does a smartphone work without a SIM card?
 

I can't fit enough detail in the subject line so it sounds stupid but here's the situation -- I can get a Samsung Galaxy Discover in Canada for $80 with seemingly no financial strings attached - buy it, get it into the US, not a penny more to anyone. I don't intend to use it as a telephone; rather, I want to use it as a portable music device with wifi internet ability and access to Android apps that don't need a cell connection.

Question - will it serve this purpose without a SIM card?

Thanks,
Sixto
87 300D

Yes.

Yes. It will be able to make 911 calls as well.

I have an old iPhone that I have repurposed along the same lines. Works fine. I can even update apps via my home Wi-Fi connection.

The problem for the iPhone is activation if you ever need to restore it.

Our kids have hand-me-down AT&T iPhones that work just fine except there's no telephone service. I have to check whether the satnav functions operate without cellular service.

Sixto
87 300D