Hey US users: Who's thinking of switching to a carrier version? - Galaxy S II General

I'm looking at going with the larger screen T-Mobile mo to mo. First device on their high speed network. We'll have to look closely at the action of Qualcomm during the first 30 days.

Never. I've tasted freedom and won't go back. Not having to live with carrier hardware and software changes and being dependent on them for updates is a joy. For $10 a month I have unlimited fake-4G data and free tethering. When it's time to replace the SGS2 it will be with another carrier-unmolested phone. I just bought a 10.1 Tab and got if from the UK so I don't have to deal with all of the U.S. "customization." And T-Mobile sucks - I dumped them when I dumped my piece of crap G2X. Good luck if you have a problem with your phone. Their idea of overnight replacement takes 3-5 days. And every agent tells you something different - some are extremely competent the majority are idiots reading from a script. AT&T will have to dispose of some assets but there's no doubt the merger will go through. T-Mobile's lost 1MM post-paid subscribers so for this year. Then you're shiny new AWS banded phone will make a great paperweight once AT&T starts using the bands for LTE.

BarryH_GEG said:
Never. I've tasted freedom and won't go back. Not having to live with carrier hardware and software changes and being dependent on them for updates is a joy. For $10 a month I have unlimited fake-4G data and free tethering. When it's time to replace the SGS2 it will be with another carrier-unmolested phone. I just bought a 10.1 Tab and got if from the UK so I don't have to deal with all of the U.S. "customization." And T-Mobile sucks - I dumped them when I dumped my piece of crap G2X. Good luck if you have a problem with your phone. Their idea of overnight replacement takes 3-5 days. And every agent tells you something different - some are extremely competent the majority are idiots reading from a script. AT&T will have to dispose of some assets but there's no doubt the merger will go through. T-Mobile's lost 1MM post-paid subscribers so for this year. Then you're shiny new AWS banded phone will make a great paperweight once AT&T starts using the bands for LTE.
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I'm in complete agreement with you about the 'carrier' freedom. The only thing that really perturbs me is the reports of phone tweaking (example: how the ATT infuse 4g will get higher data speeds than the sgs ii with them sitting side by side) and if that pattern holds true I'd suspect that the American bastard step-child SGS II will out perform its untainted euro cousin.

I'm rather forced to use the upcoming T-mobile USA release due the band frequencies as the current International model is not compatible with 1700 / 2100

mostyle said:
I'm in complete agreement with you about the 'carrier' freedom. The only thing that really perturbs me is the reports of phone tweaking (example: how the ATT infuse 4g will get higher data speeds than the sgs ii with them sitting side by side) and if that pattern holds true I'd suspect that the American bastard step-child SGS II will out perform its untainted euro cousin.
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I know side by side with the International version that would happen but why vs the Infuse?

BarryH_GEG said:
Never. I've tasted freedom and won't go back. Not having to live with carrier hardware and software changes and being dependent on them for updates is a joy. For $10 a month I have unlimited fake-4G data and free tethering. When it's time to replace the SGS2 it will be with another carrier-unmolested phone. I just bought a 10.1 Tab and got if from the UK so I don't have to deal with all of the U.S. "customization." And T-Mobile sucks - I dumped them when I dumped my piece of crap G2X. Good luck if you have a problem with your phone. Their idea of overnight replacement takes 3-5 days. And every agent tells you something different - some are extremely competent the majority are idiots reading from a script. AT&T will have to dispose of some assets but there's no doubt the merger will go through. T-Mobile's lost 1MM post-paid subscribers so for this year. Then you're shiny new AWS banded phone will make a great paperweight once AT&T starts using the bands for LTE.
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Agreed. I'm even running on the "4g" phone apn. On AT&T OLAM, its recognized as Medianet.

I will get the version att has if it's the sgs2 internals with the physical keyboard.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App

AllGamer said:
I'm rather forced to use the upcoming T-mobile USA release due the band frequencies as the current International model is not compatible with 1700 / 2100
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The problem there is that if the reports about the hardware specs are true, it won't really be a true sgs2.
Qualcomm instead of exynos? that would make it a pos disguised as an sgs2.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

rockky said:
I'm looking at going with the larger screen T-Mobile mo to mo. First device on their high speed network. We'll have to look closely at the action of Qualcomm during the first 30 days.
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Wait, when did TMO get a high speed network I've realized the best devices I've owned have all been unmolested by any US carrier. Last device I really loved before the SGS2 was the Nexus One. So I really can't see myself giving up my unbranded international version. Case in point is the transition to the Qualcomm processor. If it's anything like the performance I get with my Sensation, that's a big step down from the exynos. I'll be more than happy holding on to my SGS2 until something like the Nexus 3 or SGS3 drops

