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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?
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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
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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?
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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.
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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.

What phone do you suggest <$100?

Hey guys, so I'm in the market for a new phone..my Titan is giving up the ghost in the way of keyboard un-responsiveness and I really want Android..
I'm currently on Metro PCS (and plan to stay..$35 a month after tax with unlimited everything is hard to beat) and I was wondering what phone would be a good fit for me.
I'd like to not go through the hassle of trying to get the esn added to the network so a phone where it can be changed (like my Titan) is a must.
I don't mind if the phone doesn't come with android loaded already as long as there is a fully functional android rom that I can load it up with.
Lastly, I don't really want to go over $100 for a good used one so that probably narrows things down quite a bit, but if there just isn't anything that fits the bill then I can work in some wiggle room.
Anyway, hopefully you guys can help me out..
Thanks for any info!

get the htc hd2 there any where from 99.99-350.00 usd at the moment

Sweet, thanks for the advice, I'll check it out..
Edit: so the cheapest I could find it was $150 on craigslist but that was an old post so it probably sold at that price. I wasn't able to find any info concerning it and the Metropcs network. There are probably just some basic settings that I need to get it onto the network though.
Keep the suggestions comin!

Anybody out there?

So...was this a really bad question?
Maybe someone could give me some pointers on what the right questions to ask would be..

[Q] Will thee be a unlocked or AT&T Version?

Hays guys, thinking about buying a new phone I think this would make the perfect one but its only for sprint sadly. I heard romers that one would lunch on AT&T when the Razr HD lunches, but that article was from june and hvent hear anything sence. But by any chance do any of you know if theres going to be a unlocked version of this phone or a milestone 4?
I'm using my dell venue pro rite now. I love it to death but I have to have a side slider keyboard, keys on my VP are to small, and windows phone has no sliders in the near fucher . So I always wanted to droid, I fegure I can get one until a WP8 comes along. Im really hope this phnes comes to AT&T or unlocked. Thank alot guys! cheers

Yea, that article was pretty much just a rumor I think...
Unfortunately, I don't think anyone knows for sure - and those that do are probably not at liberty to talk until any official announcements, y'know?

Damn . Im going to email Sprint and ask them if they would sell a unlocked model that would work with AT&T. If not I'll just keep hoping that AT&T gets or or I'll wait for the milestone 4.

theherofromdoom said:
Damn . Im going to email Sprint and ask them if they would sell a unlocked model that would work with AT&T. If not I'll just keep hoping that AT&T gets or or I'll wait for the milestone 4.
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Heh... Good luck with that. Let us know how it goes...
Even if the rep wants to, I don't see how they could - this is how the phone is made for Sprint. I seriously doubt they have some unlocked just lying around, y'know... just in case someone wants to buy one

I tryed to em them but they make it so you really cant unless you are a member with a spasefic complaint! I will just have to wait and pray it comes to AT&T or something better comes along. Any word on the milestone 4??

theherofromdoom said:
I tryed to em them but they make it so you really cant unless you are a member with a spasefic complaint! I will just have to wait and pray it comes to AT&T or something better comes along. Any word on the milestone 4??
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I don't know, but this really doesn't seem to relate to "Photon Q&A" anymoar. Please take the rumor mill elsewhere.

[Q] Slightly OT - happy to be redirected

I'm quite happy with my SGS4G. My wife is as well, but well... she has dropped hers a few more times than she ought to have and it's starting to act funny. (Mine is also starting to act funny, but I think a new battery would be helpful.)
We're both running VB; but we got the text message from T-Mobile that we're eligible for new phones. Whatever that means.
It's worth looking into anyway... suggestions for a new phone?
Requirements:
* Wifi calling (travel a lot)
* Decent developer community
* Preferrably a low price. (Experiences with swappa.com welcome. Never tried that before.)
Thanks in advance!

Questions and help issues go in Q&A and Help section.
Thread moved
FNM
Friendly Advice....get a list of phones available for your carrier and go to those forums to see how people feel about those phones

The obvious answer is the New Nexus 5. It will be the most supported phone for atleast two years. Or if they have the Nexus 4 in stock pick it up. I dont suggest anything that is not a Nexus device. That said the Moto X looks nice Im sure @bhundven can offer opinions on it.

http://www.engadget.com/2013/10/31/htc-one-android-kitkat/
Sounds like the one might be worth looking into also.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I547 using xda app-developers app

kennyglass123 said:
Friendly Advice....get a list of phones available for your carrier and go to those forums to see how people feel about those phones
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Personally, I totally agree with this advice. That is what I did.
limeaide said:
That said the Moto X looks nice Im sure @bhundven can offer opinions on it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The moto x is a great phone! It is the only android device that I have that is not unlocked or rooted. But it is that way because I derped on researching and didn't know the at&t version was locked and not unlockable.
At $349 for the 16G and $399 for the 32G, the Nexus 5 brings more value for the dollor... verses $649 for the unlockable developer edition of the Moto X.
The motorola-google merger is still young and I've noticed manufacturing issues with mine, and there are long threads in the moto x subforum about defects that others have noticed with the chassis.
Personally, I'm keeping my moto x in case someone makes an unlocked bootloader for the AT&T version, but my nexus 5 (white 32G) is on order.
A lot of people like the HTC One and the Galaxy S 4 (available on the play store, with unlockable bootloaders).
I think as @kennyglass123 said, it all comes down to personal preference and reading the forums to find out what other users think of the device. Research is your friend; learn from my mistakes

bhundven said:
Personally, I'm keeping my moto x in case someone makes an unlocked bootloader for the AT&T version, but my nexus 5 (white 32G) is on order.
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Good to see you finally getting on the Nexus bandwagon lol. I might be picking up the N5 but I have to find a good phone for my kid. Not going to give her the N4 that glass back will not make it a week. That is the only downfall to the N4 .

