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Hello,
I'm a probably future owner of an i897 but I have some questions about the hardware and models variations
I like in Brazil and my 3G carrier use 2100 MHZ (Where I live) and 850 MHz on other states (3g on Roaming). I have an unlimited data plan, but with a max speed of 300 kbps (so far).
I'm looking for the best GSM android phone: Fast processor, huge screen (4" or bigger), big resolution (at least 800 x 480), TV output, Wi-Fi, Internet tethering, GPS. All roads lead to I9000 or i897.
At first I thought choose the i897, because it uses both 850 MHz and 2100 MHz, so I'll have 3g anywhere in Brazil. BUT and you can see my data plan have a speed limit of 300kbps, so I don't know if I'll use the full potential of 3G, at least for now. Eventually I'll upgrade my data plan to a 1 MBPS plan.
I can also get i9000 but it will work only in few states. Probably it work for one year (As I don't intend to travel too much in the next year), but after one year I can change my carrier and some carriers here only use 850 MHZ 3G. So choosing the i9000 I will narrow my future options.
What I trying to ask (or answer) is whether is better to have an i897 with full country 3G BUT with an extremely "locked" firmware of if I should get the i9000 with a better firmware option but with restricted 3G (3G with 70% coverage).
In order to answer that I have other 'sub-questions':
1) Does i897 have the FM radio hardware? Would a future firmware/ROM update enable it?
2) Does i897 GPS works (I recall AT&T Blocking GPS on blackberry phones)
3) I saw some comments (other phones) that some ROMs messed up with 3G band. The 3G frequency is a hardware or software configuration?
4) Some sellers are already selling, here in Brazil, unlocked i897 phones. Is possible to unlock the phone but a ROM update or I'll have to pay for unlock codes?
5) Which other features AT&T decided to lock (Removed from their ROM) on this phone?
6) Is there an I9000 variant with front facing camera?
5) One very important question: Aside from Droid x (which is not GSM) and HTC evo (which also if not a GSM phone) is the Samsung i897/i9000 the best android phone available?
I also thought about getting a Motorola XT720 but it is only US$ 50 cheaper and have a slower processor and no 850 MHZ 3G. Also thought about the HTC Desire (A8183 Australian model that have both 850 and 2100
MHZ 3G) but so far I find the i897 the best option (although I would love having front facing camera that the Desire have).
Any other options?
Thanks
Jose Morais
In answer to your question(s), the phone you want is the best one for you ...
1. No, the i897 is not supporting an FM radio at this time, and I'm not sure if the hardware is present as I refuse to open my phone to look. AT&T's specifications page does not list FM radio as a feature either, but that doesn't mean its not there and disabled.
2. Yes the GPS works, it is spotty for some and Samsung has admitted to there being an issue that will be resolved by an upcomming OTA update.
3. (For WM Phones): It's not so much the ROM as it is the Radio software, which may, or may not, be changed in the ROM. Different versions of the radio software can improve performance for some and worsen it for others. I'm am not sure how the radio software is handled by an Android device, as this is the first one I've owned, but I imagine is is very similar. Just be aware of what you are doing, and how to undo it if something is amiss.
4. There is a thread on this board about unlocking the i897, and as of my last reading yesterday, there is no known way to unlock this phone...yet. There was even a report of someone selling "unlocked" i897 phones on e-bay, which were
later found to be firmly SIM locked. I would advise you read that thread, and be very aware of what you are buying if someone is advertising an unlocked i897.
5. AT&T has blocked (or tried to anyway) non-market apps from installing, and WiFi tethering apps from displaying in the android marketplace. There are work arounds for all of this already.
6. Yes, the are Galaxy S phones with FFC. Not sure if any of them are GSM. Keep in mind that transmitting live video is bandwidth intensive and your plan, and upload speed, may not be robust enough to handle it. On that note, I can find no data that either supports or denies this phone having HSUPA capability which would go a long way towards being able to use a FFC as intended.
