I would like to know if anyone can recommend an unlocked international dual SIM phone or alternative device for travel in France. I mainly want Internet access for google maps, travel apps & Google voice. Prefer to leave my everyday personal phone & laptop at home. What is the easiest way to purchase SIM card in France? We'll be arriving in Paris in the afternoon mid-week.
Posted by
Paris and New York
41 posts
It may be too late for your trip, but I would suggest ebay to purchase a Nexus 6P or Nexus 5X phone and a Google Fi plan.
Once you return from your travels, you could cancel the Google Fi plan and sell the phone on ebay. That will be my plan for the next time I head to Europe, but might take two weeks to get my ducks in a row.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
It sounds like you are traveling very soon? You can just buy a cheap Android phone and a SIM when you get there, at an Orange store or some other mobile company's store. Have your passport with you; you need it in France to buy a SIM card.
I don't think you need a dual SIM phone, unless you really want to use your US SIM card in France as well.
If you aren't traveling so soon, you can buy a SIM card before you arrive so it will be all set up when you land in Paris. I bought a Dutch Vodafone SIM on eBay and used that in May to travel in France and elsewhere in Europe - no more EU roaming so data worked fine, which is all I needed it for. The SIM cost $7 USD shipped to me, then topped up with 20 Euros credit on Vodafone's website, then used the 20 Euros to get 3GB of data for a month with a Vodafone "You" plan. Worked great for me. (You don't need a passport to buy a Dutch Vodafone SIM like you would for a SIM in France. I never even visited the Netherlands.)
For a travel phone, I have an international Moto E (has dual SIM capability though I've never used it). I would recommend this phone (version XT1521) but I don't think you can buy it anymore or not cheaply.
Posted by
Nice, France & San Francisco
681 posts
The Huawei Honor 6x is a pretty solid phone, with decent battery life. You can find it on Amazon, Best Buy and other online shops (if in the US). When searching, look in the unlocked phone department and I recommend looking at LTE phones, to give it some longevity. There are other phones that are under $100.
The main thing to check for is compatibility with your target carrier (SFR, Free, Orange, etc). Sometimes the phones on Amazon or Ebay will be models that have restricted band capability, as they are targeted for certain regions of the world only. This link will allow you to check what bands are required: HERE
Posted by
New York, NY
4007 posts
You might want to post this in the "Technology Tips" forum to get your question more exposure and therefore more responses.
Posted by
Freedonia
15069 posts
If you are a member of Amazon Prime:
$50--8GB
$60--16 GB
Unlocked, dual sim. I've had mine for over a year and it works fine.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
Click on Frank's Blu link, and ibssupportgroupf will get an Amazon commission on the sale - nice!
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
Also, the Blu R1 HD seems like a US phone - only has slow GSM frequencies for Europe (you want a phone with HSDPA or UMTS 900MHZ/1800MHZ for Europe). I'd guess the Blu R1-HD will work only on the slow 2G "Edge" data network in Europe - very slow except on WiFi:
Posted by
Nice, France & San Francisco
681 posts
It seems like that Blu phone does support HSDPA -- does the Prime version exclude the support? It is worth noting, as the French 4G coverage in the countryside leaves something to be desired.
In any case, look for support for at least LTE band 7 -- that will work on Orange, SFR and Free -- in addition to the 3G HSDPA coverage. (Other carriers also support other bands).