Ask Engadget: Best Skype phone for Europe?
By Darren Murph 
posted December 31st 2009 11:05PM
posted December 31st 2009 11:05PM
There's nothing worse than not being able to communicate with someone when you desperately need to, so we're hoping that our readers across the pond will be able to chime in here with a little advice. If you've got something productive to add, drop it down in comments below!"My sister recently moved to Belgium. She has access to WiFi at home, so I'd like to send her a mobile phone that can run a Skype client. Requirements are WiFi, can work on Belgian / European carriers, runs Skype, and has excellent battery life. Anyone have any suggestions?"
If your sister can access WiFi, and you only need to talk to her at her home, a PSP-3000 has internal WiFi and a built in mic for Skype calls.
@Aguiluz
The PSP is a phone now?
...
@Endadget
It has been for a couple years.
@(Unverified)
The guy asked for a GSM cell phone, not just any device that can run Skype.
But sure, let's all just recommend random stuff, maybe he'll find it useful anyway.
Skype on my iPhone has been brilliant!
@TheNotoriousMAZ Is it stable for you? Every version I've ever tried either drops the call or crashes a few mins into conversations. + the lack of multitasking is a deal breaker imo. Not just accessing other things but even if the screen goes "black" the app goes dead :s.
@TheNotoriousMAZ
Yes, but VOIP over 3g is disabled. Unless you jailbreak it.
The N900 supports it. I just got the N900 for that purpose. I'm able to use 3g and 2.5g to make voip calls with skype
@Munk
The N810 / N800 are also great choices and cheaper than the N900 which is also a phone and the n810 and n800 are not. I used my N810 while traveling all over china and had great results.
@Munk: Skype sucks on a non-jailbroken iPhone. Backgrounder keeps calls going when you exit the app, get a notification, or sleep your phone. Without Backgrounder, any of those things will end a call on the spot. 3GUnrestrictor will allow calls over 3G. Skype chat on the iPhone sucks period. Constantly freezes and crashes the app. Only use the Skype app for calling.
Nokia N900, Skype is integrated tightly, and will likely support video calls
@Jason77 Indeed. As it's integrated so tightly with the phone and you don't open any application start it i have done my first Skype call now with N900. Just because it's just like normal calling with no extra hassel needed.
@Jason77 Awesome phone, agreed. But too expensive, draws a lot of power. I'm looking for something in the 100 EUR range, even older handsets would be fine (usually preferable due to smaller screens / increased battery life).
@rgm
The cheapest GSMs with WiFi and Skype capabilities are probably the S60 phones (mostly Nokias). So I'd do a search here:
http://www.gsmarena.com/search.php3
However, for 100 EUR don't expect much. A used (few months old) E51 or maybe a very used 5800...
Maybe the Blackberries, too, but I don't know much about them.
All in all, the E51 looks like the best candidate so far.
Motorola Milestone
If you want to send a smartphone, then i agree with Jason N900 might be good, but infact most of Nokia's smartphones will work.
If you just want to send a separate phone, then there are Belkin and Netgear skype wi-fi phones, which are only for skype functionality.
You can find anywhere between $60-$100 depending on your location.
Frys has them cheap manytimes.
Why not just use the 3 Skypephone?
@SteveDhalai
N900 or 3 Skype phone, pick one up for around £100.
http://www.skype.com/intl/en/allfeatures/3skypephone/s2/
@SteveDhalai
"From November 2007 onwards, 3 Skypephone will be available or coming soon in the UK, Italy, Australia, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, Republic of Ireland and Hong Kong." -- That isn't to say that I couldn't track it down, but it seems a pain and perhaps too specialized.
I realize this wasn't in the original requirements list, but I'd wanna get something that /could/ accept a SIM too, so that she doesn't have to lug around two devices. From the comments so far, I'm leaning toward a Nokia E or N series. Although Skype over wifi is the intent, it'd be a bonus if it were allowed over the 3G mobile data networks (Proximus, Mobistar, BASE).
@rgm
truth be told, the best phones with skype capabilities will be EU phones, since most US carriers simply DO NOT WANT any app that will take away from billable minutes, and most phones sold here will cater to those US carriers.
Agree with the N900 comments. Its built-in functionality into the phonebook and the experience is better than any other "phone", hands down.
