As the title states, I'm looking at switching over from my iPhone4 to a Droid since my current telecom provider is going to LTE in a few months (HSPA+, both Upload and Download).
I'm looking at perhaps a Galaxy S II I9100 but I'm not certain about it due to "international" usage. Here's my situation:
Currently we are supporting GSM. Some people are saying we need 1800 MHz, but a lot of sites are saying 1900 MHz, then again most phones cover this.
As I said before, we're supposed to be getting LTE HSPA+ in a few months, something the iPhone doesn't even have yet. I'd like to use a phone that could use this.
We don't have AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, etc. down here. Are there any phones (like the GS2) that could work down here once "4G" is introduced? I ask because I saw people saying how it would only be GSM, etc. etc., and I'd like to make sure it's actually so.
Thank you for your time!
(Also, the local and only telecom we have down here is the Bahamas Telecommunications Company aka Batelco aka BTC. It was recently bought out by LIME, if specs are needed.)
Once again, I'm looking to get a Galaxy S II, but not sure which one to get for what I need. I am free to other suggestions on a phone though.
P.S. One more question: What's the difference between Unlock and International?
I see Unlocked here on Amazon saying, "Samsung i9100 Galaxy S II Unlocked GSM Smartphone with 8 MP Camera, Android OS, 16 GB Internal Memory, Touchscreen, Wi-Fi, and GPS--No Warranty (Noble Black)"
I also see it saying on another listing, "Samsung Galaxy S II GT-I9100 Unlocked Phone with 8MP Camera and Touchscreen - International Version (Black)"
bumping since it's off first page...
Hi.
I have been wanting to get the Galaxy for some time, and now even more after reading up on the iPhone 5 and slowly losing faith in it's domination of the market. I am currently undecided as far as what version of Samsung Galaxy S3 to buy. I have been reading that the international version is pretty pathetic due to frequency and network speed capability among a few other complaints. I am currently a Tmobile customer. Should I buy the phone from TMobile AND unlock it or should I buy the international version of this device.
Thank you all for your help.
omfgwhat said:
Hi.
I have been wanting to get the Galaxy for some time, and now even more after reading up on the iPhone 5 and slowly losing faith in it's domination of the market. I am currently undecided as far as what version of Samsung Galaxy S3 to buy. I have been reading that the international version is pretty pathetic due to frequency and network speed capability among a few other complaints. I am currently a Tmobile customer. Should I buy the phone from TMobile AND unlock it or should I buy the international version of this device.
Thank you all for your help.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you in the US? If you are in the US then the international will only get 2G speeds on TMO unless you are in one of the newly converted areas(which is unlikely because only 5 or so markets have been converted so far). And the international is HSPA+ which is what TMO is, It's not LTE so it wont be too much faster. I do think the US TMO version is 42mbps HSPA where the International is 21.
I'm on ATT and I had the choice to get either the US version with LTE and 2GB of Ram or get the international version. I chose to get the international. LTE really isnt important to me as I'm on wifi 90% of the time and HSPA+ serves me well for the 10% of the time I'm not on wifi
I will be using 4G most of the time rather than the WiFi, are you suggesting I should go with the TMobile version of this device?
Thanks.
Note: Posting this here because...this kinda concerns this version, tmobile, AT&T, and the US version. Not sure if this is the best place to post this topic though. If it isn't, please move it. Anyway
Edit: Dammit, maybe this thread is more appropriate for the Tmobile section. I guess I posted this in the wrong place then.
For the past two days, I've been undecided on whether or not I should get the International Samsung Galaxy S3, or the USA Samsung Galaxy S3. To the point where it's stressing me out.From what I've read, its a pretty debatable subject..and its tiring having to go through "lolz quad core owns all" or "2gb ram is the best. Lol international". I looked at some videos, and they seemed even, more or less.
1. Here is my issue. I have Tmobile.Right now I'm under a prepaid type of plan(as in, I pay for minutes whenever. If I'm out of minutes, I can buy some more at any time. I'm under no type of contract. And the only thing that obviously happens to me if I run out of minutes is that I cant call/text anyone until i add more ). But I would like the option to go to 3g/4g in the future. I don't have the money to do 3g/4G right now , but atleast the option is still there for the future. So for now , I'm on a prepaid "pay whenever I want" thing.
From what I've heard the international version does not support 3g/4g(?) regarding Tmobile. All I will get is edge. Now here is the question. Will this always be the case for the International version? Meaning that the international version will never support 3g and 4g under Tmobile?(if I wanted to get a 3g plan) ?
2. If thats the case, what about the USA version? If I decide to stick under Tmobile, and get the US version, I will still have the option of upgrading to 3G/4g on Tmobile, right ? If so, does it matter which US Samsung Galaxy phone I get?(ignoring Verizon and Sprint)
For example, I heard that the AT&T locks the user from disabling LTE for the USA version. As well as locks other things in general. Even if unlocked. Is this true? Or was the person who said this full of crap?
