[Q] Buying in Hong Kong: Smartone version or not ? - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

It looks like the Smartone version in Hong Kong will come preloaded with a bunch of apps I don't really need.
Is it worthwhile this version to benefit from the small discount (for smartone subscribers) and the ability to exchange it at the store if there is a defect ?
Will official samsung updates work on the Smartone version ?
Thanks.

Related

Import UK Hero in Hong Kong?

Hi all,
I am planning to buy the HTC Hero in Hong Kong, but since I have never used an Android phone before. there are a few questions that I would like some answers:
(Assumption) If I buy an imported UK or EU Hero tomorrow:
1. Can it display Asian languages on websites ... etc? If by default it can't, is there anyway to get around it?
2. Is the Chinese input built-into the system as an option like the Iphone? If not, is there a way to install the input system into it.
3. Will there be any restriction on the Android market, similar to Iphone, due to different geographical locations?
4. Any other issues need to beware for purchasing an imported Android?
Many Thanks
1. Yes
2. No. but you can download an chinese input app instead.
3. No.
4. Check if it is a sim-free phone or has it been unlocked already.
sorry to say
been to hk 3 times in the last year and a half...
you won't get one cheaper....i know i have looked when trying to get the latest phones.....buy it from the u.k.....you have been warned
I am from Hong Kong, so I can't reach out for the bundle deals in UK.
Since I can't wait for the local release, I am planning to buy the unlocked version thru UK websites. Therefore I need to make sure the imported ones can fulfil my basic mobile phone needs (Chinese support ... etc).
Yes, there are much less bundle deals in HK, but the tariffs are very cheap here, so there are much less subsidies to the handset price.

[Q] What region GS2 is being sold from Amazon UK?

Has any one ordered from Amazon UK recently? I want to know what region they are getting. Is it the Generic EU (XEU?) version or something else. I've read that retailers are sourcing stock from all over the place to meet demand and that some sold in the UK have CSC codes from different regions, e.g someone buying from Handtec got a one with a Portuguese CSC code.
sunseaker said:
Has any one ordered from Amazon UK recently? I want to know what region they are getting. Is it the Generic EU (XEU?) version or something else. I've read that retailers are sourcing stock from all over the place to meet demand and that some sold in the UK have CSC codes from different regions, e.g someone buying from Handtec got a one with a Portuguese CSC code.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where did you hear that nonsense from? Amazon UK would be the Generic EU/UK, they won't risk getting them from other sources besides Samsung themselves. Unless you are buying from Amazon's third-party marketplace of course, frankly speaking, they are unreliable for buying an expensive and faulty prone item like this.
Thanks, I assume you mean the Amazon 3rd party sellers are not reliable for such an expensive item or did you mean Amazon themselves?
It was actually someone on this forum that mentioned that they had bought a SGs2 from Handtec and that the CSC code was for Portugal and not the Generic UK one. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1102438
Like you say, the GS2 seems quite fault prone so I'm looking for an online retailer that's going to give me the best service when it comes to returns. I don't live in the UK so cannot walk into a store to check one over the counter before I buy and there is no mention of a release date here yet.
sunseaker said:
It was actually someone on this forum that mentioned that they had bought a SGs2 from Handtec and that the CSC code was for Portugal and not the Generic UK one. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1102438
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes i'm the one who got a Portuguese S 2 from handtec, would you please guys reply to my thread here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1102438

[Q] Differences between Hong Kong and UK Flyer?

