Will you be buying an international version or an US version? - Galaxy S III Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

I'm in a dilemma in whether if I should buy the international version with the superior performing Exynos, or the US version with Snapdragon S4 with LTE. Although I've heard that one cannot really notice the performance difference in every day uses, I would like to go for the device with the best compatibility with the biggest development community. Please vote on which one would you be consider getting, as of now before either devices are released.
Please do NOT call yourself a developer unless you are capable of creating low level releases such as kernels and ROM. App developers and people who thinks they knows a lot about technology doesn't count.

its a little too soon to tell. i am still not totally convinced that the us is going to be stuck with the krait. att for one might work it with the exynos (you should change the tegra3 before you get pounced)... that is of course if the rumors are true that bell canada is gonna do lte with the quad.
personally i dont need lte and it is doubtful that att will have lte in nashville before my yearly upgrade. so i definitely want the quad core chip that samsung designed the phone around vs the krait that wasnt.

phermey said:
att for one might work it with the exynos (you should change the tegra3 before you get pounced)...
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Click to collapse
Was thinking about something else when I typed that, thanks for the heads up

eXecuter.bin said:
Was thinking about something else when I typed that, thanks for the heads up
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Click to collapse
lots of acronyms and proprietary names running around through our heads right now. decisions decisions.
ive got an itch to run and get the hox. but i cant until i know what gs3 att is going to get... and when. i sure would love to take the hox for a 29 day spin b4 i buy samsungs latest version of goodness.

USA version chimes with exynos. It's the same that Rogers is getting. Atleast Att will get it.
Sent from my HTC One X on Leedroid's ROM v5.1.0.

AT&T will find a way to ruin the phone. There is no way in hell i'm getting a tainted version

will Samsung sell the unlocked version here in the USA?

International for me no brainer. It will already be unlocked, will get the most developers and Cyanogenmod soonest, generally better resale value (of course, I don't get the subsidies, but I don't have to sign a contract either).
I won't feel too bad if I found out the American version with S4 chip would be faster or at least have better battery life.

samven582 said:
will Samsung sell the unlocked version here in the USA?
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Click to collapse
nope. the carriers will not allow it. there is always amazon and ebay.

International version is not an option for me (no GSM coverage) so I have to wait for Sprint/Verizon to launch it. I am not happy about that

International version - I live in Europe...
I'm upset though that I'll have to wait a bit longer for the 32GB version as it won't be available in my country right away (or it will be overpriced)
Sometimes living in Central Europe sucks

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Veri...I-shows-up-on-Nenamark-Benchmark-site_id30081
Shows the S4 on board for a possible US Verizon SGS3.

samven582 said:
will Samsung sell the unlocked version here in the USA?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I preordered mine here:
http://www.expansys-usa.com/samsung-galaxy-s-iii-android-smartphone-marble-white-unlocked-232311/
It appears to be the international version since the model number shown is GT-I9300

Definitely Intentional (64 GB)
1. Unlocked
2. Quad Core
3. I don't live in US
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium

International Version to use in APAC ofcourse

Neither. I'll be buying the national UK version
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA

riso123 said:
Neither. I'll be buying the national UK version
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then it's an international version

Only to Americans... to me its national/local. ;p
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA

Waiting to see what ATT offers before I make any rash decisions.

riso123 said:
Only to Americans... to me its national/local. ;p
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
International doesn't mean it's for a country other than your own, it means that it's for multiple countries.
Thus, it's the international.

