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Bell Galaxy S Vibrant

I live in the USA, using AT&T, and is shopping around for Galaxy S phone. The Captivate is the obvious choice under the Galaxy S flag. I just noticed the Galaxy S Vibrant from Canada today and I am really interested in it, especially because of the front facing camera.
How would I go about purchasing it? How would I get it working under the AT&T carrier? How is Edge, 3G, and voice, etc? How would future rom updates be installed? What are the down sides to buying the Vibrant versus a local Captivate?
Thanks

I have a Bell GS and on Bell it works great. Though after a firmware upgrade yesterday is is acting a bit wonky, might have to do reset.
To use it on ATT in the US you would have to buy it outright from Bell or other brick and mortar store that carry Bell phones. ie. Best Buy/FutureShop.
There is an unlock app for GS's and supposedly works on the Bell I9000, haven't tried it myself, no need atm. This will allow you to use a ATT sim card in the phone.
To update, you can use Samsung kies, supposedly what they will be using to push updates to GS, you can get that from samsungs web site. From what I have found so far you need to be in the touch wiz launcher to use kies. only matters if you use 3rd party launchers.
Not sure how the FFC will work for you. That might be dependant on ATT?
Your best bet, if you decide to get one. ROOT and make it your *****!

It would be 100% compatible on AT&T's network. In fact, it's even more compatible because Bell doesn't have a 2G network you can switch to to save battery life.
ROM updates come officially through Kies like normal, although you should also be able to flash most international i9000 ROMs you see floating around here, just make sure before doing so. Flashing a Captivate ROM just because you're on AT&T is a surefire way to brick your phone.
To buy it you will likely need to use something like eBay because even if you purchase it outright almost every store won't let you leave unless you have existing service with Bell. You can unlock it for free though with the method that I am sure is detailed on the Android Development board somewhere.
The obvious downside to buying Bell's Galaxy S is it comes at full retail price (over $500 Canadian) and in all likelihood you're probably going to get a model with the three button download/recovery modes disabled, making flashing ROMs risky. Hold out until the end of this month to see if Samsung Canada announces more about their promised fix for this.

I am using one on AT&T as well and it works fine. Best part is that AT&T doesn't force you on their limited smartphone plans and you can put it on a cheaper unlimited plan.
I got mine in a trade for a BB Torch but you can find one on eBay or maybe talk to a Canadian member here to see about picking one up for you. I would suggest you have them check for the 3 button recovery to make sure it's working before they buy it though.
The downside is warranty issues if it breaks but as long as the 3 button recovery works you should be able to recover from a bad flash and the hardware seems pretty solid so far so no worries there.

Based on the responses, I am definitely going with the Bell/Canadian Vibrant. The only trouble I have now is just finding one to purchase.
How do I post my intentions here to let people that I want one? Who is a reliable dealer here?
Many Thanks
GH

the bell ones got both 850 and 1900 bands?
Also does it have a bell logo on it or is it unbranded.

send me a PM if you want to buy a Bell SGS with 3 button working tested, and GPS tested before mailing it to your address of choice.

BuddyLee said:
the bell ones got both 850 and 1900 bands?
Also does it have a bell logo on it or is it unbranded.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is unbranded

3 button mode is enabled again with latest firmware

Epic 4G (used as 3G on Bell / Rogers)
Hello,
I am interested exactly the opposite: I want to buy an Epic from Sprint (with no contract) and to use it in Canada (on Bell or Rogers) but only with a data plan, no voice (as I will use the SIP / VOIP). If Bell or Rogers offers only data plan, should this phone (Epic) works out of the box (or with the unlocking code) on the 3G network of Bell / Rogers, simply inserting their SIM card into the phone?

