I have old Samsung flip telephones. Is there any way to be able to use them in Switzerland? When I recharged them only my contacts remain, there is no telephone number. Is there a better option like purchasing an inexpensive phone in Zurich airport or Zermatt?
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7885 posts
Does the phone have a removable SIM card?
Posted by
Reading, PA, USA
1637 posts
I used one for many years in Europe (last time 4 years ago). It had a replaceable SIM card.
Posted by
Washington DC
28073 posts
One key issue is the US carrier for which you used the phone. An old phone bought for use on Verizon, for example, probably will not connect to any network in Europe. An old T-Mobile phone would probably not have that limitation.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
Yes, just as likely to work or not as a modern Samsung phone. They still sell retro-flip phones!
The question is, as Tim says, does your phone support the European GSM standard? Does it have a SIM card slot and is it "unlocked"?
If it is not SIM-card compatible or is not unlocked, it will not work in Switzerland or any other European coutry
Cheap phones start at ~CHF 30-50. For example this one: https://www.melectronics.ch/de/p/785300125402/telme-c151-grau
But probably not that cheap at Zürich airport
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
Yes, an old flip phone must be a GSM-compatible phone with a SIM card slot. But even if it is, it may still not work in Switzerland. E.g. my Sony-Ericsson flip-phone bought in 2009 and used on T-Mobile will not work in Europe - does not the necessary GSM frequencies for use in Europe. Only has frequencies for use in the US. So it really depends on the exact make/model of phone.