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i was at BestBuy last week, and was about to get the AT&T Galaxy S II, unfortunately i haven't established my own credit, so i have to deposit $500, on top of the $199 [phone price] before they sell me the phone. that's around $750 with the activation fee and taxes.
that made me think, should i just get the International Version from Amazon, since they're only selling it for $550? then just start an account with AT&T? or with T-Mobile, becuase i heard T-Mobile won't ask for a deposit? will it be worth it? also, regarding data speeds, will the international version be slower than AT&T's Galaxy S II? or will it be just the same?
i really like the International Version, because of the fact that it's the slimmest versus the other 3 US variants, and from the 3, i like the AT&T's version better than T-Mobile's and Sprint's, just because i don't like how the edges are rounded.
also, i need your reason why the version of your choice is better.
any comments, suggestions or tips will be appreciated.
thank you
International version if you don't need warranty.
I think either way you might need to do a deposit if you're signing up with AT&T though.
hmm, so the $500 deposit is for the contract? and not for the phone?? i thought the idea was, deposit $500, so you don't run away with a $700 worth of phone.. -_-
the deposit is not for the phone, its for the line.
It's for the contract/line. You pay $199.99 for the phone + $500 deposit for the contract/line.
Yeah unfortunately its very easy to rack up crazy charges on your bill so if you have no credit to show you're credit worthy, you get hit. It sucks but it could be $1k...
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using xda premium
ahhh. i get it now. ok, so how 'bout which is better? AT&T or the International Version? will data speeds differ from each other?
IF you have an options, which I would assume, since you are asking, then definitely get the international. There are tiny physical differences, and some firmware. Some cases will fir both models, but not all. Some software will support both, but not all. In this case, if you want the greatest flexibility in software and accessories, go with international, as it's had a BIG head start.
sweetrobot said:
IF you have an options, which I would assume, since you are asking, then definitely get the international. There are tiny physical differences, and some firmware. Some cases will fir both models, but not all. Some software will support both, but not all. In this case, if you want the greatest flexibility in software and accessories, go with international, as it's had a BIG head start.
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thank you for your suggestion. now for the carrier? should i go for AT&T or T-Mobile? (since i heard they don't require the $500 deposit unlike AT&T) and also, is the data speed faster on the AT&T's GSII versus the International??
viciouspinoy said:
thank you for your suggestion. now for the carrier? should i go for AT&T or T-Mobile? (since i heard they don't require the $500 deposit unlike AT&T) and also, is the data speed faster on the AT&T's GSII versus the International??
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Click to collapse
If your'e going with T-Mobile, you will have to buy T-Mobile's version of Samsung Galaxy S II, otherwise you will have no "3G/4G" data. You will only get EDGE data speed if you're using International or AT&T Samsung Galaxy S II.
The $500 is for contracts. If you walk into an att store with your own phone they won't ask for any money down. The only reason for contracts is to make sure they make back the discounts they give on phones. A contract is not needed if you have your own phone. Even if you're a terrible customer they only have to worry about a month. And how they schedule payments is your bill 'pays' for the next month. Even though your bill is based off your usage for that last month, you in reality are paying for the next month. That's why when you're late on a payment they don't immediately kill your line, cause they're not out money yet.
As far as what carrier? I'd go with att just for the chance tmobile deal goes through quicker than expected.
Having a phone through a carrier that is getting bought out = lots of frustration.
Having personally dealt with that situation twice, I can confidently say it's not worth it.
But since you wouldn't be on contract you could just as easily jump from tmobile to att (would be frustrating if you couldn't take your number with you, but our google overlords make that situation much better if you get a google number from them, no need to tell anyone your number even changed)
Obviously these are points with 'price being beside the point.'
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
If you decide to get an international version, I have one for sale. I'll do $500 shipped. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1296689
@runtohell121 Wow for making my long post pointless. Too bad I didn't see your post till after I had already sent mine.
You're definitely right.
Tmobile uses both 1700 and 2100. One for upstream and one for downstream.
Unfortunately the galaxy s ii uses 850/900/1800/1900 bands for gsm.
Looks like att is the best choice, otherwise it will only be edge speeds.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
gr8hairy1 said:
The $500 is for contracts. If you walk into an att store with your own phone they won't ask for any money down. The only reason for contracts is to make sure they make back the discounts they give on phones. A contract is not needed if you have your own phone. Even if you're a terrible customer they only have to worry about a month. And how they schedule payments is your bill 'pays' for the next month. Even though your bill is based off your usage for that last month, you in reality are paying for the next month. That's why when you're late on a payment they don't immediately kill your line, cause they're not out money yet.
As far as what carrier? I'd go with att just for the chance tmobile deal goes through quicker than expected.
Having a phone through a carrier that is getting bought out = lots of frustration.
Having personally dealt with that situation twice, I can confidently say it's not worth it.
But since you wouldn't be on contract you could just as easily jump from tmobile to att (would be frustrating if you couldn't take your number with you, but our google overlords make that situation much better if you get a google number from them, no need to tell anyone your number even changed)
Obviously these are points with 'price being beside the point.'
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using XDA App
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Click to collapse
ok, so just for clarification, if i walk in to an AT&T STORE with the INTERNATIONAL Galaxy S II on hand, i won't have to pay $500 for the deposit? With that in mind, then it would be cheaper for me right? Because i'm a college student with no credit. because with what you said, i think i will definitely get the international version.
