Greetings,
Long time iOS user who's looking to switch to Android while I'm stationed in Japan (US Navy) for the next two years. That said, I'm presently visiting Korea and have an opportunity to purchase a Note 5 (unlocked) and bring it back to Japan with me. Unfortuantely, I can't seem to find a good breakdown of compatibilty to see if it'll be as effective and easy to use as if I were to just get a S6straight from one of the Japanese carriers.
I'm requesting assistance from the experts here to see:
1. Will an unlocked Note 5 work on all the LTE bands in Japan, specifically DoCoMo.
2. How easy is it to take a phone that's unlocked and start a new contract in Japan (bought new/from the company when I was last here).
Thank you in advance!
Related
Which variant of the Note 4 should I buy? I live in the states, but don't use the LTE coverage, but would be great to future-proof my device. I travel around the globe at times. I would rather have the warranty in the states than having a warranty belonging to some other country that I never travel to. If I had to go between the T-Mobile and AT&T version (obviously Unlocking these devices will incur an additional fee), which one should I buy? What about the International version? What are your thoughts. Please let me know. Thank you.
arjun90 said:
Which variant of the Note 4 should I buy? I live in the states, but don't use the LTE coverage, but would be great to future-proof my device. I travel around the globe at times. I would rather have the warranty in the states than having a warranty belonging to some other country that I never travel to. If I had to go between the T-Mobile and AT&T version (obviously Unlocking these devices will incur an additional fee), which one should I buy? What about the International version? What are your thoughts. Please let me know. Thank you.
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T-Mobile give you free Wifi calling, international texts and data, $.20 international calls if you can't get on Wifi, plus free texts and voicemail in the air through Go-Go. That's why I'm getting it.
Thanks for the information. I too am considering T-mobile and just signed up for their test-drive phone.
JimSmith94 said:
T-Mobile give you free Wifi calling, international texts and data, $.20 international calls if you can't get on Wifi, plus free texts and voicemail in the air through Go-Go. That's why I'm getting it.
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arjun90 said:
Which variant of the Note 4 should I buy? I live in the states, but don't use the LTE coverage, but would be great to future-proof my device. I travel around the globe at times. I would rather have the warranty in the states than having a warranty belonging to some other country that I never travel to. If I had to go between the T-Mobile and AT&T version (obviously Unlocking these devices will incur an additional fee), which one should I buy? What about the International version? What are your thoughts. Please let me know. Thank you.
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Click to collapse
The previous answers seem to be talking about using a T-Mobile Note 4 and getting T-Mobile service. Your question's about which device would be the most versatile used both in the U.S. and overseas. Definitely go with international version. Samsung's UK site shows it supports both AT&T and T-Mobile's LTE bands as well as additional international bands neither of the U.S. phones support.
While you may be able to use a AT&T Note 4 on T-Mobile and vice versa their radios are optimized for the networks they are designed to be used on. I'm in an AT&T VoLTE market and can use it on my Note 3. A friend here using a T-Mobile N3 on AT&T can't using the same APN.
My current Note 3 is my first carrier phone out of a half dozen over four years so I have a lot of Samsung international device experience. I've only used them on AT&T and have no interest in T-Mobile as a carrier. They've performed fine on AT&T. But none of them got the same level of connectivity and data speeds as friends with AT&T phones when tested from the exact same locations. In the year I've had my AT&T Note 3 I've never had a network connectivity problem. With my international phones they'd occasionally lose connectivity and I'd have to reboot them to get them back on the network. Like when turning them on when landing at destination after a flight; they couldn't find the network on their own when moving from one AT&T network design (they're different by region through acquisition) to another.
I'm typing this on an international 3G N10.1-14. 90+% of the time I have no network issues and it works brilliantly overseas. Going with an international device is always safer than a carrier device because Samsung's international radios are generic. Every carrier's device has its radio optimized for their specific network. If you read the forums where people are using T-Mobile (and even Canadian phones) on AT&T it's not all peaches and cream. My recommendation is to go with an EU international Note 4 because of its generic support for a ton of global bands. I'd avoid Asian phones because their bands are very different as is the pre-installed s/w.
Good luck.
Thanks for a very careful and thorough explanation. Are there any ebay sellers selling the UK Note 4 version? How should I go about adding warranty? Squaretrade?
BarryH_GEG said:
The previous answers seem to be talking about using a T-Mobile Note 4 and getting T-Mobile service. Your question's about which device would be the most versatile used both in the U.S. and overseas. Definitely go with international version. Samsung's UK site shows it supports both AT&T and T-Mobile's LTE bands as well as additional international bands neither of the U.S. phones support.
While you may be able to use a AT&T Note 4 on T-Mobile and vice versa their radios are optimized for the networks they are designed to be used on. I'm in an AT&T VoLTE market and can use it on my Note 3. A friend here using a T-Mobile N3 on AT&T can't using the same APN.
