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Hi all,
I am planning to buy the HTC Hero in Hong Kong, but since I have never used an Android phone before. there are a few questions that I would like some answers:
(Assumption) If I buy an imported UK or EU Hero tomorrow:
1. Can it display Asian languages on websites ... etc? If by default it can't, is there anyway to get around it?
2. Is the Chinese input built-into the system as an option like the Iphone? If not, is there a way to install the input system into it.
3. Will there be any restriction on the Android market, similar to Iphone, due to different geographical locations?
4. Any other issues need to beware for purchasing an imported Android?
Many Thanks
1. Yes
2. No. but you can download an chinese input app instead.
3. No.
4. Check if it is a sim-free phone or has it been unlocked already.
sorry to say
been to hk 3 times in the last year and a half...
you won't get one cheaper....i know i have looked when trying to get the latest phones.....buy it from the u.k.....you have been warned
I am from Hong Kong, so I can't reach out for the bundle deals in UK.
Since I can't wait for the local release, I am planning to buy the unlocked version thru UK websites. Therefore I need to make sure the imported ones can fulfil my basic mobile phone needs (Chinese support ... etc).
Yes, there are much less bundle deals in HK, but the tariffs are very cheap here, so there are much less subsidies to the handset price.
Hi guys,This is my first post here, this is an excellent forum, keep up the good work2! I am living in the UAE where it looks like the SGS2 wont see the light of day till Q3 2011, I cant wait till then so I am looking at my options. I am not very comfortable with ordering it online from sites like Expansys or Handtec, so would prefer getting it from a physical store.
I will be visiting South Korea very soon and have heard that the SGS2 is already on sale there. My questions are:
1) Are the Korean models (sold exclusively through the carriers I hear) fully unlocked?
2) I will be going to study in Manchester for the next two years, so would like to use the SGS2 there. Seeing that S Korea, UK (and the UAE) use the same GSM and 3G bands - 900/1800 and 3G 2100, I understand its possible but are there any other problems that could crop up? I cant find any specs online for the Korean SGS2.
Thank you!
[EDIT]
Guess noone knows or must be thinking that I didnt search before starting a new thread. Thanks to those who did help! Found the answer from a variety of sources, just listing here in case anyone needs it:
The Korean SGS2 are not quad-band, and are physically thicker due to the inclusion of NFC and a TV tuner. Some carriers have different (non global) MMS standards as well. I have been informed that they are probably locked as well and available on contract to locals only. Also the Indian SGS2 has NFC and costs just 675$ to 700$, guess I will just get it from India!
I will tell you what i know.(it is not 100 sure.)
You are correct that there are three different models of SGS2 in korea.
If you want to use the phone in UK,
You should buy SHW-250K( from KT, one of the service provider)
it meets the mms standard of other countries.
Once again this information is not sure.
I need someone's confirmation for this.
Thanks.
If you're going in on a standard tourist visa then you will NOT be able to buy a phone, even outright. Phones are only available to locals and people on long term visas.
Yeah, get it from India.
Has any one ordered from Amazon UK recently? I want to know what region they are getting. Is it the Generic EU (XEU?) version or something else. I've read that retailers are sourcing stock from all over the place to meet demand and that some sold in the UK have CSC codes from different regions, e.g someone buying from Handtec got a one with a Portuguese CSC code.
sunseaker said:
Has any one ordered from Amazon UK recently? I want to know what region they are getting. Is it the Generic EU (XEU?) version or something else. I've read that retailers are sourcing stock from all over the place to meet demand and that some sold in the UK have CSC codes from different regions, e.g someone buying from Handtec got a one with a Portuguese CSC code.
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Where did you hear that nonsense from? Amazon UK would be the Generic EU/UK, they won't risk getting them from other sources besides Samsung themselves. Unless you are buying from Amazon's third-party marketplace of course, frankly speaking, they are unreliable for buying an expensive and faulty prone item like this.
Thanks, I assume you mean the Amazon 3rd party sellers are not reliable for such an expensive item or did you mean Amazon themselves?
It was actually someone on this forum that mentioned that they had bought a SGs2 from Handtec and that the CSC code was for Portugal and not the Generic UK one. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1102438
Like you say, the GS2 seems quite fault prone so I'm looking for an online retailer that's going to give me the best service when it comes to returns. I don't live in the UK so cannot walk into a store to check one over the counter before I buy and there is no mention of a release date here yet.
sunseaker said:
It was actually someone on this forum that mentioned that they had bought a SGs2 from Handtec and that the CSC code was for Portugal and not the Generic UK one. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1102438
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yes i'm the one who got a Portuguese S 2 from handtec, would you please guys reply to my thread here http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1102438
Hi,
I'm really keen on getting a Flyer for various reasons. I've got an opportunity to potentially source one via our Hong Kong office.