Forget T-Mobile, since i work in Irvine, Ca., most of my co workers that are with AT&T, have better coverage than Verizon and T-Mobile. My only question now is if i get the International Galaxy S II, and start a plan with AT&T, will it run the same data speeds as with AT&T's Galaxy S II?
Truceda said:
If you decide to get an international version, I have one for sale. I'll do $500 shipped. http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1296689
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Click to collapse
for some reason, i couldn't see your post, it says, its because im a new member. anyway, post the details here, or PM it to me. is it brand new? and where are you from? send pictures.
viciouspinoy said:
ok, so just for clarification, if i walk in to an AT&T STORE with the INTERNATIONAL Galaxy S II on hand, i won't have to pay $500 for the deposit? With that in mind, then it would be cheaper for me right? Because i'm a college student with no credit. because with what you said, i think i will definitely get the international version.
Forget T-Mobile, since i work in Irvine, Ca., most of my co workers that are with AT&T, have better coverage than Verizon and T-Mobile. My only question now is if i get the International Galaxy S II, will it run the same data speeds as with the AT&T Version?
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I'm not too sure about the contract question, but I still think you would have to pay a deposit IF you sign a contract with AT&T. I personally don't know that you're allow to get service with AT&T without a contract or I never done it before so.. yea.. I don't know.. but my guess is that if you go into an AT&T store with your international SGSII, they will say it won't work or something LOL.
As for the SGSII data speed question, it will be the same as AT&T version as long as you have the correct data settings.
thanks! but i need this clarified though. ive been watching videos of the international galaxy s ii.. i'm in love with it.
after googling and looking at at&t forum.. seems like you can do month to month with AT&T on an unlocked phone as long as it works. Just that I'm not too sure on what data package you would need.
Ok, so what does the "correct data settings" that you were saying mean? Hmm, data package? I might want a 2GB data plan. Is that what you were asking?
Sent from my DROID2 using XDA App
You will most likely have to enter the data settings to enable the 3G for the SGSII International to work on AT&T. By data pack, I mean you might be able to get the "dumbphone" unlimited since it's an unlocked phone..
Thinking about getting the LTE version of this tablet for use in a car.
BUT,,, I'm finding out quickly that it's not sold in most stores.
Where will I find the best price, from an authorized seller so I can get a warranty?
Also, the safest buy I've found so far (no warranty) is from Amazon. They say it's an "International" version. I assume all of the LTE are International versions?
Will it work fine at LTE speeds for data on T-Mobile?
And I can root/ROM it?
I got bit by buying an LTE Galaxy Tab S 8.4 that as it turns out, cannot be rooted. So I'm hesitant to make the same mistake again.
http://www.amazon.com/COMPACT-SGP621GB-UNLOCKED-International-Warranty/dp/B00NGQKBGS
Bought from Amazon. You won't get warranty at USA for sure. You can root and upgrade to lollipop without problem. It works with AT&T, Tmobile LTE without problem. But Tmobile will recongnize this device as tablet so that you can only get data plan only or voice plan without data. You can use AT&T with both voice and lte. Or you can switch to PTel which uses tmobile network.
我從使用 Tapatalk 的 SGP621 發送
Wow, I just searched the website of all the medium to large authorized dealers and NOBODY even sells the SGP621.
Even the Sony Store doesn't sell it.
Authorized dealers:
http://store.sony.com/-cms-page.sony.authorized.retailer.network
Because they didn't sell lte model at USA yet. You can only get wifi model at Sony store or other retail stores. All LTE models are international without USA warranty. But Amazon at least gives you 30 days to verify and play to see if it fits your needs.
我從使用 Tapatalk 的 SGP621 發送
Bought mine from amazon.de (German Amazon site) for 400 USD. Pay in Euro, at checkout the VAT should be removed. Cut my micro SIM to a nano and plugged it in. Rooted and upgraded to Lollipop and have LTE with AT&T. Worked like a charm.
CZ Eddie said:
Thinking about getting the LTE version of this tablet for use in a car.
BUT,,, I'm finding out quickly that it's not sold in most stores.
Where will I find the best price, from an authorized seller so I can get a warranty?
Also, the safest buy I've found so far (no warranty) is from Amazon. They say it's an "International" version. I assume all of the LTE are International versions?
Will it work fine at LTE speeds for data on T-Mobile?
And I can root/ROM it?
I got bit by buying an LTE Galaxy Tab S 8.4 that as it turns out, cannot be rooted. So I'm hesitant to make the same mistake again.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Muchoman said:
Bought mine from amazon.de (German Amazon site) for 400 USD. Pay in Euro, at checkout the VAT should be removed. Cut my micro SIM to a nano and plugged it in. Rooted and upgraded to Lollipop and have LTE with AT&T. Worked like a charm.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the tip, that's the best price I've seen yet.
I tried to buy it but Amazon won't ship to me in the USA.
Gives me this error.
This item can not be shipped to the selected address. Learn more. You can either change the shipping address or delete the item from your order .
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Click to collapse
That's weird, because I had it shipped to me here in San Francisco.
Muchoman said:
That's weird, because I had it shipped to me here in San Francisco.
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I figured it out. Amazon offers multiple sellers for items sometimes.
I just had to manually select Amazon as the seller instead of the default seller.