My current Note 3 is my first carrier phone out of a half dozen over four years so I have a lot of Samsung international device experience. I've only used them on AT&T and have no interest in T-Mobile as a carrier. They've performed fine on AT&T. But none of them got the same level of connectivity and data speeds as friends with AT&T phones when tested from the exact same locations. In the year I've had my AT&T Note 3 I've never had a network connectivity problem. With my international phones they'd occasionally lose connectivity and I'd have to reboot them to get them back on the network. Like when turning them on when landing at destination after a flight; they couldn't find the network on their own when moving from one AT&T network design (they're different by region through acquisition) to another.
I'm typing this on an international 3G N10.1-14. 90+% of the time I have no network issues and it works brilliantly overseas. Going with an international device is always safer than a carrier device because Samsung's international radios are generic. Every carrier's device has its radio optimized for their specific network. If you read the forums where people are using T-Mobile (and even Canadian phones) on AT&T it's not all peaches and cream. My recommendation is to go with an EU international Note 4 because of its generic support for a ton of global bands. I'd avoid Asian phones because their bands are very different as is the pre-installed s/w.
Good luck.
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arjun90 said:
Are there any ebay sellers selling the UK Note 4 version? How should I go about adding warranty? Squaretrade?
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I'd stay away from eBay. Most LTE Samsung devices sold there are Asian. The dollar's exceptionally strong right now. I'd buy it from handtec.co.uk if I were you. In fact, if I wasn't getting the Note 4 for free because I'm on Next I'd buy my Note 4 from Handtec too. You can even get it in bronze and be the first on your block. Converted from GBP it's currently $806 including two-day FedEx shipping; that's cheaper than AT&T's $826 without tax. Because you're buying a UK phone in the UK Samsung's 24 month UK warranty is intact. You'll have to pay to send it there if it needs service but it's better than nothing. I had a UK SGS2 that had a cracked bezel and Samsung UK was very accommodating in repairing it. I'd get SquareTrade anyway and they'll cover an imported UK phone. The UK is also one of the first region's to receive updates so that's a plus too.
Seems like Clove is able to take off the region-lock whereas Handtec is unable to. Do the UK LTE Note 4's support T-Mobile's Band 12. Seems like I just want as many bands as possible as you never know when you want to switch to another US Carrier.
I'm currently using an MVNO (PureTalk) that relies on AT&T's network; currently using an unlocked T-Mobile Note 2 in Mint Condition, soon to be sold.
I do see how the European Model N910F is more versatile and at the same time, most expensive if purchased in the states (~$1300) compared to the Korean LTE Variants and Hong Kong Exynos (910U) Variant. The T-Mobile units are available online for $~750.
JimSmith94 said:
T-Mobile give you free Wifi calling, international texts and data, $.20 international calls if you can't get on Wifi, plus free texts and voicemail in the air through Go-Go. That's why I'm getting it.
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Just to confirm, does Samsung consider the N910F to be an international unlocked Note 4?
I can't seem to tell what is the official International Unlocked version
http://www.clove.co.uk/samsung-galaxy-note-4
Would you go for the 910'F' or 910'C'?
Hi All
September 1st I'm flying to Seoul for holiday and really wanna pick up a Note 5.
Does anyone know where the best place to buy is? Maybe dlight store in Gangnam?
Also do the Korean versions ever get root or roms?
Thanks!
the Delight store in Gangnam, the Galaxy store in Coex Mall... any Samsung mobile retail location. They were fully stocked as of release date as far as I saw last week and this week.
The only caution I would advise is make sure the Korean version supports the LTE band/bands you will need in your home country. I ended up having to buy one in the states because my phone company here uses Band 4, which the Korean Note 5 does not support.
I think the Korean one supports H+ on my current carrier... I can get sims that will work on there though.
I will head to dlight
That should be good enough. Good luck, and make sure to post pics of your Delight spoils! I've been home for 3 days and am already jealous of your trip
I love Korea!! Amazing place.. This will be my 5th time Fly out on tuesday, going to dlight as soon as ive dropped off my luggage lol
Korea is not very tourist friendly. Hard to even buy a sim card for visitors or tourists. If you are Korean with a Korean Passport and local ID then it should not be a problem. I believe that most telecom companies in Korea only sell carrier locked smartphones with contract and you need a local ID to buy one if I am not mistaken. Also pay attention to the 4G LTE bands on smartphone if you do manage to find one that you could buy unlocked. In the city you will notice that even some taxis will not stop to pick you up if they see that you are a white person.
@desiregeek my experience was the complete opposite. It's super easy to buy a SIM card at the airport from olleh or SK Telecom. Also, carrier locking is not as common as it is here...
Kalm_Traveler said:
@desiregeek my experience was the complete opposite. It's super easy to buy a SIM card at the airport from olleh or SK Telecom. Also, carrier locking is not as common as it is here...
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You can only buy the rental sim card at the airport unless they recently changed the rules. You can not purchase an unlocked sim card at any of their carriers in South Korea. The ones at the airport are sort of like a rented SIM card. In Thailand,Hong Kong,China,Taiwan or pretty much every other Asian country one can get a SIM card at a 7-11 or telecom carrier that is unlocked of which visitors or tourists can purchase for use while in the country.
