Liebkuchen Posted July 22, 2011 at 10:52 AM Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 at 10:52 AM My British phone is on its last legs so I'm planning on getting a new one. Should I buy it here or in China? The android apps look cool, but i'm more concerned with the basics of calls and texts to new local friends as I'll have email/skype for family and UK friends. Please word any replies like you're explaining to a six year old as I'm really clueless on the latest technology Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PanShiBo Posted July 22, 2011 at 11:01 AM Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 at 11:01 AM My own observation, electronics in general is a lot more expensive in China than back home (in Canada). You can buy used stuff on the streets for cheap, but taking your chances. I bought used basic cell phone for 40 rmb just to use as a pinyin-entry writing tool / alarm clock, not as a cell phone. Works great. I also find it more fun to have "native" cell phone with all the menus in Chinese. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roddy Posted July 22, 2011 at 11:33 AM Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 at 11:33 AM I think first you need to decide if you want a cheap calls+texts model, or do you want a smartphone so you can run useful apps. For what it's worth, I think a smartphone + Pleco is probably the smartest investment a Chinese learner can make, but it does mean a couple of hundred quid at least of spending. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geeness Posted July 22, 2011 at 02:19 PM Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 at 02:19 PM Although i use an iphone for it's advanced features, I have a backup throw-about phone with a standard numeric keypad. It's called nokia c5-00 and is really quite cheap second hand in the UK. It's actually a smartphone with a 'normal' keyboard you'd be used to. For 50yuan you could get it changed to both English and Chinese language. It also supports usual dull nokia smartphone features such as skype and qq, msn. It does NOT have wifi wireless, just normal cell connectivity. But for £50 on eBay second hand, you would likely appreciate the rather amazing battery life. I text a lot, and it lasts over a week between charges! A cheaper nokia with Chinese support could be, again, bought in the uk then flashed appropriately in the uk or China. Or by a friend who's tech literate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xianhua Posted July 22, 2011 at 02:34 PM Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 at 02:34 PM I bought a Samsung Galaxy Mini on Pay as you go (from '3') for £100 in the UK. You can then take your pick of free Apps for hanzi recognition and Chinese dictionaries. I would definitely buy before you leave. You also need to consider getting a phone which can be unlocked easily (sounds dodgy but it's perfectly legal) so that you can use a Chinese sim card when you get there. Otherwise you'll end up paying a fortune for local calls. The Samsung Galaxy Mini can be unlocked as I have done this myself. However, I would recommend visiting a local mobile phone specialist for the unlock as there are too many scammers online offering unlock codes which do not work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liebkuchen Posted July 22, 2011 at 04:01 PM Author Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 at 04:01 PM Do you unlock the phone here, or in China? I see Tesco do the mini galaxy phone for £89.97- would I be able to use this to access Pleco? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xianhua Posted July 22, 2011 at 07:00 PM Report Share Posted July 22, 2011 at 07:00 PM According to the Pleco website, there is a prototype Android version available - have a look at their website. I got mine unlocked in the UK but I would imagine you can get phones unlocked in China. Personally, I wouldn't risk it as you can never be sure that the exact model will be available in China and therefore easy to get unlocked. It's just one less thing to stress about if you sort it before you leave. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liebkuchen Posted July 26, 2011 at 11:18 AM Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2011 at 11:18 AM Bought my phone! Went for an HTC Wildfire in the end for just under £100 out of carphone warehouse as my sister has one and likes it very much. Have already gone wild downloading Chinese apps: Hanping Dictionary (Pro): love, love, love the hanzi recognition!! Xioma Hanzi: useful word lists and a flashcard facility although a bit clunky Heisig Helper RSH 1: I don't have the textbook but nice and clear explanations. Doesn't have sounds Chinese Vocab Builder: a nice little flashcard system built on the HSK levels Speak Chinese (free); easy to use but (obviously) very limited vocab- tempted to get the full version Still need to get it unlocked. Off to play Angry Birds (too addictive)! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xianhua Posted July 26, 2011 at 02:24 PM Report Share Posted July 26, 2011 at 02:24 PM See - you can learn Chinese without Pleco. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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