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Is it possible to buy Samsung Captivate without countract?

Hello, I am going to visit the US in August and I would really like to buy Samsung Captivate, but not the Samsung Galaxy S (I really hate its iPhone style design)
Is it possible for a foreigner to buy Captivate (and unlock it) and use it with my own sim card here in Russia?
just found this instruction - http://ddd.in.com/videos/watchvideo...ngular-att-free-network-sim-code-8507521.html
does it work?

As for non-contract? yes! It will be $350 in any AT&T store.
As for unlocking it, i'm not sure.

so I can just come and buy it in AT&T store without showing some documents like I am a citizan of the US? and btw the price is very low, comparing with its price here in Moscow - $1000
Then, I need just to unlock it for any sim card?

DarkVasyaK said:
so I can just come and buy it in AT&T store without showing some documents like I am a citizan of the US?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LoL! Yes dude, you can buy it. The only citizenship doecuments you need are US Dollars!

Thanks, dudes, you really helped me)
It's really promising)
The design of Samsung Galaxy S really suks and the Captivate one is awesome

dark, just in case you didn't already know, as of now unlocks aren't available, but it's highly likely that they will be soon. This means that you wont be able to use your phone right away when you get back to the mother land.
On the other hand if you hang in there, by the time unlocks come out, there will be plenty of guides on how to make this phone look as little as the ios as possible. Not to mention alot more online support for it.
Just wanted to make sure you didn't get back home to a huge disappointment .

Good point. I just assumed he was aware of that. As quickly as this thing is gaining momentum, I doubt you'd have to wait long before it's unlocked.

Well, just read the review on one web-site and there was a phrase:
AT&T won't let you sideload apps.
I am confused, does it mean that there is no android market???????????
I saw a video - how to unlock Samsung Captivate - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dlxc6AJaAys
Does it work?
So if it's fake, I am planning to stay in the US until the end of August, are there any chances for the unlock to reveal?

There is a market, but you can't put stuff on there that isn't from the market.
With AT&T, the only thing can be installed is stuff from the market.

Do you mean that it's just not possible to put .apk files in the phone?
Well, in this case I am OK with Android Market
crap, just read in another review, that there is an AT&T Market - this totally sucks!
So, it is different from Android Market?
Or there are two markets there?

DarkVasyaK said:
Do you mean that it's just not possible to put .apk files in the phone?
Well, in this case I am OK with Android Market
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yup thats pretty much the case, so if you do not mind it, you are good to go. I would not worry too much about an unlock as this phone is spreading faster than fire through the community and should be unlockable pretty soon.

That I have no idea about. I have never owned an Android phone so I only go by what I have read.
but as of this weekend, I will own one!

Maybe root will help us to install 3-rd party apps?
Guys, please post additional info about unlock , when some new information reveals.
I am really interested in this phone.
And can someone check if it is possible to choose Russian locale? I mean transforming the interface to the Russian one
Here is an unlock instruction http://hyfeno.com/unlocked-samsung-i897-captivate/
it seems like it should work
btw please advise me the cheapest US 3g network I am planning to travel in many states of the USA for a month...

DarkVasyaK said:
Maybe root will help us to install 3-rd party apps?
Guys, please post additional info about unlock , when some new information reveals.
I am really interested in this phone.
And can someone check if it is possible to choose Russian locale? I mean transforming the interface to the Russian one
Here is an unlock instruction http://hyfeno.com/unlocked-samsung-i897-captivate/
it seems like it should work
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You should try asking AT&T for the unlock when you purchase it from them. They should be able to provide you with one free of charge since you are paying for the phone outright!

After paying 6 bucks, this is the reply I got from their site.
Hi,
unfortunately your code wasn't found in our database, would you have another phone you like to unlock?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll be calling them today.
AND it's not a free unlock code.
it's 6 bucks as mentioned.

madjsp said:
As for non-contract? yes! It will be $350 in any AT&T store.
As for unlocking it, i'm not sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its only $350? Are you sure?

accinfo said:
After paying 6 bucks, this is the reply I got from their site.
I'll be calling them today.
AND it's not a free unlock code.
it's 6 bucks as mentioned.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
well, may be you misspelled the code?
if it finally works, it's better to pay these 6 bucks, than paying $1000 for the ugly version of Galaxy S here in Russia

The non contract price I was just quoted from the ATT store were I purchased my phone said the the price off contract was 499.00
I was going to buy this phone for 350.00 but 500.00 is a little steep.

so is it $350 or $500?
I heard that $500 is just for t-mobile version

I was going to go over there to exchange it and buy it out right. Look at the prices of the galaxy s line on ebay,500$ sounds about right.
500$ is what I was told from a corporate ATT store.

