Sending a smart phone overseas
 

I want to send a smart phone, most likely an iPhone 4 or similar to my production manager in India. Will it work?

I don't think this is a simple question to answer.
My google search found this article that refers you to a utility to look up the phone model you are considering, then find the operator in the country of interest to determine if the freqs and standards match.
Determine if your Mobile Phone will Work in Another Country

This site shows a map with freqs and standards:
http://www.worldtimezone.com/gsm.html

I think you'd do better to buy one for him there.

Thanks Mark and Hugh. I was hoping to surprise her. but not so great if it didn't work.

India's kind of a crazy, no rules place, so not sure what they can get to work there even if it isn't supposed to. Might send money to a friend in country and he could send her something.

A US phone calling from overseas is crazy expensive per minute. In my experience, a local phone is much cheaper to call the USA. My US phone is like a buck a minute to call from London to Los Angeles, a cheap throw away in the UK is closer to ten cents/minute for the same call.

No, don't send a phone. It will disappear as part of the customs process.

Sadly, the best way to send one is with someone who is headed that way. Unlocked US phones will work in India, we have delivered quite a few to nieces and nephews. I would offer, but I don't see us getting to India before late summer at the earliest.

Listen to Harddrive. I had a smart phone shipped to me by my employer when I was living in Malaysia, the import duty was fairly outrageous and I had to pay a handler to cut the red tape for me (essentially above the table bribes). Hook up with someone heading to India who can carry it into the country as their own.

Thanks Josh, I'm fairly sure I'm going in early May, I'll bring one then.

I sent 2 phones overseas one just recently to Israel and as stated both simply disappeared never to be seen again. I am still fighting with UPS to get my money back it has been four months. When they see I Phone on the customs form they just steal it. I will never ship a phone over seas again.