I am considering the Moto G to use as an unlocked world phone. I am US based and would plan to purchase the phone from the Google Play Store. I would use a Tmobile sim and plan to use the international roaming benefit associated with T Mobile accounts. As such, this would give me voice, messaging and lower speed data internationally. I will not have a large data need while traveling internationally. Limited data through TMobile combined with wifi will be fine. This would not be my daily driver domestically.
Primary areas of travel would be UAE, Kuwait, Mexico, Canada and the EU.
Is there any technical reasons why this phone would not be suitable as I describe above?
Compare this with this.
CafeKampuchia said:
Compare this with this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thank you. I knew of the first site but not the second. Very helpful.
I am a German citizen living in Japan.
Today I have received a Google Pixel 3a (lock free, model G020H) that I ordered directly from the Japanese Google store.
When inserting my Japanese SIM card I got a message saying "SIM card isn't supported Ask SoftBank if this device can be unlocked". When I inserted my German SIM card I got the same message. The mobile network options are all greyed out/disabled. The phones software is up to date as far as I can tell (Security patch level August 1, 2019 and no available updates in the Google play store).
Either SIM card works fine in both my lock free Galaxy S8(European version) and my wife's lock free iPhone 7 (Japanese version). I have used the German SIM card as well as local SIM cards with the Galaxy S8 in Europe, USA, Australia and various Asian countries and never encountered any problem.
SoftBank(formerly Vodafone Japan) is a Japanese cell phone carrier like Verizon in the USA or Vodafone in Europe. As the message suggested I went to a local SoftBank store and was told that I either have to get a SoftBank contract or, if I want to use the Pixel 3a with any other carrier, have to register my personal information with SoftBank and pay ¥3000 (~28$ | 25€) to unlock the phone.
There was no mention of SoftBank - or any other carrier for that matter - and no mention of necessary registration with third parties and/or additional fees that have to be paid in order to be able to use the phone as advertised (lock free) during the ordering process.
I'll try to get in touch with the Google support tomorrow to make sure that this is not somehow a big misunderstanding or something.
Perhaps someone else had a similar experience or has an explanation? Because I am totally baffled.
day 2
The support was very polite but sadly not very helpful.
According to the Google tracking system I haven't received the phone yet even though the parcel tracking system from the company that delivered it shows it as delivered.
They didn't know the IMEI of the phone they sent to me or really anything related to my account/order other than the country my google play store is registered to. The answers to all of my questions were something along the lines of sorry, we don't know and have to confirm this. They promised to get back to me by phone or e-mail. Hasn't happened today.
After doing some searching I found other Japanese customers who had a similar experience. I am not allowed to post links yet but if you search for "Google Pixel 3a SIMフリー 『SIMフリーなのにロックが掛かっている』 のクチコミ掲示板" you should find a forum thread.
day 3
Today I got a call from a California phone number (around midnight California time), it was the same lady I spoke to yesterday. Apparently Google is routing calls from Japan to the USA and then back to Japan.
This time she was able to see the sim lock in their system and unlock it. A message saying " Carrier lock removed The device can now be used on any network" popped up and the phone had a signal. She said I'll get a ¥1500 coupon code for the Play store by mail and ended the call.
I can't really complain about the support other than the very strict business process flow that they apparently have to follow. After double checking the package I noticed that the senders address was written down as Singapore even though it was shipped from Hong Kong. And since the support didn't know which phone was shipped to me, I assume Googles Asia Pacific logistics/inventory management is a bit wonky?
The phone itself is great so far btw, especially the battery life. I haven't charged it since I received it with something around 80% which is now down to 40% with 4h SoT of which ~3h were setting it up, restoring data and so on. Sadly Google dropped eSIM support from the Japanese model in favor of FeliCa.
I'm currently using a Huawei P20 Pro, and love it. The main thing that attracted it to me is that it was the highest spec Dual Sim phone I could use for my job. I was sick of carrying around a separate work and personal phone. However, being the US, I am no longer getting security updates from Huawei, and my company will no longer allow me to use it. In addition, it appears they are blocking Huawei phones in general until the bickering with the US government gets cleared up. So I am using the Huawei for my personal phone and a Pixel 3a for work.
