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help! prepay sim for htc desire in New york, which to buy for DATA???

i have a uk vodafone desire, its custom with aosp roms and us unlocked.
I am going to new York for a week and i need to get a pre pay sim, mainly just for data, i don't care about calls and texts as i just want access to email and Skype to call home.
I have looked at some of the sites, but i dont know which one to get, can anyone recommend one?
I have a truphone simcard here.
which i need to pay£10 to get the membership this will give me local rates in uk or usa no matter where i am then i can buy a USA number for £5 and then buy some credit maybe £10 may do.... so that's £25 about $50, so i guess thats the bench mark. The desire is quad band so should work over there.

Did you take your trip already?
Your UK Desire doesn't have any 3G bands for the USA, so you'll be stuck with 2G/EDGE. T-Mobile USA has a $1.49/day data pass that is "unlimited". They throttle after 30 MB daily usage, but the speed reduction only shows up in 3G mode. You won't get 3G so you won't notice. It'll just be slow all the time...
If you want faster than EDGE you'll need a separate device.

Missed it. As been already. Bought a samsung fakeberry while I was there. Expensed the topups. Was just for email, for 5days.
But thanks I will look at t. Mobile next time. I bought at&t..... they suck. With the new job I will be going NYC regularly.
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

iamdarren said:
Missed it. As been already. Bought a samsung fakeberry while I was there. Expensed the topups. Was just for email, for 5days.
But thanks I will look at t. Mobile next time. I bought at&t..... they suck. With the new job I will be going NYC regularly.
Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk
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Okay, well if you will be visiting the USA regularly, you may want to consider buying in the US a phone with T-Mobile US compatible 3G frequencies. Most of the T-Mo US phones also have UMTS 2100 for the UK, so you'll get 3G back home.
Be warned, T-Mo US is pretty choppy too, but you get a better deal for data than AT&T.
Another option as long as we're talking new hardware - you could buy a prepaid MiFi device from Virgin Mobile USA (CDMA carrier, runs on Sprint's network) and purchase data for that. Use the wifi on your phone to tap into that instead of data roaming; and you can also run your laptop/tablet/etc on it. It won't do you much good anywhere outside the USA, but for some this is a viable option.

sensation and expansys US

i was looking at the sensation at expansys in the us... it said unlocked and wanted to get it early, but not sure if i should buy or wait and see... anybody order it from there yet?

There's some pros and cons, price aside. By buying it unbranded you'll have no T-Mobile bloatware or carved up functionality and will be able to get updates directly from HTC which is a lot faster and more frequent. The downside is HTC will be your support channel for any problems with the phone. Expansys will ship your phone to the UK should it need warranty work but that's not as easy as having T-Mobile U.S. overnight a replacement. If you're going to mod the phone than the "pro" doesn't really matter much and you'd probably be better off waiting for it to be available from T-Mobile.

Some of the screen issues that are being discovered on the European phones might not be on the T-Mobile phones. I am waiting for the T-Mobile phone for that reason.

thanks for the insight... yeah probably right,i just hope that costco gets the phone before i am locked in for sure.. i have a g2x now but having some issues, with freezes and things not responding.. like the dual core and nvidia but not so much LG

guys, i ordered the sensation from expansys us and also talked to one of the sales reps. He said that they are unbranded US versions direct from htc, so no carrier bloatware on them. it also has the band as the sensation 4g so it will get t-mobile 4g speeds. he however was not sure it had the 8gb micro sdcard inside, but said it should have it as the t-mobile sensation 4g does. so basically its the sensation 4g without the t-mobile bloatware on it. will verify once i have it in hand.

Opinions on Purchasing Sensation out right.

I plan to buy the Sensation out right in the next few weeks and sell my G2x to make up for some of the cost and make the purchase smaller.
I have two routes.
Get this Sensation from Expansys, and enjoy 100% what HTC intended with Sense, with no bloat. Along with no Carrier branding. I wouldn't have to pay taxes. A potential to get an S-Off version as well. If I go this route I will make this the first phone I add to my collection of phones.
Or
Go in store and purchase it out right and have bloat and carrier branding, but be required to pay taxes. If I go this route I will sell this phone once the next big thing hits T-Mobile in order to reduce overall price for new phone.
I live in Nevada and taxes are usually pretty high and make the purchase price more. What are some thoughts on this?

