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Americas phones and SIMs Americas phones and SIMs
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Communications Connecting - internet cafes, laptops, smart phones - how to connect, use, which one, and intercom/radio systems.
Photo by Alessio Corradini, on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia, of two locals

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Alessio Corradini,
on the Salar de Uyuni, Bolivia,
of two locals



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  #1  
Old 14 Jan 2016
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Americas phones and SIMs
I am planning an Americas trip and will be buying a local SIM in each country as needed, which seems to be the general consensus as the best way have a phone.

The question I have is with respect to phone. I currently have an Motorola Moto X, which is an Android-based smart phone. It has a slot for a SIM card. However, it is over 2 years old and the battery is becoming weaker and weaker.

So I think I'll buy a new phone. But I don't want to break the bank for a good phone that soon I will only be using for limited contact in Central and South America.

What do people recommend as a phone for traveling:

- Simple flip phone? Pro: long battery life, inexpensive, generally durable

- Smart phone? Pro: offers internet browsing (via WiFi to avoid data $) and GPS

- Can someone confirm that the phone network should be GSM and not CDMA for the Americas?

- Any specific suggestions would be great. I'm in the USA, for what it's worth, as I know some models aren't globally available for purchase.

Thanks.
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  #2  
Old 14 Jan 2016
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Expensive option but the Google Project Fi is pretty convenient provided you already have one of the specific model phones.
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Tony
Click here for Travel Photos & Travel Map
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  #3  
Old 15 Jan 2016
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Location: Bellingham, WA, USA
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GSM quad band phone. Whether smart or stupid is up to you and your individual preferences.

TMobile gives the most international options if you're shopping for a plan--generally, free data and text plus discounted calling almost anywhere worldwide. There are pluses and minuses to each carrier, and reasons to buy locally if you're spending some time and like to gab on the phone a lot.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark
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  #4  
Old 15 Jan 2016
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony LEE View Post
Expensive option but the Google Project Fi is pretty convenient provided you already have one of the specific model phones.
Wow, didn't even know about Fi. Definitely something I'm going to explore more.
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  #5  
Old 9 May 2016
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I ended up getting Google Fi. They had a special where the phone was $250 and I am currently set up for $50/mo plan (3GB), but will likely downgrade to $40/mo (2GB) once travelling. Supposedly you only pay for the data you use, so the downgrade may be moot.

I haven't used the phone/service abroad, just in NYC here where it has been comparable to my prior mobile provider. That is to be expected since NYC is a dense area and coverage is pretty complete for all mobile companies (Fi uses T-mobile and Sprint networks). I'm heading to Peru in June/July for a non-moto trip and will get a full overseas test-run out of it before I embark on my Americas moto trip this fall.

So far, it's looking good and I'm glad I was pointed to Google Fi.
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  #6  
Old 6 Jun 2016
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I'd definitely recommend Fi. I just came back from the U.S. and it worked perfectly. However I mostly used wifi based calling. It has visual voicemail hangouts and you can forward texts and calls to the devices you're logged into. Eh, I love Google

Alexander
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