Import Asus Infinity, from US to UK, anything specific need to knows?

Hello Users! My first post (woohoo) and probably a very noobish one.
Now, I've been using this forum for ages, but never made an account, been using it for my nice Sensation XE, got some great roms and help from the forums.
Anyway, more to the point.
In the UK, the TF700T's are about £600 default at the moment and just keep rising, now, I can get a US one for about £340, which is a lot more in my price range.
Now, I know the obvious, I'll need a US to UK transformer. However, is there anything else I need to be worried about? Such as, Keyboard layout? Firmware? Like, anything major that could effect me having an US tablet in the UK.
I don't give a toss about warranty, I'll be rooting it before I even use it. But, just worried incase firmwares are different? Stopping me from rooting/customisation, I'm just a little stuck here, wasn't sure if I should have stuck this in QnAs, but a general discussion sounded better since I know it's a question a lot of people ask, and people might have different takes on it.
Thank you for reading, much appreciated!
Regards
Luke_H

Luke_H said:
Such as, Keyboard layout? Firmware?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Other side of the world here so can't be definite but:
* keyboard - if you get the dock the layout will be slightly different (your ' and @ are transposed I believe and you'll have $ instead of pound sign) but I assume on the tablet itself you have UK keyboards?
* firmware - if similar to here you'll get it faster than others in UK (I got the latest update a day or two before those that bought locally in Oz)
No idea if there are any other ramifications.

Not really. I live in Sweden and bought mine in NY on my last trip there. Haven't experienced any problems at all. So you're good to go.
Sent from my ASUS Transformer Pad TF700T using xda app-developers app

Luke_H said:
Hello Users! My first post (woohoo) and probably a very noobish one.
Now, I've been using this forum for ages, but never made an account, been using it for my nice Sensation XE, got some great roms and help from the forums.
Anyway, more to the point.
In the UK, the TF700T's are about £600 default at the moment and just keep rising, now, I can get a US one for about £340, which is a lot more in my price range.
Now, I know the obvious, I'll need a US to UK transformer. However, is there anything else I need to be worried about? Such as, Keyboard layout? Firmware? Like, anything major that could effect me having an US tablet in the UK.
I don't give a toss about warranty, I'll be rooting it before I even use it. But, just worried incase firmwares are different? Stopping me from rooting/customisation, I'm just a little stuck here, wasn't sure if I should have stuck this in QnAs, but a general discussion sounded better since I know it's a question a lot of people ask, and people might have different takes on it.
Thank you for reading, much appreciated!
Regards
Luke_H
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ARen't you forgetting import duty? If they catch you anyway...

Hm...
The joy of Android is that it comes with all languages installed, so the tablet you can just set to UK English instead of US English, and that changes the Tablet's keyboard, dictionary and such to the UK layout. The dock, however, will be a US layout. Though from what I've seen, all other countries sell the US-layout keyboard anyhow.
You'll most likely get the updates faster, and that probably includes Jelly Bean. (I see people here mentioning updates I've not seen yet, when, ironically, the Dutch stores sold it before the US...) The firmware for US is different from the international one, or at least there are different versions listed.
Actually, most users here are US, and thus use the US firmware. You'll probably have an easier time rooting and customizing your tablet when you have a US one than if you have a UK one.
Just make sure the store shipping it marks the shipment as GIFT, or you'll be paying a massive import fee.

I paid £60 import duty on my 700 from the US to UK. Apart from a £5 US to UK adaptor i still dont think thats too bad. (i didnt get the keyboard as i had my 200 keyboard)
Do it!

I bought mine in the us, the only catch I found is that the nice UK plug is £25 (but well worth it in my opinion).
That version has snap on us plug adaptors but the one in the box is fixed in place

Can you not just use a power adapter? I thought the transformer line had a power transformer which could handle 240 and 110V inputs? Could well be wrong though!

indie13 said:
I paid £60 import duty on my 700 from the US to UK. Apart from a £5 US to UK adaptor i still dont think thats too bad. (i didnt get the keyboard as i had my 200 keyboard)
Do it!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi I have just found this thread, I am also thinking about buying the tf700 from the US, were you sent a import invoice with your tablet? and how long did it take to come from the US?

maxal said:
Hi I have just found this thread, I am also thinking about buying the tf700 from the US, were you sent a import invoice with your tablet? and how long did it take to come from the US?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Do bear in mind, as others have suggested, if you have it shipped to you via mail order you will almost certainly be hit for 20% VAT for an import from a non EU country
If you travel to the US yourself and carry it back you are less likely to need to pay (although technically the VAT is still due)
That said; I'm using a US keyboard (TF201 - not that there is any difference) I sourced to match the TF700 that I imported from Germany. No problems at all. The biggest difference in key layout is the " and @ are swapped around... but takes no time to get used to that.
Good luck!