Just bought it for $409 shipped using the Express shipping option.
The default shipping option was $400 shipped.
Thanks for the heads up Muchoman, you helped me out!
The cheapest alternate I found was Expansys for $489.
Good deal bro. I got mine within a week (bought on Monday morning, received next Monday). Have fun!
Muchoman said:
Good deal bro. I got mine within a week (bought on Monday morning, received next Monday). Have fun!
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I'm on amazon.de and it says it's $489 USD aka 432EURO
See http://www.amazon.de/Sony-SGP621-Wu...ie=UTF8&qid=1431406084&sr=8-1&keywords=sgp621
Like the title says, I've looked in every T-Mobile store and they're not selling any since it's a "year old", just the S2. Went to Best Buy...they just sell Sprint and Verizon versions but you can't get them unless you get a contract with them. I've looked online, and I'm scared to purchase one because most just say "750" without the model at the end (for example 750T for T-Mobile). I've found a AT&T watch and was thinking of ordering it since most of you guys on here have said it's compatible with a T-Mobile sim, but you only get 2G speeds, or I can get prepaid such as Straight Talk or H20 as well. Any suggestions as to where I can purchase a T-Mobile Gear S? Can't find anything on Ebay or Amazon
Leelouster said:
Like the title says, I've looked in every T-Mobile store and they're not selling any since it's a "year old", just the S2. Went to Best Buy...they just sell Sprint and Verizon versions but you can't get them unless you get a contract with them. I've looked online, and I'm scared to purchase one because most just say "750" without the model at the end (for example 750T for T-Mobile). I've found a AT&T watch and was thinking of ordering it since most of you guys on here have said it's compatible with a T-Mobile sim, but you only get 2G speeds, or I can get prepaid such as Straight Talk or H20 as well. Any suggestions as to where I can purchase a T-Mobile Gear S? Can't find anything on Ebay or Amazon
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where are you located? I'm asking because i can't find a sprint version anywhere around me (philadelphia) and i'm going crazy trying to figure out how to get the at&t one i've purchased to work standalone when i have sprint! It could be so much easier if i could just find a sprint version!
Leelouster said:
Like the title says, I've looked in every T-Mobile store and they're not selling any since it's a "year old", just the S2. Went to Best Buy...they just sell Sprint and Verizon versions but you can't get them unless you get a contract with them. I've looked online, and I'm scared to purchase one because most just say "750" without the model at the end (for example 750T for T-Mobile). I've found a AT&T watch and was thinking of ordering it since most of you guys on here have said it's compatible with a T-Mobile sim, but you only get 2G speeds, or I can get prepaid such as Straight Talk or H20 as well. Any suggestions as to where I can purchase a T-Mobile Gear S? Can't find anything on Ebay or Amazon
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is a guy under this subforum selling a T-Mobile Gear S. Contact him?
LunaWasted said:
where are you located? I'm asking because i can't find a sprint version anywhere around me (philadelphia) and i'm going crazy trying to figure out how to get the at&t one i've purchased to work standalone when i have sprint! It could be so much easier if i could just find a sprint version!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Purchase a prepaid sim for you att device and turn on call forwarding or use the prepaid number.
LunaWasted said:
where are you located? I'm asking because i can't find a sprint version anywhere around me (philadelphia) and i'm going crazy trying to figure out how to get the at&t one i've purchased to work standalone when i have sprint! It could be so much easier if i could just find a sprint version!
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Click to collapse
I'm located in the bottom of Texas lol. There's Sprint versions at my Best Buy but no T-Mobile Lol. I'm thinking of just getting it from AT&T and opening up a contract with them for 10 bucks a month. :/ I saw some on E-Bay but I rather not risk it from there.
James.Markham0757 said:
There is a guy under this subforum selling a T-Mobile Gear S. Contact him?
Purchase a prepaid sim for you att device and turn on call forwarding or use the prepaid number.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I did, but he never replied. As for the prepaid sim, I can't find none of what they were talking about in this forum. I've looked for H20 and StraightTalk at my Wal-Mart, but there's no H20, and with StraightTalk, I don't know what card to get. They spoke of one expiring after 90 days (maybe that was the H20?) but every card there expires after 30 days, even if you don't use all the texting and calling minutes.
Leelouster said:
I'm thinking of just getting it from AT&T and opening up a contract with them for 10 bucks a month. :/ I saw some on E-Bay but I rather not risk it from there.
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The AT&T $10 device plan only works if you already have a family shared plan with them. You also can't use it on T-Mobile's Wearable plan because T-Mo locks this plan to IMEIs of T-Mo version Gear S or Gear S2 only.
The Gear S is already over a year old. Most places already cleared them out for Gear S2. eBay is probably your only bet for any device of this age.
Swappa website has some good deals on Smartwatches..
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
foxbat121 said:
The AT&T $10 device plan only works if you already have a family shared plan with them. You also can't use it on T-Mobile's Wearable plan because T-Mo locks this plan to IMEIs of T-Mo version Gear S or Gear S2 only.
The Gear S is already over a year old. Most places already cleared them out for Gear S2. eBay is probably your only bet for any device of this age.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Damn...but if I use the AT&T watch with the AT&T plan, I can still forward calls to my T-Mobile phone right?
nktwister said:
Swappa website has some good deals on Smartwatches..
