Travel Technology - Buying phones in Europe?

Not the cheap ones just to use over there but to get a quad-band and use it in the US.

One example would be the Motorola V635. On eBay, it's about $250 with shipping.

How would the retail price in Europe compare?

Are the chargers for phones sold in Europe capable of supporting 110V?

Do they come with Euro power plugs? I guess those travel power plug kits don't do things in reverse, a UK plug for instance to the US?

Electronics are more expensive in europe, and you pay in euros, in the uk the dollar/ pound exchange will kill you, and add the VAT (can get some of that back.) Also, like here, if you don't get a contract you pay more for the phone, and you have to pay (usually) to get the phone unlocked. Vodafone for example charges either 25 or 35 pounds to do so.
I've taken several different phones from here to use there with no problems, just different plugs. Also bought a sony ericsson phone in the uk and brought it home. Had a UK-us plug adapter. Put a us-euro adapter onto that to use in europe. Check ebay, you can get a uk-us-euro variety pack pretty cheap sometimes.
Make sure whatever you get is unlocked, and go to howardforums.com to do some research first.

Check out the quad band GSM pgones at www.welectronics.com/gsm.shtml

New and unlocked.

Also, learn much about different models (and reviews by owners) at www.phonescoop.com

Check out the quad band GSM pgones at www.welectronics.com/gsm.shtml

New and unlocked.

Also, learn much about different models (and reviews by owners) at www.phonescoop.com

Thanks for the links.

Do you know what W Electronics charges for shipping? What about sales tax?

Where do they ship out of?

Thanks for the links.

Do you know what W Electronics charges for shipping? What about sales tax?

Where do they ship out of?

They'e located in an incredible neighborhood in Chicago (on Devon Avenue, 6-8 miles East of ORD). I recall seeing that shipping was not too high.

I've always wondered if their customers get a manufacturer's warranty, though.

I've used expansys.com or expansys-usa.com (for US site) and they've been reliable. Prices are competitive.

w electronics is overpriced

w electronics is overpriced

Other links would be greatly appreciated.

Their price for the Moto V635 appears to be about what some sellers are on eBay are charging for the BuyNow price.

Don't know how their shipping compares or whether they collect sales tax though. That could tilt it in favor of eBay by about $20.

I've used expansys.com or expansys-usa.com (for US site) and they've been reliable. Prices are competitive.
seconded... they are good.

Hmm, $9 shipping from expansys.com regardless of how many items. Still not sure about sales tax.

So you can get an unlocked RAZR for $245 plus shipping which is about the same as eBay after what they charge for shipping ($20 or more).

Tempting.

Now my dilemma is all this talk of new variants of the RAZR supporting 3G data and sporting 1.3 Megapixel cameras...

Hmm, $9 shipping from expansys.com regardless of how many items. Still not sure about sales tax.



Sales tax applied if shipped to California or Illinois only.

The Nokia N80 may be just the phone for you.

The Nokia N80 may be just the phone for you.

Phonescoop.com lists a N90 but no N80.

N90 has 2 Megapixel camera. However it's only tri-band. No 850/1700 support for US networks.

Phonescoop.com lists a N90 but no N80.
N90 has 2 Megapixel camera. However it's only tri-band. No 850/1700 support for US networks.

From what I've seen of the N90 it probably has the best video capabilities of any phone on the market if shooting movies is your thing.
I've searched around and found a couple of movie clips that might interest you. Shows it off quite well don't you think?

http://www.zippyvideos.com/3266191961679686/waterski/*edpin
http://www.zippyvideos.com/3721305161679896/restaurant/*edpin

Pete.

Well N90 is $800 from expansys.com.

I think I'll pass.

It does look slick but looks like it's going to be replaced by the N91 while the N80 appears to be a full-featured slider phone.

Also probably too much to spend on a phone.

You can get a nice phone with some multimedia features and then a nice camera which will outperform the photo and video features for that $800. Or even less.

The updated RAZRs look promising as do a few others. Won't be out in time for my trip next week so still waiting.