Yes you can just us a cheap US to UK adaptor, no need to voltage changes. I paid £5 for one in maplin.
Also if you must have a real UK adaptor (for some reason) then just google tf101 power adaptor in Ebay and get one of those. I bought a real asus 101 adaptor for £15 off ebay, better than spending £30 on a 700 one.

need some help from opo members!!

Hello friends
i have been using xperia p past few years and im planning to buy One plus one from china as the phone is too awesome!!
my sister is studying in china and i have thought to tel her to buy me a new ONE PLUS ONE WITH COLOR OS FROM CHINA!!
will i be able to change to cm11s and use in INDIA without any problem(2g and 3g) ??--->i wish some Indian friends reply to this!!
is the phone available in local stores and if someone from china here then please tell me how much it wil cost in(yuan)??--. wish some Chinese friends reply to this!!
my main question is if it will be available in local stores of china?
your help would really be appreciated!!
im really going to buy this phone as soon as i know these details!!
awaiting for your comments
thanks!!

vicky2131 said:
Hello friends
i have been using xperia p past few years and im planning to buy One plus one from china as the phone is too awesome!!
my sister is studying in china and i have thought to tel her to buy me a new ONE PLUS ONE WITH COLOR OS FROM CHINA!!
will i be able to change to cm11s and use in INDIA without any problem(2g and 3g) ??--->i wish some Indian friends reply to this!!
is the phone available in local stores and if someone from china here then please tell me how much it wil cost in(yuan)??--. wish some Chinese friends reply to this!!
my main question is if it will be available in local stores of china?
your help would really be appreciated!!
im really going to buy this phone as soon as i know these details!!
awaiting for your comments
thanks!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Actually, it is very easy to buy this phone in online market, 16G cost 1999 and 64G cost 2299 (both of them are in yuan)
There is a thread explaining the differences between international and Chinese one. Click here please.
According to my experience, there is no difference between international version and the Chinese one in hardware. The only difference is Chinese version's modem which locks some of brands and therefore, leads to some unusable network. However, it's very easy to revert to 100% stock cm11s including the modem. more information in here.
Sorry for my crappy English.
Regards

alpha.shining said:
Actually, it is very easy to buy this phone in online market, 16G cost 1999 and 64G cost 2299 (both of them are in yuan)
There is a thread explaining the differences between international and Chinese one. Click here please.
According to my experience, there is no difference between international version and the Chinese one in hardware. The only difference is Chinese version's modem which locks some of brands and therefore, leads to some unusable network. However, it's very easy to revert to 100% stock cm11s including the modem. more information in here.
Sorry for my crappy English.
Regards
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks for your reply my friend!!
Are you from china?? and if so where can i get the 64gb online in china which can be shipped to guangxi?? or should i tell my sister to check in the local shops if it might be cheaper??

vicky2131 said:
thanks for your reply my friend!!
Are you from china?? and if so where can i get the 64gb online in china which can be shipped to guangxi?? or should i tell my sister to check in the local shops if it might be cheaper??
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes. A noob from Chinese
Local shop will cost more money than online market so online is the best choice, my friend.
You can get this from Jingdong online market which is very similar to the Amazon. Website is http://item.jd.com/1142209.html .
You can also buy it from opo official website at 10 o'clock on Tuesday and Friday mooning but the number is limited.
Sorry for my crappy English.

alpha.shining said:
Yes. A noob from Chinese
Local shop will cost more money than online market so online is the best choice, my friend.
You can get this from Jingdong online market which is very similar to the Amazon. Website is http://item.jd.com/1142209.html .
You can also buy it from opo official website at 10 o'clock on Tuesday and Friday mooning but the number is limited.
Sorry for my crappy English.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
awesome bro!!
thanks a lot for helping me out, i really didnt know whom to ask about all these.
from morning i was seeing if i can use flawlessly in india with cm11s and all that and the answer is yes!!
then now with your help i can soon own a one plus one!!
jus have to wait for few months before she can come back to india!!
you are no noob for me
:angel: thank you once again

Upgrade to lg g flex 2?

