Hi,
I'm new to smartphones and am looking to buy the Samsung Galaxy S3 i9305 4G LTE 16GB from MobiCity UK (I'm based in the UK). I've looked at the standard (non LTE) version but want to buy SIM free and with some future proofing.
Under 'Specifications' it states 'Important Information' as "This discounted stock has a HK ROM with UK or US English locales."
Questions:
1) Is this safe to buy? What does this mean: 'HK ROM'?
2) Anyone had any dealings with MobiCity UK and if so, are they any good?
Many thanks.
1) could be a regional thing though i've had a phone come to me hacked with a custom rom installed.
lucasreece said:
Hi,
I'm new to smartphones and am looking to buy the Samsung Galaxy S3 i9305 4G LTE 16GB from MobiCity UK (I'm based in the UK). I've looked at the standard (non LTE) version but want to buy SIM free and with some future proofing.
Under 'Specifications' it states 'Important Information' as "This discounted stock has a HK ROM with UK or US English locales."
Questions:
1) Is this safe to buy? What does this mean: 'HK ROM'?
Phone/ Firmware for HK .
Point one you should be able to flash stock UK firmware
Point two as its an import from HK probability is no Samsung UK warranty return to HK for warranty .
jje
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
1. The rom will be chinese but regional settings will include UK/US English
2. I bought my i9300 from them in september. Got it in 2 days via FedEX with tracking from their china hub. Got a free universal charging adapter, a mobi-city bag and Mobi-city gold (Which is their version of 24 months warranty) for free. If the phone breaks send it to them, simple as.
Edit: Also, try adding it to cart and it will actually show you all the warranty options you have. Personally I would Buy the i9305, pick the free insurance option of 12 months, then go here http://gadget.insureandgo.com/ and buy the silver or gold option. That way your covered for BREAKDOWN, THEFT, ACCIDENTAL DAMAGE & Water Damage.I do have Mobi-city's gold insurance but as I stated above it came for free with my i9300
Source: http://www.mobicity.co.uk/extras/warranty.html
Warranty
All handsets come with our 12 month warranty MobiCare 12, which is included in the standard purchase price. It is also possible to upgrade your standard warranty to MobiCare Silver, Gold or Platinum, the details of which are outlined below.
MobiCare 12
12 month UK-serviced warranty.
DOA replacement within the first 48 hours.
Equivalent to manufacturer’s warranty from such companies as Nokia, Sony Ericsson and HTC.
Assessment Guarantee: within 72 hours of receipt, generally 24 hours or less.
Repair Guarantee: within 30 days, generally less than 7 days, and replacement phone offered if unable to repair within guaranteed timeframe.
Return postage is included.
MobiCare Silver
MOBICARE 12 plus:
Express repair service where possible.
Courier pick up of faulty handsets.
Loan handset available for duration of repair.
MobiCare Gold
MOBICARE 12,extended to 24 month UK-serviced warranty.
MobiCare Platinum
MOBICARE GOLD plus:
Express repair service where possible.
Courier pick up of faulty handsets.
Loan handset available for duration of repair.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Related
Hi,
Does anyone know a good place to buy a cheap O2 XDA?
Some people claim it can be bought (with no subscription) around 500 Euro's.
I was unable to find a place where I can buy them for that price.
A shop around Amsterdam would be nice, but online ordering is no problem too ...
Thanx ....
Try eBay.com
Thanks for the reply
Good thinking, but we can't buy them from e-bay.
We need more then one, all with receipt.
And I think the risk of not getting the devices, or
(slightly) broken/buggy models is too big.
try O2 shop in Holland if they have them
in the UK they are selling reconditioned 32mb XDA's for 99 GBP with contract (can be data only), missing a few bits - headphones and software, but you can get these separate anyway.
I just cancelled my O2 data contract and bought another XDA with standalone data contract with PAYG voice.
