Buying a nexus 4 when its not supported in my country? - Nexus 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

So what are the downsides of buying a nexus 4 when its not supported in my country? Will there be problems about updating OS or about the guarantee? (I think it should be okay with the guarantee since there are LG places anywhere?) Or am i just not gonna be able to use some of googles apps like google's music stream?

What country are you from? Is it a matter of the phone not working with the cell phone providers in your country?
But, seriously talking, the best solution is to emigrate out of there, to a country that Google endorses. Google's going to end up being a global Superpower anyway, so it's good to be under a country that Google is chill with, getting that nationwide Wi-Fi and access to Google water all that fun stuff.

By unsupported do you just mean Google didn't put it up for sale? Or does the Nexus 4 not work with your mobile carrier i.e. is it a CDMA carrier?
If it's the first case then you're fine. Updates should come just like normal as the builds/updates are run by Google. You might not get all the features that come with Android/Google Play; it depends on whether they're enabled in your country (e.g. Music, Movies, Magazines, Books etc.). Warranty on the other hand might be a PITA depending on LG's warranty policy. They may or may not honour the warranty and I believe they don't have international warranty. Even if they have LG offices in your county, it doesn't mean that the warranty is applicable. You might have to send it back to the country you bought it from or if you're going through a grey importer, you'll have to ask them.
If it's the second case, you really shouldn't buy the Nexus 4 unless you want a really expensive paperweight or intend to change carriers.