7. Your last question is entirely subjective to perspective and intended use.
Were I you I would get the phone that most suits my needs and my HOME network. You may want to wait a bit and see what pans out with this phone.
In Brazil the i897 should not currently be an option you should consider until AT&T has made a definitive decision about unlocking the phones, or a third party solution is possible. The Samsung Galaxy S platform is going to be releases in 110 countries. Brazil being probably one of the bigger cell phone markets, is going to get a variant of the Galaxy S lineup in the near future, you best option will be to wait on a phone like this to be released and then pick it up.
Battlehymn,
Thanks for the answers. I have an expectation when using my phone and now I'm trying to find which phones can fullfill this expectation. That's why sometimes the phone that I (think) want may not be the best for me. I hope i897 will the "the one".
I also think it's the best to think about a phone that will work with 3G on my home state. I897 will work, but as well as i9000. Maybe the best option, as you sugested, is to wait a little to see how i897 works in terms or ROM and unlock.
@rajendra82
Sure. My carrier will start selling the i897 here in few months, but I don't really want to buy it here: An iphone 3GS 16GB brought in a store cost around 3.000 Brazilian reais (around US$ 1,650) while it can be purchased for US$ 400 in the US. I asked a friend of mine to bring me a US phone but I have up to next week to decide which one he should buy.
Thanks
don't buy the captivate if you don't have att you'll be dissapointed because it won't work!
get something that does, if you must get an android device, the nexus 1 with the ATT bands (I think thats what you're looking for?) is you're best bet. they're still available online at places but you are most definitely running out of time
Telstra in Australia run on 850/2100 3G, and I'm pretty sure some networks in Canada do aswell. Keep an eye on on those carriers for a compatible Galaxy S to be released soon.
Major Clod said:
Telstra in Australia run on 850/2100 3G, and I'm pretty sure some networks in Canada do aswell. Keep an eye on on those carriers for a compatible Galaxy S to be released soon.
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I have a friend of mine that will travel to US next on august 13th, so I decide which phone I'll bet before he leaves. I don't think there will be Telstra ou Canada versions of the i9000 by than. Will have to decide about buying I9000, i897 or HTC Desire in the next two weeks...
Hello, I need some help in choosing my new phone I have an opportunity to buy Samsung Galaxy S for $700 here in Russia but I really don't like its iPhonish design but it's possible to buy some replacing backplates and firmware support is better than Captivate's one I think.
And I really love the Captivate's design, it really looks fantastic! But I am not really sure if it will be unlockable by the end of this summer when I come back home, so it's very risky.
Advise me something, please
P.S. Sorry for 2 themes in different thredes but I really have only 1 day to choose.
btw Samsung Galaxy S is HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100
so it's better to buy AT&T Data plan for 3g internet? because t-mobile has 1700/2100 and is 2100 enough for normal 3g?
If you're interested in the Captivate and are buying it outright ($500, so it's a bit cheaper), I would get a commitment from AT&T that they'll allow you to unlock it first. I read here somewhere that AT&T said they have a 10 month exclusivity contract with the Captivate and there won't be any unlocks until then. I agree with you, I like the Captivates design a ton compared to the other Galaxy S phone designs.
Is gyroscope so important in Captivate and has anybody tried to use Samsung Galaxy's face camera?
I would go with the galaxy s if i could. More broadly released and has that physical homebutton which i feel is much needed.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I897 using XDA App
why does the international version of galaxy s does not have the gyro where the US branded versions have it? Moreover, the US version has 6 axis where as the international one has only 4
The gyro is what gives it the extra two axises.
I'm a T-Mobile Prepaid customer using a simple $19 phone but am planning to purchase a no-contract smart phone, say Samsung Galaxy S 2 or HTC Amaze 4G.
