[Q] korean shopping fever, did i make a mistake? - Galaxy S 4 Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting

i was walking around yongsan in seoul and i ended up buying a new s4 for something around 700$, is it too much? i don't know but what worries me now it's if i can use this thing in europe. Do i?
even just a software update needs a local sim card, now i'm sure that i can't have back my money but at least i can try to switch between the different version sold here in korea: SHV-E300S, SHV-E300K, SHV-E300L (actually i have the one named SHV-E300S)
wich one do you suggest is the most appropriate to use in europe or canada?

Good news/bad news. The good news is that you might be able to sell it for more than you paid for it.
The bad news is the bands on the SKT version you bought aren't compatible with the U.S. carriers. Although you'll get HSPA+ data on T-Mobile in markets they refarmed. I think the Korean carriers use different bands so I don't know if flashing another ROM on it will allow those bands to be exposed. It won't if they are h/w specific.
Here's what you bought.
http://www.samsung.com/sec/consumer/mobile-phone/mobile-phone/skt/SHV-E300SDS3SC-spec

Seems too pricy. My friend bought a second hand in yongsan for 520k won.
It is 32GB internal memory.
Sent from my GT-I9500

BarryH_GEG said:
Good news/bad news. The good news is that you might be able to sell it for more than you paid for it.
The bad news is the bands on the SKT version you bought aren't compatible with the U.S. carriers. Although you'll get HSPA+ data on T-Mobile in markets they refarmed. I think the Korean carriers use different bands so I don't know if flashing another ROM on it will allow those bands to be exposed. It won't if they are h/w specific.
Here's what you bought.
http://www.samsung.com/sec/consumer/mobile-phone/mobile-phone/skt/SHV-E300SDS3SC-spec
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well in fact, your good news is a bad news and your bad news could be changed to a good new.
The guy you mentionned on ebay still sell the octa core lte for 1180 dollars, which is totally crazy. He doesn't realize that the octa core one's processor is totally broken and doesn't work properly as Samsung expected and that the price of the octa core has dropped a lot in the past month. You just need to know how to search on ebay and which seller to choose. With 70 feedback, I highly doubt that the crazy guy you mentionned is trustable. Here is what you can get for only 829 dollars now.
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/NEW-UNLOCKED...ell_Phones&hash=item4ac555263f#ht_3024wt_1393
This guy doesn't know that the new Snapdragon 800 LTE Advanced galaxy S4 will be available very very soon at the end of this month. You should know that the Snapdragon 800 scored 35000 points in Antutu benchmark and 21000 in quadrant(against Exynos 5410 27000 in antutu and 12000 in quadrant). So the Exynos 5410 one will cost nothing. I just hope that you can sell yours for 700$,
Concerning the LTE bands problem, a lot of E300 buyers have mentionned that they successfully found some hidden option in the phone, and managed to switch the band to the US band thanks to some application that I forgot the name. Just search in the general E300 owner section.

Related

Discrepancy in S4 specs?

According to phoneArena, the S4 has a 1.6 and a 1.2 quad. However, on Sprint and Best Buy's site (all US carriers, supposedly), it's only got a single quad 1.9. I've already pre-ordered, so it's not exactly a game-changer (especially coming from the Evo3D), but can anyone confirm what it's supposed to be? I'm on Sprint, but I'd be curious to see what people say about the other carriers as well.
I'm pretty sure it will be the LTE version. Phonearena are not from US if I'm not wrong, so they are not updating those things frequently and accurately. At east when they talk about carriers in US
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk 2
The US, UK and a whole bunch of the rest of the world are (initially) getting the 1.9 snapdragon variant which is the one going on sale at Best Buy. The phone that PhoneArena tested was the Octa variant that has the big little configuration and no LTE which goes to the rest of the world except some Korean phones which gets an Octa with LTE on at least one carrier. If you are shopping online be aware that many of the sites have reposted Samsungs language from one of the press releases verbatim and the version they have for sale may or may not be what their website says, best to confirm before buying.

