Travel Phones

[WanderingSoul]

iPhone 5s vs Nexus 5? What do you guys think?

For the 16GB unlocked version each seem to be about $200.

I wouldn't be using the phone between multiple countries so much as I would be using it in the US and also in whichever other country I decide to live in. So multiple SIM cards isn't a big deal to me.

Am I overthinking this? Is there really much difference between the two? A good camera/video would be nice.

Thanks guys.

 

[Meadowlark]

iPhone is tops for camera, they aren't the highest megapixel sensors out there but that is because Apple focuses on the whole system including the lens which makes good pictures.

I have a love/hate relationship with Apple. Don't own any of their computers and don't want to, but I really like my iPhone. I've tried going to android a few times and always come back, mainly because most Android phones stop getting software updates and become shit. Nexus might be different since they're Google phones, but consider this: the iPhone 4S is almost 5 years old and it has iOS 9, the current system for even the newest 6S phones. It might run slowly because it's so old, but on the other hand it's got the newest software.

I hate Apple's tight fist control, but jailbreak cures that for me and I'm happy with that. Only downside is I'm stuck on iOS 8.1.2 right now and can't upgrade to 9 because they closed the "signing window" for the iOS 9 version that can be jailbroken again.

 

[YossariansRight]

iPhone 5s vs Nexus 5? What do you guys think?

For the 16GB unlocked version each seem to be about $200.

I wouldn't be using the phone between multiple countries so much as I would be using it in the US and also in whichever other country I decide to live in. So multiple SIM cards isn't a big deal to me.

Am I overthinking this? Is there really much difference between the two? A good camera/video would be nice.

Thanks guys.

For the same price? 5S all day long.

 

[YossariansRight]

iPhone is tops for camera, they aren't the highest megapixel sensors out there but that is because Apple focuses on the whole system including the lens which makes good pictures.

I have a love/hate relationship with Apple. Don't own any of their computers and don't want to, but I really like my iPhone. I've tried going to android a few times and always come back, mainly because most Android phones stop getting software updates and become shit. Nexus might be different since they're Google phones, but consider this: the iPhone 4S is almost 5 years old and it has iOS 9, the current system for even the newest 6S phones. It might run slowly because it's so old, but on the other hand it's got the newest software.

I hate Apple's tight fist control, but jailbreak cures that for me and I'm happy with that. Only downside is I'm stuck on iOS 8.1.2 right now and can't upgrade to 9 because they closed the "signing window" for the iOS 9 version that can be jailbroken again.

I >>really<< don't like that Google arbitrarily doesn't allow OS updates on there devices. And they do it to devices that aren't even "old". So you have to hack/root those devices too.

Both Apple and Google are control freaks; the manifestations that demonstrate it are a bit different.

 

[Clint Barton]

Unlocked Moto G 3rd gen(single sim, LTE) and whatever phone you already have (t-mobile or project FI, both let you get texts on your US #).

Or just get a a Moto G 2nd gen with dual sim. It won't be LTE though.

 

[262]

^^^
I have the Moto G 2nd gen with dual sim. Good phone, no LTE, but depending on where you're going and what you're doing with your phone, that may not matter.

 

[Sourcecode]

https://www.frequencycheck.com


Heads most phones these days have multiple versions. Usually an America version and a international version.
The cell bands are different.

This website lets you search your phone and tells you what countries your model will function in, what level of service 3g vs LTE, along with what service provider in that country provides the most support for you.

Early last year I had a nexus 5 from the U.S.that wouldn't get lte in Asia. So I bought the international version on Amazon for like 230, dollars.

I updated to the nexus 6 and bought the international version because the lte world t in Asia and Europe. But not in America.
While the U.S. Version would have no LTE outside of the U.S..


I have bought nexus phones forever, I always root the, so the lack of manufacturer updated don't bother me.

 

[Malo]

Unlocked Moto G 3rd gen(single sim, LTE) and whatever phone you already have (t-mobile or project FI, both let you get texts on your US #).

+1 for this phone. It's a joy to use.

The 'kit' I recommend is:

- A phone (e.g. Moto G3), preferably with a protective case
- A powerbank always in your bag/pocket (for longer days when you use apps like waze or maps a lot)
- A secondary cheap phone for your other sim, fake gps stuff, or in case your primary phone breaks, stolen etc.

PS For offline maps (in case you don't want to use data while navigating for whatever reason) I recommend Here Maps. It works online but will revert to your pre-downloaded offline maps if there's no connection.

There's also Maps.me which is popular but I find it jittery, sucky, buggy and with way less features. It sucks as far as showing you advancing on one street as you walk, while in reality you're actually on another! No other app behaves like that on my phone, avoid this junk.

And if you do have data just stick to Google Maps.

 

[godzilla]

Bumping this.

T mobile continues to be awesome for international traveling. This summer between July -August. Us simple plan customers get Free 4g throughout European countries.

 

[Jack Of All Trades]

I've been using a xiaomi redmi 3 lately it's awesome and it's only about 130 usd with pretty good specs and dual Sim to boot.

 

[Sidney Crosby]

You can buy unlocked lower end Samsungs pretty cheap at Costco

 

[Meadowlark]

If you want free data for travel, freedompop now has a SIM for 99 cents that comes with 200MB (700MB after 'freedom friends') of international data, it's resold Three in UK data. I haven't tested it outside the states, but here I'm getting shuffled to AT&T and T-Mobile towers so it pretty much works anywhere here despite the high pings.

 

[HectorLavoe]

I have an unlocked Samsung note 3 and it is essentially a world phone, it is compatible with most mobile frequencies. You can find them in brand new condition for under $150USD now I believe.