Other Nokia's can run skype but this is done via apps (Fring or Nimbuzz). I use fring but it does not have the best voice quality and tends to lag from time to time.
Also the carrier 3 has a Skype phone (made by INQ if I remember correct) so you might want to check that out.
Gl.
@Munk
"Other Nokia's can run skype but this is done via apps (Fring or Nimbuzz)."
There's a native Skype app for Symbian as well. I never used it, but it's there.
If she wants to video chat:
Pretty much every smartphone in Europe has a front side camera (like the nokia n900) so have her go to Orange or some other provide and have her get a smartphone (other then the iphone for it doesn't have a front side camera) and she can use skype for calling and for video chats. Also smartphones are a lot cheaper on European provides so a nokia n97 would be free, a htc hd2 would be free, and so on.
Get a phone that runs a smartphone os like android/symbian/mameo/windows mobile/iphone os
and you can run apps like fing to use skype
I'll hop on the iphone skype user bandwagon. I call over to Saudi from the states and it's brilliant. Also there is a great client for iPhone called "Fring" that you can also add messenger logins to as well as a gizmo5 sip number and call away with it.
I use Belkin Desktop Skype Phone for my office. Sound quality is excellent and speakerphone is very loud. BUT it doesn't have wifi, only ethernet cable connection available. However, if she needs it just to make calls (not receive calls) I would probably go with skype on my iPhone, no problems so far.
Jailbroken iPhone
@suland it doesn't even need to be jailbroken if she wants a plan for it- Skype works over 3G now.
HTC HD2, Skype working well over wlan.
(Scandinavia.)
$250-$350 Netbook computer with webcam.
$130 Ipevo S0-20 is a good Skype Wifi Phone.
$90 Siemens Gigaset A580 DECT VoIP/SIP phone.
The Gigaset A580 is a true SIP phone and is pre-configured out of the box with an account so even your mother could use it. Because it is DECT, the battery life is great and the call quality is equally good.
your requirements are gsm 900-1800 and wifi
fring=skype can be installed on a lot of different devices
check out which ones here
http://www.fring.com/download/default_PC.asp
or choose a device first on cellphone arena
http://www.gsmarena.com/search.php3
with selection (wifi and 900/1800)
the phonehouse.be
has an option to buy cellphones online
with free delivery apparently atm
it's trustworty shop but don't know if it's cheapest
(but there's not a lot of online shops so... unless you want to sent your sister money)
kopen=buy
goodluck
reply if you need more information
probably easier/cheaper
wow got win 7 today i can see why it made it on the list so cool have a good 2010 engadget guys and do another t shirt design contest
Yes. milestone
Nexus One, no contest. Can run fring that can talk any im language and even do video calls ( only incoming video, camera points to the wrong side). And run it in the bacground, with notifications when you get a message.
@Mnemonija Nice one, recommend a phone that you can't actually buy yet.
I've been using a 1st generation Sony Mylo for years for Skype on wi-fi. It's cute, has a keyboard, an excellent battery life and you could probably get one for cheap (below $100) on Ebay.
I recently acquired a mifi, so I could also use it on 3G when on the go.
I have a Nokia E71 and am using fring on it to make skype calls, can use gprs (is surprisingly good!), 3G or wifi (the best) to make voice calls on gtalk/ msn/ SIP too. I do a lot vaoice calling on skype and my phone still lasts me atleast 2 days!!!
I don't even remember what I'm commenting on, I just want to test out the Engadget App on my Palm Pre! Lmao.
I can't believe these people recommending the N900 or the iPhone...
Can't you read the question? He said excellent battery life, which pretty much all touchscreen phones lack, especially phones like the N900 and the iPhone.
I'd say perhaps something like the E52. I heard the battery life is very good.
Nimbuzz is a nice all in one messaging app, that includes Skype.
I live in Europe and my son lives in the US. We talk on Skype and after trying many (and I do mean many) bits of technology to talk to each other we have both finally settled on the Skype suppled phone that plugs directly into the home router. These devices work better than almost all the others.
- Cheapest. Headset plugged into PC audio jack
- Next Cheapest and a bit better. USB headset. Less fiddling with wires and Skype find the device by default. Speakers still work for audio.
- Cell phone + Skype. Utter rubbish. Poor audio quality and unreliable. My son has a htc TouchPro II and that works OK for when he is outside his house but it is not a good choice.
