Hey All
my ibrick contract is expiring soon,
and I plan to get another GSM smart phone so it'll also work on my trips in Asia
what's a good one to use with he 2 China GSM frequencies?
I don't want another iphone, I hate using itunes to to transfer a simple file

Thanks

I think all that is about to change with iCloud and iOS5 which is going to be released in September...

Personally I've never owned an Iphone...I've been using my Nokia E71 for 5 years now I believe...and I actually don't mind the Symbian OS...but anyways

I heard from all the 'techies' out there that basically no one should be buying an Sony Ericsson...

If you want a phone which runs Symbian you go with Samsung...Window u go with HTC...and the other options are Blackberry and Iphone...

I'm waiting for the new 9900 Blackberry Bold which will run their new software OS7

Just my 2cents...

The new Samsung Galaxy S2 is probably your safest bet.

When in China you can select your networks - you don't have to use the crappy CM/CT networks and can choose to get on the Unicom 3G one (althoit does have worse coverage)

When roaming in HK and China, what's the best network to use in terms of cost and coverage?  I get the longest list of choices on my phone now when I land in HK.  I've alternated between PCCW and CSL, but it's impossible to tell what the rates are.

Hi,

I would say first you need to clarify what you mean by working with it.
-Do you just answer emails, a lot of emails ? Might consider a keyboard if that's the case
-Open and read some files like ppt or XL ? Here would need a relatively large screen, but also for more compatibility take a Windows phone
-Use it as a modem for your laptop, then here make sure it's compatible...
-Bluetooth, no issues as far as headsets, but when you go for car integrated Bluetooth hands free kit there are a lot of compatibility issues, better to check, and even test



Personally I would say Sony Ericsson or htc are the same, as htc do and manufacture Xperia for Sony....

Blackberry is really ugly, even for the keyboard I'm more for a Windows phone. Only interest in Blackberry could be the blackberry chat

For Android, you got tons of brands, all the same, some visual layer on the top is different between htc or samsung, LG...etc But if you dig, the architecture is the same, and OS also.... Just choose one performance level, then go for the form factor... To notice, Android is not at the best level on emails and Bluetooth.

My Samsung Galaxy S  (T-Mobile Samsung Vibrant) worked well in Asia.  I had a Peoples Mobile SIM in HK, a Macau SIM (don't remember the company) and a China Mobile SIM in China.  All worked really well.
Also if you need to change frequencies, it is easy to access the phone's setup with *#*#197328640#*#* -- Just remember where things are before you mess with them.  I did need to visit the People's store to help me with the data setup -- the server name needed to be entered and it wasn't in the instructions.

141 loads well, no need to use the crappy mobile version, so what else do you need?

Never had any problems with my iPhone 3GS unlocked in : Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Laos.
works very well overall, and if you don't like itunes there are many other software to exchange files with your phone.

heard from a mate that Samsung Galaxy II is great, expensive but damn very classy and functionnal.

samsung galaxy has amazing speed, its actually faster than some old computers... check our the processor its amazing

I phone is the best choise, if you like apple brand iphone 4 is preferable and more application

The Samsung Galaxy S II is one of the best if not the best smartphone out there right now.  The next iPhone really needs to beat it if Apple wants to maintain being #1.  However, the downside is that that the screen resolution is 800x480 vs the iPhone 4's 960x640.  I personally prefer greater screen resolution (iPhone 4 and mostly likely also future iPhones) than physical size and brighter screen (Galaxy S II).

Alot of people were bb fans of course and moved over to iPhone.  Don't know what it will take for people to move back.  One thong not mentioned often though is how much people talk on iPhone vs BB and other phones.  The iPhone quite frankly is a crappy phone for talking.  It just is not comfortable.  So I imagine people don't talk on it.   I'd like to see a study of bb vs iPhone talk time.

I have had my HTC android phone all over the place without issue.  Most smart phones are pretty good about supporting pretty much all of the networks (even the crappy 2G networkin Thailand, depending on the carrier).  in HK I use CSL without issue, although I don't have a data plan because I am not there enough to use it.  I might get one soon though...

Overall, no issues.  I would avoid the Ithing, and stick with android based phones for maximum performance and minimum stupidity.

I'd take a look at Samsung or HTC phones, they've been pretty solid performers the past few years.

On a side note: Come on people, he specifically said no iPhone, stop suggesting that to him...

i am using Nexus S (designed by google and manufactured by samsung), it's not bad