New Cell Phone Recommendation and

[Wookie]

We are planning a trip abroad in May and thought it might be the right time to invest in a cell phone where we can access our emails, have gps, maybe an app that can give us directions if we get lost, etc. Does anyone have a recommendation as to what brand (we don't want to necessarily have the most expensive but want a good one), where to purchase (need someone that can speak English so we can discuss the phone features and international service options), and if you have recommendations on a particular international plan (we actually only need to have international for our trip). We have never had any other kind of cell phone other than the small, very inexpensive ones that we just put minutes on when needed to phone for emergencies when out and about. We appreciate any advise you might have.

[Wookie]

Okay, if no one wants to recommend a cell phone ... does anyone at least know the best place to go to compare them and buy one? Sorry to be so ignorant on this topic but we just never had the need until now and I am afraid we are years behind most.

[satnrose]

I sent you a PM.

[Cortland]

Go to the Telcel store opposite the parking garage behind El Torito. It is on the street one block west of Revolucion where the Wednesday tianguis is held and just south of where the old casino used to be. Both the staff speak English and are very helpful.

Your options are

1. Get an unlocked smart phone which you can then put in a SIM card from any country you are in.

If you go with this option, an iPhone is not cheap but you can download Google Maps which will provide you with an excellent GPS. Ask them about their international roaming plan for data. You can quickly wind up with a fairly large bill if you are using data, particularly for the GPS. An iPhone has WiFi and you can get your e-mail when at a hotel or WiFi hotspot.

Also, ask them about the Samsung smart phones.

2. Buy a locked phone and get an international roaming package. Check what Telcel has to offer.

3. Buy a GPS - Best Buy in Guadalajara have Garmin and Tom Tom - and consider getting a cheap phone locally wherever you are. You may also want to consider getting a mini-iPad which will allow you to get online wherever there is a hotspot, such as in a coffee shop or in a hotel.

Check Telmex online (Tienda en Linea) store for prices on iPad mini and other tablets

https://www.tienda.telmex.com/shell/af/core/nav/categoryBrowse.do;jsessionid=52B607195A12C9E6B1AE8C642185C8B5.node11?categoryId=-9496&contentTypeId=0&selectedChannels=-8957

Best Buy Plaza Galerias for GPS and tablets

http://www.bestbuy.com.mx/

Telcel

http://www.telcel.com/portal/equipos/busqueda.do?mid=1300

[Wookie]

Thank you so much. I tried several Tel Cel locations but could not communicate sufficiently with the people there. It is great to know a location where they can speak English. I should know more Spanish and can usually get along pretty well but when talking on this subject my Spanish just didn't cut it. I did not know about this particular Tel Cel location.

[Joyfull]

Just know that if you buy a data plan and use it overseas you can spend hundreds of dollars in a short time. You may be better off getting a phone that will connect to WIFI. It will connect at your house and anywhere there is free wifi, then you then you can check your email and go on the Internet. I have an iPhone 4GS that I got in the States about 3 months ago. Had it unlocked for about $30 in Seattle, done illegally at a cell phone store that someone at an AT&T store turned me on to. Then got an AT&T SIM card with prepaid minutes. When I got back home to Mexico I took the SIM card from my cheap Nokia Mexican phone and Fernanda at the local Telcel store helped me get all my contacts from the Nokia phone onto my iPhone. With so many places like cafes, airports, etc with free Internet it is a much cheaper way to go.

[Cortland]

I agree with what Joyful says. Just a small word of warning about an "illegal" unlock. If you update the operating system, the phone will likely lock again. Generally, there should not be a problem in staying with the operating system that was on the phone when it was unlocked. However, the other day I came across an app that required an updated iOS.

And, yes, Fernanda is extremely helpful.