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Getting a Nexus One in the UK from Google, what's the process like?

IOwnGoogle

IOwnGoogle

Newbie
Well, I've been thinking about getting an Android phone, and I've been trying to choose between the HTC Desire and the Nexus One, and though it's easier and a little cheaper to get the Desire here, the openness of the Nexus One and the fact it's stock Android make it better for me.

But I'm in the UK, and I don't want a contract, so I have two questions:

  1. What's the process of getting one here from Google like? Who's been through it and what was it like? Do they just ship straight to a UK address?
  2. Can I buy a O2 iPhone PAYG SIM off of eBay or something and put it in the phone? I know the Nexus comes unlocked, but I read somewhere that you need to put the iPhone SIM in an iPhone to activate the SIM initially. BTW, I want that specific type of SIM because it's the only PAYG SIM I know of which gives you free internet even if you don't top up a certain amount every month. If there's another one out there, please tell me! :D

Thanks in advance! :)
 
Easy.

1. I ordered it and it came within a few days. You will be e-mailed with progress of your order.

2. Any UK SIM will work. You may want to look at the O2 SIM only deals with data allowance to get the best from your phone.

3. I know there wasn't one. Expect a Tax invoice from DHL in anything up to a month after you get your phone. It's around
 
Thanks! :)

The SIM is the same as I use in my 3GS right now, it has unlimited internet for 12 months with a fair use limit of 1GB (I think). The 12 months on my SIM is almost over now, though, so I'll buy a new SIM if I get a Nexus. I've seen them go for 1p on eBay from sellers with 600+ positive feedback, so getting it should be easy.

I might look at other networks' offers though, as I'm not overly fond of O2's network, but I doubt they can match the internet deal this O2 SIM has.
 
As above...

1. Painless. I ordered mine and it came in 3 or 4 days (can't recall which).

2. Yes.

- Worked right out of the box
- I've tried T-Mob, Orange, O2, 3, VF SIMs & they all worked (I use 3 but only as the coverage is best at t'wife's house).
- I too didnae want a contract, hoping & waiting for better 3G coverage & offers over the next couple of years..
- Best 'phone I ever had:

Cheers!

Lodger
 
I had to manually set up my VPN's on the orange network, I imagine the same goes for other networks... Just google it if you have any problems.. Great phone..
 
Took a few days to arrive, no problem. 3 simcard worked, but I had to put the APN settings in myself, as jojitsu says, just googolise them.

Oh, and I've still not been charged by DHL for the tax. I ordered my phone in January.....

Awesome phone. I can't wait for froyo!
 
Just to echo, no probs ordering here, and several months down the line still loving the phone..
I'm on a standard O2 CPW tariff but caught an ad on the telly this evening which hinted at a
 
Hi all!

I'm in the same position, but before i buy i have a little question

which version should i choose? I live in the UK, and either will work here, but for canada/america i'm unsure which version will get the most coverage where.
 
If you visit Canada, get the AT&T one (90% of carriers). Someone has to answer for the USofA one.
 
Roze said:
If you visit Canada, get the AT&T one (90% of carriers). Someone has to answer for the USofA one.
Click to expand...

thanks for the reply! will this choice affect my 3G coverage in the uk? I'm currently with BT mobile, and once this contract finishes i plan to go onto either the orange or o2 payg (unlimited internet and 300 free txts for 10/mnth)
 
I'd be careful with payg unlimited internet-check the fair use cap. I used all of my 3gb allowance last month. A couple of satnav trips and you're in trouble! With flash support coming soon, the data use is only gonna go up. This isn't specific to the N1 of course, it's gonna be a big network problem over the next few years.
 
andyzammy said:
thanks for the reply! will this choice affect my 3G coverage in the uk? I'm currently with BT mobile, and once this contract finishes i plan to go onto either the orange or o2 payg (unlimited internet and 300 free txts for 10/mnth)
Click to expand...

Frequencies for AT&T's N1:
GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100

I'm not sure about specific UK carrier, but I believe most carriers use the 2100 frequency.
 
bigfod said:
I'd be careful with payg unlimited internet-check the fair use cap. I used all of my 3gb allowance last month. A couple of satnav trips and you're in trouble! With flash support coming soon, the data use is only gonna go up. This isn't specific to the N1 of course, it's gonna be a big network problem over the next few years.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the heads up. I've thought of that. I plan on using the app called "watchdog" to keep an eye on my calling/txting/webing and have it cut me off just before i reach my limit so i don't go eating up my credit. At least thats how a friend says it works.

I'm actually looking to be a bit more controlling than that but not having used android before i'm not sure if there's an app like this yet: i'd also like to find something to restrict what connections certain applications ues to make sure i don't accidentaly eat everything by pressing the wrong button. ie. making bandwidth hungry apps such as youtube/google earth use a wi-fi connection only.. is there anything like this out there?

and thanks Roze, i guess i can just ring up BT and ask them which frequencies they use to make sure i get the one they use.
 
Jleagle said:
You can get a PAYG sim with free internet? unlimited internet?
Click to expand...

Yup, these are the best. As long as you have more than 70p credit, you will get free internet, you don't even need to top up a certain amount each month. It's "unlimited" but I think there's some sort of fair use policy, I've never had trouble with that though.
 
Just as everyone else has said, ordering process was painless, ordered mine on a Friday and was here by Monday, although I didn't actually get it till the Tuesday as the wife was out so had to take a trip to DHL office to pick it up!

Was about 6-7 weeks before I got the demand letter through from DHL for the taxes.
 
IOwnGoogle said:
Yup,
1
these are the best. As long as you have more than 70p credit, you will get free internet, you don't even need to top up a certain amount each month. It's "unlimited" but I think there's some sort of fair use policy, I've never had trouble with that though.
Click to expand...
You don't even need to dick around on eBay, O2 will send you two of these gratis!

Sim Form - O2 Text & Web - O2 Free Sim
 
Oooh I mis-read the eBay one then, that is quite awesome.

So awesome that I have bought that one you linked up.
 
Rusty! said:
Oooh I mis-read the eBay one then, that is quite awesome.

So awesome that I have bought that one you linked up.
Click to expand...

Ohh, not too sure that was the right one actually. You might want to confirm with the seller it's an iPhone one, as in it's the type included with the iPhone on pay as you go, and not just a regular SIM.
 
Are you sure lol

That one says you have to top up each month?

Still, not bothered if the one it got is wrong, it's only 1p

EDIT: Looks like the 'proper' ones got for a fair bit more.
 
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