I'm on the hunt again for a solid Dual Sim phone, and this is on my company's list of allowed phone. It also appears to be one of the few Dual Sim phones that is US based and therefore has the bands I need for T-Mobile.
Looking through the forums, it appears that this phone is getting monthly security updates. Any clue how long Sony is planning on supporting this phone? As soon as they stop updating, I get 6 months until my company will take it off the approved list.
Any other comments would be appreciated.
fungo45 said:
I'm currently using a Huawei P20 Pro, and love it. The main thing that attracted it to me is that it was the highest spec Dual Sim phone I could use for my job. I was sick of carrying around a separate work and personal phone. However, being the US, I am no longer getting security updates from Huawei, and my company will no longer allow me to use it. In addition, it appears they are blocking Huawei phones in general until the bickering with the US government gets cleared up. So I am using the Huawei for my personal phone and a Pixel 3a for work.
I'm on the hunt again for a solid Dual Sim phone, and this is on my company's list of allowed phone. It also appears to be one of the few Dual Sim phones that is US based and therefore has the bands I need for T-Mobile.
Looking through the forums, it appears that this phone is getting monthly security updates. Any clue how long Sony is planning on supporting this phone? As soon as they stop updating, I get 6 months until my company will take it off the approved list.
Any other comments would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
2-3 years
If you switch to SODP custom ROMs even longer support by sony + volunteers including the possibility of a mainlined device in the Linux kernel
MartinX3 said:
2-3 years
If you switch to SODP custom ROMs even longer support by sony + volunteers including the possibility of a mainlined device in the Linux kernel
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, though need to leave it stock for work. Can't even root
Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk
fungo45 said:
I'm currently using a Huawei P20 Pro, and love it. The main thing that attracted it to me is that it was the highest spec Dual Sim phone I could use for my job. I was sick of carrying around a separate work and personal phone. However, being the US, I am no longer getting security updates from Huawei, and my company will no longer allow me to use it. In addition, it appears they are blocking Huawei phones in general until the bickering with the US government gets cleared up. So I am using the Huawei for my personal phone and a Pixel 3a for work.
I'm on the hunt again for a solid Dual Sim phone, and this is on my company's list of allowed phone. It also appears to be one of the few Dual Sim phones that is US based and therefore has the bands I need for T-Mobile.
Looking through the forums, it appears that this phone is getting monthly security updates. Any clue how long Sony is planning on supporting this phone? As soon as they stop updating, I get 6 months until my company will take it off the approved list.
Any other comments would be appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
By the end of this year XZ2 will get Android 10 and then the monthly security updates until next Android version so there is still a good amount of time that XZ2 will be supported and updated by Sony.
Ok. I'm sold. Just bought one on Swappa. Looking forward to it
Hi,
I found that there is way better price than wondemobile. But there is no customer reviews at all. Maybe some of you has some experience with them?
Thanks
Good morning.
I bought it from Eurocart3 at eBay. I was told they are the same as T-dimension.
Shipped from UK to Spain. Paid by PayPal and received in 6 days!!
Some guys on a Spanish forum bought directly from t- dimension without issues, some had a bit of delay in shipping.
Best regards
johnkay said:
Good morning.
I bought it from Eurocart3 at eBay. I was told they are the same as T-dimension.
Shipped from UK to Spain. Paid by PayPal and received in 6 days!!
Some guys on a Spanish forum bought directly from t- dimension without issues, some had a bit of delay in shipping.
Best regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And eurocart3 seller doesn't exist anymore on ebay. But there is T-dimensios store with no sold n20u or feedback so it doesn't look good
Poliarinis_eziukas said:
And eurocart3 seller doesn't exist anymore on ebay. But there is T-dimensios store with no sold n20u or feedback so it doesn't look good
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Got my N20 U from T-Dimension.
Delivered with 2 weeks.
https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.t-dimension.com
Poliarinis_eziukas said:
And eurocart3 seller doesn't exist anymore on ebay. But there is T-dimensios store with no sold n20u or feedback so it doesn't look good
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I still see Eurocart3 active and selling Items on Ebay ( also the N9860).
Just checked...
If you need references for T-dimension check on internet and search for "seguimiento N9860" and you will find the Spanish forum in which many have bought from them. You'll be able to read ( in Spanish though) good or bad feedbacks.