catalinu said:
Hello,
I am interested exactly the opposite: I want to buy an Epic from Sprint (with no contract) and to use it in Canada (on Bell or Rogers) but only with a data plan, no voice (as I will use the SIP / VOIP). If Bell or Rogers offers only data plan, should this phone (Epic) works out of the box (or with the unlocking code) on the 3G network of Bell / Rogers, simply inserting their SIM card into the phone?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
the sprint version is CDMA, chances are it's CDMA locked to sprint
CDMA unlocking is done on the server side, is not on the phone like GSM
you need to register your CDMA IMEI number to the say... Bell or Telus, if they see it on their server it's allowed they will let you in, if they see it listed as not allowed then they wont register the phone into their (Telus/Bell) CDMA network

garyHal said:
I live in the USA, using AT&T, and is shopping around for Galaxy S phone. The Captivate is the obvious choice under the Galaxy S flag. I just noticed the Galaxy S Vibrant from Canada today and I am really interested in it, especially because of the front facing camera.
How would I go about purchasing it? How would I get it working under the AT&T carrier? How is Edge, 3G, and voice, etc? How would future rom updates be installed? What are the down sides to buying the Vibrant versus a local Captivate?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I use it on Rogers network and it works great. No problem so far.

AllGamer said:
the sprint version is CDMA, chances are it's CDMA locked to sprint
CDMA unlocking is done on the server side, is not on the phone like GSM
you need to register your CDMA IMEI number to the say... Bell or Telus, if they see it on their server it's allowed they will let you in, if they see it listed as not allowed then they wont register the phone into their (Telus/Bell) CDMA network
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks for your answer.
I am not a tech, but the 4G/3G is also depending on CDMA? Or CDMA concerns only voice? Is it 4G/3G a standard (the same on Sprint and Bell and Rogers) that doesn't depend neither on CDMA or GSM?

we don't have 4G support yet in Canada
CDMA is for voice, but if you can not register the phone in the network for voice, you will also not get access to data
to have data you must have a voice connection
not a phone requirement but a phone network carrier requirement

Thanks.
Anyway, I checked right now with Bell and Rogers and no one offers only data plan... But what they will do with iPad and Galaxy Tab that doesn't support voice, but only data? If I will take the SIM out the gTab and put in a phone (Epic or Vibrant or Captivate), will the phone be able to work on 3G?

catalinu said:
Thanks.
Anyway, I checked right now with Bell and Rogers and no one offers only data plan... But what they will do with iPad and Galaxy Tab that doesn't support voice, but only data? If I will take the SIM out the gTab and put in a phone (Epic or Vibrant or Captivate), will the phone be able to work on 3G?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Tab is a Cell phone, just gigantic! one at that LOL
you can make phone calls with Samsung Tab, just like the Apple iTab... ipad i mean

AllGamer said:
Tab is a Cell phone, just gigantic! one at that LOL
you can make phone calls with Samsung Tab, just like the Apple iTab... ipad i mean
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but if Bell already sells the dataonly plan for iPad, why they don't sell a dataonly plan also for a smartphone?

because they can claim a Tab is "not a phone" (whatever...)
and a Galaxy is a "phone"

garyHal said:
I live in the USA, using AT&T, and is shopping around for Galaxy S phone. The Captivate is the obvious choice under the Galaxy S flag. I just noticed the Galaxy S Vibrant from Canada today and I am really interested in it, especially because of the front facing camera.
How would I go about purchasing it? How would I get it working under the AT&T carrier? How is Edge, 3G, and voice, etc? How would future rom updates be installed? What are the down sides to buying the Vibrant versus a local Captivate?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I currently have a I9000 and am on ATT's network in southern california. I'm all but satisfied since my coverage is poor indoors and in some areas because of the lack of 850 band support.
I'm looking to move instead to the I9000M from Bell to get the added 850 3g coverage. Were you able to get a phone, root, unlock it and upgrade to froyo 2.2? Can you tell me about your experience so far including testing for 3-button boot into recovery? Where and how much you got the phone for out-the-door? Thanks.

Sorry mate, still waiting on mine, can't believe its been a month. An xda member here indicated that the stores in Canada are out of stock for awhile now.

Which gTab? Carrrier thoughts please...