Regards
Tim
Whereabouts are they selling them for £99 Tim?
buy XDA
Try: http://shop.brando.com.hk/
I just bought one from them excellent service ,
I sent them money via Paypal and the device was FedEx to me the day after.
Asa.
Tim C said:
try O2 shop in Holland if they have them
in the UK they are selling reconditioned 32mb XDA's for 99 GBP with contract (can be data only), missing a few bits - headphones and software, but you can get these separate anyway.
I just cancelled my O2 data contract and bought another XDA with standalone data contract with PAYG voice.
Regards
Tim
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You mean UK O2 shops are selling reconditioned XDA for 99 GBP ?
It's unbelievable.
yes 99GBP - I bought mine yesterday from O2 shop in Bluewater, (01322 623860) but I guess any of the larger O2 shops will do them - I didn't check the O2 shop in Lakeside which is smaller.
It had no headphones, leather case or software.
The headphones you can get for £20 GBP
Those horrible cases you can get for £20 GBP (or a decent one off ebay for $30)
and I have the software anyway - and would imagine you could obtain easily from this forum anyway.
It had the USB cradle, power plug - uk & european pins, little serial power adaptor, stylus x 2. The xda was in near perfect condition , only the label on the back was slightly lifted, where i guess the technicans have changed something. Maybe others will be different.
If you already have a 12 month voice contact, the data part is probably only 3 months. So i cancelled my data contract and will give the sim to someone and took out a new data contract (12 months if data only) with PAYG phone since i rarely use the phone (which most sales reps won't tell you - and the data contract works out £10 a month less for me anyway.
and now i just have to decide which XDA I keep, and sell the other one.
Regards
Tim
O2 is still selling these refurbished PDA for 99£ in all their stores I've seen in London.
I am worried about the absence of software.
What software usually comes, but is absent on the refurbished XDA?
Is it software to install on your PC/Laptop or is it softawre for the XDA?
Thanks
XDA for sale
For sale : O2 XDA , brandnew in the box, 32MB internal memory, € 500,-or info: [email protected]
WOW 99 pounds I want one but without service - Possible ?
99 pounds WOW
I am really interested in finding out this software missing part .....
1- Please, let me know. If this software can be downloaded from somewhere around here then I would contact them immediately to buy one.
I don't need any service I just need the device. Is that possible ? is this price for the device only without any service ?
2- Is this tri-band !!
Thanks a million guys. This is a great piece of information.
Can't find anything for 99 GBP at http://shop.brando.com.hk/
I just went to their website but couldn't find any thing for 99 !!
so I emailed them [email protected] to ask.
GONE
No more. All gone.
Can some 1 in UK tell us how much will it cost to buy one in UK with the plan? I don't need the plan but it seems that this is the only way to get1, right?
There's nothing on their website but go ask in their shop
I've bought mine a month ago now for 99 pounds in London, in Hammermith Kings Mall, but the two shops on Oxford Street also had them for 99 pounds.
I admit I haven't checked since then, but when I asked last month they said this wasn't a temporary offer and it would go on.
They don't actually advertise them anymore, but just ask for the "REFURBISHED" XDA in the store!
As far as I can tell the "missing software" is the 2nd CD-ROM provided by Microsoft which contains Microsoft Activesync (and probably other free Microsoft software) which you can download for free from the microsoft website. http://www.microsoft.com/mobile/pocketpc/downloads/activesync35.asp
(version 3.6 is also available, but other users on this forum suggest you do not use it (yet))
It did come with the O2 CD-ROM
It did not come with the headphones, no replacement stylus, no leather case
It is NOT tri-Band
confusing response from O2
I went to the shop in Hammersmith this morning, they said they still carry the promotion but have no XDA "in stock" (read: none that have been brought back to O2 for "refurbishing") but when they will get some you'll still be able to buy them for 99£.
HOWEVER, i also called one of the shop in Oxford Street and they said they stopped selling them a "long time ago".
Sorry for the confusion, hope this helps.