Kind regards
johnkay said:
I still see Eurocart3 active and selling Items on Ebay ( also the N9860).
Just checked...
If you need references for T-dimension check on internet and search for "seguimiento N9860" and you will find the Spanish forum in which many have bought from them. You'll be able to read ( in Spanish though) good or bad feedbacks.
Kind regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it seems that ebay is a better option. Because on website purchases they requires to much personal data ( copies of debit card, health care card ? idiotic
That is why I bought through eBay.
Some Spanish colleagues who bought directly at T-dimension had to send a copy of some kind of receipt in order to proof delivery address.
Some have been lucky and received within 1 - 2 weeks some a bit more... Some have had stock issues delaying delivery but in general all ok.
For sure eBay + PayPal was my better option as I did not know T-dimension before.
Hope it helps.
Brgds
johnkay said:
I still see Eurocart3 active and selling Items on Ebay ( also the N9860).
Just checked...
If you need references for T-dimension check on internet and search for "seguimiento N9860" and you will find the Spanish forum in which many have bought from them. You'll be able to read ( in Spanish though) good or bad feedbacks.
Kind regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Will i get any import taxes if I buy from eurocart3 on ebay? I'm from Belgium.
destz0r said:
Will i get any import taxes if I buy from eurocart3 on ebay? I'm from Belgium.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi! No, I'm Spain and did not get them.
They ship from UK or Germany.
Something that does not have good feedback with Eurocart3 is that they take a lot of time to reply to any questions.
When I bought the phone, I was sent a tracking number from DHL which did no have any updates for 4 days, on the 5th it showed shipped and on the 6th I got it at home.
Best regards!
I bought from them my Snapdragon version of Ultra SM-N9860 via eBay.
Seller name is gadget892. Took 12 days to get it (Edinburgh in Scotland)
DHL tracking was not showing anything for the first few days it got added.
2-3 days to reply to a message. Happy at the end, the only issue is I didn't do enough research and didn't know that this version won't work on any 5G network in UK. I don't understand why as it used to be just a matter of checking bands, now it is far more complicated for my small brain.
ultrajapa said:
I bought from them my Snapdragon version of Ultra SM-N9860 via eBay.
Seller name is gadget892. Took 12 days to get it (Edinburgh in Scotland)
DHL tracking was not showing anything for the first few days it got added.
2-3 days to reply to a message. Happy at the end, the only issue is I didn't do enough research and didn't know that this version won't work on any 5G network in UK. I don't understand why as it used to be just a matter of checking bands, now it is far more complicated for my small brain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi ultrajapa, have you got Google Pay contactless payments working?
UberPishy said:
Hi ultrajapa, have you got Google Pay contactless payments working?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi
Yes, working fine with my UK bank card from Monzo
johnkay said:
Hi! No, I'm Spain and did not get them.
They ship from UK or Germany.
Something that does not have good feedback with Eurocart3 is that they take a lot of time to reply to any questions.
When I bought the phone, I was sent a tracking number from DHL which did no have any updates for 4 days, on the 5th it showed shipped and on the 6th I got it at home.
Best regards!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ordered from Eurocart3 as well.
now some homework must be done. ( solution for priper call recording etc )
thanks for sharing your experience
I ordered from T-Dimension one week ago today. Story so far...
5/10 order placed. Card charged through PayPal.
6/10 request for proof of address received and replied.
7/10 order confirmed.
8/10 shipping reference received first thing, showing on DHL website from afternoon. Advised c.3 days to ship, 7 days to receive.
13/10 11:19 package picked up by DHL.
14/10 delivered in sealed box with unnecessary plug adapter included since the Hong Kong charger already has UK pins.
https://browser.geekbench.com/v5/cpu/4174102
ultrajapa said:
Hi
Yes, working fine with my UK bank card from Monzo
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had absolutely no luck with Google Pay. I was using it on my Note 8 for years and since getting the Note 20 Ultra, it won't complete a contactless transaction.
I've been reading about people in other countries with Google Pay not working with their SIM card. Could you please tell me which network you're using and if your SIM is in position 1 or 2?
I have a feeling that my giffgaff SIM could be responsible, since it's a MVNO and the HK CSC seems to treat it like an O2 SIM.