Korean Version Compatibility

Hey I have an opportunity to grab a Korean S4 (SHV-E300K/S). I am wondering if there will be any issues to using this phone in HK? The LTE bands appear to be compatible. I was wondering if the phone will be locked or if there is something that just won't work? I've never been to Korea so I don't know how phones are sold there so any insight will be appreciated.
Thanks in Advance!
Did some digging around and apparently KT telecom, (1 of the 2 large operators in South Korea) did not lock the previous release of the S3.
Also including the article which mentions the LTE bands just in case anyone's interested.
http://www.sammobile.com/2013/04/02/galaxy-s4s-korean-variant-shv-e300sk-to-feature-exynos-5-octa-clocked-at-1-8ghz-confirmed-by-fcc/
Still hoping to get some input before pulling the trigger. Thanks
I'm very interested in this, and I've been trying to do some research. I have a best friend who's brother lives in Korea and works at Samsung, and she told me that if I wanted the Korean version, he'd do his best to ship one to my specifications.
Long story short, I want the Exynos + LTE, but the information online is few and in between.
Sent from my Xperia ion LT28i using xda premium
Well if you can find out anything from that person who works for Samsung that would be much appreciated. I'm willing to pull the trigger if:
a) they sell phones outright off contract in Korea,
b) the phone is carrier unlocked, and
c) I can set English menus.
I am willing to Gamble with the LTE bands and the software compatibility quirks that I may experience.
Perhaps someone from Korea can shed some light?
Thanks.
pygo said:
Well if you can find out anything from that person who works for Samsung that would be much appreciated. I'm willing to pull the trigger if:
a) they sell phones outright off contract in Korea,
b) the phone is carrier unlocked, and
c) I can set English menus.
I am willing to Gamble with the LTE bands and the software compatibility quirks that I may experience.
Perhaps someone from Korea can shed some light?
Thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To answer your questions,
Phones are available in English menu and you only need to worry about the LTE bands as they are not carrier locked in Korea. You might need to set some settings to work in your country and chances should be high as I heard the Octa supports 20 bands of LTE.
I'm not sure what you meant by outright but you can walk into any shop and buy it if that's what you meant. Alternatively, if you know anyone in Korea they should be able to get it for you but not in the next few days because right now it seems that it's all on contract until stock are more abundant.
Sent from my IM-A860K using xda premium
It would be really cool if the Korean GS4 could work with USA LTE. But the price~! Right now, it's being sold for around $1,100 USD~!
What's special about Korean models? Don't other countries have octa too?
tuxonhtc said:
What's special about Korean models? Don't other countries have octa too?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
They have octa + LTE.
Sent from my IM-A860K using xda premium
Okay, so I'm very confused. I too have the opportunity to grab a Korean version, but instead of the OP, I reside in the US, would I run into ANY problems if I got this version? LTE I understand might possibly work/might not, but is there anything else to be concerned with?
All galaxy korean version has following problems.
1. All operator too many customizing ==> it will cause unstable, because all known that they request too many modify frameworks also.
2. Too many have bloat apps.(operator apps, avg 10 + apps exist, some apps are not support uninstall, yeah rooting will delete that apps, but it make an another error)
3. UMTS band are only 1900/2100 (official), previous galaxy have only UMTS 2100 (SKT/KT model only, LGU+ model using CDMA 1800(that frequncy only exist in korea over the world)
4. LTE band are only 850/1800. (SKT 850/1800 , KT 1800 / LG U+ 850)
5. Maybe Firmare not compatible with Global version (I930X / N710X )
6. you may not use USSD code (korean all operator doesn't support USSD code, so korean localizing version remove USSD function)
I lived in korea, but i don't use our korean galaxy models. This time I also ordered galaxy s4 on UK. Because UK model is always Europe open model and it has nearly Samsung reference model. (Doesn't have or 1~2 bloat app exist)
i'm very hate too many localizing. it will always phone make unstable.
Pulverizer, thank you for the info! I think I'll be going for the i9500 now.
Thank You to all who took the time to reply!
I'm likely going to get a local machine now to reduce the need to tinker.
This is also a very informative link from an shv-e300 user for any of those who are still fence sitters! Very good information is given at the bottom of page 3!
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2253148&page=3
I to was tempted for Korean
This information will keep me to in the US/UK LTE version.

How to get hold of the S4 Octa?

