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Choosing i9000 or I897 variant - Features

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...

Motorola Atrix on Tmobile?

Hi,
I am sure this is possible with Edge but will it work with HSPA+ and 3 G? Because it if it does I will pay full price for this the day it comes out.
http://www.phonearena.com/phones/Mot...TRIX-4G_id4982
The above link shows specs including the bandwidths associated with the different network types.
Tombile and ATT both use the same type so I read if the bandwidth frequencies match you can use them with each other.

I hope that's the case here and they work on all bands. i know it wasn't the case with my G1 or N1.
On paper the Atrix seems like the better phone,better screen,better resolution,More battery capacity,more ram. and more on board flash storage. and the reason I want it is the laptop dock.
Im already out of my Tmobile contract and I'm considering the awful notion of going to ATT&T but id rather avoid that and a new contract if possible

I was wondering exactly the same thing. It's like you read my mind. First time I see a phone I woulnd't mind lacking a keyboard.

No, the FCC approval does not include test data for the AWS band (the FCC ID is IHDP56LS1). Therefore, the phone does not support AWS, if it had this support it would have to be tested and certified for AWS operation. Sorry!

[Q] Will it work?

Hello everyone,
I've been searching sometime for an answer but I seem to keep getting conflicting information. Here's the gist: I'm moving to South Korea long term and I have a Samsung Nexus S that was purchased through Koodoo. Works like a sweet machine and I'm loath to give it up. I'm just wondering if it will work when I bring it over instead of forking out money again for another smartphone.
Reasons I think it will work: Nexus S seems to have a wide range of frequencies that it is compatible with, designed to be a world phone, etc.
Reasons I think it might not work: I keep hearing different information on South Korean frequencies from CDMA only to god-knows-what.
Can anyone out here help? It's quite confusing to me. If it won't work then I'll likely try to resell it (still in pristine condition) before leaving instead of bringing it all the way over and it being unusable. However if it does work, again, it would save me buying a new smartphone over there which will probably cost me more in the long run.
Any advice is MUCH appreciated. Thanks!

I'd like to say that it should work fine in S.Korea givin that the i9020 is basically the m200(Korean nexus s). I'm not completely sure though, I can be wrong so don't count me in on it 100%. If it's possible I would contact a Korean GSM telco through email and ask, they'll know if your nexus s is compatible with their bands. I would do that JUST to make sure

What model of Nexus do you have? Do you what bands/frequencies South Korea service providers use?

Question: Buying in the USA and using in the UK...?

hi all.
I'd like some advice. I have the chance to buy a new Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 32 GB tablet in the USA. The price is significantly better than the UK equivalent.
But what I need to know if will the device work in the UK? For example will I be able charge the device?
I'm assuming that I'd need to change the virtual keyboard settings from US to UK but that should be simple enough - I hope...
Sorry if this is an obvious question.
I'd rather not root the device if at all possible. I'm happy to buy one or two things to make the device mine since the saving is almost £250(!)
Thanks in advance for your help.

You just need to make sure that the charger works on 220V or that you are plugging it into 110V. Otherwise, I can't imagine any reason it wouldn't work for you.
You could get a 220->110 transformer pretty easily if necessary.

In case it is a 3G-version it might not work in Europe. USA has different radio-bands .......................

The US doesnt have a 3G version yet so no problems there.
Sent from my Galaxy S3 running DietICS

May need to change wifi region codes to access the correct 5 GHz frequencies, not sure.

Is buying a UK alternative charger an options...?
sonofdays said:
You just need to make sure that the charger works on 220V or that you are plugging it into 110V. Otherwise, I can't imagine any reason it wouldn't work for you.
You could get a 220->110 transformer pretty easily if necessary.
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Click to collapse
Thanks for the insight. I guess I couldn't just buy a UK compatible charger...?

Wifi only
troed said:
In case it is a 3G-version it might not work in Europe. USA has different radio-bands .......................
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I was planning on the Wifi only option in any event.

