I wanted to buy a Samsung Galaxy S II. The webshop where I would buy it, has a pre-order price of 549€: http://www.smartphoneshop.be/product/123781/samsung-galaxy-s-ii.html
However that model is without NFC chip, so I cancelled my order. They also told me that Samsung will not release an Galaxy S II with NFC for the Belgian market.
So my only remaining option is to buy one abroad. I'm not asking for generic web shops, I ask for very specific experiences with web shops that are able to deliver to Belgium.
I have also found out that there are different variations of the Galaxy S II. As far as I know, these are the main differences:
processor: Nvidia Tegra or Exynos --> for now, it's equal to me.
display: AMOLED or LCD --> I prefer one with AMOLED
NFC or not --> I really want one with NFC.
I already know that the UK is out of the question (for now), because the UK models don't have NFC. I read somewhere that models with NFC may come available for the UK in the coming months, no date confirmed yet. Maybe in June? If that is true then I can wait another month, no problem.
How about other neighboring countries? Netherlands, France, Germany, Italy,...
Of course this would have to be a phone that is not locked to one telco.
I have not found the answers of these very specific questions in the FAQ. Why am I asking this on XDA-Developers? Because I want to dive into Android development, and I have some ideas that include NFC technology. And why a Galaxy S II? I was in Barcelona at the MWC when Samsung launched it, I got to play with it, and I was really impressed.
So far .
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1052105&highlight=nfc
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1074419&highlight=nfc
jje
Thanks. I overlooked those, and I guess my initial search was a bit too generic.
This might be an odd question in a wrong forum but I couldn't think of anywhere else to ask it!
My sister studies in Spain and she's going to return home 3 weeks from now.
I have the fabulous SGS and wanted to upgrade to SGS II and since SGS II won't be available in out country anytime soon, I thought it would be better if my sister bought it for me there.
I want my phone to be equipped with SAMOLED+ screen and the Exynos chipset. I don't really care about NFC.
The thing is I Googled but I didn't come across any retailer that distribute in Spain, and frankly I don't know how thing work over there.
I even looked for online shops but since I don't really know about any of them, I wasn't so lucky and in fact there are quite a lot of them and I don't really know which one is better!
She could order one online but there is another problem. Since my sister is not a citizen in there, she said she could get back the VAT tax on her way back if there was a proof of purchase for the product. However I don't know if she could do the same thing if the product was ordered online.
So I'm totally lost and don't know what my options are...
I would really appreciate it if you guys could help me out here.
Thanks a lot in advance
Hi Guys,
I'm currently in Singapore and found some shops in the Sim Lim Square Computer Center that sell the Galaxy S2 at real rock bottom prices: less than 800 S$ (about US$630).
They come without a warranty card in it and with a Spanish/English User manual and a charger with a US plug, instead of the local Singaporean plug.
There is definitely something shady about these phones but as long as it's only the plug difference and the absence of warranty I wouldn't be concerned as even the official Samsung Singapore warranty wouldn't be valid outside of Singapore (and as I said, I'm just visiting here).
My big doubt started when I saw the sticker inside the phone under the battery that says: Made in China
My current phone, the old Galaxy S is made in Korea!
I'm afraid that these phones might actually be complete fake ones... I've seen that once in the Philippines: they sell fake Nokia phones that look like Nokia and even have the first menu level of the firmware look like Nokia's Symbian and only on level 2 deep everything changes to chinese garbage.
Could anyone help me out with my doubts as soon as possible? I'm here in Singapore only until tomorrow so I have to make a fast decision.
Thanks a lot
I'm Korean. Samsung Electronics is Korean Company. Every flagship samsung mobile phone made in Korea in Gumi city. Samsung mobile factory located Gumi city in Korea. I have galaxy s and galaxy s2 uk unlock version. My phones made in Korea.
There are units made in China too. You just gotta find out if they are original Samsung products
itenos said:
My big doubt started when I saw the sticker inside the phone under the battery that says: Made in China
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine has Made in Korea on the sticker under the battery...
