Buying a phone from overseas - what do I need to know so that it is compatible with use in Oz with a Telstra SIM?

[RSD]

My old Telstra Tough phone is slowly dying, it actually began to fall apart as soon as I got it but it has sort of hung in there since - looks like it has been through a few wars though).

Telstra don't have their own branded Tough phones any more, and I am looking for a fairly decent phone with dual SIM capability etc, and the best options all seem to be available overseas instead of being able to be purchased here locally. What do I need to know when purchasing a phone from overseas to make sure that it is compatible with local networks and that I can put my Telstra SIMs in it etc to ensure that it is going to work here in Oz? I'm not a techie (hence why I still use a phone that I bought in 2019) so please use small words rather than really technical terms etc

 

[kookaburra75]

I've bought many a twin-SIM phone out of Asia without any issues, as I couldn't get them in Australia. You need to check they can support the mobile phone frequencies in Australia.
This article explains it pretty well. Australian Phone Networks and Frequencies Explained
Check what frequencies the phone you are looking at buying supports, and that they are on the list for Telstra, or other providers.

 

[Colin 2905]

If you can find out the first eight digits of the IMEI of a phone that you're interested in, plug it into Device Capability Checker and https://www.optus.com.au/support/checkdevice to get see what Telstra and Optus have to say about it. (AFAIK, Vodafone doesn't offer such a check.)

 

[elanshin]

My old Telstra Tough phone is slowly dying, it actually began to fall apart as soon as I got it but it has sort of hung in there since - looks like it has been through a few wars though).

Telstra don't have their own branded Tough phones any more, and I am looking for a fairly decent phone with dual SIM capability etc, and the best options all seem to be available overseas instead of being able to be purchased here locally. What do I need to know when purchasing a phone from overseas to make sure that it is compatible with local networks and that I can put my Telstra SIMs in it etc to ensure that it is going to work here in Oz? I'm not a techie (hence why I still use a phone that I bought in 2019) so please use small words rather than really technical terms etc

So the simple matter is with Australia turning off 3G capabilities, it has caused a bit more of a headache with compatibility. The other thing to consider is also having 2 phones one for Australia and one for overseas if that suits your line of work as well.

Personally I'd go for a 1 physical Sim + 1 esim combo today (or some phones are 1 esim + 1physical/esim). For example with my Pixel 7, I currently have my Australian number on esim and default on roaming for business reasons when I'm overseas. But often I will pick up a data pack or other esim locally to add on. My Japan e-sim is a 6month 50GB that I picked up in January and I just turn on and off as I enter the country. I think I have one for singapore that's similar. That way I effectively have a e-SIM wallet that i just toggle on and off if I'm frequenting specific countries.

 

[SYD]

Obviously, the most important thing is to make sure it’s “unlocked”. Although, as type that - I’m pondering how our local telcos manage access to eSIMs on locked phones under contract? I have no idea.

Personally I'd go for a 1 physical Sim + 1 esim combo today (or some phones are 1 esim + 1physical/esim). For example with my Pixel 7, I currently have my Australian number on esim and default on roaming for business reasons when I'm overseas. But often I will pick up a data pack or other esim locally to add on. My Japan e-sim is a 6month 50GB that I picked up in January and I just turn on and off as I enter the country. I think I have one for singapore that's similar. That way I effectively have a e-SIM wallet that i just toggle on and off if I'm frequenting specific countries.

All iPhones since about iPhone 12 support 8 eSIMs loaded simultaneously plus the physical SIM. Pretty sure Samsung has done similar. Generally dual SIM can either be 1x SIM + 1x eSIM both active at the same time or any 2x eSIMs from those eight slots.

I now have my local telco on eSIM and use the physical slot for a UK SIM (or if I needed to, another “local” SIM). But generally, I’m usually fine just using one of my several “Go To” eSIM providers for roaming data (I currently have 6 eSIMs loaded at the moment!).

 

[moa999]

To guarantee it works look for a common locally sold phone that can get a tough case.

Of current Androids this Motorola is good value at $349 (can get cheaper at OW if you price beat)

Pardon Our Interruption

Mid ranger, wireless charging, security and android upgrades for five years (till 2029) and a flat screen not curved (better for drops)

 

[RSD]

I've bought many a twin-SIM phone out of Asia without any issues, as I couldn't get them in Australia. You need to check they can support the mobile phone frequencies in Australia.
This article explains it pretty well. Australian Phone Networks and Frequencies Explained
Check what frequencies the phone you are looking at buying supports, and that they are on the list for Telstra, or other providers.

Many thanks for that information and link - extremely helpful! The phone I am looking at is the Oukitel WP55 Pro - Oukitel specialise in making tough phones for clumsy clutzes like me so it should be well sorted even though it is a very new release.

Weirdly on the page for the phone they don't have the network info, but after a fair bit of searching I was able to find the info -

The only Telstra networks/bands not installed are N26 and N258. From what I read N258 is not very common in Australia yet, I've no idea how common N26 is - hopefully not too common!

