SIM for a Kid's Smartwatch

LShanghaiRocks on 31/03/2019 - 09:50
Last edited 31/03/2019 - 18:42

Hi all,
I bought a kid's smartwatch off eBay that has call features (requires a micro SIM).
The specification says it should work with GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHZ frequencies.

I couldn't make it work with the below 3 SIM cards and it just says "no network"-
SIM-1(Amaysim) LTE 850MHz 1800MHz
SIM-2(Lebara) LTE 700MHz 1800MHz 2100MHz 2300MHz 2600MHz
SIM-3(Boost) LTE 700MHz 900MHz 1800MHz 2100MHz 2600MHz

Upon further check on the factory mode, I found its GSM850, EGDS900, DCS1800,PCS1900 capable. The available bands are 38, 39, 40, 41 only.
In the area we live, when I try those SIM cards in my mobile phone (iPhone) it connects to either band 5 or 28.

Its weird that the seller (on ebay) sears it should work in here., but couldn't provide any specifics support. I may log a refund request if nothing works out.
Can someone suggest any network operators supporting the above said frequencies and the band?

EDIT1:
Factory Mode1:
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/265048/68038/img_8404.…
https://files.ozbargain.com.au/upload/265048/68039/img_8405.…

Mobile

Comments

  • Any thing on 31/03/2019 - 09:58
    +4

    GSM is the 2G network which is no longer available in Australia.

    • ShanghaiRocks on 31/03/2019 - 10:24

      Thanks for replying. I understand now that GSM on those bands are no longer available. Do you know if LTE bands 38~40 are supported by any operators.
      Some resources on internet shows that Optus uses LTE band 40 occasionally / depending on area.

      • Any thing on 31/03/2019 - 11:40
        +1

        As far as I'm aware band 40 is only used by Optus in ACT.
        The sims you've tried use Optus, Vodafone & Telstra so you've already tried all the network providers available.
        As Tightbottom has suggested I don't think this watch is designed for the Australian market and will only be useful when connected to a phone via Bluetooth instead of being used as a stand alone device.
        It's disappointing that the ebay seller is marketing this as compatible with the Australian providers.

        • AustriaBargain on 31/03/2019 - 13:33
          +2

          Sounds like a pretty dumb watch.

      • JimmyF on 31/03/2019 - 14:25

        Do you know if LTE bands 38~40 are supported by any operators.

        To use LTE you'll need to be doing VoLTE which I doubt the watch will use.

        • ShanghaiRocks on 31/03/2019 - 18:54

          I kind of agree with others on this thread that the watch wasn't designed for Australian market. Guessing that its primarily meant for China which users TD-LTE.

          While I see different LTE bands (1 ~ 41) on the phone, only 38~41 are selectable. I am not too sure if rooting the devise will help to enable other bands. Will keep you guys posted on my adventures/misadventures with the watch :)

  • [Deactivated] on 31/03/2019 - 10:30
    +1

    I'm guessing not designed for Australian market

  • bdl on 31/03/2019 - 15:32

    Time to buy one way flight ticket for kid :D

  • tebbybabes on 31/03/2019 - 17:33
    +1

    I can't say for certain with regards to your case, but I had a feature phone that I wanted my mom-in-law to use that had been in my drawer for years. It was physically fine but couldn't connect to any network. In the end, we discovered that it was a GSM-only phone and that it was no longer supported in Aus.

  • Zenith2k3 on 13/05/2019 - 14:37

    I bought the v9, haven't tried SIM card yet, but battery life is so bad, that one day of little to no use drains it all. How long does your last for?

    • ShanghaiRocks on 13/05/2019 - 21:11

      I have one without SIM, it lasts about a day and a half. Thought about rooting it and unlocking other bands, but then, lost interest :) .. Probably a weekend adventure, one day!

      Let me know if you make it work with a local SIM!

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