If I buy one of these for T-Mobile Prepaid, am I locked in there, or the phone is useful even if I might move onto another carrier such as Verizon or ATT, or to another Plan within T-Mobile later?
xdabyk said:
I'm a T-Mobile Prepaid customer using a simple $19 phone but am planning to purchase a no-contract smart phone, say Samsung Galaxy S 2 or HTC Amaze 4G.
If I buy one of these for T-Mobile Prepaid, am I locked in there, or the phone is useful even if I might move onto another carrier such as Verizon or ATT, or to another Plan within T-Mobile later?
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Click to collapse
No you are not locked in if you buy a phone off contract. You will not be able to move to verizon or sprint with the phone though, because they use CDMA and not GSM like the rest of the world.
you can outright buy the phone, but check to see if they have a pre-paid plan/data plan for that phone, it will not be unlocked so you cannot move. You can request t-mobile to unlock it though, but you will not get the same 4g speeds
Please use the Q&A Forum for questions Thanks
Moving to Q&A
lowandbehold said:
No you are not locked in if you buy a phone off contract. You will not be able to move to verizon or sprint with the phone though, because they use CDMA and not GSM like the rest of the world.
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Thank you. Does that mean I can use the Samsung Galaxy S2 No-Contract Model I buy from/for T-Mobil Prepaid now for other carriers of GSM? May I understand from your reply message(s) that T-Mobile is a GSM format carrier(and so is AT&T?) as opposed to Verizon and Sprint being a CDMA guys? If so, I can use the phone as long as my next carrier is a GSM guy? Does this make sense?
djjuice said:
you can outright buy the phone, but check to see if they have a pre-paid plan/data plan for that phone, it will not be unlocked so you cannot move. You can request t-mobile to unlock it though, but you will not get the same 4g speeds
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To: djjuice -
Thank you. I will do some homework in order to understand what "locked", "unlock" and " . . . will not get the same 4g speeds" mean.
Even unlocked the phone may not support the 3G or "4"G data speed between TMobile and AT&T. The AT&T Galaxy S II will not run on TMobile 3G data, only Edge (2G) data, because they run on different frequencies, same thing with the TMobile Galaxy S II does not support AT&T frequencies. If you buy the phone off contract from TMobile, they should unlock it for you, but there is no guarantee it will work (fully) anywhere else.
If you buy a phone off of craigslist even though you are buying it off contract you cannot guarantee it can be unlocked freely. For example if you buy an AT&T phone used from someone, AT&T will not unlock it for you for free until it's a certain number of months old (based on when the first person bought it from AT&T). You would have to pay a third party for an unlock code (if there is no help here on xda to unlock it).
It's best to just buy a phone for the carrier you plan on using. That ensures its going to work, and that it will work at full speed. If you really think you are going to switch to AT&T buy one of their branded phones, or Verizon etc. Verizon and Sprint both use CDMA, but they are very resistant to allowing another carriers phone on their network. Plus their 4G networks are different types (Verizon uses LTE, Sprint WiMax) so they wouldn't work fully regardless.
Thank you, quarlow.
My budget is around $600 max. So I'm inclined to purchase an HTC Amaze 4Z or Samsung Galaxy S2 for use for T-Mobile Prepaid at Target or at T-Mobile. T-Mobile Net Shop is selling Galaxy S2 Re-Furbished at a discount price. Hear Galaxy S2 have high rate of initial failures and therefore maybe better to buy a re-furbished one that has failed once and was repaired by qualified repairman. Below is how I come to think of buying a smart phone now. I've been happy with a simple prepaid phone buying 100 minutes at a time, which lasts more than a year for me. I also use a Sony Clie, a PDA running Palm Desk Top, which has gone obsolete long time ago. With a smart phone such as Galaxy or Amaze 4Z, I can leave not only the PDA but also a digital camera home. I do not need to access my PDA data over internet. I will import necessary data from my PC to my new smart phone either via cable or via WIFI before going out. That's why I want to remain "Prepaid Customer" not a customer with monthly fees. (Besides, I am not so much interested in leaving my data at ISP's servers.)
