Manila

[QUOTE=Dg8787;2417664]Nothing will work on a locked phone other than your assigned att SIM card.

BTW, only GSM network unlocked cell phones will work in Philippines.[/QUOTE]Thanks for the tip. I decided to solve this problem by purchasing an unlocked, refurbished iPhone 6's off of eBay for $77. Now, all I need is a Smart or Globe SIM card, and it will have data capability, correct?

It is easy to unlock a cell phone and far cheaper than buying a 2nd travel phone. I have used these guys a number of times. Very reliable, [URL]https://www.cellunlocker.net/unlock-att/[/URL]

You purchase an unlock code. Then simply type the code into your phone when it prompts you to do so immediately after inserting a new sim card and turning your phone back on.

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;2417790]It is easy to unlock a cell phone and far cheaper than buying a 2nd travel phone. I have used these guys a number of times. Very reliable, [URL]https://www.cellunlocker.net/unlock-att/[/URL]

You purchase an unlock code.[/QUOTE]It is even easier and cheaper if you call the company you bought it from and tell them you want it unlocked.

[QUOTE=MrEnternational;2417801]It is even easier and cheaper if you call the company you bought it from and tell them you want it unlocked.[/QUOTE]The big boys like AT&T will not unlock you cell phone if it is under contract. So why buy a cell phone under a 2 year contract? Simple, it is cheaper. When the new Samsung Galaxy S8 just came out, my cousin and I went to AT&T and bought into their promotion offer to buy one S8 at full price and get a 2nd one for free with 2 two year service contracts and 2 year 0. 00% financing on the 1st phone. We also accepted their family promotion for unlimited calling & data on both phones. Anyway, a month later I was in BKK and needed to unlock my phone, so I paid for an unlock code over the internet.

BTW, there is an even cheaper way to unlock a phone. Just find a local tech jockey. They will do it for half the price of the internet method. I once knew a guy in Jakarta who unlocked my cell phone a while back. He use to hang out in the back of a red pickup truck on a side street running parallel to Jin Jaksa. You probably know of equally tech savvy guys in Pattaya or MNL.

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;2417810]The big boys like AT&T will not unlock you cell phone if it is under contract. So why buy a cell phone under a 2 year contract? [/QUOTE]Never had a problem with T-mobile doing it. These days they even have an app on the phone where you can unlock it yourself. The unlock lasts 30 days and you can do it up to 6 times. If you need it unlocked any more than that then you just call them. And as long as I have been a customer, before they had that app they would always permanently unlock it for me as soon as I got it.

These days phones are more advanced and certain models can not be unlocked by bootleg methods.

Also these days I have not seen a phone purchased under contract from a carrier to cost any less. The difference is only that you are able to pay for it on a payment plan instead of up front.

Interesting update on things Mr E. I will keep it in mind the next time I am in the market for a new phone. But right now I am still happy with my Samsung S8. The main advantage I see with buying direct from Samsung or any manufacturer, for that matter, is you get a much less bloated phone. AT&T really adds on the craplets. Zero financing is good too, but you don't need to buy from the service company to get that.

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;2417810]The big boys like AT&T will not unlock you cell phone if it is under contract. [/QUOTE]Not so NB. Federal law (about 8 years now) requires your carrier to give you (free of charge) an unlock code and instructions for the procedure anytime you ask for one. You have to call ATT's customer service number (611?) to request it. They will send it to your email address on file. Have unlocked all of my ATT and TMobile phones this way over the years, and had the unlock code in my inbox within 48 hours of phone purchase. In addition, many phone repair shops in the US can unlock your phone for a fee ($20-$40). Phone repair shops in Phils will do it for about half that price.

There is a second process called 'rooting' your phone, which is not the same as unlocking. Rooting allows you to remove the bloatware that your carrier puts on all its phones (extra ATT junk apps that come with the phone that you normally cannot remove without rooting the phone. Rooting the phone might void its warranty).

Concur also with MR E on the price. Walk into any TMobile, ATT, or Verizon store. Look at the price for any phone on the shelf. If the price is, say, $720, and they offer a contract of payments over 24 months, the monthly price will be $30, as 24 x $30 = $720. The monthly price will total to the actual price. You can unlock this phone right after you walk out the door with it. Some carriers even offer an app already included in the phone that will unlock it, so you don't have to call and ask for the unlock code.

