Looking to get a new phone... - Galaxy S II Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I'm currently a proud owner of a Virgin Mobile LG Optimus V running Android 4.0.4 It's a great little phone- I'm guessing it is virtually indestrcutible- (I dropped it. ALOT. And spilled some water. Not even a hiccup!). It's a little phone that could and for something like this- it's amazing, but I feel it's time for an upgrade. As great as it is, let's face it. It's ancient. A 600MHz ARM V6 processor, 418MB of memory, and it's screen is only 3.2". It's opnly supposed to run Froyo. /FROYO/. That's pretty ancient. I'm looking for a new phone, but here's the catch- It has to be on a reasonably inexpensive pre-paid plan. (My parents don't want me to get a contract and I don't blame them, they can be expensive.) Virgin Mobile (My current carrier; 35 dollars a month with unlimited 3G) has only two "decent" phones- A 199.99 HTC One V. A SOLID phone but seriously, 512MB RAM and a SINGLE CORE 1GHz is really not a lot. On the other hand, they have the 300 dollar Evo V 3D with 4G, though it's not really something I want and it's a bit over my prace range- (Up to 250 USD).
While searching plans, I found T-Mobile's 30 dollar Monthly 4G plan. It's wonderful for me. I don't call much but I use lots of data and text alot. T-Mobile also has better coverage, and this is 4G. Not boring old 3G. (I don't mind 3G, but 4G is just better.) While thinking of decent phones I could manage to get GSM Unlocked, I thought Galaxy SII, Galaxy Nexus, and a few others. I looked all around Craigslist NYC, Amazon, Google, and Ebay for all phones and I found that on ebay the bids for a decent SII in decent condition could reasonably be bought for under $250 (T-Mobile/GSM). I'm wondering- Do I need the GSM or the T-Mobile variant, or will either work. Is this phone good and a value for the money? I really like the design and the specs on it. It also has lots of JB ROMs and Native ICS which is a HUGE plus.
Also, is there any difference between the SII with the Capacitive buttons and the one with a huge Home button? (P.S.: I like the one with all capacitive buttons more )
Thanks for reading this.Any answers/input is greatly appreciated.
Edit! I was looking at the ebay link again and found a website called Wirefly where they are offering a SII 4G for 100 bucks if I make a new account. Does this count with a Prepaid account? And if so, is the SII 4G compatible with normal SII roms?
http://www.wirefly.com/eCommerce/Sp...da9ca042dbbe0118305fb0d033&showcustblock=true