Related

anyone planning on using Nexus on AT&T

I have a magic (from rogers, so it works on At&t 3g) but I really really wanna get on board with the Nexus.
I am in NJ so TMo says 3g coverage is good, but i am just skeptical.
plus i have a family plan on at&t, wife uses iphone, doubt i could talk her into giving it up...
anyone gonna use the nexus on at&t and go without 3g???
I will be replacing my iphone with the nexus tomorrow when the n1 arrives. Because of how awful 3g is in my area (live in seattle work in redmond) I have been using edge almost exclusively. Funnily enough, my dropped calls have ceased after the 3g=>edge move. Go figure
I plan to keep my iphone handy and see just how painful the n1 is without the ability to attempt 3g if I really want it or need it (maps come to mind and so does pandora though both have been acceptable on edge thus far).
Perhaps I can call ATT and have them remove 3g from my account saving me some money each month.
I'm going to try it out on AT&T to see if/(how much) I miss 3g. If I can't get along without it, I'll just switch to T-Mobile. I live in Dallas so both AT&T and T-Mobile have full coverage.
For me, the people I talk to the most are on ATT and it would cost me more to continue my phone habits on a different provider than to just stick with ATT. Moving back to T-Mobile is not an option at this point. I really do wish I had kept my G1 when I made that move
yeah, i was thinking the same thing, just try my non-3g life out and go from there.....at least i'm not alone!
like you said, i have a family / friends all on att, so i might cost more if i were on tmo now...
thakns for input, good luck to us!
I have a g1 & mytouch on at&t just unlocked it. i dont mind having 2G only cuz my battery life is increased and when i get home i have wifi so i just attach to it to get better speeds.. i plan on getting the nexus one when i have the money for it. i didnt know the rogers phones are at&T compatible. anyone wanna sell or trade devices? PM ME
thanks
I hated having my iPhone on Tmobile, no 3G kinda killed the use of an iPhone, the call quality wasn't that great, and though it was handy, it was a bit annoying knowing that I had no 3G. I sold it for $370, used that money to buy a N1 :]
I have an xperia X1a.... and am probably going to buy a nexus.. I"m tired of people w/ cheap, crappy phones having way better internet speed than me.
BUT.. I will make sure that X10 really isn't tmo 3g compatible.
WHy won't the n1 get 3G- any idea when they might change that?
well, the n1 doesn't have the 850 mhz frequency that att runs there 3g on.
the n1 is coming to verizon in the spring and will have 3g......i honestly don't think n1 will ever get to att, especially since google is obviously battling with iphone.....
i really would love the n1, but i honestly don't know i could give up my magic with 3g on ATT......i was just downloading at 1600 kb/sec....pretty damn fast.
the 2g speed is only like 180 kb/sec.
dsarch21 said:
well, the n1 doesn't have the 850 mhz frequency that att runs there 3g on.
the n1 is coming to verizon in the spring and will have 3g......i honestly don't think n1 will ever get to att, especially since google is obviously battling with iphone.....
i really would love the n1, but i honestly don't know i could give up my magic with 3g on ATT......i was just downloading at 1600 kb/sec....pretty damn fast.
the 2g speed is only like 180 kb/sec.
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I was just downloading at over 4100kbps on T-mobile.
I just ordered my Nexus One Superphone. Im planning on selling my HTC Magic unlocked A6161 32A with Hero Sense UI.
uansari1 said:
I was just downloading at over 4100kbps on T-mobile.
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wow! really?? OK....well, my decision is pretty easy then....bye bye ATT......
hello N1!
No AT&T 3G means no Nexus One for me. So my only hope now is that HTC releases their own branded version with Sense (which I would have wanted anyway) shortly after the hype blows over.
If the Acer A1 hits in the meantime, I'm going to get that I guess. No way in hell I'm switching to T-Mobile for any reason. They have zero coverage where I live and no roaming agreements with AT&T (I live in a Chicago suburb). But in areas where they do work, friends aren't getting 3G and 1/2 the time they aren't even getting EDGE!
Besides, I was only getting the AT&T version of the Nexus One to hold me over until Windows Mobile 7 drops. I have no problem waiting until Windows Mobile 7 and skipping Android altogether.
Personally, I think they screwed up. They gained very little from have Verizon offer it. Verizon customers who want a high end Android device *JUST* bought the Droid and will be getting Android 2.1 soon. If they made an AT&T compatible version, they'd have more potential for sales since AT&T has NO android devices so far and Canadian carriers can also take advantage.
For those on T-Mobile, looks like a good phone...
-Mc
dsarch21 said:
wow! really?? OK....well, my decision is pretty easy then....bye bye ATT......
hello N1!
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T-mo flipped the switch on their 7.2mbps 3G today. I'm sure it was planned to coincide with the N1 release, lol... anyway, T-mo is now the fastest GSM 3G in the U.S., right?
Edit: Just came across this article: http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/atandt-kicks-it-into-overdrive-rolls-out-7-2mbps-everywhere-bu/
Seems that AT&T now has a fire under its ass to follow suit. They too are speeding up their upgrade to 7.2mbps, but they won't have the backbone up to speed for a while apparently.
McHale said:
Besides, I was only getting the AT&T version of the Nexus One to hold me over until Windows Mobile 7 drops. I have no problem waiting until Windows Mobile 7 and skipping Android altogether.
Personally, I think they screwed up. They gained very little from have Verizon offer it. Verizon customers who want a high end Android device *JUST* bought the Droid and will be getting Android 2.1 soon. If they made an AT&T compatible version, they'd have more potential for sales since AT&T has NO android devices so far and Canadian carriers can also take advantage.
For those on T-Mobile, looks like a good phone...
-Mc
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Click to collapse
Winmo over Android? Really!?! For Microsoft's sake I hope you're right, but I think it's highly unlikely that WM7 will be enough to make Windows a plausible mobile platform. I've been in the wireless industry for a few years and Windows Mobile has, for just as long, been a last resort for anyone but the most diehard Windows fanatic(you?).
I do however agree that it's a win for those of us on T-Mobile. That make's five Android devices to choose from! And for the record I'll be picking up a Nexus One as soon as they start offering it with the employee discount!
McHale said:
No AT&T 3G means no Nexus One for me. So my only hope now is that HTC releases their own branded version with Sense (which I would have wanted anyway) shortly after the hype blows over.
If the Acer A1 hits in the meantime, I'm going to get that I guess. No way in hell I'm switching to T-Mobile for any reason. They have zero coverage where I live and no roaming agreements with AT&T (I live in a Chicago suburb). But in areas where they do work, friends aren't getting 3G and 1/2 the time they aren't even getting EDGE!
Besides, I was only getting the AT&T version of the Nexus One to hold me over until Windows Mobile 7 drops. I have no problem waiting until Windows Mobile 7 and skipping Android altogether.
Personally, I think they screwed up. They gained very little from have Verizon offer it. Verizon customers who want a high end Android device *JUST* bought the Droid and will be getting Android 2.1 soon. If they made an AT&T compatible version, they'd have more potential for sales since AT&T has NO android devices so far and Canadian carriers can also take advantage.
For those on T-Mobile, looks like a good phone...
-Mc
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Seriously man... blame AT&T and Apple for their internal agreements. It's because of the iPhone that AT&T isn't allowed to bring in any products that would cannibalize sales of the iPhone. Once exclusivity expires... Android devices will storm AT&T as well.
uansari1 said:
Seriously man... blame AT&T and Apple for their internal agreements. It's because of the iPhone that AT&T isn't allowed to bring in any products that would cannibalize sales of the iPhone. Once exclusivity expires... Android devices will storm AT&T as well.
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http://gizmodo.com/5441632/atts-first-android-phones-five-from-motorola-dell-and-htc
deprecate said:
http://gizmodo.com/5441632/atts-first-android-phones-five-from-motorola-dell-and-htc
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It feels good to be right.
uansari1 said:
It feels good to be right.
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(this message requires a minimum of 10 chars...satisfied!)

