iPhone 3G - can you use it overseas?

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459 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#150572 23-Jul-2008 10:33

Answers to scho047's questions:

1. As MattD said

2. Again as MattD said, but if you are only using Wi-Fi then I would switch of 3G, it seems to save some battery life. It definitely doesn't last as long as the first iPhone, perhaps due to the fact it has GPS (A-GPS) and 3G though.

3. If you are on Prepay then Data won't work (unless you change the APN - see unlockit.co.nz). If you are on postpaid see MattD's response.

4. To help with your decision here are my thoughts, but it is still for you to decide. For such a small amount more you can get twice the capacity. After having the 8GB, and filling it up quickly, the 16GB is a breath of freesh air. I have so much space. As for white or black, I chose white because of the finger prints on the back of the black one. Yes you get them on the white but they are not nearly as noticable.

Cheers
nzbullet
Note: My thoughts and comments are my own and not of anyone else including my employer

scho047

144 posts

Master Geek

#150607 23-Jul-2008 12:10

No worries, would say best place to ask.
GPS will also work 'like normal gps' if you do not have data enabled on your phone. It also includes support for A-GPS or Assisted GPS.

hi there... thanks for that information... it does help me understand whole lot more...

but would you mind elaborating on this one please?

what do you mean by that it will have like normal gps when data is not enabled... how could this work?

thanks

nzbullet

459 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#150629 23-Jul-2008 13:18

scho047:

No worries, would say best place to ask.
GPS will also work 'like normal gps' if you do not have data enabled on your phone. It also includes support for A-GPS or Assisted GPS.

hi there... thanks for that information... it does help me understand whole lot more...

but would you mind elaborating on this one please?

what do you mean by that it will have like normal gps when data is not enabled... how could this work?

thanks

The GPS works without a data connection for things like the camera. where it GeoTags your location, the GPS isn't only used for directions, other apps use it as well.

Google Maps on the other hand does need a data connection as it doesn't cache the maps. The GPS still shows though, and moves across a blank screen when in Maps with no data connection.

Cheers
nzbullet
Note: My thoughts and comments are my own and not of anyone else including my employer

evandavid

11 posts

Geek

#150710 23-Jul-2008 17:50

Awesome answers. I was also wondering about the GPS thing. I'm going to run down tomorrow and grab the 16GB white with a prepay sim.

Can anyone think of any other issues that might arise from taking one of these to another network, and then bringing it back?

Could performing firmware upgrades with another network's SIM (particularly an AT&T US SIM) in it cause any issues when I return? I can't imagine that it would. I'm so amped for my new iPhone!

scho047

144 posts

Master Geek

#150712 23-Jul-2008 17:59

i so SO want to get my hands on one of those too! but just want to wait till after the 27th of this month for vodafone to release the casual data plans... and find out from actual users for their feedback and reactions... but i know its going to happen soon! haha...

but still the question remains..... about which one... i think 8gb should be more than sufficient.. but knowing its only 150 more... for doubling its size... and if so... white or black... hmmmm although plenty of white available now where as black is not.... ah.. choices eh! haha...

anyways... are there any other problems or known issues that i as a potential iphone buy should note? :) any advise would be much appreciated.

thanks

scho047

144 posts

Master Geek

#151593 26-Jul-2008 14:57

any further tips on this matter???

ive been reading up on the colour choices...and have decided to be bold and get the white version....

but am just wanting to wait a lil bit before i take the plunge....

as i do really want to see the casual data plan on vodafone to work....(question i have on this is that..i am currently on a you choose plan... and would i be able to use it on that plan with the change of APN address thing? )

and i hear the new update is coming with potential gps abilities etc.... so would be really good to hear from actual iphone users for their comments :)

ta ta

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evandavid

11 posts

Geek

#151630 26-Jul-2008 17:20

I got mine this week - it activated fine using a 128k prepay sim card that I picked up at the same time. Everything is awesome. What a device.

