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.
Hello,
after looking into the Nook Color then the Viewsonic Gtab, I have arrived at the Galaxy Tab. I have a rooted Fascinate, so I am savvy with flashing custom Rom's, using clockwork etc, Samsung Galaxy stuff...
My question is....
There are several Sprint GT on ebay.. there are a few wifi only model's for sale.
I don't need the data from sprint..I'll just tether to my phone..
I am definitely planning on rooting and installing a custom Rom/Kernel.. BUT
I have noticed there are more custom ROM's out for the carrier branded GT's versus the Wi-Fi only..
I have read through this forum a few times over, and have read once that you can buy a carrier GT and NOT activate. It will work fine, but will it work fine if I put a custom ROM on it with it not activated and use it for wifi only?
The real question:
Buy a carrier branded GT and NOT activate vs.. WIFI only GT ? Like I said, definitely planning on installing a custom ROM.
thanks in advance!
david
There is far more development for carrier tabs. And yes it woulda work fine with a custom rom.
Sent from my "better than an iPad" tab... Running Overcome GINGERBREAD!!!
I know spacemoose1 will be working on porting over his work shortly to the GT P1010 (wifi only) as soon as he has finished gsm and cdma. The port over should not be too long either so think looking at a short lead time (hopefully). But untill then we have to wait for either Spacemoose1 to work his magic or the gods of Sammy upgrading.
I know I prefer the wifi model as have I9000 and tether and its perfect for me, have it rooted and running few tweaks so its real quick and compares very well with some of the latest out there but if you really need to install custom roms right now then this device is not for you, but if you wait a bit more then hopefully we will have something to play with.
Regards
--
update and link to http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1020167 Spacemoose1 work
Personally I like the option to either go through wifi or use 3G... Depends on how you want to use it, what country you're from, gsm vs. cdma, and if you want to spend a few $$ more on the carrier tab...
I tend to find the p1010 tabs are cheaper, but then so is the hardware....
ATM if you go to ebay australia, sprint tabs are being sold fairly cheaply (vs the gsm tabs we use here) and as wifi only, which they are in Oz as we no longer use any cdma networks... Saw one go for $170AUD...
Cheers...
Thanks everyone for the input!
Sounds like it's acceptable to purchase a carrier tab and not activate, custom Rom's will work even if it's not activated, and that there is not a lot of development for the wifi only version..
Here's my next set of questions:
Should I be concerned about using an aftermarket charger? See this :
http://cgi.ebay.com/SAMSUNG-GALAXY-TAB-SPRINT-WIFI-SPH-P100-16GB-MINT-/270745593659?pt=Cell_Phones&hash=item3f09b1e73b
Good price, but doesn't include the stock cables, box etc.. should I be looking for the stock cables? I know the Samsung Fascinate is picky about what usb cable you use for it, and would assume that would apply to the GT as well.. if I should could I buy this one and get the stock cables somewhere else?
Is there one carrier that has more development done for it, or is Sprint a safe way to go for development (being able to use a custom rom/kernel etc?)
thanks again..
Don't bother with the wifi tab (P1010) it is nothing alike, outdated and underpowered.
ComponentP1000/SCH-i800P1010CPUSamsung Hummingbird S5PC110
1GHz, 596MB ram
TI OMAP3630
1GHz, 596MB ram
GPUSGX540SGX530
Weight380g385gAGPSYesNoBluetooth3.0+EDR with A2DP2.1+EDR with A2DP
Only thing there that's compelling aside from the phone part is Bluetooth but as don't use it for phone do not need this and have keyboard doc in office so not worried..
The performance (anecdotal ) is thy compare like for like as tab doesnt run phone so it has freed up resources.
Its really if you need it foe phone then coil
Sent from my GT-I9000 using XDA App
Lttlwing16 said:
Thanks everyone for the input!
Sounds like it's acceptable to purchase a carrier tab and not activate, custom Rom's will work even if it's not activated, and that there is not a lot of development for the wifi only version..