[QUOTE=GabrielJacob;2417768]Will be in town on a short layover. Any info or recommendations would be greatly appreciated![/QUOTE]I'd recommend Air Force One or Flight 168, same building, lots of discussion on them here. Traffic just about anywhere else can easily eat up all the time you have available.

Don't forget to allow time for customs, immigration and reclaiming luggage then rechecking in.

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;2417846]Interesting update on things Mr E. I will keep it in mind the next time I am in the market for a new phone. But right now I am still happy with my Samsung S8. The main advantage I see with buying direct from Samsung or any manufacturer, for that matter, is you get a much less bloated phone. AT&T really adds on the craplets. Zero financing is good too, but you don't need to buy from the service company to get that.[/QUOTE]Samsung adds bloatware as well. All my phones are factory unlocked Samsung and have significant bloatware.

I never buy the most current model, just a few months ago I upgraded from my S5 to an S8+. Cost was less than half of a S10 and just over half of what the S8+ was when new.

[QUOTE=WestCoast1;2417905]Not so NB. Federal law (about 8 years now) requires your carrier to give you (free of charge) an unlock code and instructions for the procedure anytime you ask for one. You have to call ATT's customer service number (611?) to request it. They will send it to your email address on file. Have unlocked all of my ATT and TMobile phones this way over the years, and had the unlock code in my inbox within 48 hours of phone purchase. In addition, many phone repair shops in the US can unlock your phone for a fee ($20-$40). Phone repair shops in Phils will do it for about half that price.

There is a second process called 'rooting' your phone, which is not the same as unlocking. Rooting allows you to remove the bloatware that your carrier puts on all its phones (extra ATT junk apps that come with the phone that you normally cannot remove without rooting the phone. Rooting the phone might void its warranty).

Concur also with MR E on the price. Walk into any TMobile, ATT, or Verizon store. Look at the price for any phone on the shelf. If the price is, say, $720, and they offer a contract of payments over 24 months, the monthly price will be $30, as 24 x $30 = $720. The monthly price will total to the actual price. You can unlock this phone right after you walk out the door with it. Some carriers even offer an app already included in the phone that will unlock it, so you don't have to call and ask for the unlock code.[/QUOTE]1. On unlocking a phone under a 2 year contract: All I know is I asked my friendly AT&T rep at the time I was in the store and bought my Samsung S8 if AT&T would give me the unlock code and I was told a very definitely NO. Maybe things have changed in the roughly 2 year interim.

2. On major carrier discounts: I am not in the market for a new phone, so I have not done any recent research on the subject. My Samsung S8 is just fine, But just now out of curiosity I performed a quick internet search for "best deal on new Samsung phone" and this offer below from Verizon popped up. I know it is avery muddled offer and I treat it with a large grain of scepticism, but if I was interested in buying a new phone I would call Verizon and have them spell out for me exactly how much I would save / how much it would net cost to buy a new S10 and switch to them. Below is the offer word for word:

"Here's the deal.

Get $200 off a Samsung Galaxy S10 or Note10 smartphone.

Add a Samsung Galaxy S10, S10+, S10 e, S10 5 G, Note10, Note10+ or Note10+ 5 G with monthly device payments or at full retail price to your cart.

Get $200 credited to your account over 24 months.

Plus, get a $200 Prepaid Mastercard when you switch to Verizon on Unlimited.

Add a Samsung Galaxy S10, S10+, S10 e, S10 5 G, Note10, Note10+ or Note10+ 5 G smartphone with monthly device payments to your cart, then activate on a new smartphone line of service with Verizon Unlimited.

After checkout, visit [URL]vzw.com[/URL]/ digitalrebatecenter. Enter promo code NEWYEAR200 and the other necessary information when prompted.

Receive your prepaid Mastercard within 8 weeks.

Save up to another $500 with select trade-in when you switch.

Trade in one of the phones below within 30 days after checkout.

Get up to $500 credited to your account over 24 months.

Trade in:

IPhone 11.
IPhone 11 Pro.
IPhone 11 Pro Max.
IPhone X.