~~Tito~~ said:
I plan to buy the Sensation out right in the next few weeks and sell my G2x to make up for some of the cost and make the purchase smaller.
I have two routes.
Get this Sensation from Expansys, and enjoy 100% what HTC intended with Sense, with no bloat. Along with no Carrier branding. I wouldn't have to pay taxes. A potential to get an S-Off version as well. If I go this route I will make this the first phone I add to my collection of phones.
Or
Go in store and purchase it out right and have bloat and carrier branding, but be required to pay taxes. If I go this route I will sell this phone once the next big thing hits T-Mobile in order to reduce overall price for new phone.
I live in Nevada and taxes are usually pretty high and make the purchase price more. What are some thoughts on this?
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Click to collapse
i got mine from radio shack online for 500 bucks after tax which is at least 80 bucks cheaper than both options. Otherwise i prob get the tmo one, just in case something goes wrong

~~Tito~~ said:
I plan to buy the Sensation out right in the next few weeks and sell my G2x to make up for some of the cost and make the purchase smaller.
I have two routes.
Get this Sensation from Expansys, and enjoy 100% what HTC intended with Sense, with no bloat. Along with no Carrier branding. I wouldn't have to pay taxes. A potential to get an S-Off version as well. If I go this route I will make this the first phone I add to my collection of phones.
Or
Go in store and purchase it out right and have bloat and carrier branding, but be required to pay taxes. If I go this route I will sell this phone once the next big thing hits T-Mobile in order to reduce overall price for new phone.
I live in Nevada and taxes are usually pretty high and make the purchase price more. What are some thoughts on this?
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Click to collapse
Well hombre,
the one from expansys isn't 4G compatible, where as the tmo branded one is. If that's not a deal breaker than throw the S-Off dice and get the unbranded one.

Really? The unbranded Sensation doesn't have HSPA+ capability?

Get yourself a Galaxy S II
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

I need T-Mobile Compatibility and that is way over budget too. Even if I can afford it.

~~Tito~~ said:
Really? The unbranded Sensation doesn't have HSPA+ capability?
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Check your own link man, I clicked it and read the specs.

All I saw was band compatibility and it didn't say much else other than speeds it can download and upload. I saw on GSM Arena and both have the same network compatibility (HSDPA) which leads me to believe that GSM Arena needs to update its info. Both have same download and upload which leads me to believe that 14.4mbps download is accurate. Either way, its still going to download from the network fast.

From the tech data
"Network5 HSPA/WCDMA: Europe/Asia/T-Mobile US: 900/AWS/2100 MHz Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz"
Go through customer care or radio shack. My final price was 600$ at the T-mobile store

Unbranded it is then lol. I shoulda went with you when you got it kyle lol.

I bought mine outright instore. £470 simfree from carphonewarehouse

I ordered mine off the T-Mobile website for a final price of $600

armanderli said:
Get yourself a Galaxy S II
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
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Agreed. I love this phone, but the SGSII simply has it beat in every single aspect (besides the qHD of course).

I cant spend that much for a phone. I just cant, the amount I would make back from selling the G2x wouldn't be much to dent the total cost.

I would just get one locally, some people are selling some identity theft-obtained ones or using their upgrades to make some cash.. and they're going for OK amounts of cash.
The Sensation 4G has better reception due to the extra antenna for Receive Diversity

Nah I want a recipt and proof of purchase security and returnability. G2x was boughr off hand and I could have returned for buyers remorse but I had to ship to original owner, long story short I want security.

