I am on att. I want the LG g5 . I'm not going to buy the att version. It seems the tmobile and the international models get most of the root love. With your experiences what model should I be looking at being on att?
It's way too early. You best wait until they actually come out with root. If they ever do.
T-Mobile is very tricky with their SIM unlock requests too. So unless you know someone you trust who can buy a G5, keep it on their account for however long T-Mobile wants it on the account to allow for an unlock (40 days? I've heard different things), you should investigate the international SIM unlocked ones.
Exactly @waylo
I've been looking at this offer since it is comparable in price (and better than some) to any us carrier variant:
http://www.handtec.co.uk/lg-g5-smartphone-free-b-o-h3-headphones-worth-149-99.html
If I remember correctly it comes to ≈ $672 USD after a $18 FedEx 2-3 day shipping charge(w/full tracking) and $1 import fee.
Plus they include the b&o headphones and many EU buyers are reporting receiving LG branded headphones along with the b&o var!
And don't forget lg will provide extra battery with charging dock for all who buy b4 the 17th!
Related
I heard that T-mobile will only launch the handset (Galaxy S2) in June. I have found some deals on PhonesUnlimited (contract deals website) and i found a perfect offer on T-mobile. So im wondering if i order it now will i get it now or do i have to wait all the way till june?
Thanks
kar111 said:
I heard that T-mobile will only launch the handset (Galaxy S2) in June. I have found some deals on PhonesUnlimited (contract deals website) and i found a perfect offer on T-mobile. So im wondering if i order it now will i get it now or do i have to wait all the way till june?
Thanks
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I'm not sure about PhonesUnlimited but it's common for third party sellers to bundle contracts with unbranded/unlocked phones. If you wait until June for the T-Mobile version it will be network locked and have their own branding. Not a plus for me.
mobiles.co.uk phones are always unbranded and you can £50 back with Quidco.
So i can buy it right without worries?
As long you know the seller is legit you won't have any probs.
Ok, thanks everyone
I decided to go with phones4u instead as they have a better deal and i know they are credible
Hey guys. After researching many possible smartphones in the market right now, I am going to go with my first smartphone ever and possibly the best one right now (in my opinion): the Samsung Galaxy S2.
However, I live in the U.S. in which I do not think the SIM-capable unnerfed galaxy S2 will ever be coming out here.
Anyhow, I was hoping people who have bought the unlocked version of the S2 would be able to help me. My questions are as follows:
1) Which online vendor is the best place to buy an unlocked version of the S2? I have been researching many possible sites for the past few months. It seems NewEgg.com, Amazon.com, and Expansys-usa.com are most mentioned contenders. The question then becomes… which one to buy from? Who to trust? Anyone have experience in this arena?
2) From several reviews online, it seems people worldwide have been getting unlocked S2s with different starting languages/manuals. Are they all the same? Are there any fundamental differences in hardware or settings? If so, which one is best? It seems there are different versions with various configurations, such as with/without NFC. Hmm...
3) My main carrier in the U.S. is AT&T. What would I need to do to experience compatibility with this network? I would like to get HSPA+ (~ 4G speeds as claimed by AT&T, so to speak). Is there a special SIM from AT&T or tweaking within the phone I need to do to achieve this? Do I have to tell notify AT&T as well? What do I need to do to ensure compatibility with that network & the speeds I would like to achieve?
Phew. That is all. Thank you!!!!
As far as I know, the international version of i9100 is quad-brand 3G which matches AT&T. You can get 1 on amazon for around $700 USD
OR
you can get a LOCKED i9100m from Bell or Virgin Canada, then unlock it. This phone is 599.99 in Canada.
Isn't the Bell version CDMA-only? Does it offer SIM?
Anyhow, I'll try my hands on an international unlocked version. Now, the question still remains... which one to buy from? Amazon.com has many resellers. NewEgg and Expansys-USA are single resellers, but I would probably have to ask where they get theirs from.
Are there any differences in getting it via from the UK, Korea, India, etc? I would also need an adapter that can be plugged in the US.
Ok there lots of information if you used search feature
Cheapest place to buy currently is www.expansys-usa.com, you get it for 658.99 and you get additional $10 off with lsjuly10 voucher.
You get hspa+ speeds with att and you can also use $15 unlimited non smartphone plan with sgs2.
Search around and you can find lots of info on this. Hope this helps
Edit : just to answer your other question, you get us adapter along with the phone from expansys, amazon. You might mostly get a phone with uk firmware but it shouldn't really matter. Once you get the phone you can flash whatever firmware you want thru odin.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Thank you very much for the coupon!!!
Searching around, it seems like Expansys-USA might be the best bang for the buck to purchase the unlocked version.