Related

UK Nexus

Hi quick question,
I just managed to sell my htc hd2 for £390 so am about to order my nexus one! (im in the UK) other UK buyers can you tell me how much its all coming to roughly, i understand its about £340 on the credit card from google then probably about another £60 from DHL once they invoice you?
Also I heard that if we're importing a nexus to uk rather than waiting another month or so to get uk version sim free (i guess from google.co.uk?) that the updates/rom etc will be the US versions and we may not get certain benefits/updates/default functionality etc that a UK/european bought nexus will get - what these are I don't know thou!anyone know?
What i was mainly concerned with was that I did hear this may effect gps/maps and sat nav for uk users and that we may not be able to use turn by turn in uk? This may not be true, its just something i remmber reading on another forum?
any thoughts would be appreciated
cheers
Well I believe the UK Nexus will have multi-touch.
I have my Nexus already running Google Nav as it works as per the old method for Hero/Dream.
It depends if you're planning on rooting it or not, if you are then you'll be putting a custom ROM on anyway, which will probably have multi-touch..etc (Cyan is already working on it).
Also the UK will more than likely have a T-mobile brading...etc.
Your Choice.
I have had my DHL bill as yet but it was a tad shy of £355 I think (depends on the exchange rate at the time).
yeah i think by all sounds rooting seems to be the way to go once peeps have had time to iron it out. havent had android phone before but like all i hear, i had the htc hd2 for about 4 hours before i was convinced winmo was a pile of ****! i think i may take the plunge and go for it -my GF keeps saying why dont i just get an Iphone! i think i need this phone to show her why!
If the euro Nexus does have multitouch there's nothing to stop Google updating those US phones sold to UK users - the hardware will be identical.
How do I test multi touch as I thought Eclair supports it out the box? I tried multi touch paint from market and it seems to work fine.
Use Dolphin Browser, this supports multitouch.
We KNOW the phones support it, its just Google couldn't release to US handsets for some reason to do with Apple and copyright??? not entirely sure.
The UK Nexus One ordered from google.com/phone (currently the only place to order the device) does not have multi touch support in the preinstalled apps. The device itself has support, the built in apps do not (ie the built in Gallery app does not zoom when you pinch) That's why installing multitouch supported apps from the Market work.
You will need to install a custom version of Maps for Google Maps Navigation to work outside the US. Keep in mind there are some limitations. Search for the thread in the Dream Android Development forum to read how to install and what the limitations are.
yamanote said:
The UK Nexus One ordered from google.com/phone (currently the only place to order the device) does not have multi touch support in the preinstalled apps. The device itself has support, the built in apps do not (ie the built in Gallery app does not zoom when you pinch) That's why installing multitouch supported apps from the Market work.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Exactly what I thought. I prefer the double tap
There is, afaik, no "UK Nexus" and "US Nexus".
They're the same.
If the preinstalled apps in the version sold to US citizens don't have multitouch, the ones sold to Brits won't either.
Same hardware and software, only if you're having it sent to UK, you get the option of getting an adapter for you charger separately.
It's explained on the official support page, which I'm not allowed to link to.
Be very careful about importing any phone into different regions. All kinds of problems can result, including NOT GETTING 3G COVERAGE! If things don't work for you, can you return the phone without trouble? That's a lot of money to spend on a phone that has problems!
John Cipolletti said:
Be very careful about importing any phone into different regions. All kinds of problems can result, including NOT GETTING 3G COVERAGE! If things don't work for you, can you return the phone without trouble? That's a lot of money to spend on a phone that has problems!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Neuxs One is a phone made for the whole world, so importing it will not result in problems with coverage as it supports the mostly used 3g bands around the world.
Also noone is importing the Nexus One to the UK since Google is specifically targetting UK residents and must of course provide customer service to them.
As for other countries which google is not really selling the phone to I don't know, but I assume that the warranty is world wide and you should not have trouble returning it.
fryarch said:
Hi quick question,
Also I heard that if we're importing a nexus to uk rather than waiting another month or so to get uk version sim free (i guess from google.co.uk?) that the updates/rom etc will be the US versions and we may not get certain benefits/updates/default functionality etc that a UK/european bought nexus will get - what these are I don't know thou!anyone know?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I got mine from Google in the US and it;s a UK edition. How do i know? The Amazon app is Amazon UK and navigation doesn't work.
SC
ScaredyCat said:
I got mine from Google in the US and it;s a UK edition. How do i know? The Amazon app is Amazon UK and navigation doesn't work.
SC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It does obvious detect the network of the sim inserted, time and location of where you are automatically. Therefore updating the system and apps accordingly.
m00moo said:
It does obvious detect the network of the sim inserted, time and location of where you are automatically. Therefore updating the system and apps accordingly.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? How did it update these apps exactly? I had no 3g/edge/gprs or wifi when I set up. Are you suggesting that OTB there are multiple app versions? Are you saying that if you happend to be in the US and used a UK sim you'd get UK apps? I doubt that very very much, particularly as a SIM is not even required to setup.
SC
Let me break it down for you.
The phone has a inbuilt GPS. When you turn your phone on the very first time regardless of your sim being inserted or not. The phone will set itself up accordingly to where you are. During the first start up the phone takes longer if you didnt notice.
TA DA
m00moo said:
Let me break it down for you.
The phone has a inbuilt GPS. When you turn your phone on the very first time regardless of your sim being inserted or not. The phone will set itself up accordingly to where you are. During the first start up the phone takes longer if you didnt notice.
TA DA
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
LOL I seriously doubt that happens either. If it did it would have taken a week for mine to start up. I work in what is essentially a giant Faraday cage. I just can't get a GPS signal inside.
So rather than you just making stuff up, can we stick to the facts?
SC
ScaredyCat said:
LOL I seriously doubt that happens either. If it did it would have taken a week for mine to start up. I work in what is essentially a giant Faraday cage. I just can't get a GPS signal inside.
So rather than you just making stuff up, can we stick to the facts?
SC
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
ok you should stick to your idea of google having 4 boxes of nexus ones. they have one for US, UK, Singapore and HK.
They shipped you a UK one since your navigation doesnt work and it had amazon UK installed
m00moo said:
ok you should stick to your idea of google having 4 boxes of nexus ones. they have one for US, UK, Singapore and HK.
They shipped you a UK one since your navigation doesnt work and it had amazon UK installed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also guessing that it didn;t to the laser etching as i signed in to gmail.
SC
I take it there's still no confirmation as to whether it will be available sim-free from an EU webstore when it is offered on Vodafone? In fact, unless things change, when it is subsidised by VF, it may be a case of signing up to a vodafone contract on google.com and still importing the handset. If there is some sort of google.co.uk offering, then presumably the price will reflect the VAT element.
i got one from ebay 470 free shipping..
Works fine so far, how do i get the maps working? whats the old hero method? Ive never had an hero lol

Unlocked Galaxy Note - yes or no?

