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Hey I have an opportunity to grab a Korean S4 (SHV-E300K/S). I am wondering if there will be any issues to using this phone in HK? The LTE bands appear to be compatible. I was wondering if the phone will be locked or if there is something that just won't work? I've never been to Korea so I don't know how phones are sold there so any insight will be appreciated.
Thanks in Advance!
Did some digging around and apparently KT telecom, (1 of the 2 large operators in South Korea) did not lock the previous release of the S3.
Also including the article which mentions the LTE bands just in case anyone's interested.
http://www.sammobile.com/2013/04/02/galaxy-s4s-korean-variant-shv-e300sk-to-feature-exynos-5-octa-clocked-at-1-8ghz-confirmed-by-fcc/
Still hoping to get some input before pulling the trigger. Thanks
I'm very interested in this, and I've been trying to do some research. I have a best friend who's brother lives in Korea and works at Samsung, and she told me that if I wanted the Korean version, he'd do his best to ship one to my specifications.
Long story short, I want the Exynos + LTE, but the information online is few and in between.
Sent from my Xperia ion LT28i using xda premium
Well if you can find out anything from that person who works for Samsung that would be much appreciated. I'm willing to pull the trigger if:
a) they sell phones outright off contract in Korea,
b) the phone is carrier unlocked, and
c) I can set English menus.
I am willing to Gamble with the LTE bands and the software compatibility quirks that I may experience.
Perhaps someone from Korea can shed some light?
Thanks.
pygo said:
Well if you can find out anything from that person who works for Samsung that would be much appreciated. I'm willing to pull the trigger if:
a) they sell phones outright off contract in Korea,
b) the phone is carrier unlocked, and
c) I can set English menus.
I am willing to Gamble with the LTE bands and the software compatibility quirks that I may experience.
Perhaps someone from Korea can shed some light?
Thanks.
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To answer your questions,
Phones are available in English menu and you only need to worry about the LTE bands as they are not carrier locked in Korea. You might need to set some settings to work in your country and chances should be high as I heard the Octa supports 20 bands of LTE.
I'm not sure what you meant by outright but you can walk into any shop and buy it if that's what you meant. Alternatively, if you know anyone in Korea they should be able to get it for you but not in the next few days because right now it seems that it's all on contract until stock are more abundant.
Sent from my IM-A860K using xda premium
It would be really cool if the Korean GS4 could work with USA LTE. But the price~! Right now, it's being sold for around $1,100 USD~!
What's special about Korean models? Don't other countries have octa too?
tuxonhtc said:
What's special about Korean models? Don't other countries have octa too?
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They have octa + LTE.
Sent from my IM-A860K using xda premium
Okay, so I'm very confused. I too have the opportunity to grab a Korean version, but instead of the OP, I reside in the US, would I run into ANY problems if I got this version? LTE I understand might possibly work/might not, but is there anything else to be concerned with?
All galaxy korean version has following problems.
1. All operator too many customizing ==> it will cause unstable, because all known that they request too many modify frameworks also.
2. Too many have bloat apps.(operator apps, avg 10 + apps exist, some apps are not support uninstall, yeah rooting will delete that apps, but it make an another error)
3. UMTS band are only 1900/2100 (official), previous galaxy have only UMTS 2100 (SKT/KT model only, LGU+ model using CDMA 1800(that frequncy only exist in korea over the world)
4. LTE band are only 850/1800. (SKT 850/1800 , KT 1800 / LG U+ 850)
5. Maybe Firmare not compatible with Global version (I930X / N710X )
6. you may not use USSD code (korean all operator doesn't support USSD code, so korean localizing version remove USSD function)
I lived in korea, but i don't use our korean galaxy models. This time I also ordered galaxy s4 on UK. Because UK model is always Europe open model and it has nearly Samsung reference model. (Doesn't have or 1~2 bloat app exist)
i'm very hate too many localizing. it will always phone make unstable.