This week I'm upgrading and will go for the S4. I live in the UK and will go onto Vodafone, however I will be open to switch carriers. I understand there are 3 variants of the S4 the Korean, International and UK/US. And the latter being the Gt-i9505, with the Snapdragon 600 and Adreno 320, while the International is the Gt-i9500, which has the Octa chip and PowerVR SGX 544MP3, yeah I know people will tell me there is virtually no difference, however I'm interested in buying the i9500 as I'd like to see what such a chipset can do, and more so to the point, I dont want to spend so much money and not even be the best (me being me). So my question is, where can I buy on contract an S4 i9500, the 3g version? As after searching all the carriers websites I cannot find one anywhere, and the area I live anyway will never see 4g, so whats the point? If its impossible to get one through a carrier, is there anyway to find one without a £550 upfront cost? As buying the 505 would be pointless, as I wont buy the 4g deal, so I'll have a 4g capable phone which I cant use, in an area it wont appear, with a worse processor and GPU. If it is totally impossible I'll accept that however I like choices and as a buyer spending this much I would like a choice..
Thanks in advance for any answers!
I'm intersted in this too . .specially now that the AT&T S4 has the bootloader locked.
Does international (Octa) have LTE?
keplenk said:
I'm intersted in this too . .specially now that the AT&T S4 has the bootloader locked.
Does international (Octa) have LTE?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No the international (Octa) (aka i9500) does not support LTE
You can find the international octa @ Expansys & Negri
If u in L.a u can buy from this guy http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/mob/3768900703.html
jeffs99 said:
No the international (Octa) (aka i9500) does not support LTE
You can find the international octa @ Expansys & Negri
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
jeffs99 said:
No the international (Octa) (aka i9500) does not support LTE
You can find the international octa @ Expansys & Negri
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont even need LTE, so theres no point in getting the S4 with LTE which is worse .. will it be released in time? Or will i need to pay full price?
JesseBeckett said:
I dont even need LTE, so theres no point in getting the S4 with LTE which is worse .. will it be released in time? Or will i need to pay full price?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No one can say for sure, but you'll likely need to get the 9500 from an online retailer or another carrier. Samsung has yet to put the LTE radio in its Exynos SoC (system on a chip - what powers the 9500) so that's not going to happen mid-release for the Galaxy S4. And its highly unlikely they are going to release an LTE-enabled one and non-LTE one onto the same carrier in the same market. That just creates buyer confusion.
Only thing is for you "best of the best" types, the octa will run on the arm 7 chip most of the time. So in reality the snapdragon version is better, unless of course you just get off on running benchmarks all day. The arm 15 is the best but what's the point if it never gets used? Just my opinion, I have no right to tell anyone what they need. I WANT LTE, but all I really need is a big screen, email and a decent talker.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Questions go in Q&A
Thread moved
Thanks
FNM
hansonator said:
Only thing is for you "best of the best" types, the octa will run on the arm 7 chip most of the time. So in reality the snapdragon version is better, unless of course you just get off on running benchmarks all day. The arm 15 is the best but what's the point if it never gets used? Just my opinion, I have no right to tell anyone what they need. I WANT LTE, but all I really need is a big screen, email and a decent talker.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I see what you mean, and I've been checking performance numbers of both the sxg 544mp3 and Adreno 320, and it's pretty similar.. so I feel pretty happy to get the 9505. It seemed great in the shop, far smoother than my S3, thanks for everyones help:good:

LTE release date?

