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advice for compatible smartphone for Speakout sim
October 31, 2014
9:32 am
call44
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I have been with speakout for many years using the same nokia phone. No data . Just pay as I go text and calling. It is starting to fade now so I want to buy a new one and use my same regular SIM. At this point I still do not need data but I think I might soon. So I might buy a phone capable of that. It must be unlocked GSM because I have a USA sim I use. My question is can a buy a smartphone with data capability and use it as a plain call and text phone? This is with the old speakout SIM. Or do I have to buy a non smartphone. Any suggestions? I have been looking at SHARKK® Android Smartphone 4G Unlocked GSM Phone 5" Display Dual SIM Quad Core Cell powered by POSH . I can buy this for $106. Thx

October 31, 2014
2:45 pm
bridonca
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Pretty much any unlocked cell phone will work. It would have to be unlocked, and the SIM card must be the same size. You can get a phone that accept smaller sized SIM cards, but that would require you to cut the SIM card to size, or get a smaller SIM card. Most mall cell phone repair places can cut it for $5.

The SHARKK® Android Smartphone 4G Unlocked GSM Phone should do what you need, but I do not like the phone, judging what is not mentioned in the specs. It's screen resolutions is most likely horrid, and will look much worse on a 5 inch screen. I am betting the quad core is worse than some single core chips, and I would guess the battery life is atrocious. At least it has 1 gig of memory.

Dual SIM seems to be a great idea, but in practice it can be a pain depending on implimentation. I know some phones that do 3G only on one SIM. You really need to know what you are getting yourself into, and you won't know unless you have your hands on the phone.

This is the phone I like, The Moto G http://www.futureshop.ca/en-CA.....3c5577en02 It is probably the best phone you can get for $130. You need to unlock it, but that costs less than $5. I am pushing this phone because it has a good screen. One can live with a lot of compromises on a phone, but never compromise on the quality of the screen, and it's battery life. It will bite you every time you use the phone, if you do.

There is no real rush to activate data with a smart phone. If you are near wifi, you can pretty much do anything data related already, and it costs nothing. I would enjoy the smart phone on wifi first, and then if you think you need data, talk to us. You will likely have to use another carrier other than Speakout, because currently, Speakout is painfully uncompetitive when it comes to data.

October 31, 2014
3:39 pm
call44
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Thankyou. This is what makes forums a good thing. I know so little about this stuff. Your reply was very helpful. I won't rush the buy so if people hear about a sale please let me know.

December 5, 2014
8:52 am
call44
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Some follow up questions. I am new to smartphones.I see the suggested phone by bridonca on sale at london drugs.
http://www.londondrugs.com/Tel.....ts-prepaid

As i understand it, I buy this phone first from telus/london drugs. Since it is prepaid i do not activate it. There are no other charges then. Then i get the phone unlocked. Can you suggest a cheap/reliable site? Then i put my speak out sim card in and i am ready to go.Does this phone take the GSM sim card from my speak out phone? Telus seems to not be on GSM but some other network? HSPA+ ?

December 5, 2014
8:42 pm
bridonca
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Awesome phone, grab it while you can! A steal at that price for what you get! Minor downside is that there is no charger included, but most people have plenty, or you can charge it with the computer USB port if desperate.

It is a prepaid phone, so there are no other charges.

You can get an unlock code here.
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Unlocki.....1e902c5adb

You need to either get a new smaller Speakout SIM card, or get it cut down to size to fit it in the Moto G.

Telus/Bell does not support GSM, but that is their problem. Most phones, even phones that work with Telus/Bell, also support GSM. Speakout and the Moto G both support GSM and 3G.

December 10, 2014
5:40 am
call44
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All i can say is a big Thankyou to Bridonca. His advice on which phone to buy and how to get it unlocked all went well. I am set up with a basic android unlocked smartphone for around $102.I cut down my speak out sim card. I synched it with the car and now am ready to go. For now i will not get data service but i think i will in the future.