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FFS! Don't go to Sim Lim Square. It's the shadiest tech town in the world. I once bought a 128GB thumb drive there. It was faaaake.
On another occasion, I bought an N8 with no warranty cuz it was going for cheap (and was told it was the last one in stock). It died within a week.
You get what you pay for.
If it's too good to be true, then it's not Beyoncé kneeling before me.
itenos said:
Hi Guys,
I'm currently in Singapore and found some shops in the Sim Lim Square Computer Center that sell the Galaxy S2 at real rock bottom prices: less than 800 S$ (about US$630).
They come without a warranty card in it and with a Spanish/English User manual and a charger with a US plug, instead of the local Singaporean plug.
There is definitely something shady about these phones but as long as it's only the plug difference and the absence of warranty I wouldn't be concerned as even the official Samsung Singapore warranty wouldn't be valid outside of Singapore (and as I said, I'm just visiting here).
My big doubt started when I saw the sticker inside the phone under the battery that says: Made in China
My current phone, the old Galaxy S is made in Korea!
I'm afraid that these phones might actually be complete fake ones... I've seen that once in the Philippines: they sell fake Nokia phones that look like Nokia and even have the first menu level of the firmware look like Nokia's Symbian and only on level 2 deep everything changes to chinese garbage.
Could anyone help me out with my doubts as soon as possible? I'm here in Singapore only until tomorrow so I have to make a fast decision.
Thanks a lot
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd avoid buying high-end stuff from Sim Lim if I were you. Which shop are we talking about?
While it's definitely possible that these are original(given the price), these could be refurbished/stolen(although this is less likely in Singpaore).
If $630 is a lot for you, I'd suggest you pick a unit with warranty. If that's not an option, at least shell out a few extra dollars to get it from an authorized retailer.
For the record, my Indian phone says 'Made by Samsung in Korea'.
In India first batch s2 phones were made in Korea whereas the second batch is made in China(which is now in stock)
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
My SGS2 says "Made in China". I checked like a dozen other handsets at various reputable retailers (including Samsung's distributors, authorized retailers and repair centres) last week (I was vacationing). All had "Made in China" labels under the battery.
I guess there are at least two factories making these devices.
My Packaging says it is made in Korea. Even the sticker under the battery in the unit says made in Korea. But the battery itself is made in China. LOL.
Oxymoron or Conundrum?
Beautyspin said:
My Packaging says it is made in Korea. Even the sticker under the battery in the unit says made in Korea. But the battery itself is made in China. LOL.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine is same as yours.Got it from Letsbuy in the 2nd week of June.Actually the battery says"Made in Korea but finished in China".
ROF!LOL!!
I'm from Singapore and purchased my SGS2 from a local teleco last weekend. The battery says Made in Korea finished in China. The sticker underneath says Made by Samsung with no indication of country. The box doesn't state the country either, though there's a sticker that says do not accept if seal is broken. Caution sealed package plus one paragraph of text. A round light orange sticker says No Chinese menu and the quick start guide was printed in China.
While I seldom go to Sim Lim Square, I've read of tuggish salespeople and their tactics to rip off the unsuspecting. But there are some "clean" shops too. If you see quite a number of local customers examining the products and paying, it should be fairly safe. Do the salespeople answer your questions well or are they evasive? Ask if the phone is grey market or parallel import and watch their response. I wouldn't use the work "fake" in case I get "hammered". My ultimate advice is if you feel uncomfortable and don't want to risk getting a fake, you shouldn't get the phone from non-telcos such as M1, Singtel or Starhub.
BTW, the phone is ridiculously popular in Singapore and is sold out in many shops. Just check the Samsung Mobile Singapore page. If you know the shop name and number, you may want to ask on Facebook, telling them you're a tourist, and hopefully someone familiar with the shops there will respond. Wishing you good luck in getting the phone.
Thank you my friends, even though it comforted me that there are apparently legitimate models out in the market that are made in China, I follow your advice and will not buy the phone in Sim Lim. I better wait till I'm back home and spending maybe 50 Euros more, I will have at least some peace of mind.
Thanks a lot again
now here's a puzzle:
- my packaging says nothing about the country of origin.