TauSigmaNova said:
I'm currently a proud owner of a Virgin Mobile LG Optimus V running Android 4.0.4 It's a great little phone- I'm guessing it is virtually indestrcutible- (I dropped it. ALOT. And spilled some water. Not even a hiccup!). It's a little phone that could and for something like this- it's amazing, but I feel it's time for an upgrade. As great as it is, let's face it. It's ancient. A 600MHz ARM V6 processor, 418MB of memory, and it's screen is only 3.2". It's opnly supposed to run Froyo. /FROYO/. That's pretty ancient. I'm looking for a new phone, but here's the catch- It has to be on a reasonably inexpensive pre-paid plan. (My parents don't want me to get a contract and I don't blame them, they can be expensive.) Virgin Mobile (My current carrier; 35 dollars a month with unlimited 3G) has only two "decent" phones- A 199.99 HTC One V. A SOLID phone but seriously, 512MB RAM and a SINGLE CORE 1GHz is really not a lot. On the other hand, they have the 300 dollar Evo V 3D with 4G, though it's not really something I want and it's a bit over my prace range- (Up to 250 USD).
While searching plans, I found T-Mobile's 30 dollar Monthly 4G plan. It's wonderful for me. I don't call much but I use lots of data and text alot. T-Mobile also has better coverage, and this is 4G. Not boring old 3G. (I don't mind 3G, but 4G is just better.) While thinking of decent phones I could manage to get GSM Unlocked, I thought Galaxy SII, Galaxy Nexus, and a few others. I looked all around Craigslist NYC, Amazon, Google, and Ebay for all phones and I found that on ebay the bids for a decent SII in decent condition could reasonably be bought for under $250 (T-Mobile/GSM). I'm wondering- Do I need the GSM or the T-Mobile variant, or will either work. Is this phone good and a value for the money? I really like the design and the specs on it. It also has lots of JB ROMs and Native ICS which is a HUGE plus.
Also, is there any difference between the SII with the Capacitive buttons and the one with a huge Home button? (P.S.: I like the one with all capacitive buttons more )
Thanks for reading this.Any answers/input is greatly appreciated.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your profile says you're in the US, so I'm assuming your talking about T-Mobile USA.
The Galaxy S II for T-Mobile is massively different than the "one with the huge home button", as you refer to it. They have completely different hardware, including SoC/CPU/GPU.
The "one with the huge home button" is the I9100, and this post is currently in the forum for that device.
The one for T-mobile USA that has the 4 capacitive buttons is the SGH-T989, and that device has its own forum.
There are also other variants for US carriers AT&T, Sprint, and US Cellular. The one for US Cellular doesn't have its own forum but is somewhat closely related hardware wise to the Sprint variant, so there are posts concerning it within that forum. But the AT&T, Sprint, and T-mobile USA variants are all different from each other, and they are all different from the I9100.
---------- Post added at 03:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:04 PM ----------
TauSigmaNova said:
Edit! I was looking at the ebay link again and found a website called Wirefly where they are offering a SII 4G for 100 bucks if I make a new account. Does this count with a Prepaid account? And if so, is the SII 4G compatible with normal SII roms?
http://www.wirefly.com/eCommerce/Sp...da9ca042dbbe0118305fb0d033&showcustblock=true
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's still the SGH-T989.

Uhuh.... I'm getting a bit confused. Should I simply repost this thread in the other forum?
TMobile USA has like 2 diffent SIIs? Im so confused..

TauSigmaNova said:
Uhuh.... I'm getting a bit confused. Should I simply repost this thread in the other forum?
TMobile USA has like 2 diffent SIIs? Im so confused..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Pretty sure they only have one.
If you have questions about the T-mobile version, you should post in the T-mobile forum. This device does work on T-mobile USA's network, but only gets Edge, as it doesn't fully work to get "4G" on that network.

ctomgee said:
Pretty sure they only have one.
If you have questions about the T-mobile version, you should post in the T-mobile forum. This device does work on T-mobile USA's network, but only gets Edge, as it doesn't fully work to get "4G" on that network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah, I thought this would be the forum to post it in since i was considering either a GSM Unlocked one or TMobile.

TauSigmaNova said:
Ah, I thought this would be the forum to post it in since i was considering either a GSM Unlocked one or TMobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You need to consider what network you're intending on running the device on before you get the device itself.
The i9100 gets high speed data on AT&T's network, but only gets Edge on T-mobile USA's network. There's nothing that can be done about this; the phone antenna hardware just doesn't receive one of the two necessary frequencies to make it happen.
I've heard rumors that the T-mobile variant can be modified to get high speed data on AT&T's network, but it doesn't work that way out of the box.
The LTE variant that AT&T sells (the Skyrocket) can reportedly be modified to get high speed data on T-mobile USA's network, but it doesn't work that way out of the box.
EDIT: BTW, the Skyrocket has its own separate forum from the AT&T variant as well.

ctomgee said:
You need to consider what network you're intending on running the device on before you get the device itself.
The i9100 gets high speed data on AT&T's network, but only gets Edge on T-mobile USA's network. There's nothing that can be done about this; the phone antenna hardware just doesn't receive one of the two necessary frequencies to make it happen.
I've heard rumors that the T-mobile variant can be modified to get high speed data on AT&T's network, but it doesn't work that way out of the box.
The LTE variant that AT&T sells (the Skyrocket) can reportedly be modified to get high speed data on T-mobile USA's network, but it doesn't work that way out of the box.
EDIT: BTW, the Skyrocket has its own separate forum from the AT&T variant as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I want to buy the TMobile or International device and use it on TMobiles Monthly 4G service. Prefferably from the wirefly link if I can use it.

