N7100 or &105 or T-889? - Galaxy Note II General

Hi,
Had bought a T-mobile Note 2 that I got unlocked and was using on AT&T. That was all of 3 weeks ago, and over thanksgiving, dropped the damn phone and shattered the screen - the damaged phone is on Craiglist btw, goto Houston craigs and search "Broken Screen, otherwise working Galaxy Note".
In the market for a new one now - pending the sale of the damaged one obviously.
There are 2 many versions out there and ALL the searching I've done has left me even more confused.
There are 2 international versions - 7100 and 7105. In the US, there are carrier specific versions.
If you don't care about LTE, then apparently, the T-Mobile version was better even for use on AT&T - which is what I did, and was quite happy with the internet speeds on wap.cingular APN.
The one downside of the US specific versions is that they appear to lack the Wireless Charging pins (atleast the T-Mobile version doesn't seem to allow wireless charging).
If I were to go for an international unlocked version, would it be restricted to 2g speeds (like Iphone 4s would be limited to EDGE on T-Mobile) on AT&T?.. or, would it get decent HSPA+ atleast?.
Not too fussed about LTE - I use the phone for... emails...web surfing, occasional YouTube for the kids, so blazing fast internet is not a must, reasonable speeds are all I ask for.
So, simple questions really...1) US AT&T or US T-Mobile... or N7100 or N7105
2) Would either of the international versions get atleast HSPA+?
Again, I did read all the threads and left confused - hence this post.
Thanks for any help.
Riz

Check the bands for the carriers and with each phone
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using xda premium

RizSher said:
Hi,
Had bought a T-mobile Note 2 that I got unlocked and was using on AT&T. That was all of 3 weeks ago, and over thanksgiving, dropped the damn phone and shattered the screen - the damaged phone is on Craiglist btw, goto Houston craigs and search "Broken Screen, otherwise working Galaxy Note".
In the market for a new one now - pending the sale of the damaged one obviously.
There are 2 many versions out there and ALL the searching I've done has left me even more confused.
There are 2 international versions - 7100 and 7105. In the US, there are carrier specific versions.
If you don't care about LTE, then apparently, the T-Mobile version was better even for use on AT&T - which is what I did, and was quite happy with the internet speeds on wap.cingular APN.
The one downside of the US specific versions is that they appear to lack the Wireless Charging pins (atleast the T-Mobile version doesn't seem to allow wireless charging).
If I were to go for an international unlocked version, would it be restricted to 2g speeds (like Iphone 4s would be limited to EDGE on T-Mobile) on AT&T?.. or, would it get decent HSPA+ atleast?.
Not too fussed about LTE - I use the phone for... emails...web surfing, occasional YouTube for the kids, so blazing fast internet is not a must, reasonable speeds are all I ask for.
So, simple questions really...1) US AT&T or US T-Mobile... or N7100 or N7105
2) Would either of the international versions get atleast HSPA+?
Again, I did read all the threads and left confused - hence this post.
Thanks for any help.
Riz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have the international GT-N7100 version and am using it on AT&T until my contract expires in February 2013. You get with them the HSPA+ speed, not the LTE of course. I am going to eventually drop them just like they drop my call now...
In March 2013 my plan is to go with a prepaid service which uses T-Mobile network. By than T-Mobile will (hopefully) their 1900 spectrum active everywhere, which means that I should be getting a very good HSPA+ speed.
P.S. - That phone is available now from newegg.com for $600 till 11/27, but there are ongoing sales in that price range.

Thanks Reuven.
I managed to get rid of the broken Note 2 on craigs for 380$ within an hour or posting the ad... I'm wondering if maybe there is a very easy way to replace the screen... I got about 5 calls in the hour...
Went ahead and ordered the white one from NewEgg... 599 delivered is a pretty good deal.... (the 599 deal on the white ones is available till 11/27).
Riz

RizSher said:
Thanks Reuven.
I managed to get rid of the broken Note 2 on craigs for 380$ within an hour or posting the ad... I'm wondering if maybe there is a very easy way to replace the screen... I got about 5 calls in the hour...
Went ahead and ordered the white one from NewEgg... 599 delivered is a pretty good deal.... (the 599 deal on the white ones is available till 11/27).
Riz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you don't mind, you can "thank" me by clicking on the "Thanks" button.

