This is NOT an official government website. We are an independent resource providing information and assistance to travelers.
What is the best phone for seamless international calling between the USA and Thailand?
phone recommendationsdual SIM compatibilityinternational phone useoperating systems (iOS, Android)eSIM functionalitycommon phone brandsnetwork compatibility
May 4, 2024
2 years ago
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTERThe last phone I bought was an Oppo something something with two SIM slots. Even with my US SIM the phone cannot make calls in the USA. I do some work travel and it's a big pain. Does anyone have a brand or other suggestion for my next phone so that I can have full functionality in both places?
TLDR : Answer Summary
The user is looking for a smartphone that can function well in both the USA and Thailand, particularly for making calls while traveling. Community suggestions include various smartphones known for their compatibility across different networks and countries, primarily mentioning brands like Apple and Samsung, along with a note on ensuring the phone is unlocked and able to support multiple SIMs or eSIM technology to facilitate easy use of local networks when abroad.
Pelle Eriksson★★★★★
Absolutely Bangkok's best service I highly...recently on Facebook
Luca G.★★★★★
I used this agency for my DTV Visa...recently on Google
Trusted Thai Visa Agent
OVER 100,000 EXPATS SERVED
#1 VISA AGENT IN THAILAND
Simon ********
Pixel
Christian **********
Check the website "willmyphonework" Except for the most high-end phones, many phones are marketed to geographic regions and will offer frequencies and bands most frequently used in those regions. High-end phones offer a wider array of frequencies/bands that cover more geographic areas
David **********
Use Apple all over the world, roaming with 2 SIMs, USA and Thailand. (Didn’t go to Africa)
James **************
I had already purchased my phone long before my trip but what I ended up doing was bringing a spare phone, purchased a sim card for it, turned on a hotspot and then connected to it with my normal phone and enabled WiFi calling. I kept my normal phone number and all and it called like a normal connection and I'm from the US .
Osama ************
I have been using the OnePlus phone for several years and it always worked without any issue every where I go.
My only advice is to buy it in the USA
My only advice is to buy it in the USA
Phil ********
Osama ************
@Phil *******
No it is not locked. Because you have to buy it from the company website directly.Reply to
Osama ************
Reply
Greg ***********
get a XIAOMI Dual SIM phone . . like the Xiaomi 11T Pro 8GB/256GB
Roger *********
Xiaomi
Brook ********
It’s not the phone, it’s the user.
Lee-Ann *******
Need to make sure phone is unlocked to all network's when you purchased, when traveling, make sure either SIM 1 or 2 in settings is set up to work for data, messages and calls etc
Nick ************
Never had a problem with Samsung dual sim phone. Not a fancy model either.
Ian ********
Samsung 24
Darren ******
I call the UK from my Thai SIM and use 005 then UK code and number , something like 5-8b a min
Harris **********
I have a esim with my Thai carrier and a physical sim from my Australian carrier in my Samsung s23
Bill *********
Is it possible that your oppo phone is locked to a carrier other than your sim ?
มิเชล *********
Get an IPhone or if you need android get Samsung S series both are international phones and can be used anywhere
Chris ******
I've got oppo phone double SIM no problems in any country I've travelled think it's maybe your network
Phil ********
Was the Oppo phone bought in Thailand?
Was it bought from a network provider like AIS or DTAC?
If so it maybe locked to these networks.
Was it bought from a network provider like AIS or DTAC?
If so it maybe locked to these networks.
Christopher ***********
@Phil *******
Great thinking Phil. If it was it would have been considerably cheaper than the unlocked version.Reply to
Christopher ***********
Reply
Jennifer ******
It's probably the settings. Go to a phone shop and ask.
Ken *******
S21, s23 works us and thailand
John *********
iPhone with USA sim and Thailand AIS e-sim works perfect anywhere anytime. I switch between SIM cards while in Thailand flawlessly.
