Okay gang, I need your help. I'm new to the android landscape (note was my first android device) and was asked by a good friend of mine to find her a phone.
She's looking for a Unlocked Samsung Galaxy series phone that she can use here in the US as well as be able to swap a sim card and use for service in Italy when she visits.
So two questions. What device do you all recommend, and where is the best place to procure it?
Thanks in advance!! I know this is a galaxy note forum, but couldn't think of a better group of folks to field these questions
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 running appdroid's TEAM PERFECTION'S ICS OBJECTION via Tapatalk 2
Any lte phone should work as they are world phones
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
Galaxy Nexus from the google store
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
crxlvr said:
Any lte phone should work as they are world phones
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
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Click to collapse
Are LTE frequencies the same worldwide?
MUFC17JW said:
Galaxy Nexus from the google store
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using XDA
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Agreed. The unlocked Nexus $399.99 is the best choice for now.
Sent from my AT&T Galaxy Note™ - please forgive any typos
Here's a list of frequencies used by country:
http://allworldcellphones.com/gsm-frequencies-list.htm
Italy uses GSM 900 and 1800 frequencies which is supported by the International Note as well as the I717. I didn't see anything about LTE or HSDPA related figures, but I only looked for 3 min and clicked the first link.
My suggestion would be for her to determine what she wants in a phone. Does she want to take notes? does she want a small phone? As long as the phone has the proper frequencies, she would be able to use it in Italy. Most AT&T phones have the capability of running 800 and 1800 as well as many others, but verify by looking at the specs before buying. If she has a US carrier in mind (like AT&T) she can buy one of those subsidized and pay an unlock fee from a site (cheapest I've heard of was $8) and will probably save money.
If she wants to buy a phone outright I'd say look at the galaxy 2 series. From what I hear it's a great phone, a large community here (if she feels the urge to mod it) and can pick a new unlocked one for about 400.
Hope this helps a little.
any international unlocked phone will work. the international gs3 wouldnt be a bad bet. n7000 as well. you just wont have lte. I would not recommend an at&t direct phone because it will not be unlocked. so sim flipping could be an issue in italy.
International Galaxy Note, Galaxy Nexus, or wait for the Galaxy S3 to come out.
-Once you go NOTE, you'd say 4 inches a Joke
Related
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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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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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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.
I have one I do not use due to it being GSM and want to get rid of to buy a one I can actually use[Galaxy nexus CDMA].
I put the listing on Ebay[expired],Craigslist and Swappa. I would try the XDA forum as ive been told but there I cannot post there due to the new restrictions. Can you help out XDA?
EternalPal said:
I have one I do not use due to it being CDMAand want to get rid of to buy a one I can actually use[Galaxy nexus GSM].
I put the listing on Ebay[expired],Craigslist and Swappa. I would try the XDA forum as ive been told but there I cannot post there due to the new restrictions. Can you help out XDA?
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you have a cdma i777?
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
gsrrr said:
you have a cdma i777?
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk
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i think he means a wcdma?
try ebay instasale
http://instantsale.ebay.com/offer/Samsung-SGH-i777-Galaxy-S-II/37137/
dirtbikerr450 said:
i think he means a wcdma?
try ebay instasale
http://instantsale.ebay.com/offer/Samsung-SGH-i777-Galaxy-S-II/37137/
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yes sorry WCDMA , and they only give me 137.80 for it :/ not enough for a used galaxy.
I'm confused what the GSM galaxy nexus will offer over the GS II. Don't they both use the same HSPA+ / WCDMA frequencies, if you get the GSM version?
Regardless I think you will be extremely lucky if you can find a way to swap a Galaxy S II for a Galaxy Nexus. If you ever do find a way that by some miracle gets you a GSM Galaxy Nexus for a i777 straight over, do let us know.
XDA does have a marketplace forum for buying, selling, and trading.
Sent from my Galaxy S II (i777)
Here you go
http://www.gazelle.com/catalog/cell-phones/samsung/galaxy/samsung-galaxy-s-ii-sgh-i777/477464-gpid
quarlow said:
I'm confused what the GSM galaxy nexus will offer over the GS II. Don't they both use the same HSPA+ / WCDMA frequencies, if you get the GSM version?
Regardless I think you will be extremely lucky if you can find a way to swap a Galaxy S II for a Galaxy Nexus. If you ever do find a way that by some miracle gets you a GSM Galaxy Nexus for a i777 straight over, do let us know.
XDA does have a marketplace forum for buying, selling, and trading.