Hammersmith phone number and or better email Website
Hammersmith contact info
Store name
Phone number
email address (Preferred)
URL
O2 Shop
43 Kings Mall, Hammersmith
W6 9HW
t: 020 8563 0542
I asked in the second O2 shop on Oxford Street, the one closest to tottenham court road ( Yes I know, I always go to the same places, ...)
They said the same thing:
- ...We don't have them any more
- But wil you continue the promotion if you get some more in stock?
- Yes...
He didn't say whether they were actually expecting to get any new ones in stock
I am not sure but...
somehow I get the feeling that the ease of unlocking has led O2 to change the strategy in selling these thingies.
On the other hand.....I just lost an online battle of command and conquer Generals. So there go my strategy skills :evil:
Robert
hi, i bought a xda unconnected from dixons for only £399
if you go into any dixons store, they will do a search for you across stores in the region, you must quote unconnected. (ex-display)
It would probably be cheaper to buy one on contact and throw the sim card.
12 months @ £15 per month = £180 + the cost of a phone.
If anyone does throw the SIM card, can I have it?
Regards
Tim
Hey Guys. I am planning on buying the Galaxy S3 I9300 international version instead of AT&T's version, but I was wondering what would be the best place to get the phone from? Also, what insurance does the international S3 have in the US? I've heard that since it's an international phone, it will not have a manufacturer's warranty in the US. Also, apparently you can't buy insurance through 3rd party companies because your phone is international. Any ideas? I guess the only place is through eBay and buy squaretrade's insurance but it does not cover accidental damage..... I'm perplexed
Worth Ave Group or Ensquared cover international phones. I'm using Worth Ave Group and they both cover pretty much all. You are correct on warranty. You can't get service from USA, usually you have to send it in Europe or have company you purchased the phone from do the warranty claim for you.
I think expansys-usa is popular site to buy. I would never buy from ebay since seller can't help you if anything goes wrong. Also I think I have heard squaretrade doesnt cover international phone but I'm not 100%
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
zen0s said:
Worth Ave Group or Ensquared cover international phones. I'm using Worth Ave Group and they both cover pretty much all. You are correct on warranty. You can't get service from USA, usually you have to send it in Europe or have company you purchased the phone from do the warranty claim for you.
I think expansys-usa is popular site to buy. I would never buy from ebay since seller can't help you if anything goes wrong. Also I think I have heard squaretrade doesnt cover international phone but I'm not 100%
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I believe Ensquared does not cover international phones:
EXCLUSIONS:
AB: Covered Products not readily available in the United States through Communication Service Providers (overseas unlocked phones).
Why don't you buy it from Negri electronics and buy the warranty for 2 years ( 95$ as I remember) it will cover everything, I pre-ordered the AT&T version with the warranty that covers everything even theft after contacting their online support and they said they cover Canada too.
I sent them an email and I am waiting for the reply to confirm that they cover Canada since there is no point of spending 95$ for a warranty that doesn't work in Canada, call their support and see if they cover it before buying tho
This place will give you a warranty on your international version.
Safeware Insurance Agency
jojo_angelov said:
I believe Ensquared does not cover international phones:
EXCLUSIONS:
AB: Covered Products not readily available in the United States through Communication Service Providers (overseas unlocked phones).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I ran across this YouTube video she confirms Ensquared cover international phones.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk 2
Try Negri Electronics, they have great services although their prices are a bit steep. http://negrielectronics.com/
Negri's prices are quite steep, yes.... I am not sure if I will be able to afford it for that much...
I use Safeware. They have covered my phones for several years now, and never any hassles. Plus there is no deductible.
Expansys was the best on the preorders. Negri screwed everyone over. Look in the general preorder threads. My experience with Expansys was perfect.
