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.
Verizon is killing me on my D2 so I was wondering if I flash my tmo gt7 with Hermes and purchased a tmo pay to use sim, would I be able to make calls and data from my tab?
Thanks
You cant use your Verizon on Tmo, ypu can however tether from the other device to your galaxy tab.
Sent from my SPH-P100 using XDA App
dave52355 said:
Verizon is killing me on my D2 so I was wondering if I flash my tmo gt7 with Hermes and purchased a tmo pay to use sim, would I be able to make calls and data from my tab?
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The pay as you go is for broadband (data) only. So with that sim card, 3g but no voice.
galexandr said:
You cant use your Verizon on Tmo, ypu can however tether from the other device to your galaxy tab.
Sent from my SPH-P100 using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No I want to get away from Verizon, Just wondered if a tmo pay to go voice/sim and a flash of my tmo gt7 would make the tablet useful for both voice/data?
Thanks
Yes, you can do that. The voice pay as you go isn't too pricey, but the data part is really bad (expensive).
I tried SimpleMobile, and I was satisfied with the coverage. The unlimited voice and data was $70 pay as you go, and works everywhere t-mobile works.
You will have to do an extra step, installing the Rotohammer modem switch to have voice and data on a US t-mobile tab.
Sounds like what I am looking for. Will the SimplyMobile SIM roam like T-mobile does? We actually live in a " dead " T-mobile area. T-mobile has an agreement with the local GSM provider but not for Data on tablets. However, T-mobile voice/data phones works fine.
Thanks
SimpleMobile uses/rents t-mobile's bands/towers. So, same coverage area.
Thanks, I'll give it a shot.
I have the unlocked Duo Note 5, SM-N9208 on AT&T and was wondering if somehow there is a way to add the HD Voice setting? I picked up the Gear S2 watch and in order to use the number sync feature with the watch, I need to have HD Voice setting on the phone. Having the international version has its pro's and con's. So far no Samsung Pay and now can't set up the Gear S2 to use the number sync feature with AT&T. I am still very happy with the Note 5 N9208.
ElCamino said:
I have the unlocked Duo Note 5, SM-N9208 on AT&T and was wondering if somehow there is a way to add the HD Voice setting? I picked up the Gear S2 watch and in order to use the number sync feature with the watch, I need to have HD Voice setting on the phone. Having the international version has its pro's and con's. So far no Samsung Pay and now can't set up the Gear S2 to use the number sync feature with AT&T. I am still very happy with the Note 5 N9208.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would like to know this as well. I'm using unlocked T-Mobile note 5 on AT&T network and just bought the S2 Classic and I can't get numbersync to work. Everything I read is saying the phone must have HD Voice setup before it will work. Wonder if AT&T can set my T-Mobile phone up with HD Voice? I don't think it should matter or not if my phone is an unlocked T-Mobile being that I'm using AT&T sim and everything else on the phone works perfect.
chrispyutec said:
I would like to know this as well. I'm using unlocked T-Mobile note 5 on AT&T network and just bought the S2 Classic and I can't get numbersync to work. Everything I read is saying the phone must have HD Voice setup before it will work. Wonder if AT&T can set my T-Mobile phone up with HD Voice? I don't think it should matter or not if my phone is an unlocked T-Mobile being that I'm using AT&T sim and everything else on the phone works perfect.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
as far as i know HD voice is enabled by default and if your carrier supports it then it is automatically displayed during call.