lakeview Posted April 6, 2013 Report Posted April 6, 2013 I am going to drive up north and want to buy an unlocked phone so that I can use it in the USA and Canada. Can I buy one locally? If so, where? I do have a newish prepay phone from Telcel but assume it is locked to Telcel. Is there a local service around where I might be able to get it unlocked? Finally, can I use the Telcel prepay as it is in the USA and Canada and pay a roaming fee? Is this a possibility?
Cortland Posted April 6, 2013 Report Posted April 6, 2013 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. They may be able to tell you where you can get phone unlocked or can buy a new factory unlocked phone.
conejorapido Posted April 6, 2013 Report Posted April 6, 2013 You can buy unlocked phones in any number of places if you are prepared for sticker shock. Best Buy and Liverpool in Guad have a wide selection and most telcel stores will sell you an unlocked phone...at a price.
artsnob Posted April 6, 2013 Report Posted April 6, 2013 I got mine at the apple store also has computer on it
Cortland Posted April 6, 2013 Report Posted April 6, 2013 I just checked the Apple Mexico and Apple Canada online stores. A 16GB iPhone 5 unlocked in Canada would be CDN$790 including HST (MXN$9,600). In Apple Mexico it is MXN$10,599 - i.e about CDN$50 more.
Viajero-Tiempo Posted April 6, 2013 Report Posted April 6, 2013 The techno cube in Guadalajara and there is another techno place a couple of blocks west of the cathedral both have many vendors that have unlocked phones (or can unlock the) the prices are better also on merccado libre and vivastreet you can buy one via amazon or overstock etc and probably get it delivered to a place to pick it up in US at a much better price0 Watch as some places ship from China and timescan be unpredictable Other vendors on the web can simply be thieves that take money and dont deliver
Curmudgeon Posted April 6, 2013 Report Posted April 6, 2013 Finally, can I use the Telcel prepay as it is in the USA and Canada and pay a roaming fee? Is this a possibility? Telcel prepaid (Amigo) phones switch to the AT&T network when you are in the USA. Don't know about Canada.
Cortland Posted April 6, 2013 Report Posted April 6, 2013 Finally, can I use the Telcel prepay as it is in the USA and Canada and pay a roaming fee? Is this a possibility? Yes, the Telcel SIM card will pick up the Rogers network in Canada. But check with Fernanda as to Telcel's roaming fees in Canada. I haven't used this service as I have a separate Rogers phone so am not sure if Rogers also pass on a charge to Telcel. Also, bear in mind that if you are using your Telcel phone on a roaming plan in either the US or Canada(or any other country), anyone wanting to call you will have to dial your Mexican number. That's why many people either get an unlocked phone or a cheap local phone so that you can provide friends, relatives, hotels etc with a local contact number.
Alegria Posted April 6, 2013 Report Posted April 6, 2013 If you're wanting an unlocked smartphone, you might check out the Nexus 4. It is sold unlocked new for $300 USD and has gotten great reviews.
Joyfull Posted April 7, 2013 Report Posted April 7, 2013 If you're wanting an unlocked smartphone, you might check out the Nexus 4. It is sold unlocked new for $300 USD and has gotten great reviews. sounds like a good deal. I use to use my cheap Telcel Nokia phone here in Mexico and a cheap Net10 cell phone in the U.S. that I bought at Walmart. Everytime I would travel to the States I would put 200 minutes ($20usd) on it via the Net10 website. Minutes were good for 30 days. I finally gave in and bought a new iPhone 4gs from the Apple store a out 3 months ago for $149 used. Had to get it unlocked on the black market.
lakeview Posted April 7, 2013 Author Report Posted April 7, 2013 Thanks for all the input, there are some good pointers here. Its appreciated!
renik Posted April 9, 2013 Report Posted April 9, 2013 I am going to drive up north and want to buy an unlocked phone so that I can use it in the USA and Canada. Can I buy one locally? If so, where? I do have a newish prepay phone from Telcel but assume it is locked to Telcel. Is there a local service around where I might be able to get it unlocked? Finally, can I use the Telcel prepay as it is in the USA and Canada and pay a roaming fee? Is this a possibility What's your mobile brand and model?. You can unlock that mobile locked to Telcel network through online services, If you need legit online service provider to unlock your phone that is locked to Telcel network visit Mobile-unlocker.com. if your phone model supports here you can get unlock code for your phone through mail.
geeser Posted April 9, 2013 Report Posted April 9, 2013 The best bet is to look on Ebay and search under "dual SIM GSM unlocked" in cell phones. This fone will hold your US Sim Card and your Telcel Sim Card at the same time and allow you to select on the screen between them. The phone can have both your US numbers and Mexican numbers. In the USA ATT has a plan where you put in $100 or less and then it is used at the rate of $2.00 each day the phone is used (incoming or out bound calls). Then at the 12 month time you must put in more money to keep your number and roll over your remaining balance.
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