A configurable option?
Entropy512 said:
May need to change wifi region codes to access the correct 5 GHz frequencies, not sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for the advice.
Is this something that I can do without rooting...?
I'd appreciate it if you can point me to a guide for this this.

SpartanGrey said:
Thanks for the insight. I guess I couldn't just buy a UK compatible charger...?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm pretty sure you can, doesn't the charger output USB voltage? 5V 1A? If so any android charger should work

The charger is 5v and 2A, but i think it could charge at 1Amp, but it will take longer.
There is also the prob that there are 2 different wifi models EU:8010, US:8013. But i think the difference is in wifi channels numbers. Maybe you can flash a 8010 ROM and it becames an UK model. This you need to find out.

mdalacu said:
The charger is 5v and 2A, but i think it could charge at 1Amp, but it will take longer.
There is also the prob that there are 2 different wifi models EU:8010, US:8013. But i think the difference is in wifi channels numbers. Maybe you can flash a 8010 ROM and it becames an UK model. This you need to find out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah. If you flashed a UK firmware on the N8013 it would most likely work.
You would lose the ability to use the IR port.
Any Samsung Tab-compatible 2A charger will work. iPad chargers will not work unless you use a charging adapter such as http://www.dealextreme.com/p/usb-data-charging-extension-cable-for-samsung-p1000-black-91141?item=4 (If that link breaks, search DX for P1000) - Samsung hasn't changed charger design since the original Tab, so P1000 chargers/charging adapters will work.

You don't need to change the radios, they're the same. D-Link, NetGear, et. al., sell the same routers internationally that they do domestically. If there was a compatibility issue my UK devices (and I have/had many) wouldn't work in the U.S. As for the 3G the Note's quad-band worldwide (except Korea) so it'll work just about anywhere.
One thing to keep in mind about using Samsung mobile devices outside their country of intended sale is that it affects your warranty. If a U.S. sourced Note needs repair they'll only repair it in the U.S. The same holds true in reverse. Samsung U.S. won't repair a Note intended for sale outside the U.S. They take a tough stance on gray market purchases and this has been proven time and time again. So you may want to compare the initial savings vs. the cost of roundtrip shipping to the U.S. should it ever need service.

BarryH_GEG said:
You don't need to change the radios, they're the same. D-Link, NetGear, et. al., sell the same routers internationally that they do domestically. If there was a compatibility issue my UK devices (and I have/had many) wouldn't work in the U.S. As for the 3G the Note's quad-band worldwide (except Korea) so it'll work just about anywhere.
One thing to keep in mind about using Samsung mobile devices outside their country of intended sale is that it affects your warranty. If a U.S. sourced Note needs repair they'll only repair it in the U.S. The same holds true in reverse. Samsung U.S. won't repair a Note intended for sale outside the U.S. They take a tough stance on gray market purchases and this has been proven time and time again. So you may want to compare the initial savings vs. the cost of roundtrip shipping to the U.S. should it ever need service.
Click to expand...
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Not true. Available 5 GHz frequencies are VASTLY different between the UK and US. See http://www.solwise.co.uk/wireless-5.htm
Similarly, Europe allows 2.4 GHz channels 12 and 13, the USA does not.

Entropy512 said:
Not true. Available 5 GHz frequencies are VASTLY different between the UK and US. See http://www.solwise.co.uk/wireless-5.htm
Similarly, Europe allows 2.4 GHz channels 12 and 13, the USA does not.
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Click to collapse
Then the radios compensate for the variations in channels. Like I said, the Note is my fifth international device and it has no problem working in the U.S. I travel a lot and have never had a Wi-Fi issue with any of them. My OG P7500 has been to every continent.

