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Question

Sim cards

Aug 22, 2017 7:23AM PDT

Why do some phones only take sim cards from one region? I wanted to buy a Samsung A5 for use in Europe with a European card and the US with a US card, but this doesn't seem to be possible.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Too many variables.
Aug 22, 2017 7:34AM PDT

Could be the cellular radio used in the phone to locked to a carrier to other reasons.

I see the A5 has the following: "Versions: A500F (Global), A500FU (Europe), A500M (Peru, Colombia), A500Y (Australia, New Zealand), A500YZ (Taiwan), A500F1/A500K/A500S (Korea), A500FQ (Turkey)"

That's some 9 or more versions out. I did work in the cellular design center (engineering) so my bet is the models are region specific.

Maybe you are just learning that there is no global cellular standard. Each country has their own rules and carrier networks are all over the map.

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Samsung clarifies
Aug 22, 2017 9:10AM PDT

After patiently hanging on for nearly half an hour, I spoke with a Samsung representative who clarified the regional Sim issue as being one of international branding and an attempt to prevent mobile phone users from buying in a country where the product is less expensive and using it permanently in another country where one would have paid more (!) It seems that another Sim card can be used if you have made a phone call lasting at least five minutes in the country where you bought the phone. I don't know how this would work technically, however. Could mean your phone spies on you, registering your calls (?) How long you can use it in the other country depends on the rules of that country. In countries such as Turkey you have to register it with authorities. As a rule, it's one month, I was told.

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Cell phones by design will rat you out.
Aug 22, 2017 9:21AM PDT

First I want to write that I try to get the global version and unlocked. As to countries that have laws about cell phones, I see that will be a problem.

However the entire cellular network must spy or rat you out since that's how the system knows to send a call to your phone as well as check if your phone/SIM etc is allowed to be on the network.

Folk that value privacy don't carry any phone. Bit extreme if you ask me.

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Orwell had it all figured out.
Aug 22, 2017 12:17PM PDT

I don't think there is a global version of any cell phone. That would defeat the manufacturers' purpose. And where would you have it repaired, in cyberspace Happy ? You can only have a phone repaired by a licensed shop in the country where you bought it - unless of course you send away for a part. Orwell had it all figured out in the 1930s.