Which cellphone for Philippines?

[Kathy and Jesse 16]

I am considering purchasing cell phones from the U.S. Such as iphone 4S, 5, 5c or 5s to send to the Philippines for my parents. They live in Manila.

Any advice on which phones/carriers/locked vs unlocked which will work there?

Thanks for any advice.

[Ed and Gina 45]

Best to send them a remittance and let them buy the phones there. Most Filipinos use phone cards. And, it will cost you a small fortune to send the phones as well as they will have to pay an astronomical "import" tax...

[kooliz 0]

You can buy most iPhones from the Apple Store at full price as unlocked phones. Make sure they are not CDMA. Most GSM phones are easier to use abroad.

I would not recommend the 4. The 4S makes sense if it's for basic things.

[bendinlar 16]

Second the send money, let them get phones here in the Philippines. All the current iPhone models are available here from the big carriers.

But if you've got your heart set on it, a gsm phone. Ie, att or T-Mobile. Unlocked so they can put in a sim here from their favorite carrier.

There may be some issues with the lte bands on the us vs. overseas models, so don't expect high speed internet. 3g tops with most us spec.

So, ya can do it, but overall, best to just let them get it here. Then there's not an issue with getting support after the sale. I can't get my us spec iPhone 5 fixed here, gotta take it back to us.

Edited August 11, 2014 by bendinlar

[Kathy and Jesse 16]

I am considering purchasing cell phones from the U.S. Such as iphone 4S, 5, 5c or 5s to send to the Philippines for my parents. They live in Manila.

Any advice on which phones/carriers/locked vs unlocked which will work there?

Thanks for any advice.

Thank you for response. Actually my friend will take it for me because she is going back home.

[Kathy and Jesse 16]

I want to get the iphone here in U.S because I can get it cheaper.

[VOL 425]

I buy Iphones here like 4s for around $150 and get them unlocked in Philippines. I usually buy AT&T since there are more of them. I just carry them with me when I travel back.

You can get them unlocked fairly cheap in Philippines.

They make great gifts