Dear good folks at Khmer440,
In about a week I'm headed to Cambodia for about six weeks- a few days in PP, 4 weeks in rural Preah Vihear Province (but staying at a guesthouse with wi-fi internet and electricity at night), and then some time in Siem Reap and PP again before I go. Here's my question:
If I want full internet capability (social media, whatsapp/skype, email) in Preah Vihear Province (assume it's off the 3G network but this is a "booming" region so maybe the "magnates on the make" put up 3G out there...), is there a moderately cheap local-clone smartphone with a reasonable data plan that I can buy at the airport (I have an early meeting requiring phone coordination the next morning and may not step out to the phone kiosks 'til 11pm...) or "in town" for the interval described above? What are some good data plans/phone types?
Conversely, is it preferable to just get a local SIM for my iPhone6 (circa 2014)? Two years ago I dealt with a rainy-season camera-outage involving a cart, clumsiness, and deep mud, and despite "cloud backup" am hesitant to use my US phone in rural conditions. I also don't want some sort of amateurish SIM install damage or accidental super-roaming etc...
Sorry for gabbling on, chalk it up to excitement for the trip. Thanks for taking a look at this- any input would be greatly appreciated! Sincerely, RMR
Coming to Cambodia for 6 weeks: local smartphone vs. local SIM for extant US iPhone 6?
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You should unlock your iPhone, get a local SIM for it, and try not to drop it in the mud
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That's what I'd do. In fact I often try not to drop any of my things in the mud.gavinmac wrote:You should unlock your iPhone, get a local SIM for it, and try not to drop it in the mud
If you are so worried, then buy a life proof case for it. It'll be cheaper than buying a second phone.
I'd be wary about loading up the sim with lots of cash before going to PV. You'll probably find that some networks will have crappy reception up there.
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Thanks for the advice re: leaning toward the SIM for the iPhone... as for the mud, if a genius like Hume could (apocryphally) fall in a bog...
While I am at this point considering getting a waterproof high-impact case for the phone, I am also curious about the local smartphones after seeing a video of an electronics megamall in Shenzhen with all kinds of "independently produced" smartphones laden with apps and I am tempted to get one as a sort of souvenir and for future intervals there in 2017. If I wanted to spend ~$60 for device plus most of the data/time for the five or so weeks in Cambodia, mind my asking what the "local" alternatives are like?
While I am at this point considering getting a waterproof high-impact case for the phone, I am also curious about the local smartphones after seeing a video of an electronics megamall in Shenzhen with all kinds of "independently produced" smartphones laden with apps and I am tempted to get one as a sort of souvenir and for future intervals there in 2017. If I wanted to spend ~$60 for device plus most of the data/time for the five or so weeks in Cambodia, mind my asking what the "local" alternatives are like?
ATT and T-Mobile take international SIMs. Have to jailbreak others. Chinese clones suck.
Id rather get a cheap backup phone from home. Windows phones, zte, or blu phones have cheap models
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Coming from using an iPhone a $60 device will drive you nuts. Poor battery, laggy screen, crashes...RogerMexicoRedux wrote:Thanks for the advice re: leaning toward the SIM for the iPhone... as for the mud, if a genius like Hume could (apocryphally) fall in a bog...
While I am at this point considering getting a waterproof high-impact case for the phone, I am also curious about the local smartphones after seeing a video of an electronics megamall in Shenzhen with all kinds of "independently produced" smartphones laden with apps and I am tempted to get one as a sort of souvenir and for future intervals there in 2017. If I wanted to spend ~$60 for device plus most of the data/time for the five or so weeks in Cambodia, mind my asking what the "local" alternatives are like?
If you want a solid phone which is Usable you should be looking at $150 plus, maybe $200 plus - look online for Chinese models and reviews. Maybe order it online to be sent to home before you arrive.
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