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.
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.
Hola. I have a CDMA Hero running CM7 right now.
I was getting my cell service through a local carrier, Alltel. They are no longer in business, so I decided to pass my phone on.
The new owner took the phone to a sprint store today to try and activate it. No dice. Something about the DEX # was throwing up an error from another carrier when they typed it in.
Like I said, id been using the phone on alltel for a while, So my question is, can I flash NFX-Sprint.STOCK.2.32.651.2 or some other stock sprint rom and radio combo to get it to work on sprint?
Much Thanks,
-nick
You can not activate a non-sprint phone on the Sprint network.
Ahh Well thats no fun, but Thanks for the quick reply.
TJinWV said:
You can not activate a non-sprint phone on the Sprint network.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can use cloning to do it. No the phone from a different carrier will not be activated on Sprint's network, however, it will pretend to be a different phone that is active on the sprint network, by using the sprint phone's ESN as it's own.
Essentially this produces a "clone" cell device.
It is also a felony, but can be done. Some people take their Sprint Heros/etc and use ESN cloning to use the phone on Cricket/boost mobile/and other super cheap providers. Cricket uses Sprint towers, so you are basically getting the same service for a lot cheaper.
I have a Sprint Galaxy Tab SPH-P100 that I would like to flash, convert, change so that it can be used on the Verizon network. I would hope that the 3g, wifi, GPS, phone would all work when finished. Any help appreciated!
you can flash a VZW rom to a Sprint tab, but you'll never get 3g to work on VZW's network.. Not compatible.
Thanks for the reply. I was afraid of something like that.
wlafaver said:
I have a Sprint Galaxy Tab SPH-P100 that I would like to flash, convert, change so that it can be used on the Verizon network. I would hope that the 3g, wifi, GPS, phone would all work when finished. Any help appreciated!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Sprint tab ESN will not be in Verizon's db so you wont be able to activate it. Also neither has support for voice.
However there is a chance you could activate on Pageplus, a Verizon MVNO. They dont care about the ESN db.
you can change the ESN to a Verizon ESN and then put it on. you would need a donor Verizion phone to copy the ESN from.
It is perfectly compatible. pvtjoker42 is joking
LargePrime said:
you can change the ESN to a Verizon ESN and then put it on. you would need a donor Verizion phone to copy the ESN from.
It is perfectly compatible. pvtjoker42 is joking
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
oh I am interested in the same thing. I have an ESN from a donor phone how do we change the ESN?
Hi, I am thinking of getting the Galaxy Note GT-n7000 international version.
I would like to use the carrier AT&T.
Could someone please, in an organized manner, tell me what I have to do to get my phone to work on the AT&T carrier with data?
I read previous threads and it was all over the place...people talking about APN and etc.
I am a complete Android newbie. I have never owned an Android device in MY LIFE.
So could someone tell me the steps I need to take? and what an APN is?
I am currently using the iPhone 4 with an AT&T sim card on gophone (myprepaidrefill.com) for $25.
I can't get any data with this so I just use WI-FI for data. It is unlimited messaging.
Also, should I get the note after the Note 2 launches to get it at a lower price (or will the price even drop?)?
I am on short of money for a unlocked phone so I am thinking of getting the original Note.
No one.. Really? please help me
Www.straighttalksim.com
I've been using straight talk's att sim for almost a year now and it has been incredible. $45/month for unlimited talk and text and 2 gb data on att's 4G network. Just buy the sim and pop it into any gsm phone and you're good to go. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to help you. I've got an n7000 on straight Talk and it's great
Apple innovates and Samsung copies, huh? Tell that to my galaxy note