Note: Posting this here because...this kinda concerns this version, tmobile, AT&T, and the US version. Not sure if this is the best place to post this topic though. If it isn't, please move it. Anyway
Edit: Dammit, maybe this thread is more appropriate for the Tmobile section. I guess I posted this in the wrong place then.
For the past two days, I've been undecided on whether or not I should get the International Samsung Galaxy S3, or the USA Samsung Galaxy S3. To the point where it's stressing me out.From what I've read, its a pretty debatable subject..and its tiring having to go through "lolz quad core owns all" or "2gb ram is the best. Lol international". I looked at some videos, and they seemed even, more or less.
1. Here is my issue. I have Tmobile.Right now I'm under a prepaid type of plan(as in, I pay for minutes whenever. If I'm out of minutes, I can buy some more at any time. I'm under no type of contract. And the only thing that obviously happens to me if I run out of minutes is that I cant call/text anyone until i add more ). But I would like the option to go to 3g/4g in the future. I don't have the money to do 3g/4G right now , but atleast the option is still there for the future. So for now , I'm on a prepaid "pay whenever I want" thing.
From what I've heard the international version does not support 3g/4g(?) regarding Tmobile. All I will get is edge. Now here is the question. Will this always be the case for the International version? Meaning that the international version will never support 3g and 4g under Tmobile?(if I wanted to get a 3g plan) ?
2. If thats the case, what about the USA version? If I decide to stick under Tmobile, and get the US version, I will still have the option of upgrading to 3G/4g on Tmobile, right ? If so, does it matter which US Samsung Galaxy phone I get?(ignoring Verizon and Sprint)
For example, I heard that the AT&T locks the user from disabling LTE for the USA version. As well as locks other things in general. Even if unlocked. Is this true? Or was the person who said this full of crap?
2.5 Also, lets say I do get The AT&T SGS3. And I unlock it and put my Tmobile sim card in it. Now in the future, If I wanted to upgrade to LTE, would I be able to get LTE on this unlocked AT&T phone under a Tmobile Plan? Or would I need an AT&T SGS3, along with an AT&T plan in order to get LTE? And would the reverse be true(as in, If I get a Tmobile SGS3, and wanted to switch carriers . I would never get LTE because of the change of plan). Should I only get a Tmobile USA Samsung Galaxy S3?
3.What about "rooting"? Would that be a way around #2.5 or any of the above questions?
4. Does AT&T have a good prepaid plan as well?(as in, I can pay for minutes whenever. I'm not under any contract or $30 a month type of thing)
5.In my situation, would you recommend I get the US, or international version? Is it worth getting the international version, or USA version when concerning Tmobile? Should I switch carriers in the future, or am I fine the way I am now?
?
6. IYO, if I were to get the USA version, what would be the best place to get it? Without any type of contracts. Again, I assume that buying it locked(and them me manually unlocking it) is the safest option?
7. In my situation, would you recoomend I get the USA, or international version?
Cliffs.
- Deciding between international SGS3, or USA SGS3.
- I'm under Tmobile(prepaid for now)
- Is it true that the International version of the SGS3 will never support 3g or 4g for Tmobile?
- If that's the case, I will at least have the option of upgrading to 3g/4g/on a USA SGS3 under Tmobile, right?
- If the above is true, would it matter which USA Samsung Galaxy S3 I get?(AT&T, or Tmobile). Ex: Is it true that AT&T locks/prevents the user from disabling LTE(which apparently drains a lot)pa, and other apps on the specific AT&T SGS3? Even if it's unlocked? Or was the person who said this full of crap?)
- If I do get a USA AT&T SGS3, unlock it, and put my Tmobile sim card in it. And in the future, wanted to upgrade to LTE, would I be able to get LTE on this unlocked ATT phone, under a Tmobile plan? If not, does the reverse hold true as well?(as in, If I get a Tmobile SGS3, and wanted to switch carriers . I would never get LTE because of the change of plan)
- Would rooting solve the above issues?
- Does AT&T have a good prepaid plan as well?(as in, I can pay for minutes whenever. I'm not under any contract or $30 a month type of thing)
- What would you guys do in my situation?
- IYO, if I were to get the USA version, what would be the best place to get it? Without any type of contracts
- In my situation, would you recommend I get the US, or international version?
destroyer8888 said:
Note: Posting this here because...this kinda concerns this version, tmobile, AT&T, and the US version. Not sure if this is the best place to post this topic though. If it isn't, please move it. Anyway
For the past two days, I've been undecided on whether or not I should get the International Samsung Galaxy S3, or the USA Samsung Galaxy S3. To the point where it's stressing me out.From what I've read, its a pretty debatable subject..and its tiring having to go through "lolz quad core owns all" or "2gb ram is the best. Lol international". I looked at some videos, and they seemed even, more or less.
