When I get a new phone, would it be of any use to keep my Galaxy S7? Could it be used in Europe if I put a new sim card in it when I arrived? Or does it have to have active service with a carrier? I have used it in Europe with the verizon plan, but I am just thinking of a more economical way. As you can see, I am not tech savy!
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
7262 posts
Yes, just put a SIM-card in it and you're good to go.
Posted by
Freedonia
16619 posts
I haven't used Verizon in years......but check to see if the phone is GSM compatible. Verizon uses CDMA. If it is GSM compatible then all you need is a SIM.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8264 posts
Depending on your current carrier, verify that the phone is unlocked, or have them unlock it, then yes, you can get a SIM in Europe and it should work fine.
Posted by
OP
Faribault
224 posts
Thanks everyone for your responses. It is unlocked, and in "about phone" setting it is listed as IMEI. I think that it means that it is GSM.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12126 posts
https://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s7-7821.php
This what you have?
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
7262 posts
IMEI is the phone's identity number, and you should keep a note of it in case it gets stolen.
The Galaxy S7 is GSM compatible, as well as 3G and 4G so no need to worry as long as it is unlocked.
Posted by
near San Francisco
5610 posts
That is precisely what I do with my (older) Galaxy S7, which is not on my Verizon (or any other US) service.
Here are the details of the SIM card I have used in it on multiple trips now:
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tech-tips/vodafone-uk-sim-card-for-use-in-europe
Thus far, Vodafone has said that roaming in Europe will continue to be included, though I haven't searched recently for updates on that.
Posted by
near San Francisco
5610 posts
Vodafone UK's site still says that roaming in Europe is included, including on Pay As You Go plans, such as I've used on my Galaxy S7.
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
Right now, you can make sure it's unlocked and will work with a non-Verizon SIM card.
Just find a friend who has a provider other than Verizon, and put their SIM card in the Galaxy S7. If it boots up and works, and it now have your friend's phone number as its number, it will work with a European SIM card. If it does not boot up but indicates that you need a "SIM PIN 2" or that you have to input a code to get it to work, it's locked to Verizon.
Even if you can't get it to work with another SIM card, it should still work on WiFi. That's how I use my old Galaxy S5, as a spare device (sort of like an Android version of the iPod Touch).
Posted by
OP
Faribault
224 posts
Joe32F. Yes, that is my phone, and I see that it lists GSM.
Posted by
Bay Area, California
1671 posts
The best is to sign up for Google Fi service. Then you can traverse Europe without changing Sims.
Posted by
near San Francisco
5610 posts
I prefer using my older phone in Europe so that if I drop/lose it, I've still got my far more valuable new phone - which I wouldn't like to have to try to replace during an international trip. (That is trouble enough when I'm home.) The "new phone" serves as an expensive backup device, which I guard 2nd only perhaps to my passport.
Posted by
SC and CA
205 posts
@barkinpark
You beat me to it. We use google fi all over europe, works perfectly.
Posted by
Hustonville, KY
35 posts
@barkinpark
I am looking at the Google Fi for a 30 day trip in Poland, Sweden, Germany and CR. I don't want to do away with my local service. Have you used the eSim with Google Fi and kept your old number? Do you know much about it? It looks cheaper than messing with local or international sims and much easier. I like they have no contracts so you can cancel at any time.
Janet