2.5 Also, lets say I do get The AT&T SGS3. And I unlock it and put my Tmobile sim card in it. Now in the future, If I wanted to upgrade to LTE, would I be able to get LTE on this unlocked AT&T phone under a Tmobile Plan? Or would I need an AT&T SGS3, along with an AT&T plan in order to get LTE? And would the reverse be true(as in, If I get a Tmobile SGS3, and wanted to switch carriers . I would never get LTE because of the change of plan). Should I only get a Tmobile USA Samsung Galaxy S3?
3.What about "rooting"? Would that be a way around #2.5 or any of the above questions?
4. Does AT&T have a good prepaid plan as well?(as in, I can pay for minutes whenever. I'm not under any contract or $30 a month type of thing)
5.In my situation, would you recommend I get the US, or international version? Is it worth getting the international version, or USA version when concerning Tmobile? Should I switch carriers in the future, or am I fine the way I am now?
?
6. IYO, if I were to get the USA version, what would be the best place to get it? Without any type of contracts. Again, I assume that buying it locked(and them me manually unlocking it) is the safest option?
7. In my situation, would you recoomend I get the USA, or international version?
Cliffs.
- Deciding between international SGS3, or USA SGS3.
- I'm under Tmobile(prepaid for now)
- Is it true that the International version of the SGS3 will never support 3g or 4g for Tmobile?
- If that's the case, I will at least have the option of upgrading to 3g/4g/on a USA SGS3 under Tmobile, right?
- If the above is true, would it matter which USA Samsung Galaxy S3 I get?(AT&T, or Tmobile). Ex: Is it true that AT&T locks/prevents the user from disabling LTE(which apparently drains a lot)pa, and other apps on the specific AT&T SGS3? Even if it's unlocked? Or was the person who said this full of crap?)
- If I do get a USA AT&T SGS3, unlock it, and put my Tmobile sim card in it. And in the future, wanted to upgrade to LTE, would I be able to get LTE on this unlocked ATT phone, under a Tmobile plan? If not, does the reverse hold true as well?(as in, If I get a Tmobile SGS3, and wanted to switch carriers . I would never get LTE because of the change of plan)
- Would rooting solve the above issues?
- Does AT&T have a good prepaid plan as well?(as in, I can pay for minutes whenever. I'm not under any contract or $30 a month type of thing)
- What would you guys do in my situation?
- IYO, if I were to get the USA version, what would be the best place to get it? Without any type of contracts
- In my situation, would you recommend I get the US, or international version?
destroyer8888 said:
Note: Posting this here because...this kinda concerns this version, tmobile, AT&T, and the US version. Not sure if this is the best place to post this topic though. If it isn't, please move it. Anyway
For the past two days, I've been undecided on whether or not I should get the International Samsung Galaxy S3, or the USA Samsung Galaxy S3. To the point where it's stressing me out.From what I've read, its a pretty debatable subject..and its tiring having to go through "lolz quad core owns all" or "2gb ram is the best. Lol international". I looked at some videos, and they seemed even, more or less.
1. Here is my issue. I have Tmobile.Right now I'm under a prepaid type of plan(as in, I pay for minutes whenever. If I'm out of minutes, I can buy some more at any time. I'm under no type of contract. And the only thing that obviously happens to me if I run out of minutes is that I cant call/text anyone until i add more ). But I would like the option to go to 3g/4g in the future. I don't have the money to do 3g/4G right now , but atleast the option is still there for the future.
From what I've heard the international version does not support 3g/4g(?) regarding Tmobile. All I will get is edge. Now here is the question. Will this always be the case for the International version? Meaning that the international version will never support 3g and 4g under Tmobile?(if I wanted to get a 3g plan) ?
2. If thats the case, what about the USA version? If I decide to stick under Tmobile, and get the US version, I will still have the option of upgrading to 3G/4g on Tmobile, right ? If so, does it matter which US Samsung Galaxy phone I get?(ignoring Verizon and Sprint)
For example, I heard that the AT&T locks the user from disabling LTE for the USA version. As well as locks other things in general. Even if unlocked. Is this true? Or was the person who said this full of crap?
2.5 Also, lets say I do get The AT&T SGS3. And I unlock it and put my Tmobile sim card in it. Now in the future, If I wanted to upgrade to LTE, would I be able to get LTE on this unlocked AT&T phone under a Tmobile Plan? Or would I need an AT&T SGS3, along with an AT&T plan in order to get LTE? And would the reverse be true(as in, If I get a Tmobile SGS3, and wanted to switch carriers . I would never get LTE because of the change of plan). Should I only get a Tmobile USA Samsung Galaxy S3?
