Has anyone bought a phone via Singapore stop over? Wondering if a non connected phone will work in NZ.

Forums › Android › Has anyone bought a phone via Singapore stop over? Wondering if a non connected phone will work in NZ.

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Max
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#3360554 4-Apr-2025 10:27

TeaLeaf:

MaxineN:

The N variants (SEA incl SK) do have some specific CSCs still but don't hold me to that because I stopped giving interest in Samsung devices after I flogged my S23 Ultra (you missed a good deal).

Do your research but for Pixels... seriously stop worrying :)

When you say N variant, what does that mean? So its a carrier issue not a VOLTE Band issue?

What if I took a roaming Spark SIM with me and put it in one of their identical refurbished phones to test if it will work in the S24 Ultra?

Sounds like the Pixel8 is a safe bet, but I would love to try the S24 Ultra. ~$1050NZD for a new one.

N variant = South Korea and some other South East Asia countries.

The different variants will have different CSCs that are burned on the first sim that is inserted. This will influence the VoLTE profiles available to you. I don't know what would happen if you inserted a Spark sim let's say into a South Korean variant that's unopened or a HK variant.

Also don't know if they'll let you pop your SIM in there... also you have to remember, you are roaming. You may not have VoLTE roaming available to you which is an entirely different ball game.

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Asteros

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#3360559 4-Apr-2025 10:36

TeaLeaf:

MaxineN:

The N variants (SEA incl SK) do have some specific CSCs still but don't hold me to that because I stopped giving interest in Samsung devices after I flogged my S23 Ultra (you missed a good deal).

Do your research but for Pixels... seriously stop worrying :)

When you say N variant, what does that mean? So its a carrier issue not a VOLTE Band issue?

What if I took a roaming Spark SIM with me and put it in one of their identical refurbished phones to test if it will work in the S24 Ultra? And or check the CSC?

Sounds like the Pixel8 is a safe bet, but I would love to try the S24 Ultra. ~$1050NZD for a new one.

NZD$1050 is not a great deal to me; just saying.

TeaLeaf

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#3360560 4-Apr-2025 10:36

MaxineN:

N variant = South Korea and some other South East Asia countries.

Also don't know if they'll let you pop your SIM in there... also you have to remember, you are roaming. You may not have VoLTE roaming available to you which is an entirely different ball game.

Good point. So some advice I wont hold you too, if I wanted to try and make sure it will work in NZ, what specifically could I check for on the box, ie Imei number etc? I think Skinny has an IMEI checker to see if a phone will work on theirs and Sparks network... Im sure I read that somewhere.

Thanks for the help.

TeaLeaf

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#3360561 4-Apr-2025 10:38

Asteros:

NZD$1050 is not a great deal to me; just saying.

Yeh I get some people want a local warranty, it is a gamble to save $450 for a new S24U

MaxineN

Max
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#3360565 4-Apr-2025 10:43

IMEI checkers will only check for NZ approved handsets. A false fallacy as they could say a Pixel IMEI is not supported but it fully functions and has no issues.

The only good way of getting an answer on if X will work is to ask from others, or look at what is officially supported from your chosen carrier.

Let's take Spark for example, your chosen carrier.

https://www.spark.co.nz/help/mobile/device-help/device_compatibility_list/?srsltid=AfmBOoqaepoq40nqHu1Y20g9W2KEHnrijJB4ji4ithiX9UtCLEmaSGm6

Most of these handsets were sold by Spark directly so they would have tested and ensured that it worked, the exception to this rule is some Alcatels and Google Pixels where they weren't sold (officially) but they gained official support.

@andyb MAY have an opinion but may not be able to share or say with the official Spark hat on what else is supported other than what it says on the website.

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nztim

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#3360580 4-Apr-2025 11:07

Asteros:

Off topic; I bought an Iphone 15 from the Apple Store Marina Bay Sands. 5g VoWifi and VoLTE definitely works on all 3 NZ networks 😜

Thats because Apple put each VoLTE profile for every carrier in the world into their phone

it is also partially why the IOS is 11GB

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TeaLeaf

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#3360582 4-Apr-2025 11:10

MaxineN:

The only good way of getting an answer on if X will work is to ask from others, or look at what is officially supported from your chosen carrier.

Cheers, I guess a retailer like Mister Mobile which is big in Singapore may well know via experience?