BarryH_GEG said:
Then the radios compensate for the variations in channels. Like I said, the Note is my fifth international device and it has no problem working in the U.S. I travel a lot and have never had a Wi-Fi issue with any of them. My OG P7500 has been to every continent.
Click to expand...
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They will if you change the region configuration - with root and/or custom firmware that is possible. But if you use it "out of the box" - it won't work without hax.

Entropy512 said:
it won't work without hax.
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None of my devices are rooted and all use OEM ROMs. Primarily because I've always had tons of issues registering on foreign 3G networks in my travels when I've used third party ROMs and radios. In all the forums for those devices I've never seen a discussion on Wi-Fi incompatibility based on region. Have you? I'd think people with U.S versions of popular phones like the SGS2 series, VZW Nexus, and HTC phones like the Vivid and Sensation would be reporting problems if they couldn't use their Wi-Fi properly when traveling overseas. I'm sure plenty of U.S. Samsung tablets have been used overseas when people travel also. And if U.S. iPhones and iPads had different radios than the international versions owners would be reporting incompatibility issues when using them abroad. So I get that there may be variations in Wi-Fi regionally but the radios must be designed to accommodate them. Otherwise this would be a much larger discussion and not just in the Note forum.

I'm from the UK, currently travelling in the US, and I just bought a 32GB note last Thursday...
The charger is compatible voltage-wise, all you need is a US->UK plug adapter...
I've also never had WiFi problems in my travels here in the US, I use an international 5.3" note, and WiFi works everywhere. I don't expect any problems.
When I switched the Note 10.1 on for the first time, it asked me what region I was in, I chose UK, and could have chosen anywhere...

BigStuart said:
The charger is compatible voltage-wise, all you need is a US->UK plug adapter...
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Click to collapse
Actually, if you look at the charger, the piece with the prongs on it snaps out. It's the same base charger worldwide with different prongs thrown in the box based on the region its being sold in. I carry a single charger and a half-a-dozen different prongs that I use depending on where I'm traveling.

Just what I needed to hear!!
BigStuart said:
I'm from the UK, currently travelling in the US, and I just bought a 32GB note last Thursday...
The charger is compatible voltage-wise, all you need is a US->UK plug adapter...
I've also never had WiFi problems in my travels here in the US, I use an international 5.3" note, and WiFi works everywhere. I don't expect any problems.
When I switched the Note 10.1 on for the first time, it asked me what region I was in, I chose UK, and could have chosen anywhere...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks!
You've answered pretty much all of my questions. :good:

Thanks for all of the advice
Thanks for all of the advice - it's very much appreciated! :good:
Frankly the warranty point is a slight worry but for almost £170 saving it's worth the risk.
btw I don't mind paying the UK taxes, but I really resent being gouged by a few hundred pounds for no discernible service or product difference.
I don't care whether it's Samsung or the UK suppliers decision.

U.S. Unlocked vs International Unlocked phone

Hello
I'm looking at replacing my S4 with an S7. My carrier in the US is AT&T and that won't be changing. I've been looking at different unlocked versions and can't find a solid representation of what the real world differences are. I know they have different processors. Some say a band is missing, but does that matter. I don't use android or samsung pay, but i know there is a difference here too. I found one comment about some kind of samsung 'coverage' plan, but what is that?
Best Buy has US unlocked phones for about $700. B&H Photo has an International phone for about $640. Its a lot of money either way. Is one phone really better or different than that other?
I am planning a trip through Canada and maybe to Europe. I assume either would take a SIM from those areas and I could avoid getting raped by international fees.
Here is a summary of question I can think of:
Does the US unlocked phone from BestBuy have a warranty or insurance or anything like that?
Can the US phone be rooted. I only do this to remove apps I don't use.
Is the hardware one vs the other really better or just different?
Does a dual SIM do anything useful?
Does a band being missing make a real world difference?
Is there a good comparison somewhere to that can decide on a phone to purchase?

