cheaper to bring a phone or buy a phone?

[Chrisk]

I will be in Taiwan for 63 days.
Will it be cheaper to buy a used iPhone 3 ($60) that is unlocked while still in the US, take it to Taiwan, and then buy a sim card and prepaid plan for it.
Or buy a cheap smart phone with prepaid plan once already in Taiwan?

I guess it comes down to the cost of the sim card. I'm not sure how that works.
Thank you


...
I wish AT&T would just unlock my iPhone so I could use it ><

[rhizome]

Hi,

I am also curious about this,since I will be in Taiwan for 3 months this summer, except I don't need a smartphone.

I have a phone that works in Mainland China (a very basic cell phone that can only be used to text and call). Does anyone know if I can use this in Taiwan? Also, in Mainland China I would just call prepaid, and buy a ridiculously cheap recharging card once in a while. Is that also the best way to go in Taiwan?

Thanks!

[Taiwan Luthiers]

I will be in Taiwan for 63 days.
Will it be cheaper to buy a used iPhone 3 ($60) that is unlocked while still in the US, take it to Taiwan, and then buy a sim card and prepaid plan for it.
Or buy a cheap smart phone with prepaid plan once already in Taiwan?

I guess it comes down to the cost of the sim card. I'm not sure how that works.
Thank you


...
I wish AT&T would just unlock my iPhone so I could use it ><

Not sure how it's going to be cheaper?

If you're only going to be in Taiwan for 2 months then its pointless to get it on contract. Prepaid plans are about 300nt which includes that much phone credit in it.

If you buy an iphone on contract then you will have to pay 14 months of phone bills in advanced, around 20,000nt on average (plus the subsidized cost for the phone).

[Chrisk]

I will be in Taiwan for 63 days.
Will it be cheaper to buy a used iPhone 3 ($60) that is unlocked while still in the US, take it to Taiwan, and then buy a sim card and prepaid plan for it.
Or buy a cheap smart phone with prepaid plan once already in Taiwan?

I guess it comes down to the cost of the sim card. I'm not sure how that works.
Thank you


...
I wish AT&T would just unlock my iPhone so I could use it ><

Not sure how it's going to be cheaper?

If you're only going to be in Taiwan for 2 months then its pointless to get it on contract. Prepaid plans are about 300nt which includes that much phone credit in it.

If you buy an iphone on contract then you will have to pay 14 months of phone bills in advanced, around 20,000nt on average (plus the subsidized cost for the phone).

I didn't say anything about getting a contract. I said it was unlocked.
Basically the question rephrased: How much do Sim cards cost? Does this cost include the plan or are they separate.

[ceevee369]

Do bring your whatever phone which does support GSM.
Buy prepaid sim cards but do NOTE: However, be aware that in many cases, you are required to show two forms of ID to buy a SIM in Taiwan
Secondly, AFAIK, no 3G wil be supported as this can't be pre-paid- but you can buy 2-3-5 days plans

Advice : When arriving at Taipei airport, there is a counter to buy prepaid cards once you've passed through customs.

Reference :http://www.orientexpat.com/taiwan/prepaid-sim-cards

[Taiwan Luthiers]

Do bring your whatever phone which does support GSM.
Buy prepaid sim cards but do NOTE: However, be aware that in many cases, you are required to show two forms of ID to buy a SIM in Taiwan
Secondly, AFAIK, no 3G wil be supported as this can't be pre-paid- but you can buy 2-3-5 days plans

Advice : When arriving at Taipei airport, there is a counter to buy prepaid cards once you've passed through customs.

Reference :http://www.orientexpat.com/taiwan/prepaid-sim-cards

Taiwan Mobile have 30 day plans for prepaid card for 1500nt

[ceevee369]

Thanks for the heads-up TWLuthiers. Guess the lads will have no issue purchasing this as wise by showing 2 different ID's?

[Chrisk]

thanks

[rhizome]

Hi, brought my Dutch phone, it works fine here in Taiwan. I bought a sim card at the desk at the airport, no ID needed.

What I didn't think about though, I can't write or read Chinese with my phone. So I might end up being a cheap cell phone here anyway.