Can anyone advise whether there are any differences between the Hong Kong and UK/EU version of the device?
Is there perhaps a firmware difference?
From a support angle, I'm guessing the warranty would only be good in Hong Kong, or does HTC do an international warranty?
Thanks
Iain
Bump.
Anyone any thoughts on the subject? Perhaps a different way of looking at is, is there any differences between the EU vs US vs ASIA versions (other than the inclusion of the Pen and Case)?
Thanks
Iain
ICHAPMAN said:
Bump.
Anyone any thoughts on the subject? Perhaps a different way of looking at is, is there any differences between the EU vs US vs ASIA versions (other than the inclusion of the Pen and Case)?
Thanks
Iain
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Click to collapse
The easy way to find out any possible differences is to check HTC sites. Here are the links that will allow you to do your own comparisons:
US HTC Flyer
HK HTC Flyer
EU HTC Flyer
For customer support, you can check here.
Thanks rlydiard.
I'd already read these, on paper the EU and ASIA versions seem to be the same item (and in that case probably are at a hardware level).
When I'm unsure of is at the firmware level. Whether EU and ASIA share a firmware or does the HK version perhaps not include any English language components (for example).
Iain.
ICHAPMAN said:
Thanks rlydiard.
I'd already read these, on paper the EU and ASIA versions seem to be the same item (and in that case probably are at a hardware level).
When I'm unsure of is at the firmware level. Whether EU and ASIA share a firmware or does the HK version perhaps not include any English language components (for example).
Iain.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Since the HTC Flyer is using Android, at least on OS level, you should be able to switch between various languages, just as with Android phones. I am not totally sure if that is the case with HTC's Sense that comes with the Flyer, but if it is not the case, I am quite sure that you would have a choice of English or Chinese in Hong Kong.
Perhaps someone in Asia who already has a Flyer can respond to this thread and clarify this issue for you.
I don't know about the different between the UK version and the HK one. I have the HK one and this is what I can tell you. Its has both Chinese and English Interface. Actually, I am using English interface all the time. It has Chinese Pen Input for Chinese user. It has some local Chinese Web site but I never use it. I don't see any problem if you are just using English only.
Thanks cychan.
So it would seem that that there are difference versions of the firmware.
I've just purchased one in Malaysia - which has a English/Thai/Chinese/Vietnamese (with Malaysian/Singapore English options) - doesn't have US/UK/AU English
Thanks all.
In addition to asking the question here I did also email HTC UK with a similar question. I thought some of you may be interested in HTC's response:
"Concerning your questions about using a Hong Kong Flyer in the UK I can help you with that.
If the HTC Flyer is SIM free and unbranded it will work in the UK and can be repair under warranty at the nearest international repair centre (the UK)."
So, the only disadvantage it seems of having a non-UK/EU model is that potentially firmware updates may take a little longer to arrive depending on HTC's release schedule. However, even that would only seem to be a delay of a couple of days, rather than weeks/months.
Thanks again
Iain
Changes (that i have found):
OK ... as stated only 3 languages (1 English)
When using with no SIM the operator is shown in Chinese characters on the lock screen REGARDLESS of language selected
Youtube most popular videos are China's most popular videos
Watch doesn't let you buy / rent movies on the Chinese version
Kris
I bought the WiFi only version from the official UK HTC flyer store (expansys) last Thursday and is currently being shipped to me in Australia. I was not aware of the different versions at the time and when they told me over the phone that it will be shipped from Hong Kong I thought nothing of it.
Now I am worried it will be an inferior version to the UK version I assumed I would be getting.
Does anyone know if the pen and case come with the HK version?
And should I be worried, or am I worrying for no reason? :-s
**update**
I Called Expansys and they confirmed that the one on its way to me was shipped from HK and box contents includes pen and case. Also that it should not be any different just because it was shipped from HK, they just have a warehouse out there to supply that part of the world. If this turns out to be untrue I'll update my post again. Feeling a bit better now
Sent from my HTC Desire using XDA Premium App
Hey guys. After researching many possible smartphones in the market right now, I am going to go with my first smartphone ever and possibly the best one right now (in my opinion): the Samsung Galaxy S2.
However, I live in the U.S. in which I do not think the SIM-capable unnerfed galaxy S2 will ever be coming out here.
Anyhow, I was hoping people who have bought the unlocked version of the S2 would be able to help me. My questions are as follows:
1) Which online vendor is the best place to buy an unlocked version of the S2? I have been researching many possible sites for the past few months. It seems NewEgg.com, Amazon.com, and Expansys-usa.com are most mentioned contenders. The question then becomes… which one to buy from? Who to trust? Anyone have experience in this arena?