AT&T Nexus at FCC

http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/10780.html
http://www.eweek.com/c/a/Mobile-and-Wireless/Google-Nexus-One-May-Be-on-Tap-for-ATT-494707/
I will be SOOOO pissed if a phone with dual capability or even AT&T comes out soon. I should have waited
I'm hoping they will offer me an exchange if I can obtain 3g. After all I did pay $530 for a 2G device just because I'm a Google fan boy.
-Charlie
I'm hoping the same... would be great if you could exchange between 3 models so you truely are free of the phone companies! It would have to cost something but I would be willling to switch between AT&T, Sprint, Verizon and Tmobile.
i thought the update would be software not hardware.....
SiliconKnight said:
i thought the update would be software not hardware.....
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Legally, it can't be. The AWS (T-Mobile) Nexus One only passed the FCC with the GSM 850/1900 and the UMTS 700/2100 frequencies tested. If it supported any other North American frequencies, those also would have needed to be tested. Any device released to the public can't exist with untested frequencies hiding under the hood. When it comes to frequencies, it's always a matter of hardware.
To anyone who didn't think this wasn't going to happen, you're a fool. There may not be a version sold for AT&T specifically, but it was very highly safe to assume that the product would make it to Canada. Since all the major Canadian companies run off the same bands as AT&T, everyone should have been able to figure out that there would be a version that works on AT&T coming out.
I'll be a little miffed if it's an at&t/t-mobile compatible instead of just at&t compatible.
Nexus coming to ATT
After making the move to Ft. Myers, FL I realized that tmo was horribly spotty. Its bad enough that the phone jumps from H to 3G to edge on a constant basis. So I went to to ATT and got a prepaid plan and the guy who assisted scan my IMEI # to put it into the cpu and said thats weird... it came up in our cpu as Nexus one usually unlocked phones name do not show up. He said which means we are getting this phone. Now I do care that I have it on tmo since I bought it full price and didnt use an upgrade, but thats the price you pay for just jumping in.
muncheese said:
I'll be a little miffed if it's an at&t/t-mobile compatible instead of just at&t compatible.
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Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but given the current state of cell phone antenna technology an at&t and t-mobile compatible phone will not be available. The design of the cell phone antenna is critical when you want to accommodate several frequencies. Finding an optimal design for one frequency might affect the signal of another frequency when using the same antenna or one in close proximity. Given the size of smarphones and the fact that we all want small and slim (pocketable) smartphones, the engineers have to compromise on the number of frequencies a given phone antenna(s) can support. It's possible, but you'll most likely end with a much larger phone if the antenna(s) is/are build-in.
If you bought it within 14 days (30 in California) you can still return the phone. Restocking fee of $45.
Based on past phones, what kind of time line are we looking at until this new version would go on sale? Weeks or months?
If it happens soon I have a mint condition unlocked tmobile one for trade for an att one lol, that is if they don't send a letter saying we will trade you for the restocking fee.
-Charlie
i would pay a restocking fee no problem. Mine is mint as well... someone trade me ;-)