Expansys are the worst to deal with, I had a Note that died, not only did they decline helping me with warranty, but they refused to give me the postal address of the Samsung they got it from so I could return it myself. I have a $800 paper weight because of them...
daoutlawz said:
Expansys are the worst to deal with, I had a Note that died, not only did they decline helping me with warranty, but they refused to give me the postal address of the Samsung they got it from so I could return it myself. I have a $800 paper weight because of them...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That sucks... Sorry.. Could you tell me why did they decline to honor the warranty and was it accidental damage warranty or just parts
I'm in the US, and I've never bought anything from overseas, so I'm a little unsure as to who I should go through(not sure who's very reputable internationally) to purchase the international version? And , just to me certain, the GT-I9300 will work with ANY GSM carrier(AT&T/T-Mobile, any of their MVNO's(Straighttalk, boost))?
EDIT: This goes in Q&A, reposted there. Delete this please.
Here's a list:
Expansys USA.
Negri electronics
Networkingrus
Or just amazon.com
If purchased from all of those and they ate all reliable and have very fast shipping. If you want you can also try eBay
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
and to add the international will only get edge speeds on TMO currently. It will get HSPA+ speeds once TMO converts to the 1900 band but that could be some time. I think there are only 5 markets converted so far.
It will give you HSPA+ on the other carriers though.
graffixnyc said:
and to add the international will only get edge speeds on TMO currently. It will get HSPA+ speeds once TMO converts to the 1900 band but that could be some time. I think there are only 5 markets converted so far.
It will give you HSPA+ on the other carriers though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, I'm planning to go through AT&T with Straight Talk. $495/yr
Dailysteals.com eother on their website or on their ebay store, they got some good deals for this phone(biweekly)
It depends on how you feel about the warranty. No Exynos SGS3 is permitted by Samsung to be sold by anyone in the U.S. and it’s considered grey market and therefore has no warranty. Their strict and ask for a receipt from an authorized reseller and/or a credit card charge statement before doing any warranty work. There are no authorized resellers in the U.S. because Samsung doesn't sell unlocked devices here. Samsung U.S. will also not repair a phone purchased outside its country of intended sale so you'll have to ship it back at your expense to whatever country it came from for both warranty work and repairs you might pay for.
My former i9100 came from the UK and before I sold it I sent it to the UK to have its bezel replaced under warranty because it cracked. I enclosed my receipt from an authorized UK reseller and when they saw it was paid on a credit card they also asked for a copy of the statement. NewEgg, Amazon, Amazon Marketplace, and eBay sellers sometimes say the phone will come with a warranty. It doesn't and Samsung makes no exceptions.
Both Negri and Expansys-USA offer their customers support during the warranty period. If the phone needs service you ship it to them and they send it overseas to one of their affiliates who has it repaired at a Samsung service center. It still has no warranty; their skirting it somehow through their affiliates. But as long as your phone's repaired at no cost how the sausage is made is irrelevant.
SquareTrade also covers grey market phones. I strongly suggest people get a policy as a back stop to any warranty issues (denied claims) and to cover accidental damage. If the display alone on eBay is $250 you're probably looking at a $350 repair with labor if the screen replacement's done by Samsung should it break.
I always buy my imported devices from the UK. You know you're working with an authorized reseller, there are no warranty questions, and you'll also know the device you're receiving is a UK device. Both Negri and Expansys-USA frequently ship phones intended for sale in the Malaysia, the Philippines, Poland, South Africa, and Latin America. No big dealing if you're going to root and flash other ROMs; a big deal if you're not. They also ship carrier-branded phones that have been SIM unlocked.
To get a phone overnighted from Clove in the UK right now is $670 all-in. At Negri it's $645. You can decide whether the additional $25 is a worthwhile investment based on the above. Also, Clove has a service (http://www.clove.co.uk/smartphone-pre-shipping-testing-service) for 20 GBP ($31 USD) where they will pre-test your phone before it's shipped and make sure all the functions are working. With the display issues that pop-up on the SGS3 having a phone pre-screened can save you a lot of hassle and eliminate the possibility of having to do one or more exchanges. They'll also pay r/t shipping to and from the UK for the exchange if they missed anything in their testing. Handtec probably offers a similar service. I've purchased devices from both and they're incredibly easy to deal with.