TauSigmaNova said:
I want to buy the TMobile or International device and use it on TMobiles Monthly 4G service. Prefferably from the wirefly link if I can use it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I said, the i9100 (which is the international device) will only get Edge speeds on T-mobile USA's network. As long as you know this going in...
Any questions pertaining to the device actually sold by T-mobile should go to the forum for that device.

ctomgee said:
As I said, the i9100 (which is the international device) will only get Edge speeds on T-mobile USA's network. As long as you know this going in...
Any questions pertaining to the device actually sold by T-mobile should go to the forum for that device.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, I posted this thread there and hope to get replies soon.

TauSigmaNova said:
Yeah, I posted this thread there and hope to get replies soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
BTW - the implication in your first post is that 4G is VERY important to you. You DO realize that this eliminates the I9100 as a possible choice for your device to use on T-mobile's network, right?

ctomgee said:
BTW - the implication in your first post is that 4G is VERY important to you. You DO realize that this eliminates the I9100 as a possible choice for your device to use on T-mobile's network, right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, no, it's not VERY important to me, but it's a very nice plus.

Just get a brand new galaxy nexus from the play store. You won't be disappointed.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium

obtained said:
Just get a brand new galaxy nexus from the play store. You won't be disappointed.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh, I know I wont be. (Aside from the camera) but 350 is still more then i can spare..

samsung galaxy s3 to use all the roms!

TauSigmaNova said:
I'm currently a proud owner of a Virgin Mobile LG Optimus V running Android 4.0.4 It's a great little phone- I'm guessing it is virtually indestrcutible- (I dropped it. ALOT. And spilled some water. Not even a hiccup!). It's a little phone that could and for something like this- it's amazing, but I feel it's time for an upgrade. As great as it is, let's face it. It's ancient. A 600MHz ARM V6 processor, 418MB of memory, and it's screen is only 3.2". It's opnly supposed to run Froyo. /FROYO/. That's pretty ancient. I'm looking for a new phone, but here's the catch- It has to be on a reasonably inexpensive pre-paid plan. (My parents don't want me to get a contract and I don't blame them, they can be expensive.) Virgin Mobile (My current carrier; 35 dollars a month with unlimited 3G) has only two "decent" phones- A 199.99 HTC One V. A SOLID phone but seriously, 512MB RAM and a SINGLE CORE 1GHz is really not a lot. On the other hand, they have the 300 dollar Evo V 3D with 4G, though it's not really something I want and it's a bit over my prace range- (Up to 250 USD).
While searching plans, I found T-Mobile's 30 dollar Monthly 4G plan. It's wonderful for me. I don't call much but I use lots of data and text alot. T-Mobile also has better coverage, and this is 4G. Not boring old 3G. (I don't mind 3G, but 4G is just better.) While thinking of decent phones I could manage to get GSM Unlocked, I thought Galaxy SII, Galaxy Nexus, and a few others. I looked all around Craigslist NYC, Amazon, Google, and Ebay for all phones and I found that on ebay the bids for a decent SII in decent condition could reasonably be bought for under $250 (T-Mobile/GSM). I'm wondering- Do I need the GSM or the T-Mobile variant, or will either work. Is this phone good and a value for the money? I really like the design and the specs on it. It also has lots of JB ROMs and Native ICS which is a HUGE plus.
Also, is there any difference between the SII with the Capacitive buttons and the one with a huge Home button? (P.S.: I like the one with all capacitive buttons more )
Thanks for reading this.Any answers/input is greatly appreciated.
Edit! I was looking at the ebay link again and found a website called Wirefly where they are offering a SII 4G for 100 bucks if I make a new account. Does this count with a Prepaid account? And if so, is the SII 4G compatible with normal SII roms?
http://www.wirefly.com/eCommerce/Sp...da9ca042dbbe0118305fb0d033&showcustblock=true
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The link you posted, is for customers who create a new post paid (contract) account through us for T-Mobile. We do offer T-Mobile pre-paid phones and accounts, but the prices are usually different. I am happy to help you with any questions you have about Wirefly - I work at our HQ. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk plan specifics.