Tip: don't mention to the salesperson that you want it on prepay.... I was refused service at the Manners street Vodafone store by a really rude and imcompetent heavyset salesperson (I am pretty sure I could have argued with him on this point, but it was easier just to walk to the Lampton Quay store. At first I was really surprised that neither of the employees behind the counter even knew whether the phones were locked, and seemed to think that SIM locking was "a decision made by Apple, not Vodafone..."). At the second store I had to make up a story in order to get it without them giving me trouble. Apparently their regional sales manager has given orders that no units should be sold for use on prepay. I even had to get a friend to go in and get the sim card for me. This seems a little rude considering that I was paying outright for the device and I should be able to do whatever the hell I want with it. Should I write to the Commerce Commission?

I don't think you will run into any issues with the casual data. I may be wrong on this, but you shouldn't even need to change the settings - that is only for prepay sims. I havent changed the settings but I dont find it to be an issue - there is a suprisingly high saturation of WiFi in the places where I work and live.

scho047

144 posts

Master Geek

#151638 26-Jul-2008 17:55

oh thats awesome! how are you enjoying it? was it worth all the cents you have put into it? :)

and which one did you get??? white or the black??

i cant wait till i get one.... am half tempted to just buy it online with vodafone..as they have white one in stock.. which what i have decided to get.... but just want to know for 100% on the items i have mentioned above responses before i do it....

so are you saying because my simcard is a contract one... i can automatically use data at a casual rate thing? but you wont be getting the deal 10mb for a $1 from monday unless you change your apn isnt it??

evandavid

11 posts

Geek

#151641 26-Jul-2008 18:05

Oh. I meant that data would 'work' out of the box, unlike on prepay, where data is completely disabled out of the box - which is kind of a good thing considering the charges. I'm not sure about the $10 thing. It should be just like any other vodafone phone which is data capable - call vodafone, they will help you out. Just tell them its a data capable phone, rather than an iPhone. Otherwise they will try and push you toward the iPhone plans...

I would just buy it. If there are any things that you need to sort out later (data, etc), you will figure it out. Get the white - you wont be dissappointed.

martin308

226 posts

Master Geek

#151758 27-Jul-2008 11:55

No the data will not work out of the box with a contract sim card unless vf adds the iphone APN to your account

LennonNZ

2459 posts

Uber Geek
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#151762 27-Jul-2008 12:00

martin308: No the data will not work out of the box with a contract sim card unless vf adds the iphone APN to your account

As it has been discussed alot on here: http://www.unlockit.co.nz. Takes 20 seconds (and 30 seconds for the Donation) and it works :-)

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martin308

226 posts

Master Geek

#151778 27-Jul-2008 12:40

Yeh i realise that and have done it, but that is not quite out of the box now is it? ;)

scho047

144 posts

Master Geek

#152008 28-Jul-2008 10:46

hi guys,

just had a reply from vodafone and magnum mac (one of the retailers that sells iphone).... in regards to the unlocked issue, they have advised me that yes it is unlocked to be used in vodafone network however it will not work with other GSM carriers.....ie overseas sim...... are they just saying that as its part of their policy with apple... or is that actually the case.... the more i dig into this info.. the more confused i get! haha....

any comments on this? and anyone actually tried overseas... ie taking the iphone to say aus and using their sim to use it...??? it would be really good if someone can help answer this....

maybe i will wait till evandavid goes to usa and tries and let us all know that yes it works fine and that i should have just bought it in first place! haha...

martin308

226 posts

Master Geek

#152015 28-Jul-2008 11:14

There is a post on here somewhere that had someone putting an O2 sim card in their phone and successfully roaming with it. Wouldnt this be proof that it works?

evandavid

11 posts

Geek

#157389 16-Aug-2008 11:16

I am in the US right now, and my NZ bought iPhone is working fantastically.

I went onto the AT&T GoPhone (prepay) 'pick your plan' option. I added unlimited internet ('mediaNet'), a txt messaging bundle, and an international calling bundle. Unlimited medianet gives me unlimited internet content for $19.95 a month and works fantastically - much faster than I anticipated.

Exploring a new country is made soooo much easier by the iPhone Maps functionality. It is truly amazing.

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