Here's my next set of questions:
Should I be concerned about using an aftermarket charger? See this :
http://cgi.ebay.com/SAMSUNG-GALAXY-TAB-SPRINT-WIFI-SPH-P100-16GB-MINT-/270745593659?pt=Cell_Phones&hash=item3f09b1e73b
Good price, but doesn't include the stock cables, box etc.. should I be looking for the stock cables? I know the Samsung Fascinate is picky about what usb cable you use for it, and would assume that would apply to the GT as well.. if I should could I buy this one and get the stock cables somewhere else?
Is there one carrier that has more development done for it, or is Sprint a safe way to go for development (being able to use a custom rom/kernel etc?)
thanks again..
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
PS: This eBay tab above is sold as used?
As for a tab with SIM or not, I think it's a matter of personal preference. Mine is the European unlocked model GT-P1000 but I never use the SIM/provider thing since I hook it to Google Voice which does it over wireless.
I flashed it to the latest OverCome RC1 and I am sure you can do the same with others.
I've heard nothing but moderate reviews on the wifi model. I decided to go with a Verizon tab. The price was attractive at $199.99. The downside of course is that it locked me in to a two year contract with Verizon.
I decided to get the 1gb a month plan for $20. After taxes it is about $23. I like having the ability to hop on 3g when needed, but I primarily use the tab in places that have WiFi. In addition, as others have posted, I have been able to use the tab on my Captivate's unlimited data plan via WiFi tethering. With this, even in places with no WiFi, I can use my phone's connection and not burn through the Verizon plan's allowance.
The only drawback I can really cite is that there is far more in the way of custom roms available to for the GSM tabs. Verizon is CDMA (as in Sprint.) But, as others have also mentioned, there are a few custom roms already available for CDMA, and there are a few new ones coming in the next few weeks that look very promising.
I can't really speak to the European, or other models outside of the US.
Ultimately, I really love my tab and have been very very happy with its capabilities. Having tinkered with both iPad1 and 2, I have to say that I heartily endorse the Galaxy Tablet over both.
Anyway, that is my $.02
So I am newb to tabs but have been flashing custom roms on Galaxy S phones: ATT Galaxy S2, ATT Galaxy S Captivate so I know my ways around a little bit. So I have the Sprint Galaxy Tab P100 and have already rooted it, then flashed a couple of the roms made for P100's, then flashed JT'S Cm7( I think, maybe oldMcnuts if J have the name correctly.) Now I ONLY use it with wifi and do not plan on getting a sprint account. So i started reading alot of the rom threads over the past few days/week so I THINK I know what to flash and what not. But I am curious as to the differences between the cdma and gsm tablets. I looked at full specs to compare them and it looks like from what details I have found that the cdma P100, Tmobiles gsm tab, International? P1000 all bave the same hardware excluding the radio hardware. Same cpu, same camera bardware,etc. Is this correct or are there other differences?
So to my question here as long as I do not care about using the cdma/3g for calls can the tab be flashed with the gsm firmware or software? Or is the coding too different due the the radkos hardware? Again for use as ONLY a wifi tablet.
I have also read that the sprint and verizon 7.0 tab are similiar enough that some/most roms work for either. So I am just trying to get a more in depth view from those that have been usi VHF/around tabs for quite some time.
The links I checked out for specifications are:
P100 http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/galaxy-tab/SPH-P100ZKASPR-features
P1000 http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_p1000_galaxy_tab-3370.php
SGH-T849 http://www.samsung.com/us/mobile/galaxy-tab/SGH-T849ZKATMB-specs
So hope I am not sounding too noobish here but just wanted some opinions/ideas from those that bave been dev'ing/modding/using the tabs longer than I. Thanks ahead of time.
Ps. I prefer asop roms and usually run CM7 or CM9 on my phones. So most likely will be using that route with my tabs also.
Sent From My KickAss ATT SGS2 SPORTING CM7
Hello
I"m contemplating the purchase of a used Tab S2 (8 or 9.7) from Swappa perhaps, and I see that the carrier models (T-Mobile or Verizon) are slightly cheaper than the WIFI only model. I will use it for internet surfing, and general internet browsing, and I will obviously want to root it.
I see no reason for not being able to disable the data on the Verizon or T-Mobile models and using it on WIFI only. Right? Since I will root it, I will get rid of the carrier's bloatware.
Are there hardware (processor or GPU) differences between a carrier model and the WIFI-only tablet? If there are, they are probably unnoticeable, right?