Sent from my SM-N920T using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks man, I'll check it out
(Offer up) great app
Can you buy an AT&T and then buy an unlock code? It's only $20-$25 online for one.
jmattick said:
Can you buy an AT&T and then buy an unlock code? It's only $20-$25 online for one.
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Yes you can. I read that many people did that. AT&T is supposed to supply an unlock code if you call, but I've seen that many people had different outcomes. Some were able to get it, some had to keep on calling nad persisting, and others had no luck. Although beware that in unlocking the device, when you go to another carrier (such as T-Mobile) that it will have 2g or HSPA+ speeds instead of 3G or even 4G since the bands are different or something like that.
I sold my unlocked ATT gear S last month, because I managed to grab an LG watch Urbane 2nd edition LTE before they took them off the market. For what it's worth, I bought mine from ATT, had it unlocked by ATT, and used it on Tmobile with the wearables plan for a year. (As soon as I put the sim card in my LG watch, it did something to my wearables plan and i could never get it reinstated. In general, unlocked ATT Gear s devices no longer work with the $5 Tmo wearables plan, but with any other regular Tmo sim card.)
Anyhow, in New England, I was getting 3G speeds sometimes, if I recall correctly.
To get the ATT Gear S unlocked, you need to have been an ATT postpaid cell customer at some point, and provide that respective phone number to them. If you have a friend who is a customer, they could submit the unlock request for you as well.
Otherwise, ATT forces you to "wait 90 days" during which time you have to pay for a plan with them.
There was also an Ebay seller who was selling unlock codes for around $10 if memory serves me well.
By the way, the regular retail price for the ATT version is cheaper by $50 than Tmo's, so definitely worth going that route.
It would be unbelievably helpful if you'd let us know how much you love it =), on a side note I does anybody have a bricked Gear S? I'll buy it =)
xendula said:
Otherwise, ATT forces you to "wait 90 days" during which time you have to pay for a plan with them.
There was also an Ebay seller who was selling unlock codes for around $10 if memory serves me well.
By the way, the regular retail price for the ATT version is cheaper by $50 than Tmo's, so definitely worth going that route.
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Click to collapse
Yeah, AT&T's stupid 90 days plan. Way too much. I don't wanna be paying 50 dollars a month for a watch. I found a friend who has a watch that is 1 month old and was selling it so I brought it, and it's from T-Mobile too so it's a win, win. It's only 5 dollars a month (plus an addition 10 for insurance). AT&T is selling the watch right now for $199 outright. T-Mobile isn't selling it at all, but before they took it down it was going for $250. I went with T-Mobile because $199 plus tax comes out to $220. Then I got to put 30% down for AT&T's stupid plan plus an additional $20 or $30 dollars extra (forgot for what) which comes out to $76 dollars total. So add that to the $220. Then the following month I'm going to have to pay a one-time activation fee of $15 dollars, PLUS the service which is $50 dollars (but if you're already a customer with them it's $10 a month), PLUS if you haven't already finished paying off the watch, you're going to have to put down money for that before the 3 months is over. Too costly in my opinion. I just payed my friend $120 (cause he has $80 left due in his account so I'm paying off that) and then just the $15 bucks a month so I'm good.
I think my friend has a bricked Gear S, but he has to send that back since they gave him the one that I have right now lol.
GOIGIG said:
It would be unbelievably helpful if you'd let us know how much you love it =)
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Click to collapse
If you mean the Urbane, it's mindblowingly awesome, with a battery life that's out of this world. My Gear S was great for the year I had it, but the Urbane is so much better; I've been using it daily for almost 3 months now.
The only updates Google needs to make is allow voice calls over BT and a way to manually update APN settings, both possible with the Gear S.
Don't buy an att gear s if you plan to use the android rom on it. Att locked the bootloader on their gear s and so far there is no way to unlock it so no rom for us.
I have a T-Mobile version and I shopped for it on my local Craigslist. You just have to be careful yet persistent. Ask for better photos and definitely take a copy of the ad with you when you go to check it out for hopefully your purchase. My seller had a warranty replacement and it is in near pristine condition. I have replaced his original watch band, thanks to eBay. And I do have a broke clip on the charger cradle that I will eventually replace as well.
Also, Swappa is an excellent place to purchase items. There's 2 sides, there's the Swappa.com and then there's Boneyard where you purchase stuff not able to be sold on regular Swappa like broken glass, missing parts and devices for parts. Google both. Hope this helps!! If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Now, I did in fact have an AT&T branded Gear S that I tried, unsuccessfully, to get to operate on T-Mobile. I wanted the wearables sim card and I put T-mobile's in it. It would NOT work for me as I was told by many support levels (twitter, email, and phone) that the T-Mobile wearables sim card was not provisioned for the AT&T branded Gear S. I gave up and sent that version Gear S back, getting a full refund and purchased what I described in my opening of this post.
ladydi102 said:
I have a T-Mobile version and I shopped for it on my local Craigslist. You just have to be careful yet persistent. Ask for better photos and definitely take a copy of the ad with you when you go to check it out for hopefully your purchase. My seller had a warranty replacement and it is in near pristine condition. I have replaced his original watch band, thanks to eBay. And I do have a broke clip on the charger cradle that I will eventually replace as well.
Also, Swappa is an excellent place to purchase items. There's 2 sides, there's the Swappa.com and then there's Boneyard where you purchase stuff not able to be sold on regular Swappa like broken glass, missing parts and devices for parts. Google both. Hope this helps!! If you have any questions, feel free to ask.
