Hey guys,
I am considering upgrading my cell phone (a very basic, 3-year-old Nokia) and looking for some advice. I live in Chile and use Entel but will be traveling to the US soon. I had planned to buy a new iPhone 3G and unblock it - lots of people in Chile have unblocked old iPhones, and I have friends who know how to unblock that version. Now I'm seeing that it's going to be very hard if not impossible to buy a new iPhone without an AT&T contract. My options are:
- Buy a first-gen iPhone (possibly used) and unblock. Kind of boring when a new version is coming out, but at least I know it will work.
- Buy a new iPhone in the US and try to unblock it?
- Wait until it comes out in Chile but have to switch providers to Claro, anyone have opinions on Claro service? I've always heard it's not very good.
- Buy a Blackberry instead.
- Buy some other smartphone.
Suggestions? Thanks!
Location
· Santiago
Posted on 6/24/2008
Need closed.
I love my BB! Iphone is better for navigating the Web but I would seriously consider to not by one because of that... you already spend too much of your time navigating the Web!
@Oskar just doesn't want to feel like the only loser with a BB when the iPhone hits town. Do the iPhone, Emily!
It supposedly comes out the same day in Chile as it does in the US (July 11th). Seems like the best answer is to buy it in Chile on Claro and if you need to go back to the US jump on an AT&T plan. Any reason to buy it in the US if it comes out same day here?
@phil - With you as a buddy... how could I feel like a looser?
Thanks Phil...I hadn't heard when it was coming out here. The Claro issue does worry me, purely for reasons of coverage (although changing your phone number is never fun). But the iPhone's so touchy and pretty!
I don't wanna know when a iphone fall down in the ground... consider the daily use... what happened if I sit down with the iphone in the back pocket? ufff.. BB seem to be a heavy duty piece of machine!
Well woman, all I can say is that I had to do some homework on this cell phone - iPhone - entel issue.
Claro will be the first company to cover the whole iPhone thing, though eventually it will spread out to other service providers, such as Vodafone which recently arrived in our country.
I know waiting is kind of tough once u have the idea inside your head, but Claro has a lame-ass service and eventually they will lose the race for the best service provider covering the iPhone thingy.
BB service here is kind of crappy but it works OK, though personally i think that iPhone kicks more ass than BB.
So, to your issue, just buy the new 3g iPhone in the US and the unblocking will get to Chile faster than you can say poopty pewpty pants.
I remember when the first iPhone got here, like in a week or so there already was this one dude who found out how to unblock it, and mayhem followed. So, I trust the geeks in muy country, buy it at US.
If you want the iphone, I'd buy it in the States b-c I imagine its like half the price that it is here. I would just find someone who knows hot to unblock it. I've run into several Chileans that have unblocked iphones and have movistar or entel. Last I heard, Claro still kind of sucks.
I would buy an iPhone 
but wait until the new version hits the market! More features, half the price...
half the the price if you have a 12,18 or 24 month contract with any provider!! If you buy it direct from apple its gonna cost you twice the price. I'll just stick with my old fashion (1 year old) 8g iPhone. (though I love the new gps feature)
In a few words... If you like design and you´re really goning to use the "touch" feature then buy de Iphone. Otherwise, buy a BB it could be BB 8120 with bluetooth and wifi (b). Anyway I think women will be more satisfied with an Iphone... If you could wait at the end of this year will be available in Chile the new version at Claro and Movistar.
@strat "I think women will be more satisfied with an iPhone"...what does that mean? That women like pretty things that aren't the most functional? Haha.
Anyway, thanks everyone for the advice, I think I'm just going to wait a little longer to see what my options are with the iPhone in Chile
Hahahahha I think most of women do really prefer desing instead of functionality. Anyway the Iphone it is not a bored device, it also has a lot of features. You have chosen the right option, in USA an Iphone with an AT&T plan would cost like the previous Iphone, even they are going to charge the SMS. I think within this year will be available here. Bye!
Emily Williams
Providencia, 23 years old
Works for Needish
Biography
Community manager at Needish. From the Bay Area, now living in Santiago with my boyfriend and our dog.
Why I help
There's enough bad in the world, why not try to do a little good?
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