I have a Oneplus One and I've recently started working (tomorrow) so I have money now (I'm 17), I've seen a G flex 2 for £260 grade A and that is sooooo cheap! Questions I have is how is speed, throttling and the heat of the 810? is there any tweaks for the 810 to run cooler? Hows the overall phone with signal, battery and such? My oneplus always has little bugs because of its buggy software and I'm starting to get fed up. Is the G FLEX 2 a phone i should upgrade to due to the price?

idonttakedrugs said:
I have a Oneplus One and I've recently started working (tomorrow) so I have money now (I'm 17), I've seen a G flex 2 for £260 grade A and that is sooooo cheap! Questions I have is how is speed, throttling and the heat of the 810? is there any tweaks for the 810 to run cooler? Hows the overall phone with signal, battery and such? My oneplus always has little bugs because of its buggy software and I'm starting to get fed up. Is the G FLEX 2 a phone i should upgrade to due to the price?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello.
I can not answer if that would be strict upgrade from ONE+1 as I do not have a phone yet. But for 260 for a grade (any kind) is a way too much. Especially when you can get new one cheaper. I Ordered mine yesterday with ebay 20% discount for about ~£160 delivered. Item number 351557561976. Even without discount you can have it for ~190£. That is german shop - but LG seems to have European warranty. Outside of the ebay, expansys has it for 220£. http://www.expansys.com/lg-g-flex2-16gb-black-272955/ . Not to mention Chinese sites ... but for me they are out of context.
Also remember that g flex 2 has a locked bootloader and LG is not willing to change that condition http://forum.xda-developers.com/g-flex2/general/bootloader-unlock-hope-t3125756 - until some miracle happens.
Thx
P

wow that was a good buy!! £160, holy moly!......i got the expansys deal at £220
op.. yeah the phone is good imo, on 5.1.1 it's very smooth. but as said above the modding scene is a bit bleak with the locked boot loader

Hehehe - yeah I know But at the same time you could buy LG G4 for about 230£ - which is imo better and more future proof device. Especially H815 model which LG blessed with unlock... Still ... I like the design of Flex... so what could I do
Hopefully I won't be disappointed.
HotUkDeals got crazy yesterday with that ebay deal - you could get up to 50£ off on single purchase.

£230? where?

got to be careful with fakes mate, plus i know im getting warranty with this phone

meangreenie said:
wow that was a good buy!! £160, holy moly!......i got the expansys deal at £220
op.. yeah the phone is good imo, on 5.1.1 it's very smooth. but as said above the modding scene is a bit bleak with the locked boot loader
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CarroñA said:
Hello.
I can not answer if that would be strict upgrade from ONE+1 as I do not have a phone yet. But for 260 for a grade (any kind) is a way too much. Especially when you can get new one cheaper. I Ordered mine yesterday with ebay 20% discount for about ~£160 delivered. Item number 351557561976. Even without discount you can have it for ~190£. That is german shop - but LG seems to have European warranty. Outside of the ebay, expansys has it for 220£. http://www.expansys.com/lg-g-flex2-16gb-black-272955/ . Not to mention Chinese sites ... but for me they are out of context.
Also remember that g flex 2 has a locked bootloader and LG is not willing to change that condition http://forum.xda-developers.com/g-flex2/general/bootloader-unlock-hope-t3125756 - until some miracle happens.
Thx
P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi! Thanks for the link! Did you buy from ejoker.de? I'm willing to buy this phone at the price of 250 euro, my only concern is about the store and the warranty (but I think the warranty is valid in whole europe.. Am I right?). Unfortunatly I don't speak german, so I don't know if this things are already written by the seller...
Sorry for my english and help me if you can ^_^

Cheap from Switzerland
Here in Switzerland you can get the flex for less than 250 €. http://www.mobilezone.ch/aktionen/14258-lg-g-flex-2-16gb-titan-silver?tab=outlet.
It's the LG-H955 model, free European Edition.

Kamepa said:
Here in Switzerland you can get the flex for less than 250 €. http://www.mobilezone.ch/aktionen/14258-lg-g-flex-2-16gb-titan-silver?tab=outlet.
It's the LG-H955 model, free European Edition.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks a lot! I'm italian... do you know if they sent items to italy?
OT/edit
there is a problem with the registration of an account... It doesn't take my telephone number, just says "wrong number"... so I cannot know if they sell in italy or not...

It should be possible. I myself am from Switzerland, but I know from people, who could order it from Germany. When you are on the page you should not hit the red button. That is for people with a contract. Hit the blue button, where it's written: "In den Warenkorb".

idonttakedrugs said:
£230? where?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello
It was at the time of big eBay madness sale and it is not available any more I am afraid.
The cheapest I could buy G4 now with European warranty is 260£ with 10% eBay code from eBay (Italian Shop) - please search by item number 301675191176 . Check your eBay account - maybe you have some discounts available
BTW expansys took the price of g flex 2 down to 215£ now.