Related

keep AT&T note or go international

i currently have the AT&T LTE version of the note
and someone is trying to trade with me for their international version (they have t-mobile) and i'm currently stuck at a crossroads,
i do love the home button on the international and the development they have going on in their forum. However, i feel like development here will start to pick up also (running saurom with holo kernal) i live in San Francisco where LTE is pretty strong for me but the exynos processor does also sound nice. So this is my dilemma, any advice would be appreciated!
Note: yes i did search the forum and have read all the posts regarding at&t vs international but they all go back and forth without solid opinions =/ that is perhaps why i'm stuck right now lol.
That up to u. U need to weigh the pros and cons. Warranty alone will keep me with att and I love my LTE!
Sent from the TermiNOTEr! ;-)
borijess said:
That up to u. U need to weigh the pros and cons. Warranty alone will keep me with att and I love my LTE!
Sent from the TermiNOTEr! ;-)
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Click to collapse
thats one of the cons against the international on my list right now, the lack of warranty ):
I thought about doing the same. I'm just gonna stick with my AT&T version. Pros and cons with both. But also remember if you ever wanna sell it and get most of your dough back, you'll get more for the AT&T version being its LTE. Especially if you have LTE in your area.
That's big for me being I always get the latest and greatest.
Vcolassi said:
I thought about doing the same. I'm just gonna stick with my AT&T version. Pros and cons with both. But also remember if you ever wanna sell it and get most of your dough back, you'll get more for the AT&T version being its LTE. Especially if you have LTE in your area.
That's big for me being I always get the latest and greatest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm the exact same way! Though I thought I'd get more with an international one lol as it being more "rare" here in the us
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
samtruongg said:
I'm the exact same way! Though I thought I'd get more with an international one lol as it being more "rare" here in the us
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I guess it depends, some people maybe won't feel comfortable with a international one for some reason. I guess it depends.
samtruongg said:
i currently have the AT&T LTE version of the note
and someone is trying to trade with me for their international version (they have t-mobile) and i'm currently stuck at a crossroads,
i do love the home button on the international and the development they have going on in their forum. However, i feel like development here will start to pick up also (running saurom with holo kernal) i live in San Francisco where LTE is pretty strong for me but the exynos processor does also sound nice. So this is my dilemma, any advice would be appreciated!
Note: yes i did search the forum and have read all the posts regarding at&t vs international but they all go back and forth without solid opinions =/ that is perhaps why i'm stuck right now lol.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, if you don't care about LTE then go for international, if you care about LTE then stick with it.
i think Lte is important to me since i am in LTE area and using a relay video service for deaf people to communicate. i know its a little lags if its stock but i am waiting for ICS ROM.
its just a month and more developments may come in few weeks or so.
sorry for my bad english.
Vcolassi said:
I guess it depends, some people maybe won't feel comfortable with a international one for some reason. I guess it depends.
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Click to collapse
I didn't think deciding would be this hard.. my lte service is hit or miss in some areas so i lean towards the international but the gut wrenching feeling of flashing roms without Samsung warranty pushes me towards at&t
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
Note
I say stick with the note, but that's really a question only you should decide.
I have the internation note and love it.u get abot 8mbps down and 1mbps up.thats not too bad.it looks lot better then att version and also it comes with 2 year warranty.if u have any friends oversees buy it.because u can change the csc anytime and get it fixed from any country.
Vcolassi said:
I thought about doing the same. I'm just gonna stick with my AT&T version. Pros and cons with both. But also remember if you ever wanna sell it and get most of your dough back, you'll get more for the AT&T version being its LTE. Especially if you have LTE in your area.
That's big for me being I always get the latest and greatest.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The international one fetches more because people outside of the US can use it as well. It is the same with Verizon phones.. they sell for less because you can only use them on Verizon.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
joshnichols189 said:
The international one fetches more because people outside of the US can use it as well. It is the same with Verizon phones.. they sell for less because you can only use them on Verizon.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using xda premium
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Click to collapse
True, true. However the way i was looking at it is alot of cities are starting to get ATT's LTE. So he would have no problem getting top dollar for a newer LTE phone on Ebay, Craigslist etc. People over by me have them listed at $600 or more even ive seen. I have actually seen the International version on craigslist for cheaper, around me at least. I seen a guy today selling a few week old international Galaxy Nexus for $250 .
I guess it just depends where you are and if your area supports LTE. Than obviously the 4G note would get top dollar.
Hey if u don't do it I'm willing to trade him my ATT one for he international version.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using xda premium
Heck, I had a hard time trying to find a white AT&T Note for my Dark Blue Int but it's understandable. While I love my Int Note which will go to my mom once I get my AT&T Note from a seller on this board. LTE in my area is hard to past up which is the reason why I went to a White AT&T Note.

Own EVO LTE want sgs3 can't decide international or us version ?