Now, I did in fact have an AT&T branded Gear S that I tried, unsuccessfully, to get to operate on T-Mobile. I wanted the wearables sim card and I put T-mobile's in it. It would NOT work for me as I was told by many support levels (twitter, email, and phone) that the T-Mobile wearables sim card was not provisioned for the AT&T branded Gear S. I gave up and sent that version Gear S back, getting a full refund and purchased what I described in my opening of this post.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I bought an AT&T branded gear S from swappable a couple of months ago and I am using it with my wearable sim card without a problem. I already had the plan though with a tablet and cut down the sim put it in the gear and called tmobile and they turned it into a data and phone line for me as it was only a data line.
izakura said:
I bought an AT&T branded gear S from swappable a couple of months ago and I am using it with my wearable sim card without a problem. I already had the plan though with a tablet and cut down the sim put it in the gear and called tmobile and they turned it into a data and phone line for me as it was only a data line.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NIce. I found a really good deal on a AT&T Gear S but not sure I want to get it because my luck isn't that good. lol So your AT&T Gear S works exactly the same on T-Mobile then? I don't have a tablet plan so not sure what I would have to do to go the route you did.
sweets55 said:
NIce. I found a really good deal on a AT&T Gear S but not sure I want to get it because my luck isn't that good. lol So your AT&T Gear S works exactly the same on T-Mobile then? I don't have a tablet plan so not sure what I would have to do to go the route you did.
Click to expand...
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So far it's been working great. But I already had the plan so I don't know if it would work. Call tmobile and see if it could work. I mean they turned my data only plan into a phone line
izakura said:
So far it's been working great. But I already had the plan so I don't know if it would work. Call tmobile and see if it could work. I mean they turned my data only plan into a phone line
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Click to collapse
I know a T-Mobile manager. I called him today but he was off. He's worked his magic before. So let me get this straight your watch has it's own number and you get 4G speeds?
I've tried to grab two (G500T) now and both refuse to connect to T-Mobile unless I'm in their store. The reps figured it was a SIM issue and didn't bother to look up the IMEI. At home I tried my and my wife's sims from a rooted S3 and a rooted Core Prime and I get the same thing.... they won't attach to T-Mobile even though the other phones do.
So when I used TMo's IMEI tool both report as being overdue on accounts. So how are supposedly "Manufacturer refurbs" coming out with this flag? Is there any way to get these G500T's and know before purchase that the IMEI is clean and that it will just work on Tmo?
-gmolds
Am i missing something here... this Amazon post for the G900T even states that the device is only partially usable on TMo. Isn't that the Tmo variant? I mean the two I receieved booted to 4.4.2 or maybe 4.4.4 with the TMo graphinc and Jingle yet wouldn't grab a TMo tower outside of their store.
Add to that if I turned on WiFi calling I was recognized as the correct number and could send and receive calls/sms just fine.
gmolds said:
Am i missing something here... this Amazon post for the G900T even states that the device is only partially usable on TMo. Isn't that the Tmo variant? I mean the two I receieved booted to 4.4.2 or maybe 4.4.4 with the TMo graphinc and Jingle yet wouldn't grab a TMo tower outside of their store.
Add to that if I turned on WiFi calling I was recognized as the correct number and could send and receive calls/sms just fine.
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Click to collapse
There has been tons and tons of rebranded att devices people are selling as unlocked g900f and g900t devices as att has locked bootloader and nobody wants them. Could be your problem.
I wouldn't trust amazon nor eBay. Try swappa.com 100% and guaranteed to not be black listed
ShinySide said:
There has been tons and tons of rebranded att devices people are selling as unlocked g900f and g900t devices as att has locked bootloader and nobody wants them. Could be your problem.
I wouldn't trust amazon nor eBay. Try swappa.com 100% and guaranteed to not be black listed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll look at swappa... but would AT&T locked ones root and take TMo kernels/ROMs becasue I was able to do exactly that and as stated, in the TMo store, it linked up instantly with full LTE (WiFi off) but outside of the stores reach it wouldn't connect. And again, the phone's IMEI according to TMo's lookup tool (both of them) had outstanding bills associated with them.
Isn't the Amazon link odd in that it is listed as a T but claims partial TMo functionality?
Or you could just buy straight from T-Mobile! I got two for $200 each. They're also eligible for T-Mobile's interest free credit system and come with a 90 day warranty which they will honour even if rooted.
invisiblewave said:
Or you could just buy straight from T-Mobile! I got two for $200 each. They're also eligible for T-Mobile's interest free credit system and come with a 90 day warranty which they will honour even if rooted.
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Currently showing $250... a bit high for this model used IMO.
Worth a bit extra for some peace of mind, imo. As the T-Mobile rep I spoke to pointed out, the CPO devices go through an 80 point check which the new phones don't, at least not by TM. Both ours look brand new, and I'm guessing that both the glass & battery, and probably the outer cover too, were replaced. There's a difference between used & CPO. And I'm guessing $250 is less than you paid for the two you bought that you can't use outside the store??
invisiblewave said:
Worth a bit extra for some peace of mind, imo. As the T-Mobile rep I spoke to pointed out, the CPO devices go through an 80 point check which the new phones don't, at least not by TM. Both ours look brand new, and I'm guessing that both the glass & battery, and probably the outer cover too, were replaced. There's a difference between used & CPO. And I'm guessing $250 is less than you paid for the two you bought that you can't use outside the store??
