Smartphone Help

[whr2206]

Hello all,

I’m in the market for a new cell phone before I leave the United States. This time around, I would like to purchase some type of smartphone. I was looking at the Motorola Droid Milestone, but I’m not even sure if its capabilities could be fully used in China. I read somewhere that China Mobile is offering another version of the Motorola Droid, but it doesn’t have a manual keyboard.

1. Does anyone know, specifically, if an American unlocked cell phone would work in China?

2. Does anyone know if you can get a “deal” on a cell phone if you agree to a contract with China Mobile? I’ve talked with some people in China, but they’ve never heard of this concept.


I’ve asked some people in China, and they just said “Make sure it is GSM and it can receive a SIM card”, but if I’m making a substantial investment towards a phone, I want to know that I can use all of the features I’m paying for.

China Mobile
- GSM Network
- TD-SCDMA 3g (But the motorola droid, for example, says HSDPA, 10.2 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps)
- GPRS is used for data transmission

Thanks for your time!

[glc]

You may be able to get better help at Howardforums. They are the biggest phone forums.

[whr2206]

Originally Posted by glc You may be able to get better help at Howardforums. They are the biggest phone forums.

Thanks. I'll make a post there too.

[whr2206]

Well, from my past few days of research, I've found out that China Mobile has some strange technology standards that they're hoping others will adopt. (So they won't be my service provider)

It seems like China Unicom has the most "universal" technology as far as 3g, WiFi and other things. I would like this phone to work both in China and in the USA (And be able to use the most features in both places)

[glc]

I would guess that you will need a GSM phone and carrier here to do that - AT&T or T-Mobile.