Database Users

Any differences between Honk Kong version and Euro Version of GSII?

Hello All,
I just picked up a second GSII for my wife, From Amazon.com. My first phone was from Germany. This time the Phone is from Hong Kong.
Is there anything i should be worried about in regards to having the HK version of this device as opposed to the Euro version?
Can i flash the HK device with EURO firmware such as KG3?
I noticed the Box is 20% taller than my euro box. (this may be due to the HK Power socket)
On the back of the BoX
Euro Box - Shows all the specs WIFI, Android tech, Super Amoled plus , DIVX FULL HD PLAYBACK Multi Codecs, Bluetooth, GPS DLNA 1650 MAh Batter
HK Box - Just Super Amoled PLUS and Android tech. Thats is.
Inside both boxes look the same with same plastic info over the screen
I wanted to know should i keep it or return it? And should i be worried about this.
thank you for your help..

hmm that bigger box doesnt look right..

In addition the hk box says I9100 but euro box says GT-I9100
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Return it. No e or ce markings possible fake.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

Someone who has an hk version does this box look right?
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

You guys are right, im returning this. I opened the box since its from amazon and i can easily return it. There is no E or CE lables. I have included a photo.
Left is HK
Right is Euro
FYI both say Made by samsung

nyxtopouli said:
You guys are right, im returning this. I opened the box since its from amazon and i can easily return it. There is no E or CE lables. I have included a photo.
Left is HK
Right is Euro
FYI both say Made by samsung
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Isn't the phone functional ? Why do you wanna return it ? Just cause it's from Hong Kong ?

Did you try to boot it up, see if it works / performs the same way ?

No i did not, I contacted Amazon and I got approval for a return. Im going to purchase from a different vendor.

nyxtopouli said:
No i did not, I contacted Amazon and I got approval for a return. Im going to purchase from a different vendor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If they approved the return then better safe than sorry

Have you turned it on and tried using it? I sure that HK doesn't use CE mark like Europe does or FCC like America does. If the phone works and is fast then it's legit. You could also try rooting it.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA App

I did not want to bother to even turn it on. Can you even load the EURO variant firmware such as KG3 on this HK variant model? I was thinking there could be issues and I did not want to risk trying.

I think hardware wise it should be almost the same. My version is south america one but I still am able to flash whatever firmware I want. Also if you want to install custom ROM, it doesn't really matter that much.

its FCC/CE standards, hong kong doesnt have any, though i havent seen any confirmed sources which state that the galaxy s 2 is being provided to the hong kong carriers or a country specific version..

By the way, not every country has the same versions as others. Some countries only have a 1 GHz processor and a worse screen.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App

I don't have the HK version, but I am from HK; therefore, I can't tell whether it is legit from the box alone. However, all my friends who have the HK version is same as mine (UK version). Specs are the same. You can flash all the roms. And I have been flashing HK roms into mine as well. Everything is fine.

Regarding the box from HK - mine looks identical to yours.
The box is larger simply because the different plug types included.
For the CE sign - that an European norm - why would you find it on a box that is for sale in HK?
On the other hand, you will find the CE sign on the battery and on the phone itself.

bruflot said:
By the way, not every country has the same versions as others. Some countries only have a 1 GHz processor and a worse screen.
Sent from my GT-I9100 using XDA Premium App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Links to back this claim up ?

nyxtopouli said:
You guys are right, im returning this. I opened the box since its from amazon and i can easily return it. There is no E or CE lables. I have included a photo.
Left is HK
Right is Euro
FYI both say Made by samsung
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
canadian version doesnt have that E or CE logo neither
why would that matter anyways??????????? how COULD it be fake anyways???

No CE label
Hi, I'm using my phone from Hong Kong which I bought in a large electronic shop. I checked the back where the battery is and there also no CE label on, just like your image above
My phone works fine and is now upgraded to ICS.

Note 4 - Which one?

I have the Note 3 but it's the HK 16gb variant. This has been an absolute pain in the donkey at times. The only RoM I really have working guaranteed is Miui, which is great, but ... Anyway, I will not want to fall for the same mistake twice.
I live in China too - and for some reason (probably the bands used) I have never got 4G to work on my Phone. I am pretty sure I don't want to get stuck with a model number from mainland china though, as I cannot read Chinese websites to root and get decent roms and Gapps etc. Really wish Google would stop getting banned in China.
Need it to work when travelling to the States and other countries too.
Any decent advise would be appreciated.
Cheers.

You should go for the international model (N910S)

s327374 said:
I have the Note 3 but it's the HK 16gb variant. This has been an absolute pain in the donkey at times. The only RoM I really have working guaranteed is Miui, which is great, but ... Anyway, I will not want to fall for the same mistake twice.
I live in China too - and for some reason (probably the bands used) I have never got 4G to work on my Phone. I am pretty sure I don't want to get stuck with a model number from mainland china though, as I cannot read Chinese websites to root and get decent roms and Gapps etc. Really wish Google would stop getting banned in China.
Need it to work when travelling to the States and other countries too.
Any decent advise would be appreciated.
Cheers.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Note 4 just released in HK 2 days ago, and it's the Exynos version with 32GB storage.
Maybe you can still consider that...

exhardy said:
The Note 4 just released in HK 2 days ago, and it's the Exynos version with 32GB storage.
Maybe you can still consider that...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have gone with the Chinese variant N9108v and am so far happy.
Cheers,

note 4 in UK which is ok?