MaxineN

Max
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#3360583 4-Apr-2025 11:11

TeaLeaf:

MaxineN:

The only good way of getting an answer on if X will work is to ask from others, or look at what is officially supported from your chosen carrier.

Cheers, I guess a retailer like Mister Mobile which is big in Singapore may well know via experience?

A overseas retailer won't be able to correctly advise if it will or won't work fully in NZ. Only in the country they sell and operate.

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TeaLeaf

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#3360585 4-Apr-2025 11:17

MaxineN:

A overseas retailer won't be able to correctly advise if it will or won't work fully in NZ. Only in the country they sell and operate.

If all the bands etc are supported, what else do I need to check? Obviously that it is unlocked.

thermonuclear

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#3360586 4-Apr-2025 11:18

TeaLeaf:

But I will be using it in Europe for a couple of months before returning via Singapore

What's this TeaLeaf, you're off to Europe? Will this trip be including a visit to St Johns Wood in London? If not for a match then you must do the tour, 25-30 quid well spent even if they don't let you step onto the ground. Walk slowly when you're taken between the dressing rooms, there are some amazing team photos along that hallway.

TeaLeaf

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#3360595 4-Apr-2025 11:36

thermonuclear:

What's this TeaLeaf, you're off to Europe? Will this trip be including a visit to St Johns Wood in London? If not for a match then you must do the tour, 25-30 quid well spent even if they don't let you step onto the ground. Walk slowly when you're taken between the dressing rooms, there are some amazing team photos along that hallway.

Nah, I have a wedding in to attemd. And a lot of monastery beer to drink :-)

Best I dont mess this cheap phone thing up ;-p

Edit: that tour gets 4.7/5 on Tripadvisor.

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TeaLeaf

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#3360603 4-Apr-2025 12:07

MaxineN:

A overseas retailer won't be able to correctly advise if it will or won't work fully in NZ. Only in the country they sell and operate.

True, I can ask them the Band numbers and the CSC, anything else to make sure it works?

The Iphone 16 Pro Max also has a 6.9" screen, I really like big screens, for a few reasons. Its an option I guess but I really want the S24U.

But sounds like the Iphones work and the Pixels. (dont quote me, just seems that way)

nztim

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#3360808 4-Apr-2025 15:42

TeaLeaf:

True, I can ask them the Band numbers and the CSC, anything else to make sure it works?

The Iphone 16 Pro Max also has a 6.9" screen, I really like big screens, for a few reasons. Its an option I guess but I really want the S24U.

But sounds like the Iphones work and the Pixels. (dont quote me, just seems that way)

Bands are only one part of it, once 3G is shut down all calls will be over data, a carrier profile loaded into the phone's software tells the phone where the carriers call server is, what codecs to use, among other things

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TeaLeaf

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#3360813 4-Apr-2025 16:10

nztim:

Bands are only one part of it, once 3G is shut down all calls will be over data,

Yeh of course not, but what else do I need to look for to know if its compatible with the Spark network? Will the CSC be on the sticker on the box for example?

MaxineN

Max
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#3360815 4-Apr-2025 16:15

TeaLeaf:

nztim:

Bands are only one part of it, once 3G is shut down all calls will be over data,

Yeh of course not, but what else do I need to look for to know if its compatible with the Spark network? Will the CSC be on the sticker on the box for example?

Okay. I think we need to reset the expectations.

No overseas retailer will be able to guarantee anything.
CSCs are only a Samsung thing, and that will depend on what variant you buy and if it's already been burned or not.
I have said that Pixels are fine, some Samsungs you should avoid and whilst that's true. You're still buying a phone from overseas, there is no guaranteed sticker it will work.

If you want a phone to work 100% on Spark, buy it from Spark or from Apple if you want an iPhone or buy a Samsung that has been ranged in NZ.

Anything else is a throw money into the air and hope it works.

Edit: TeaLeaf. No offense... but you've been sitting on this issue for months in various threads. I think you need to sit down and think before you blow money on a phone. What is it you actually want and is it readily available in New Zealand and does it fully function in New Zealand?

I understand that I am about to come off as very blunt but I was like you years ago tip toeing and being undecisive. I really think you need to re-evaluate your needs and wants and align it with how practical it is.

I bought my Pixel 7a from Japan because I knew it would work fine on all 3 carriers, and it does! That's thanks to my industry experience and also doing my research and listening. What this edited post says may assist, however the decision is entirely on you and again... no overseas retailer is going to guarantee anything in another country.

Kind regards

Maxine

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