Wirefly_Kim said:
The link you posted, is for customers who create a new post paid (contract) account through us for T-Mobile. We do offer T-Mobile pre-paid phones and accounts, but the prices are usually different. I am happy to help you with any questions you have about Wirefly - I work at our HQ. Feel free to PM me if you want to talk plan specifics.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its fine, really. I simply do not like any of the T-Mobile prepaid phones. Bad dev support/specs. I'd gladly get a postpaid but they're expensvce , contracts are a hassle, and my parents won't let me get a contract: prepaid only. I live 4 blocks from a TMobile phone, I can just buy the plan there.
Also, I think the S3 is out of my price range. Plus, the s2 is still a great phone and I kinda like the design more.

Related

[Q] Should i get this phone?!

Im thinking of up grading to the Vibrant. Any reason not to? Is there a better phone on the horizen? Im currently with T-mobile and dont want to switch. Thanks in advance!!
Only other choice is the T-Mobile G2 (Oct 6.) or myTouch HD (rumored to release November '10?). I've gotten the Vibrant since week one and don't regret getting it. The Super AMOLED screen is definitely beautiful and one of the things admired most from this phone.
get it
best screen. like a hdtv in your pocket
t-mobile has great 3g speeds
hummingbird > snapdragon
released in 100+ countries, including every major carrier in the US so community support should be huge
there's always better phones on the horizon, but this is the phone i've been waiting for ever since the iphone was announced years ago. and it hasn't disappointed
no it sucks. *at the airport, using vibrant to tether 3g to laptop*
G2 is very appealing and I am considering switching... it comes down to physical keyboard and stock android VS bigger and much better screen, slightly better hardware..
SykesAT said:
it comes down to physical keyboard and stock android VS bigger and much better screen, slightly better hardware..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
while i understand this viewpoint, touchwhiz is easily disabled. there is also no guarantee that the G2 will get the same OTA updates as the N1 simply because it is stock android. the original droid on verizon is a good example.
but yeah, if you need/want a hardware keyboard the G2 is a better choice (obviously). unless you can deal with sprint and the epic
I got two. My wife approved.
My 3rd android phone (just from passion of the OS), this is by far my most favorite of them. Speed, Design, Display... love everything about it.
Touchwiz is actually very usable from personal experience and reviews. It added alot of 'shortcuts' that makes life alot easier. For example, swipe notification bar to change brightness while outdoor, instead of going through 3-4 menus. Overall, Vibrant is a very solid phone at stock, definitely recommend it.
Only issues now are the GPS and Froyo, mostly Froyo.
+Amazing looking screen, ignore the iPhone 4 people and their color fidelity nonsense, the Vibrant is more colorful that the iPhone 4 and looks a lot better when viewing pictures and movies.
+Runs very fast, 1ghz processor.
+Very thin and light compared to the iPhone 4 (especially now that everyone has put a case on theirs), the back is plastic not glass, but I like saving the weight and I think the patterned back looks fine, comes with 2 colored backplates in the package I got.
+Android, with an open market, unlike At&t's flavor, the Captivate.
+Currently the best T-mobile phone available if you need to get a new one right now.
+Shoots 720p at 30fps. Big selling point, my friend bought a flip video and my phone takes the exact same quality of video and I don't have to carry an additional device, the camera is 5mp and also quite good.
