Gringoes.com: Cell phone

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SaoPaulo2012
Newbie
Newbie

Joined: 25 December 2011
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Posts: 21

Topic: Cell phone
Posted: 28 May 2012 at 19:09

I apologize if this is a repeat, but I need some guidance on buying a cell phone.

My iphone just broke and I was wondering which cell phone is the best to buy that will work in Brazil. I have heard that service providers/data plans are very expensive and the best way to go is to buy prepaid chips.

I would like to buy something soon (that will also work for the time being while I am in the US - I'm moving to Sao Paulo in July), so any help would be greatly appreciated!

Obrigado

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sven
Gringoes.com Guru

Joined: 14 March 2007
Location: Brazil
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Posts: 12756

Posted: 28 May 2012 at 19:44

Buy an onlocked iPhone.

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frank4000
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Joined: 29 November 2008
Location: Trinidad and Tobago
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Posts: 1512

Posted: 03 June 2012 at 01:44

Or a samsung 11

Meu Vizinho Jogou um semente no seu quintal

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Labyras
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Joined: 20 May 2012
Location: Netherlands
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Posts: 155

Posted: 03 June 2012 at 06:50

I bought a Sony Ericsson w910i which was supposed to work in Brazil, according to the specs and various websites.
Guess what, half of the time I didn´t get any reception on the phone. I will only buy a simple phone there in Brazil, or indeed like Sven says, a good iPhone from which you´re guaranteed it will work (but then again, I was 100% sure as well with the SE.

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frank4000
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Joined: 29 November 2008
Location: Trinidad and Tobago
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Posts: 1512

Posted: 03 June 2012 at 13:38

lol. I beginning the wonder as well. sometimes it is just the network not the phone.

Meu Vizinho Jogou um semente no seu quintal

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Labyras
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Joined: 20 May 2012
Location: Netherlands
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Posts: 155

Posted: 03 June 2012 at 13:40

Yeah me too. But my girlfriend has the same provider and her much cheaper Samsung did work. Guess you never know for sure until you try?

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sven
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Joined: 14 March 2007
Location: Brazil
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Posts: 12756

Posted: 04 June 2012 at 06:41

Originally posted by frank4000

Or a samsung 11

That's like substituting a Ferrari with a Volvo.

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sven
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Joined: 14 March 2007
Location: Brazil
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Posts: 12756

Posted: 04 June 2012 at 06:42

Originally posted by Labyras

I bought a Sony Ericsson w910i which was supposed to work in Brazil, according to the specs and various websites.
Guess what, half of the time I didn´t get any reception on the phone. I will only buy a simple phone there in Brazil, or indeed like Sven says, a good iPhone from which you´re guaranteed it will work (but then again, I was 100% sure as well with the SE.

My wife had one. Worked perfectly. What company?

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Labyras
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Joined: 20 May 2012
Location: Netherlands
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 155

Posted: 04 June 2012 at 06:48

Originally posted by sven

My wife had one. Worked perfectly. What company?

The company was Oi. My girlfriend decided that for me, since she also has it and we could call/text for free...

Is it actually a decent company? I never thought about it since she decided it for me...
I prefer to have good coverage, even if it costs a little more (like KPN in Holland). Can anyone advice me on this?

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Labyras
Senior Member

Joined: 20 May 2012
Location: Netherlands
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 155

Posted: 04 June 2012 at 06:51

Originally posted by sven

That's like substituting a Ferrari with a Volvo.

I'd actually prefer a Volvo XC70 over a Ferrari over there in Brazil... If we just look at sheer functionality.

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Living in Brazil
Gringoes.com : Brazil : Living in Brazil

Topic: Cell phone
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