wait, I thought I knew which phone I wanted

[grandvizier]

Like many others, I've spent some time trying to figure out what phone is the perfect one. And like others, I've learned that there is no perfect phone, but ones that suit most of your needs. For me, it looks like its the HTC Desire

• 1Ghz processor
• large screen size
• lightweight (ie keyboard is not suitable)
• not samsung (just don't care for their phones)
• and most importantly: international network compatibility

So as I hop onto ebay to track down a decent deal on a new Desire (I'm in the USA and the phone doesn't seem to be carried by any providers here), I find that there are different models of the Desire a8181 & a8183 - the difference seems to be which networks that they're compatible on

Now I don't know what I want/need anymore. I know not to expect a phone I buy to work in Japan, but I move countries a lot and switch providers each time, so I need a phone that will be useful in each place.

Is the a8183 going to be best for me? Is there another phone that I should look into (possibly adjusting my phone requirements)?

 

[Demache]

I think the only difference is the 3G HSPA frequencies. The US is pretty f'd up when it comes to GSM, as T-Mobile and AT&T use entirely different frequencies for HSPA. And other countries use other ones.

Just find one that is compatible with the network you use the most often.

 

[takeshi]

Now I don't know what I want/need anymore. I know not to expect a phone I buy to work in Japan, but I move countries a lot and switch providers each time, so I need a phone that will be useful in each place.

Is the a8183 going to be best for me? Is there another phone that I should look into (possibly adjusting my phone requirements)?

As always, best depends on your needs/wants and we need that info to chime in. It would help to know the countries and carriers as that will play a big part in your decision. I can understand if you don't know all the countries you're going to in the future but if you know of some of them even that would help.

Any other needs/wants? There's really not much in your OP.

 

[grandvizier]

Just find one that is compatible with the network you use the most often.

The problem is that I don't have a "most often". I'm currently on T-mobile in the US, but thats just cause it seemed to be the cheapest non-contract option here. I haven't picked the next country yet, so I'm not sure what I'm going to be on.
Note: I was under the impression that Japan (as a country) was one of the few places which doesn't have a network suitable for foreign phones.


I had thought I was clear in my bullet-points of my wants/needs:

• 1Ghz processor
• large screen size
• lightweight (ie keyboard is not suitable)
• not samsung (just don't care for their phones)
• and most importantly: international network compatibility

My original research led me to believe the Desire fit that list. But it really comes down to the network compatibility. The other four are what I'd like, but if I have to sacrifice one in order to obtain network compatibility, that would be acceptable.

 

[GeorgeinLA]

Why not the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10?

 

[grandvizier]

I was a bit apprehensive of the xperia because its running the Android 1.6 OS, and also some less than positive reviews on Sony Ericsson's flavor of the OS.

I think I've decided to try out a second hand Nexus One. That'll save me a bit in purchase price, while introducing me to the world of Android phones. I can use it while still here in the US on t-mobile, and by the time I go to the next country, a new and "better" phone should be available.