It's my 5th time in Korea lol. Never had any problems but I can speak Korean too so it helps. Posting from the note I bought now. Just trying to work out how to make a deodexed rom for the S model version
Visiting Busan
Guitarfreak26 said:
It's my 5th time in Korea lol. Never had any problems but I can speak Korean too so it helps. Posting from the note I bought now. Just trying to work out how to make a deodexed rom for the S model version
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Im also visiting Busan in October and was thinking of picking up a note 5, if I may ask how much did yours cost?
Mine was 1 million won so around 520 I paid but was 64gb. Haha just on the ktx back from busan to seoul now!
It seems Finland might not get the Note 5 at all, so if I want one, I need to pick one up on my trip.
Thanks for the info, I guess you had a nice train ride with your new Note 5, enjoy!
Greetings,
I think I posted this in the wrong forum last time. Anyway, I'm a long time iOS user who's looking to switch to Android while I'm stationed in Japan (US Navy) for the next two years. That said, I'm presently visiting Korea and have an opportunity to purchase a Note 5 (unlocked) and bring it back to Japan with me. Unfortuantely, I can't seem to find a good breakdown of compatibilty to see if it'll be as effective and easy to use as if I were to just get a S6straight from one of the Japanese carriers.
I'm requesting assistance from the experts here to see:
1. Will an unlocked Note 5 work on all the LTE bands in Japan, specifically DoCoMo.
2. How easy is it to take a phone that's unlocked and start a new contract in Japan (bought new/from the company when I was last here).
Thank you in advance!
I was considering that too as I just returned to the USA from a 3 week trip to Korea. I believe you're fine for using it in Japan, but I had to order a USA model because the LTE bands that the Korean phone supports didn't include band 4 which my provider here in the states uses.
I am 90% sure NTT DoCoMo will be fine with the Korean model of the Note 5
As far as starting a contract I have no idea about Japanese companies but I don't imagine they would have a problem with just setting you up with an account and SIM card.
Hello!
I've been interested in buying a Galaxy Note 9 for some time, but I'd like a Snapdragon version (from what I can tell by reviews and tests it's better than the Exynos in performance, heat and battery and I don't really want to install custom ROMs, so no problem about the locked bootloader). Today I happened to stumble across an offer on a retail website where a seller just 20 km away from me is offering a Galaxy Note 9 which he says is new and bought from Samsung store in the USA (so I'm assuming it's the N960U carrier unlocked USA version), but he's also stating that it needs to be region unlocked. I've been searching online and I don't really understand what that's all about. I know the first step in purchasing a phone from retail is asking for the IMEI, but what can I exactly do with it? Does it provide the phone's exact model? And what does region unlocking imply?
I'd be glad if anyone could help me with this situation, as it's quite a rare chance and I'd be extremely happy to buy it, but I firstly want to be sure I can use it.
Provided it's not CDMA, the GSM bands should be comaptible with my carrier (Orange), or so I think. Any information is much appreciated.
Thanks and have a great day!
Hi Everybody,
I am about to upgrade my Galaxy Watch to the latest model. I would like to take the opportunity to get the LTE version, so I can get rid of one of my phones. The problem is that in my country (Italy) LTE version is not for sale, and I doubt will ever be.
I have done my homeworks and I can get the watch i want from UK or eastern europe, and I can also buy an e-sim from TIM, a local carrier.
My simple question is: will it work ? I am afraid the carrier will not activate the line on a non-officially supported HW (although they support Galaxy watch). E-sim is still a mysterious world for TIM tech support, so I hope someone here can help...
thank you!
GG
Hi again, here is a simpler query:
- did anyone activate the Galaxy watch 3 Lte with a carrier in a country different from the country of purchase? E-sim is a new tricky matter where i have zero experience, and I am really afraid of wasting money on a cellular function that will never work... hope that someone will help!!
Thank you!
Hello,
I have LTE but it's in same country. I think country does not matter.
When you start the watch first time, it proposes you to connect to LTE thru e-sim with the same carrier as your smartphone.
All i had to do was to click on the subscribe button for an e-sim, directly... It was all proposed by the watch and smartphone itself for my carrier.
So i'd guess that there will be no issue... cannot confirm it 100% though
There is no need to buy an e-sim separately if you have it available at your phone carrier, for me it was just a monthly 5€ sub. in addition to my phone bill. The connexion was instantly available as soon as i clicked sub.
I'm in France... and i assume the watches are same as many europe countries (DE, Swiss, Italy, FR, etc) since they proposed these when i started the watch, but there was no UK proposed so might be different watch there...?
Thanks for the answer,!
In italy the lte version is exclusive to a carrier, that will not release it soon, so the only way to get right now is buying it abroad.
I often buy phones in other countries, and they always worked: bur with e sim this now is far from certain as the phones IMEI must be activated by the carrier ( see the ' sprint' thread here in this forum), like in the old pre-GSM times.
That is why I was hoping someone had a similar experience, thanks anyway!
I'm in UK, got it from Samsung so not network branded, and during activation it just asked if I wanted to enable it on the phone as I went through activation. Went to my carriers e-sim sign up (same page as the watch '1' used) and hey presto it all worked.
That was on EE BTW, but know that Vodafone works in UK too, think only three don't have an esim option here at the moment, as I'm sure a friend had his 1 on O2 (Telefonica)