1. Here is my issue. I have Tmobile.Right now I'm under a prepaid type of plan(as in, I pay for minutes whenever. If I'm out of minutes, I can buy some more at any time. I'm under no type of contract. And the only thing that obviously happens to me if I run out of minutes is that I cant call/text anyone until i add more ). But I would like the option to go to 3g/4g in the future. I don't have the money to do 3g/4G right now , but atleast the option is still there for the future.
From what I've heard the international version does not support 3g/4g(?) regarding Tmobile. All I will get is edge. Now here is the question. Will this always be the case for the International version? Meaning that the international version will never support 3g and 4g under Tmobile?(if I wanted to get a 3g plan) ?
2. If thats the case, what about the USA version? If I decide to stick under Tmobile, and get the US version, I will still have the option of upgrading to 3G/4g on Tmobile, right ? If so, does it matter which US Samsung Galaxy phone I get?(ignoring Verizon and Sprint)
For example, I heard that the AT&T locks the user from disabling LTE for the USA version. As well as locks other things in general. Even if unlocked. Is this true? Or was the person who said this full of crap?
2.5 Also, lets say I do get The AT&T SGS3. And I unlock it and put my Tmobile sim card in it. Now in the future, If I wanted to upgrade to LTE, would I be able to get LTE on this unlocked AT&T phone under a Tmobile Plan? Or would I need an AT&T SGS3, along with an AT&T plan in order to get LTE? And would the reverse be true(as in, If I get a Tmobile SGS3, and wanted to switch carriers . I would never get LTE because of the change of plan). Should I only get a Tmobile USA Samsung Galaxy S3?
3.What about "rooting"? Would that be a way around #2.5 or any of the above questions?
4. Does AT&T have a good prepaid plan as well?(as in, I can pay for minutes whenever. I'm not under any contract or $30 a month type of thing)
5.What would you guys do in my situation? Is it worth getting the international version, or USA version when concerning Tmobile? Should I switch carriers in the future, or am I fine the way I am now?
6. IYO, if I were to get the USA version, what would be the best place to get it? Without any type of contracts. Again, I assume that buying it locked(and them me manually unlocking it) is the safest option?
Cliffs.
- Deciding between international SGS3, or USA SGS3.
- I'm under Tmobile(prepaid for now)
- Is it true that the International version of the SGS3 will never support 3g or 4g for Tmobile?
- If thats the case, I will atleast have the option of upgrading to 3g/4g/on a USA SGS3 under Tmobile, right?
- If the above is true, would it matter which USA Samsung Galaxy S3 I get?(AT&T, or Tmobile). Ex: Is it true that AT&T locks/prevents the user from disabling LTE(which apparently drains a lot)pa, and other apps on the specific AT&T SGS3? Even if it's unlocked? Or was the person who said this full of crap?)
- If I do get a USA AT&T SGS3, unlock it, and put my Tmobile sim card in it. And in the future, wanted to upgrade to LTE, would I be able to get LTE on this unlocked ATT phone, under a Tmobile plan? If not, does the reverse hold true as well?(as in, If I get a Tmobile SGS3, and wanted to switch carriers . I would never get LTE because of the change of plan)
- Would rooting solve the above issues?
- Does AT&T have a good prepaid plan as well?(as in, I can pay for minutes whenever. I'm not under any contract or $30 a month type of thing)
- What would you guys do in my situation?
- IYO, if I were to get the USA version, what would be the best place to get it? Without any type of contracts
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I live in Germany on T-Mobile and have the International version. I recently travelled back to the US (PA/WV/OH area). T-Mobile only gave me a roaming Edge connection, no 3G (at least in the Columbus OH area). I went to the local AT&T shop to get one of the prepaid SIM's. They sold me one, but no-go on the data. They don't do "4G" data on the prepaid plan, the phone was too cool for them. I was only there for a couple of weeks, so I dealt with it. As for which is better, 2 core or 4 core, flip a coin. They are both good. Use GSM Arena's specs pages along with http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cellular_frequencies for carrier frequencies to figure out which phone supports the data connection you want.
michaeljwestii said:
I live in Germany on T-Mobile and have the International version. I recently travelled back to the US (PA/WV/OH area). T-Mobile only gave me a roaming Edge connection, no 3G (at least in the Columbus OH area). I went to the local AT&T shop to get one of the prepaid SIM's. They sold me one, but no-go on the data. They don't do "4G" data on the prepaid plan, the phone was too cool for them. I was only there for a couple of weeks, so I dealt with it. As for which is better, 2 core or 4 core, flip a coin. They are both good. Use GSM Arena's specs pages along with [link] for carrier frequencies to figure out which phone supports the data connection you want.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ahh I see. Thanks for the input man Now that I think about it, i'm starting to lean more towards the US version.
also, are there any good guides on how to disable LTE on a US ATT SGS3?