- iPhone. Utter crap. FAIL almost every time. Do not buy.
- Skype dedicated plug into the router phone at both ends. THE BEST. Works every time but takes about 8 seconds to sync its packets end to end. Once done the quality is almost as good as a regular phone. Once in a while the call drops out.
- Laptop PC + camera. We both run Windows 7 x64. This works well for family stuff but is too cumbersome for day to day use.
Any traditional N Series phone - the N86 if you want the latest one which is also a total bargain just now.
First don´t send it to here ´cause if you do it your sending here (customs) costs. Try to order it for here somewhere from the EU.
The Problem with Skype (as with all other apps) on the Iphone is and remain the lack of multi tasking. She will not be able to be always on like on S60 or WinMo.
Except on the N900, the Iphone and WinMo all other devices have only Skype Lite wich is not completely Free. Nimbuzz and Fring extends the availability of skype to all S60 Phones and adds SIP a much cheaper option using for exemple smartvoip/12voip/poivy.com. With Nimbuz on WinMo or S60 you can send a "buzz" to someone and it will fire up his nimbuzz and come online!!!
I´ve been heavily using voip for at least 5 years now. I tried all the MultiIMs, OSes and SIP Providers.This is my dream Team:S60+Nimbuzz+SIP on the move and @Home i use the PSP and let the Phone sync, charge....
as i a finiched typing. I got a buzz from a friend @ the airport in France who is als using Nimbuzz...
Perhaps the Droid Eris? or even Pre Pixi. I could have sworn I saw walmart offering one of those for like $50...
@Midnitte
lol ok $30 it seems.
http://gizmodo.com/5403353/walmart-hacks-the-palm-pixis-price-down-to-size-30-at-launch
@Midnitte
$30 + 24 * $70 = $1710, since she won't be able to use the $70 plan in Europe.
Agree that you should not send a phone to Belgium. By law all mobile phones in Belgium are sold without simlock. If and when she returns to the US she should be able to use it there, so it should be a quadband gsm/triband UMTS phone. And wifi of course. I myself use iPhone, no problems with Skype or nimbuzz, both apps work fine. I gave my parents a dedicated belkin skypephone for wifi, this works but only for speech, not messaging.
Furthermore, Belgium has only 3 providers (Base, Mobistar & Proximus). They all are expensive, unfortunately almost as expensive as mobile subscriptions are in the US.
I use Fring on a Nokia 5800, which I leave on all the time. It is light on data I.e 4 times less usage than Nimbuzz, reliable, and does video calling using the front facing phonecam to any supporting Skype clients. If on 3g connection Voice is fine, Wifi and you can do video too which is great.
There are no decent Skype branded handsets available to be honest, build quality of skype sets is rubbish, especially the wifi sets, you are better off using a smartphone with either Skype or Fring
@jpxdude
Yeah, the 5800 could also be an option. It's relatively cheap and has many features. And as far as battery life I've heard different opinions, so I can't comment on that. Some people say it lasts up to 4-5 days, which I think is very good if true.
And about Fring using less data than Nimbuzz, that's interesting.. I'll check it out. Last time I checked I liked the feel of Nimbuzz better, but it's been a while. I'll have to check the standalone Skype app as well.
@jpxdude I can vouch for the 5800 too. Whilst my GF was travelling in India earlier this summer where she couldn't possible afford to ring me, I just left my Skype + MSN client (Fring) running 24/7 for 4 months. Never let me down, all she had to do to get in touch was pop into an internet cafe and i'd be right there!
Had a rather "wow at technology" moment when I was sitting in a park in the UK with my phone taking on skype to someone 5000 miles away for several hours and it was all completely free!
Can also vouch for any winmo phone with a resonable processor for skype action too. I currently use skype on my Touch HD all the time.
Cannot possibly vouch for iphone skyping tho, without multitasking support if you accidentally hit the home button, get a call etc then it kicks you out of most skype / chat clients, kills battery life tho, do not reccomend!
@jpxdude
Yup. It's a good one for VOIP too.
I tried Fring for iPhone before the official Skype app was launched. It worked fine for me on wifi. The official Skype app had a few problems after it was first launched but with the subsequent updates the stability improved a lot. I use the Skype app on my iPhone as a replacement for a land line and so far I am really happy. Sometimes call are dropped, but I have the same experience with Skype on my MacBook or laptop for that matter.