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Actually they were $140 apiece via Woot (Amazon subsidiary) and were listed as AT&T and T-Mobile friendly. One wouldn't charge and the other had the bad IMEI. I'd go as high as $200 I think. I'll keep an eye on Swappa and maybe call a TMo rep to see if they'll come down. I'm in no hurry... just getting ready for our next phones. I can't let Shiny get too far ahead or I'll miss out on all of his great work and their derivatives
As I said, when I bought ours they were $200, they'd previously been $250, so you may get lucky if you keep your eye on T-Mobile. I did their interest-free plan, so it's $8/month each, which seems like a hell of a deal now I've seen how good the phone is. Add a $10 wireless charging coil and you've got a phone that's indistinguishable from a $700 current model.
gmolds said:
Actually they were $140 apiece via Woot (Amazon subsidiary) and were listed as AT&T and T-Mobile friendly. One wouldn't charge and the other had the bad IMEI. I'd go as high as $200 I think. I'll keep an eye on Swappa and maybe call a TMo rep to see if they'll come down. I'm in no hurry... just getting ready for our next phones. I can't let Shiny get too far ahead or I'll miss out on all of his great work and their derivatives
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Click to collapse
Those are TMo friendly phones, in that you can put a TMo SIM in them and they will work. However, that's not the same as a 900T. I bought a S5 through Woot back in January, and it was described as a 900T and it was a 900T.
rlichtefeld said:
Those are TMo friendly phones, in that you can put a TMo SIM in them and they will work. However, that's not the same as a 900T. I bought a S5 through Woot back in January, and it was described as a 900T and it was a 900T.
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It is/was (http://www.woot.com/offers/samsung-galaxy-s5-unlocked-16gb-sd-23) in fact a 900T. It reported as much. I've laid out pretty specifically what the problem was and got confirmation from TMo. The real problem is the resellers putting these phones out there as able to be used when the IMEI clearly reports as a phone in arrears on it's account.
If I had been willing to pay the account that the pay as you go phone had been bought on, it would have started working. TMo had taht IMEI blacklisted.
Maybe they're generic specs, but they don't list the AWS bands for T-Mobile, which is the usual problem with buying phones that may or may not be T-Mobile devices.
Readily admitting that I don't know what you're talking about but the fact that I connected to TMo with full bars when at the Tmo shop but dropped out as soon as I drove away and the fact that the phone is in Tmo's system seems to me to be a fairly clear indication that is was a proper model.
In any case.. got one off of swappa and watching for another in my price range and in a condition I will accept. Thanks all for the comments and pointers.
It's not an indication that it's a proper model. Speaking very generally, an AT&T phone will work on T-Mobile because they're both GSM/LTE phones. However, the GSM bands they use aren't identical. There's some overlap, but in some areas there are bands used on T-Mobile that AT&T phones can't use. What that means in practice is that in some places the AT&T phones won't get a signal on T-Mobile and may use 3G rather than LTE. AWS is GSM 1700/2100. It's the same reason why my T-Mobile phones work in the UK but the data over there is slow.
So in this case when the phone is reporting that knox hadn't been tripped and the phone info claimed to be a 900T is still may be an AT&T?
I just bought this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MF64PSK/ on Amazon. Clean IMEI and a 90 day money back guarantee. Looks brand new.
magdelaine said:
I just bought this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MF64PSK/ on Amazon. Clean IMEI and a 90 day money back guarantee. Looks brand new.
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Awesome to hear that real ones are out there... seems hit or miss on Amazon. I have gotten full refunds from W00T and now have two "good" condition phones from swappa and am happy with their conditions and the prices paid.
gmolds said:
Awesome to hear that real ones are out there... seems hit or miss on Amazon. I have gotten full refunds from W00T and now have two "good" condition phones from swappa and am happy with their conditions and the prices paid.
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I have really liked what I've purchased from Swappa too, but this time I went with Amazon. I read your post and was worried...I had to check the IMEI!
So it looks like this will be my second time buying from eBay where someone tries to scam me.
Turn on the phone, realize it's google locked, and spend about an hour researching how to get around it. Maybe the guy forgot to remove it from his account?
I look it up on Swappa and see that the IMEI is clear yet it was FINANCED! (not eligible for resale.)
To ask what is probably a stupid question, I don't have any options, do I?
This has been previously discussed in the Q&A section. I also bought a Google locked V30+ intentionally and was able to work around it. Search for "bypass FRP LG V30/G6 Android 8.0 2018"
grob971 said:
This has been previously discussed in the Q&A section. I also bought a Google locked V30+ intentionally and was able to work around it. Search for "bypass FRP LG V30/G6 Android 8.0 2018"
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I went through that whole long process. But now it won't activate on my network. I think since it was financed I can't use it.
TPMJB said:
I went through that whole long process. But now it won't activate on my network. I think since it was financed I can't use it.
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Then maybe the IMEI is not clean. I recommend contacting the seller or get eBay involved if the seller didn't disclose that the phone was financed.
grob971 said:
Then maybe the IMEI is not clean. I recommend contacting the seller or get eBay involved if the seller didn't disclose that the phone was financed.