Getting my GF a tablet and have kinda ruled out the Ipad because we both don't like Apple and iTunes. I;m experienced with Android and thats what I want to get her. I bought the NookColor and rooted it and all that, but it's going back. It's just not a viable solution for someone not too technical and wants to just pick something up and use it. Mainly because of the lacking hard buttons and no 3g is really the deal breaker now. The gTab seems perfect because of 3g and simple to use. I thought they were all the same until I started reading and it seems as if Tmobile is a bad idea unless you want unlimited data without a contract. So let me get to the needs: minimal data on a month to month plan. I prefer to pay out front and not be under contract. So which carriers Gtab is for her? Or should I wait for something else? BTW I don't like playing the waiting game because you just end up waiting and waiting. She's perfectly fine using a device for years where as I need the latest, greatest.
Thanks in advance.

http://thenextweb.com/gadgets/2010/11/17/want-to-buy-a-samsung-galaxy-tab-heres-what-you-need-to-know/

I guess any of ATT or tmobile will be good. Because if u want to resale it (after few month ) you can unlock it and sell it on nice price and also gsm is acceptable in other countries too. can be used to make calls and receive calls too(dont know about sprint and verizon cdma tabs).
I guess tmobile plans are cheaper than att.
I have tmobile but i dont have data plan because i dont need it. I bought my on local craiglist.

For light no contract 3G, I think AT&T is the cheapest easy option at $15/mo.
The AT&T GT also has the "option" of easy unlocking, then getting a Tmo prepaid SIM and using Tmo's DayPass for $1.50/day, EDGE only, but for very light, day by day, its a cheap alternative.
NB you cannot do that with a Tmo GT since Tmo has blocked its own GT's from using the prepaid DayPass.
Another fringe idea is Sprint's GT, hacked to run on Boost Mobile, $0.35/day for data, but far more complicated to do the hacking.

Do not get the Verizon tab under any circumstances.

At&t will let you have the complete tab and phone experience. And it travels overseas better.

While I have and love the AT&T Tab, I'll throw a wrench in here and say that Spacemoose is going to bat for the CDMA Tabs with HC! I'd give the edge to GSM, but not a big deal as I use mine with Wi-Fi only.

ap77 said:
Do not get the Verizon tab under any circumstances.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
please amplify... why not?
- not GSM, no ROMs? no SIMs? no int'l usage?
- no 2.3.4 update unlike Sprint?
what else?

neurocutie said:
please amplify... why not?
- not GSM, no ROMs? no SIMs? no int'l usage?
- no 2.3.4 update unlike Sprint?
what else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- No GB upgrade -- and knowing VZ, it will be practically never when we get it
- CDMA generally behind the GSM curve in terms of carrier upgrades
- More development on the GSM front

ap77 said:
- No GB upgrade -- and knowing VZ, it will be practically never when we get it
- CDMA generally behind the GSM curve in terms of carrier upgrades
- More development on the GSM front
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sure GSM tab is getting more ROMs, but the only official GB upgrade in the US now is Sprint CDMA and that works on Verizon's tab.

[Q] US Carries and compatible plans for Galaxy note

Hi Guys, this is my first post.
I am relocating to N.Y. from Europe for work and i am bringing my Galaxy Note with me of course.
I was not aware of the situation in U.S. with phone carriers and I am only beginning to grasp the things you have to suffer.
Could you please recommend me a plan. I have already contacted sprint and they refused to accept my cell phone. I am currently thinking of getting boost mobile unlimited but i can't find out if my phone is fully compatible with their service.
I have no credit history in U.S.. I would like at least 200' 100sms and a few GBs of data. Some minutes for calling landlines in Europe would also be great.
I would realy appreciate your help, feeling kind of lost in the open sea.
Thanks in advance (if the list is complete it could be a nice sticky), relocated from general section
Sent from my GT-N7000 using XDA App
from: foxmeister: Your Note will only give you 3G on AT&T or AT&T MVNO

