Should I buy the international version or AT&T ? noob questions :) - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

Hey guys,
I have pre ordered the S3 ( AT&T) version and I will be using it in Canada, now I am not sure if I should cancel my preorder and buy the international version or stick with AT&T unlocked one, I bought it because it does support LTE but at the moment Fido doesn't support LTE ( they said they will this year).
I am worried about the battery life since I read that LTE eats the battery, can I disable LTE? Also what about firmware updates since I am in another country and the phone is for AT&T, would I be able to upgrade to the latest once they release it and how?
I have never used android before and I don't know alot about phone so my questions might be noobish

Zackaroli said:
Hey guys,
I have pre ordered the S3 ( AT&T) version and I will be using it in Canada, now I am not sure if I should cancel my preorder and buy the international version or stick with AT&T unlocked one, I bought it because it does support LTE but at the moment Fido doesn't support LTE ( they said they will this year).
I am worried about the battery life since I read that LTE eats the battery, can I disable LTE? Also what about firmware updates since I am in another country and the phone is for AT&T, would I be able to upgrade to the latest once they release it and how?
I have never used android before and I don't know alot about phone so my questions might be noobish
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think the AT&T version is unlocked. I think it is locked to that carrier and you can only use it on AT&T. I suggest you get the international version.

FIVE86 said:
I don't think the AT&T version is unlocked. I think it is locked to that carrier and you can only use it on AT&T. I suggest you get the international version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is actually unlocked, I am worried in terms of updating the firmware and stuff, so if at&t releases an update how can I get it? and also is there an option in Android to disable LTE?
Thanks

Related

When and which galaxy S3 to get?

hi all,
I have a t mobile sim card (US) and im interested in getting an s3, but i have a few questions.
When will i be able to get the unlocked version and if so which version is the best one? Will it support sms/mms? Will it support some sort of mobile network if i plan to purchase service in the future? Which version would have the most support for rooting, custom roms etc..
thanks
vince1234 said:
hi all,
I have a t mobile sim card (US) and im interested in getting an s3, but i have a few questions.
When will i be able to get the unlocked version and if so which version is the best one? Will it support sms/mms? Will it support some sort of mobile network if i plan to purchase service in the future? Which version would have the most support for rooting, custom roms etc..
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It think that the unlocked is available for pre order if I'm not mistaken but you will be stuck on edge speeds. The us version will be available sometime in late June or July depending on how they deal with the delay problem due to faulty battery doors. Sms and mms should be supported by any version but like mentioned above, unlocked will be stuck on edge speed. The international version will always garner more support as it is sold everywhere but the us.
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium
vince1234 said:
hi all,
I have a t mobile sim card (US) and im interested in getting an s3, but i have a few questions.
When will i be able to get the unlocked version and if so which version is the best one? Will it support sms/mms? Will it support some sort of mobile network if i plan to purchase service in the future? Which version would have the most support for rooting, custom roms etc..
thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Better to be on att since almost all international unlocked phones are quadband meaning they support att's HSPA 3G network. With tmobile you only get 2g speeds since most of the phones won't have the aws 1700 band.
Planwise if you want to save money you can go with straight Talk since they use att network or if you go directly with att you can go for the nonsmartphone unlimited data plan for $15.
As far as verizon or sprint I never like them since cdma networks are closed networks and you are fully dependent on the crappy phones they release.
Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

Galaxy S3 International works on Rogers?