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Actually, it's a Sprint phone and I'm using an ATT MVNO card, so I imagine that's why.
Either way, not disclosing it was financed AND google locked is a **** move
If I can fix it I at least want 50 bucks back. Cost me $230. It's otherwise mint, however.
TPMJB said:
Actually, it's a Sprint phone and I'm using an ATT MVNO card, so I imagine that's why.
Either way, not disclosing it was financed AND google locked is a **** move
If I can fix it I at least want 50 bucks back. Cost me $230. It's otherwise mint, however.
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Mine also was a LS998. Works perfectly on Straight Talk (ATT) after the Google bypass and converting to US998. Try the conversion and see if that resolves the network issue. Good luck.
grob971 said:
Mine also was a LS998. Works perfectly on Straight Talk (ATT) after the Google bypass and converting to US998. Try the conversion and see if that resolves the network issue. Good luck.
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It seems to recognize my SIM card now, but in Oreo US998 I can't change the APN settings (mine are wrong). Just stuck on the default ATT apn settings. No way to test it...
Edit: Sent myself a text ( I use google voice). It works!
Now I'm going to finish bootloader unlock and installing Pie...
...tomorrow lol. Also gonna try to get money back from eBay douchebag
TPMJB said:
So it looks like this will be my second time buying from eBay where someone tries to scam me.
Turn on the phone, realize it's google locked, and spend about an hour researching how to get around it. Maybe the guy forgot to remove it from his account?
I look it up on Swappa and see that the IMEI is clear yet it was FINANCED! (not eligible for resale.)
To ask what is probably a stupid question, I don't have any options, do I?
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Click to collapse
You can get a refund from eBay due to seller dishonesty.
Next time, buy from eBay pro dealer who stands behind their products. Like this one:
LG V30 LS998- 128GB - Titan Black (Sprint) Smartphone A Mint - $299
I've bought from that guy several times or had others buy from him. Just make sure you get the "mint" one. Use Frankenstein to convert to US998.
OR if you want BRAND NEW IN BOX -- with 2-year LG warranty:
LINK REMOVED AS SELLER IS NOT RELIABLE
ChazzMatt said:
You can get a refund from eBay due to seller dishonesty.
Next time, buy from eBay pro dealer who stands behind their products. Like this one:
LG V30 LS998- 128GB - Titan Black (Sprint) Smartphone A Mint - $299
https://www.ebay.com/itm/LG-V30-LS998-128GB-Titan-Black-Sprint-Smartphone-A-Mint/192609345150
I've bought from that guy several times or had others buy from him. Just make sure you get the "mint" one.
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I mean, it's working now I just had dicking around to do. Not thrilled, but it did only cost me $230 and is otherwise a mint V30+.
Still annoyed.
Though I think if someone gave me a V40 for free but I had to use it on Sprint's networks, it would be worse than my current situation :laugh:
Edit: Also your guide helped me out a TON! Thanks!
TPMJB said:
I mean, it's working now I just had dicking around to do. Not thrilled, but it did only cost me $230 and is otherwise a mint V30+.
Still annoyed.
Though I think if someone gave me a V40 for free but I had to use it on Sprint's networks, it would be worse than my current situation :laugh:
Edit: Also your guide helped me out a TON! Thanks!
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You paid $230 for a $350+ phone (even if it's used) and didn't expect problems? Why'd you think it was so cheap? That's why I use Swappa almost exclusively now.
Not to be a shill, I've got no connection to this listing. But if your'e fine with silver and 64gb base:
LG V30 US998 64GB US Cellular Smartphone-Silver-Mint
https://www.ebay.com/itm/173602248812
I just bought one at $319 less than two weeks ago and it was new in box, had the screen protector on it, etc. manufactured june of 2018 and it successfully qualified for 2nd year warranty. Legit. Best price I've seen shopping a ton on ebay and swappa.
Just bought another today, for my wife, the price is now $299. Super solid.
ldeveraux said:
You paid $230 for a $350+ phone (even if it's used) and didn't expect problems? Why'd you think it was so cheap? That's why I use Swappa almost exclusively now.
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Where the hell are you still finding the V30 for $350? Retail? Why would you buy a phone from retail?
I just picked up another one for $200 even. I'm giving it to a friend at cost after I unlock it so it can be used wherever (she is going back to Colombia in a month for good.) Colombia uses the same LTE bands we do, but this phone is Verizon Locked.
water- said:
Not to be a shill, I've got no connection to this listing. But if your'e fine with silver and 64gb base:
LG V30 US998 64GB US Cellular Smartphone-Silver-Mint
https://www.ebay.com/itm/173602248812
I just bought one at $319 less than two weeks ago and it was new in box, had the screen protector on it, etc. manufactured june of 2018 and it successfully qualified for 2nd year warranty. Legit. Best price I've seen shopping a ton on ebay and swappa.
Just bought another today, for my wife, the price is now $299. Super solid.
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Click to collapse
Still more than I'd spend on a phone. First Apple jacked up the prices of phones because its followers are incredibly stupid. Capitalizing on this, Samsung did the same for no reason whatsoever and those sheep followed. Then Google released the first pixel for 3 times the price of the Nexus 6P (which is barely any better than the 6P, aside from hardware issues,) so on and so forth. I refuse to buy into this trend. People leasing phones like you would a car is a problem.