According to the sales assistant in my local Phones4U shop, there are 2 different versions of the 920, one that won't and can never work on 4G and one that will.
Does anyone know if this is true? I assumed it was the device that was 4G capable, full stop. If you have a 4G network/SIM then you put it in and it works, possibly requiring some change in config settings, but surely there isn't a 3G only version of the device.
They wouldn't sell me one SIM free as they only had enough stock for new contracts apparently and it was only available in white so far. Plus, this is where she then claimed that I had to buy the EE contract version in order to get a 4G capable device, and my theory of buying a SIM free device to use with my SIM on the 3 network for now, with a view to gaining 4G once 3 brought theirs online in my area.
Appreciate any comments from someone who knows what is true. I really don't (want to) believe what the sales assistant has told me. It seems daft.
cheers,
Wes
All of them are capable of LTE, but there are variations in the bands, so it is possible that you could get one that wouldn't work 3's LTE once it is deployed, but that is very unlikely if you purchase a UK version of the device as I'm fairly certain OFCOM didn't sell too many bands for LTE.
I got told the same thing at P4U
I was told that my Black 920 EE branded wouldn't work on 4G but if you look on the box all the LTE bands are listed... turned the phone on and found a option that allows 4g connection... i will find out in a few days once my EE 4G sim turns up.
called up the local EE shop who did me a black 920 for £399 and gave me a free set of WESC headphones and a free wireless charging plate, there and then. Oh, and i also had to pay £10 top up for a PAYG SIM that came with it as this was a deal for buying the phone as PAYG. It accepts EE, Orange, T-Mobile and Virgin SIMs in the UK so i can just put my existing Orange SIM in. Absolute bargain i thought
I am a real newbie when it comes to most of what you guys are doing but anyway I have a few questions I wonder if someone could answer.
I was considering getting the international version of the Mega 6.3 but I really would like to get the fastest download speeds I can so the discussions on using the ATT and MetroPCS Megas on the T Mobile network really interests me.
Questions:
After unlocking the phone, is the MetroPCS Mega more compatible with T Mobile than the ATT version? Is there an advantage buying one over the other? I understand that I may have to change the network settings also to have the phone fully functional on LTE, etc.
Does unlocking the phone void the warranty?
Also, I get a lot of misinformation from cell phone stores I was wondering if this is correct; a T Mobile store in my local mall said that in order for me to get LTE I would have to get on one of there more expensive plans (I am on the $30 "Walmart" plan with my Note 2).
Thanks.
bkkcnxsi said:
I am a real newbie when it comes to most of what you guys are doing but anyway I have a few questions I wonder if someone could answer.
I was considering getting the international version of the Mega 6.3 but I really would like to get the fastest download speeds I can so the discussions on using the ATT and MetroPCS Megas on the T Mobile network really interests me.
Questions:
After unlocking the phone, is the MetroPCS Mega more compatible with T Mobile than the ATT version? Is there an advantage buying one over the other? I understand that I may have to change the network settings also to have the phone fully functional on LTE, etc.
Does unlocking the phone void the warranty?
Also, I get a lot of misinformation from cell phone stores I was wondering if this is correct; a T Mobile store in my local mall said that in order for me to get LTE I would have to get on one of there more expensive plans (I am on the $30 "Walmart" plan with my Note 2).
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
After unlocking, the MetroPCS Mega is more compatible with T-mobile than ATT (MetroPCS these days uses T-mobile's network). The MetroPCS version has the compatible frequencies for T-mobile's native 3G/4G hspa and 4GLTE network while the ATT version only has support for Tmo's 4GLTE and unless you live in a refarmed area (1900mhz) you won't be getting 3G/4G hspa coverage.
Sim unlocking a phone does not void warranty and the person at the mall is wrong. I'm currently using the $30 "Walmart" plan and once you edit the APN settings, you'll get LTE on T-mobile (I tested this on an Atrix HD I own which support Tmo's LTE network).
I'm in the same boat as you, contemplating picking up the international version, but the MetroPCS version is highly tempting. Right now, if you're a new Metro customer, the price of the Mega is $349 ($499 - $100 instant rebate - $50 off new activation) - can't really beat that price. Also, supposedly, MetroPCS will unlock the phone for free after three months of using their service.
bkkcnxsi said:
I am a real newbie when it comes to most of what you guys are doing but anyway I have a few questions I wonder if someone could answer.
