Will a UK SIM Free S5 Work in Australia?

[Don logan]

Hi, i need a new phone.

I'm in the UK and am moving to Australia for a while next year. I went to buy a SIM free S5 today, thinking that as it's SIM free it would work anywhere in the world, but the guy in the shop told me that this wasn't the case.

Is he right?

I know that they're region locked, but saw on here that if a new UK Samsung phone is activated with at least 5 mins of calls from a UK SIM card, then after that, the SIM can be changed and the phone can then be used anywhere else in the world:

(double u double u double u dot <can't yet post links>) androidcentral.com/heres-how-region-locking-works-european-samsung-galaxy-s5

I would just buy a new phone when i get to Australia, but i'm not going for a few months yet and my S3 is 3 years old and is on it's last legs. I'm not sure how long i'm going to be out there for either so any new phone would need to work in both countries for when i come back.

I don't really kn ow anything about rooting phones, but is there a mod that would get round this if i can't use a UK S5 in Australia?

Many thanks

 

[ironass]

Hi, i need a new phone.

I'm in the UK and am moving to Australia for a while next year. I went to buy a SIM free S5 today, thinking that as it's SIM free it would work anywhere in the world, but the guy in the shop told me that this wasn't the case.

Is he right?

I know that they're region locked, but saw on here that if a new UK Samsung phone is activated with at least 5 mins of calls from a UK SIM card, then after that, the SIM can be changed and the phone can then be used anywhere else in the world:

(double u double u double u dot <can't yet post links>) androidcentral.com/heres-how-region-locking-works-european-samsung-galaxy-s5

I would just buy a new phone when i get to Australia, but i'm not going for a few months yet and my S3 is 3 years old and is on it's last legs. I'm not sure how long i'm going to be out there for either so any new phone would need to work in both countries for when i come back.

I don't really kn ow anything about rooting phones, but is there a mod that would get round this if i can't use a UK S5 in Australia?

Many thanks

Hello and welcome to Android Central Don logan!

Assuming that the sim free Samsung Galaxy S5 model that you are purchasing in the U.K. is the international G900F model, (see 41 Galaxy S5 models - Dummies Guide), then you will have no problems using it on 5 out of the 6 main Australian networks, (no 4G/LTE on Club Telco network), just by putting in a new sim card and making a 5 min: call. See, also, Will My Phone Work?

 

[Don logan]

Thanks, that looks like it answers my question.

The only query I have is that on the link you posted to '41 Galaxy S5 models- Dummies Guide' under #1.3 International Models about the SM-G900F, the countries listed below the paragraph do not include Australia.

Australia is listed under the SM-G900i section. Any problems with this?

Thanks again

 

[ironass]

The only query I have is that on the link you posted to '41 Galaxy S5 models- Dummies Guide' under #1.3 International Models about the SM-G900F, the countries listed below the paragraph do not include Australia.

Australia is listed under the SM-G900i section. Any problems with this?

Those are the areas they are marketed. The international, G900F, works in most countries whilst the antipodean G900i is a little more restrictive on networks. Check the, "Will my phone work", link.