Some downsides
-T-mobile took out some features from the stock Galaxy S, including fm radio, front facing camera and flash. I don't really need a front facing camera or a flash, the night mode works very well and renders a flash almost useless. Fm radio would be nice but I can live without it, I just loaded up my own music.
-Bloatware, it comes with a slew of crappy apps that you cannot remove without rooting. I would strongly recommend rooting, deleting bloatware, and then unrooting (The sales rep. at T-mobile actually recomended this ) It's about as safe as it can get and very easy, 1 click root and unroot, just look for it on xda. Also expect this on other T-mobile phones, except maybe the G2.
If you can wait a little just to see what's planned for the winter you might consider it, but I doubt you will be that disappointed if you buy the vibrant now. T-mobile has had a sad list of Android phones besides the Nexus One, so I doubt there's anything better than the myTouch or G2 coming out.
D O N O T B U Y V I B R A N T ! ! !
And any Sam**** products!
because...
http://www.samsunghub.com/2010/09/06/samsung-galaxy-tabs-model-numbers-for-different-operators/
mingkee said:
D O N O T B U Y V I B R A N T ! ! !
And any Sam**** products!
because...
http://www.samsunghub.com/2010/09/06/samsung-galaxy-tabs-model-numbers-for-different-operators/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What's the point coming here and trolling? If you dont like their products then don't look here. And as far as the downside. It's not t-mobile its all us carriers so don't call out t-mobile.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
zephiK said:
What's the point coming here and trolling? If you dont like their products then don't look here. And as far as the downside. It's not t-mobile its all us carriers so don't call out t-mobile.
Sent from my SGH-T959 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not trolling, period.
If we, T-Mobile USA customers are not honored, we should boycott that manufacturer.
Why shan't that Galaxy tab come to T-Mobile, but will go to AT&T, Sprint, and VZW?????
TELL ME!
mingkee said:
I am not trolling, period.
If we, T-Mobile USA customers are not honored, we should boycott that manufacturer.
Why shan't that Galaxy tab come to T-Mobile, but will go to AT&T, Sprint, and VZW?????
TELL ME!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So you're upset that T-Mobile isn't getting the Samsung Galaxy S Tab? What makes you think that it is 100% on Samsungs part?
This is the SAMSUNG VIBRANT forum, I honestly don't care too much about a tablet because I'll never use it. I just find the tablet and the Vibrant to be irrelevant. If anything.. why would you would a contracted tablet? If anything I would want a WiFi only version and just tether with my phone.
Samsung has been moving away from cutting exclusive deals with wireless operators for its growing slate of mobile devices. It launched its most recent smartphone, the Galaxy, with the top four U.S. wireless operators, Verizon Wireless, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile USA. T-Mobile USA, a unit of Deutsche Telekom AG and the fourth-largest U.S. wireless carrier, hasn't yet worked out a deal to carry the tablet, a person familiar with the matter said.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thnks for all the input guys!!
mingkee said:
I am not trolling, period.
If we, T-Mobile USA customers are not honored, we should boycott that manufacturer.
Why shan't that Galaxy tab come to T-Mobile, but will go to AT&T, Sprint, and VZW?????
TELL ME!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhhh... Yeah, you're a troll alright.

