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GrandpaBlaze

GrandpaBlaze

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I've decided it is finally time to move from my old dumb-phone to a decent smart-phone. I don't need top-of-the-line but want decent quality.

Caveat: I would like a phone that will work with Vodafone in NZ (where I am right now) and with Verizon in the US (when I return - sometime).

Any recommendations? Recommended sellers? Phone prices here in NZ are VERY high. Wouldn't mind buying it in US and having it sent here.

Thanks all.

Gramps...
 
I was going to suggest the iPhone5 (verizon model), but I don't think you can buy it unlocked. The Unlocked iPhone will only work on GSM networks, which Verizon isn't. If you aren't tied to Verizon, I'd suggest the Nexus4. It is a fantastic phone and only $350 unlocked for the 16gb model. For comparison, the 16gb Iphone5 is $650.
 
I haven't gone overseas yet but I pretty sure the Verizon phones aren't supported over there because they are CDMA not GSM.
 
KeepOnRollin said:
I haven't gone overseas yet but I pretty sure the Verizon phones aren't supported over there because they are CDMA not GSM.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure Verizon's iPhone5 is unlocked for GSM...or maybe that was the Verizon iPad. I could be mixing it up, but one of them was. Problem is you'd have to pay for a Verizon contract.
 
porkchopexpress said:
I'm pretty sure Verizon's iPhone5 is unlocked for GSM...or maybe that was the Verizon iPad. I could be mixing it up, but one of them was. Problem is you'd have to pay for a Verizon contract.
Click to expand...

You are probably right. I am an android guy.
 
GrandpaBlaze said:
I've decided it is finally time to move from my old dumb-phone to a decent smart-phone. I don't need top-of-the-line but want decent quality.

Caveat: I would like a phone that will work with Vodafone in NZ (where I am right now) and with Verizon in the US (when I return - sometime).

Any recommendations? Recommended sellers? Phone prices here in NZ are VERY high. Wouldn't mind buying it in US and having it sent here.

Thanks all.

Gramps...
Click to expand...
DO NOT GET A BLACKBERRY.
 
GrandpaBlaze said:
I've decided it is finally time to move from my old dumb-phone to a decent smart-phone. I don't need top-of-the-line but want decent quality.

Caveat: I would like a phone that will work with Vodafone in NZ (where I am right now) and with Verizon in the US (when I return - sometime).

Any recommendations? Recommended sellers? Phone prices here in NZ are VERY high. Wouldn't mind buying it in US and having it sent here.

Thanks all.

Gramps...
Click to expand...

How long will you be in NZ?

Why do you want it to be able to work with Verizon in the US?

Why do you want it to be able to work with Vodafone NZ?

Do you have an iPad or other Apple stuff and an iTunes account with a significant investment in songs/shows/apps?
 
Masbee said:
How long will you be in NZ?

Why do you want it to be able to work with Verizon in the US?

Why do you want it to be able to work with Vodafone NZ?

Do you have an iPad or other Apple stuff and an iTunes account with a significant investment in songs/shows/apps?
Click to expand...

No investment in iPad or other Apple stuff.

Not sure how long I'll be in NZ. Best guess is through the end of the year this year - maybe shorter, maybe longer but that is a good approximate timeframe.

Want to work with Vodafone as the company I work for here provides me a Vodafone SIM with unlimited talk, text, data - I just need to provide the phone.

I want it to work with Verizon as that is my carrier in the US (account suspended right now but will resume on my return).

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

Gramps...
 
$199 buys you a Vodaphone iPhone 5. Buy a new Verizon phone when you move back here.
 
I'm still a bit t'd that Sprint doesn't do 4G in the Portland area...as of yet.
 
Vodaphone? that's my favorite Paul Simon song.
 
My wife just bought the Samsung Galaxy Note II. I guess it's a "phablet". Amazing.
 
GrandpaBlaze said:
No investment in iPad or other Apple stuff.

Not sure how long I'll be in NZ. Best guess is through the end of the year this year - maybe shorter, maybe longer but that is a good approximate timeframe.

Want to work with Vodafone as the company I work for here provides me a Vodafone SIM with unlimited talk, text, data - I just need to provide the phone.

I want it to work with Verizon as that is my carrier in the US (account suspended right now but will resume on my return).

Thanks for any insight you can provide.

Gramps...
Click to expand...

You would have plenty of options except for the Verizon requirement.

Off the top of my head, NZ is all gsm. No lte (4g) yet. Verizon is cdma and lte. And they use different frequencies to boot. Verizon lte is terrific and the best cell network in the us.

Sure there are a few world phones that may work at full speed with most providers, but they are the latest top of the line, big bucks phones, which you said you didn't need.

Verizon is weird about their phones. They like to control them, and make them different than stock. To make sure to get the best out of their network, get a Verizon labeled phone.

If you are loyal to Verizon, I think you might be best served getting a reconditioned or used model of a once top of the line like a Samsung Galaxy S II or Nexus for NZ. Used iPhones cost too much. Then get a subsidised Verizon phone when you get back. $200 for the latest top of the line Samsung, Apple, Droid Razr, Htc. Free for last years best.
 
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