[lavidaloca]

To the people who are losing phones frequently, I'd almost be inclined to guess you were getting pickpocketed frequently. Especially those at night clubs, it's a really common line of work in a lot of countries. When I go out now I often wear blazer and just put my phone in an inner pocket to prevent against this. In the pants its really easy for them to get it from you without you ever know.

[R Smoov]

Lost my iPhone 4 at a frat party last year.

Now I got the iPhone Rosca.


See the benefits of this phone is that it's cheap.

Another cool thing about this phone is that it has the best apps. I can text and call! And I can flip the phone to hang up if a bitch gettin on my nerves.

[presidentcarter]

(04-27-2014 01:10 AM)Teutatis Wrote:  

Unless you're a fan of a specific brand I don't get why people pay hundreds and hundreds of dollars for a smartphone.

I got this Lumia 520 from the Microsoft store, and I'm happy with it, comes with windows 8 and tiles, which I like as I'm a fan of flat design, you have the maps, GPS and all the apps a hipster chick would want, does everything an expensive iPhone or Samsung does and it's just 59 bucks, no contract.



You don't need to get this specific phone of course, but just get something cheapy that does the work you need.

I like this one ^^, in black. It's one of the better deals here...but still $194. I'm holding off for a few weeks if I can since I think there are new phones coming out in May that could lower prices of current models. This brick phone seriously sucks though. It's basically back to my first Nokia with snake back in 2001.

I also just saw this...ironically published the day I lost mine...apparently Russia has the cheapest iPhones (5S) in Europe, starting at $838.82.

http://rbth.com/business/2014/04/25/russ...36241.html

[renotime]

800 dollars for an iphone? That sounds like a business opportunity.

[DaveR]

(04-27-2014 11:54 PM)presidentcarter Wrote:  

I like this one ^^, in black. It's one of the better deals here...but still $194. I'm holding off for a few weeks if I can since I think there are new phones coming out in May that could lower prices of current models. This brick phone seriously sucks though. It's basically back to my first Nokia with snake back in 2001.

I also just saw this...ironically published the day I lost mine...apparently Russia has the cheapest iPhones (5S) in Europe, starting at $838.82.

http://rbth.com/business/2014/04/25/russ...36241.html

Keep in mind that the Nokia models ending in 0 are lower specced. So you may be better off getting a 525 instead of a 520.

Around 6000 Roubles gives you plenty of choice.

Not sure if you already know about it, but Yandex Market is a good tool for checking prices: http://market.yandex.ru/guru.xml?h

(04-28-2014 11:16 AM)renotime Wrote:  

800 dollars for an iphone? That sounds like a business opportunity.

The US model doesn't work in Russia - different network.

[classicjimmy]

If I recall right Russian phones run on 900/1800 bands for basic GSM and 2100 for 3G. As long as you don't need LTE you should be fine on any iPhone sold in the U.S., or any other 'global' phone for that matter. Phones from T-Mobile in the U.S. might work better as AT&T 3G is 850 and 1900, whereas T-Mobile runs their 3G on 1700 and 2100. But since all iPhone 5 and 5S models run fine on T-Mobile, I don't see why an unlocked one wouldn't work fine on Russia GSM & 3G.

As for phones, last year I was back home for a bit and had 0 interest in either paying exorbitant roaming fees or buying a smartphone unlocked for such a short time, so I bought a shitty burner and a prepaid sim. Didn't text anyone, when people texted me I'd just call them and set up a time to meet. Really reduced my tolerance for bullshit long winded text message threads. Try it and see how it goes. Was refreshing for me to end the endless babbling that goes on in my SMS inbox. Adopted a sort of "meet up with me in person and we'll actually have a conversation, or don't waste my time with "hey whats up" b.s. small talk" kind of attitude and it worked well.

In terms of great unlocked phones for cheap, look at the Nexus 5. of android phones. I'm not sure how globally they ship but if you're ever in the U.S., $350 for a pretty much top of the line unlocked phone is not a bad deal. Sure, it's not sub-$100, but at that price you're buying paperweights. Also good choices are some of the old BlackBerry Bolds. Had a 9900 and it was a dream for messaging and email. They can be found for pretty cheap second hand, but useless if you like to browse the web. Both should also work fine in Russia, maybe not for LTE on the N5 but voice and 3G should be fine on both phones if you buy the right model (T-Mobile or euro BB's).

At the end of the day, iPhone is pretty overrated imo unless you a) really love it and b) don't lose phones. Otherwise, cheap unlocked android and windows 7 smartphones are the way to go. They sms, whatsapp, and everything else you need at a fraction of the price.

[DaveR]

(04-28-2014 12:03 PM)classicjimmy Wrote:  

If I recall right Russian phones run on 900/1800 bands for basic GSM and 2100 for 3G. As long as you don't need LTE you should be fine on any iPhone sold in the U.S., or any other 'global' phone for that matter. Phones from T-Mobile in the U.S. might work better as AT&T 3G is 850 and 1900, whereas T-Mobile runs their 3G on 1700 and 2100. But since all iPhone 5 and 5S models run fine on T-Mobile, I don't see why an unlocked one wouldn't work fine on Russia GSM & 3G.

Each region is regulated separately and in Moscow you need band 38 for LTE, which the US models don't cover. So you are technically correct that it would work on the 3G network, but I don't think anyone spending $800 on a phone would be happy using last decade's network. It will only get worse for 3G phones as time goes on, because the 2100MHz band is slowly being reallocated for LTE.

[presidentcarter]

So I'm still sporting the brick, but I think coming near the end of my tolerance for it. Basically, not having whatsapp seriously hurts my game here. Also missing Tinder.

I'll probably break down and get a ~$100 android that I can run these apps on in the next week or two. Brick phones are definitely an impediment to game in Moscow, mainly for lack of whatsapp.

[BadWolf]

Just so everyone understands, almost every phone you can list, I can buy here in Guangzhou for under $20 bucks... You are getting seriously ripped off.

[DJ-Matt]

Buy this:



and carabiner attach it to a belt loop. Chicks always open me about it.