The 7100 will get HSPA+ on AT&T (3G) because they operate HSPA+ on 1900 MHz.
You will only get 2G on TMO, because their HSPA+ is on 1700 MHz, which is not supported by the note 2.
TMO is slowly moving their HSPA+ service to 1900 MHz, which IS supported by the note 2, but the move will take until middle of 2013. (This is the reason why AT&T iPhones going to TMO network never got 3G, it was on the wrong band for those phones. One day those apple folks will be really happy when the switch is made, because they will suddenly get 3G service.)
You won't get TMO's "4G" 42mbit service even when the 1900 MHz switch is complete because the radio in the note 2 doesn't support it. 21 is as fast as it goes.
Overseas, the most popular bands for 3G are 900 MHz and 2100 MHz, both of which the 7100 supports.
I wouldn't waste time with the 7105. LTE is not widely used in europe, and when it is, it is very expensive.
Hope this helps! I just bought a 7100 in preparation for travel/relocation to London, so I did a fair bit of research.

RizSher said:
Thanks Reuven.
I managed to get rid of the broken Note 2 on craigs for 380$ within an hour or posting the ad... I'm wondering if maybe there is a very easy way to replace the screen... I got about 5 calls in the hour...
Riz
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I think i read somewhere that if your LCD is broken the whole part needs replacing costing $200 ish
But if just the front glass then its very cheap at about $20 although skill/familiarity is needed to make a successful repair.

Pat. said:
I think i read somewhere that if your LCD is broken the whole part needs replacing costing $200 ish
But if just the front glass then its very cheap at about $20 although skill/familiarity is needed to make a successful repair.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The skill thats needed is beyond most of us - I asked one of these kiosk phone fix-it guys in a mall and he said the LCD and the external glass are glued together and even to replace just the glass he would replace the whole assembly as the use of a heat gun etc isn't that easy.
His estimate was: 250 or so for the LCD+Glass assembly, 30-40 bucks for his fixing charges.
I thought it better to recoup some money by selling the broken phone and getting a new one.
Riz

Yes, i would've done the same as you, people will pay as much sometimes for things needing repair because they are either stupid or want a challenge.
But you expressed surprise at the speed your phone sold & for the sake of others reading this i felt it may be worth pointing out the huge price difference between the two scenarios.
Glass like ebay item 170939616778 & others with a little device for getting it Unglued are on eBay & instructions for fitting are plentiful on You Tube.
Yes, all Repairers tend to advise a complete assembly simply because its really quick & easy to get right & most importantly some charge the $250 & then just fit a new glass

Pat. said:
Yes, i would've done the same as you, people will pay as much sometimes for things needing repair because they are either stupid or want a challenge.
But you expressed surprise at the speed your phone sold & for the sake of others reading this i felt it may be worth pointing out the huge price difference between the two scenarios.
Glass like ebay item 170939616778 & others with a little device for getting it Unglued are on eBay & instructions for fitting are plentiful on You Tube.
Yes, all Repairers tend to advise a complete assembly simply because its really quick & easy to get right & most importantly some charge the $250 & then just fit a new glass
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Some of the ebay listings for the outer glass came with big bold warnings stating chaging the glass is not a simple job etc etc, I don't mind getting my hands dirty to do a bit of tinkering, but, with the warnings, I thought best not to bother. About a year ago, I was in Pakistan, and there, ANYTHING can be fixed - these guys in the small shops in the electic market are magicians, I had a Galaxy S2 at that time and the screen was a bit scratched - I inquired at quite a few shops, and they all said, they can do it, but its fraught, and if its only some scratches, then I should just live with it.
Nevertheless, the speed with which the damaged phone sold makes me wonder maybe the Note ii isn't THAT difficult to repair.

sleebus.jones said:
The 7100 will get HSPA+ on AT&T (3G) because they operate HSPA+ on 1900 MHz.
You will only get 2G on TMO, because their HSPA+ is on 1700 MHz, which is not supported by the note 2.
TMO is slowly moving their HSPA+ service to 1900 MHz, which IS supported by the note 2, but the move will take until middle of 2013. (This is the reason why AT&T iPhones going to TMO network never got 3G, it was on the wrong band for those phones. One day those apple folks will be really happy when the switch is made, because they will suddenly get 3G service.)
You won't get TMO's "4G" 42mbit service even when the 1900 MHz switch is complete because the radio in the note 2 doesn't support it. 21 is as fast as it goes.
Overseas, the most popular bands for 3G are 900 MHz and 2100 MHz, both of which the 7100 supports.
I wouldn't waste time with the 7105. LTE is not widely used in europe, and when it is, it is very expensive.
Hope this helps! I just bought a 7100 in preparation for travel/relocation to London, so I did a fair bit of research.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm actually not at all bothered with LTE - decent 3G speeds are more than enough for what I use the phone for. I'm not going to be using it for dowmloading ISOs etc, so, yeah, even if its restricted to 21mbps HSPA, that theoretical rate is still 4 times the DSL rate I used to get in Scotland and was enough for me. My stay in the US is limited anyway; so, a US specific LTE device would be kind of lost on me anyway.
If you're in London, see if you can get Virgin cable broadband - UK DSL, even with ADSL2+ is mostly sucky.