Help? Bought unlocked Samsung Note 9

Hi, sry if I posted my question in the wrong area but I just recieved my Samsung Note 9. Been without a phone for 2.5 wks. It was nothing... (ahem... bu****it!!!)
Im an AT&T customer (I dont pay for phone service) so I was hoping if I bought an unlocked phone I might be able to root my device even though Im an AT&T customer. For some reason soon as you say AT&T customer, its like you have some super Covid strain cause nobody will come near you. Lol
Anyways, I would just like to be able to root my device so I can run a few of my fav apps which require root/super user. Im scared to even turn my device on because Im afraid AT&T is gonna patch it soon as I do and I wont be able to root my phone. Can someone please just tell me how best to proceed. Sry, I have not searched the forum yet. Im just in a hurry to get my phone back on so i can feel whole again. Im headed over to the thread for my phone now and will update this thread soon as i find out what i need to do. In the meantime any help would be greatly appreciated. Big thanks to everyone at XDA for all the love & support you guys give to the community.
Thanks and have have a blessed day!
- TeeShark

Did you buy the international variant or the U.S. variant?

ShaDisNX255 said:
Did you buy the international variant or the U.S. variant?
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Click to collapse
Hey sorry for the late response. Im guessing i got the US variant since it was for a Verizon or AT&T customer. Unfortunately, its a refurb and was DOA. So im sending it back today. Which phone would you buy on a $300 budget? The screen was scratched up pretty baf also so im glad it was dead out of the box. Is this something I should expect when buying a refurb. I assumed since i was paying close to market price for a Samsung Note 9 that it would be in better shape with no scratches or very few. This one was scratched up pretty good all the way around the edge of the screen.
I was also considering buying a brand new Samsung A71. Most sites online have the Google Pixel 4a listed as the top phone on a $300 budget. I just feel like Google is intrusive enough as it is already without owning a phone made by them but I hold the XDA community in high regard when it comes to cell phones, specially android variants so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and be a deciding factor in my purchase.
Again i just would like to be able to gain root/super_user permissions so i can run some of my fav apps that require root access. If im able to install some custom roms as well that would be fabulous but not necessarily a requirement. If ive learned anything at XDA its that AT&T customers are usually screwed when it comes to rooting phones, at least in the early stages of recently released cell phones.
Thanks again for the assistance guys... and gals (and those that don't identify with either sex these days.) When i was growing up, you either had a hole or pole and that determined your sex. Lol! Sorry to get political on you guys but it seems everyone gets triggered so easily these days.

TeeShark said:
Hey sorry for the late response. Im guessing i got the US variant since it was for a Verizon or AT&T customer. Unfortunately, its a refurb and was DOA. So im sending it back today. Which phone would you buy on a $300 budget? The screen was scratched up pretty baf also so im glad it was dead out of the box. Is this something I should expect when buying a refurb. I assumed since i was paying close to market price for a Samsung Note 9 that it would be in better shape with no scratches or very few. This one was scratched up pretty good all the way around the edge of the screen.
I was also considering buying a brand new Samsung A71. Most sites online have the Google Pixel 4a listed as the top phone on a $300 budget. I just feel like Google is intrusive enough as it is already without owning a phone made by them but I hold the XDA community in high regard when it comes to cell phones, specially android variants so any suggestions would be greatly appreciated and be a deciding factor in my purchase.
Again i just would like to be able to gain root/super_user permissions so i can run some of my fav apps that require root access. If im able to install some custom roms as well that would be fabulous but not necessarily a requirement. If ive learned anything at XDA its that AT&T customers are usually screwed when it comes to rooting phones, at least in the early stages of recently released cell phones.
Thanks again for the assistance guys... and gals (and those that don't identify with either sex these days.) When i was growing up, you either had a hole or pole and that determined your sex. Lol! Sorry to get political on you guys but it seems everyone gets triggered so easily these days.
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Click to collapse
Lol that last is the best sentence I've ever read in my life xDDD
But anyway, there are a few things I should point out.
-> You should only buy Samsung phones (even budget ones) if you like OneUI. If you want a stock aosp ROM, then stay away from Samsung phones since they get the least amount of attention and get a Xiaomi instead. They're phones that have communities booming and offer good quality for the price
-> If you don't want AOSP and really enjoy OneUI, then avoid getting a Samsung phone that is meant for the U.S. market and get an international variant. All U.S. variant Samsung phones have their bootloader hard locked and you need to buy a token (extra money) to even be able to unlock the bootloader and root it. Keep in mind that SOME international variants have the Exynos chip so just FYI. Though some mid-rangers offer Snapdragon across the board (U.S. or International) but yeah just avoid U.S. variant phones if you want root.
-> Lastly, avoid the Galaxy A71, go for the A52 instead. The A52 is about the same price as the A71 (in some places you'll probably even find the A52 cheaper) and the A52 has higher refresh rate, water resistance, dual speakers, optical image stabilization and an SoC that is on par with the A71.

You can request through AT&T's tech support that they turn off OTAs on their end.
Yes, yes they can that.
Or use Package Disabler to kill it.
It's probably the best solution.