Mad! How do I get the discounts on the G4? is it legit or dodgy? And i seen the g flex 2 but im put off by what everyones saying about it being slow and bad battery and being the worst lg theyve had.. Id 100% go for the g4 at that price though!

CarroñA said:
Hello.
I can not answer if that would be strict upgrade from ONE+1 as I do not have a phone yet. But for 260 for a grade (any kind) is a way too much. Especially when you can get new one cheaper. I Ordered mine yesterday with ebay 20% discount for about ~£160 delivered. Item number 351557561976. Even without discount you can have it for ~190£. That is german shop - but LG seems to have European warranty. Outside of the ebay, expansys has it for 220£. http://www.expansys.com/lg-g-flex2-16gb-black-272955/ . Not to mention Chinese sites ... but for me they are out of context.
Also remember that g flex 2 has a locked bootloader and LG is not willing to change that condition http://forum.xda-developers.com/g-flex2/general/bootloader-unlock-hope-t3125756 - until some miracle happens.
Thx
P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
CarroñA said:
Hello
It was at the time of big eBay madness sale and it is not available any more I am afraid.
The cheapest I could buy G4 now with European warranty is 260£ with 10% eBay code from eBay (Italian Shop) - please search by item number 301675191176 . Check your eBay account - maybe you have some discounts available
BTW expansys took the price of g flex 2 down to 215£ now.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mad! How do I get the discounts on the G4? is it legit or dodgy? And i seen the g flex 2 but im put off by what everyones saying about it being slow and bad battery and being the worst lg theyve had.. Id 100% go for the g4 at that price though!

garion86 said:
Hi! Thanks for the link! Did you buy from ejoker.de? I'm willing to buy this phone at the price of 250 euro, my only concern is about the store and the warranty (but I think the warranty is valid in whole europe.. Am I right?). Unfortunatly I don't speak german, so I don't know if this things are already written by the seller...
Sorry for my english and help me if you can ^_^
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hello - Yes I bought if from ejoker.de. I was not sure about them as well - but their feedback looks rather good. You can always drop them an email to find out - they should speak english. I believe LG has european warranty - but might be mistaken. So contact LG and ejoker.de to find out.
With a Swiss shop things might get a bit more complicated. Switzerland is not part of the EU - they are only member of the European Free Trade Association . That means at first u might be forced to pay custom duties. Please google customs charges when buying from Switzerland to find out more. At second there might be a problem with warranty. So please do some googling before you spend any money.
Thx
P
---------- Post added at 01:25 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:11 AM ----------
idonttakedrugs said:
Mad! How do I get the discounts on the G4? is it legit or dodgy? And i seen the g flex 2 but im put off by what everyones saying about it being slow and bad battery and being the worst lg theyve had.. Id 100% go for the g4 at that price though!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well that is discount I got from eBay itself - so it can not be dodgy by any means. Log in to eBay go to the "my eBay" section and scroll all the way down. There you should see if you have any discount available.
As I am a new member, my account is limited.... so no links no pictures - ugh.... anyway
thx
P

Kamepa said:
It should be possible. I myself am from Switzerland, but I know from people, who could order it from Germany. When you are on the page you should not hit the red button. That is for people with a contract. Hit the blue button, where it's written: "In den Warenkorb".
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks mate. I already tried and with a fake telephone number I was allow to go over that point... But the problem is that they insert "Svizzera" (I use the italian language ) automatically in my address... tomorrow I'll try to send them an email...
---------- Post added at 08:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:21 AM ----------
CarroñA said:
Hello - Yes I bought if from ejoker.de. I was not sure about them as well - but their feedback looks rather good. You can always drop them an email to find out - they should speak english. I believe LG has european warranty - but might be mistaken. So contact LG and ejoker.de to find out.
With a Swiss shop things might get a bit more complicated. Switzerland is not part of the EU - they are only member of the European Free Trade Association . That means at first u might be forced to pay custom duties. Please google customs charges when buying from Switzerland to find out more. At second there might be a problem with warranty. So please do some googling before you spend any money.
Thx
P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mate you're all right... from 27 to 30%!!!
I think I'll answer to the german site

garion86 said:
Thanks mate. I already tried and with a fake telephone number I was allow to go over that point... But the problem is that they insert "Svizzera" (I use the italian language ) automatically in my address... tomorrow I'll try to send them an email...
---------- Post added at 08:26 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:21 AM ----------
Mate you're all right... from 27 to 30%!!!
I think I'll answer to the german site
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah - I remember buying some objective 2 (amplifier) parts from Swiss shop, that there was a catch. Still contact LG and ejoker.de regarding warranty. As it is good to know those things.
Price of this phone is going down rapidly - as most likely they have a problem with pushing that phone out of the shelves. I am still confused why LG is making a fuss with boot loader. They should do whatever possible IMO to sell the old stock. It seems customers are not really interested in it - developers have their own reasons...
Anyway
P