So I am thinking of getting a note 4 but in the UK it's the F version but I was thinking the C version looks better...snappier and possible better functionality with lollipop later? Is C the only other safe model in the UK? I see it seems to be the only one with the same features for connectivity.
Also would I need to do anything to the phone to use it in the UK? Anyway would be good to hear from anyone already using a note 4 in England etc.....Thanks.
Oh and also wondering if any other models are ok...

Mumraa said:
So I am thinking of getting a note 4 but in the UK it's the F version but I was thinking the C version looks better...snappier and possible better functionality with lollipop later? Is C the only other safe model in the UK? I see it seems to be the only one with the same features for connectivity.
Also would I need to do anything to the phone to use it in the UK? Anyway would be good to hear from anyone already using a note 4 in England etc.....Thanks.
Oh and also wondering if any other models are ok...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Go with the F model, it works great on Lollipop...no need to desperately search for the C...

Yes hmm I know it's goodi just thought at one point the exynos would become more useful. I did see someone had used both and listed multitasking between apps as better which attracts me. And possibly some kind of 64 bit stuff kicking in one day?

4GB Zenfone 2 - First Impressions

Got mine yesterday, really fast delivery from China and arrived in Dublin on Monday via DHL , had to pay €53.25 customs fees just when i thought i was getting away with it!!
Anyway ill list the pros and cons so far
PROS - Fast and responsive with no lag, especially with Nova launcher
Haven't taken many photos but the camera seems excellent and a massive step up from my One Plus One which ill be selling
Looks really smart with Android L, really nice interface
The phone is a perfect size and looks really nice
Addition of micro sim and dual sim is excellent and should be standard thesedays
Audio sounds good
CONS - The back looks nice but it's just plastic, i dont know why but i thought this was supposed to be aluminium so im a tad disappointed and premium design phones are the way forward the front looks lovely however
I dont know why but ive had the occasional FC on the play store and this shouldn't happen on a brand new phone
Not many but bloody chinese apps came pre loaded and are i dont appear to be able to uninstall them all
The power button up the top is a pain and will take a while getting used to, what the hell is wrong with the side
For come reason my contacts didn't sync from Google everything else did, ive tried a few things no luck so far so im hoping i can sort this out.
anymore pros and cons ill post them, feel free to share your own views,

were you bought it from? I am planning to buy this from Asus France, is that good idea? Because now only €299 and no customs fees! (I live in The Netherlands, EU)

Thanks for the rundown.
Battery life?

Rene_ajax said:
were you bought it from? I am planning to buy this from Asus France, is that good idea? Because now only €299 and no customs fees! (I live in The Netherlands, EU)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
tried that already, unless you have a French address it wont allow you to.
got mine from
http://www.gearbest.com/
and excellent delivery time i have to say (choose DHL)

DanielKennethRego said:
Thanks for the rundown.
Battery life?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cant comment yet im still in the process of setting it up and downloading all my app and ill have to bluetooth photos/videos/music from my One Plus One to this phone and most important find a fix for my contacts not syncing but in general im very impressed, it;s so responsive and smooth

jonny68 said:
tried that already, unless you have a French address it wont allow you to.
got mine from
http://www.gearbest.com/
and excellent delivery time i have to say (choose DHL)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thats really a pity
but from gearbest that one is Taiwanese version, no Playstore and only 1,8ghz. but I have heard you can put Worldwide firmware on it, so it can support EU bands and have playstore?

..

I got the one from gearbest.com also thought I was getting 2.3GHz processor but only got 1.8GHz still has 4GB ram and 32GB storage. agreed phone is quick, and agree mostly with impressions above. Screen is also a little dull to me and viewing angles are not great. Just ran and antutu and it got 41672. My Note 3 with Cyanogenmod got 42212.
Tried 1080p videos and YouTube and works without any glitches also played Real Racing 3 and it had no glitches or stutters. The plastic back makes my hand sweat for whatever reason but a case would fix anyways. Camera works great and takes better pics than my Note 3. Am on T-mobile USA and because Chinese firmware only getting 3G/H+ good coverage area gets me around 12mb down and 2mb up.
Probably going to sell it and stick with my Note 3 until something better comes along.

Rene_ajax said:
thats really a pity
but from gearbest that one is Taiwanese version, no Playstore and only 1,8ghz. but I have heard you can put Worldwide firmware on it, so it can support EU bands and have playstore?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You must have the Chinese version because the Taiwanese version have the Google services pre-installed.