[tracking] Nexus 1.5 (3G bands 1, 2, 5)

So apparently Google is coming out with a N1.5 with 3G Band I (2100Mhz), II (1900Mz) and V (850Mhz), versus the N1 Bands I (2100Mhz), IV (1700Mhz) and VIII (900Mhz).
I do not understand why Google's flagship HTC handset doesn't support every frequency and they (whomever "they" may be) simply enable/disable in software?!
Anyway, I guess this means N1.5 will work on AT&T 3G.
Any insider tracking the Google release date for the AT&T capable Nexus?
Care to share an actual source?
Refering to this i assume.
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/02/01/nexus_one_on_att_3g/
Yeah, I saw this a long time ago. There was an article on cnet.
http://news.cnet.com/8301-30686_3-10444986-266.html
lpasq said:
I do not understand why Google's flagship HTC handset doesn't support every frequency and they (whomever "they" may be) simply enable/disable in software?!
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The hardware does not exist for any radio to include all 6 3G frequencies.
j.bruha said:
The hardware does not exist for any radio to include all 6 3G frequencies.
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i thought the bb9700 supports all? http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2010...-blackberrys-3g-bands-are-no-longer-relevant/
uberingram said:
Care to share an actual source?
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no official source. just internet surfing and that's why i am asking here to hear if anyone has update info... like maybe a google or htc spy
I was told by my AT&T representative for the SE region of RS that the phone is ready and is being tested to meet AT&T specs for speed on not only 3G but the upgraded HSPA networks. They however did not specify a date other than 2010 for the AT&T version. Soooo.... we shall see, normally they are right with the products coming to the market, like the Moto backflip which I knew personally was going to AT&T over a year ago.
-Charlie
dahui9 said:
I was told by my AT&T representative for the SE region of RS that the phone is ready and is being tested to meet AT&T specs for speed on not only 3G but the upgraded HSPA networks. They however did not specify a date other than 2010 for the AT&T version. Soooo.... we shall see, normally they are right with the products coming to the market, like the Moto backflip which I knew personally was going to AT&T over a year ago.
-Charlie
Click to expand...
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Did you know they would cripple the Backflip into a piece of **** a year ago too?
uansari1 said:
Did you know they would cripple the Backflip into a piece of **** a year ago too?
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LOL this I didn't, being an avid android lover from day one my AT&T rep got to know me because of the question when we would get an android device.
But AT&T being the best service in my area I can't wait for this!
-Charlie
dahui9: thanks for sharing what you heard
There is no chipset/antenna design that supports all UMTS bands at the same time. The bgr was just wrong, there are two distinct bb9700: one for t-mobile and one for att.
uansari1 said:
Did you know they would cripple the Backflip into a piece of **** a year ago too?
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Yeah, that is a sad excuse of an Android phone. ATT is going the way of the big V. No open access to an open source project.
Just stupid if you ask me.
ryan22158 said:
Yeah, that is a sad excuse of an Android phone. ATT is going the way of the big V. No open access to an open source project.
Just stupid if you ask me.
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I wonder what they are going to do to the nexus..remove the unlockable bootloader perhaps? I also wonder if Verizon is going to do the same...
Being on ATT with a nexus one, I really do want to be excited by this news as I am tired of being on edge (thankfully I have wifi available most of the time), but I am concerned about the lengths ATT will go to after seeing what they pulled with the backflip.
I will just sit and wait and watch. Worst case scenario, my cell contract will run dry next year and if ATT buggers up the nexus I can always migrate to TMO with a new contract...best case scenario...I can sell my current nexus to offset the cost of a new one that will take advantage of ATT's 3g...hopefully by then all those dreaded iphones will have moved on reducing the dropped call rate and slow 3g found in my area (seattle).
Two changes needed to support different 3G bands:
1. Antenna
2. Baseband firmware
Volker1 said:
There is no chipset/antenna design that supports all UMTS bands at the same time. The bgr was just wrong, there are two distinct bb9700: one for t-mobile and one for att.
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Click to collapse
oh. i get it know. thanks volker1
deprecate said:
I wonder what they are going to do to the nexus..remove the unlockable bootloader perhaps? I also wonder if Verizon is going to do the same...
Being on ATT with a nexus one, I really do want to be excited by this news as I am tired of being on edge (thankfully I have wifi available most of the time), but I am concerned about the lengths ATT will go to after seeing what they pulled with the backflip.
I will just sit and wait and watch. Worst case scenario, my cell contract will run dry next year and if ATT buggers up the nexus I can always migrate to TMO with a new contract...best case scenario...I can sell my current nexus to offset the cost of a new one that will take advantage of ATT's 3g...hopefully by then all those dreaded iphones will have moved on reducing the dropped call rate and slow 3g found in my area (seattle).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
deprecate: i feel your pain. i wore out my tilt waiting for tilt2...got tired of waiting after device released on other carriers first...and ordered a rogers magic in frustration. now i wonder if google saves us all by selling a google nexus unlocked running att 3g band(s). anyway, i'm an android convert and glad to be. though you lack 3g, you have an awesome device
lpasq said:
oh. i get it know. thanks volker1
deprecate: i feel your pain. i wore out my tilt waiting for tilt2...got tired of waiting after device released on other carriers first...and ordered a rogers magic in frustration. now i wonder if google saves us all by selling a google nexus unlocked running att 3g band(s). anyway, i'm an android convert and glad to be. though you lack 3g, you have an awesome device
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh I know it. The moment I got rid of my G1 in favour of an iphone when I swtiched from tmo -> att I knew I made a mistake...
I have zero regrets about having the nexus; here's hoping ATT doesn't get a bug up its arse and handicap an amazing device because they seem to run their company as though they have pants on their heads.
[deleted] ....dead thread...

