I suspect someone has asked this before, but I can't see an answer...
Here in Israel, the S2 is marketed as two versions - the I9100 and the I9100T. From what people have been saying, it seems the former supports the 900/1900/2100 bands while the latter supports the 850/1900/2100 bands (there's also a difference in the SAR). However, all the specs I've seen for the device indicate it's supposed to be a quad-band device.
Is the difference in available frequencies something hardwired into the particular model? Or can I change it by changing the firmware?
Thx
I have an i9100t in australia which is 850mhz network telstra, however the 3g data has some problems on a 900mhz network. This phone maybe different even though the specification says dual 850/900hz be careful. I do not have a solution yet. Hopefully this can be fixed by firmware mod.
Hey guys,
I have searched throughout the forums but have not been able to find a solid answer. I just got a Korean variant of the SG2, model M250K. I reside in Canada and am on the Fido network which is the same as Rogers. Wondering if this is a software or hardware issue. I am on the stock Korean firmware. The phone is working except I cannot acquire 3G data. Is there anything I can do to let it acquire 3g speeds here, Fido uses the 850 frequency. As far as I have read the korean firmware does not use that frequency hence I am getting edge connections. Are all of the Samsung Galaxy S2 phones built the same ie, GSM phones all have the same abilities. Would flashing to another firmware allow me to connect to the 850 frequency. Basivcally is this a software issue or hardware issue. Thanks guys.
Hey,
A friend that's down from the UK wanted to buy a phone here in the US, but I was wondering: will the international version (or the tmobile version) work fine there? His carrier is specifically Orange. I couldn't find specific information on what frequencies they use, so I thought it'd be better to ask. Thanks
If it's International it will work
kennypu said:
Hey,
A friend that's down from the UK wanted to buy a phone here in the US, but I was wondering: will the international version (or the tmobile version) work fine there? His carrier is specifically Orange. I couldn't find specific information on what frequencies they use, so I thought it'd be better to ask. Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your title says "can I use the international version in the UK?", but your question seems to ask "can I use the international version in the US?"
The answer to both questions is yes.
I have the international version (i9100), and live in the US and have been using it on AT&T for quite some time.
It can also work on T-Mobile USA's network, but will only get Edge data speeds on that network due to T-Mobile USA using the AWS band for high speed mobile data. (the AWS band requires a band the i9100 doesn't receive)
Edit to add: I just re-read the line that says "A friend that's down from the UK wanted to buy a phone here in the US, but I was wondering: will the international version (or the tmobile version) work fine there?"... Does this mean he wants to buy a T-Mobile USA phone and try to take it back to Europe? I don't think I'd recommend that for the reason I cited above for why the i9100 doesn't work for high speed data on T-Mobile USA's network. T-Mobile USA's Galaxy S II variant is the SGH-T989, which is a totally different phone, that works on different frequencies. So I guess; can you ask your question a bit more clearly?
ctomgee said:
Your title says "can I use the international version in the UK?", but your question seems to ask "can I use the international version in the US?"
The answer to both questions is yes.
I have the international version (i9100), and live in the US and have been using it on AT&T for quite some time.
It can also work on T-Mobile USA's network, but will only get Edge data speeds on that network due to T-Mobile USA using the AWS band for high speed mobile data. (the AWS band requires a band the i9100 doesn't receive)
Edit to add: I just re-read the line that says "A friend that's down from the UK wanted to buy a phone here in the US, but I was wondering: will the international version (or the tmobile version) work fine there?"... Does this mean he wants to buy a T-Mobile USA phone and try to take it back to Europe? I don't think I'd recommend that for the reason I cited above for why the i9100 doesn't work for high speed data on T-Mobile USA's network. T-Mobile USA's Galaxy S II variant is the SGH-T989, which is a totally different phone, that works on different frequencies. So I guess; can you ask your question a bit more clearly?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
sorry for the confusion, but yes your edit is correct: a friend wants to buy a phone here, and take it back to the UK for use.
kennypu said:
sorry for the confusion, but yes your edit is correct: a friend wants to buy a phone here, and take it back to the UK for use.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hmm. Again, I wouldn't recommend it. From what I know, GSM carriers in the US tend to favor different frequencies (850/1900 on AT&T, 1700/2100 on T-mobile) than GSM carriers in Europe. (GSM 900/1800)
Some phones have enough band cross-over that they can be bought and used on the network he wants, but without doing extensive research into whatever model phone he is interested in, and also what band frequencies his carrier specifically uses, it would be a guessing game.