Riz,
I agree, 21mbps is going to be plenty fast enough for me. Thanks for the heads up on Virgin cable! I'll have to see what availibility is in the area that I'm going to be.

Related

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.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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 ;-)

Chances of AT&T 3G

What are the chances I'll be able to get this baby on AT&T's 3G network? I assume we'll know more on the 29th, but I'm eager to know if I should just go ahead an buy an iPhone 4 on July 6th when my plan is up or if I should wait.
rumor has it that at&t is getting a version of this phone branded as the Samsung i897. from what i heard somethings could change on the at&t version, most noteably the processor. i've heard it's a snapdragon. i highly doubt they would use a snapdragon. why would samsung put a qualcomm chip in their phone?
The international version has 1900 on 3G band. So it will work on most of ATT 3G.
That and because the international IMEI *probably* won't be in ATT's database, the data plan will be much cheaper.
As soon as I get the phone in, I'll confirm the 3G working on ATT.
Samsung Galaxy S on AT&T
It would appear that AT&T's strategy is not to confuse the customer with too much choice!
At the high end, I believe that they want the Iphone 4 -without any competititon.
The Iphone is their cash cow - and they want to continue milking it!
Therefore, the chances of this phone (or any other superphone) competing at the high end with the Iphone are slim.
The 1900 band is not as reliable as the 850 band which is why at&t started to transition their nationwide 3g services to 850. Its better to wait for the aussie telus version which had the 850 band rather than rely only on 1900
Sent from my Nexus One
So, what do you guys think about this plan:
Buy an iPhone 4 for $199. Sell it on eBay for retail price. Buy a good Android phone... Galaxy S or i897 if available, Nexus One AT&T if not.
You think it would work? How much money would I lose?
Is the iPhone plan more expensive than a normal smartphone $25/mo. plan? I'm on a family plan right now with ~800 minutes and unlimited messaging for whole family.
Thanks for all the help guys.
kennethpenn said:
So, what do you guys think about this plan:
Buy an iPhone 4 for $199. Sell it on eBay for retail price. Buy a good Android phone... Galaxy S or i897 if available, Nexus One AT&T if not.
You think it would work? How much money would I lose?
Is the iPhone plan more expensive than a normal smartphone $25/mo. plan? I'm on a family plan right now with ~800 minutes and unlimited messaging for whole family.
Thanks for all the help guys.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The iPhone plan isn't more expensive, and you'd end up pretty close to coming out ahead with your plan. I've considered doing that as well. People overseas are going to pay an arm and a leg to get an early iPhone, so you'll easily recoup your 200 you spend. From there on out you're in the black.
I thought it had already passed through the FCC:
https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/ViewExhibitReport.cfm?mode=Exhibits&RequestTimeout=500&calledFromFrame=N&application_id=143854&fcc_id='A3LGTI9000B[/url]'
I've been wondering the same question for months
Looks like att isn't getting the Galaxy S, but the Captivate, "a Galaxy S Smartphone" as the press release I saw at Engadget calls it. Can't post a link since I haven't posted before, so here's a broken down version:
www [dot] engadget [dot] com/2010/06/17/samsung-captivate-is-atandts-version-of-the-galaxy-s-launching/
Overall I'm extremely excited that att is finally(!) getting a high end Android device. I'd prefer HTC, but I'm also looking forward to Super AMOLED. Hopefully someone will cook Sense (and Froyo) into the Captivate.
att's official site:
www [dot] att [dot] com/captivate
http://www.androidcentral.com/att-announces-samsung-galaxy-s-captivate-coming-soon
true, that's good news for AT&T users.
A shame they took out out the front facing camera, though . Though, I'm probably not going to use it, still sucks that AT&T is hangin on Apple's crotch so much. What I'm really glad is that they're keeping the Hummingbird in there . Picking it up for sure now.
I can't wait for this to come out.
From the looks of it, ATT/Samsung will not be including the front facing camera. :-(
http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/17/s...y-s-launching/
I want it, but then again I don't. HTC Please make a EVO for AT&T... pretty please.
I'm not giving up hope on the front facing camera. I'm willing to say there's at least a 10% chance that one of the two little things to the left of the ear speaker are a front facing camera. It doesn't need to be a powerful camera remember, far less so than the "real" picture taking camera.
jaredangus said:
I'm not giving up hope on the front facing camera. I'm willing to say there's at least a 10% chance that one of the two little things to the left of the ear speaker are a front facing camera. It doesn't need to be a powerful camera remember, far less so than the "real" picture taking camera.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am going to aim low so I won't be disappointed when the device is released. looks like the two things next to the ear piece is the ambient light sensor and the other is the proximity sensor. Fingers crossed though, I would love for AT&T to prove me wrong.
watch the video ay pocketnow.com. Someone has got the International Version working on AT&T 1900 bands. He says it works just fine.
I suppose if you're in a major city where there's an abundance of 1900 coverage you should be fine. But who knows :\. I really want to try it