Which Tab to Import to Use as Phone/Tablet on AT&T?

If I were to buy a Tab from Europe for use in the United States on AT&T, is there a particular model out there that works on the bands AT&T supports? As I understand it, the phone capability is disabled on the U.S. release, so I'd like to get one that has the capability, since I'm a bluetooth user primarily for phone calls anyway.
jdsemler said:
If I were to buy a Tab from Europe for use in the United States on AT&T, is there a particular model out there that works on the bands AT&T supports? As I understand it, the phone capability is disabled on the U.S. release, so I'd like to get one that has the capability, since I'm a bluetooth user primarily for phone calls anyway.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If we are lucky the phone is disabled only at the ROM level... In which case we may get it back when flashing
If you want the right 3G bands, I would bet on Telstra (Australia0 or Bell (Canada). The problem is you'll probably end up paying more than US versions
We are on the same boat btw...
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=824676
What worries me is AT&T has been super slow in announcing its model... We still have no idea when it will be available or how much it will cost
^ Most likely before the holiday shopping season begins. They wont DARE miss it.
What At&t is probably doing is focusing on Windows Phone 7 for a while before switching their marketing over to the Galaxy Tab. Also, let the other carriers market the crap out of their own Galaxy Tabs so At&t stands out from the crowd.
The three carriers will be launching their Tabs only a couple of days from each other. T-Mobile is first, two days later Verizon then 4 days later Sprint.
I would love to get an Euro version to use on AT&T, but they are so damn expensive. The cheapest I've found is $939!!!!
INeedYourHelp said:
I would love to get an Euro version to use on AT&T, but they are so damn expensive. The cheapest I've found is $939!!!!
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On top of that 3G won't work in the US... So no don;t do that, it would be such a waste...
Alcibiade said:
On top of that 3G won't work in the US... So no don;t do that, it would be such a waste...
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NOT true.
The euro model WILL WORK on at&t's 3G just fine (and will make call just fine) if you live in an area that at&t uses 1900Mhz for its 3G network.
I use it just fine here in the SF Bay Area.
tab
I think if your going to get a tab with no contract the best one to get would be the tmobile one the sim slot is still here so it may just be the rom they mess with,
plus the price is like 599 us why pay 989 plus shipping
bulldebeerman said:
I think if your going to get a tab with no contract the best one to get would be the tmobile one the sim slot is still here so it may just be the rom they mess with,
plus the price is like 599 us why pay 989 plus shipping
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
???????
You think the slim slot will be missing on other carriers ? Yeah right...
There will be a SIM slot on all of the Tabs in the US. You need a SIM for 3G connections
clubtech said:
NOT true.
The euro model WILL WORK on at&t's 3G just fine (and will make call just fine) if you live in an area that at&t uses 1900Mhz for its 3G network.
I use it just fine here in the SF Bay Area.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And you'll be missing 850 Mhx band
So... you pay nearly twice the price of the US Tab and you get a crippled device... Sounds like a great deal !
Alcibiade said:
You think the slim slot will be missing on other carriers ? Yeah right...
There will be a SIM slot on all of the Tabs in the US. You need a SIM for 3G connections
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It'll be missing on the Sprint and Verizon models as they're CDMA-based and therefore don't use SIM cards.
Hey guys- there is already a post that discusses this question. please be careful about clogging the site up with questions that have already been discussed. (it's upsetting the Russians)
As far as the 850 band goes, it's just as fast and available as the 1900 band. 850 was added to relieve congestion due to IPhone users in 2010. 1900 is still most places and isn't going away.
I wouldn't knock someone because they decided to get the euro version without 850. Clubtech has been rocking out on his for about a month with voice capability unlocked while we are sitting around hoping that the US carrier version can be hacked. That only cost him roughly 50 bucks a week and that drops every day we don't have one. Seems pretty smart at this point and by the time we do get ours and figure out how to unlock the phone the difference in price will be negligible. plus he's already saving for the next gen tab while we wait for this one. And how upset will you be when you find out the hardware is disconnected and we can't get the phone turned on and have to pay the same price 2 months later after already buying the castrated US version. I guess we will find out after Thursday. Also, I heard a nasty rumor that the front facing camera on the AT&T version is removed.
I plan to get the T-Mo version without a contract on Wed and then hand that off to my wife as a Wi-Fi only tab when I can get my hands on the unlocked 850 band model that has phone capability as shown on mobilecity.com or Negrielectronics.com. I don't care what the price is, I just want to rock out on a tab like Clubtech is doing NOW!!!
dboppc130 said:
Clubtech has been rocking out on his for about a month...
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I thought the release date was November first?
he got the Italian model several weeks ago
I didn't realise they'd launched it there earlier, for some reason I was under the impression it was launched across Europe on the same date.
Only the UK model was delayed untill Nov 1. Italy, Germany and several others have had it since early Oct.