Thank you.
I haven't heard of high failure on the Galaxy S II's for TMo. But I have seen several studies showing refurbished devices have lower failure rates because they can have problem components replaced, and have to pass full qa testing twice.
If you are going to put all your data on your phone via USB on the computer, or wifi, then data compatibility won't matter. That changes the whole issue of taking it to another carrier. Any att or TMo phone that is unlocked will make and receive phone calls, text messages and mms messages just fine on the other network. You will only notice the difference when web browsing, or downloading files. If you aren't going to do that, then it wont make a difference.
Knowing that and your budget I would say get a international version of the phone. Get the Galaxy S II (i9100), or the Galaxy Note, or the Galaxy Nexus. All of those phones are top tier, and international versions will receive updates quicker. The Nexus being the Google device will be the first ICS device to get the next version of android, so its the most future proof. The GSM version of any of those phones will likely come unlocked.
The i9100 has a 4.3" screen, and 1.2Ghz dual core Exynos chip. The TMo version has a 4.5" screen (same resolution) with 1.5Ghz dual core qualcomm chip. The bigger screens did have issues with splotches and vertical lines far more than the 4.3" screen. With them being the same resolution the smaller screen is crisper. The Exynos chip is made by Samsung and widely regarded as the better chip, even at a slower speed. It also comes with a more powerful gpu than the qualcomm chip. So, the graphics are better, and games run better. The att version (i777) is almost exactly the same as the i9100, except it has the U.S. norm of 4 buttons, vs the international 3 buttons. The dev support on xda for the i9100 is unmatched by any other phone, its an amazing device with a huge support and user base.
The Galaxy Note is a 5.3" half phone half tablet with a stylus, and 1.4Ghz dual core Exynos chip. Its screen is a whopping 1280x800 resolution. But, for some that's too big.
The Galaxy Nexus has a 4.65" screen with 720p resolution (this screen is pentile which means it doesn't have as many sub pixels as it could. Its hard to explain, Google pentile vs rgb and there should be plenty of explinations. But, most reviews say at that resolution you need a microscope to tell). But the real strength with that device is that its the pure Google device. Its running Android the way its meant to be ran, unbloated and unrestricted. That is the Rolls Royce of Android phones for the next year. The Nexus S is last years Google device, and will be the first gingerbread device with an official ICS upgrade, if it isn't already upgraded. Its like a Mercedes at this point, its got the pure android experience, but its running last years tech: 4" screen, 1Ghz single core hummingbird chip.
I'm sure that is way more information than you ever wanted to know, but I hope it helps.
Sent from my Galaxy S II (i777)
quarlow said:
Even unlocked the phone may not support the 3G or "4"G data speed between TMobile and AT&T. The AT&T Galaxy S II will not run on TMobile 3G data, only Edge (2G) data, because they run on different frequencies, same thing with the TMobile Galaxy S II does not support AT&T frequencies. If you buy the phone off contract from TMobile, they should unlock it for you, but there is no guarantee it will work (fully) anywhere else.
If you buy a phone off of craigslist even though you are buying it off contract you cannot guarantee it can be unlocked freely. For example if you buy an AT&T phone used from someone, AT&T will not unlock it for you for free until it's a certain number of months old (based on when the first person bought it from AT&T). You would have to pay a third party for an unlock code (if there is no help here on xda to unlock it).
It's best to just buy a phone for the carrier you plan on using. That ensures its going to work, and that it will work at full speed. If you really think you are going to switch to AT&T buy one of their branded phones, or Verizon etc. Verizon and Sprint both use CDMA, but they are very resistant to allowing another carriers phone on their network. Plus their 4G networks are different types (Verizon uses LTE, Sprint WiMax) so they wouldn't work fully regardless.
