My phone died can I buy a replacement phone in Sri Lanka and is it good value and where do I go
Disaster my phone died completely on day three and I am lost without it (maps photos messages) Can I BUY a replacement phone here are there proper phone shops where do I go (the cities I assume) what brands are available and is it good value or expensive compared to home should I buy a cheap local phone to get by or a proper smartphone and what about getting a SIM in it I need to be connected again Anyone who bought a phone in Sri Lanka please tell me where and how
6 Answers from travellers
Local so do not panic you can get a phone easily Can you buy one YES there are plenty of PHONE SHOPS and electronics stores in the cities and towns (Colombo Kandy Galle and all the larger centres) from the big mobile retailer chains and brand stores to independent phone shops and the electronics arcades you will find phones easily What brands the usual range SAMSUNG and the Android brands are widely available (Samsung Xiaomi Oppo Vivo Huawei and others) APPLE iPhones are available too (at Apple resellers and phone shops though pricier) so from cheap basic phones to mid range Androids to high end you have options Value and cost honest note phones are NOT especially cheaper here than at home (electronics carry taxes and import costs) a mid range or high end smartphone costs roughly similar to or sometimes MORE than home (do not expect a bargain on a flagship) BUT cheap basic and entry level smartphones are affordable so for your situation Cheap to get by vs proper smartphone if you just need to function (maps messaging photos calls) a CHEAP entry level Android smartphone is inexpensive and does the job perfectly (a sensible buy to get you through the trip) if you want a proper replacement you can buy a mid range Android at a fair price (flagships are pricey so maybe wait for home unless you need it) for most stranded travellers a budget Android smartphone is the smart move cheap and fully functional Getting a SIM in it EASY (the SIM threads) buy a local SIM (the providers Dialog Mobitel and others have shops everywhere bring your passport for registration) pop it in and you have data and calls cheaply set up your maps and apps again (log into your accounts to restore things) Where to go head to a PHONE SHOP or a mobile retailer in the nearest city (or a phone shop in any decent town) the staff will sort you out with a phone and a SIM How to do it go to a phone shop buy a budget (or mid range) Android smartphone get a local SIM put in (passport for registration) log into your accounts and you are reconnected So yes you can easily buy a replacement phone at the phone shops and electronics stores in any city (Samsung and the Androids widely available iPhones too) note phones are not really cheaper here so for a stranded traveller a CHEAP entry level Android smartphone is the smart affordable buy to get you through pair it with a local SIM (passport to register) and you are reconnected with maps photos and messages in no time
Phone shops in any city with Samsung and the Androids widely available but phones are not really cheaper here so a cheap entry level Android is the smart buy to get through the trip paired with a local SIM and my passport to register this is exactly the get reconnected plan I needed thank you
A cheap local Android got me through after I dropped mine in the sea it did maps and messaging fine for very little money do not overspend on a fancy replacement when a budget phone does everything you need for the rest of the trip
Remember to register the SIM with your passport which is required here the shop does it for you so bring your passport when you go to buy the phone and SIM together and you walk out fully connected in one trip
Back up your photos to the cloud if you can before anything happens to a phone so a dead or lost phone does not lose your memories too once you have your new phone just log into your accounts and your photos maps and apps come back which makes a replacement far less painful
Buy from a reputable phone shop or an official brand store rather than the cheapest market stall so you get a genuine phone with a warranty and a proper bill it costs a little more but avoids the risk of a dodgy or used handset when you just need something reliable to finish your trip
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