The offical unlocked 850/1900 version was delayed until early 2011. Atleast thats what Samsung told Nergi however, the Bell version is offically coming on Nov 12th and that version has 850/1900 3G bands so there ya go... Full 3G in the USA!
Hi guys... I joined xda to try to figure out the best way to get voice calling in the US on the Tab... so thank you all so much for your information.
In an attempt to see if I have 1900MHz coverage from AT&T in my area... I called their 800 no. (1-800-331-0500) given to me by the local office, cus they didn't know precise coverage areas.
At the 800 number, the rep read from an Oct 10 release (on their MyCustomer Service Portal) where AT&T says that "because the number of customers with 1900MHz only phones is declinging" they are phasing out that frequency in 2010-2011. It's already begun in 30 markets (OKC phase out should be complete by Dec 2 according to the release). (Edited to add: clubtech says that they've been saying this since 2008, and hasn't happened yet.... so maybe it won't? who knows...)
They said they would replace customers' phones as the frequency was phased out if they were 1900MHz only.
And from what I've been able to learn here and elsewhere... it is the 1900MHz frequency that the Galaxy Tab uses, not the 850 frequency (at least on AT&T).
Sooooo.... isn't that lovely?
Looks like a Euro unlocked will not work for too much longer... altho maybe by the time the 1900 bands are phased out, there will be other workarounds.
So it's either back to mobilecity to preorder the 3G unlocked version for $879 (and who knows when that will be in?) or wait to see if the T-Mo version can be flashed to voice calling... which hopefully we will know soon.
btw... in my searching, clubtech was kind enough to enlighten me that the Euro version Tabs on eBay will only work on the 2G network of T-Mobile, which obviously is no good... so heads up on that.
But I must say I am getting even more pissed at the US carriers for making it so difficult to use the phone features of the tablet.
xexes said:
Hi guys... I joined xda to try to figure out the best way to get voice calling in the US on the Tab... so thank you all so much for your information.
In an attempt to see if I have 1900MHz coverage from AT&T in my area... I called their 800 no. (1-800-331-0500) given to me by the local office, cus they didn't know precise coverage areas.
At the 800 number, the rep read from an Oct 10 release (on their MyCustomer Service Portal) where AT&T says that "because the number of customers with 1900MHz only phones is declinging" they are phasing out that frequency in 2010-2011. It's already begun in 30 markets (OKC phase out should be complete by Dec 2 according to the release). (Edited to add: clubtech says that they've been saying this since 2008, and hasn't happened yet.... so maybe it won't? who knows...)
They said they would replace customers' phones as the frequency was phased out if they were 1900MHz only.
And from what I've been able to learn here and elsewhere... it is the 1900MHz frequency that the Galaxy Tab uses, not the 850 frequency (at least on AT&T).
Sooooo.... isn't that lovely?
Looks like a Euro unlocked will not work for too much longer... altho maybe by the time the 1900 bands are phased out, there will be other workarounds.
So it's either back to mobilecity to preorder the 3G unlocked version for $879 (and who knows when that will be in?) or wait to see if the T-Mo version can be flashed to voice calling... which hopefully we will know soon.
btw... in my searching, clubtech was kind enough to enlighten me that the Euro version Tabs on eBay will only work on the 2G network of T-Mobile, which obviously is no good... so heads up on that.
But I must say I am getting even more pissed at the US carriers for making it so difficult to use the phone features of the tablet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What starts to piss me off is AT&T has still not given any release date. Probably trying to please Apple... Once AT&T's tab is out we'll find out whether the call has been disabled at the hardware level (Given Samsung's history, I kind of doubt it)
But point taken, Cell phones networks (and operators) are at the level of Third World countries in America... (I lived in Hong Kong and Japan before)
Alcibiade said:
But point taken, Cell phones networks (and operators) are at the level of Third World countries in America... (I lived in Hong Kong and Japan before)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Different countries' networks have different strong points and weak points.
In the UK, the biggest upside is the competitive pricing. The biggest downside is the generally poor data services, allowances, prices and speeds.
In the US, the cons seem to be the 50/50 split between two technologies, making matters unnecessarily complex and reducing competition, thus leading to poorer pricing. The pros relate to the superior adoption/acceptance of data usage, more generous allowances, pushing forwards with better network technologies and higher speeds.
Or, at least, that's how I see it.
I'm on the same boat with you Alcibiade. Although I tend to believe it's the collaborative decision, or perhaps more on the Samsung's side, to make the Tab more competitive to the iPad. If you look at the pricing of the Euro/Asia version, it's pretty much no contest against the iPad. For them to sell it here in the State (the home of walmart, Target, etc, and where iPad is from) they really had to take drastic approach to lower it in order to match the iPad. And that leaves u, and me getting frustrated about if we really do have the type of options that Samsung is trying to appeal to the consumer (by offering the same device to different carriers).
From what I can gather, aside from the lack of the voice capability, there are small difference between carriers. Spring and Verizon's version seems to have only 2GB built in memory. The T-Mobile runs on it's own 3G band. And AT&T's version is up in the air. I know for me I definitely need GSM for traveling, so that really leaves me without too much choice.
Albeit maybe i am just in the minority. But i really wish they could make purchasing Tab as easy as buying the iPad.

