Need quick answer re handset from USA

Forums › Mobile handsets › Need quick answer re handset from USA

scuwp

3927 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2510

#91654 18-Oct-2011 13:26

Sorry guys/gals, trawled the forums but can't find a clear quick answer...

Missus has ended up in L.A. and she is checking out a new handset. I don't want to go into an android vs iOS or this model vs that model argument here, but need a couple of pointers if you please:

1. Will an iPhone4 (not the new 4S) from the USA work in NZ? (retailer says no)

2. They say the 4S will work in NZ. Are they correct or is that just doing the hard sell?

3. Would a Samsung Galaxy S (not the new S2...that's just to damn big!) work in NZ.

4. Is the Samsung a quad band phone (some websites say yes some no)

5. Would a USA model Samsung work in NZ?

Needs to work on both TC and VF networks if needed.

Any savy international IT people able to give me a quick heads up on best option? Or is it just not worth the hassle.

Cheers in advance

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

tonyhughes

Hawkes Bay
8476 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 6

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#534687 18-Oct-2011 13:33

1. May have to unlock.
2. 4S should work everywhere.
3. Yes. Get the version for the network you want.
4. You talking GSM or 3G (different things).
5. Need to know model and frequency list it supports.

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9996

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#534688 18-Oct-2011 13:36

Just also factor in whether the handset is locked or unlocked. It may cost more to get it unlocked.

johnr

19282 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2526
Inactive user

#534690 18-Oct-2011 13:36

Make sure it's not SIM locked and it will work on all mobile networks in NZ excluding the Telecom NZ CDMA network

John

wellygary

8810 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5287

#534694 18-Oct-2011 13:42

1. Yes an unlocked contract free GSM/3G iphone 4 will work in NZ, (it will set her back about $550 US)
http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone/iphone4?mco=MjU1NTYyNDI

2) Yes a unlocked contract free 4S will work in NZ, ( not sure about siri and accents) but they are not available until some unspecified date in November

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/shop_iphone/family/iphone/iphone4s?mco=MjU5MTk4NzE

With regard to the rest, it is probably easier to simply quote what the networks in NZ use so you can check it against any phone you are looking at

Vodafone 3G/UMTS - 2100 and 900 Mhz + Standard GSM on 900/1800
XT is 3G/UMTS on 2100 and 850MHZ

So to do both XT and Voda you want a phone that does 3G/UMTS 2100/900/850 Mhz

scuwp

3927 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2510

#534695 18-Oct-2011 13:42

johnr: Make sure it's not SIM locked and it will work on all mobile networks in NZ excluding the Telecom NZ CDMA network

John

Thanks,

Which model are you referring to, the iPhone or Samsung? (or both?) Retailer says USA model iPhone 4 won't work n NZ (I have heard this elsewhere)

Cheers

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

Pwned

105 posts

Master Geek

#534699 18-Oct-2011 13:50

scuwp:
johnr: Make sure it's not SIM locked and it will work on all mobile networks in NZ excluding the Telecom NZ CDMA network

John

Thanks,

Which model are you referring to, the iPhone or Samsung? (or both?) Retailer says USA model iPhone 4 won't work n NZ (I have heard this elsewhere)

Cheers

I'm using an AT&T iPhone 4 with Gevey sim at the moment. It works on all networks here in NZ as long as you use GEVEY on top of your NZ sim. iPhone 4s is the best choice if you ask me.(I Love SIRI)

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

scuwp

3927 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2510

#534717 18-Oct-2011 14:22

Now I understand the issue is that the iPhone4 USA model has a different sim card than used in NZ. I thought there was only standard sim and micro-sim (ala iPhone3) Sounds a bit far fetched to me but missus reckons the retailer seemed pretty sure about her facts. I do recall a relative not being able to take his iPhone4 when he moved to Japan because the sim was different.

Oh well, might get her to check out the Samsung instead..or have another look at the bank balance while I eye up the iPhone4s (which I was surprised were available already just as a handset)

Cheers y'all

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation

sbiddle

30853 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 9996

Retired Mod

Trusted

Biddle Corp

Lifetime subscriber

#534742 18-Oct-2011 15:06

scuwp: Now I understand the issue is that the iPhone4 USA model has a different sim card than used in NZ. I thought there was only standard sim and micro-sim (ala iPhone3) Sounds a bit far fetched to me but missus reckons the retailer seemed pretty sure about her facts. I do recall a relative not being able to take his iPhone4 when he moved to Japan because the sim was different.

Oh well, might get her to check out the Samsung instead..or have another look at the bank balance while I eye up the iPhone4s (which I was surprised were available already just as a handset)

Cheers y'all

There is no difference in the SIM cards. What store was she looking in? Was it a Verizon CDMA iPhone4?

scuwp

3927 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 2510

#534825 18-Oct-2011 16:35

sbiddle: There is no difference in the SIM cards. What store was she looking in? Was it a Verizon CDMA iPhone4?

Ha ha...as soon as I read this the penny dropped. I actually wasn't aware there were still CDMA networks left in the world. Yes, despite being pretty good on tech stuff this one was a major boo boo from her. She will go and find a 3G store provider.

Now that we have cleared up that confusion....Thanks!

Lazy is such an ugly word, I prefer to call it selective participation