sim card.

[Steep]

Anyone knows if iPhone 6 from Verizon in america could be unlocked in Bangkok? Without damaging the phone?

I think it's a little known fact but Verizon iPhones are already unlocked. Check at a Verizon store or Google it but I think it's one of the rare cases that an American phone comes unlocked.

[Love Sex 22]

Anyone knows if iPhone 6 from Verizon in america could be unlocked in Bangkok? Without damaging the phone?

[Ethan Hunt123]

On my last trip I went to a mall in Bangkok and they were repairing and unlocking cell phones. Anyone have a rough estimate at what they might charge to replace a cracked screen?

Really depends on the phone. Head to Prantip. Loads of shops there. And please bargain around.

[Breadman]

On my last trip I went to a mall in Bangkok and they were repairing and unlocking cell phones. Anyone have a rough estimate at what they might charge to replace a cracked screen?

[Admin]

Thread Starter