T-Mobile SGSII

hey all, i was wondering if anyone had any information on the SGSII potentially coming to T-Mobile in the US. I read online that we might not get an actual SGSII and the we might get the Hercules and i've also heard that the Hercules will be the T-Mo version of the SGSII. I really would love to get one so i'm just hoping that they come stateside.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA App
Havent heard of anything for tmobile, just sprint/bell and possibly att lte sgs2.
Juls317 said:
hey all, i was wondering if anyone had any information on the SGSII potentially coming to T-Mobile in the US. I read online that we might not get an actual SGSII and the we might get the Hercules and i've also heard that the Hercules will be the T-Mo version of the SGSII. I really would love to get one so i'm just hoping that they come stateside.
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Hercules is a variant of the U.S. market Infuse with a dual-core TI SoC. What other features it has haven't been confirmed. It's due out in September. T-Mobile won't be getting a version of the SGS2.
http://thisismynext.com/2011/05/17/exclusive-samsung-hercules-t-mobile-dual-core-infuse-4g/
would it be possible to buy an I9100 and unlock it and use it on tmobile
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA App
Juls317 said:
would it be possible to buy an I9100 and unlock it and use it on tmobile
Sent from my SGH-T959V using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You'd only get EDGE data speeds. Your only hope for a version that works on T-Mobile's bands is if Wind Canada gets one. But the Canadian's on the forum have said it's a Bell Canada exclusive so it's a long shot.
BarryH_GEG said:
You'd only get EDGE data speeds. Your only hope for a version that works on T-Mobile's bands is if Wind Canada gets one. But the Canadian's on the forum have said it's a Bell Canada exclusive so it's a long shot.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just got SGS2, it is connected to t-mobile usa, and it does only get EDGE speeds, and no HSPA+.
I can still keep it for trying out stuff for a bit, and would install any custom mods to try. If won't work, I may want to return it.
Is Wind Canada the only one with HSPA+ which is an option here?
There is no way to add only that support on top of a stock android?
The other feature that's needed to make it an excellent offering it T-Mobile Wi-Fi calling.
Any suggestions?
Ok, got an att sim and hspa+ works getting 6mbit downloads wih sgs2 now. Will only have that sim for test for three days. Though att is definitly costlier than tmobile for data and phone plans and they charge for overage rather than throttle.
Still my preference would be to hspa+ on tmobile, get tmobile wifi calling to work etc.
Also noted that tmobile wifi calling wont show as an app that backup software can see.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
arntgur said:
Ok, got an att sim and hspa+ works getting 6mbit downloads wih sgs2 now. Will only have that sim for test for three days. Though att is definitly costlier than tmobile for data and phone plans and they charge for overage rather than throttle.
Still my preference would be to hspa+ on tmobile, get tmobile wifi calling to work etc.
Also noted that tmobile wifi calling wont show as an app that backup software can see.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't see AT&T being quite more expensive unless you really need the unlimited minutes. Otherwise you could get the medianet plan since the S2 isn't detected as a smartphone, which will solve your data problem for overages.
On tmobile i pay $25 for 'unlimited' data which means after 5gb it is throttled. I am on a no contract plan. Price for contract plan is $30 for the same data plan.
If i dont pay for overage its great. Yet them not recognizing it as smartphone may not hold for too long, as us flavors of s2 are being prepared.
While it does last that they dont recognise it as a smartphone, are you also on smallest data plan and pay the minimum?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
arntgur said:
On tmobile i pay $25 for 'unlimited' data which means after 5gb it is throttled. I am on a no contract plan. Price for contract plan is $30 for the same data plan.
If i dont pay for overage its great. Yet them not recognizing it as smartphone may not hold for too long, as us flavors of s2 are being prepared.
While it does last that they dont recognise it as a smartphone, are you also on smallest data plan and pay the minimum?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is an unlimited non smartphone data plan in att for just $15 and many of us are on that plan.
We do get hspa+ speeds on this plan. Pretty good deal compared to tmobile.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
I just bought an unlocked SGSII http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16875176292 from Newegg on "sale." It states that it has UMTS 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz.
I thought T-mobile used 900 and 2100. Can anyone explain why it doesn't work with T-mobile?
Thanks.
gspears said:
I just bought an unlocked SGSII http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16875176292 from Newegg on "sale." It states that it has UMTS 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 MHz.
I thought T-mobile used 900 and 2100. Can anyone explain why it doesn't work with T-mobile?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-mobile uses 1700 and 2100, not 900 and 2100.
That would explain it.
Rrr, guess i missed the same point about tmobile's bands. There was a list of the 4 freauencies and no distinction of which one is for voice, data etc.
So running a speed test using AnTuTu benchmark clearly shows sgsii is a great pick performance wise as it is dominating the charts. Though that app lack a distinction for original cpu speeds. I may overclock it if i get time as its a fun game, thouhgh not right now.
Data plan wise, on att usa, you are on $15 for non smartphone. The its ar their mercy, and they could identify sgsii as smartphone anytime in which case we'd loose that excellent option, right?
