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TeaLeaf

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#319227 4-Apr-2025 09:20
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Im pretty sure thats our next stop over, rather than Thailand. 

Would a non connected Pixel from that area work in NZ? Is there anything I should look for to confirm it will work? Most of NZ Pixels are grey imports I presume from Asia? 

 

Works out $200 cheaper for a P8Pro.

 

Thanks.


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MaxineN
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  #3360457 4-Apr-2025 09:23
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Pixel 6 and up work fine on all carriers in NZ.

 

Wouldn't even worry about it just get what suits you :)

 

 

 

(I use a 7a from Japan and it works brilliantly)





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shk292
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  #3360508 4-Apr-2025 09:27
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What do you mean by non connected? 

 

I used to be keen on parallel imported phones but it seems less and less likely that they will be fully compatible with NZ networks in terms of volte, wifi calling etc.  The days of GSM ensuring global compatibility seem to have gone.

 

You also need to put a value on CGA coverage 


TeaLeaf

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  #3360510 4-Apr-2025 09:35
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shk292:

 

What do you mean by non connected? 

 

 

Sorry I mean an Unlocked phone, ie non connected to carrier.

Is it band 28 and N78 for 4G/5G?




MaxineN
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  #3360511 4-Apr-2025 09:38
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TeaLeaf:

 

shk292:

 

What do you mean by non connected? 

 

 

Sorry I mean an Unlocked phone, ie non connected to carrier.

Is it band 28 and N78 for 4G/5G?

 

 

All pixels (again from the 6 up) have B28 L700 and N78 NR3500. VoLTE and VoWiFi and 5G also work. 

 

The only thing you really need to worry about is warranty and if you care at all about the CGA. Oh and import tax potentially.





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TeaLeaf

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  #3360515 4-Apr-2025 09:47
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MaxineN:

 

The only thing you really need to worry about is warranty and if you care at all about the CGA. Oh and import tax potentially.

 

 

That is one of the risks Ive considered, they do take them back under warranty, its just a PITA vs the Bricks and Mortar Grey Import stores here.

 

But I will be using it in Europe for a couple of months before returning via Singapore, plus I think we there 7 day stop over, so any broken on arrival situations should show up.

They do have immaculate refurbs as well for about another $200 cheaper, but not sure Id want to take that risk in this situation.

If Ive been using the phone for a couple of months how would customs know if I bought it overseas or not? Plus it falls under the $1000 mark (Unless that has changed).


nztim
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  #3360517 4-Apr-2025 09:49
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If you buy any mobile phone (With the Exception of iPhones) from outside an NZ Authorized retailer there is no guarantee they will have all Three Carriers VoLTE profiles 





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TeaLeaf

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  #3360521 4-Apr-2025 09:53
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nztim:

 

there is no guarantee they will have all Three Carriers VoLTE profiles 

 

 

You mean 4g, 5g and? I thought they were decommissioning 3g?

 


Thanks for that, I want one that works on Spark the most. I just had a look and whilst not current Gen, the S24 Ultra is cheaper than the P8P, I think I would go Samsung route, my last daily was a Galaxy. My partner uses a OnePlus which I like as well.


 
 
 

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MaxineN
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  #3360522 4-Apr-2025 09:55
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nztim:

 

If you buy any mobile phone (With the Exception of iPhones) from outside an NZ Authorized retailer there is no guarantee they will have all Three Carriers VoLTE profiles 

 

 

 

 

Except OP wants a Pixel.

 

And I can certainly say Spark supports it. 2degrees personally I can vouch works fine (just turned on VoWiFi for giggles and that worked fine too, and 5G 100% works), although 2degrees have a TBC on the Pixels for VoWiFi and VoLTE roaming.

 

And in my time at One NZ. Pixels worked fine over VoLTE and 5G. I do believe VoWiFi works as well from the pixel mega thread here.

 

You aren't wrong Tim... but I think there can be less worry about Pixels :).





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TeaLeaf

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  #3360535 4-Apr-2025 09:58
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MaxineN:

 

You aren't wrong Tim... but I think there can be less worry about Pixels :).

 

 

Thank you for the info, why is there no way of being sure a phone model will or wont work in NZ? So is it there carriers or the 3g/4g/5g that is the concern?

 

I thought the main concern was with North Americn or Europe phones, ie google play store hard locked to UK etc. I thought the Asian unlocked phones were mostly ok in NZ.... but Im no expert obviously.


MaxineN
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  #3360538 4-Apr-2025 10:02
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TeaLeaf:

 

MaxineN:

 

You aren't wrong Tim... but I think there can be less worry about Pixels :).

 

 

Thank you for the info, why is there no way of being sure a phone model wont work in NZ? So is it there carriers or the 3g/4g/5g that is the concern?

 

 

Because everyone does each feature set differently and vendors sometimes aren't willing to play ball until either they're forced to, or they ignore (at the cost of alienating the customer base).

 

Because everyone does it differently, this means compatibility is very difficult sometimes.

 

Also NZ has some standards that it needs to meet, and with the impeding shutdown of our UMTS (3G) network, those UE's (User Equipment, aka your phone or 4G/5G CPE) HAS to meet those in order to be compliant.

 

It's not a simple thing of "oh hey VoLTE shows up and works, we can add this to our supported list."

 

 

 

Welcome to why I got into the telco industry in the first place :~)





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Asteros
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  #3360539 4-Apr-2025 10:07
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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 😜


TeaLeaf

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  #3360540 4-Apr-2025 10:07
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MaxineN:

 

Welcome to why I got into the telco industry in the first place :~)

 

 

Haha. I got in decades ago because I was clocking up student loans and using my tech capability from an old boss offered me a job vs more student loans ;-p

Ok. So which bit is the part most likely to exclude a Global Galaxy from working in NZ if I got that route instead of Google? I have always wanted to try the Ultra.


TeaLeaf

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  #3360543 4-Apr-2025 10:10
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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 😜

 

 

Yeh I think Apple is the one outlier of this problem, I could be wrong.

 

Its the camera in both the pixel and galaxy I am after, means I can leave my mirrorless at home more often.


MaxineN
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  #3360544 4-Apr-2025 10:12
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TeaLeaf:

 

MaxineN:

 

Welcome to why I got into the telco industry in the first place :~)

 

 

Haha. I got in decades ago because I was clocking up student loans and using my tech capability from an old boss offered me a job vs more student loans ;-p

Ok. So which bit is the part most likely to exclude a Global Galaxy from working in NZ if I got that route instead of Google? I have always wanted to try the Ultra.

 

 

So Galaxy's are a bit interesting, but I will recommend you avoid the USA and Canada variant at all costs.

 

Galaxy's are mostly agnostic, with the exception of the U(USA) variants and the W(Canada). XNZ is the defacto CSC across any NZ retailer and carrier. Your SIM is the determining factor if it installs the app needed for account management.

 

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).

 

There is a HK variant that is also a little bit interesting but that actually disables some features including VoWiFi. You don't want that.

 

 

 

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





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TeaLeaf

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  #3360550 4-Apr-2025 10:24
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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.


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