Just want honest opinion don't care about price or weather I have LTE on it I have the EVO LTE but also want the s3 .
Issue is I really don't want another contract with sprint .
So I'm leaning to the interational one its my first int device and like the community but the two gigs ram is attractive
Thanks people
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
since u were nice enough to pm, i'll answer and I think u should do the US version, it's gonna have the dual core which outshines the current quad cores, plus you would have working LTE here instead a slower data, assuming you live in the states, and witht he 2gb of ram, can't really see a reason to go international...
I'm in the same boat but you need to factor in faster dev support on the int compared to the US. If you're a constant flasher like myself, its a hard decision to make.
Here are my pros (YMMV)
Int:
Quad Core
Better GPU
32/64gb int storage (I believe there are 32gb flavors out there)
faster dev support
US:
LTE
2GB
cheaper (i believe full retail is 549.99 or 599.99, correct me if I'm wrong)
I'm in Canada and decided to go LTE because it should still be able to work in Europe when I go. But it has better hardware.
The downside to the international in NA you will be stuck on the EDGE/CDMA network, which is a major downside.
slight22 said:
I'm in Canada and decided to go LTE because it should still be able to work in Europe when I go. But it has better hardware.
The downside to the international in NA you will be stuck on the EDGE/CDMA network, which is a major downside.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
3G if you're on ATT
alchemist316 said:
Just want honest opinion don't care about price or weather I have LTE on it I have the EVO LTE but also want the s3 .
Issue is I really don't want another contract with sprint .
So I'm leaning to the interational one its my first int device and like the community but the two gigs ram is attractive
Thanks people
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the international phone is GSM, won't work on Sprint. why not just get the phone from sprint off contract?
Just curious as it's not mentioned. With the Sprint release on the 21st, will you still be in 30 day return window on your EVO LTE?
If not get the Sprint SGSIII.
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium
ScottyBeGood said:
Just curious as it's not mentioned. With the Sprint release on the 21st, will you still be in 30 day return window on your EVO LTE?
If not get the Sprint SGSIII.
Sent from my PG86100 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you got it for pre-order, no, cuz you only get 14 days but if you got it during the official release you could....
nicholaaaas said:
the international phone is GSM, won't work on Sprint. why not just get the phone from sprint off contract?
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Click to collapse
Well I got both lol I forgot to cancel one they the international one came and I might as,well keep the us version I just gave one of my epic touches to my dad lol .. I see all your points my curiosity got the best of me about the quad core not for the CPU but more the Mali400 is sounding a tad better than adreno 225 .
Sent from my EVO using xda premium
nicholaaaas said:
the international phone is GSM, won't work on Sprint. why not just get the phone from sprint off contract?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well at the time the off contract was not available yet it is but thinking its near impossible to get a good price if u want to sell a us version phone without taking a huge hit eg if I want to sell after 14 days yea I can put it at its close to full price but cutting contract is a major drop many more people in my experience buy unlocked devices myself included I'm hating sprint service over all on the lte and epic touch is horrid in the new England area .
I got both cause I will let my gf use the us one maybe lol but as of now I'd rather play with the over clocking and roms in the international forums .
Dev support should be great but as u see in the us sgs2 we are still using repacked stock kernels ..
To many politics over here thus why people say the int version will have more support .. I'm not sure that's true I mean numbers don't lie us and Canada are gonna be big on the dev scene but updates and proper source plague us in the us
Sent from my SPH-D710 using xda premium

S3 north america vs international???

hi guys! need a bit of info from you if you don't mind. i searched on the internet regarding the international s3 and north america version and could'n find a straight answer.
1. does the international s3 support 4g? in all descriptions it says "4G - REGIONAL"?
2. which one would you guys recommend? international or north america?
thank you
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=galaxy+s3+us+vs+international
Red Wolf said:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=galaxy+s3+us+vs+international
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Click to collapse
How did u do that? I need to do that for people 20+ times every day
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
colts187 said:
How did u do that? I need to do that for people 20+ times every day
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
its called let me google that for you (lmgtfy)
Sent from my beautiful GS3 int unlocked, rooted and beloved.
wow....
again with the smart answers.....
do you guys know how to read????????
i thought you guys have already the s3 and know the answer....
i CHECKED the internet and it doesn't say anything about 4G international, but then again if i asked your opinion about int. vs north america and you tell me to google....
thanks for the smart reply...
No, the international version (GT-I9300) does not support 4G, that's exactly why North America has its own versions (there are also some North American versions without 4G too, if I am correct).
The N.A. versions have 2 GB of RAM and a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor (Qualcomm Snapdragon S4), while the international version have 1 GB of RAM and a 1.4 GHZ quad-core processor (Samsung Exynos 4 Quad). In addition, the maximum up and down speeds on mobile networks are obviously quite a bit higher for 4G LTE than international, but if you, like I, mostly use wifi networks, international should be fine to (and I can say from my own experience that the mobile network speeds on the international version ain't that bad either).
You will have to make up your mind yourself, though, as I think in the end, it just comes down to personal preference. I have the international version myself, though I am perfectly fine with it and I wouldn't really exchange it for a 4G model even if I could.
nbnion said:
wow....
again with the smart answers.....
do you guys know how to read????????
i thought you guys have already the s3 and know the answer....
i CHECKED the internet and it doesn't say anything about 4G international, but then again if i asked your opinion about int. vs north america and you tell me to google....
thanks for the smart reply...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi Mr. Technology challenged. There are tons of threads in the general section with wars going on this topic. Check those out.
☞ sent from my GS3
Also if you aren't on ATT the international one isn't worth buying anyways.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Only question for me is do i want a quad or a dual?
The 2GB of ram is nice but negligible, very little will benefit from it, at the moment anyway.
The quad core system on my i9300 is a monster, i would hate to lose two of the cores.
Plus the development for the i9300 is top notch, which for me sell's itself.
I had a bad time with the evo 3D, the uk didn't like it very much and this was reflected in development, I chose it over the sensation XE as it had an extra 256MB of ram, oohhhh big mistake lol, the sensation wasn't as quick on paper but it was optimized due to better development and for that reason i was left wanting, huge regret.
Plus the 3D didn't help
The point i'm making is, don't go for a phone just because it's got a bit more ram, especially when what's already on offer (1GB) is more than enough.
The data side of it i wouldn't know as i'm in the UK, afaik it's pretty good here.
5mb down 1.5mb up, not too shabby
joshnichols189 said:
Also if you aren't on ATT the international one isn't worth buying anyways.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
OP is in Canada where we have widespread GSM.
International version has FM.
thank you so much guys, you made my life better
thanks
mikereidis said:
OP is in Canada where we have widespread GSM.
International version has FM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't see carrier logos in the XDA app so I said it anyways even so, in Canada you'll only get 2G on WIND and I believe Mobilicity but I could be wrong about the latter.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2

