Buying a tablet without a plan

How about one of the nexus tablets bro (although im not sure if the US ones work outside the US?)

 

^I don't see why they wouldn't. Lists the same frequencies the Nexus 4 does, and I don't see anyone having issues with those internationally.

I was actually about to come and suggest it, myself.

 

You have to commit to a data plan to get a 3G/4G tablet in the States now? Can't you just buy an unlocked non-carrier one there now, surely you can?

As long as the tablet has the appropriate bands for whatever country you're taking it to, nearly always HSDPA 2100MHz and GSM/EDGE 900/1800, insert a data enabled SIM and you should be fine. Which country are you going to, if it's Canada, that uses the same bands as the States AFAIK.

 

I'd say check the frequency bands first before buying a tablet in the US. Check if they are the same in your country, otherwise 3G won't work when you go home.

 

Bit off topic but when i get a tablet, im just gona get a wifi one and tether it to my phone. To hell with swapping sims or paying for another account :thumbup:

 

Probably the best option, often seems to be quite a price premium for a 3G/4G enabled tablet over the regular WiFi ones. And swapping the SIM around is going to be a PITA. Unless one actually needs the tablet to be on-line at all times, even when one is not using it, in which case one would have to cough up for an additional data plan and SIM.

 

That is exactly what I do. I'm either around wifi or tether it to my phone. :smokingsomb:

 

Yeah i tether about 50gb a month through my phone. I dont even have home broadband and my sim only costs

 

Probably but unlocking is illegal in the US i think man

 

If you don't want to pay the full unsubsidized price for a device, you can't really avoid a contract.

You might be able to cancel within a month, but the carrier will want the device back. Otherwise they'll take it you've defaulted and they'll blacklist the tablet's IMEI, and so unlocking it won't help you, it just won't work on 3G.

Can't really help with unlocking on AF, because that's in violation of the DMCA and is illegal.

 

Noo dont give up on android man. Surely things cant be that restrictive in the US?

 

The main issue is you're buying in the US. Why not just buy it in your home country? A Tab 2 with 3G for example sells for less than an iPad mini but with more storage. As mentioned previously, if you buy in the US, you cant even be sure the radios would work internationally. US carriers are too restrictive.

 

Surely if you buy a carrier contract subsidized 3G/4G iPad in the US, it's going to be locked, and you'll have to find a way to unlock it. And if you buy an unlocked non-carrier one, that's going to be expensive. iOS or brand name Android, would it make any difference?

BTW what country are you in? Because even here in mainland China, these days premium devices like Samsung or Apple are priced comparable to the US now, there's not much in it. The other thing to remember is, that prices in the US are always shown exclusive of sales tax. Whereas in other countries they include it. So the apparent price may appear to be cheaper, when in fact it isn't..

 

See what TMOUS has. They have gone to full price no contract plans.

Amazon US has some unlocked ones. They won't work on network without a SIM.
Couple of Galaxies.

Amazon.com: unlocked tablets