The only GSM carriers (which is what you need for compatiblity with the Note) are AT&T and Tmobile (Verizon and Sprint use CDMA technology which is not compatible with European phones.) Tmobile uses weird frequencies for their 3G and fauxG (HSPA+), so you would only get EDGE speeds with them on your Note. So that pretty much leaves AT&T. They're expensive compared to what you guys have; I'm sure you can find their pricing online.
There are MVNOs which appear to be carriers, but use one of the big four's networks. There are a few that use AT&T's network. One of the MVNOs, Straight Talk, has a plan that's $45 for unlimited talk, sms, and data, but there's a complicated workaround to utilize it on your Note, as they technically only offer it on a couple of their phones.
You have to buy one of their phones "compatible" with that plan (I think you can find them for $99 refurbed), take the sim card out, and put it in your Note. I haven't done this, but I've read that there's a lot more to do in order to utilize HSPA+ speeds. You'll have to search and read for more info, as this is all I know.

In addition to the great info maxh provided, I wanna say that I personally don't trust any of the "unlimited data" plans. They'll cut your data off at the most inopportune time. Classic bait & switch. You're better off with data plans that are hard limited to 2GB or maybe 5GB so you can monitor your own usage.
The Note is kinda new so not enough info is currently available online as to which AT&T MVNO's support it with 3G+ rates. I'm in the same boat as you, actually...
And there's another option. For me, since I carry a bag with me most of the time, I may eventually decide to get a MiFi with the 5GB of 4G "Walmart" plan. I'm waiting a month to see if I'll have to go that route. I ain't spending over $80/mo on voice+data combined even if I have to give up on the Note altogether. There's a limit to how spoiled I allow myself to be.

maxh said:
The only GSM carriers (which is what you need for compatiblity with the Note) are AT&T and Tmobile (Verizon and Sprint use CDMA technology which is not compatible with European phones.) Tmobile uses weird frequencies for their 3G and fauxG (HSPA+), so you would only get EDGE speeds with them on your Note. So that pretty much leaves AT&T. They're expensive compared to what you guys have; I'm sure you can find their pricing online.
.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Doesn't T-mobile use the same set of 850Hz HSDPA/ HSPA tech that Telstra in Australia uses?
If so then I can tell you that stuff works fine with the note.... Best internet speeds I've ever seen on a phone.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk

senectus said:
Doesn't T-mobile use the same set of 850Hz HSDPA/ HSPA tech that Telstra in Australia uses?
If so then I can tell you that stuff works fine with the note.... Best internet speeds I've ever seen on a phone.
Sent from my GT-N7000 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
T-mobile only 850MHz only on their GSM network (EDGE.) For 3G and 4G (not really 4G as in LTE, but faux G as in HSDPA+) they use the 1700/2100 combo. Both are needed as one is used for upload and the other for download. 2100MHz only on a phone without the 1700 will still leave you with only EDGE speeds on Tmobile.

[Q] T-Mobile WiFi Calling and Tethering on HTC One Developer Edition

Hey guys,
If this has been answered previously, then please forgive me, but I wasn't finding anything definitive in the related threads. I've got an unlocked Developer Edition that I plan on using on T-Mobile. I really wanted the extra space and I *believe* San Diego is refarmed and so should work reasonably well (although if I get Edge speeds I'm gonna be bummed).
Anywho, has anyone figured out whether there is:
1) any way to get WiFi calling working? Not positive I'll need but wondering if I need to flash a T-Mobile modem or rom to get that to work on the DE version
2) if tethering will work if my plan supports it (it does - I've done it on my T-Mobile Galaxy Note II)
3) does flashing one's modem cause the phone to show as "tampered" or "modified"? My preference would be NOT to add the bloat unless I'm going to lose out on the aforementioned features OR if the signal ends up being dramatically affected.
Lastly, has anyone else had any experience with the Developer Edition on T-Mobile in San Diego? Wondering what to expect.
Thanks in advance for any and all help!
K-

I have the Dev One on T-Mo in Az and it's awesome. I've seen up to 24mbps on LTE and as little as 12mbps on LTE here.
I'll try tethering but I don't see why it would be an issue. My rooted Sensation tethered just fine and with a non-carrier phone we should still be more than able to do so.
Not sure about WiFi calling as I never used it. With unlimited minutes and decent reception at home it never crossed my mind to try it.