Hi, I've read that the international quad core version of the Galaxy S3 can be used on Rogers.
I know absolutely nothing about phones so I was wondering how this can be done?
Do I just buy the international version without contract and take it to a Rogers service store and add a plan on it? What type of plan should I be using with the international version? I don't need LTE or 4G. I'm fine with the 3G network as long as the phone works without any issues. Is there any trustworthy sites where can I buy the unlocked international version of the S3?
blazin419 said:
Hi, I've read that the international quad core version of the Galaxy S3 can be used on Rogers.
I know absolutely nothing about phones so I was wondering how this can be done?
Do I just buy the international version without contract and take it to a Rogers service store and add a plan on it? What type of plan should I be using with the international version? I don't need LTE or 4G. I'm fine with the 3G network as long as the phone works without any issues. Is there any trustworthy sites where can I buy the unlocked international version of the S3?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not super familiar with how things work in the US for mobile phones, but here are a few threads that might help you:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1696025
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1722690
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1683261
daviddema said:
I am not super familiar with how things work in the US for mobile phones, but here are a couple of threads that might help you:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1696025
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1722690
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Rogers is in canada not US :angel:
@OP I am 99% sure that international GSIII will work on Rogers. I had GSII with me and I used it on rogers with a prepaid plan
watsa said:
Rogers is in canada not US :angel:
@OP I am 99% sure that international GSIII will work on Rogers. I had GSII with me and I used it on rogers with a prepaid plan
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From a little bit of research, everyone is saying the international GSIII will work as long as it's on a 3G data plan. Is there any downsides to using the international version other than being limited to 3G? Is it as simple as buying the unlocked GSIII int'l phone and using a 3G plan on it?
blazin419 said:
From a little bit of research, everyone is saying the international GSIII will work as long as it's on a 3G data plan. Is there any downsides to using the international version other than being limited to 3G? Is it as simple as buying the unlocked GSIII int'l phone and using a 3G plan on it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think there is any downside apart from not being on LTE. Yes it should be as simple as buying an unlocked phone, putting the sim card in it with a 3G plan. In case if your data does not work check if APN is added. I remember it was added automatically for me on GSII
I'm on rogers with the 9300, works fine. Obviously no LTE, but the HSPA+ is fast enough. Not to mention Canadian bandwidth restrictions making LTE a huge turn-off for me. 6GB a month for $60+, no thanks
EDIT: I could be wrong but I don't see a problem with what you mentioned in the OP. Get the phone and just buy a regular smartphone data plan, or whichever plan you want. As for myself, I kept the same plan as my X10 and just cut my sim up because it wouldn't fit and it works fine, no change of plan or anything.

Things to expect when using at&t alpha on T-Mobile?

