iphone 4 qs.....head beyond wrecked!

sadhbhc15

Thanks firstly to anyone who takes the time to reply to this. And please excuse my ignorance when it comes to the iphone 4 (never owned any apple device and am not really "gadgety").

Basically I'm heading off solo travelling for over a year in 2 mths time and I've spent hours on end trudging the internet looking for advice re international mobile phones. The iphone 4 seems to make the most sense (or not? alternative suggestions welcome!), for the following reasons:

1. ipod also
2. ibooks
3. connecting to internet
4. many apps available, etc.

I've a few questions though that I haven't been able to find definite answers for:

1. If I buy an iphone directly from Apple, does it automatically come unlocked for the €599 I see on their website? Or do I pay extra for an unlocked phone? I've found conflicting info on this.

2. International SIM card - anyone used one of these before? I found a bit of info here but I don't really get how these things work .... basically if I use one of these prepaid SIMs will it do the job no matter where I go, for as long as I go? How do I top them up?

3. Will I be able to transfer my music files from my PC to the iphone? I've never used itunes before as I've always had mp3 players so my music is saved using Creative software.

4. Safari internet connection - Am I right in assuming that because I won't have a contract with a particular network (just the international SIM as above), the only way I'll be able to log on to the internet is in areas of free wifi?

All replies / alternative suggestions welcome!

naasrd

Yes, if you buy it from Apple it will be unlocked and accept any sim. Not sure about your 2nd question. If you can get your music onto iTunes then you can transfer it to your iPhone. Yes again regarding your last question and free wifi, no harm checking out where the free wifi is in relation to your trips.

whiterebel

sadhbhc15 wrote: »

Thanks firstly to anyone who takes the time to reply to this. And please excuse my ignorance when it comes to the iphone 4 (never owned any apple device and am not really "gadgety").

Basically I'm heading off solo travelling for over a year in 2 mths time and I've spent hours on end trudging the internet looking for advice re international mobile phones. The iphone 4 seems to make the most sense (or not? alternative suggestions welcome!), for the following reasons:

1. ipod also
2. ibooks
3. connecting to internet
4. many apps available, etc.

I've a few questions though that I haven't been able to find definite answers for:

1. If I buy an iphone directly from Apple, does it automatically come unlocked for the €599 I see on their website? Or do I pay extra for an unlocked phone? I've found conflicting info on this.

2. International SIM card - anyone used one of these before? I found a bit of info here but I don't really get how these things work .... basically if I use one of these prepaid SIMs will it do the job no matter where I go, for as long as I go? How do I top them up?

3. Will I be able to transfer my music files from my PC to the iphone? I've never used itunes before as I've always had mp3 players so my music is saved using Creative software.

4. Safari internet connection - Am I right in assuming that because I won't have a contract with a particular network (just the international SIM as above), the only way I'll be able to log on to the internet is in areas of free wifi?

All replies / alternative suggestions welcome!

1. Its unlocked for that price.
2. Don't know
3. Yes, via iTunes.
4. Depends on the SIM card, if there is any data allowance on it - can't see how there would be myself. If not, yes you are limited to WiFi hotspots.

Wile E. Coyote

Never heard of an international SIM card before and not sure how it would work topping them up. Might be easier to buy a local sim card whenever you land somewhere new. They're relatively cheap and often come with free credit. Plus the sales person will be able to advise you of the data charges for surfing the net.

elgriff

Problem with an international sim is that it would not be a micro-sim which the iPhone uses

sadhbhc15

Thanks for all replies.

The link above is for an international micro-sim.

Type 17

You can also buy an International SIM card here - I bought a US SIM for a trip to Chicago from these guys, and they were very efficient, and even had it delivered to my hotel and waiting for me when I arrived.
There was an option to request a micro-SIM for iPhone4, but I don't know if the International SIMs are available in micro form, but you can cut mini-SIMs down with a scissors - the web is full of instructions on how to do it.

barryd09

If it was me Id leave all my music on whatever current mp3 player you have and bring that aswell.
Lose or have your phone stolen & everything is gone.
Plus you'll do better in terms of battery life.

FiFi01

Q1 yes it's unlocked
Q2 try maxroam
Q3 when you setup iTunes import music from folder where it's located
Q4 use wifi spots as previously mentioned

IamMetaldave

Fix it Friday.com wrote: »

Q1 yes it's unlocked
Q2 try maxroam
Q3 when you setup iTunes import music from folder where it's located
Q4 use wifi spots as previously mentioned

x2 For MaxRoam, very good service. Not sure what their data is like though.

OneSimCard

Hi sadhbhc15, to answer your questions about our international SIM card:

- We offer service in nearly 200 countries, so yes basically wherever you go you'll be covered. Very low rates for voice and texts in most countries.
- Data service is available in over 100 countries. In the EU the cost is 3.7c/10kB.
- Service is 100% pay-as-you-go so there are no contracts or commitments, and you'll have the same phone number(s) no matter where you go.
- Easy to top-up from your phone, online or automatically with auto-recharge.

Whatever you decide, make sure to turn off all non-essential apps on your iPhone as many of them will be accessing the internet without your knowledge and could burn through whatever airtime credit you have on your SIM (whether it is a local SIM or int'l SIM).

Let me know if you have any more questions about OneSimCard or roaming in general. Thanks!

James @ OneSimCard

sadhbhc15

Some great info there, thanks.
[EMAIL="James@OneSimCard"]James@OneSimCard[/EMAIL], can you explain to me what the advantage of a second phone number is? I was looking at your website again and it was recommended to me to request a second number, from a choice of British, Canadian, French, etc. numbers. I don't fully understand why

Thanks for your time.

OneSimCard

sadhbhc15 wrote: »

Some great info there, thanks.
James@OneSimCard, can you explain to me what the advantage of a second phone number is? I was looking at your website again and it was recommended to me to request a second number, from a choice of British, Canadian, French, etc. numbers. I don't fully understand why

Thanks for your time.

The primary phone number on our SIM card is based in Estonia (+372) so by adding a second number (US, Canada, UK, France, Australia or Israel) it should be less expensive for callers to reach you. Also, you can forward calls made to your domestic phone numbers (home, office, mobile) to this second number if you still want to receive those calls while abroad.

Receiving calls through any of these extra numbers is an additional 20c/min to the incoming rate, except for a UK-Mobile (+44 7) number which is only 25c per call with no extra per minute charge.

Our FAQ page has more information on this and other commonly asked questions.