WiFi calling does work you just need to flash a ROM that has it. It has been implemented in International ROMs so you don't have to stick to just T-Mobile firmware.

Thanks for the answers, guys. Guess I stupidly figured the Developer Edition WAS the International version rom already - no? Guessing not by your phrasing.
Guess my problem when it arrives on Thursday (fingers crossed) will be that I'm not certain whether I can completely revert back to stock after flashing should I need to return it. Will do a little more research. Have flashed the hell out of my Note II but I thought I'd read that all methods on the One end up with "Tampered" being displayed, which I'm sure would cause HTC to NOT take it back, even within the 30 days.
Then it's just a question of how good or bad the data speeds end up being in San Diego.
Thanks again for the help.
K-

ATT cap on TMobile?

I have read and searched google for a while now and cant find anything recent concerning the ATT Captivate on the Tmobile network.
Some Youtube vids but they are all ancient.
The latest tread i found was dated around mid June 2013 involving Straight Talk and it did not seem to have a final resolution as to weather it's possible or not to use att's cap on Tmobile network.
Phone in question belongs to my daughter in-law and wants to have phone active for basic call use, not interested in getting new updated phone (S3 or S4) just concerned with basic calling and texting.
I have put phone thru its paces and it works fine as a 4" tablet on wifi , its running GB 2.3.5 , baseband I897UCKJ3 , kernel 2.6.35.7-I897UCKJ3 -CL614489 , build GB.UCKJ3.
I would appreciate any input on this from anyone that may still have a Captivate running on any pay as you go plan.
TIA.
Pp.

PanchoPlanet said:
I have read and searched google for a while now and cant find anything recent concerning the ATT Captivate on the Tmobile network.
Some Youtube vids but they are all ancient.
The latest tread i found was dated around mid June 2013 involving Straight Talk and it did not seem to have a final resolution as to weather it's possible or not to use att's cap on Tmobile network.
Phone in question belongs to my daughter in-law and wants to have phone active for basic call use, not interested in getting new updated phone (S3 or S4) just concerned with basic calling and texting.
I have put phone thru its paces and it works fine as a 4" tablet on wifi , its running GB 2.3.5 , baseband I897UCKJ3 , kernel 2.6.35.7-I897UCKJ3 -CL614489 , build GB.UCKJ3.
I would appreciate any input on this from anyone that may still have a Captivate running on any pay as you go plan.
TIA.
Pp.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The most basic answer is yes you can run the cappy on T-Mobile. That being said the phone will have to be unlocked in order to work on another carrier. You can either contact AT&T and ask them to give you the unlock code, find a site online that will sell you the unlock code, or find one of the many threads on here about how to do it yourself. If you do it yourself it will most likely require your phone to be rooted first. I even believe it's as simple as downloading an app from the play store and running it to unlock.
Now with all that being said if the person plans on using data at all you could run into a small problem. T-Mobile uses a different frequency for 3G/4G data than AT&T so you may only be able to connect to EDGE which is very slow compared to what you may be used to.

Thanks ml, its rooted already and looking into unlocking. Afterwards is it just a matter of slipping a tmob card into SIM slot?
Thanks again for your input, much appreciated. :thumbup:
Pp.
From my Epic Touch full of Xparent Blue Tapatalk 2.

PanchoPlanet said:
Thanks ml, its rooted already and looking into unlocking. Afterwards is it just a matter of slipping a tmob card into SIM slot?
Thanks again for your input, much appreciated. :thumbup:
Pp.
From my Epic Touch full of Xparent Blue Tapatalk 2.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes after its unlocked you should be able to pop the sim in and go. The only thing you might have to do is figure apn settings to make data services work. But that's not nessecary for calls and basic texting to work.
Sent from my SGH-I927 using xda app-developers app

I used my Cappy last year with a Roam Mobilility, a company that sells
US airtime here in Canada for travelers. It runs on the T-mobile network. T-mobile is slowly changing their data network so you can get the H symbol when connected in larger centers. If you aren't in those areas you only get edge data speeds. Vegas, and Phoenix both had the new towers set up and I got great speeds there. The phone does work well for calls also.