Hey guys, I'm considering getting an at&t alpha, to use with my T-Mobile Sim. Does anyone else here do the same? Will this affect my reception? I have heard my LTE may not be as strong. Also, will this affect how I get updates? Is there a difference in speed from the exynos and snapdragon? Thanks!!!
ncvikingx97 said:
Hey guys, I'm considering getting an at&t alpha, to use with my T-Mobile Sim. Does anyone else here do the same? Will this affect my reception? I have heard my LTE may not be as strong. Also, will this affect how I get updates? Is there a difference in speed from the exynos and snapdragon? Thanks!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am using it now on T-mobile network.
Hotspot will not work unless you root it. You cant root ATT phone. Wifi calling will not work. I dont use any of it.
I did speedtest on this phone and on my Tmo Note 4 and the 4G LTE speed are almost the same.
To get it to LP 5.0.2, you need a ATT nano sim card. I heard you walk into the store n buy or it or some store even give it to you free. Or you can buy from fleabay. I am happy just staying on KK 4.4.4
So do I need it to have service? Or can I just use a blank Sim and download over WiFi? Also, how noticeable is the difference in texture between the white and black mode?
ncvikingx97 said:
Hey guys, I'm considering getting an at&t alpha, to use with my T-Mobile Sim. Does anyone else here do the same? Will this affect my reception? I have heard my LTE may not be as strong. Also, will this affect how I get updates? Is there a difference in speed from the exynos and snapdragon? Thanks!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do not go for the AT&t Model because
1) you need at&t sim to update.
2) There is no work around for this.\
3) There is NO ROOT for the AT&T model and might never be....as its not supported by developers.
4) Even if you get an at&t sim from someone and update it things might get broken as some users have reported "recent key" not working after the update and since its bootloader locked there is no way users can downgrade it Via odin (just to mention because its bootloader locked there are no firmwares on sammobile either).
5) at&t has a snapdragon processor, while the 850F model has exynos 5430 which is about 30% more power efficient than the snapdragon one.
6) Do yourself a favor and buy international, factory unlocked SM-G850F Model. Hope it helped
dork997 said:
Do not go for the AT&t Model because
1) you need at&t sim to update.
2) There is no work around for this.\
3) There is NO ROOT for the AT&T model and might never be....as its not supported by developers.
4) Even if you get an at&t sim from someone and update it things might get broken as some users have reported "recent key" not working after the update and since its bootloader locked there is no way users can downgrade it Via odin (just to mention because its bootloader locked there are no firmwares on sammobile either).
5) at&t has a snapdragon processor, while the 850F model has exynos 5430 which is about 30% more power efficient than the snapdragon one.
6) Do yourself a favor and buy international, factory unlocked SM-G850F Model. Hope it helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if I don't want root but want better lte speeds with t-mobile would the 850m with same band support as att alpha but ezynos processor be a better option?
dork997 said:
Do not go for the AT&t Model because
1) you need at&t sim to update.
2) There is no work around for this.\
3) There is NO ROOT for the AT&T model and might never be....as its not supported by developers.
4) Even if you get an at&t sim from someone and update it things might get broken as some users have reported "recent key" not working after the update and since its bootloader locked there is no way users can downgrade it Via odin (just to mention because its bootloader locked there are no firmwares on sammobile either).
5) at&t has a snapdragon processor, while the 850F model has exynos 5430 which is about 30% more power efficient than the snapdragon one.
6) Do yourself a favor and buy international, factory unlocked SM-G850F Model. Hope it helped
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks. So the sim has to be active? Is the unlocked model really worth the extra $100?
stivelio said:
if I don't want root but want better lte speeds with t-mobile would the 850m with same band support as att alpha but ezynos processor be a better option?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i don't use LTE so can not guide you on that but if we put the LTE aside ... think about it there are so many at&t alpha users complaining about their RECENT BUTTON not working after 5.0 update. There is no way to downgrade....they are stuck with unusable devices....however some 850F users who experienced the same problem downgraded with ease....i think 850F is much better.
ncvikingx97 said:
Thanks. So the sim has to be active? Is the unlocked model really worth the extra $100?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah you need to have a working at&t sim to get updates. and Yes the unlocked version is worth every penny cuz of root,customization and exynos 5430.
stivelio said:
if I don't want root but want better lte speeds with t-mobile would the 850m with same band support as att alpha but ezynos processor be a better option?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is the route I went. I still want to use att LTE and be able to root my device. Best buy had a deal a couple of weeks ago. G850m for $349 usd unlocked, bought it right away. I believe price has gone up since though.
Sent from my 1+1
Mojar7070 said:
This is the route I went. I still want to use att LTE and be able to root my device. Best buy had a deal a couple of weeks ago. G850m for $349 usd unlocked, bought it right away. I believe price has gone up since though.
Sent from my 1+1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
so 850m has root? and does assume manage pushing updates to this model directly?
stivelio said:
if I don't want root but want better lte speeds with t-mobile would the 850m with same band support as att alpha but ezynos processor be a better option?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mojar7070 said:
This is the route I went. I still want to use att LTE and be able to root my device. Best buy had a deal a couple of weeks ago. G850m for $349 usd unlocked, bought it right away. I believe price has gone up since though.
Sent from my 1+1
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is your 850M on Tmo getting fast data speeds on Tmobile.
To OP - I just got a software update OTA direct from Samsung by selecting software update on phone on Metro PCS - neither Metro nor Tmo carry the Alpha so it upgraded direct from Samsung to 850MUBUBOB1 software version.
Thanks guys. I definitely want the unlocked model, but considering I have a nexus 5, I dont feel like I need to have the latest software all of the time, especially touchwiz. Is there a difference in texture between the white and black phones?
stivelio said:
so 850m has root? and does assume manage pushing updates to this model directly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, G850m has root and custom recovery as well. Some roms available but not a lot. I wouldn't want to update with root and trwp if I were you, it might cause some issues.
Sent from my 1+1
---------- Post added at 08:10 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:07 PM ----------
robertkoa said:
Is your 850M on Tmo getting fast data speeds on Tmobile.
To OP - I just got a software update OTA direct from Samsung by selecting software update on phone on Metro PCS - neither Metro nor Tmo carry the Alpha so it upgraded direct from Samsung to 850MUBUBOB1 software version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, mine is on att. Getting reasonable speeds. I'm located in SF Bay area.
Sent from my 1+1
dork997 said:
i don't use LTE so can not guide you on that but if we put the LTE aside ... think about it there are so many at&t alpha users complaining about their RECENT BUTTON not working after 5.0 update. There is no way to downgrade....they are stuck with unusable devices....however some 850F users who experienced the same problem downgraded with ease....i think 850F is much better.
Yeah you need to have a working at&t sim to get updates. and Yes the unlocked version is worth every penny cuz of root,customization and exynos 5430.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Are you saying do not update to LP 5.0.2 ?
I am still on KK 4.4.4 on this ATT phone unlock n using it on T-mobile network. So far I am loving it.
I have used G850A on T-Mobile network. It works great and the LTE speed is much faster than on AT&T. I could get the lollipop update using an old NET10 SIM card - the network was reported as AT&T. It's much better than with Kitkat. I switched to Cricket, which uses AT&T network but is reported as cricket instead of AT&T. The coverage is better, but with slower LTE. No problem with the recent button.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G850A using XDA Free mobile app
OK cool, thanks. Why would there be a problem with the recent button?
Mojar7070 said:
Yeah, G850m has root and custom recovery as well.
would be able to point me to the thread that has rooting instructions for 850m?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
stivelio said:
Mojar7070 said:
Yeah, G850m has root and custom recovery as well.
would be able to point me to the thread that has rooting instructions for 850m?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello, the root instructions for the G850m is the same as the G850f. They are both the exynos cpu. The thread I believe is in the q&a section.
Sent from a Locked Bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mojar7070 said:
stivelio said:
Hello, the root instructions for the G850m is the same as the G850f. They are both the exynos cpu. The thread I believe is in the q&a section.
Sent from a Locked Bootloader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got my 850m today and just finished rooting it and flashing the only 850M rom that seems to be available in the development section
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some people complain about the recent button not working after lollipop update. A bonus comes with lollipop on T-Mobile - free tethering, which is not available on AT&T.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G850A using XDA Free mobile app
Please Delete. Wrong thread.