Pulverizer, thank you for the info! I think I'll be going for the i9500 now.
Thank You to all who took the time to reply!
I'm likely going to get a local machine now to reduce the need to tinker.
This is also a very informative link from an shv-e300 user for any of those who are still fence sitters! Very good information is given at the bottom of page 3!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2253148&page=3
I to was tempted for Korean
This information will keep me to in the US/UK LTE version.
I have been unsuccessful in identifying the exact model number of Bell Mobility's Samsung Galaxy Note 3 apart from calling them. Anyone know what it is?
FedUpx2 said:
I have been unsuccessful in identifying the exact model number of Bell Mobility's Samsung Galaxy Note 3 apart from calling them. Anyone know what it is?
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Isn't it N900W8?
FedUpx2 said:
I have been unsuccessful in identifying the exact model number of Bell Mobility's Samsung Galaxy Note 3 apart from calling them. Anyone know what it is?
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SM900N-W8, its on the box that came with your phone too.
Also you can press Menu Button->system settings then select the "general tab" then scroll down and select "about device". Your model number is displayed there.
Sent from my Telus SM900N-W8 via XDA Premium App
Thanks guys, this confirmation helps a lot. I am looking at purchasing an AT&T model from the USA and I wanted to ensure that it would work with Bell and their network specs for LTE. My other option would be to just buy one from Bell but I wanted to source out the best prices/deals before going that route. :good:
Opps, sorry guys, looks like I posted this question in the wrong section......pls remove or close if appropriate.
Hi guys, I've searched the threads, and the only one that seems to talk about region lock is this one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2729956
I want to buy a SM-900F (international version) and I want to bring it to my country (South America). How will region lock affect me? I know it's SIM unlocked, but I don´t think I´ll be able to get ahold of a sim card of another country to be able to activate it... If that's a requirement, though, is it possible to bypass? Any other thing I should know about region lock?
Thanks
jorge_moran_jams said:
Hi guys, I've searched the threads, and the only one that seems to talk about region lock is this one:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2729956
I want to buy a SM-900F (international version) and I want to bring it to my country (South America). How will region lock affect me? I know it's SIM unlocked, but I don´t think I´ll be able to get ahold of a sim card of another country to be able to activate it... If that's a requirement, though, is it possible to bypass? Any other thing I should know about region lock?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't comment on capability to bypass it. Can you not get the SM-G900M which is the unlocked version for North and South America? Yes, it's also the branded one down there, but G900M is the "Americas unlocked version". I got mine from Expansys, and they have a Brazilian site.
On a random side note, aren't questions supposed to go in the Q&A section?
xtechx said:
I can't comment on capability to bypass it. Can you not get the SM-G900M which is the unlocked version for North and South America? Yes, it's also the branded one down there, but G900M is the "Americas unlocked version". I got mine from Expansys, and they have a Brazilian site.
On a random side note, aren't questions supposed to go in the Q&A section?
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I'm really sorry, I didn't even realize I was in general, the thing I'm worried about is the hardware, I know for a fact the F version will have lots of support from the community because it's Qualcomm, but as it was the case with the GS4, the Exynos version almost certainly won't get much love... I'm not sure which hardware the G900M has, but I don't think I'll be able to get one in USA... That's why I was planning on buying the F, it's way easier to get ahold of.
jorge_moran_jams said:
I'm really sorry, I didn't even realize I was in general, the thing I'm worried about is the hardware, I know for a fact the F version will have lots of support from the community because it's Qualcomm, but as it was the case with the GS4, the Exynos version almost certainly won't get much love... I'm not sure which hardware the G900M has, but I don't think I'll be able to get one in USA... That's why I was planning on buying the F, it's way easier to get ahold of.
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No worries, I was just bugging heh.
