Guys, I need advice. I'll be in he US for some time and I need to be online on the go.
I got a European Galaxy S (1, the original) - is there any carrier that would give me a good data plan? Would 3G work? If not, what is the best option for EDGE?
I'd also consider buying a new phone. However, there is no Galaxy S2, nowhere. No carrier. Wtf? Sprint looks nice with the unlimited plan, but a Nexus as a *NEWS* phone? I am puzzled.
Isn't there any good dual core phone in the US?
And why does every provider seem to ***** about *tethering* - what a silly name for something normal.
Seriously, how do you survive this in the US?
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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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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Actually the T-mobile SGSII supports AT&T 3g.
lowandbehold said:
Actually the T-mobile SGSII supports AT&T 3g.
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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.
So I've been eyeing the nexus 5, and see that it will only be $350 without contract.
My question is if I buy the phone like this will I be able to just call Sprint and hook it up? Or will I have to buy the phone through them with a new 2yr?
Sent from the Galaxy beast note ll
gilbydakid said:
So I've been eyeing the nexus 5, and see that it will only be $350 without contract.
My question is if I buy the phone like this will I be able to just call Sprint and hook it up? Or will I have to buy the phone through them with a new 2yr?
Sent from the Galaxy beast note ll
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Depends if the Nexus 5 supports CDMA bands. if it does, either you could go straight to Sprint and get it with a contract, or get it off the play store and then Sprint will activate it. if the Nexus 5 doesnt support CDMA bands then you cant activate it via Sprint or any other carrier that uses CDMA bands
Hello everyone, I just have a quick question.
I currently have a Samsung S3 (The AT&T one, I unlocked it, which calls and data works just fine), but I have been having some problems with it so Im thinking of upgrading to the Nexus 5 when it is available.
The problem is, I dont know if N5 would work with bands in Mexico (Im currently using Telcel carrier) anybody would tell me?
Also.. if I buy the N5 through google play will it come unlocked right out of the box?
If you buy a Nexus 5 from Google play, it will come unlocked out of the box. Just use the sim card in your current phone, and it should work just fine. I assume the bands would be similar to the ones on your AT&T S3 since the Nexus 5 was leaked to support a wide variety of bands.
Hello. I have had nothing but Nexus phones for the last few years. I really like the S6, but am not really sure on a few things. Let me just ask the questions I have, and see if some kind soul will answer them.
1. I'm guessing short of buying a way overpriced international version, there's no way to get an unlocked/carrier-free version of this phone?
2. I use Straight Talk with my Nexus 6. What is the best way (without buying a Straight Talk branded phone) to use an S6 with Straight Talk?
3. If I buy an AT&T S6 outright, do I have to buy service with them? If so, can I cancel after a month and switch to ST?
4. Compared to the Nexus line, is it hell to root an S6 or load custom ROMs on one?
Thanks again for all the help. If anyone is wondering, I do love my N6, but I started running lately, and the 6" form factor is just too much of a beast to strap onto my arm or carry in a pouch. The S6 would be perfect for that.
Anyone?
i can help you with the last question...i think the easiest android phone to flash roms is the galaxy....i used S2 S4 and now S6....and they are the easiest...its simple....maybe you wont find many custom roms for the S6 because of its only exynos variant...but its easy to flash them..
wvcadle said:
Hello. I have had nothing but Nexus phones for the last few years. I really like the S6, but am not really sure on a few things. Let me just ask the questions I have, and see if some kind soul will answer them.
1. I'm guessing short of buying a way overpriced international version, there's no way to get an unlocked/carrier-free version of this phone?
2. I use Straight Talk with my Nexus 6. What is the best way (without buying a Straight Talk branded phone) to use an S6 with Straight Talk?
3. If I buy an AT&T S6 outright, do I have to buy service with them? If so, can I cancel after a month and switch to ST?
4. Compared to the Nexus line, is it hell to root an S6 or load custom ROMs on one?
Thanks again for all the help. If anyone is wondering, I do love my N6, but I started running lately, and the 6" form factor is just too much of a beast to strap onto my arm or carry in a pouch. The S6 would be perfect for that.
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1. Tmobile is the closest you'll get to the international version but your going to have to get it SIM unlocked (try swappa)
2. Take SIM out of n6 and put in s6 I use my s6 on straight talk with no problems you just might have to set the APN settings
3. If you buy s6 outright i do not believe you will have to have service with them should be able to purchase and put your ST sim right in
4. Cannot comment on this but looks like someone already did
hajyihia said:
i can help you with the last question...i think the easiest android phone to flash roms is the galaxy....i used S2 S4 and now S6....and they are the easiest...its simple....maybe you wont find many custom roms for the S6 because of its only exynos variant...but its easy to flash them..
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Click to collapse
Well, the easiest phones on which to flash ROMs are the Nexus phones. But I just wanted to make sure the S6 wasn't too difficult as well.
Thanks for your response.
aford89 said:
1. Tmobile is the closest you'll get to the international version but your going to have to get it SIM unlocked (try swappa)
2. Take SIM out of n6 and put in s6 I use my s6 on straight talk with no problems you just might have to set the APN settings
3. If you buy s6 outright i do not believe you will have to have service with them should be able to purchase and put your ST sim right in
4. Cannot comment on this but looks like someone already did
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the answers. Where did you get your S6? I can buy the 32GB version from T-Mobile for $629.99. If the one Verizon sells was able to be used with ST, I'd buy it, because they have the lowest prices by far (64GB version for $699). Any idea if the Vz one would work with ST?
Got my gold carrier unlocked S6 for $720 shipped via fedex 2nd day. Not bad I'd say.
wvcadle said:
Well, the easiest phones on which to flash ROMs are the Nexus phones. But I just wanted to make sure the S6 wasn't too difficult as well.
Thanks for your response.
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your welcome....i haven't used nexus devices...but samsung devices are very easy...its hard to think of something even easier....good luck...i am sure you will be satisfied with the device...
wvcadle said:
Thanks for the answers. Where did you get your S6? I can buy the 32GB version from T-Mobile for $629.99. If the one Verizon sells was able to be used with ST, I'd buy it, because they have the lowest prices by far (64GB version for $699). Any idea if the Vz one would work with ST?
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I got mine from the ebay seller that had them for $700 the first week, Theres a post on here about using verizon on straight talk, if its like all their others you will get annoyed by the "incorrect sim" message they like to parade around
willmyphonework.net is a good place to see if it has correct bands and what not