4g coming soon to UK

Hi all.I'm in the UK with the Samsung galaxy s3.and Orange/t~ mobile are advertising working 4g towards the end of the year.
Now I'm wondering is our s3 going to work on 4g ?
I've googled this and some sites say yes and others say no ?
Thanks in advance....
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
candyman993 said:
Hi all.I'm in the UK with the Samsung galaxy s3.and Orange/t~ mobile are advertising working 4g towards the end of the year.
Now I'm wondering is our s3 going to work on 4g ?
I've googled this and some sites say yes and others say no ?
Thanks in advance....
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, the GT-I9300 model does not and will not support 4G. This is the reason why the US Variants use a different SoC, as it has an inbuilt support for 4G, while the Exynos SoC does not.
4g is an absolute battery killer from what I can gather anyway, so not really bothered, do most of my downloading at home or over openzone
I reckon a Korean version would still give you the superior Exynos SOC, 2GB RAM and LTE/4G. I'm looking for somewhere to buy them. AFAIK Korean Telecomms use the same radio spectrum as we do.
The LTE version will soon be available in Germany,
Contact Orange in UK!!!!!!
Kryten2k35 said:
I reckon a Korean version would still give you the superior Exynos SOC, 2GB RAM and LTE/4G. I'm looking for somewhere to buy them. AFAIK Korean Telecomms use the same radio spectrum as we do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes that would work, although I would contact orange and see if they would comment on this, although try to make sure it would go through to someone in the UK not someone in India who is reading from a script!
If you do buy it from Korea be careful with ROM's and don't forget about import tax! :laugh:

Why there is no T-Mobile HTC ONE Forum?