I also tried e-mailing NewEgg.com and some Amazon.com vendors. NewEgg.com said their S2 was "made in China." Hmm. I am unsure if it means it is a Chinese version. One vendor from Amazon.com said it was "unsure of where the device came from."
I'm assuming since there's an Expansys-UK, the Expansys-USA may be coming from UK. Is the UK version good? I guess UK (since it's in English) would be best for me...
I've also heard some versions do not have NFC. Does the UK version have NFC or working NFC in the states?
Just get the bell one from canada and save yourself some money, its full hspa+ , meaning it will work with att 3g in the states. If you buy the european ones you'll likely pay upwards of 800$ I'm thinking...
Are the Bell ones unlocked? Where would I be able to find one? Any online resellers that are selling them? I thought the Bell ones were CDMA-only? Or do they also have SIM-card capabilities?
Driving up to Canada and purchasing one is not too feasible for me.
Alazarin said:
Are the Bell ones unlocked? Where would I be able to find one? Any online resellers that are selling them? I thought the Bell ones were CDMA-only? Or do they also have SIM-card capabilities?
Driving up to Canada and purchasing one is not too feasible for me.
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The bell ones are locked. Can be easly unlocked. They are sim ones. I using the one i bought with bell on telus
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Alazarin said:
Are the Bell ones unlocked? Where would I be able to find one? Any online resellers that are selling them? I thought the Bell ones were CDMA-only? Or do they also have SIM-card capabilities?
Driving up to Canada and purchasing one is not too feasible for me.
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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.
I saw this phone at the ATT store.
This is a nice phone! Very premium feel.
I know its only at ATT at the moment. When is it coming to T-mobile? I hate this type of exclusive thing!
When a carrier publicly touts a device is exclusive to itself, typically it means the other competing carriers will never have it. Even more likely so since the alpha isn't as popular as flagship devices.
You can always bring it to T-mobile yourself. I just bought one from swappa (should be here tomorrow) and purchased an unlock code. Based on the current selection, $460 (430 for phone, 30 for unlock code) and you could do the same.
Isnt Samsung silly to be shut out of more buyers buying this phone? I will never do ATT and Verizon.
Will the unlocked Att model work on all of T-Mobile's bands?
I have been buying the AT&T versions for years now, extending my contract term and trying the NEXT plan. But with the bigger carriers locking the software down I want to buy an international version, but I'm unsure where to get one.
interesting, I was looking at us version of Samsung site and realize they do not sell latest smartphones provider free and unlocked;
you have to try the Canada site, looks like up north here, we can buy Samsung phones unlocked, even the newest ones
There are a number of sites that deal with overseas international phones. You can also find them on Amazon.com quite easily. Here is one http://welectronics.com/gsm/SAMSUNGSMPHONES.shtml take note they are selling a 32GB & 64GB only version, not sure if they can't get the 128GB option, or it will come later.
Order Directly from Samsung or Use eBay Amazon Walmart Best buy or this super place swappa.com
Buying an international version sounds like a good idea.
biggstkk said:
I have been buying the AT&T versions for years now, extending my contract term and trying the NEXT plan. But with the bigger carriers locking the software down I want to buy an international version, but I'm unsure where to get one.
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I'm in the same boat. Just need to make sure the international version will support AT&T's LTE bands. If they do, I'll be going this route as well.
Try GSM Nation. Thet have the unlocked and at&t compatible version. Pre-Ordered mine.
Do not even try Canada. Yes we have stuff that work on pretty much all GSM carriers, but never can you buy an unlocked phone unless it's Google, Chinese made or bought overpriced on Sony's website. Samsung Nevers sells unlocked here. Got to use typical methods
Canada is not really international per se, Its networks are set up almost if not identical to those in the US, hence almost all devices are identical to those available in the US market.
There are however, few retailers that sells international versions of devices here in Canada. NCIX.com and Expansys Canada are the first 2 that come to mind. Its just a little more tougher to find as some retailers either don't post the complete information or don't even know their own inventory as some may carry the international versions without even knowing it.
Any other suggestions?
Buy an unbranded one off eBay.
Hi guys. I found some good v30 deals on ebay (new sealed in box). From ny understanding the h998 is carrier unlocked( at least in the US) and the 930 model is EU unlocked . my question is weather ill be able to use the H998 In Europe (im on vodafone in Romania), or should i save a few bucks more and grab the h930 just to be sure. The band frequencies seem to match, but are there additional hardware restrictions that might occur?