Now got my previous smartphone, mytouch 4g with tmobile on a family plan. And that one would likely not fit on att hspa+ eigher. I can validate it later with my test card from att.
Phone plan wise att family starts at $69 for 700 min for two lines, and they also got 550 min unadvertized for $10 less. This is still $10 above t mobile base for family at $49, yet no big deal if att data is cheaper at $15 with the mentioned 'non smartphone' option.
With att data on hspa+, you vuys easily use the mobile access point without limitations? Have anyone tried vpning and working on that, remote desktop to work machine for a significant time, full working day, etc?
With my att test sim, hspa+ downloads are fine, anywhere from 1.5 to 6 mbits, uploads sometimes were slow around 300
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
... uploads were around 300 kbit.
Will test it some more today and tomorrow from more locations in the area.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App
arntgur said:
Now got my previous smartphone, mytouch 4g with tmobile on a family plan. And that one would likely not fit on att hspa+ eigher. I can validate it later with my test card from att.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To save you and everyone else the trouble, as of now:
- There is no AT&T phone that supports HSPA+ on T-Mobile's network
- There is no T-Mobile phone that supports HSPA+ on AT&T's network
- There is no unbranded phone that supports HSPA+ on T-Mobile and AT&T, you have to pick one or the other. The SGS2 does not support, and most likely will never support, T-Mobile's funky AWS bands.
The Hercules is rumored to have AT&T's bands. So was the G2X and it didn't.
Thanks, that clarifies.
To maintain at least HSPA+ speeds, I can either Of two options:
- keep sgsii, move to AT&T, find how to migrate another existing smartphone since my tough 4g won't work with AT&T's data. *Maybe sell it and get another AT&T phone.
- return sgsii and stay on tmobile.
Have talked to AT&T support, and they confirmed that data plans for non smartphones begin at $10. *And that sgsii does not show as anything in their systems now neither a smartphone nor a non-smartphone. *And that it is correct that they can't guarantee anything about not identifying it as a smartphone in future.
So the best chance of the $15 data for non smartphones to last is if we get lucky enough that when they do launch the us AT&T version of sgsii, then the international one will be left out.
I am not exactly clear why the $15 non smartphone plan is needed over the $10 one. *Though, cant test too much with my AT&T temp sim, as they didn't want to change the plan the store gave me due to being on a trial period.
Still got today to try att sim out and can return with no fees, so will call or step by the store and check if that would be possible. *One challenge is that they already saw the phone and got excited, and listed it as a smartphone plan. * ..., we'll see how it goes...
Then I am also reading that AT&T talks about a dual LTE/HSPA+ support, yet that lte may take time to be battery friendly (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1162330&page=2). *
So possibly waiting for LTE to mature is not practical, in which case maybe no point in waiting for AT&T us version of sgsii which may only add LTE.
Coming from tmobile hspa+ usage since nov 2010, now when testing AT&T, it is more influenced from during the day traffic and speeds are slower vs faster speeds at less conventional hours. *Also seeing some sporadic speed tests issues coming from another device using the wifi hotspot - usually the upload, sometimes download too is near zero speed. *While most speed tests are decent. *Then have not seen any of that on tmobile.
One issue making me consider moving to AT&T is that tmobiles speeds in my new place are very bad for hspa+ if it at all it gets an*hspa signal. *Used to never need wifi and get consistent 4-6 mbits downloads ..., now getting even 1 from tmobile is a challenge.
Then, would like fast Internet when traveling overseas. *And tmobiles phone worked well last time with fast speeds. * Then I have seen some mentioning that tmobiles bands could be better for world traveling than AT&T, is that so?
(For instance*http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/android/thread?tid=4d1bbd0f46632e8d&hl=en has:
I can only say I use T-Mobile version and it IS working. I don't have AT&T one, can say nothing about it. Reason I have in mind while selecting model - in the most of the world T-Mobile version will have better coverage.
)
arntgur said:
Thanks, that clarifies.
To maintain at least HSPA+ speeds, I can either Of two options:
- keep sgsii, move to AT&T, find how to migrate another existing smartphone since my tough 4g won't work with AT&T's data. *Maybe sell it and get another AT&T phone.
- return sgsii and stay on tmobile.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- The $10 plan requires an unlimited messaging plan. The $15 plan is a stand-alone.
- The carrier versions of the SGS2 will have different model numbers and a different series of IMEI codes so I doubt that would effect the international SGS2 in AT&T's database.
- Our SGS2 won't support LTE. But it's going to take AT&T at least a year and a half to get any meaningful LTE penetration.
- I came from T-Mobile. AT&T's HSPA+ clocks a lot slower than T-Mobile's and isn't as widely available. For some reason though, things like video buffer less for me even though the speeds clock slower.
- AT&T is far better for international travel. They have roaming data plans you can pre-purchase that are less than 1/4 of what T-Mobile charges. Also, because the SGS2 is unlocked, you can pick up a SIM locally if you want to.
I'm surprised T-Mo isn't getting the GSII, they're usually good with Android.Well, this sucks...
jasonleb1 said:
I'm surprised T-Mo isn't getting the GSII, they're usually good with Android.Well, this sucks...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No offense, but they're also the smallest carrier and are in the process of going away. I'm guessing they're getting an Infuse variant instead because Samsung's got the production capacity and probably cut them a deal.

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