I am considering buying a Galaxy Note but I have a dilemma so I hope you will be able to help me out with it.
If I decide to buy it I will probably have to buy it through a mobile carrier meaning that I will have to unlock it to run it on a different network. I have someone to do it for me so I don't know what kind of software they will use.
Since I am new to Android, I would like to keep away from the rooting as long as possible so I am talking about stock software here.
Therefore, I would like to ask this:
1) Have any of you unlocked their Galaxy Notes? Are there any side-effects or it feels totally SIM-free?
2) Am I going to be cut-off from the official software updates (ICS and so on?) or it will be totally like a SIM-free experience?
3) Are all the splash screens, apps and other carrier-related stuff gone after the unlock?
Thank you in advance!
This doesn't answer your questions, but why would you buy a carrier phone and use it on another network? Why not buy unlocked?
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
If you plan to get the ATT one, I dont think it will get 3G/+ on Tmo. The intenational one I have definitely does not have that band. Unless there is another unlocked version that has those bands. And my international version does not have LTE as well.
And why would you sign a contract with ATT and want to use it on another n/w? Doesnt make any sense whatsoever.
Eborg said:
I am considering buying a Galaxy Note but I have a dilemma so I hope you will be able to help me out with it.
If I decide to buy it I will probably have to buy it through a mobile carrier meaning that I will have to unlock it to run it on a different network. I have someone to do it for me so I don't know what kind of software they will use.
Since I am new to Android, I would like to keep away from the rooting as long as possible so I am talking about stock software here.
Therefore, I would like to ask this:
1) Have any of you unlocked their Galaxy Notes? Are there any side-effects or it feels totally SIM-free?
2) Am I going to be cut-off from the official software updates (ICS and so on?) or it will be totally like a SIM-free experience?
3) Are all the splash screens, apps and other carrier-related stuff gone after the unlock?
Thank you in advance!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I live in Europe so I am talking about an international version.
Technically I wouldn't be buying it directly from a carrier, I just wanted to keep the discussion simple. I would buy it from a store but they get it abroad, unlock them and sell them legally. It's the only way I can get it where I live.
Ordering from Expansys or similar sites would mean that I would have to pay import customs which would probably amount to 200-300$ or more.
Where are you from? There are more retailers than expansys
Sent from my GT-N7000 using xda premium
I live in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Since it is not yet a member of the EU, you have to pay customs fees for this kind of stuff.
I will be going to the UK in a few weeks and thought about buying it there but that would mean that I wouldn't have any warranty. Most sites do not offer warranty outside the UK or EU. Also, even if I found one seller that offers worldwide warranty, I would still have costs shipping the phone to the UK or wherever and back (still EU issues) if needed.
Buying the phone locally should give me a 2-year warranty so that's why I am thinking about that option.
if you get it sim free fromthe uk then you woudl be paying more than you woudl in say germany - sim free in the uk are about £500+
sim free means it isnt locked to a carrioer that doesnt stop anything regarding updates to ics, you wil lstil lget them just might be at alater date than other countries
unlocking is not the same as debranding which would remove the software and logos etc
mine is sim free whcih i bought on a 2 year contract and it is no different to any other note locked on the networks
Eborg said:
I am considering buying a Galaxy Note but I have a dilemma so I hope you will be able to help me out with it.
If I decide to buy it I will probably have to buy it through a mobile carrier meaning that I will have to unlock it to run it on a different network.....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
buying it through a carrier does not mean that the phone is locked to that carrier anyway. have you asked your carrier or the store you want to buy from if they sell the Note locked?. my Note is bought from German Telekom/T-Mobile and has no sim or netlock. i just tested the Note with simcards from other German and foreign carrier and they all work flawlessly. so maybe you can purchase a Note at your side that is also sim/netlocked free.
All Galaxy Notes available locally were on foreign carriers. The guy at the store could only confirm that it works will all SIM cards, not that the particular phone had to be unlocked or not, but it was definitely on a foreign carrier when they got it.
I am not sure if the phones are debranded or not. Is that something that I can do on my own without rooting the phone?
So, you guys can officially confirm that unlocked (and optionally debranded) Galaxy Note will act as if they were SIM-free in regards to official updates, apps and so on? No worries there?
As for getting it abroad, it wouldn't be the best solution since I would have to send it to the UK, Germany, Italy or wherever if something is wrong paying 100-200$ of customs fees every time if something goes wrong.
I'd just like to confirm that it is possible to update the firmware automatically with an unlocked Note. Cheers!
Richy99 said:
sim free means it isnt locked to a carrioer that doesnt stop anything regarding updates to ics, you wil lstil lget them just might be at alater date than other countries
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Quite.
Also to keep in mind : in the EU, the carrier must agree to unlock phones after at the most 6 months.
And regarding ICS upgrades for the Note, they're apparently fairly messy at the moment. Locally (France) my carrier and the local Samsung branch are apparently more or less pointing at one another for a botched upgrade (at the end of June, note that it was announced as "we're fixing a few things, should be any day now" in March) where they apparently managed to brick a number of user phones. Samsung tends to communicate fairly poorly on the issue.
Other than the updated stylus apps, I'm not really sure the upgrade is worth it. And I discovered the whole "Kies" crud when I got this phone which really annoyed me since I don't normally run Windows (or Mac OS) and some operators apparently like to push their stuff only through that channel.
---------- Post added at 01:16 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:08 PM ----------
Eborg said:
I'd just like to confirm that it is possible to update the firmware automatically with an unlocked Note. Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There's no reason why you couldn't. Possibly you'd get the Samsung update instead of the one from the original carrier (not guaranteed). But unlocking phones is fairly standard procedure.
Actually I got an update from the previous carrier from which it was unlocked from judging by the bloatware installed with the update.

