G+_jan s Posted September 30, 2013 Share Posted September 30, 2013 Im planning to by an economical #smartphone for my dad and since he's used to GSM feature phones, i was thinking of a smartphone which will be simple to use and economically cost effective. I was looking around for unlocked #windowsphone 8 particularly #nokia520 & #nokia521 , since they are available for around 100 bucks, however i was unsure if this will work outside of US, since my dad resides outside of US. i see conflicting reviews of these products that 'this works' & 'doesnt work'. Any idea whats the truth. Is this an international phone, and will this work in an GSM frequency outside of US? Any help is greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Steve C Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 The Nokias aren't $99, they are $99 locked to AT&T with a 2 yr. contract that will cost you about $2500! You'd have to get an unlocked one without a contract and that's more like $200 but should work just about anywhere. Be aware that a lot of phones sold as "unlocked" are not really. It it says AT&T on the front it won't be unlocked. You'd have to check the kind of services used and the frequencies where he wants to go but in general a GSM phone will work in most places. I don't know why you'd get him an oddball Windows phone though when you can pick up a nice Galaxy S-II Android phone pretty cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_jan s Posted October 1, 2013 Author Share Posted October 1, 2013 well i didnt mean to pick out windows phone, or denigrate its capabilities, but i noticed on ebay that few sellers are selling #nokia520 & #nokia521 for around USD 110, that sort of fits into my budget for my dad's phone. i may probably download few apps on his phone, and might gift this phone to him. i didnt want to go in for Android phone for my dad and scare him with google play store and apps(i personally own an android phone myself). i wanted this to be a gradual shift from #featurephone to #smartphone for my dad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Steve C Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 So you want to get a smart phone that doesn't have any capabilities? LOL I didn't see any for $110, only used ones maybe. I could only find some for $120 but they are LOCKED to AT&T! Does you dad want to pay AT&T's high prices, about $100/mo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Derek J.D. Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 There are some entry level hauwei handsets on Amazon for $150 unlocked new. Cut down version of Android and great entry level unit, have my mother in law on one using T-Mobile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_jan s Posted October 1, 2013 Author Share Posted October 1, 2013 Derek: any hauwei recommendations in particular ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Derek J.D. Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 niranjan s let me look to see which one we ordered, I'll get back to you later today.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Derek J.D. Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 niranjan s Huawei U8833/Y300 and we paid 144 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Steve C Posted October 1, 2013 Share Posted October 1, 2013 I don't have any experience with the Huawei U8833/Y300 but the specs look good, it has a dual core processor, GPS, 5Mp camera and even an FM radio. The only downside is having only 4Gb of memory but that shouldn't be a problem for a light phone user and they are as low as $104 on Amazon. http://www.gsmarena.com/stats.php3/huawei_ascend_y300-5386.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Steve C Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 How about an $80 Firefox OS unlocked GSM phone? http://www.ebay.com/itm/281165818989 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_jan s Posted October 2, 2013 Author Share Posted October 2, 2013 nah. IMHO this phone is underpowered and not worth $80. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Steve C Posted October 2, 2013 Share Posted October 2, 2013 I thought that at first too but it's the same speed as my Galaxy S and that's plenty fast. You said you were looking for an economical phone for your dad who's used to a feature phone. This sounds just perfect for an older person. Why does your dad need a lot of power, he doesn't right? I was thinking of getting one for my mom who only makes calls. Even if I didn't get a data plan she's never know the difference! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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