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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 $15 unlimited non smartphone plan with sgs2.
Search around and you can find lots of info on this. Hope this helps
Edit : just to answer your other question, you get us adapter along with the phone from expansys, amazon. You might mostly get a phone with uk firmware but it shouldn't really matter. Once you get the phone you can flash whatever firmware you want thru odin.
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Thank you very much for the coupon!!!
Searching around, it seems like Expansys-USA might be the best bang for the buck to purchase the unlocked version.
I also tried e-mailing NewEgg.com and some Amazon.com vendors. NewEgg.com said their S2 was "made in China." Hmm. I am unsure if it means it is a Chinese version. One vendor from Amazon.com said it was "unsure of where the device came from."
I'm assuming since there's an Expansys-UK, the Expansys-USA may be coming from UK. Is the UK version good? I guess UK (since it's in English) would be best for me...
I've also heard some versions do not have NFC. Does the UK version have NFC or working NFC in the states?
Just get the bell one from canada and save yourself some money, its full hspa+ , meaning it will work with att 3g in the states. If you buy the european ones you'll likely pay upwards of 800$ 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.
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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.
Has anyone seen the 64gb 3G version of Samsung Tab 10.1 anywhere?
Seems suspiciously missing from the market all over, wondering if I should just settle for the 32gb version if Samsung is not going to release any 64gb versions.
In the UK, the intro of the 32GB and 64GB 3G models have been delayed twice. I know because I'm waiting for a 32GB that I already paid for to be shipped. The current dates are early October for the 32GB and mid-October for the 64GB. There are definately no 64GB anywhere in the world and the only 32GB I've found is in South Africa.
ok, if it helps you .. the 3G version, 32GB was just released in Singapore (Asia) this weekend ..
zhix said:
ok, if it helps you .. the 3G version, 32GB was just released in Singapore (Asia) this weekend ..
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SAM-TAB10164 Heared of that, there is some info on the net.Very cool!Have you see it on your own? What't the price there?£549.99?
about 788 USD without any mobile data plans.
Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 3G 64GB
zhix said:
about 788 USD without any mobile data plans.
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That's a lot,but reasonable.When it comes to Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 3G 64GB, I am curious too. We may try to find an answer on other forums.
HONG KONG SELL at HKD$1288 with 261x 24mth data+voice plan = USD$800
perrchk said:
HONG KONG SELL at HKD$1288 with 261x 24mth data+voice plan = USD$800
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Hi perrchk, you are refering to the 64GB version?
Still no news from anywhere .. going to wait till mid Oct, before i give up and get the 32GB model
Clove UK is claiming an Mid-Oct release for the 64GB model.
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Yupp.. In indonesia 32GB 3G was just out last week
the 8.9" 16GB 3G is coming out launching this weekend
HI VouSDru, actually the question is on the 64GB version rather then the 32 GB version.
i'm starting to think, with all the resources at Samsung focusing on pumping out the 8.9" and 7" inches, they might not even release the 10.1 tab with 64 GB ! .. unfortunately, Samsung is refusing to comment or update on the availability of the 64Gb.
zhix said:
i'm starting to think, with all the resources at Samsung focusing on pumping out the 8.9" and 7" inches, they might not even release the 10.1 tab with 64 GB ! .. unfortunately, Samsung is refusing to comment or update on the availability of the 64Gb.
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I know bro its about 64GB .. What I am trying to say is that its just a matter of time for 64GB to appear .. since the 32GB took 2 months to appear since 16GB 3G lauching
I think Samsung is less worry about the existence of 64GB .. I am guessing all the resources is focusing in fixing more serious problems of NR/Watermark issues before releasing more products
Resellers in the UK started receiving stock for the 32GB 3G model today. The 64GB is supposed to be available mid-October. I'll have my 32GB next week and I'll post differences between it and the U.S. Wi-Fi version.
I hope they will be also available in germany asap...
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Singapore just released the 3G version of the 64GB yesterday .. snag myself a set !
Last week in the Czech republic it became available. Only a few were sent to some stores and already sold out.
I got mine
yeah .. i went down to the stores 1 hour after the annoucement was made, and only the last set was left !!
unfortuntely, there were scratches or dust UNDER the screen, and i had to return it .. now waiting for the replacement unit.
Hi everyone!
I am interested to buy a 32gb Xperia Tablet and would prefer Wi-Fi/3G and was wondering where to buy in the UK. I have looked at the Sony site and can't see the click now to buy button!