Thank you
UberPishy said:
I've had absolutely no luck with Google Pay. I was using it on my Note 8 for years and since getting the Note 20 Ultra, it won't complete a contactless transaction.
I've been reading about people in other countries with Google Pay not working with their SIM card. Could you please tell me which network you're using and if your SIM is in position 1 or 2?
I have a feeling that my giffgaff SIM could be responsible, since it's a MVNO and the HK CSC seems to treat it like an O2 SIM.
Thank you
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My SIM is in SIM 1 slot, using EE network. Don't really know much about SIM cards affecting contactless payments. I thought this payment method should work even when you are offline with just NFC active.
I have N9860OZS1ATI3, is it any different to yours ?
ultrajapa said:
My SIM is in SIM 1 slot, using EE network. Don't really know much about SIM cards affecting contactless payments. I thought this payment method should work even when you are offline with just NFC active.
I have N9860OZS1ATI3, is it any different to yours ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same firmware as you.
So there are three different NFC methods for payment, I remember back in Google Wallet days you needed a compatible SIM card with a secure element to activate contactless payments.
The options now are: SE SIM card, Android operating system or Embedded Secure Element.
Google Pay support asked if I had a SIM card with a secure element and when I said I wasn't sure they told me to select HCE method with is Host Card Emulation, I suspect that's the same as the Android operating system option in Samsung.
Regardless, none of it works. I've tried them all, removing cards, switching NFC method then adding the cards back in. I suspect I'll need to stick a 'proper' (as opposed to MVNO) SIM card in, reset the whole phone and try again.
Thank you for confirming that it's possible to get this working though!
Remember two years ago I tried Google Pay on uncertified Honor Note 10 that I imported from Wondamobile.
None of my cards worked on it for wireless payment (tried HSBC, Loyds and Amex) apart from Monzo bank that worked straight away. Note sure if there are other factors related to what bank works and what doesn't.
ultrajapa said:
Remember two years ago I tried Google Pay on uncertified Honor Note 10 that I imported from Wondamobile.
None of my cards worked on it for wireless payment (tried HSBC, Loyds and Amex) apart from Monzo bank that worked straight away. Note sure if there are other factors related to what bank works and what doesn't.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by "uncertified" .9860 is certified by Google so no problem with that (if it works in you region, and don't have mess around with addreses etc)
Poliarinis_eziukas said:
What do you mean by "uncertified" .9860 is certified by Google so no problem with that (if it works in you region, and don't have mess around with addreses etc)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
He was talking about an Honor Note 10, not the N9860.
Anyway... I put an O2 SIM into the second slot and Google Pay needed me to add my cards again and now they work!
It's confusing because I can't seem to find a common denominator as to why this problem is occuring.
SIM1: giffgaff - Google Pay doesn't work
SIM2: O2 - Google Pay works (and presumably would work in SIM1 also)
So you'd think the giffgaff SIM is the problem but Google Pay works in my Note 8 with the same giffgaff SIM. Also, Google support asked me to switch the secure element from SIM to HCE (or Android system as it seems to be called in the Note 20) but that didn't work, nor did embedded secure element.
The only thing that kind of makes sense is the fact that giffgaff is a MVNO and the TGY firmware thinks it's O2; perhaps a CSC from outside the UK doesn't recognise UK MVNOs which leads to some sort of conflict?
Hi All,
I'm working in China right now but I brought my Canadian variant (SM-G998W) Samsung for two main reasons:
1. Google Play
2. No Chinese backdoor; privacy.
To my knowledge all chinese phones are backdoored even Samsung and I don't want that. To access Samsung services and accounts, I have to agree to new TOS that is relevant to China. I have not accepted as of yet. This only happens when I pop in a Chinese SIM which is what I use. I can login if I pop by canadian sim card back in. However, by agreeing to these new TOS (and btw the store will install chinese apps), will they install a backdoor for the Chinese government? Will installing Wechat and Taobao apps already subject the phone backdoors and vulnerabilities?
Also, I was trying to get 5G working but the max is LTE. I have a 5G data plan (SIM worked on a chinese 5g phone). I researched online and it says the S21 ultra has the n78 band which China unicom uses. Any thoughts?