just putting in my 2 cents...thumbs up for purchasing outright...i've been on that cycle for years and get brand new phones every year to 14 months for half price but selling my previous handset
i bought the sensation last week brand new (unlocked, unbranded, unbloated) for AUD $499, and sold my HTC Desire for $300 (because again it was unlocked, unbranded, etc)...$200 for a Sensation is a sweet deal to me
i usually buy from Hong Kong or UK online
i got the Sensation here - ordered on sunday, arrived by fedex on thursday
http://www.tandomobile.com/tandoshop/

Don't buy the sensation you will miss all the root apps dearly fyi this phone gonna stay locked for a long time.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App

bonebeatz1234 said:
Don't buy the sensation you will miss all the root apps dearly fyi this phone gonna stay locked for a long time.
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meh...i rooted my desire only so i can have gingerbread...now that i have it native, what am i missing out on by not having root? unlocked phone don't have any features disabled
i can't take screenshots and i can't use titanium...that's the only difference for me

I know you guys are talking about buying it outright but I just had to share my experience.... I went to the T-Mobile store and got them to price match Walmart's price of 148.88 and he told me to bring in proof and he would give me back the difference, in the meantime I went ahead with a normal upgrade of 249.99 with the mail in rebate of $50 I brought the proof in the next day and was credited back $101 and still got my rebate card back of $50 making my total purchase of the phone $98.88 with a 2 year contract of course...

T-Mobile customers were snowballing fast

Well just read radioshack is kicking T-Mobile out and bringing in Verizon to all stores. I see the end is near i don't understand why people choose the other carriers when T-Mobile gives you the Best bang for the buck handdown. I'm thinking it might be a goodtime to switch carriers before they leave us all hanging. I say that because i read engadget news everyday and there is always bad news about T-Mobile.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App

How will we be left hanging? Even with the buyout, AT&T will be forced to grandfather all of us and our existing contracts. If we are forced to change anything (plan, device, etc) it would be a violation of contract and we would have an out without penalty. Those of us without a contract have the potential to get screwed sooner. But if that happens, just leave since you don't have a contract anyways.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App

bonebeatz1234 said:
Well just read radioshack is kicking T-Mobile out and bringing in Verizon to all stores. I see the end is near i don't understand why people choose the other carriers when T-Mobile gives you the Best bang for the buck handdown. I'm thinking it might be a goodtime to switch carriers before they leave us all hanging. I say that because i read engadget news everyday and there is always bad news about T-Mobile.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App
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Click to collapse
Before WHO leaves you hanging?
T-Mobile is still building their network, I know this because I am involved in the build.
What do you think they're going to do, shut everything down?
IMO, the best thing to do is get a new TMO contract locked in for 2 years, so your contract will be stable even if AT&T was to take over tomorrow.
Who really cares about Radio Shack?

ungratefulbastard said:
Who really cares about Radio Shack?
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I got my Galaxy S from Radio Shack *shrugs* lol

For all the fancy 4G/LTE/etc that Verizon and AT&T supposedly have rolled out, my T-Mobile connection and performance has been BY FAR the best of all the carriers I've used...and I've used all of them!! While technical speeds on TMO might not be up to T or VZ standards, at least the damn thing works when I need it!
Huge fan of TMO.

ungratefulbastard said:
IMO, the best thing to do is get a new TMO contract locked in for 2 years, so your contract will be stable even if AT&T was to take over tomorrow.
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that is exactly what i did to protect my bill until all the mess is sorted out.

Renew Now
calimove said:
that is exactly what i did to protect my bill until all the mess is sorted out.
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I was out of contract since 2008. i just renew my contract because of all this talk about ATT and TMO. this way now i have my grandfather plan for atleast 2 more year (paying less). And i also got my sensation for free.