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Click to collapse
Actually the T-mobile SGSII supports AT&T 3g.
lowandbehold said:
Actually the T-mobile SGSII supports AT&T 3g.
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Click to collapse
Att 3G runs on 850 and 1900, with preference on 1900 generally. The TMo looks to have 850, but not 1900. So like the vibrant the support will be spotty at best. It may work in some places, but not everywhere.
Sent from my Galaxy S II (i777)
To quarlow and lowandbehold -
Very informative! Thank you very much.
I will stay with the plan to go for a Galaxy S2(i1900) or an HTC Amaze 4Z for TMO Prepaid. If there be good prepaid phone service(s) available from other carrier(s), I'd definitely want to learn about.
Hi everyone. As the heading states, I am planning to buy the GTab 7 Plus in India for my dad. Now, here is my concern:
In India, the same tab is marketed as the Samsung Galaxy Tab 620. It still has the 1.2 GHz Exynos Processor, 1024X600 resolution screen & includes Voice calling features. I have searched all over the net & couldn't find if there are any differences compared to the GTab 7 Plus which is available internationally. So, in this case, is it only the change in name for marketing purposes or is there some other variation also? Basically, I want to understand if I can use all the ROMs available here on XDA with the tab available in India?
If anyone has any info on this I would really appreciate it. Thanks in Advance!
Raghav1980 said:
Hi everyone. As the heading states, I am planning to buy the GTab 7 Plus in India for my dad. Now, here is my concern:
In India, the same tab is marketed as the Samsung Galaxy Tab 620. It still has the 1.2 GHz Exynos Processor, 1024X600 resolution screen & includes Voice calling features. I have searched all over the net & couldn't find if there are any differences compared to the GTab 7 Plus which is available internationally. So, in this case, is it only the change in name for marketing purposes or is there some other variation also? Basically, I want to understand if I can use all the ROMs available here on XDA with the tab available in India?
If anyone has any info on this I would really appreciate it. Thanks in Advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I thought the tab was for your dad? Kidding...
Take a look in the development subforum just to be sure but as far as I know there are no custom ROMs for the Plus yet.
Hi im from Philippines. My advice is do not buy Galaxy Tab 7 plus... why? Because Gtab 7 plus is not super amoled. You just wait for Gtab 7.7 that is a amoled LCD...
Sent from TAPAKING using Tapatalk
I already bought GTab 7 plus for my mom. I pissed off when i read about the specs and it is not amoled LCD.
Sent from TAPAKING using Tapatalk
Yes, I am fully aware that it is not super amoled. The point is that my dad is getting a limited time offer from his workplace for a 60% discount on any phone purchase. But since he already has a phone which he is content with, he wanted a tablet to use as an ereader. This is the only well speced tab which has phone calling capabilites & is available for purchase here at the moment.
Anyways, I have gone ahead with the purchase & dad is happy with the device. Thanks for all your inputs.
Guys, I don't know about price for Tab 7.7 in your country, but in Russia I got my Galaxy Tab 7.0 Plus for $468 and price for 7.7 starting at $780. So I don't want pay twice more for super amoled screen and 0.2ghz difference
I am also looking to buy a galaxy tab 7 plus and am undecided which version to buy. I live in the united states and I could just get the p6210 wifi only version, but I am not sure if I will need 3g. I don't want to buy the wifi only then find myself often wanting to use the wireless features when I have no wifi. From my understanding i can use the GPS no matter which version I have so that's at least a plus no matter which way I go.
If I end up buying a 3g version which would people recommend the international unlocked one, the t-mobile un-subsidised, or the t-mobile contracted one.
For people who live in the US and actually got the international one, which cell phone company are you using with it and are you able to get a cellphone plan and use it as a huge cellphone.
People with the t-mobile version have you been able to unlock the subsidised version and/or use the unlocked version as a cellphone? Either with a t-mobile prepaid plan or another company that uses the same frequency.
From what I have read it seems like the international one would have to be used with at&t and t-mobile version is only usable with t-mobile in the US atleast.