Choosing which way to get a SGS3 is a lot like people's attitudes toward buying insurance. If you're one of those that think the odds are in your favor and you’ll end up fine, find the cheapest SGS3 and buy it. If you want the security of knowing no matter what happens that you're covered, some of the more expensive routes will give you piece of mind. As I said, I always buy my devices via the UK direct.
Good luck.
I know Amazon has a 30-day no questions asked return policy. Just return it if its defective
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
BarryH_GEG said:
It depends on how you feel about the warranty.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, unless someone finds a way to root and flash roms without upping the flash counter on AT&T or verizon(they havent, have they?), I have no warranty anyway.
I'm been teetering on getting a new phone for a while and although dev for the att sgs2 has been good, we are always behind the international version. So I told myself I'd get the international version but am having a hard time justifying the cost lol. Especially since the nexus is down to 350 new and it'd be a straight up Google rom experience.
Sorry to thread jack lulz
sent from tapatalk app on GS2
Amazon.... that's where I got mine...put it one day shipping and been loving it every sense lol....
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Looks like I wont have to go the international route(was only going to if I wasn't going to have a warranty after rooting anyway.
I had an order in for a Black i9300 on Newegg and then cancelled it because I found out that there isn't a warranty. Where can I buy an international Galaxy S3 for the US with a warranty over 90 days?
Don't want to drop $500 on a device and then have it break next month.
MattMJB0188 said:
I had an order in for a Black i9300 on Newegg and then cancelled it because I found out that there isn't a warranty. Where can I buy an international Galaxy S3 for the US with a warranty over 90 days?
Don't want to drop $500 on a device and then have it break next month.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As someone found out in this thread: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2036231 Seems like you're out of luck. Buy a really great case/screen protector and hope for a lack of hardware failure...and use American Express to purchase, but i'm unsure whether their warranty protection covers this.
Newegg gives 90 days on unlocked phones. I got mine there, and that was one of the reasons. You can also buy a third party warranty through them.
BaronInkjet said:
Newegg gives 90 days on unlocked phones. I got mine there, and that was one of the reasons. You can also buy a third party warranty through them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The third party warranty only covers accidental damage, not the warranty.
Hi,
I live in Denmark, and i am trying to get a hold of a 32gb Nexus 10. I am considering ordering it from the US staples.com and having a friend bring it from the US. My only concern is the warranty, ie. where would i have to send it if there is something wrong with it? its not a problem sending it to a place in the EU, but it would be problematic (ie expensive as hell) to get it back to the US.
I have tried ordering it in the UK, but the play store does not like my danish credit card, and besides the 32gb one is sold out currently.
Sv: International warranty if bought from staples?
Handtec.Co.uk sell it and they Ship to Denmark
Sendt fra min EndeavorU med Tapatalk2
torpedohanen said:
Handtec.Co.uk sell it and they Ship to Denmark
Sendt fra min EndeavorU med Tapatalk2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
From Malmö you might get bit cheeper (4995,- sek) than UK but naturally doesn't beat US with 'hand bag' shipping :victory:
Malmö distributor handled warranty issue but took 1,5 months, Swedish law covers the warranty returning fees also but UK doesn't.
Mine were 2 out of 2 faulty ones so your friend better check units in the store.
torpedohanen said:
Handtec.Co.uk sell it and they Ship to Denmark
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm, €542 (Handtec.Co.uk) is pretty expensive compared to the ~€449 in the UK play store (+shipping, but still). The US price is €370 + taxes.
d2mac said:
From Malmö you might get bit cheeper (4995,- sek) than UK but naturally doesn't beat US with 'hand bag' shipping :victory:
Malmö distributor handled warranty issue but took 1,5 months, Swedish law covers the warranty returning fees also but UK doesn't.
Mine were 2 out of 2 faulty ones so your friend better check units in the store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What kind of faults did you have?