The one from Gearbest.com is China version. I can confirm.

coastalmikey said:
You must have the Chinese version because the Taiwanese version have the Google services pre-installed.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean?
If I understood correctly, Chinese version is from Gearbest and that one doesnt have play store and is only 1,8ghz

yes it is the chinese version i have and im fuming here google play was continuously force closing so i uninstalled it and sideloaded the apk which installs ok but when i click on it it wont open, ive tred clearing cache and data, uninstalling and re installing but to no avail so im left with a phone in which i cannot install my apps, ****ing disaster after my initiak post when i was fairly happy earlier the minute i turned the phone on to finish setting up the problems started, it's looking likely ill have to send it back, theres no way im paying customs fees again and they cay refund me for the postage and either send me a non chinese version with google play instaslled or refund me my money.
unless anyone has other ideas in the meantme
fuming here

I had that problem too but clearing the cache fixed.

..

aaronoh said:
You can order from Asus France. You just need to use a mail forwarding service such as BPM-LUX or French Office. I've ordered with BPM but it's not due for dispatch from Asus for 'around a month'.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
can you tell me how to do mail forwarding from the site?? I am from The Netherlands, so...
Really wanna buy from Asus France

..

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showpost.php?p=42414373&postcount=35
ridiculous you have to do this just to get the play store but it works,,,however it's now asking me again to pay for the apps which ive already paid for, anyone know how i can resolve this?

im returning mine to Gearbeast i sent them a message and they responded fairly quickly and said they'd send me a European model which they should have done in the first place, they are expecting me to pay for postage too im going to demand they refund me this and pay any other customs fees , clearly they should not have sent people outside China the Chinese model with no play store which is a nightmare.
Asides from that it's a cracking phone, but when available im going to purchase an aluminium back cover whenever i get my European model sent to me.

I also purchased a Chinese version from Gearbest. I am currently in the process of returning it and already bought a Taiwanese 2.3GHz version from eBay. The eBay ones seem to be the best so far, as they are the Taiwanese version which means 4G on T-Mobile PLUS its the 2.3GHz instead of the 1.8GHz ... on top of all that, it has the Play Store and Google framework installed. ...... At least, that's what I've come up with reading on the forums the past couple of days. Hopefully they're all true.

EdoIsa said:
I also purchased a Chinese version from Gearbest. I am currently in the process of returning it and already bought a Taiwanese 2.3GHz version from eBay. The eBay ones seem to be the best so far, as they are the Taiwanese version which means 4G on T-Mobile PLUS its the 2.3GHz instead of the 1.8GHz ... on top of all that, it has the Play Store and Google framework installed. ...... At least, that's what I've come up with reading on the forums the past couple of days. Hopefully they're all true.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you link to your ebay item/seller?

advice: buy Axon 7 in China to use in UK?

Hi,
I've been tempted by the Axon 7 for some time now having seen it in Beijing, and was excited to see it demoed in the ZTE Demo truck that went to our local shopping centre, presuming that it would be released imminently. Unfortunately, it hasn't appeared and since the mini version *has* appeared (Car Phone Warehouse), I presume it isn't going to be released at all.
So, I have been wondering what my options are. Is it plausible to buy one when I'm next in China and use it easily in the UK? I'm reasonably literate with phones and flashing/etc, so I could perhaps do that too, if it is an option. Does the Axon 7 in China have all the same hardware features as would be expected in the UK? I'm particularly thinking of things like NFC for Android Pay - NFC isn't used much at all in China, so it would be (almost) sensible for them to leave that off phones sold there, but it is something I would want. I would certainly want the Play Store and such like.
I have used a Chinese phone in the UK and successfully installed the Play Store on it (and it had an Intel CPU so it wasn't completely straight forward). It was also a ZTE phone (Geek v975) as it happens.
Any advice on what to do?
Max.
PS. My main reason for the Axon 7 is the front-facing speakers. However, other than not allowing *both* microsd *and* 2nd SIM, it is pretty much spot-on (note that HTC One X9 has a dedicated microsd slot and great front-facing speakers, but I can't find one that isn't locked to CMCC, and it doesn't seem to be so well thought of on this forum, though I see it does have a forum so I'll ask there too).

Axon 7 is a greate deal of hardware.
Of course you can use Chinese version on UK, but you have to flash Global rom and modem.
I myself own a Chinese version, but I flash US rom, because chinese rom is lack of play store and full of crappy app

Hi David
I did exactly what you are thinking about. I'm typing this reply from a 128gb Chinese zte axon 7. I bought from Ali express. When you but from china the seller will root the phone to enable Google play store. That's fine but it screws up obtaining the OTA updates. I can walk you through how to overcome this and get onto 7.1.1. No root nothing like that. My advice it's easy and you can save a packet getting a great phone.
Currently you can pick up an axon 7 for 270. Job done.

I'm running my 128gb Cuba version as well. I have 2 sims and an sd card running on it. There's a few threads on how to go about it. There's not much that needs doing apart from installing Google on the phone. Everything is simple. Just use the search function and you will get everything you want.
Sent from my ZTE A2017 using Tapatalk