I was considering getting the international version of the Mega 6.3 but I really would like to get the fastest download speeds I can so the discussions on using the ATT and MetroPCS Megas on the T Mobile network really interests me.
Questions:
After unlocking the phone, is the MetroPCS Mega more compatible with T Mobile than the ATT version? Is there an advantage buying one over the other? I understand that I may have to change the network settings also to have the phone fully functional on LTE, etc.
Does unlocking the phone void the warranty?
Also, I get a lot of misinformation from cell phone stores I was wondering if this is correct; a T Mobile store in my local mall said that in order for me to get LTE I would have to get on one of there more expensive plans (I am on the $30 "Walmart" plan with my Note 2).
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2526041
I saw a couple of tech points in the other threads. I myself have purchased the Att variant and planning to set it up with T Mobile but as I said, someone pointed out that they have different cellular banding or something to that effect. This person went on to say even if we were to get the ATT Gear S version on T Mobile that speeds would probably only be 2G.
From the articles that I've read on the Gear S specs I haven't come across anything saying that Samsung has designed specific versions for each U.S. carrier.
I do not have the answer at this time whether or not full cross compatibility is built into the device or not. Purely going by what has been announced, again I do not think it has been modified to keep us from doing carrier jumps.
I will update when Tmobile gets their networks up and running for the Gear S. If anyone can clear this up with for sure information, please do so. Feel free to speculate but if you're not certain please say so. Thanks.
If I can't get full functionality on the TMobile network with my ATT purchased and unlocked Gear S, I guess I'll have to return it and pony up the extra $50 that TMobile charges and fully join that club. Guys it may not be worth the hassle. I'll have an update soon on how all this works out, however I'd like to welcome feedback on the issue.
hughedee74 said:
If I can't get full functionality on the TMobile network with my ATT purchased and unlocked Gear S, I guess I'll have to return it and pony up the extra $50 that TMobile charges and fully join that club. Guys it may not be worth the hassle. I'll have an update soon on how all this works out, however I'd like to welcome feedback on the issue.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Im doing the same thing tomorrow.
You can go to Samsung.com to check out the official spec. There are 5 different carrier variants but only three listed so far: AT&T (SM-R750A), Verizon (SM-R750V) and Sprint (SM-R750P). The missing two are T-Mobile (SM-R750T) and US Cellular.
Each listed different supported network (CMDA vs GSM) and bands.
It has the Snapdragon 400 which supports a HUGE number of bands and supports a global mode for both CDMA and GSM.
https://www.qualcomm.com/products/snapdragon/processors/400
https://www.qualcomm.com/products/snapdragon/wearables/samsung-gear-s
Someone will figure out a way to get the device to work with them back and forth ... it may be through a rom or a command line. But if you aren't a tinkerer you'll probably want to go with the version of the watch for your preferred carrier.
Update: I did a search through the FCC and didn't see one with T-Mobile specific bands (1700/2100). Bad news though is that there definitely are two variants for CDMA AND GSM. Argh. I stand brutally corrected!
Hey. Are there any Tutorials of how to GSM Unlock a Galaxy Tab S3 LTE to be able to use a T Mobile SIM Card with a Mobile Internet Data Plan?
EpiphanyofMusic said:
Hey. Are there any Tutorials of how to GSM Unlock a Galaxy Tab S3 LTE to be able to use a T Mobile SIM Card with a Mobile Internet Data Plan?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Why wouldn't you just buy an international LTE Tab S3? The VZW version is going to have their crap and modifications on it and most likely will be updated 6 months behind an international version if at all. Do you know if the VZW version supports T-Mobile's band 12? The international version doesn't and folks on T-Mobile get 8MB down in those markets that rely on band 12 heavily.
While all of the above is true, VZW devices should be SIM unlocked out of the box due to their block C agreement. The primary band for TMO is band 4 so you should be fine but yes, it is missing band 12 so if you live in a band 12 area, you're possibly giving up some coverage, particularly indoors. I'm in Chicago and since we don't have band 12... Doesn't matter to me.
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Does anyone know if they come out of the box unlocked through Verizon? As I also want to use it on my T-Mobile unlimited plane to replace another tablet but buy the tablet through Verizon as it is not offered at T-Mobile.
Postpay Device Unlocking Policy
We do not lock most phones or tablets that are activated with our postpay service, either during or after the term of your service contract or Device Payment Plan installment sales agreement.
We do not lock our 4G LTE devices, and no code is needed to program them for use with another carrier.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
In case anyone else was wondering. Found this on Verizons website.
Not to bring up an old post, but the US Cellular S3 is also fully unlocked. I have it running on ATT with just apn modifications
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