- underneath the battery it just says made by samsung
- on the battery it says made in korea, finished in china (in english and french) BUT: in spanish it says, it was made and finished in china.
so the only things i can say with certainty is that the battery is finished in china, where it was made varies on what language you speak and the device itself is apparently made in the kingdom of sam sung, must be one of those new countries i've been hearing about.
Mine says made in Korea. I wonder if there is a build quality difference between Chinese and Korean SGS2?
Chef_Tony said:
now here's a puzzle:
- my packaging says nothing about the country of origin.
- underneath the battery it just says made by samsung
- on the battery it says made in korea, finished in china (in english and french) BUT: in spanish it says, it was made and finished in china.
so the only things i can say with certainty is that the battery is finished in china, where it was made varies on what language you speak and the device itself is apparently made in the kingdom of sam sung, must be one of those new countries i've been hearing about.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same here, under the battery it says made by samsung.
According to news on Korea at 01/2011, Mobile phone for asian market made in China. So i think differ from region that be selled.
I saw my sgs and other sgs bettery. One made in Korea. Other one made in China finished in Korea. Rest one made In Japan. Region of bettery differ from date of rollout.
Got mine from Singapore as well. Made in korea and everything. What's strange is that my phone was actually destined for chile (ukbd1 rom)
You might wanna try Funan digimall. Thats also where i got mine. Most of the people i talk to say the sellers there are more honest. Although I'm not a local.
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Nothing on phone itself, but battery says made in Korea, finished in China
Mine is from T-Mobile and is Made in China !
Mine is Made by Samsung without stating either country Korea or China. The battery though was Made in Korea/ Finish in China
Sent from my GT-P1000 using XDA App
Hey there,
I am currently considering buying a Galaxy S II off eBay here in Australia and i was wondering what I should and shouldn't be looking for.
My main concern is that if I get Hong Kong/International stock then it may have differences (OS or Hardware) to the ones you can buy locally. Is there a way I could check to see where the handsets come from based on a model number or anything? and is anyone using an eBay bought SII to list the differences to local stock?
Thanks in advance,
DarkRyoushii
I bought mine off ebay ages ago, was listed as Australian stock...so if you are worried about overseas models just use the advanced search and choose only located in AU...then if it is not stated in the description just ask the seller if its aussie stock...though in most cases ones from overseas work just fine and I don't believe there are any differences (both local and overseas stock are international versions, besides the I9100T for telstra)
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
Thanks, there's a massive price difference between Australian ($700) and Unmentioned ($550) stock though so if possible I'd just love to make sure it won't turn up in some unheard of language with no way to change it, the wrong bands, restrictions (I know NTT Docomo limit text messages to 160 characters) on the OS or something like that.
so the I9100 stock is all the same with no variations? I thought there were different letters at the end to signify which region they were made for..
Thanks again,
DarkRyoushii
hmm well I got mine for $600...I'm pretty certain they are the international version...as long as it states I9100 and nothing else, it should be fine...also some sellers (eBay shops usually), provide 1 year warranties as well..
EDIT: there is an Australian stock on eBay now for 600 + 15 postage...if you're really that worried I'd recommend you just save yourself the worrying... I'm sure you could message the seller and negotiate for free shipping or something...
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk
That's true Thanks for your help! +1 Thanks to you!
Your biggest concern with ebay is getting scammed, rather than getting a weirdo off-spec unit. As others say make sure it says I9100, and specs make sense (eg. 1.2 dual exynos, 4.3" screen, etc.) If you ended up with a qualcomm unit by accident (and wanted exynos...or vice versa) and your seller is legit they would have to accept return for product not as advertised.
This phone is sold for 400 is it worth buying guys? Can I use it with AT&T in English language...Anything I should worry about? I need as many responses as I can get before I head out to get it!
Just got the Spain version from the eBay Daily Deal/Buy.com seller yesterday.
For $400 I guess it's a good deal used.
how do i know if it's GT i9100 or 9100T, the international version vs the US version?
Ask to the seller. You can find model behind the battery.
Regards.