IPhone XR.
IPhone XS.
IPhone XS Max.
IPhone 8.
IPhone 8 Plus.
Galaxy S10.
Galaxy S10+.
Galaxy S10 e.
Galaxy S10 5 G.
Galaxy S9.
Galaxy S9+.
Galaxy Note10.
Galaxy Note10+.
Galaxy Note10+ 5 G.
Galaxy Note9.
Pixel 4.
Pixel 4 XL.
Pixel 3.
Pixel 3 XL.
LG G8 ThinQ.
LG V50 ThinQ.

And get $500 with a new line.

Trade in:

IPhone 7.
IPhone 7 Plus.
IPhone 6's.
IPhone 6's Plus.
IPhone 6.
IPhone 6 Plus.
Galaxy S8.
Galaxy S8+.
Galaxy S8 active.
Galaxy S7.
Galaxy S7 edge.
Galaxy S7 active.
Galaxy S6.
Galaxy S6 edge.
Galaxy S6 edge+.
Galaxy S6 active.
Galaxy Note8.
Galaxy Note5.
Galaxy Note4.
Pixel.
Pixel XL.
Pixel 2.
Pixel 2 XL.
Pixel 3 a.
Pixel 3 a XL.
LG G7.
LG G6.
LG V40.
LG V30.
DROID Turbo 2.
Moto z4.
Moto z3.
Moto z2 force.
Moto z2 play.
Hydrogen One.

And get $350 with a new line.

Up to $1599.99 device payment purchase with new smartphone line & port-in req'd. Less $200 prepaid card (mailed within 8 weeks); $200 promo credit + up to $500 trade-in / promo credit applied over 24 months; promo credit ends if eligibility requirements are no longer met; 0% APR. Trade-in conditions apply. ".

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;2417958]1. On unlocking a phone under a 2 year contract: All I know is I asked my friendly AT&T rep at the time I was in the store and bought my Samsung S8 if AT&T would give me the unlock code and I was told a very definitely NO. Maybe things have changed in the roughly 2 year interim.

2. On major carrier discounts: I am not in the market for a new phone, so I have not done any recent research on the subject. My Samsung S8 is just fine, But just now out of curiosity I performed a quick internet search for "best deal on new Samsung phone" and this offer below from Verizon popped up. I know it is avery muddled offer and I treat it with a large grain of scepticism, but if I was interested in buying a new phone I would call Verizon and have them spell out for me exactly how much I would save / how much it would net cost to buy a new S10 and switch to them. Below is the offer word for word:

"Here's the deal.

Get $200 off a Samsung Galaxy S10 or Note10 smartphone.

Add a Samsung Galaxy S10, S10+, S10 e, S10 5 G, Note10, Note10+ or Note10+ 5 G with monthly device payments or at full retail price to your cart.

Get $200 credited to your account over 24 months.

Plus, get a $200 Prepaid Mastercard when you switch to Verizon on Unlimited.

Add a Samsung Galaxy S10, S10+, S10 e, S10 5 G, Note10, Note10+ or Note10+ 5 G smartphone with monthly device payments to your cart, then activate on a new smartphone line of service with Verizon Unlimited.

After checkout, visit [URL]vzw.com[/URL]/ digitalrebatecenter. Enter promo code NEWYEAR200 and the other necessary information when prompted.

Receive your prepaid Mastercard within 8 weeks.

Save up to another $500 with select trade-in when you switch.

Trade in one of the phones below within 30 days after checkout.

Get up to $500 credited to your account over 24 months.

Trade in:

IPhone 11.
IPhone 11 Pro.
IPhone 11 Pro Max.
IPhone X.

IPhone XR.
IPhone XS.
IPhone XS Max.
IPhone 8.
IPhone 8 Plus.
Galaxy S10.
Galaxy S10+.
Galaxy S10 e.
Galaxy S10 5 G.
Galaxy S9.
Galaxy S9+.
Galaxy Note10.
Galaxy Note10+.
Galaxy Note10+ 5 G.
Galaxy Note9.
Pixel 4.
Pixel 4 XL.
Pixel 3.
Pixel 3 XL.
LG G8 ThinQ.
LG V50 ThinQ.

And get $500 with a new line.