It comes with a limited warranty as stated on their site:
"This device is not warrantied through the manufacturer. This device has a limited 1 year warranty provided by CCR Warranty. To obtain technical or warranty assistance, please contact CCR Warranty at 866-579-8436."
What I don't know is how useful/limited that warranty is. I'd like the HTC 10 but the unlocked S7 is my runner up, and the warranty issue is one of the major factors in my hesitation.
I do believe it can be rooted.
As far as I know, through research, the only major difference between the two is battery life.

Hello, I'll just go straight to the answers.
1. I'm going to assume that if you go through a carrier (att, t-mobile etc etc.) they will offer an insurance plan. You will have to go to third party insurance for the international version
2. As far I know, the US version does not have a root option yet. Because of the locked bootloader.
3. Hardware will depend on which version you choose. Both are very good.
4. Dual sim is as the name implies, you'll be able to use 2 separate sim cards with their respective #s. that's the only benefit really.
5. Missing radio bands is something you may have to do some research on depending your location.
6. I'm sure YouTube or some online site will have some reviews/comparison of both.

I just looked at the best buy website again and something is different. The S7 listed for $690 is definitely the international version and not the US version. When I looked last month I was positive that the phone was listed as a US phone ... huh

A little late
a little late to the thread but just wanted to share what I learned while researching the matter.
There is an US unlocked version of the S7 (g930u) and available through a few places (Best Buy, B&H, Ebay). It goes for $679.99 retail and I have not been able to find one that goes for less. Probably because it just came out end of June. The biggest benefit of it is that it has a bunch of bands and CDMA-compatible. Thus, you can get full connection with AT&T and TMobile. Downside is no wifi calling or VOLTE (as those seem to be locked by the carriers to their own phones).
The international versions (930f/930fd) are both available on Ebay/Swappa for about $500. Upside are that they have the Exnyos chip and no bloatware. You can also root and flash them with new ROM. Another thing is that you get updates earlier. I got Marshmallow on my s6 a month or so before AT&T released its update. Downsides are no Samsung Pay or WiFi Calling/VOLTE and the biggie...missing bands. I had a g920i and it was missing support for bands 29 and 30 on AT&T...this led to poor LTE and indoor reception at times. I would have to turn on/off the mobile data switch sometimes to get good connection.
Finally, we have carrier based versions, which loads you down with bloatware and has the Snapdragon chip. But, it does support all features of your carrier. Slower updates also an issue and lack of support of all bands internationally are additional drawbacks. Cost is also about $500.
Personally, I am going with an unlocked 930a. Bloatware sucks but I can delete or disable almost all of them. Snapdragon seems pretty powerful to me. Samsung Pay, Wifi Calling, and Band support are just too important for me. Note, make sure you ask the seller on Ebay/Swappa about whether the phone is unlocked.
Hope that helps.

I did a lot of research into this before buying my S7 but was kind of screwed since I'm on Verizon (CDMA)...
Since you're on AT&T you have more options.
There are two different processors in the two different models, Snapdragon 820 in the US CDMA capable and an Eyxnos in the International GSM ONLY phone.
After doing my research, I personally recommend the Eyxnos, which I couldn't get :/
If for nothing else, better battery life, by far. Do some research into the comparison between the two.
However! When buying from Best Buy be careful!
Last I checked, on their website, the black/onyx S7 was an unlocked US Snapdragon 820 phone.... while strangely enough the other two, gold and silver? were both unlocked US (actually international) Eyxnos phones.
Also, last I checked Samsung themselves only sell the CDMA snapdragon processor model to the US.
Unless Best Buy made a mistake listing the Eyxnos processor, it is the only way to get that model without buying an "internationally sourced" phone on ebay.

Just a few notes:
1) The G930u is fully compatible with all the US Carriers
2) VoLTE works on both T-Mobile and Verizon
3) Wi-Fi Calling works on T-Mobile and potentially Verizon (but I am not positive about Verizon).
The big downside to the G930u is that for whatever reason it is not receiving updates from Samsung when its branded siblings are.