bonebeatz1234 said:
Well just read radioshack is kicking T-Mobile out and bringing in Verizon to all stores. I see the end is near i don't understand why people choose the other carriers when T-Mobile gives you the Best bang for the buck handdown. I'm thinking it might be a goodtime to switch carriers before they leave us all hanging. I say that because i read engadget news everyday and there is always bad news about T-Mobile.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App
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I just jumped ship from TMO. I was on flex pay with no contract with two lines. Sprint gave me $125 credit for each line just for porting my numbers to them. Then on top of that I said I worked at costco and got 23% off my monthly bill. Plus they will give me a free home airwave which is a signal booster/free wifi calling AP. and with the GV integration any call you make is considered mobile to mobile and doesnt deduct from your minutes(if not on unlimited plan)
Sprint's 4g coverage in my area is pretty strong as well.
so for $120(after the 23% rebate) I get 1500 anytime minutes, unlimited texting and 4g on both lines nights and weekends (nights start at 7) truly unlimited data, free mobile to mobile calling on any carrier plus the GV intergration which every call is like mobile to mobile and the free airwave for my house. I couldnt resist I just got the evo 3d but have 30 days and might return it if the GS2 comes out by then and if it's any good

dssig226 said:
I was out of contract since 2008. i just renew my contract because of all this talk about ATT and TMO. this way now i have my grandfather plan for atleast 2 more year (paying less). And i also got my sensation for free.
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Click to collapse
I did the same thing. 2 New Sensations for free plus a 15% monthly discount, and 5gb of data at the 2gb price.
And when AT&T decides its time to raise my price? Hello Sprint.
I'm honestly hoping the buyout fails though and TMO gets the nice prize from takes a few billion and extra spectrum.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App

Radio shack they still exist lol
Sent from my Nexus S using XDA Premium App

BBOOZE said:
For all the fancy 4G/LTE/etc that Verizon and AT&T supposedly have rolled out, my T-Mobile connection and performance has been BY FAR the best of all the carriers I've used...and I've used all of them!! While technical speeds on TMO might not be up to T or VZ standards, at least the damn thing works when I need it!
Huge fan of TMO.
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Click to collapse
I agree! I Never had any service problem whatsoever. Even if the buyout doesn't happen and T-mobile decided to close their doors, it would not happen for at least 2-3 years as they have binding agreements to provide service to millions of customers. Even that scenario is unlikely considering T-mobile stands to gain $6 billion and a percentage of atat spectrum in the event negotiations go south. There is also reason to doubt what some call ''the inevitable'' based on T-mobile's recent swarm of high end devices, price plan adjustments and advertising. T-mobile has never made as much noise throughout its lifetime in the U.S. as it has within the last 7 months.

Have fun with the dropped calls.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App

bonebeatz1234 said:
Well just read radioshack is kicking T-Mobile out and bringing in Verizon to all stores. I see the end is near i don't understand why people choose the other carriers when T-Mobile gives you the Best bang for the buck handdown. I'm thinking it might be a goodtime to switch carriers before they leave us all hanging. I say that because i read engadget news everyday and there is always bad news about T-Mobile.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App
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Click to collapse
Who shops at Radio Shack? only old people looking for rare batteries for their cordless phone from 1994. This move doesn't affect T-Mobile in the slightest just shows that Radio Shack is struggling. T-Mobile by far has the best signal strength in my area. Sprint sucks you will get dropped calls several times a day. Not to mention you can't talk on the phone and surf the web at the same time....

T-mobile's been solid for me and i can honestly say I have had every major carrier available in the Chicago area in the past few years. Sprint is a close second but their 4G was spotty and while traveling it was almost at 3g speeds.
Were fine, were in contracts (most of us) and if AT&T takes over and tries to change it, itll be an easy way for us to get another new shiny phone from another carrier
AT&T does have the ****test service though, I had a 3GS for 6 months never had so many damn dropped calls. There was 2 city blocks by me I had to avoid when I was on the phone cause it was a dead zone lol while every other carrier had signal there fine

Back when I had my HD2, my tmobile connection was questionable. But since getting and HTC Sensation 4G I haven't dropped a single call yet. The Antenna Design in the Sensation is definitely above the rest. The only thing I don't like is the new data caps on high speed access. I am on 5 GB plan. I called tmobile to ask what do they mean by reduced data speed after I used up my quota and they basically said I would be on edge til the end of the month. Not very cool, but better than paying overages.

