Phone for next 6 months CONUS then 3yrs OCONUS?
October 17, 2016 8:43 AM   Subscribe

I don't have a cell phone but I'm six months pregnant and probably need one. Difficulty, moving to Japan in the spring. Can you help?

I am having such a hard time googling this. I really need a cell phone, its been an awesome time of being disconnected but I'm ready to get back in the loop. Plus, being all pregnant I find myself out and about and wonder to myself how I would find someone with a phone if something emergent came about.

I would like just regular ol' android that does regular data things and maybe takes good pictures. I don't generally talk or text that much (clearly) but I need to be able to do that. I wouldn't' mind buying a more expensive phone, but I am concerned that I won't be able to use what I purchase at all in the 36 months I am in Yokosuka, Japan. I am currently in Denver.

Last year, I bought what I thought was an unlocked Samsung, but it was unlocked for "the Americas" and somehow, one sim card slot worked for phone stuff and the other worked for data, but I couldn't get it ever to work well with either. I am BAD at figuring this out and don't want something like that again.

What would you suggest for the best carrier for the next 5-6 months here and what phone should I get with it that maybe enough unlocked that I can use it in Japan?

Any guidance on any part of this would be very welcomed.
posted by stormygrey to Technology (5 answers total)
 
My friend who lives in Australia and visits the US a lot says there's no better solution than two phones.

My dad recommends an extremely cheap prepaid (TracFone, Virgin Mobile) phone for the American half, and buying a phone in Japan when you get there. Actually, he got a cheap prepaid phone for European vacations, now that I think of it.
posted by SMPA at 9:22 AM on October 17, 2016


As one who travels extensively the "best" solution is to buy a factory unlocked smart phone/dumb phone directly from the manufacturer/authorized distributor and then use the country specific SIM with a no contract minutes/monthly plan. Do not purchase your phone from a cellular provider or a business/person who sells cellular service. The key words are factory/manufacturer unlocked and that it accommodates/manages universal bands frequencies. The advantage of one phone is that it can be used in multiple countries that have different bands/frequencies and all your contact/messaging information is on one device. I would look on Amazon with the help of someone that understands what you want. If you want to cheap phones specific to the country that is a viable solution but has limited application depending on future plans. Safe Travels
posted by rmhsinc at 11:19 AM on October 17, 2016


Response by poster: Thanks, that makes sense. Does: "2G Bands: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 3G Bands: 850/900/1900/2100" cover "universal bands" or is really, precisely what I'm looking for? I unfortunately don't have anyone around who is versed in this and my previous international phone, alas, did not serve me well.
posted by stormygrey at 11:35 AM on October 17, 2016


Best answer: If you are moving to Japan "dumb" phones and 2G phones usually not supported--If you can afford the phone go for 4G, if not 3G. I believe 1900 and 2100 will work. Once you identify a factory unlocked/sim free ( very important words) that you like I would suggest you visit this or similar sites before purchasing. Japan is a bit of an outlier as it is leading edge in mobile systems and does not support older technologies. This is a difficult decision as one either gets two (probably) inexpensive phones or a better phone that is more flexible. If you shop around on line and find a phone that you might like and it appears to work in both countries feel free to email me and I will double check. I am in no way a geek but have faced this problem for the last 20 years. It would be quite simple if you were moving to Europe and not Japan. This is a case where money buys increased flexibility. Best of luck
posted by rmhsinc at 1:44 PM on October 17, 2016 [1 favorite]


I would get the cheapest possible phone that your carrier offers in the US and just know that you're going to be replacing this phone in six months when you move to Japan. When you get to Japan, buy whatever phone seems the most reasonable for your needs.

Another good option might be to see if you can beg an old phone off of someone, and use that for six months. It's pretty common to be eligible for an upgrade while your old phone still works, opt for the newer model, and have an extra working phone to do what you want with. I feel like a lot of people would be willing to give their out-dated model away or sell it for cheaply to a pregnant friend who otherwise doesn't have a cell phone.
posted by Sara C. at 5:22 PM on October 17, 2016


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