AFAIK, you should buy it in the EU, then you're protected by all the glorious rights we enjoy here.
Kryten2k35 said:
AFAIK, you should buy it in the EU, then you're protected by all the glorious rights we enjoy here.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There are certainly advantages to buying it in the EU, but now a days international warranty is quite common, hence my question. I don't have many options for buying it in the EU without paying alot more than the UK Google Play price due to the issue with using an international credit card.
I also have to keep in mind that i could easily get an iPad (which has international warranty as far as i have been able to tell) brought back from the US instead for $599 ~ €444. I am not about to pay more for the Nexus 10 than for an iPad
ziphnor said:
What kind of faults did you have?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The other one kept low buzzing noise which effected to the microphone very badly. The other one had light bleeding, not very bad though - hopefully the new one isn't worse The new ones are still in the mail, old ones I returned 2nd Jan :crying:
Malmö units came with the US power adapters & conversion plugs
d2mac said:
The other one kept low buzzing noise which effected to the microphone very badly. The other one had light bleeding, not very bad though - hopefully the new one isn't worse The new ones are still in the mail, old ones I returned 2nd Jan :crying:
Malmö units came with the US power adapters & conversion plugs
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am not sure backlight bleed would bother me much, i am mostly interested in a tablet as way of browsing and reading technical literature (books/papers) and comics I guess backlight bleeding is mostly a concern when watching movies which i would only do when on a flight etc.
Even if the backlight bleeding is annoying, i can probably sell it pretty easily here in denmark, I am more concerned about the buzzing you mentioned or it simply being broken. Perhaps i can get my friend to power it up before bringing it.
I am however still unclear on the international warranty. I am not even sure who has the warranty here? Is it Samsung, Google or only staples?
Im from Denmark too and have got a friend to pick one up in walmart for me. I'll get it within the next few days.
I've been looking at the warranty terms posted on the google play store:
Google Play store said:
Defects
During the warranty period described in the Device Specific Addendum, if the Device is or becomes defective through no fault of your own, please contact Google Play Support. Subject to the Device warranty, Google, in its sole discretion, may offer a replacement Device or may refer you to the applicable manufacturer of the Device for warranty support. If Google chooses to provide you with a replacement Device, you agree that Google may exchange the defective Device with either a new or refurbished Device. If you do not return the defective Device within 21 days from the date the replacement Device is delivered to you, you authorize Google to charge your Google Wallet account for the replacement Device, not to exceed the amount paid for the original Device. Nothing in this section affects your legal rights.
Nexus 10 Addendum
The following paragraphs only apply if you purchase a Nexus 10.
The Nexus 10 has built-in Wi-Fi. You are solely responsible for obtaining internet connectivity through an internet service provider as the Nexus 10 does not support mobile connectivity.
In order to use the Nexus 10, you understand that you will need your own 802.11a/b/g/n access point Wi-Fi router.
Battery life depends on device settings, usage, and many other factors. Battery tests are conducted using specific Nexus 10 units; actual results may vary. Actual formatted capacity of your device will be less than the memory listed.
The Nexus 10 is manufactured by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., whose principal place of business is at (Maetan dong) 129, Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do 443-742, Korea ("Samsung").
Samsung provides a limited warranty for the Nexus 10. Please refer to the warranty card in the Nexus 10 package or Samsung for details on the Samsung limited warranty. This additional warranty does not affect your legal rights.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As I understand it if you get a defective unit google will replace it and samsung also provide a warranty for it if it should be needed.
So if google don't want to ship a replacement to Denmark then maybe samsung will
mbeltoft said:
As I understand it if you get a defective unit google will replace it and samsung also provide a warranty for it if it should be needed.
So if google don't want to ship a replacement to Denmark then maybe samsung will
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The question is whether the replacement can only occur in the same country as you bought it in. I am also not sure the warranty is the same when its not purchased at the google play store.
Just discovered this thread:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1983591
Sounds like there isn't any international warranty.