CarroñA said:
Yeah - I remember buying some objective 2 (amplifier) parts from Swiss shop, that there was a catch. Still contact LG and ejoker.de regarding warranty. As it is good to know those things.
Price of this phone is going down rapidly - as most likely they have a problem with pushing that phone out of the shelves. I am still confused why LG is making a fuss with boot loader. They should do whatever possible IMO to sell the old stock. It seems customers are not really interested in it - developers have their own reasons...
Anyway
P
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think Lg should check better the Flex2 before the launch. It had a lot of problem, due to snapdragon 810 and also sw optimization.
90% of online review are bad about this smartphone and the price was too high = fail.
Then they launched the g4 with a lot better camera and that's it.
As for us, I already sent an email to ejoker.de, but I'm pretty confident that the warranty is European... even with the blocked bootloader I think that this is a good device for the price, and with a little tweaks we can bend the S810 and the battery life too
My only concern is about the 2gb of ram, but hey... 250euros!

For about 250$ it's a bargain. Most of the problems seem to have been solved with the updates (I got a new update 2 days ago!). In my country the phone never got popular. People here prefer mainstream phones. Most popular is the IPhone, followed by samsung devices. Something as exotic as the flex 2 doesn't sell well. And now, with all the new models arriving the flex 2 must leave the shells.

Which of these 2 variants w/128GB+6GB, are best for the Australian market/conditions?

1)
http://www.samsung.com/hk_en/business/business-products/mobile-device/smartphones/SM-G9550ZKGTGY
2)
https://www.flipkart.com/samsung-galaxy-s8-plus-midnight-black-128-gb/p/itmeuggehq2umb7u
https://shop.samsung.com/in/galaxy-s8-plus-128gb.html
I just got the 1st one, but starting to think it was a bad move, I suspect the latter would've been a MUCH better fit for Australian market/conditions, especially should I want to eventually flash to a more localised ROM etc.
Also the G9550 supposedly doesn't have B28-700mhz (though not the end of the world, this isn't to be scoffed-at given the areas I frequent), but on the official product page it does, just freq-check & some other resources say it doesn't. Also seems possible that it's 2G-only on the second SIM, but I think that's unlikely.
The 2nd variant I linked above I don't think (?) has any of these issues, plus it uses the same basic SoC as the Aussie & Int. variants.
Any thoughts and advice on this, are very much appreciated... :good:

jalyst said:
1)
http://www.samsung.com/hk_en/business/business-products/mobile-device/smartphones/SM-G9550ZKGTGY
2)
https://www.flipkart.com/samsung-galaxy-s8-plus-midnight-black-128-gb/p/itmeuggehq2umb7u
https://shop.samsung.com/in/galaxy-s8-plus-128gb.html
I just got the 1st one, but starting to think it was a bad move, I suspect the latter would've been a MUCH better fit for Australian market/conditions, especially should I want to eventually flash to a more localised ROM etc.
Also the G9550 supposedly doesn't have B28-700mhz (though not the end of the world, this isn't to be scoffed-at given the areas I frequent), but on the official product page it does, just freq-check & some other resources say it doesn't. Also seems possible that it's 2G-only on the second SIM, but I think that's unlikely.
The 2nd variant I linked above I don't think (?) has any of these issues, plus it uses the same basic SoC as the Aussie & Int. variants.
Any thoughts and advice on this, are very much appreciated... :good:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Definitely the second one.
You get the Australian CSC as soon as you pop your SIM in, software updates on time, better LTE band and carrier aggregation (LTE-A) support, more devs have the Exynos variants compared to the SD835 variant and the FD model allows 4G on SIM Slot 1, and 3G/2G on SIM Slot 2, unlike some phones which only allow 2G on Slot 2.

Sigh, I suspect my importer's going to claim they can't get it, & I'll be forced to just wear the one I have, OR pay a hefty restocking fee, BUT be without both. >.>
Late this arvo they messaged their HK-based partner &or parent co. (not sure of exact arrangements) called MyMobile (in Oz was formerly known as UniqueMobiles, but they've taken up the MM branding/naming).

Sigh, what to do, what to do... Ugh...

