Buying a mobile phone in Florida. Help!

[forfarbridie]

I don't have a clue about mobile phones but my DD, who is 13, wants to buy one when we go in September.
I said I would ask you guys the following:-
Can she buy one that isn't locked and can she can use her Orange sim card in it or is that not an option?
It is with the thought of using it back in the UK rather than when we are on hoilday.
Her £10 a month Top up won't run to its use in the USA :d:
Any info on mobiles would be fab
:wave:

[wrpac00]

Persoanlly I think it would be safer to buy one in the UK. If you buy one in the US and have problems with it you may have trouble getting a replacement. The other thing to think about is the charger, unless dual voltage you may have to buy anothe one when you come home.

[georgemac]

it is very likely that a mobile bought in the us will not work in the UK anyway - the US uses a different frequency than the UK networks, and hence only triband or quadband phones will work in the US (UK phones) info here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_frequencies)

if there is specific phone she wants you can check the specifications but most of the phones will only work in the US

[little john]

Some phones work some don't I have a US motorola V600 that wont take any other sim card than At&T Wireless and it isnt due to it being locked as I got it unlocked the At&T sim card works on a different voltage or somthing so the phone has been modified for them on that network.
Who knows what the other networks do to their phones? Stick to buying phones for use in the UK from the UK they are not that expensive any more. What phone is she looking for?

[Disneydavey]

I bought a T-Mobile sim card whilst I was away which worked in my unlocked phone. but I wouldnt think about buying one over there.

Our mobiles are better here anyway, the USA have often been behind the UK when it comes to Mobiles

[forfarbridie]

Thanks for all the info
This is what I was more or less what I have been telling her but she wouldn't believe me. Teenage girl thing :mad2:
I will show her your replies and that should get rid of any idea of buying a phone out there. :d:
Now I know where to come to sort out any teenage angsts :d:
:wave:

[Disneydavey]

Oh for the simpler days when you didnt need a mobile phone, and running around for 10p for the phone box and reversed call charges were a regular occurance