I'm wonderin when the LTE version will be available? I'm here in Asia and this is the only tablet worth buying for me right now for college purposes. (and other stuff)
I imagine we will not get word about those till at least Oct 10th.
I would be interested to know the release date for the LTE model as well...no announcements out there at all.
According to this article, there's been no mention of support for US LTE bands. Engadget doesn't always have the most accurate Android info, though.
engadget.com/2013/09/04/samsung-galaxy-note-10-1-2014-edition-hands-on/
(Sorry, going to have to copy and paste, can't post links yet)
Didn't notice the Asia bit in the OP, woops.
Will the LTE version also have wifi ?
VaggD said:
Will the LTE version also have wifi ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, of course
shall i be concerned about UNLOCK feature with the 3G model of the new note 10.1
or it wont matter. since mostly i will get it from abroad
3G here was supporting older model of note 10.1 well
I saw the 32 GB Black at my local BestBuy but I'm not going to buy it until I know about the LTE one.
If the price is the same, and it should be if I buy it outright/unlocked, no contract, I get extra connectivity (LTE, just swap in the SIM from my phone whenever) and a SnapDragon processor which is more likely to get root and custom ROMS, why wouldn't I pick it up.
I also want to see if any custom ROM development happens on the WIFI Exynos version... but I don't see it.
Too many questions up in the air for me to pull the trigger... but I am certain I want the 10.1 2014.
Any comments? Am I batty to be concerned by these issues?
-Lox
v8esprit said:
I saw the 32 GB Black at my local BestBuy but I'm not going to buy it until I know about the LTE one.
If the price is the same, and it should be if I buy it outright/unlocked, no contract, I get extra connectivity (LTE, just swap in the SIM from my phone whenever) and a SnapDragon processor which is more likely to get root and custom ROMS, why wouldn't I pick it up.
I also want to see if any custom ROM development happens on the WIFI Exynos version... but I don't see it.
Too many questions up in the air for me to pull the trigger... but I am certain I want the 10.1 2014.
Any comments? Am I batty to be concerned by these issues?
-Lox
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The price won't be the same.. be logic.. And samsung already released the codes for the exynos 5420 and this very encouraging you know.. Developpers now can create custom roms and stuff.. I think that a lot of people will have the wifi version (simply because we can tether connection from ou mobiles) and therefor there will be custom roms, root and more stuff created for the exynos version
Educate me on the reasons why the cellphone carriers will price unlocked LTE higher than the wifi version?
Mehdy_ said:
The price won't be the same.. be logic.. And samsung already released the codes for the exynos 5420 and this very encouraging you know.. Developpers now can create custom roms and stuff.. I think that a lot of people will have the wifi version (simply because we can tether connection from ou mobiles) and therefor there will be custom roms, root and more stuff created for the exynos version
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
v8esprit said:
Educate me on the reasons why the cellphone carriers will price unlocked LTE higher than the wifi version?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can simply go and compar with other tablets: you'll see that the 3G or 4G version costs always more than a wifi only version. This goes for samsung or apple..
And the prices for the 4g version have already been released in some countries in europe and the 16gb wifi only version costs 550 euros and the 4G+wifi 16gb version costs 670 euros.. So you can expect that there will be a price diference also in the US between both models
Just pre-ordered mine and got the answer it would be delivered November 15th...
CalInTheZone said:
Just pre-ordered mine and got the answer it would be delivered November 15th...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Where you pre-ordered ?
Iluhan said:
Where you pre-ordered ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
A Danish site called proshop.
Sendt fra min GT-I9505 med Tapatalk
I wonder why there's no info on US LTE yet
@CalInTheZone:
What is the difference in price between the comparable WIFI and LTE tablets?
[/COLOR]
jinda628 said:
I wonder why there's no info on US LTE yet
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found LTE unlocked model With snapdragon for 800$ on popular electronics webpage based in Chicago Tax free and free shipping .
another one that has it is Overseas electronics company but they charge more than 900$
v8esprit said:
@CalInTheZone:
What is the difference in price between the comparable WIFI and LTE tablets?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
WiFi: 4700,- DKR and 4G: 5500,- DKR
CalInTheZone said:
WiFi: 4700,- DKR and 4G: 5500,- DKR
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
So... ~15% more. That may be worth it for LTE and having a Snapdragon processor that dev's will write ROMs for.
Still no ROMs for the Exynos.
Note3 is Snap Dragon.
All the 10.1 2014 WIFI tablets are going to get left out in the cold... I'm afraid.
-Lox
I'm interested in the LTE model for the Snapdragon 800. Seems to have better GPU performance so that translates to a better user experience. Note 12.2 with Snapdragon 800 would be perfect.

Heed help with buying snapdragon s7 edge.