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!!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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.

Hey US users: Who's thinking of switching to a carrier version?

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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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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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Click to collapse
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.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
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

Moto X (Carrier Unlocked Version)

Greetings All,
I purchased a carrier unlocked version of the Moto X from a retailer on ebay. Here's the item number:290976476988 (I would provide the link, but I am not allowed to since I'm a new user). It had a pretty significant markdown from what Motorola is selling them for, so I decided to take a shot in the dark hoping it will work with my carrier, T-mobile, which I'm pretty confident it will. I should be receiving mine at the top of next week, so I'll check back with my results once I get everything squared away.
In the mean time, can anybody confirm if there is one universal carrier unlocked version that will work with T-mobiles bands? Any info is appreciated. Thanks.
conspiracymorpheus said:
Greetings All,
I purchased a carrier unlocked version of the Moto X from a retailer on ebay. Here's the item number:290976476988 (I would provide the link, but I am not allowed to since I'm a new user). It had a pretty significant markdown from what Motorola is selling them for, so I decided to take a shot in the dark hoping it will work with my carrier, T-mobile, which I'm pretty confident it will. I should be receiving mine at the top of next week, so I'll check back with my results once I get everything squared away.
In the mean time, can anybody confirm if there is one universal carrier unlocked version that will work with T-mobiles bands? Any info is appreciated. Thanks.
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Click to collapse
It will but is missing the AWS 1700 HSPA frequency. If you go to or live in an area that is not refarmed you will be stuck on EDGE.
Turb0wned said:
It will but is missing the AWS 1700 HSPA frequency. If you go to or live in an area that is not refarmed you will be stuck on EDGE.
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Oooof. Not what I wanted to hear. You 100% on this?
conspiracymorpheus said:
Oooof. Not what I wanted to hear. You 100% on this?
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Click to collapse
Yes I am. Its the reason I sucked it up and just ordered the crappy 16GB Tmobile one.. Exclusives suck.
Turb0wned said:
Yes I am. Its the reason I sucked it up and just ordered the crappy 16GB Tmobile one.. Exclusives suck.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I think I may have lucked up, as I did a couple of quick searches and it looks like I'm in an area with 1900 MHz HSPA coverage. Does 1900 MHz constitute "refarmed" HSPA?
conspiracymorpheus said:
Well I think I may have lucked up, as I did a couple of quick searches and it looks like I'm in an area with 1900 MHz HSPA coverage. Does 1900 MHz constitute "refarmed" HSPA?
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Click to collapse
Yes but what I try telling people on here just like I did with the HTC One (and later if you look on those forums many people started getting rid of their developer edition for a tmobile one) is that just because your area is refarmed doesn't mean every inch of it is. I would had to drive to the mall and realize i'm only on EDGE after spending $500+ on a phone. If you area has LTE that will help though. Also if you ever travel anywhere you run into the chance of not having 3G.
Turb0wned said:
Yes but what I try telling people on here just like I did with the HTC One (and later if you look on those forums many people started getting rid of their developer edition for a tmobile one) is that just because your area is refarmed doesn't mean every inch of it is. I would had to drive to the mall and realize i'm only on EDGE after spending $500+ on a phone. If you area has LTE that will help though. Also if you ever travel anywhere you run into the chance of not having 3G.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No doubt, and I appreciate the concern as well as the explanation. I live about 10 minutes away from the Loop in Chicago, and I had my Nexus 4 working off of the LTE hack for quite some time until I upgraded to 4.3. I had LTE coverage about 90% of the time, but when I travel to see my Ma in the suburbs I remained on HSPA+ (not sure if its refarmed out that way).
We'll see how I do for the first week. If anything I'll just return this one and just get the T-mobile variant. Hopefully T-mobile continues to expand their LTE coverage in the surrounding areas around the prime metro areas. I've kinda accepted that I won't have mobile data in the boonies, but hopefully T-mobile fixes that soon as well.

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