Can I use my sister's US Verizon phone in the UK?

December 26, 2013 6:41 PM

My sister just replaced her US-based Verizon Motorola Droid Razr and I want to know if I can use it in the UK. That is all.
posted by stinker to Technology (7 answers total)

No. Verizon uses CDMA, not GSM. And the phone is likely locked.
posted by k8t at 6:58 PM on December 26, 2013

Actually it looks like the Verizon Droid RAZR might also have a GSM radio for use overseas. Your sister can probably call Verizon and get the unlock code so that it will accept foreign SIM cards.
posted by dcjd at 7:14 PM on December 26, 2013

I've been able to use my droid in the UK on the global network setting.
posted by brujita at 8:31 PM on December 26, 2013

Looks like yes. If you wanted to use it on a US GSM carrier, it would need to be unlocked, but since this is a 4G "Global Ready" phone, it does not need to be unlocked to be used on foreign GSM carriers (see point 11 here).
posted by Lazlo Hollyfeld at 9:01 PM on December 26, 2013

Another yes- I've used mine all over Europe and the UK, with non-American SIM cards, of course.
posted by mollywas at 1:11 AM on December 27, 2013

Here's some useful posts from a discussion on a forum about how to use the Droid RAZR overseas from a year or so ago. They helped me out when I was figuring out what settings to change with new SIM cards.
posted by mollywas at 1:13 AM on December 27, 2013

I want to reiterate that Verizon will routinely unlock phones for international use. You have to have been on contract for something like six weeks, then you call and get an unlock. Worked great for my iPhone! Verizon's international voice + data roaming prices aren't terrible if she already has a Verizon GSM SIM and just wants casual use ($25 / 100MB). But unlocking the phone and using a local SIM ($10 / 1000MB or cheaper) will save a whole lot of money if she wants to use the phone much.
posted by Nelson at 2:56 AM on December 27, 2013