Well It's nice to have more than one spot to buy your phone local. Considering where i live best buy mobile don't carry T-Mobile now radioshack won't . I'm down to two places the mall where it's impossible to get a phone before they sell out or walmart. So to some radioshack ain't a big deal but too me it is, i got several phones from them and if it wasn't for them i wouldn't have got this sensation when it released. The mall sold out in a hour and so did walmart.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA Premium App

I don't buy phones in the store, I use Wirefly or letstalk and save the cash.

Sony Xperia X1i
HTC HD2
HTC Sensation 4G
I bought all of them off ebay with no contract.
I have never had any problems with bad phones from ebay.
These days sellers are pretty honest if there is a problem.
Sensations are going for about $400 each now on Ebay
Many of the phones on Ebay are New in Box too.
I still don't understand why people still think they need to purchase from a retail store. You are better off especially with the Tmobile merger coming up, to buy a phone outright, then get a month to month plan. That way if the network goes to ****, you can switch with no termination fees.

ungratefulbastard said:
I don't buy phones in the store, I use Wirefly or letstalk and save the cash.
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Exactly it's 2011 order online LOL most sites offer free shipping don't know why people want to stand in line @ a retail store.
Sent from my HTC Sensation 4G using XDA App

Radio Shack = Herpes
Radio hack has been around to long and its like a dam STD. Similar to Herpes from what I hear.
It goes away for a little while and comes right back.
Here is a list of a few other similar companies;
JC Panties
Saer's
Big Slut's
Small 5 sports
Yack In Da Box - Yumbo Yack anyone?
and if you live here in california like I do - You can guess what class/race of person they attract.
I have to walk into Saer's and ask the associate - "Do you speak english?"

Advice on Contract Upgrade

Hey guys, didn't find a specific topic for this so thought I'd stick it in the universal 'General' section
Quick advice:
My phone upgrade is due on February 2013, I've currently got the HTC Evo 3D. I was planning on getting the HTC butterfly on EE's 4G network (once it comes to the UK) even though their network prices are ridiculously high.
However as the company I work for are promoting EE, we're getting an offer which will allow us to get 40% discount on any of their 24 month tariffs. Which means I can get a £46 or £51 contract for about £31-33. If I do go for it they can buy my remaining contract months out.
The only downfall is I don't want the current phones that are out in the market at the moment. So should I go for it and get the iPhone 5 for now (deal with their boring UI for a couple of months) and sell it when the phone i want comes out and buy that one.
These are the EE 4G phones that are available: http://shop.ee.co.uk/mobile-phones/pay-monthly/
Or should I just wait it out and get a contract once the phone comes and hope the standard 4G prices go down
What would you do?

Anyone?

Rage1ofakind said:
Hey guys, didn't find a specific topic for this so thought I'd stick it in the universal 'General' section
Quick advice:
My phone upgrade is due on February 2013, I've currently got the HTC Evo 3D. I was planning on getting the HTC butterfly on EE's 4G network (once it comes to the UK) even though their network prices are ridiculously high.
However as the company I work for are promoting EE, we're getting an offer which will allow us to get 40% discount on any of their 24 month tariffs. Which means I can get a £46 or £51 contract for about £31-33. If I do go for it they can buy my remaining contract months out.
The only downfall is I don't want the current phones that are out in the market at the moment. So should I go for it and get the iPhone 5 for now (deal with their boring UI for a couple of months) and sell it when the phone i want comes out and buy that one.
These are the EE 4G phones that are available: http://shop.ee.co.uk/mobile-phones/pay-monthly/
Or should I just wait it out and get a contract once the phone comes and hope the standard 4G prices go down
What would you do?
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Click to collapse
Cell phone contacts aren't going cheaper. Personally, if it were gsm I would buy another Android after selling the ip5
Sent from my U8800pro using xda premium

Somcom3X said:
Cell phone contacts aren't going cheaper. Personally, if it were gsm I would buy another Android after selling the ip5
Sent from my U8800pro using xda premium
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Yeah that's what I might do. Not straight away though, I'll sell the iPhone and then wait for the HTC Butterfly/Droid DNA to come out in the UK and I'll just buy that sim free.