Im traveling to Europe (Netherlands, Germany, France) with a friend this summer and want to buy a couple of simple phones for use when we get there. I know just enough about what I need to be dangerous, so I would like someone to tell me if what I'm planning will work. I'm looking at buying 2 used phones from E-bay that have the following description: I'Unnecto eco Blue/Blue Unlocked GSM Cell Phone US Version - Dual Sim, Dual Standby, Single Talk, Quad Band GSM SIM1 850/900/1800/1900, GSM SIM2 850/900/1800/1900, 1.8-Inch QVGA Display, VGA Camera, Bluetooth, Flashlight, FM Radio, Includes: Charger, Battery. Cost is $14.99 each, no shipping. I know we will have to buy sim cards when we get there. I just want to be able to check reservations, times etc. in European countries without having to worry about ATT charges. I will have an iPad for data. Will these phones do what I want? Brenda
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
My recommendation would be not to buy phones ahead of time. We had no trouble finding new basic phones in Europe for 25 euros, including the phone, charger, sim card, and ten euro credit for minutes. If the phones you buy ahead of time either aren't unlocked or don't work (read some reviews), you will have wasted what you spent on them and have to buy phones in Europe anyway. Salls are cheapest in the country you purchase your SIM card. Use up the card, then buy a new one (yes, you will have a new phone number) in the country you're in. For calls home. If either of you has an Ipod touch, set it up with Skype. You can make calls from anywhere with WiFi (which is easy to find). We set it up to call land lines and made calls home for only a couple cents a minute (didn't use our entire $10 deposit in a month of calls home). I packed earbuds with a microphone, because the built in speaker/mic isn't great with background noice (like you get at Starbuck's or McDonald's).
Posted by
Seattle (occasionally)
78 posts
I 2nd the recommendation above...just buy a cheap phone w/sim on arrival. You can "top off" the card (add time) pretty much anywhere. Cell shops are everywhere. Plus, you will have the right charger (although not a big problem with adaptors). Ask for a "Handy" shop in Germany (their name for cell phone).