Hopefully I will get 5 years out of this phone too!

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 8:30 PM

If you can find out the first eight digits of the IMEI of a phone that you're interested in, plug it into Device Capability Checker and https://www.optus.com.au/support/checkdevice to get see what Telstra and Optus have to say about it. (AFAIK, Vodafone doesn't offer such a check.)

Good to know! I've sent them an email asking about the IMEA.

 

[RSD]

So the simple matter is with Australia turning off 3G capabilities, it has caused a bit more of a headache with compatibility. The other thing to consider is also having 2 phones one for Australia and one for overseas if that suits your line of work as well.

Personally I'd go for a 1 physical Sim + 1 esim combo today (or some phones are 1 esim + 1physical/esim). For example with my Pixel 7, I currently have my Australian number on esim and default on roaming for business reasons when I'm overseas. But often I will pick up a data pack or other esim locally to add on. My Japan e-sim is a 6month 50GB that I picked up in January and I just turn on and off as I enter the country. I think I have one for singapore that's similar. That way I effectively have a e-SIM wallet that i just toggle on and off if I'm frequenting specific countries.

The main reason to have two Sims is so that I can have my personal phone number on one and have that active 24/7, and have a second Sim/phone number that I only turn on from midday to 6pm each day (the hours that will be advertised as being the phone contact hours for customers) - I don't want Diver Dave ringing me at 11pm to ask if the wetsuit he has just found on the ecommerce site is available in tutu pink.

Strangely there is no mention of eSims for the Oukitel WP55 Pro, normally though if I need additional data I just buy a roaming data pack from Telstra - gets me around the internet blockages in China.

 

[moa999]

bought many a twin-SIM phone out of Asia without any issues, as I couldn't get them in Australia.

Unfortunately thats changed recently with the shutdown of 3G and various operators interpreting ACMA guidance differently on accessibility of Emergency numbers

Whirlpool forum has lots more info.
Lots of people with issues with Sony and Xiaomi phones if I recall.

 

[RSD]

Obviously, the most important thing is to make sure it’s “unlocked”. Although, as type that - I’m pondering how our local telcos manage access to eSIMs on locked phones under contract? I have no idea.

All iPhones since about iPhone 12 support 8 eSIMs loaded simultaneously plus the physical SIM. Pretty sure Samsung has done similar. Generally dual SIM can either be 1x SIM + 1x eSIM both active at the same time or any 2x eSIMs from those eight slots.

I now have my local telco on eSIM and use the physical slot for a UK SIM (or if I needed to, another “local” SIM). But generally, I’m usually fine just using one of my several “Go To” eSIM providers for roaming data (I currently have 6 eSIMs loaded at the moment!).

I will probably buy it direct from Oukitel so it should come unlocked - one would hope so anyway!

I've never been an Apple person so I'm not going to go down the iPhone path now.

 

[RSD]

Unfortunately thats changed recently with the shutdown of 3G and various operators interpreting ACMA guidance differently.

Whirlpool forum has lots more info.
Lots of people with issues with Sony and Xiaomi phones if I recall.

Should I be heading to the Whirlpool forums before purchasing a Oukitel WP55 Pro ? (I probably won't be able to understand their tech speak though).

 

[moa999]

Searched Oukitel there and no-one seems to have recently bought them.

In order of working it seems Tesltra is better than Voda with Optus the most restrictive.

This thread covera Xiaomi models for example.

Xiaomi Phone Models allowed in Australia - List - Xiaomi - Android phones - Whirlpool Forums

forums.whirlpool.net.au

 

[RSD]

Searched Oukitel there and no-one seems to have recently bought them.

In order of working it seems Tesltra is better than Voda with Optus the most restrictive.

This thread covera Xiaomi models for example.

Xiaomi Phone Models allowed in Australia - List - Xiaomi - Android phones - Whirlpool Forums

forums.whirlpool.net.au

Hmm - this sounds like it could be a bit of a nightmare given that very little is known about using Oukitel phones in Australia

 

[SYD]

Another option if your heading OS anytime soon is to find something local and claim the GST via TRS.

Or if it’s a new “work phone”, just expense it and get the GST via BAS and claim 100% instant depreciation for the balance - preferably prior to 30 June.

 

[RSD]

Another option if your heading OS anytime soon is to find something local and claim the GST via TRS.

Or if it’s a new “work phone”, just expense it and get the GST via BAS and claim 100% instant depreciation for the balance - preferably prior to 30 June.

Its looking like I might have to go that way - just need to find the right phone here in Oz!

 

[RSD]

A question - if I was in China and put my Telstra Sim into the phone and it worked would that confirm that it would also work in Australia on Telstra?

 

[SYD]

A question - if I was in China and put my Telstra Sim into the phone and it worked would that confirm that it would also work in Australia on Telstra?

Yes, it should.

Not my first choice of countries but I guess they’re all made there for now.

 

[RSD]

Yes, it should.

Not my first choice of countries but I guess they’re all made there for now.

I end up there on buying trips semi-regularly.