Now what to do the Samsung Note is coming to ATT

Crap what to do what to do....
http://www.slashgear.com/samsung-galaxy-note-headed-to-usa-on-att-says-fcc-30184411/
I have had a cracked screened iphone since May waiting on the SGSII for AT&T... Im not gonna let speculations determine how long I wait for a new device ever again haha.
splitsonface said:
I have had a cracked screened iphone since May waiting on the SGSII for AT&T... Im not gonna let speculations determine how long I wait for a new device ever again haha.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm on the same boat, but this and the nexus prime both make me wonder.
i'm getting this no matter what. i'm tired of my fruit.... no more apples and mangoes.... back to the green robot i go.... and if something like and hd/note/prime comes out, the wife will be getting a pretty cool hand me down
"If you always wait for the latest and greatest, you'll never own a phone"
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
Earthsdog said:
Crap what to do what to do....
http://www.slashgear.com/samsung-galaxy-note-headed-to-usa-on-att-says-fcc-30184411/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nothing about that article says the Galaxy Note is coming to AT&T.
In fact if you look at the model number, it's clear that the version that just went through FCC approval will never be sold by AT&T. Usable on AT&T - yes. Actually sold by AT&T - no.
AT&T phones have a model designator starting with SGH. SGH-I897 (Captivate), SGH-I997 (Infuse), SGH-I777 (AT&T GSII)
International generic units have a model designator starting with GT. The unit in that article is GT-I9220. So it's an international model that, while it will work on AT&T's network, will NEVER be sold by them in a contract-subsidized fashion. AT&T has NEVER sold a GT model on contract in the United states. If history is any indicator, if the Galaxy Note is ever sold by AT&T, it's going to be about a six month latency before the AT&T version drops. (See, for example, the delay between the GT-I9100 and the SGH-I777)
Entropy512 said:
Nothing about that article says the Galaxy Note is coming to AT&T.
In fact if you look at the model number, it's clear that the version that just went through FCC approval will never be sold by AT&T. Usable on AT&T - yes. Actually sold by AT&T - no.
AT&T phones have a model designator starting with SGH. SGH-I897 (Captivate), SGH-I997 (Infuse), SGH-I777 (AT&T GSII)
International generic units have a model designator starting with GT. The unit in that article is GT-I9220. So it's an international model that, while it will work on AT&T's network, will NEVER be sold by them in a contract-subsidized fashion. AT&T has NEVER sold a GT model on contract in the United states. If history is any indicator, if the Galaxy Note is ever sold by AT&T, it's going to be about a six month latency before the AT&T version drops. (See, for example, the delay between the GT-I9100 and the SGH-I777)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
How would one obtain an international version for T-Mo then? Or is it a possibility that they will pick it up?
If it's like the I9100, an International variant supporting the T-Mobile bands won't exist. T-Mobile may or may not sell their own variant.
The heavy customization of the T-Mobile GS2 is a sign that you likely won't see the Note sold on contract with TMo or even any compatible with their 3G bands.
I'm happy with my Streak...even if it is still running 2.2.2, but, I'm looking at the Note also. If it gets to at&t before summer of 2012, I'll grab it.
Is it going to have a notifications led light?
Entropy512 said:
If it's like the I9100, an International variant supporting the T-Mobile bands won't exist. T-Mobile may or may not sell their own variant.
The heavy customization of the T-Mobile GS2 is a sign that you likely won't see the Note sold on contract with TMo or even any compatible with their 3G bands.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It must suck being on a carrier that uses 3G bands that basically no one else in the world uses...
p51d007 said:
I'm happy with my Streak...even if it is still running 2.2.2, but, I'm looking at the Note also. If it gets to at&t before summer of 2012, I'll grab it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yah i was loving the streak too (esp with steve's excellent builds). but i sold that for the s2, and i really miss the big screen. for me, the sgs2 feels like a downgrade hahahaha. ill be getting the note when it comes out full price. might have to sell the s2 to help pay for it
Really want to lug around a 5.3 inch screen for a daily device? Your back pockets won't forgive you. 4.5 is the largest that is comfy I think...
jflexe99 said:
Really want to lug around a 5.3 inch screen for a daily device? Your back pockets won't forgive you. 4.5 is the largest that is comfy I think...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
+1........
I've carried the 5" streak in a velcro closing belt loop case for over a year w/o any problems. The Note, with the 5.3" screen has less top & bottom than the streak does, so it won't be all that different
jflexe99 said:
Really want to lug around a 5.3 inch screen for a daily device? Your back pockets won't forgive you. 4.5 is the largest that is comfy I think...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
TOO Big for my taste. and too small to be a "pad"... not sure where this falls in to .. I'll be keeping my SGS2... only thing I WOULD change to is the Prime
I think the Note would be great for me, especially at work where carring even a 7" pad would be restrictive. I would use the stylus to write my notes all day long at work.
jflexe99 said:
Really want to lug around a 5.3 inch screen for a daily device? Your back pockets won't forgive you. 4.5 is the largest that is comfy I think...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've had the streak in my pocket every day since December 26 2010. Not an issue at all, if it is then you haven't owned one or have a very small figure or wear skinny jeans. I can't wait for the Note to come out, it will be in my pockets daily as my personal phone, along with my Atrix work phone. And BTW, the Streak is more often in my front pocket than back.
I've had the S2 since Friday and I love it. However, I have had my eye on the Note since I heard about it last month. Looks like a lucky family member will be getting my S2 once the Note come out If I don't like the Note then I'll take my S2 back, I can because I'm indian.

[Q] Looking for T-Mob compatible GS2, NOT from T-mob!