Given how things have evolved/progressed in my interactions with them so far;
I don't think they'll be reasonable with regards to any extra costs/penalties.
Especially if MyMobile HK claims it can't obtain the SM-G955FZKGINS SKU.
They'll prolly try to hit me with a 25% restocking fee...
If they do & they refuse to budge, I'll just wear it & never buy from them again.
I've kept everything in pristine condition, as much as can be, the main box had already been opened anyway!*
Then I'll need to find someone who can import it, or who's willing to "export".
I would greatly prefer a well-established & locally-based importer though.
One that has a presence, & ideally even a SC, in South East Queensland.
*the phone had already been turned-on and setup/configured, had to factory reset it so I could go through the normal setup process, but 1st had to work out how the heck to change the UI from Chinese to English, as it was almost impossible to navigate before that!

Murtaza/Anyone? Thank-you/GN.

jalyst said:
Murtaza/Anyone? Thank-you/GN.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Apologies for not seeing this. Mention/quote me next time so I get a notification.
I'm not surprised it's hard for importers or anyone to get their hands on that particular variant since it's literally only being sold in India.
There's 2 things you can do, neither are easy.
1) Ask if Flipkart will ship to you in Australia and then find out if any customs duties or taxes will apply if you import a phone yourself.
2) Wait for Samsung to release the 6GB/128GB variant elsewhere.
The Pearl Black S7 edge with 128GB of storage was only launched in China and Korea first, and then it made its way to the rest of the world including Pakistan with the G935FD model number which worked everywhere.

F5king site, had a lengthy post typed-up & it lost it!!!! CBF'd typing it all up again;
Will just say some progress is being made, tis a case 3 steps forward & 2 steps back.

jalyst said:
F5king site, had a lengthy post typed-up & it lost it!!!! CBF'd typing it all up again;
Will just say some progress is being made, tis a case 3 steps forward & 2 steps back.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Great, will you be returning the G9550 then?

murtaza02 said:
Great, will you be returning the G9550 then?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, pricks are gunna hit me w.a 20% restocking fee, didn't have time today, will likely drop it in tomm, everything's in pristine condition, there better not be any hidden "gotchas"! I also paid $70AUD for an extended warranty service, they better not try & charge the 20% with that included in the total cost, & I expect to be FULLY refunded that $70, the phone itself was $1068 AUD, so the 20% fee should be applied only against that.
The explanation was vague/brief, but it sounds like their people in HK just don't want to get it as a once-off, generally they only like to procure these things if they're being bought in bulk. Personally think they're stupid trying to sell the G9550xxx as their 128GB option (they've sold FAR more G955FD SKU's), this 128GB variant would do much better with enthusiasts in Australia, but they've just ignored that line of thinking.

@murtaza02
1GrandTrunk is the 1st mob I approached (geezus they took their sweet time, about 6hrs before I got this, & 2 chase-up calls, 3 in total),
Dear,
We apologies for the delay. We came to see that you are willing to get Samsung Galaxy S8+ (128 GB) from the link https://shop.samsung.com/in/galaxy-s8-plus-128gb.html.
Below we have mention the estimated quotation for getting Galaxy which includes the cost of Product, Shipping Charges and Assisted Purchase charges. We haven't added local Shipping Charges. We have not included the customs charges as we are not aware of the same.
If you need the pack in 3 to 4 business days approximately after we Ship the item. The package will be send through DHL and it will be cost you $1499.
If you need the same in 5 to 7 Business days approximately after we send the item. It will be costing you $1473. Which will be shipped by Any Global Top Courier (DHL, UPS etc.,) since we have tie up with them we receive cheaper rates.
All the above Shipping carriers we will provide tracking no. where you can check the status of the package then and there.
Else if you have India debit or credit card where you can place order in website and send the package to our India warehouse. Once we receive the package we will send the pack to you. Where you can just pay shipping charges alone for us.
Below we have provided the break-up for your kind review. If the charges are fine with you. Please let us know the same. Where we will Send you a PayPal link or if you have registered with us we can send you a direct Payment link where you can pay with AMEX Card / Visa / Mastercard. Once we received your payment we will place order and do the needful.
Please let us know if you like to proceed.
Thank you.
Regards,
Jeeva
Discription Global Courier DHL
Product cost After discount (INR) 74900 74900
Assisted Purchase charges (INR) 3745 3745
Service charge 209 209
Shipping Charges 5320 6790
Total INR 84174 85644
Total USD 1403 1427
Forex exchange Charges 70.15 71.37
Total Payment 1473 1499
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I won't go through with it tonight, I'll wait till tomm. morn, to see if I get feedback from others I emailed after 1GrandTrunk.
I may also call them (& a few others) tomm. morn... Does 1GrandTrunk look legit/credible IYO?
Cheers!

jalyst said:
@murtaza02
1GrandTrunk is the 1st mob I approached (geezus they took their sweet time, about 5hrs before I got this, & 2 chase-up calls, 3 in total),
I won't go through with it tonight, I'll wait till tomm. morn, to see if I get feedback from others I emailed after 1GrandTrunk.
I may also call them (& a few others) tomm. morn... Do they look legit/credible IYO?
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Considering they've given you such a detailed breakdown of the fees, I guess they're legit.
Could you send me the links of the other importers you contacted?

