Is it advisable to bring one's own cellphone to the US?

[shinigamiasuka]

I'm looking into buying Sony Xperia Z3 Dual, which I found out that it supports all networks. It's gotten cheaper now, plus it's a dual sim phone.

Edited June 7, 2015 by shinigamiasuka

[eeee1923]

If you have a GSM phone then you can just buy a mobile plan on any of the US based GSM mobile providers (ATT, T-Mobile, etc) or any of their MVNOs (Simple Mobile, Straight Talk, Cricket Mobile, etc).

[shinigamiasuka]

If you have a GSM phone then you can just buy a mobile plan on any of the US based GSM mobile providers (ATT, T-Mobile, etc) or any of their MVNOs (Simple Mobile, Straight Talk, Cricket Mobile, etc).

 

Awesome, thanks!

[ahlatsiawa]

I had a Samsung GS4 when I was in Saudi which I planned to bring with me to the US. But a T-Mobile rep told me that since my phone has been configured only for the Middle East, it wouldn't work on their network. Same with Verizon. In the end I just decided to go with Republic Wireless. Major savings but you do have to buy their own phone. 

[shinigamiasuka]

I had a Samsung GS4 when I was in Saudi which I planned to bring with me to the US. But a T-Mobile rep told me that since my phone has been configured only for the Middle East, it wouldn't work on their network. Same with Verizon. In the end I just decided to go with Republic Wireless. Major savings but you do have to buy their own phone. 

 

I've done a bit of my own research on this actually. From what I found, Samsung seems to sell different models for different regions, so unless the regions have carriers offering the same bands supported by the phone, it won't work. e.g. My dad's Samsung GS4 mini works fine in Bangladesh.