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@John ********
your iPhone has 2 Sim slots?Deena **********
!4 Pro as well. Two esims
John *********
@Jack ***************
no sim slots. Apple 15 is all ESIMJohn ********
@Jack ***************
most likely one physical sim and an esimWayne *********
@Jack ***************
he has esim does not need 2 sim slots can install up to 6 numbers an use any 2 at same timeReply to
Wayne *********
Reply
Chris *********
I have a Huawei bought in Thailand that works on T-Mobile Sims statewide. You couldn't buy one in USA, but it functions fine.
Phil ******
@Jack ***************
Samsung s24. Allows for an esim.Gary **********
I have a oppo still have it 4 years on. Never had a problem. In fact I'd say they are the best phone ..also used it in Thailand and UK with double SIM ..
Harris **********
Samsung's S23 Ultra best phone ever
Phil ********
@Harris *********
Doesn't have Facetime 🤣Harris **********
@Phil *******
You mean mesenger or wifi call, it has all the Ai features that Samsung just released 2 weeks ago that the S24 has as a bonus update 😅🤣😂Harris **********
@Phil *******
I can get I'm sureReply to
Harris **********
Reply
Ling *****
I bought a new Samsung A54 last year with dual sim. Both sim slots work in all the countries I've visited, like Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam and Australia.
Lynnette *******
So now you say your USA SIM doesn't work in USA.
Mike ******
Samsung phones work in the US and Thailand and I would guess all other locations.
Chris *****
Get a phone that supports e-sim. I think you can add 10 or so with iPhones
Glenn *****
Did you enable Roaming? Phone and carriers settings
Lynnette *******
@Glenn ****
he says US sim doesn't work in USA. 🤷Scott ***************
You need a dual Sim CDMA/GSM/ LTE phone Thailand Uses GSM and LTE, US uses all 3 depending on which carrier. I'd stick to Samsung or Apple phone.
Martin *****
Samsung s24
Aake **********
I have a Samsung s20 ultra 5g works perfekt in Europa and Thailand
Lynnette *******
Surely it's the type of contract for that SIM that counts? I can't use my UK SIM in Thailand without huge cost so I don't use it and use Skype. Just load a few ££s on it.
Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lynnette ******
my USA Sim doesn't work in the USA.Lynnette *******
@Jack ***************
that's strange. My sims working my Oppo phone. Perhaps there's a fault on your SIM.Jack ****************
ORIGINAL POSTER@Lynnette ******
I mean maybe? But it worked on my previous phone. My theory is that some standard is similar, but not exact in a way that makes this phone not work on the networks correctly. It is also a wonky model of the phone that they didn't continue to make- maybe that is related. Dunno, I've only got the one data point.Christopher ***********
@Jack ***************
As already advised, it’s one of two issues; 1) Incompatible frequency bands or 2) Locked to a Thai network.Reply to
Christopher ***********
Reply
Braulio *********
Apple
Reply to
Braulio *********
Reply
119 comments
2 years ago
130 comments
2 years ago
15 comments
2 years ago
36 comments
2 years ago
36 comments
2 years ago
19 comments
2 years ago
84 comments
2 years ago
18 comments
2 years ago
64 comments
2 years ago
8 comments
2 years ago
108 comments
2 years ago
18 comments
2 years ago
51 comments
2 years ago
40 comments
2 years ago
15 comments
3 years ago
9 comments
3 years ago
27 comments
4 years ago
5 comments
4 years ago
47 comments
4 years ago
21 comments
4 years ago
61 comments
5 years ago
18 comments
5 years ago
53 comments
5 years ago
20 comments
5 years ago
18 comments
6 years ago
7 comments
a month ago
9 comments
a month ago
21 comments
a month ago
16 comments
a month ago
8 comments
a month ago
The ask:thailand community, consisting of multiple Q/A groups with over 100,000 members, powers this platform. It is not an official government resource. Our members actively contribute to this resource, and while we strive for accuracy, we cannot guarantee its complete reliability. Assistance to travelers is provided as a community service.