Ive read ChazzMatt's replies on a similar topic, but still am confused. Any guidance for my newb mind would be much appreciated
Shamwise said:
Hi guys. I found some good v30 deals on ebay (new sealed in box). From ny understanding the h998 is carrier unlocked( at least in the US) and the 930 model is EU unlocked . my question is weather ill be able to use the H998 In Europe (im on vodafone in Romania), or should i save a few bucks more and grab the h930 just to be sure. The band frequencies seem to match, but are there additional hardware restrictions that might occur?
Ive read ChazzMatt's replies on a similar topic, but still am confused. Any guidance for my newb mind would be much appreciated
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For V30 models, there's US998 (V30 V30+, V30S), AS998 (not sure how many variants), LS998 (V30+), VS996 (V30), but no "H998". Which one are you asking about?
If one of the US998, yes all US998 are carrier unlocked, but there's no genuinely new in box left. Refurbishers are CALLING it new in box because they are wrapping it in plastic. They are mixing and matching parts from other phones, wrapping in plastic and saying new in box. If they were honest, they should be calling it refurbished, not new.
I ordered alleged new V30+ a year ago, and got a 64GB V30 in a 128GB V30+ box with someone's microSD card still inside and B&O back cover and B&O earbuds. Obvious sham. LG is not allowed to use B&O branding in North America, so it wasn't "new" US998, besides trying to pass off used 64GB V30 (microSD card still inside) as 128GB V30+.
It was a refurbished phone with mix and match parts. I returned it, got my money back.
Recently someone else bought one and it had Sprint LS998 and AT&T H931 parts inside, but was running US998 firmware.
Yes, both mine and this one did LOOK like new, if that's important to you.
If you buy one, it may indeed work just fine. As long as it has US998 firmware, it is indeed a US998 now.
But I prefer to buy the "mint" US998 off eBay. At least they are saying it's used.
As ChazzMatt pointed out, there is no H998. If the phone is listed as H998, then I'd say don't trust that seller.
There's H930 (EU) and US998 (US) both of which are carrier unlocked, so they can be used with any carrier, as long as the bands match.
As far as I can tell, Romania uses LTE bands 1, 3, 8, 20 and maybe 7/38. US998 supports those. It's worth to also ensure GSM and UMTS bands are covered.
But in addition to bands there is the matter of VoLTE and VoWifi configuration, which is specific to each carrier. Phones have built-in tables of carriers for their market, but I doubt US998 has Romanian carriers in its table, while I'd expect H930 to have it.
In coming years, VoLTE will increasingly become the norm, so this could matter.
Both models are easy to root.
Many thanks for your reply. I had no clue they can claim a product is new, while being a refurbished flop. The offer i was looking at is the following(cant link it directly since im a new user on this forum). Mind looking at it and share your wisdom with me?
"New *UNOPENED* LG V30+ AT&T T-MOB US998 128G 6.0" 4G LTE Smartphone/128G/Black "
So a Silver 128GB US998. I don't think such a thing ever came from the factory, although I could be wrong.
Most 128GB US998 are converted from Sprint LS998, but I don't recall them being silver. TMO had a silver H932SV, but it only came in 64GB.
Sounds to me like a patchwork phone, exactly like ChazzMatt described.
Edit: eBay sellers (like 3rd party sellers on Amazon, AliExpress etc) can be anything from awesome and honest and trustworthy down to utter cockroaches, who'll claim anything to make a sale. This one seems to me at the lower end of the scale.
I see, so they can foil wrap something and claim it's brand new. Then i will consider buying a mint one, as i cant get past the fake advertising even if it's fully functional. Thank you guys for your time and effort
Let's see if Chazz has different thoughts on this listing. He has more experience than anybody when it comes to V30 and related models.
TheDannemand said:
Let's see if Chazz has different thoughts on this listing. He has more experience than anybody when it comes to V30 and related models.
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To my knowledge all true V30+ are black. LS998, US998, H930G, and even the rare T-mobile H932 V30+ (H932U) are all black. I've never seen a native silver one. But yeah, a refurbisher could put a 128GB V30+ board inside a silver 64GB V30 case. When a glass back is cracked on a used one, they simply swap with whatever else they have. Which is why the one sent me had "B&O" back cover -- which was never part of a real US998 phone.
The one I ordered came from "New Jersey" but was dropped shipped from somewhere in Asia, as they said it would take two weeks to deliver. It doesn't take two weeks to ship anywhere in the United States. It takes two weeks if shipping from Asia to New Jersey, then to where I live.
If it's this seller, which is the one I ordered from -- read his feedback comments:
https://www.ebay.com/fdbk/feedback_...age:RECEIVED_AS_SELLER&_trksid=p2047675.l2560
Like this one: "it turned out second hand"
or this one: "Fake! The product it is not brand new but refrubished and without warranty!"