Buying in UK on release, but using in Belgium, good or not?

I really want to buy the nexus 7 and actually don't want to wait until the release in belgium (october).
But I'm wondering if the play store will work properly etc...
Would it be a good idea to buy it already in the UK, or better to wait on release in belgium?
Plus can you use your bought apps (for phone) also on your tablet, while they are also installed on the phone.
Depends how badly you want it If you end up not liking it I'm sure finding a buyer in Belgium shouldn't be an issue with a release date of october :laugh:
As its WiFi only there should be no problem. You will easily be able to set the language as Belgian and if Belgian apps don't show up you can download something like market enabler and select Belgium.
Using phones apps will work fine with the tablet and you can use them on all your devices
Sent from my HTC EVO 3D X515m using xda premium
I use my UK-bought Android phone and tablet in Belgium loads as I'm working here at the moment. No problems using either, though the option to buy books and films disappears from the Play Store and doesn't reappear until I'm back in the UK. Your apps are assigned to your Google account, so if you use the same account on both devices you can install all your apps to both at the same time.
Bear in mind that my Google account is UK-registered; no idea if that would make a difference.
I'm more worried about the warranty. I've never bought an electronic device online from another country.
What if there is something wrong with my Nexus, let's say the screen has enormous light bleed. Would I be able to send it back? And if so, where to? To the UK shop I bought it at? Or to Google? Or Asus?
Could anyone enlighten me here? If I'm sure there won't be a problem if I get a defunct device, I will certainly order one in the coming weeks.
RJA
Doesn't matter if you're from Belgium, you will be covered by standard UK warranty but would have to return the item at your own cost if it was faulty and you were located outside the UK. Many shops in the UK don't collect returns free anyway.
If you buy from a UK reseller, you would need to return to UK shop where you bought it based on their returns policy - they vary.
If you buy from Google Play store you'd need to use a UK-registered Google Account in which case device returns are handled through Google Wallet.

[Q] Tap N Pay in Europe

Hello guys. Does any of you know how we can set up Google Wallet Tap N Pay to work in Europe or any other app with Tap N Pay option?
you're the only one who use this...
dancapitan said:
you're the only one who use this...
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Click to collapse
how u mean only one? In every store u have PayPass, thats mean u can use Tap N Pay in every story, If ppl in USA can use it, we can use it too in EU.
if you don't know, europe is 10 years behind usa...
I dont think so ?
Sent from my SM-N900T using XDA Free mobile app
I wish I could say it wasn't , but technologically the EU is years behind the USA.
NFC payment is supported by banks, for instance. I've got an NFC chip in my bank card and it's been activated. I can use it wherever I wish.
But the shops? They're still using the phone lines for their pin machines.
The same pin machines they used 18 years ago, which don't support contactfree payment, let alone online payment.
And the NFC system is quite a bit older in the USA than Google Wallet.
There's no point introducing online payments if the shops thenselves won't and can't accept it.
Hell, most places don't even properly have 4G yet.
And as Larry Page has said; Until the EU starts moving forward technologically, Google Pay is not coming to the EU.
Google isn't the problem here. It's the government, and in particular the shop owners.
Many of which don't even have an internet connection in the shop. Little hard to recieve online transactions that way.
So you want Google Wallet, stick a boot up your government's arse to get them to invest in technology. Until they do, it's not happening.
That's what we get for having atechnical, primitive primates as our countries' leaders.
Sent From My Samsung Galaxy Note 3 N9005 Using Tapatalk
good point ShadowLea :good:

Carrier support?

Hey everyone I haven't really seen an answer for this, will carriers never sell the nexus 6p? I mean I remember other nexuss being sold online by carriers even if not in store.
Thanks
Well. I believe I read somewhere that it will not be sold through carriers this time.
Just make sure to buy the N6P appropriate to your country of living. there are two models. The google store site will sell the North America model (A1). If you are looking to get the rest of the world model (A2), buy it somewhere else.
I am 95% sure I heard somewhere that AT&T will carry it but the others won't.
With it being unlocked it's a no brainer anyway, Google Play Store is the way to go.

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