3.What about "rooting"? Would that be a way around #2.5 or any of the above questions?
4. Does AT&T have a good prepaid plan as well?(as in, I can pay for minutes whenever. I'm not under any contract or $30 a month type of thing)
5.What would you guys do in my situation? Is it worth getting the international version, or USA version when concerning Tmobile? Should I switch carriers in the future, or am I fine the way I am now?
6. IYO, if I were to get the USA version, what would be the best place to get it? Without any type of contracts. Again, I assume that buying it locked(and them me manually unlocking it) is the safest option?
Cliffs.
- Deciding between international SGS3, or USA SGS3.
- I'm under Tmobile(prepaid for now)
- Is it true that the International version of the SGS3 will never support 3g or 4g for Tmobile?
- If thats the case, I will atleast have the option of upgrading to 3g/4g/on a USA SGS3 under Tmobile, right?
- If the above is true, would it matter which USA Samsung Galaxy S3 I get?(AT&T, or Tmobile). Ex: Is it true that AT&T locks/prevents the user from disabling LTE(which apparently drains a lot)pa, and other apps on the specific AT&T SGS3? Even if it's unlocked? Or was the person who said this full of crap?)
- If I do get a USA AT&T SGS3, unlock it, and put my Tmobile sim card in it. And in the future, wanted to upgrade to LTE, would I be able to get LTE on this unlocked ATT phone, under a Tmobile plan? If not, does the reverse hold true as well?(as in, If I get a Tmobile SGS3, and wanted to switch carriers . I would never get LTE because of the change of plan)
- Would rooting solve the above issues?
- Does AT&T have a good prepaid plan as well?(as in, I can pay for minutes whenever. I'm not under any contract or $30 a month type of thing)
- What would you guys do in my situation?
- IYO, if I were to get the USA version, what would be the best place to get it? Without any type of contracts
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I live in Germany on T-Mobile and have the International version. I recently travelled back to the US (PA/WV/OH area). T-Mobile only gave me a roaming Edge connection, no 3G (at least in the Columbus OH area). I went to the local AT&T shop to get one of the prepaid SIM's. They sold me one, but no-go on the data. They don't do "4G" data on the prepaid plan, the phone was too cool for them. I was only there for a couple of weeks, so I dealt with it. As for which is better, 2 core or 4 core, flip a coin. They are both good. Use GSM Arena's specs pages along with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_frequencies for carrier frequencies to figure out which phone supports the data connection you want.
michaeljwestii said:
I live in Germany on T-Mobile and have the International version. I recently travelled back to the US (PA/WV/OH area). T-Mobile only gave me a roaming Edge connection, no 3G (at least in the Columbus OH area). I went to the local AT&T shop to get one of the prepaid SIM's. They sold me one, but no-go on the data. They don't do "4G" data on the prepaid plan, the phone was too cool for them. I was only there for a couple of weeks, so I dealt with it. As for which is better, 2 core or 4 core, flip a coin. They are both good. Use GSM Arena's specs pages along with [link] for carrier frequencies to figure out which phone supports the data connection you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh I see. Thanks for the input man Now that I think about it, i'm starting to lean more towards the US version.
also, are there any good guides on how to disable LTE on a US ATT SGS3?
I've been wanting an upgrade from my G2x for a while and what I want, which is what everyone else wants, is the Samsung Galaxy S3. I don't know which model to get, being that there are so many models of the S3 depending on the service provider. Here's the situation: I'm on a t-mobile value plan, living in West Virginia (I'm a student) with the only service here is roaming on AT&T, thus I only get edge. Can I use a different model, like an unlocked AT&T, and then be able to use more than 2G? Then be able to get full 4G when I do go to t-mobile service area? (From the chart by forum moderator, it shows AT&T shares 1900 mHz, 2100mHz, HSPA+, so it should technically work with tmobile, correct line of thought?)
*I already know that unlocked international version won't be able to get on anything more than 2G in US, it having different radios.
Also, read somewhere that I could buy the AT&T model and be able to use international LTE networks. Is that true? Could someone here enlighten me about the issues with the radios/frequencies (for US) for S3?
Much appreciated. Tried to find this question answered somewhere, and couldn't so posting now.
I just recently bought a Korean Galaxy S2 (SHW-M250K) on eBay. It's unlocked and in great condition. I've been thinking of switching from Verizon to T-Mobile for a long time now because I don't do a whole lot of calling, and I'm paying $70 a month for a flip phone from Verizon with only 450 minutes and no type of data access at all. With that said, I'm pretty sure this new phone will work in the states with a local SIM, but I wasn't aware that some phones are only able to achieve 2G speeds (can't remember why exactly). Does anyone know specifically if this model will be capable of 3G or not? Thanks in advance.