Cell phones: Any phone can use AT&T Service?
Any phone can use AT&T Service?
by Jaysonk - 6/4/09 9:29 PMAny Phone can use AT&T service?
My friend ask me to help her to buy cell phone in China. It should be cheaper than USA. As I know, all cell phones in China just support Dual Band, GSM900/1800. But some areas in USA supports Tri Band GSM850/900/1800. So I do not know whether it is available for my friend to use in USA.
So I hope can get answer from somebody. So I can not waste money to buy the phone which cannot be used in USA.
I hope I can get detailed explanation of AT&T servic. So I can know which phone I need to serach for. And anyone can give me some guidances?
My requirements:
1. Compatible with AT&T Service
2. Not high than 150USD
3. Basic Function of Cell Phone
That is it.
Thanks
phone for use w/ At&t
by birdmantd - 6/5/09 6:39 AM In reply to: Any phone can use AT&T Service? by JaysonkBefore buying an unbranded/unlocked phone make sure it has at least 850 and 19000 mhz bands as 900 and 1800 mhz bands are not used in the US. Without 850 and 1900 bands, coverage may be compromised.
I can't specifically suggest any phone models, just keep that suggestion in mind when shopping. Best bet is to purchase a Quad band device to ensure you will have adequate coverage/reception.
Points to consider first
by Pepe7 - 6/5/09 7:21 AM In reply to: Any phone can use AT&T Service? by JaysonkYou might find a $150 phone in China, but it might not be superior to the carrier branded or unlocked version for sale on ebay/amazon/etc. I'd be wary of spending so much on something that is more and more becoming so easily found as a commodity in the U.S. where the device can be fully supported/receive full warranty service. There are plenty of knockoff devices being sold there as the real thing but w/o the same build quality. Is your friend seeking a specific type of phone (touch screen/smartphone,etc.) or simply anything basic that would work w/ ATT service in the U.S.(?) I'd probably ask her that before going shopping.
-Pedro
Quad Band Cell phoen
by Jaysonk - 6/5/09 8:30 AM In reply to: Points to consider first by Pepe7Thanks for your information. We have serached lots of Quad Band Cell phone on website. And compared several online shop, there are lots of Quad Band Unlocked Cell phone. But I do not know whether they can not work with AT&T Service. Have you bought chinesa cell phone that can work with AT&T Service?
My friend just want to buy the phone can support AT&T service. Of course there are some basic requirements, such as camera, bluetooth, mp3/mp4 and so on.
Yes, yes, and yes
by Pepe7 - 6/5/09 8:58 AM In reply to: Quad Band Cell phoen by JaysonkJust do a little bit of basic reading, amigo. You could even go to the ATT site or even wikipedia for a second opinion 
.
Look for an unlocked handset w/ the following bands:
GSM/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
If it also had WCDMA/UMTS 850/1900 that would be good for 3G w/ ATT. Just beware that a lot of Asian sold phones claim to be compatible w/3G on ATT in the U.S. are not.
-Pedro
Chinese Cell Phone
by dminott - 6/6/09 12:18 AM In reply to: Any phone can use AT&T Service? by JaysonkI bought a Chinese cellphone on uBid for $60 which not only works well here on at&t, but is a dual SIM device so you can have a card for Europe (or China) and one for the U.S. installed at the same time.
Google "A008" and you will find many sellers. I believe the cheapest right now is Davis.
The manual is in Chinglish, so it takes a while to figure out all the goodies (and there are many, including FM radio, M3 player, Video player, etc.) It also comes with two batteries, a handsfree adapter (needed if you want to receive the FM band - it acts as an antenna!)
and a charger. Oh, yes, it is touchscreen and has a teeny stylus, as well.
Dave
foreign phone
by birdmantd - 6/6/09 6:19 AM In reply to: Chinese Cell Phone by dminottBefore anybody buys such a device, keep in mind that if you ever need warranty service that you will have to deal w/ the manufacturer and your current cellular provider will be unable to assist. Similar issues can also occur if there are any specific technical issues w/ the device. Best word of advice is "Buyer beware".
Agreed ;)
by Pepe7 - 6/6/09 9:34 AM In reply to: foreign phone by birdmantdAnd for the same $60, you could get a nice basic phone from the carrier w/ full warranty.
They warranty their products!
by dminott - 6/6/09 10:40 AM In reply to: Agreed ;) by Pepe7Check out this website:
http://www.davismicro.com/
Seem to have big selection, cheap prices and full warrantees...
Dave
Davis Warranty Policy
by dminott - 6/6/09 10:56 AM In reply to: They warranty their products! by dminottNo, I have no connection with Davis, but since a few of you were skeptical about warranty, here is there policy;
Warranty & Return
10 Days Money Back Warranty
If you are not satisfied with our product because it doesn't work, you can send them back to us in 10 days after you receive it for refund, in this case, we don't refund the shipping fees. If you are not satisfied with our product only because you don't like it, you can send them back to us in 10 days after you receive it for refund, in this case, we'll charge you 15% restocking fee and we don't refund the shipping fees. Buyer should pay to ship the itme(s) back.
One Month Exchange Warranty
If the product doesn't work, you can send them back to us in one month for exchange, buyers pay the shipping fees for sending back to us, and we pay the shipping fees for resending them to buyers.
One Year Manufacture Warranty
Within 1 year, buyers can send them back for free repair, in this case, buyers pay all the shipping fees in both sides. Which mean you should pay us the shipping fees for us to send them back to you. If buyer break the items and some components need to be changed, we will charge for the original value of that components.
Dave
Sure
by Pepe7 - 6/6/09 8:40 PM In reply to: Davis Warranty Policy by dminottHow many folks are willing to ship their phones to China for service? I guess you can quickly see how silly it is to shop now for phones which are not supported stateside. Now if I were based in Asia it would be a different story.
-P
You ship to CA
by dminott - 6/6/09 11:19 PM In reply to: Sure by Pepe7I checked their website again and it seems that they have a 530 area code, which is in Sacramento, CA.
If there is a warranty problem, it looks like you ship to them and they have a new phone shipped to you directly from China (around 5 days, they claim.)
Sounds pretty reasonable to me.
I'd like to find out what the default Chinese piece of music is that comes on the phone.
I played it while we were in a Chinese restaurant and I saw many smiles. Next time I'll have to ask...
Dave
Chinese Cell Phone
by Jaysonk - 6/7/09 5:59 PM In reply to: You ship to CA by dminottI have opened this website. But it is unavailable. As I know, there are lots of online shop which sell chinese cell phones.
I also have looked throught this website www.hotsaleoutlet.com
It is basicall the same as the webiste you said.
If quad band cell phone can be available in many areas of USA, I think quad band phone is the first choice.
It all sounds great on paper, doesn't it?
by Pepe7 - 6/8/09 6:16 AM In reply to: You ship to CA by dminottNo thanks. I'll stick with a more tested, legitimate sales/service channel. It makes no sense to have to rely on a drop ship point when you can have things facilitated here for similar if not better equipment.
One more thing
by birdmantd - 6/8/09 6:53 AM In reply to: foreign phone by birdmantdOne more thing to consider is that foreign phones have not been approved for sale in the US and may not pass UL (Underwriter's Laboratories) or the FCC strict standards that all phones are required to meet prior to sale in the US.
Best advice is "Buyer Beware".
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