Hi all,
I'm looking for a successor to my N1, and either the Galaxy Nexus or the SGS2 will probably be it.
I'm on T-Mobile, on a grandfathered T-Zones plan. It's nice, I'd like to keep it if possible. Getting the T-mob branded SGS2 will require an upgrade of my data plan (IMEIs are logged). Not the biggest deal, but $5.99/month for unlimited data is not going to ever happen again.
From what I've read, the Telus Canadian SGS2x is compatible with the T-Mob bands, at 4g, and the IMEIs are not registered with T-Mob US.
4g speeds are actually not that big a deal for me. But having at least 3G is!
1. Haven't been able to find the SGS2X anywhere respectable. Maybe a few craigslist-like sites in Canada. Anyone know of other retailers?
2. Alternate international versions of the SGS2 which would have the 1700/2100 AWS band?
3. Similar to the Nexus S, is the IMEI info in a EFS folder, which can be accidentally deleted?
Try www.kijiji.ca plenty of telus sgs2 phones there.
Thanks, it does have some for sale, but the site is basically a Canadian craig's list, full of sellers wanting to meet face to face, in Canada! Which is just 1 state north of me, but still!
I'm thinking of something more like expansys USA, or some other reseller.
waylo said:
Thanks, it does have some for sale, but the site is basically a Canadian craig's list, full of sellers wanting to meet face to face, in Canada! Which is just 1 state north of me, but still!
I'm thinking of something more like expansys USA, or some other reseller.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
go here:
http://www.basatne.com/Samsung-Galaxy-S-II-X-16GB-T989-Black-p/sam-t989-16gb-blk.htm
He sells them on ebay too but more expensive. But you can read his feedback from ebay... seems fine. I got the phone and have tzones (not from him) well worth it!

[Q] help for new galaxy s2

I am planing to buy samsung galaxy S2 4GLTE version. I already have non us variant which supports only 3G. But when I insert any local US sim card it uses only GPRS no 3G nor 4G data support. So I would like to buy a new fone. If any one could clear me before I go for the right one. I am interested to go for either Galaxy s2(T-mobile or ATT) or Note.
My Queries are :
Can I Buy any of above one's from amazon.... & buy prepaid sim card & use it as long as I am here ?
I dont want those annual contracts & stuff. As I am a frequent flyer I would like to have a prepaid one.
Can I unlock that fone & use it in the country I visit ?
AjaYrUlUez said:
I am planing to buy samsung galaxy S2 4GLTE version. I already have non us variant which supports only 3G. But when I insert any local US sim card it uses only GPRS no 3G nor 4G data support. So I would like to buy a new fone. If any one could clear me before I go for the right one. I am interested to go for either Galaxy s2(T-mobile or ATT) or Note.
My Queries are :
Can I Buy any of above one's from amazon.... & buy prepaid sim card & use it as long as I am here ?
I dont want those annual contracts & stuff. As I am a frequent flyer I would like to have a prepaid one.
Can I unlock that fone & use it in the country I visit ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To get T-Mobile 3G service, you must purchase a T-Mobile phone.
Also, offtopic for these forums, which are for the AT&T I777 which is almost identical to the I9100 especially in terms of band support. Just like the I9100, the 777 doesn't do AWS.
Yes I have planned to purchase a new fone But I have a query that can I buy it on amazon & use prepaid sim card?
Like for ex : I but note on amazon for $249 & buy t-mobile/ATT sim card for 10 -$15.
Can I use all 3g/4G/LTE services ? with recharging it monthly as i go?
Apart from that Can i unlock the note & use it in other countries ?
Most retailers only sell the phone with new or upgraded contracts. You might have to buy direct from AT&T at full retail price if you don't want a contract.
Note is around $620 on Amazon, not $250. If you're seeing a Note for $250, that is the price with a 2-year contract with AT&T for the inferior AT&T version of the device.
AT&T and international devices will not get 3G service on T-Mobile USA. (The one exception is the Skyrocket, and that requires flashing a different radio firmware.)
Basically, if you want a phone that gets 3G on T-Mobile, you need to buy a phone from T-Mobile or a Galaxy Nexus. If you want a phone that gets 3G elsewhere including AT&T - well if you have an I9100 that should work as-is.
If you're paying full off-contract price for a device, your best bet is the GSM Galaxy Nexus - being pentaband HSPA, it is the only device that will get 3G on AT&T, T-Mobile, and almost any other provider out of the box. There's no point to the Skyrocket if you aren't getting a contract subsidy.
okay Thanks for the reply. So i guess i have these options :
1. Use att sim my galaxy s2 which i dont want to.
2. Go for G nexus sounds good to me. (where shall i buy it from in LA/online)
Finally once i get nexus where do i buy a prepaid sim card ?
AjaYrUlUez said:
okay Thanks for the reply. So i guess i have these options :
1. Use att sim my galaxy s2 which i dont want to.
2. Go for G nexus sounds good to me. (where shall i buy it from in LA/online)
Finally once i get nexus where do i buy a prepaid sim card ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Don't people get paid to shop for other people in LA? Just sayin..
Sent from my SGH-I777 using XDA App
AjaYrUlUez said:
okay Thanks for the reply. So i guess i have these options :
1. Use att sim my galaxy s2 which i dont want to.
2. Go for G nexus sounds good to me. (where shall i buy it from in LA/online)
Finally once i get nexus where do i buy a prepaid sim card ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as prepaid SIMs - this is not the right forum to ask. If you're wanting to get 3G service with a T-Mobile SIM, you need to look elsewhere. These forums are specific only to the SGH-I777, which is the AT&T variant of the phone you already have.