Trade in:

IPhone 7.
IPhone 7 Plus.
IPhone 6's.
IPhone 6's Plus.
IPhone 6.
IPhone 6 Plus.
Galaxy S8.
Galaxy S8+.
Galaxy S8 active.
Galaxy S7.
Galaxy S7 edge.
Galaxy S7 active.
Galaxy S6.
Galaxy S6 edge.
Galaxy S6 edge+.
Galaxy S6 active.
Galaxy Note8.
Galaxy Note5.
Galaxy Note4.
Pixel.
Pixel XL.
Pixel 2.
Pixel 2 XL.
Pixel 3 a.
Pixel 3 a XL.
LG G7.
LG G6.
LG V40.
LG V30.
DROID Turbo 2.
Moto z4.
Moto z3.
Moto z2 force.
Moto z2 play.
Hydrogen One.

And get $350 with a new line.

Up to $1599.99 device payment purchase with new smartphone line & port-in req'd. Less $200 prepaid card (mailed within 8 weeks); $200 promo credit + up to $500 trade-in / promo credit applied over 24 months; promo credit ends if eligibility requirements are no longer met; 0% APR. Trade-in conditions apply. ".[/QUOTE]Verizon network phone WILL NOT work in Philippines. Unless it is GSM network capable.

[QUOTE=Free2;2417668]Good one! LOL.

9 km across Manila can take hours as you know. That's what I meant. Probably better to fly in a girl from the province next time rather than wait for them to take the trinity of busses, jeepneys & tricycles.[/QUOTE]Trike, jeepney, bus and taxi can take 3-4 hours for the girl to travel.

Sometimes for Genesis bus from NAIA to NLEX is 3 hours. The bus makes a pit stop in Cubao.

[QUOTE=Dg8787;2417962]Verizon network phone WILL NOT work in Philippines. Unless it is GSM network capable.[/QUOTE]Good to know. So you are saying a PI sim card will not work in a Verizon phone. But a Verizon Samsung Phone with an American sim card would still work in the PI if connected to local Wi Fi, right?

In any case, I found a similar trade-in deal with AT&T. I know AT&T phones work in the PI. Unlocked with a local sim and locked or unlocked with US sim and a wifi connection.

Hello!

Most Current cell phones Within past 4 years Samsung Or Iphones will work either GSM desired band and CDMA Verizon / Sprint.

So being Verizon or Sprint does not matter. Google the model on internet and ask, GSM capable.

You need to make sure the phone You buy is unlocked.

IF you are still under contract, call your provider and tell them You are going to travel international and ask them to Unlock phone for travel, usually they will no problem.

If your phone is No Longer under contract, call the provider and ask for them to permanently Unlock the phone. They should.

Wifi, the phone should work WiFi whether locked or not, no matter carrier.

Be careful buying Used phones from unknown people saying the phone is Unlocked. Go to your carrier and ask them to check it for You before paying them. You carrier will check for Free as you stand there.

A locked phone is not as easy to unlock as mentioned earlier. Yes, older phones Are not so hard, but newer Galaxy 8, 9, 10 or Iphones 7,8,9,10 or 11 are basically impossible to unlock these days.

Good Luck!

Happy Hunting.

Rainman.

Good to know. So you are saying a PI sim card will not work in a Verizon phone. But a Verizon Samsung Phone with an American sim card would still work in the PI if connected to local Wi Fi, right?

In any case, I found a similar trade-in deal with AT&T. I know AT&T phones work in the PI. Unlocked with a local sim and locked or unlocked with US sim and a wifi connection.

[QUOTE=NattyBumpo;2417972]Good to know. So you are saying a PI sim card will not work in a Verizon phone. But a Verizon Samsung Phone with an American sim card would still work in the PI if connected to local Wi Fi, right?

In any case, I found a similar trade-in deal with AT&T. I know AT&T phones work in the PI. Unlocked with a local sim and locked or unlocked with US sim and a wifi connection.[/QUOTE]You are talking about 2 different functions.

1. Cellular service in Philippines is the GSM network which ATT uses. Verizon uses CDMA network which is different frequency than GSM. Unlocked GSM network cell phones will work in Philippines only for cell service.

2. Modern smart cell phones have Wifi capability whether using GSM or CDMA networks. Cell phone can be locked and still the WiFi capability will work.

Locked means the cell phone is locked to the original cell phone service provider.