Sent from my Galaxy S II (i777)
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Click to collapse
I don't have a CDMA network to use the phone right now its just sitting there. I have verizon thus my need for a GSM phone. I know it does but with the new restrictions I cannot post or even look at the forum :/
I think your confused. You cant use any GSM phone on Verizon. Unless maybe its unlocked? Verizon is CDMA. Along with Sprint. GSM can be used with ATT and T Mobile. i777 is for ATT. Unless you have the International version i9100. Then you should be able to put a T Mobile sim in it.
REOGrand said:
I think your confused. You cant use any GSM phone on Verizon. Unless maybe its unlocked? Verizon is CDMA. Along with Sprint. GSM can be used with ATT and T Mobile. i777 is for ATT. Unless you have the International version i9100. Then you should be able to put a T Mobile sim in it.
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Wait a second, so your saying I CAN use my i777 on verizon?its the AT&T model. I was told by AT&T that i cannot use this phone on verizon.
Edit: Nvm. So I need to purchase a verizon nexus. Ok. well I guess I still need to sale this phone.
EternalPal said:
Wait a second, so your saying I CAN use my i777 on verizon?its the AT&T model. I was told by AT&T that i cannot use this phone on verizon.
Edit: Nvm. So I need to purchase a verizon nexus. Ok. well I guess I still need to sale this phone.
Click to expand...
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Yes, you need a CDMA/LTE Galaxy Nexus for Verizon. The i777 will not work on Verizon.
None of AT&T's LTE phones will work on Verizon, even if unlocked. What AT&T calls 4G that isn't LTE, their HSPA+, is also referred to as WCDMA, plus their 3G is called WCDMA, but its not CDMA like Verizon or Sprint. If that wasn't confusing enough both AT&T and Verizon use 700 MHz LTE, but they are not using the same section of the 700 range so they are not interoperable. Unlike EDGE (2G) that is interopeable on AT&T vs T-Mobile. And some regions of AT&T and T-Mobile use the same 3G frequencies, so some 3G phones have limited functionality on both GSM networks.
Basic rule of thumb, for best results get a phone specifically made for your carrier.
quarlow said:
Yes, you need a CDMA/LTE Galaxy Nexus for Verizon. The i777 will not work on Verizon.
None of AT&T's LTE phones will work on Verizon, even if unlocked. What AT&T calls 4G that isn't LTE, their HSPA+, is also referred to as WCDMA, plus their 3G is called WCDMA, but its not CDMA like Verizon or Sprint. If that wasn't confusing enough both AT&T and Verizon use 700 MHz LTE, but they are not using the same section of the 700 range so they are not interoperable. Unlike EDGE (2G) that s interopeable on AT&T vs T-Mobile. And some regions of AT&T and T-Mobile se the same 3G frequencies, so some 3G phones have limited functionality on both GSM networks.
Basic rule of thumb, for best results get a phone specifically made for your carrier.
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Yeah it was a gift so i didnt really have a say in it. but thanks for the info none the less
I just brought the price down to 300 on swappa incase anyone is interested.
These phones aren't going to sell for nearly what they could a few months ago sadly. U can grab one for almost nothing nowadays by signing up for new contract. I got mine for a hundred. But u see them for as low as 25 bucks.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2
Phalanx7621 said:
These phones aren't going to sell for nearly what they could a few months ago sadly. U can grab one for almost nothing nowadays by signing up for new contract. I got mine for a hundred. But u see them for as low as 25 bucks.
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2
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I got mine for a penny during Black Friday on Amazon. I've seen people asking $400-$500 for a GS2 on Craigslist, though.
raduque said:
I got mine for a penny during Black Friday on Amazon. I've seen people asking $400-$500 for a GS2 on Craigslist, though.
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Yeah I know, it'll take those people a bit to realize but the price will steadily decline. Not like horrible but.....meh. I don't care I'm never selling this *****
Sent from my SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2
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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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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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?
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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
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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.
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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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
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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
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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.
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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
I have a galaxy s3 32gb tmobile a guy is offering me his galaxy note Att and says that it can be used with tmobile. First of all hows the 4G i live in vegas and he is also adding a mophie juicepack powerstation 6000mah. What do you guys think?
Not worthed. That att note will give you problems on t-mobile
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
is it really that bad?
In theory its a good trade, you'll be happy with the note over the S3. But I have no experience with running it on TMob. I would read the several threads concerning the flashing of TMob radios and the experience of the users to get a feel for how successful you'll be.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I717 using Tapatalk 2
no experience with tmobile but i would not trade ..the note 2 is right around the corner even though it appears that tmobile wont be getting an lte version at first.
OP the choice falls onto you ultimately. Thank You thread closed.