I was also wondering if the only 3G version is the 16gb version and if 32gb 3G versions are due for release.
I read that the 64gb is only available in the US.
Please can you tell me where you bought your Xperia Tablet?
Thanks!
Ofiaich
ofiaich said:
Hi everyone!
I am interested to buy a 32gb Xperia Tablet and would prefer Wi-Fi/3G and was wondering where to buy in the UK. I have looked at the Sony site and can't see the click now to buy button!
I was also wondering if the only 3G version is the 16gb version and if 32gb 3G versions are due for release.
I read that the 64gb is only available in the US.
Please can you tell me where you bought your Xperia Tablet?
Thanks!
Ofiaich
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The 3g version is only 16gb by the way, but with a full size SD card, this is no problem. You can pick from a sony centre although there are low stocks as most shops have sold out, seems Sony were caught out by how many will sell.
Correct, the 64gb is not available in the UK, only the US for some strange reason.
I bought my Sony Xperia Tablet the second it was released in UK stores. Picked it up at my local Sony Center.
Thanks to you both!
I think my nearest centres are York and Sheffield! Off to search!
Ofiaich
I am seeing z2s on ebay and amazon from the UK and Hong Kong. Are they genuine? Will they work in the US in regards to power and ROMs and such? No US speced model listed on Sony site as of yet so im cautious to by one intended for another market. What would need to be done to use it in the US?
There are 3 different models of z2 tablets, wifi only 16gb, 32gb, and wifi+lte 16gb and they all are worldwide as far as i know
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From what I have read Sony has, wifi only and wifi+LTE model.
From the research I did the wifi+lte model has pretty much every band in it. So it will work in the US on Att and T-mobile.
I received a reply from one of the UK vendors and he said that the charger is 3 prong style not 2 prong and woulld need an adapter. I am assuming the actual tablet electronics would be the same though. Can anybody confirm? Also, is there any reason you could not recieve US updates if is has a UK rom or is it the same thiing. Just worried because my TF201 tablet had different ROMs for each world wide market.
The charger plug is an issue, although minor in my opinion. Bigger issue is warranty.
G'day my fellow XDA'ers (is there such a term).
It's been many years since I have posted.
I have been keenly eyeing the Experia 1 III. With the delay in their launch, yes I know it's available now, Google is now on the precipice of launching the Pixel 6 Pro, which I am also considering.
The key functions I am looking for is the camera and video. I don't shoot alot of video, but when I do, it's for auditions.
The Sony would seem the logical choice here. I also want to use it for everyday snaps and I hear the night-shot does not exist. The Pixel will have this of course.
My questions are:
1. What effort is required to connect the Experia 1 III to Australian carriers Optus or Telstra?
2. I have been reading that I have to load a mod or something like that?
3. What is required of that? And then if so,
4. What do you need to do to get upgrades?
This could be a deal breaker for me.
It's sold by Kogan in Aus, so if you buy it there and it doesn't work with your carriers then its defective and you just return it...
@roughdiamon
Any one else have any suggestions or know what it will take to get the 1 iii to work on Aussie telcos ?
Mainly looking for VoLTE to work.
Apparently it works with VoLTE and WiFi calling on Kogan according to this person: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=97&topicid=289469&page_no=1#2775602
There's just not enough information though. I'd like to know more for New Zealand because I'm considering one myself but it sounds like a pain in the ass to get it working optimally because they're not officially sold here. I'm getting really sick of all these phone manufacturers not selling their phones in more than a select few countries... I don't want more of Samsung's curved screen, Knox-ridden BS...
I just ordered the 1 iii from Kogan, it comes with a free 1month sim, i'll test and see how it pans out.
How did you go with the Kogan Sim?
I have the iii on Optus but no luck with Volte but happy to switch carrier's if it enables Volte.
Ausdom88 said:
How did you go with the Kogan Sim?
I have the iii on Optus but no luck with Volte but happy to switch carrier's if it enables Volte.
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Due to Kogan's 3rd party suppliers incompetence my phone has been delayed up to now, I gustimate it will arrive end of this week if I'm lucky if not next week.
Will update once it arrives.
mutilor said:
Due to Kogan's 3rd party suppliers incompetence my phone has been delayed up to now, I gustimate it will arrive end of this week if I'm lucky if not next week.
Will update once it arrives.
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Hey mate any progress on this?