I agree with you entirely. The days of subsidized phones is over. Though I've seen the V30 go on sale for half of MSRP back in august on verizon for a few days. The Pixel 3 and 3 XL were buy one get one free for a week or so on Verizon. That's about $400~ for a new phone, which is reasonable.
When you paid $200, are you getting a new phone? I have my doubts about that. But link please if you're finding that.
Of course $300 is more than I'd like to spend. In 2015 early 2015 I got the LG G4 for $199 with a promo through Verizon, I wasn't changing carriers so had no problem with the 2 years contract. But for the tech I'm getting today compared to 2015, $100 more isn't terrible.
At the end of the day you certainly can choose not to lease but the MSRP of phones is crazy high. If you're getting a modern phone for cheap it's either really shady black market china/etc stuff (liable to get scammed), used, at least a year or more old model, or a flash deal that isn't something you can reliably bank on. I don't know how you can say you're opting out of high prices, you're not, you're compromising on something or have happened to get lucky in a way that isn't something everyone can plan on. $299 for a truly NEW, with mnfg warranty V30 is a pretty solid deal.
TPMJB said:
Where the hell are you still finding the V30 for $350? Retail? Why would you buy a phone from retail?
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I'm not trying to weed through the same scams that you fell prey to on EBAY so I can find a phone that will maybe be as described, in decent condition, clean IMEI, etc. So if you want reputable; retail or Swappa or similar. Never EBAY. I was lucky to find a nice V30+ on Swappa, but there are no more for sale. I'm not talking about a V30. A V30+, like you said in the title. You know, the better one.
Bottom line is you found a deal that was literally too good to be true. Use discretion next time, especially if the device isn't even for you, but some mysterious Columbian 3rd party. Or whatever your story is now. :good:
ldeveraux said:
I'm not trying to weed through the same scams that you fell prey to on EBAY
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Click to collapse
Some scam. I got a working V30+ for $230. Google locked ones that have good IMEIs but the owner didn't pay his dues still go for around $200.
Is an hour of my time worth $100? I'd say so.
Also, it's "Colombian."
water- said:
Not to be a shill, I've got no connection to this listing. But if your'e fine with silver and 64gb base:
LG V30 US998 64GB US Cellular Smartphone-Silver-Mint
https://www.ebay.com/itm/173602248812
I just bought one at $319 less than two weeks ago and it was new in box, had the screen protector on it, etc. manufactured june of 2018 and it successfully qualified for 2nd year warranty. Legit. Best price I've seen shopping a ton on ebay and swappa.
Just bought another today, for my wife, the price is now $299. Super solid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Same exact one I bought - first was at $319 for my wife... then I got jealous and she bought me the same one at $299 yesterday. Great deal for a BNIB phone, and I can certainly recommend the seller, as the device is exactly what was listed!
water- said:
Not to be a shill, I've got no connection to this listing. But if your'e fine with silver and 64gb base:
LG V30 US998 64GB US Cellular Smartphone-Silver-Mint
https://www.ebay.com/itm/173602248812
I just bought one at $319 less than two weeks ago and it was new in box, had the screen protector on it, etc. manufactured june of 2018 and it successfully qualified for 2nd year warranty. Legit. Best price I've seen shopping a ton on ebay and swappa.
Just bought another today, for my wife, the price is now $299. Super solid.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
schwinn8 said:
Same exact one I bought - first was at $319 for my wife... then I got jealous and she bought me the same one at $299 yesterday. Great deal for a BNIB phone, and I can certainly recommend the seller, as the device is exactly what was listed!
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Click to collapse
I'll add this to the WTF thread later tonight. That way there's a good selection of mint 128GB V30+ ($299), new 64GB V30 ($299) for same price, and then new 128GB V30+ ($378) -- first from trusted seller, latter two with warranty.
The V30+ is an awesome device but I can't justify paying $300 for any phone. I got mine for under $200 on eBay back in August. Mint condition, clean IMEI but was Google locked. A little research and effort and I was able to bypass the lock and convert to US998 (thanks to the awesome guides in this forum). You can still find these on eBay if you're willing to put in the effort. Definitely worth the $100+ savings. At least to me.
A bit late to the party, but if it hasn't already been said:
Clean IMEI means that the device has never been network blacklisted. Usually blacklisting happens because it's reported stolen or lost, and is irreversible as far as the consumer is concerned; it permanently blocks activation for the network.
Clean IMEI and no other flags means good to go.
Financed means it's still attached to an account and is still owed money on. You might be able to contact the carrier and pay off the balance; this would release the phone for reactivation, but will probably increase the cost to the point where you would be better off just buying a clear phone.
A financed phone is a ticking time bomb. At the point that the carrier decides that the original customer has no intention of paying the phone off, they'll blacklist the IMEI so it can never be activated on that network again (this includes MVNOs using solely that network).
Don't buy phones that are financed unless you know you'll never use it on its home network. If you have a decent feedback score, ask private sellers for the IMEI so you can check it before buying. Or, as others have said... just spend a bit more and buy from a reputable seller.
Septfox said:
Don't buy phones that are financed unless you know you'll never use it on its home network. If you have a decent feedback score, ask private sellers for the IMEI so you can check it before buying.
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Agree 100%. That's where you have to do your research and put in a little effort before hitting the buy button. Do this and you can certainly get yourself an incredible deal on these incredible phones.