mkumar

I don't have a mobile phone at the mo, and am wondering whether I should:

1) Buy one from the UK, take it over and get it unlocked

2) Buy one in NZ

I'm after a pay as you go. They are very cheap in the UK (many for £10). NZ don't seem to have any under a couple of hundred dollars. Are there any cheapies in NZ?

Do I need to worry about dual-band, tri-band etc?

lapsed kiwi

You can get a basic PAYG phone on Vodafone for $60-$100, but this will be a basic model without camera, music player etc - depends on whether you want all those features I suppose. If you get a good deal in UK and can get it unlocked cheaply, it will probably be better value.

nelsonpom

Have lived here for nearly 3 years and uk mobiles are loads cheaper. You can get it unlocked for free on internet (just done it) and get fantastic phone for peanuts. Just been back to UK and got a phone from tesco for 34 pounds and unlocked for free. Same phone over here is $300
Buy UK

Littletoe

I would rather buy a phone here just because if it breaks, or you have any trouble, it'll be easier to get sorted. Have a look at the Vodafone online store, www.vodafone.co.nz, they have some deals online, with packages that include minutes/credit. There is also Telecom - but be aware that Telecom mobiles DO NOT use a chip, so if you're interested in their coverage and/or prices, you'd definitely have to buy it here. Also, trademe.co.nz, have some second hand phones for sale, but be wary of stolen phones that may have been disabled. Don't worry about tri-band, its the same frequency, you only need tri-band if you want to use it in the states.

lapsed kiwi

Could you tell me what model? I'm in the UK very briefly soon and might buy one for the OH - I just want to make sure it's one that's easy to unlock

Thanks

drrobert

I agree - buy a phone in the UK. They're much cheaper, and the models are more up-to-date.

You'll need to do some online research. Look here for what Tesco are selling:

http://www.tesco.com/mobilenetwork/shop/phones.asp

Then you'll have to find out from various fora how to get them unlocked. Good luck!

nelsonpom

I got a samsung sgh j700. Nice phone and easy to use. Vodaphone sell them so you can pop in a shop and have a look or look on line. Enjoy your trip

lapsed kiwi

Thanks