When one is set to travel out of their county, the major challenge is usually what device they should bring along. Whether you are traveling for business or pleasure, it is important to make sure that you have a good phone to ease communication with your networks.
A good phone means that it is required to have a good camera and battery life. Unlike before when people would leave their most loved devices at home, you can now bring your smartphone or tablet with you.
You can never tell which is the best phone for international travel to bring along, but you have to consider several factors with their merits and demerits. For instance, will the phone you want to carry allow you to make calls when you are out of the borders?
The first thing you should consider when choosing a phone to travel with is its feature. Does the phone support WiFi or just cellular network? A good phone should have the option to switch off cellular data and access WiFi. This is the cheapest way to make sure you will not have issues with high phone bills when you get back home. The fact that most people have internet in their homes and hotels, using WiFi is more economical and you will still be able to check your emails and talk to people at home. However, the limitations to this options come in when you have to move. You can’t always access WiFi from just anywhere. This means that friends and family will not be able to reach out to you while you are away. You still can choose to turn on cellular data if need be. This option is perfect for people traveling for vacation as they need to always be connected to the internet. They could need it to check for directions or look up restaurant and surroundings.
The second important thing to consider is whether the network provider at your country offers an international travel plan when deciding the best phone for an international plan. If it does have that option, then this is the least expensive option. This option gives you a chance to always stay connected to loved ones while away. You can make and receive calls without additional charges to your phone bill. Gain, it doesn’t matter whether your phone is locked or not, the option gives you the ability to roam even in other countries. This will, however, depend on the kind of gadget you are using and if it can access GSM. With GSM network being predominant around the world, you will not have a problem using your phone for calling and roaming. However, even if you are on CDMA network, you can still be able to call and use cellular data while you are away, based on partial network providers like Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile. This is a good option for people who don’t care much about hardware and accessories. However, this option is a little more expensive than the others.
For instance, take Verizon as an example of a CDMA based network. It will allow you to make calls and stay connected at additional charges, depending on the plan you choose. For example, if you will be out of the states for a couple of days, it is best to choose daily plans. This means that you will be charged every day at the following rates. If you are traveling to Mexico or Canada, you will be charged $2 per day per device while in France, Germany, and China you will be required t pay $10 per day per device. You can also choose a monthly plan with Verizon, keeping in mind that the further you go from the states, the pricier it gets. Monthly plan for people traveling to Mexico or Canada features $15 per month per device. This will give you 100 text messages, 100 minutes talk-time and 100MB cellular data. You may also choose to upgrade your plan to $25 per month per device that will give you 500 minutes talk-time, 500 text messages and 1GB of data. To travel to Germany France and about other 140 countries you will be required to pay $25 per month per device. Additionally, you are required to pay 50 cents for every text message you send and $1.79 per minute for talk time. You will also receive 100MB of cellular data.
It is also advisable to purchase a new SIM card at the foreign destination. International SIM cards allow you to continue using the same plan. It is also cheaper as phone rates will fluctuate from one country to another. However, it has its limitations in that it will not allow you to use your existing number. Again, it is not easy to find places to get the SIM card in a foreign county. The instructions may come in the local language that you may not be able to understand. Another challenge with buying an international line is the fact that your device may not accommodate the SIM card or the network. It is always advisable to check before you make up your mind and purchase an international SIM card because by using an international SIM card, your original number may be incurring the cost of roaming.
While traveling, it is essential to make sure that your phone is unlocked despite having options for roaming. If your phone is locked, you may talk to your mobile device company and have it unlocked. Once it is unlocked, it allows you to purchase a local SIM card that you can use during your stay at the foreign country. This is a cheap option but it also has its limitations. For instance, you will keep on changing SIM card every time you change countries. Your loved ones will have a problem reaching out to you.
Finally, it is essential to get a device that has a good battery to avoid going off every time you are traveling. People who travel a lot of times are not always indoors where they can charge their phones. Sometimes they go out for long hours and they will need to have their phones with them. Alternatively, you can also purchase a portable changing device in case your phone drains off charge faster. A good camera is also essential as it will allow you to capture good memories. Make sure you are well prepared when it comes to staying connected while away. These tips should help you buy the best phone for travel. Every trip is worth making memories out of it. You should be able to enjoy your trips and vacations.