For example, I did about 2 weeks worth of heavy research before I bought an unlocked I9100 to use in the US on AT&T's network.
I've seen plenty of people buy the same phone to use on T-mobile USA, only to find out they can only get Edge data speed, and wonder why.
ctomgee said:
Hmm. Again, I wouldn't recommend it. From what I know, GSM carriers in the US tend to favor different frequencies (850/1900 on AT&T, 1700/2100 on T-mobile) than GSM carriers in Europe. (GSM 900/1800)
Some phones have enough band cross-over that they can be bought and used on the network he wants, but without doing extensive research into whatever model phone he is interested in, and also what band frequencies his carrier specifically uses, it would be a guessing game.
For example, I did about 2 weeks worth of heavy research before I bought an unlocked I9100 to use in the US on AT&T's network.
I've seen plenty of people buy the same phone to use on T-mobile USA, only to find out they can only get Edge data speed, and wonder why.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ironically, I did exactly did what you mentioned (tmo + international version). From what I gathered, It looks like europe does support GT-i9100, just the P varient, which seem to have the same exact hardware + NFC. So I think I can safely assume it will work, but I would rather get an answer from someone with more knowledge.
kennypu said:
ironically, I did exactly did what you mentioned (tmo + international version). From what I gathered, It looks like europe does support GT-i9100, just the P varient, which seem to have the same exact hardware + NFC. So I think I can safely assume it will work, but I would rather get an answer from someone with more knowledge.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Um... I don't think you get it.
The I9100 is sold pretty much everywhere BUT the US. It's sold in the UK, in fact. Mine came from the UK.
The only difference between the I9100 and the I9100P is the I9100P has NFC hardware built into it, and the I9100 does not. Otherwise, the I9100 and I9100P operate on the same frequencies.
The US variants of the Galaxy S II are completely different hardware.
The AT&T variant is the SGH-I777.
The T-Mobile USA variant is the SGH-T989.
The Sprint variant is the SPH-D710.
The US Cellular variant is the SCH-R760.
(those last two are CDMA variants, and may not even work in Europe)
You can see nearly all the variants on the wikipedia page.
so it's safe to assume it will work, got it. thank you very much.
kennypu said:
so it's safe to assume it will work, got it. thank you very much.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, if he buys an i9100, yes.
If he buys any of the US variants, not so much.
Hi there everyone,
I have a unbranded Aussie GT-I9100 that i bought in cambodia and use it alot here. But when i go back to the USA for a visit i plan on doing some travelling around and want to know if flashing a USA modem pack would allow me better to access more of the GSM networks in the US? I know several networks run on either 1700mhz or 1900mhz for 3G/HSPA+ and this phones modem is not setup to allow access to those frequencies for 3G/HSPA+ . Or is that just how the hardware is setup?
Thanks for the help
Shawn
The phone won't be able to use frequencies the hardware doesn't support full stop. No flashing of modems will change that. Choose a carrier over there that you know uses the frequencies the phone hardware uses (or you might be left with using 2G or even have no connectivity). The I9100 was never sold by carriers in the US (there are no specific US stock roms & bundled modems that you know will work), so you might end up having to experiment if you get poor connectivity with the modem you're currently running. Might want to download as many modems as you can get your hands on before you go & take them with you.
But best advice is as above, choose a carrier that uses the same freqs as the phone to avoid teeth gnashing.
I live in Australia and I know there's carrier firmware for Optus, Telstra, Vodaphone, and just XSA for Australia I would like to know if Optus, Telstra, Vodaphone specifically tune there modem files they provide in there firmware, so using Optus firmware with Optus sim card provides a better reception, battery life network speeds, then say using XSA with a modem that's for all Australia and no specific network intended.
I've also read someone suggesting sometimes carriers don't update there modem files they just stick with one that they found to work throughout a phones lifetime, uncertain how true untrue this statement was.
Thanks.