Hi,
I'm really keen on getting a Flyer for various reasons. I've got an opportunity to potentially source one via our Hong Kong office.
Can anyone advise whether there are any differences between the Hong Kong and UK/EU version of the device?
Is there perhaps a firmware difference?
From a support angle, I'm guessing the warranty would only be good in Hong Kong, or does HTC do an international warranty?
Thanks
Iain
Bump.
Anyone any thoughts on the subject? Perhaps a different way of looking at is, is there any differences between the EU vs US vs ASIA versions (other than the inclusion of the Pen and Case)?
Thanks
Iain
ICHAPMAN said:
Bump.
Anyone any thoughts on the subject? Perhaps a different way of looking at is, is there any differences between the EU vs US vs ASIA versions (other than the inclusion of the Pen and Case)?
Thanks
Iain
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The easy way to find out any possible differences is to check HTC sites. Here are the links that will allow you to do your own comparisons:
US HTC Flyer
HK HTC Flyer
EU HTC Flyer
For customer support, you can check here.
Thanks rlydiard.
I'd already read these, on paper the EU and ASIA versions seem to be the same item (and in that case probably are at a hardware level).
When I'm unsure of is at the firmware level. Whether EU and ASIA share a firmware or does the HK version perhaps not include any English language components (for example).
Iain.
ICHAPMAN said:
Thanks rlydiard.
I'd already read these, on paper the EU and ASIA versions seem to be the same item (and in that case probably are at a hardware level).
When I'm unsure of is at the firmware level. Whether EU and ASIA share a firmware or does the HK version perhaps not include any English language components (for example).
Iain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the HTC Flyer is using Android, at least on OS level, you should be able to switch between various languages, just as with Android phones. I am not totally sure if that is the case with HTC's Sense that comes with the Flyer, but if it is not the case, I am quite sure that you would have a choice of English or Chinese in Hong Kong.
Perhaps someone in Asia who already has a Flyer can respond to this thread and clarify this issue for you.
I don't know about the different between the UK version and the HK one. I have the HK one and this is what I can tell you. Its has both Chinese and English Interface. Actually, I am using English interface all the time. It has Chinese Pen Input for Chinese user. It has some local Chinese Web site but I never use it. I don't see any problem if you are just using English only.
Thanks cychan.
So it would seem that that there are difference versions of the firmware.
I've just purchased one in Malaysia - which has a English/Thai/Chinese/Vietnamese (with Malaysian/Singapore English options) - doesn't have US/UK/AU English
Thanks all.
In addition to asking the question here I did also email HTC UK with a similar question. I thought some of you may be interested in HTC's response:
"Concerning your questions about using a Hong Kong Flyer in the UK I can help you with that.
If the HTC Flyer is SIM free and unbranded it will work in the UK and can be repair under warranty at the nearest international repair centre (the UK)."
So, the only disadvantage it seems of having a non-UK/EU model is that potentially firmware updates may take a little longer to arrive depending on HTC's release schedule. However, even that would only seem to be a delay of a couple of days, rather than weeks/months.
Thanks again
Iain
Changes (that i have found):
OK ... as stated only 3 languages (1 English)
When using with no SIM the operator is shown in Chinese characters on the lock screen REGARDLESS of language selected
Youtube most popular videos are China's most popular videos
Watch doesn't let you buy / rent movies on the Chinese version
Kris
I bought the WiFi only version from the official UK HTC flyer store (expansys) last Thursday and is currently being shipped to me in Australia. I was not aware of the different versions at the time and when they told me over the phone that it will be shipped from Hong Kong I thought nothing of it.
Now I am worried it will be an inferior version to the UK version I assumed I would be getting.
Does anyone know if the pen and case come with the HK version?
And should I be worried, or am I worrying for no reason? :-s
**update**
I Called Expansys and they confirmed that the one on its way to me was shipped from HK and box contents includes pen and case. Also that it should not be any different just because it was shipped from HK, they just have a warehouse out there to supply that part of the world. If this turns out to be untrue I'll update my post again. Feeling a bit better now
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA Premium App

HK Mate 20 Pro to UK/EU Firmware?

Just been told by Huawei that my Mate 20 Pro doesn't have Google Feed because it's a Chinese model (its Hong Hong with Google Play) so can I change the firmware to make it more local like UK with Google Feed?
Shipoftheline said:
Just been told by Huawei that my Mate 20 Pro doesn't have Google Feed because it's a Chinese model (its Hong Hong with Google Play) so can I change the firmware to make it more local like UK with Google Feed?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hong Kong model is international model.
LYA-L29C636
Download the Google app switch to English as your system language and you got Google news feed
Sent from my LYA-L29 using Tapatalk
KedrosNg said:
Hong Kong model is international model.
LYA-L29C636
Download the Google app switch to English as your system language and you got Google news feed
Sent from my LYA-L29 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Default language is English United Kingdom but still no Google Feed, Huawei have told me its disabled
Some international model M20P's do have Huawei's feed rather than the Google feed. I have the UK model that I purchased at launch which always had the Google Feed. I also briefly had an international model I purchased on Ebay from a Hong Kong seller--that one had the Play Store and all the Google apps but did not have the Google Feed on the launcher. It had Huawei's own swipe right screen instead. It also didn't have the standard Google Trust Agent (which is on the UK model) but had a Huawei version instead so the only smartlock option was for connected Bluetooth devices. The UK model has all the standard Google Smart Lock options.
Hong Kong is part of China since the 1997 handover so it is possible that the international model sold in Hong Kong is slightly different than the international model sold everywhere else.

Buy the Bootloader Unlocked Snapdragon version from Hong Kong or China?

Since there's noticeable quality and heating drawbacks for the Exynos version, and the US version is bootloader locked, and not having root = you don't own the device, I'm wondering if anyone from outside asia has any experience or recommendations for buying this phone from HK or China, to get the unlocked snapdragon version.
Has anyone done this? I looked on amazon.jp and it seems some s21s are listed as having snapdragons, but user comments say they ordered them and received exynos versions.
Cheers.
I assume china won't have google services but maybe HK does?
Solved.
Ok, so confirmed by users, there are a couple online shops that ship from hk to eu, even without extra VAT, and confirmed to ship with HK firmware. I don't know about all the codes, but seems at very least the G9980ZH****** ones are HK firmware. I won't paste shops here since it seems people aren't so it might be against the rules.
Definitely don't recommend buying from China as you'd then have to flash the HK firmware to replace the china one or else you won't have certain features, but the HK version has everything working (only thing is samsung pay may be locked to HK according to some reports but I don't care, also maybe you could flash an eu samsung pay app especialy with root, idk).

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