[Q] Using an Unlocked Galaxy S III here and in Korea?

Hey XDA,
I rarely post on here, because I am usually pretty good and finding everything I need to know without posting. But I cannot find an answer to this question.
My wife and I are moving to South Korea as ESL teachers in 3 months. But both of our current Verizon Android phones are on their last leg.
Obviously, we do not want to sign another 2 year agreement with them. So I was looking into getting us unlocked Galaxy S III's that we can use for the next few months here and then activate when we get over there.
Korea uses HSPA+ and LTE (SK Telecom).
This is what I am looking at: Factory Unlocked GSIII
By all accounts this should work, correct? If anyone knows, I would be super grateful.
Thanks all the same. And if I missed a thread talking about this, please just point that out to me.
Aedan762 said:
Hey XDA,
I rarely post on here, because I am usually pretty good and finding everything I need to know without posting. But I cannot find an answer to this question.
My wife and I are moving to South Korea as ESL teachers in 3 months. But both of our current Verizon Android phones are on their last leg.
Obviously, we do not want to sign another 2 year agreement with them. So I was looking into getting us unlocked Galaxy S III's that we can use for the next few months here and then activate when we get over there.
Korea uses HSPA+ and LTE (SK Telecom).
This is what I am looking at: Factory Unlocked GSIII
By all accounts this should work, correct? If anyone knows, I would be super grateful.
Thanks all the same. And if I missed a thread talking about this, please just point that out to me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From the info I have seen floating around the web, it seems South Korea will get it's own variant of the Galaxy S3. It'll be similar to one coming to the states. It'll have 2GB RAM, LTE, although it will be quad-core like the international model (US model is dual-core). You can Google "Galaxy S3 in South Korea" and you can find this info. I'm not sure if this will work over there but I suggest you get the Korean S3 when it is released over there. It will have the best of the US version and the International version.
wire eemobas
Both Korea and Japan use CDMA technology similar to Verizon and Sprint - the model you're currently looking at appears to use GSM technology, so it probably won't have very good data coverage. (I'm not sure if a CDMA version is available yet - readers: correct me if I'm wrong here.)
If you're planning to be in Korea for a while, I would definitely recommend waiting and purchasing the local version of the SIII when it's released and getting a cheap phone in the interim.
Depending on what your commute is like, you may also want to consider the Note. When you're spending 2-3 hours/day on the train, the bigger screen comes in handy, and with a pair of mic headphones, you won't look like an idiot holding it up to your face to take a call.
Best of luck with your new assignment - Korea is a terrific place to live, and ESL jobs there should be a great way to pad your savings.
Thank you both for the replies. I guess it would be best just to hold off until we are there and settled in. I have Android tablets and I like the Note, but already a little old for my tastes.
I am just super bummed out I have to lose my Unlimited plan from Verizon after we move... oh well...

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