Buying a phone from overseas

[Speedster]

With HTC's seeming refusal / inability to bring the 10 to SA, I'm looking into buying one from overseas. It's bundled with a sweet QuickCharge 3.0 power adapter, so I'd ideally want to use that. So here's my question: Which territories ship phones with SA compatible adapters as standard?

 

[Alton Turner Blackwood]

China

But you may want to look at the current ICASA problem first...

 

[Baxteen]

you want to use the EU standard.

the EU standard is our regular 2 point plug.

 

[Speedster]

China

But you may want to look at the current ICASA problem first...

What current ICASA problem would that be?

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

What current ICASA problem would that be?

Blocking wireless devices and forcing you to pay R4000 to get them certified.

Had a few people posting whose media players have been blocked.

Also you can't "express" ship phones, batteries aren't allowed on passenger flights anymore.

 

[Speedster]

Blocking wireless devices and forcing you to pay R4000 to get them certified.

Had a few people posting whose media players have been blocked.

Also you can't "express" ship phones, batteries aren't allowed on passenger flights anymore.

I'd be able to have someone bring it across when they visit (I have a couple of friends / family scattered around the globe).

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

I'd be able to have someone bring it across when they visit (I have a couple of friends / family scattered around the globe).

Well then that's a good deal! Anywhere in Europe should get you a 2 pin, couldn't tell you about China, I've had all sorts of funky plugs from there.

 

[maq_]

With HTC's seeming refusal / inability to bring the 10 to SA, I'm looking into buying one from overseas. It's bundled with a sweet QuickCharge 3.0 power adapter, so I'd ideally want to use that. So here's my question: Which territories ship phones with SA compatible adapters as standard?

you should try the orange store. they usually have the phones that you cant get in south africa.

 

[Dairyfarmer]

So here's my question: Which territories ship phones with SA compatible adapters as standard?

Don't 99.999% of phones charge using the standard mini USB? Most times the cable is separate from the plug. I normally bomb those cheap plugs anyway.

 

[bwana]

Aren't phone chargers 100-240v anyway?

 

[Speedster]

Don't 99.999% of phones charge using the standard mini USB? Most times the cable is separate from the plug. I normally bomb those cheap plugs anyway.

The 10 is the .001%

 

[Speedster]

Aren't phone chargers 100-240v anyway?

I'm thinking more in terms of the physical plug itself.

 

[bwana]

I'm thinking more in terms of the physical plug itself.

You get little, inexpensive, adapters for that. Qn I would ask is what country offers the phone at the best price… and then buy the correct adapter if necessary.

 

[Speedster]

You get little, inexpensive, adapters for that. Qn I would ask is what country offers the phone at the best price… and then buy the correct adapter if necessary.

Except somebody else is "gifting" me the phone, so price isn't my major factor. I'd rather pay a bit more than have the inconvenience of lugging an adapter (even if small) around.

 

[Jola]

Except somebody else is "gifting" me the phone, so price isn't my major factor. I'd rather pay a bit more than have the inconvenience of lugging an adapter (even if small) around.

The adapters are pretty small.

But if you want to avoid them you need to get a charger with the standard European Diamond plug <==>.

Nowadays that is also used in SA.

 

[Speedster]

The adapters are pretty small.

But if you want to avoid them you need to get a charger with the standard European Diamond plug <==>.

Nowadays that is also used in SA.

There is nothing standard about that plug. Still don't get why it was adopted as our new "standard". I don't think anyone else in the world uses that design.

 

[Speedster]

Am I correct in saying that if the phone works out to say, R10 000, the best option (if I wanted to do the "right" thing) would be to pay the 20% flat rate upon entry at OR Tambo on the amount in excess of R5000 (i.e. R1000) as the VAT option would be 14% on 110% of the full value (i.e. R1540)?

 

[ScottulusMaximus]

Cellphones also have a 7% duty on 115% value ad valorem tax.

 

[Speedster]

Cellphones also have a 7% duty on 115% value ad valorem tax.

So even more reason for the 20% flatrate?

 

[Jola]

There is nothing standard about that plug. Still don't get why it was adopted as our new "standard". I don't think anyone else in the world uses that design.

I'm talking about the two point plug that is used in the whole of Europe ( Europlug (CEE 7/16 Alternative II)).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Europlug

It certainly is a standard.