T mobile v 10.some questions

What is the difference between the t-mobile variant and the international one accepted that the T Mobile version doesn't come with headphones?
Do I get updates from LG or need to wait for t-mobile to release it also like with a galaxy s6 edge on AT&T? That btw I waited forever!!
There's going to be an international variant to the us unlocked or only carriers?
Tmobile version update is provided through tmobile. But this is xda, I am sure can run international update at some point.
Tmobile version currently got unlocked bootloader.
If you wait a few more there should be some international varient unlocked to work with tmobile, but you wont see them being sold in store....ebay maybe amazon is best bet.

US version LTE bands

Hi,
I would like to buy this device which has become unavailable in Europe. So I should get an unlocked US version (AT&T, Verizon, T-mobile), I just have no idea what LTE bands they have, nor how it works for updates for these variants.
Thanks to anyone who wants to help this noob
4ngl09669 said:
Hi,
I would like to buy this device which has become unavailable in Europe. So I should get an unlocked US version (AT&T, Verizon, T-mobile), I just have no idea what LTE bands they have, nor how it works for updates for these variants.
Thanks to anyone who wants to help this noob
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Check out this link:. https://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=6216
I would imagine your would get updates on the schedule of the service provider that it originally was sold from. Updates from providers are usually behind factory unlocked versions. I would see if I could find one that was an international unlocked version.
scienceguylabs said:
Check out this link:. https://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=6216
I would imagine your would get updates on the schedule of the service provider that it originally was sold from. Updates from providers are usually behind factory unlocked versions. I would see if I could find one that was an international unlocked version.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
THX!
The version most similar to the international version is the Canadian, precisely Lmv600tm2x (from what I understand)
4ngl09669 said:
THX!
The version most similar to the international version is the Canadian, precisely Lmv600tm2x (from what I understand)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It doesn't look like LG released an international model of the phone. I found a few on eBay that started they were unlocked and would work internationally though.
scienceguylabs said:
It doesn't look like LG released an international model of the phone. I found a few on eBay that started they were unlocked and would work internationally though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, in fact he did not release them, unfortunately. They are all connected to some telephone operator ... However, the Canadian model has almost all global bands, which (it seems) the US models do not have.

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