....

@murtaza02
Mainly reaching out to folks I found in this search: https://www.google.com.au/search?q=indian+mail+forwarding+service
1GrandTrunk aren't even one of the top hits in that search, they were buried in a Qora discussion (which was one of the top hits)!
Going to bed ASAP, had waaay too many very late nights lately, time to break the bad sleeping habits/cycles & get up very early (for me) for a change. I worked odd hours for many years, so I've kept those bad patterns since starting my own business, in some ways I suspect that's just my natural circadian rhythm (we all have very different ones). Alas, mine seems to be one that the majority of people don't have, & that's not good for "living in the real world", so, time to change them! Grumble grumble.

jalyst said:
@murtaza02
Going to bed ASAP, had waaay too many very late nights lately, time to break the bad sleeping habits/cycles & get up very early (for me) for a change. I worked odd hours for many years, so I've kept those bad patterns since starting my own business, in some ways I suspect that's just my natural circadian rhythm (we all have very different ones). Alas, mine seems to be one that the majority of people don't have, & that's not good for "living in the real world", so, time to change them! Grumble grumble.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cheers.
Let me know if anyone else gets back to you then.

murtaza02 said:
Cheers.
Let me know if anyone else gets back to you then.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
NP, this question...
Could you send me the links of the other importers you contacted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Is answered in the post above in case you missed it.
And there's this post before the page wrapped-over, in case you missed it.
BR/GN.

@murtaza02
Just realised, the total cost in AUD is insane, even before all the other expenses, the cost of just the phone is $1524 AUD!
You can get the G9550 in Oz for about $500 less than that, perhaps even 550, & the 64GB G955Fxxx SKU's are much cheaper than the G9550xxx's.
I got my G9550xxx for $1068, but I had some other stipulations/requirements, else I could've easily gotten it for ~$50 cheaper.
I'm not even sure what some of those extra expenses they've listed are for, will have to ask them in the morn, ugh, this is a "no go" I think! :-S
With the starting price so high, it doesn't matter which one of these guys I go with, I don't think it's going to be worth it???
Sigh, will have to call MyMobile & tell them I want to keep this G9550 now, maybe I'll still return it & just buy a 64+4GB dual-SIM G955Fxxx from them.
Hopefully they'll ditch the the bloody restocking fee if I do that, if they won't, then there's no way I'll buy it from them!!!
Bedtime/GN

jalyst said:
@murtaza02
Just realised, the total cost in AUD is insane, even before all the other expenses, the cost of just the phone is $1524 AUD!
You can get the G9550 in Oz for about $500 less than that, perhaps even 550, & the 64GB G955Fxxx SKU's are much cheaper than the G9550xxx's.
I got my G9550xxx for $1068, but I had some other stipulations/requirements, else I could've easily gotten it for ~$50 cheaper.
I'm not even sure what some of those extra expenses they've listed are for, will have to ask them in the morn, ugh, this is a "no go" I think! :-S
With the starting price so high, it doesn't matter which one of these guys I go with, I don't think it's going to be worth it???
Sigh, will have to call MyMobile & tell them I want to keep this G9550 now, maybe I'll still return it & just buy a 64+4GB dual-SIM G955Fxxx from them.
Hopefully they'll ditch the the bloody restocking fee if I do that, if they won't, then there's no way I'll buy it from them!!!
Bedtime/GN
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Click to collapse
That sucks man. I guess getting the 64GB G955FD will be better and then in the future if Samsung decides to launch the 6/128 variant outside India, you can always trade yours in for that variant.

@murtaza02
Is it possible that him doing it in USD is just throwing me off;
And pricing might actually be much better than what I'm seeing after doing the convert myself?
No, surely that doesn't make sense, man need sleep...

jalyst said:
@murtaza02
Is it possible that him doing it in USD is just throwing me off;
And pricing might actually be much better than what I'm seeing after doing the convert myself?
No, surely that doesn't make sense, man need sleep...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Lol chill out, you're overthinking it.
Just go to sleep and call em tomorrow.