I just wonder why there is no separate Forum for T-Mobile HTC ONE ? The device have been already confirmed to release and i even pre-ordered from HTC website. Both ATT and Sprint version have their own forums. This is just unfair xda.
zangoking said:
I just wonder why there is no separate Forum for T-Mobile HTC ONE ? The device have been already confirmed to release and i even pre-ordered from HTC website. Both ATT and Sprint version have their own thread. This is just unfair xda.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because the device does not launch until mid-May, whereas the AT&T and Sprint models have already been released to the public. I'm an idiot, just another passing fart.
Cynagen said:
Because the device does not launch until mid-May, whereas the AT&T and Sprint models have already been released to the public.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
att/sprint is officially released this friday and tmobile next wednesday
Cynagen said:
Because the device does not launch until mid-May, whereas the AT&T and Sprint models have already been released to the public.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
who told you that ?
First, T-Mobile official launching date is April 24th and you can get it by April19th if you ordered earlier at HTC website like me or from best-buy before they pulled that off.
Second, AT&T and sprint models haven't release officially until April 19th unless some att customers got a chance to buy because of the confusion with HTC First.
ayman86 said:
att/sprint is officially released this friday and tmobile next wednesday
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Then wtf? I thought the HTC One was slated with the same release as the S4/S3L (since T-Mo loves to release 5 models all at the same time, all at the same price point, and 2 of them are last-gen). Oh well, maybe we'll get a dedicated or we'll have the shared space that we're in already because the T-Mo version will be closest to the international versions? Or is the T-Mo version close enough to the AT&T version that we'll just get blended into there. I'm honestly looking at the S4 or N4 for my next phone for LTE.
T Mobile USA tweeted today that it will be available on the 24th, next Wednesday.
http://www.technobuffalo.com/2013/04/16/tmobile-htc-one-april-24-wifi-calling/
Cynagen said:
Then wtf? I thought the HTC One was slated with the same release as the S4/S3L (since T-Mo loves to release 5 models all at the same time, all at the same price point, and 2 of them are last-gen). Oh well, maybe we'll get a dedicated or we'll have the shared space that we're in already because the T-Mo version will be closest to the international versions? Or is the T-Mo version close enough to the AT&T version that we'll just get blended into there. I'm honestly looking at the S4 or N4 for my next phone for LTE.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile version is totally different with International version and AT&T. AT&T version is identical to Unlocked Developer version and almost same as international version.
T-Mobile version has AWS Band and different LTE frequency and WiFi calling which is different kind of radio and ROM.\
So they have to create separate Forum anyway but i just don't know why they haven't create yet
zangoking said:
T-Mobile version is totally different with International version and AT&T. AT&T version is identical to Unlocked Developer version and almost same as international version.
T-Mobile version has AWS Band and different LTE frequency and WiFi calling which is different kind of radio and ROM.\
So they have to create separate Forum anyway but i just don't know why they haven't create yet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree they should.
No need, the ATT One forum shouldn't even exist. TMOUS, EMEA LTE, and ATT are all M7_UL. Only Sprint needs another section, it is a different codename.
Hunt3r.j2 said:
No need, the ATT One forum shouldn't even exist. TMOUS, EMEA LTE, and ATT are all M7_UL. Only Sprint needs another section, it is a different codename.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That was my thought? Why did they even make a ATT forum? I mean it's nice that they don't clog it up over here but really tmobile att and international should be the same forum they just have different radios flashed that's it (oh and some unfortunate branding on the back )
nullkill said:
That was my thought? Why did they even make a ATT forum? I mean it's nice that they don't clog it up over here but really tmobile att and international should be the same forum they just have different radios flashed that's it (oh and some unfortunate branding on the back )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
t-mo version will be unbranded muahaha
They probably didn't know. Should be easy to merge ATT together along with tmo with the international forum
Sent from my Nexus 4 using xda premium
iamfightaa said:
t-mo version will be unbranded muahaha
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you sure they are showing a logo on the back like the ATT
nullkill said:
you sure they are showing a logo on the back like the ATT
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-Mobile hardly ever does the branding on the back where it can be worn away over time. They like to do under the glass on the face so it's practically impossible to get rid of it. Either way, I wouldn't care, I get far superior service to everyone else besides Verizon where I live, so I'm perfectly happy carrying around something with their branding on it.
T-Mobile's HTC One does NOT have branding, that is a fact.
Turb0wned said:
T-Mobile's HTC One does NOT have branding, that is a fact.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Unbranded is always a plus as well!
zangoking said:
T-Mobile version is totally different with International version and AT&T. AT&T version is identical to Unlocked Developer version and almost same as international version.
T-Mobile version has AWS Band and different LTE frequency and WiFi calling which is different kind of radio and ROM.\
So they have to create separate Forum anyway but i just don't know why they haven't create yet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why would you create separate forum for device that has not been sold or delivered yet.
Witek_M said:
Why would you create separate forum for device that has not been sold or delivered yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your logic flies in the face of the reality that there is the AT&T forum and while they have been sold they've only just been shipped. XDA is usually really good about setting up the forum section for devices upwards a month before shipping. So with the T-Mobile version now around the corner we should see a merge or new section formed soon.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
nullkill said:
That was my thought? Why did they even make a ATT forum? I mean it's nice that they don't clog it up over here but really tmobile att and international should be the same forum they just have different radios flashed that's it (oh and some unfortunate branding on the back )
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So that they can congregate and work on unlocking their bootloader
Cynagen said:
Your logic flies in the face of the reality that there is the AT&T forum and while they have been sold they've only just been shipped. XDA is usually really good about setting up the forum section for devices upwards a month before shipping. So with the T-Mobile version now around the corner we should see a merge or new section formed soon.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And that section could be subdivided into users with black/silver/red, right/left hand use, 32GB/64GB, locked/unlocked, straight/gay/lesbian which could be divided into many other subforums until someone happy with their own section starts crying why there are only two posts there.

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