Hi. Im living in Russia and there are only exynos variant available. After using rather bad exynos note 4 (overheat, bad reception, 3g/4g battery drain, poor aosp development) i decided to buy snapdragon variant of s7 edge. I believe samsung is using superior versions of their handsets in key markets such as NA and China. But for my surprise all s7 edge sold in USA are carrier bound. My question are there unlocked s7 edge snapdragon? What carrier should i choose? Will at-t and t-mobile phones work with other gsm carriers around the world. Also i need no carrier bloatware and unlocked bootloader. As for network i need band 20 800Mhz and band 7 2600Mhz.
Thanks in advance.
TANKRED_ENDURES said:
Hi. Im living in Russia and there are only exynos variant available. After using rather bad exynos note 4 (overheat, bad reception, 3g/4g battery drain, poor aosp development) i decided to buy snapdragon variant of s7 edge. I believe samsung is using superior versions of their handsets in key markets such as NA and China. But for my surprise all s7 edge sold in USA are carrier bound. My question are there unlocked s7 edge snapdragon? What carrier should i choose? Will at-t and t-mobile phones work with other gsm carriers around the world. Also i need no carrier bloatware and unlocked bootloader. As for network i need band 20 800Mhz and band 7 2600Mhz.
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
None of the U.S. devices cover band 7 nor 20 i guess, those bands aren't used over there.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks_in_Europe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks
Also, normally carrier locked devices won't work for other carriers unless you hack (was not possible at recent devices afaik) it or pay for unlocking it. But you could be lucky there at the s7 with it locking just at first boot. It could be, that it'll lock to your carrier instead of the one you bought it from, but you'll have to verify that it works before, also it'll only work, if it never has been booted by any employ at the carrier you bought it to ship it locked already.
Tectas said:
None of the U.S. devices cover band 7 nor 20 i guess, those bands aren't used over there.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks_in_Europe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_LTE_networks
Also, normally carrier locked devices won't work for other carriers unless you hack (was not possible at recent devices afaik) it or pay for unlocking it. But you could be lucky there at the s7 with it locking just at first boot. It could be, that it'll lock to your carrier instead of the one you bought it from, but you'll have to verify that it works before, also it'll only work, if it never has been booted by any employ at the carrier you bought it to ship it locked already.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I saw people importing note 4 sm-910c to USA because its compatible with US lte frequences Same model sold in Russia. I think device itself can support this frequnces though they are not used there.
I'd wait before presuming the Snapdragon model will be superior to the Exynos, especially in terms of things like overheat and reception. It's certainly possible it will be the better option, but there is no guarantee yet. And especially with the debacle on the 810, Snapdragon haven't exactly covered themselves in glory recently.
Hardly anyone has the Exynos model yet, whilst there are a lot of T-Mobile customers in the US who have the Snapdragon, some of who are reporting being unable to use the VR headset for more than 30 minutes without the phone complaining of overheat. Wait until next week and there will be proper comparison reviews that go beyond Snapdragon having a few extra meaningless numbers on some benchmark. That's when an informed decision can be made as to whether it's worth going through the bother of buying your device out of territory and forsaking the manufacturer guarantee.
removed
Beefheart said:
I'd wait before presuming the Snapdragon model will be superior to the Exynos, especially in terms of things like overheat and reception. It's certainly possible it will be the better option, but there is no guarantee yet. And especially with the debacle on the 810, Snapdragon haven't exactly covered themselves in glory recently.
Hardly anyone has the Exynos model yet, whilst there are a lot of T-Mobile customers in the US who have the Snapdragon, some of who are reporting being unable to use the VR headset for more than 30 minutes without the phone complaining of overheat. Wait until next week and there will be proper comparison reviews that go beyond Snapdragon having a few extra meaningless numbers on some benchmark. That's when an informed decision can be made as to whether it's worth going through the bother of buying your device out of territory and forsaking the manufacturer guarantee.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Good point. I bother buying snapdragon mostly because of lower TDP and better 4g reception in past models. If exynos become equal in this areas i see no point in importing. And i dont wanna wait long cause if i preorder before 18 march i will get free gear vr though i dont need it xD
Tectas said:
removed
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Note 4 have both sd and exynos variants. Its note 5 only nave exynos.
TANKRED_ENDURES said:
Note 4 have both sd and exynos variants. Its note 5 only nave exynos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, that's why I've removed the post, mixed the numbering, sorry.
But if you take a look, at least here aren't any of those bands supported at the U.S. variants.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/s7-edge/how-to/detailed-sm-g935-s7-info-t3326180
But what about carrier software? I heard some carriers replace stock samsung apps like browser. Also is it true what at-t and tmobile phones recieve updates later than their unlocked counterparts?
TANKRED_ENDURES said:
But what about carrier software? I heard some carriers replace stock samsung apps like browser. Also is it true what at-t and tmobile phones recieve updates later than their unlocked counterparts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Would be the first time I hear something like the browser replaced by a carrier, but maybe possible, in common they just add stuff though and make small changes (modem, bootscreen,...). And yes, carrier devices in common get updates later, because the carriers have to incorporate their changes (which can be a few days to months, depends on the carrier), but at the european variants we're lucky with stock roms at least (or at least have been). In most cases you simply can flash a unbranded rom there through odin without second thought.

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