2) From several reviews online, it seems people worldwide have been getting unlocked S2s with different starting languages/manuals. Are they all the same? Are there any fundamental differences in hardware or settings? If so, which one is best? It seems there are different versions with various configurations, such as with/without NFC. Hmm...
3) My main carrier in the U.S. is AT&T. What would I need to do to experience compatibility with this network? I would like to get HSPA+ (~ 4G speeds as claimed by AT&T, so to speak). Is there a special SIM from AT&T or tweaking within the phone I need to do to achieve this? Do I have to tell notify AT&T as well? What do I need to do to ensure compatibility with that network & the speeds I would like to achieve?
Phew. That is all. Thank you!!!!
As far as I know, the international version of i9100 is quad-brand 3G which matches AT&T. You can get 1 on amazon for around $700 USD
OR
you can get a LOCKED i9100m from Bell or Virgin Canada, then unlock it. This phone is 599.99 in Canada.
Isn't the Bell version CDMA-only? Does it offer SIM?
Anyhow, I'll try my hands on an international unlocked version. Now, the question still remains... which one to buy from? Amazon.com has many resellers. NewEgg and Expansys-USA are single resellers, but I would probably have to ask where they get theirs from.
Are there any differences in getting it via from the UK, Korea, India, etc? I would also need an adapter that can be plugged in the US.
Ok there lots of information if you used search feature
Cheapest place to buy currently is www.expansys-usa.com, you get it for 658.99 and you get additional $10 off with lsjuly10 voucher.
You get hspa+ speeds with att and you can also use $15 unlimited non smartphone plan with sgs2.
Search around and you can find lots of info on this. Hope this helps
Edit : just to answer your other question, you get us adapter along with the phone from expansys, amazon. You might mostly get a phone with uk firmware but it shouldn't really matter. Once you get the phone you can flash whatever firmware you want thru odin.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Thank you very much for the coupon!!!
Searching around, it seems like Expansys-USA might be the best bang for the buck to purchase the unlocked version.
I also tried e-mailing NewEgg.com and some Amazon.com vendors. NewEgg.com said their S2 was "made in China." Hmm. I am unsure if it means it is a Chinese version. One vendor from Amazon.com said it was "unsure of where the device came from."
I'm assuming since there's an Expansys-UK, the Expansys-USA may be coming from UK. Is the UK version good? I guess UK (since it's in English) would be best for me...
I've also heard some versions do not have NFC. Does the UK version have NFC or working NFC in the states?
Just get the bell one from canada and save yourself some money, its full hspa+ , meaning it will work with att 3g in the states. If you buy the european ones you'll likely pay upwards of 800$ I'm thinking...
Are the Bell ones unlocked? Where would I be able to find one? Any online resellers that are selling them? I thought the Bell ones were CDMA-only? Or do they also have SIM-card capabilities?
Driving up to Canada and purchasing one is not too feasible for me.
Alazarin said:
Are the Bell ones unlocked? Where would I be able to find one? Any online resellers that are selling them? I thought the Bell ones were CDMA-only? Or do they also have SIM-card capabilities?
Driving up to Canada and purchasing one is not too feasible for me.
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The bell ones are locked. Can be easly unlocked. They are sim ones. I using the one i bought with bell on telus
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Alazarin said:
Are the Bell ones unlocked? Where would I be able to find one? Any online resellers that are selling them? I thought the Bell ones were CDMA-only? Or do they also have SIM-card capabilities?
Driving up to Canada and purchasing one is not too feasible for me.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Nope, bell has been ditching its CDMA network for well over a year... All their new phones are gsm. Well not just driving up I'm saying ordering online from canada would probably even be cheaper than buying a european phone, and they are the same phone, no nfc, same model.
I`m living in UK and I bought my SGS2 1 month ago from ebay. was sealed and is factory unlocked. It`s 100% original, not a fake. As far as I now if is factory unlocked it`s working in USA on At&t H+ speed, and you don`t need to unlock. If you want you can order from UK or wait when will be release in USA. Hope this help. Good luck!
unleashed12 said:
Nope, bell has been ditching its CDMA network for well over a year... All their new phones are gsm. Well not just driving up I'm saying ordering online from canada would probably even be cheaper than buying a european phone, and they are the same phone, no nfc, same model.
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Do you have any recommendations to reliable online Canadian resellers?
The hard part is that I'm still deciding whether to buy from Expansys-USA (cheaper), Clove (great reviews + most reliable), or from an online Canadian reseller (could be even cheaper + more reliable since I live in the U.S.?). My main criteria is that:
I would like to buy the phone that was made in Korea, but for the UK/CA market (thus, factory sealed) and comes with a US adapter (not add-on). That seems to be the best one, but I am unsure which one would provide that.