I have the G900M. It's Qualcomm. I'm running kernel and ROM for G900F as we speak, and it's perfectly fine. Expansys has many sites around the world, including the USA. I wasn't sure what country you were in. You mentioned South America which is why I pointed out they have a site native to Brazil.
ADDITION
nvm, I can't read. I see you're in Ecuador, so a Brazilian site may not help. The G900M would pass with your SIM card though.
maybe someone else can comment on the region lock itself.
You can unlock it by calling the samsung hotline or going to a samsung service center,pls try next time to google your issue before spamming xda, http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_on_region_lock_you_need_5_min_of_voice_calls-news-7184.php
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
atilla88 said:
You can unlock it by calling the samsung hotline or going to a samsung service center,pls try next time to google your issue before spamming xda, http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_on_region_lock_you_need_5_min_of_voice_calls-news-7184.php
Sent from my Nexus 7 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app
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Did you even read your link? That info is regarding the Note 3... In my original post I included a link to another thread in which someone says the region lock works differently for the GS5
jorge_moran_jams said:
Did you even read your link? That info is regarding the Note 3... In my original post I included a link to another thread in which someone says the region lock works differently for the GS5
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I dont think that sammy has different region lock policies for their smartphones,you should really just call the sammy service center,this takes 5 minutes and is much faster then waiting on xda
My brother is trying to sell his SM-G900F.
I have no experience with the S5, so I don't know anything about it. I only know everything about the Nexus 5 (better phone imho).
In anycase, I wanted to know whether the SM- G900F is an international phone and if it is factory unlocked.
If so, can it be used with every US carrier LTE bands? Can it be used in Canada with Rogers/Bell LTE Bands?
Thanks for your help and time!
iammrhappy123 said:
My brother is trying to sell his SM-G900F.
I have no experience with the S5, so I don't know anything about it. I only know everything about the Nexus 5 (better phone imho).
In anycase, I wanted to know whether the SM- G900F is an international phone and if it is factory unlocked.
If so, can it be used with every US carrier LTE bands? Can it be used in Canada with Rogers/Bell LTE Bands?
Thanks for your help and time!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A google Search can tell you that
-PiLoT- said:
A google Search can tell you that
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Hey I understand that I can use google, and I have. I just want the experts on here to clarify/confirm
As of right now, I found that the SM-G900F is an international/unlocked version and can be used on any carrier. But I might be wrong or reading incorrect information. Can you confirm this?
Thanks
iammrhappy123 said:
Hey I understand that I can use google, and I have. I just want the experts on here to clarify/confirm
As of right now, I found that the SM-G900F is an international/unlocked version and can be used on any carrier. But I might be wrong or reading incorrect information. Can you confirm this?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you clearly dont, search for galaxy s5 full phone specifications, click the link at the top which is for gsmarena then read what it says in the general section
Your question on whether it will work on LTE bands in Canada can be answered by GSMArena. As far as Unlock is concerned, I don't think all G900F's are factory unlocked. So if they are indeed locked, you will have to buy an unlock code. The S5's are also region locked (which means they are to be used for about 5-10 mins for making calls in the country of origin). I would be careful about region and sim-locking if I was in your place.
So, the thing is my parents live in Canada and they bought me a Galaxy s8 from the Samsung Store for me, and I live in Europe. My question is, can I use the phone here? The model number is SM-G950W and I just found out the global model is SM-G950F. Is there any reason for me to worry? From what I can see the 4G LTE cellular bands are different.
Cheers!
iirc if they unlock it in Canada you'll be fine.
Rithari said:
iirc if they unlock it in Canada you'll be fine.
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what do you mean unlock it in canada?
Activate it with Canadian SIM and make a call, that should activate it but don't take my word for it, not sure if it applies to your model.
On the european one I have (and I live in europe, so that's a good thing) it says 'for eu sim cards only' or something like that on the box. Would have to check the exact text this evening (not at home now). But from what I understand you can't simply use another regions S8 just like that.
Not sure how exactly it works though