In Thailand has 2 version
P6200 (for 3G 900MHz)
P6200L (for 3G 850MHz)
colutr said:
I am also looking to buy a galaxy tab 7 plus and am undecided which version to buy. I live in the united states and I could just get the p6210 wifi only version, but I am not sure if I will need 3g. I don't want to buy the wifi only then find myself often wanting to use the wireless features when I have no wifi. From my understanding i can use the GPS no matter which version I have so that's at least a plus no matter which way I go.
If I end up buying a 3g version which would people recommend the international unlocked one, the t-mobile un-subsidised, or the t-mobile contracted one.
For people who live in the US and actually got the international one, which cell phone company are you using with it and are you able to get a cellphone plan and use it as a huge cellphone.
People with the t-mobile version have you been able to unlock the subsidised version and/or use the unlocked version as a cellphone? Either with a t-mobile prepaid plan or another company that uses the same frequency.
From what I have read it seems like the international one would have to be used with at&t and t-mobile version is only usable with t-mobile in the US atleast.
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Click to collapse
I have the 6210, I'm fine with wifi only because 1) I'm not paying for yet another data plan, and 2) tethering your phone to the tab works great, assuming you have a smartphone.
Sent from my Galaxy Tab 7 Plus
You should buy GT-7 plus, Super amoled is not very importand for your Dad.
haphuong108 said:
You should buy GT-7 plus, Super amoled is not very importand for your Dad.
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Click to collapse
I second that. In addition, the extra screen resolution and slight bump in processor speed are not worth the extra money IMO. Good Luck with your purchase!
I think you should go on and get it. Sure, it lacks Super amoled screen, but I find that people that randomly see my tablet have no problem with my screen.
In fact they say the screen is pretty awesome. In fact, the only real people who seem to notice the screen are fellow tech people.
I currently have an HTC hero I used on AT&T (I think it was a Rogers phone from canada, its the Hero with the funny kink at the bottom).
I've been very happy with it for a few years now, but my folks just got new iphone 4's and I cant stand the "if this "android" thing is so great why is your phone so much slower than mine?" remarks from my father anymore (guess I did a little to good of a job turning him into a techy ) so its time to upgrade
I had not looked at new phones since my Hero was very near top of the line. Base on my extensive reading over the last 2 weeks it looks like the Samsung Galaxy S II LTE (aka Skyrocket) is probably a great choice, particularly since I will be moving to the Baltimore / D.C. area soon and it looks like they have LTE service!
1st Question) Can I still simply take the sim card from my Hero and pop it into the Skyrocket and be up and running? I assume the new phones still use the same old sim cards but all the reviews / videos / pictures I've seen didn't mention it specifically and I wanted to be sure, for all I know they could have changed.
2nd Question) Any reason you wouldn't recommend the Skyrocket? Something better out now, or coming out very soon?
Thank you very much for the help, I always appreciate the advice and wealth of information from all the experts here!
*EDIT* FYI I did look into the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note, but its to large for me I think
1) Yes. To my knowledge (not very much ) only iPhones and Nokia's N9 use microSIM cards. Your regular SIM from your Hero will fit fine in your new phone.
2) The Skyrocket is a lovely phone, if you need LTE. There are two similar, somewhat cheaper alternatives available if you're not in an LTE area (i777, i9100). They are both compatible with AT&T 3G service.
If you wait for 'the next best thing' around the corner, you'll never buy anything Manufacturers are certainly pumping devices these days. That said, if you like big phones the Note is coming to AT&T within the next couple of weeks, also packing LTE.
I personally loved the LG Nitro HD for its stunning 720p screen and sleek build, although LGs software is definitely not as polished as Samsungs.
In the end, it all comes down to personal preference If you can, head into your local AT&T shop and get some hands-on time with both. Pick the one which feels better for you. You can make a more informed choice that way
Good luck!