I'm looking to buy a used G8X on eBay (GSM Unlocked) to use in the Dominican Republic. I was wondering if there's an advantage to buying one version over another (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, etc) or if they're all the same. I know some times phones will have diferent variants that won't let you use the same rooting methods or the same ROMs.
Also, do all versions support the dual screen case, even if it didn't originally come with it? I'd probably buy the phone without the dual screen and maybe buy that later.
Thanks in advance.
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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
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
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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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.
Hey,
I am thinking of buying this phone, but I want to know whats the difference between the AT&T version and the international version or UK version?
There are so many versions, I want to know what is the difference and which one is the best one to buy?
Please let me know as I am confused.
Thanks.
UK version is the same as the international version.
The at&t version is the same as the international version but with 4 buttons rather than 3 on the international version.
The tmobile USA version is totally different soc and almost a totally different phone.
Sprint sgs2 is also different as it has a cdma radio.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
I guess I am going to get the Internation version/UK, good decision?
With the ISGS2 you get:
- No carrier-added bloatware
- Unrestricted tethering
- Updates directly from Samsung
- No carrier mandated s/w & h/w changes
- Two year warranty if bought in the UK or from Expansys-USA
- You can use the data for non-Smartphones plan and get fake-4G for $10 a month
With the ASGS2 you get:
- Insurance and warranty support from AT&T
- Hobbled tethering
- NFC (but nothing to do with it)
- Four capacitive buttons vs. the Samsung multi-function hardware home key
- Screen display mode has been removed
- Dive (phone tracking) has been removed
- No FM radio
- Dependency on AT&T for updates if you don't root and they've been known to suck
If you're buying the phone outright they're almost the same price now. The only reason to get one from AT&T is if you're concerned about insurance and/or warranty service. If the ISGS2 breaks you'll be without for a few weeks while it's repaired overseas.
I wont be using the phone in USA, I will be using it in Canada. So I guess International version is better?
I dont need NFC, and looks like AT&T removed alot of features/softwares and made the phone limited....?
Can someone tell me is this SGS2 exact same as International version: http://www.bell.ca/shopping/Samsung...MOB_shophmpg_BAN_GalaxySII_mass_071911_TM_ALL ?
Thanks.
awaisuk said:
I wont be using the phone in USA, I will be using it in Canada. So I guess International version is better?
I dont need NFC, and looks like AT&T removed alot of features/softwares and made the phone limited....?
Can someone tell me is this SGS2 exact same as International version: http://www.bell.ca/shopping/Samsung...MOB_shophmpg_BAN_GalaxySII_mass_071911_TM_ALL ?
Thanks.
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Any carrier phone is going to have modifications made to it by the carrier. Although, the Canadian carriers don't seem to molest them as much as the U.S. carriers. A phone purchased from a carrier is locked to that carrier. Some provide unlock codes for phones purchased outright, others don't. You can also get an unlock code from an online service - do a search. I don't know if Bell provides warranty support for phones purchased from them and used on other carriers. It's something you should investigate.
nexus prime is coming in a couple of days from now
I have been buying the AT&T versions for years now, extending my contract term and trying the NEXT plan. But with the bigger carriers locking the software down I want to buy an international version, but I'm unsure where to get one.
interesting, I was looking at us version of Samsung site and realize they do not sell latest smartphones provider free and unlocked;
you have to try the Canada site, looks like up north here, we can buy Samsung phones unlocked, even the newest ones
There are a number of sites that deal with overseas international phones. You can also find them on Amazon.com quite easily. Here is one http://welectronics.com/gsm/SAMSUNGSMPHONES.shtml take note they are selling a 32GB & 64GB only version, not sure if they can't get the 128GB option, or it will come later.
Order Directly from Samsung or Use eBay Amazon Walmart Best buy or this super place swappa.com
Buying an international version sounds like a good idea.
biggstkk said:
I have been buying the AT&T versions for years now, extending my contract term and trying the NEXT plan. But with the bigger carriers locking the software down I want to buy an international version, but I'm unsure where to get one.
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I'm in the same boat. Just need to make sure the international version will support AT&T's LTE bands. If they do, I'll be going this route as well.
Try GSM Nation. Thet have the unlocked and at&t compatible version. Pre-Ordered mine.
Do not even try Canada. Yes we have stuff that work on pretty much all GSM carriers, but never can you buy an unlocked phone unless it's Google, Chinese made or bought overpriced on Sony's website. Samsung Nevers sells unlocked here. Got to use typical methods
Canada is not really international per se, Its networks are set up almost if not identical to those in the US, hence almost all devices are identical to those available in the US market.
There are however, few retailers that sells international versions of devices here in Canada. NCIX.com and Expansys Canada are the first 2 that come to mind. Its just a little more tougher to find as some retailers either don't post the complete information or don't even know their own inventory as some may carry the international versions without even knowing it.
Any other suggestions?
Buy an unbranded one off eBay.
Wonder why att has their own specific version of cam plus (CBG-720). Hope it's just a super-special at&t logo, not something stupid (like restricting device from working on other g5 models)
http://www.lg.com/us/lg-friends/lg-CBG-720.AATTSV-cam-plus
Verizon/sprint/tmobile/us cellular share same model (CBG-700)
http://www.lg.com/us/lg-friends/lg-CBG-700.AVRZSV-cam-plus
Modules are whitelisted on phones - possible for generic module not to work on att's lg g5
(B&O module imported from Europe will not work on USA models)
Hello, found this out the hard way I have the ATT G5 H820 and bought the T-mobile version of the cam plus. It will not even power on after installing the module. Will be returning for correct version.
That makes no sense to me...Why would you, as a company, make carrier versions of hardware accessories? Is there any carrier branding on the CamPlus?
raynan said:
That makes no sense to me...Why would you, as a company, make carrier versions of hardware accessories? Is there any carrier branding on the CamPlus?
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Click to collapse
being consumer-friendly is not a trait shared by some carriers/manufacturers
Mojar7070 said:
Hello, found this out the hard way I have the ATT G5 H820 and bought the T-mobile version of the cam plus. It will not even power on after installing the module. Will be returning for correct version.
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when you get an AT&T version, bring it to a t-mobile store and try it on a tmobile display phone.....
my guess is that it won't work either
There are time when a carrier request the manufacturer to make parts or accessories for their branded product only by inserting a simply code only phone with the same code that can recognized it.
This is probably the case.
these request usually will cost alot for the companies like At&t to pay LG.
It's stupid. I bought the wrong one too not even knowing there were different models of the same thing. Bunk.
Updating the Post
Well, so far.. THis been a year that this was discussed. I bought a camera module for my phone without knowing about the difference between At&T and other ones... Now I got a brand new Cam module that doesn`t work in my AT&T LG G5...
Do you guys know if it is possibile to bypass that by software? Or install a different firmware on the phone that will allow me to use this module?>
Thanks in advance
Hi guys, i am from Mexico and im gonna buy a lg v60 from Aliexpress, but there are a lot of versions of the same device: Tmobile, Verizon, ATT even japanese version. All of the phones are unlocked but i want to buy a the cleanest version of the phone and root it, if possible. Any suggestion or any model is okay?
Tmobile or ATT, do not buy JP variant, verison with some hardvare problems