Root [Verizon] Subsidized VZW or Samsung Dev model

[yenduc]

I'm eagerly awaiting delivery of my GS3 today, on the truck for delivery, and I'm to scared to go mow my lawn, fearing I'll be in the back yard and the delivery guy wont come chase me down.

Of course this morning I read the Engadget article about Samsung directly selling unlocked developer models.

The only reason I even went in and pre-ordered a GS3 was to get one more subsidized phone and keep my unlimited data for another 2 years guaranteed. I was still 100% happy with my original Inc but now I'm all hyped up for the GS3.

Can't determine if I should sell (or return) my unopened VZW gs3 and buy a developer model and spend considerably more money, or wait in the hopes of a true unlocking of the VZW model. I've been trying to keep up with the attempts to fix VZW's mistake, but there's just to much stuff for me to sort through.

What are you all going to do? What do you realistically think the chances are of a developer cracking it?

 

[yenduc]

Follow up question

I remember reading that when people were first getting their pre-orders, they were activating them and some people were losing their unlimited data. Did this issue get fixed? Or should I take it to my local store and activate if I decide to keep it?

Thanks all!

 

[jlinn75]

I am not sure what to do either.. If I return it thats fine but how long before the phone is launched.. I did pay full retail so it matters not with the price.

 

[AntimonyER]

Regarding the unlimited data, all reports of people losing unlimited was a mistake on Verizon's part, and they have made it clear that they will resolve the issue.

Regarding your situation, if it were me, I would keep the subsidized, put a case and screen protector, and use it. When the developer model comes out, re-assess the situation with the subsidized version, and if you aren't happy, sell it as a MINT used phone, and buy the developer version. Almost certainly you will get more than what you paid subsidized for the first GS3, so financially its the best option as well. Plus you are locked in for two years of unlimited, in case Verizon decided to end all unlimited once you are out of contract.

 

[Metfanant]

one VERY large thing to remember...

the Developer Model will come sans warranty...if anything should happen to your device (even not of your doing) you may be SOL...VZW certainly isn't going to help you out...

 

[Matthew]

Regarding the unlimited data, all reports of people losing unlimited was a mistake on Verizon's part, and they have made it clear that they will resolve the issue.

Regarding your situation, if it were me, I would keep the subsidized, put a case and screen protector, and use it. When the developer model comes out, re-assess the situation with the subsidized version, and if you aren't happy, sell it as a MINT used phone, and buy the developer version. Almost certainly you will get more than what you paid subsidized for the first GS3, so financially its the best option as well. Plus you are locked in for two years of unlimited, in case Verizon decided to end all unlimited once you are out of contract.

That's what I would so as well. If I had a NE2, which I don't so for me the Samsung Developer phone is actually going to be cheaper. I stopped into the VZW store yesterday and asked what the full retail is going to be. The guy I talked to said it would be 650/16GB, 700/32GB. If that is is true then Samsung will be the cheaper option. AT&T however only charges $550 for full retail which seems odd since I would think all full retail phones would be the same price.

 

[AntimonyER]

one VERY large thing to remember...

the Developer Model will come sans warranty...if anything should happen to your device (even not of your doing) you may be SOL...VZW certainly isn't going to help you out...

From what I read this is not true. It comes with a warranty, you void it by unlocking the bootloader (just like any other phone).

 

[ajdroidx]

From what I read this is not true. It comes with a warranty, you void it by unlocking the bootloader (just like any other phone).

I thought I read that too. The cost to unlock the bootloader is your warranty. I am sure they keep it on file that you sold your warranty for the unlocked bootloader so even if you decide not to unlock and you handed in your warranty, well, start saving for a new phone.

 

[Metfanant]

From what I read this is not true. It comes with a warranty, you void it by unlocking the bootloader (just like any other phone).

whats the point in buying the Dev Phone if youre not going to unlock the bootloader?

 

[yenduc]

Thanks all, I'm going to go with the use for now and potentially sell it later plan.

Still waiting for arrival.

 

[jackdubl]

Thanks all, I'm going to go with the use for now and potentially sell it later plan.

Still waiting for arrival.

This isn't a bad idea.

 

[commander24]

Follow up question

I remember reading that when people were first getting their pre-orders, they were activating them and some people were losing their unlimited data. Did this issue get fixed? Or should I take it to my local store and activate if I decide to keep it?

Thanks all!

When I activated mine, I got bumped to a 2GB plan. It was written up in the package docs as well. Had to call in and complain about this to VZN customer service to get this changed back to unlimited. Also got a automated email from VZN that my data had gone over 175% of my allowed limit.

 

[yenduc]

When I activated mine, I got bumped to a 2GB plan. It was written up in the package docs as well. Had to call in and complain about this to VZN customer service to get this changed back to unlimited. Also got a automated email from VZN that my data had gone over 175% of my allowed limit.

When was this?

 

[AntimonyER]

whats the point in buying the Dev Phone if youre not going to unlock the bootloader?

Haha, yeah, well there are a lot of people who will return to factory state for warranty claims, which is OK in my mind when it's something that obviously wasn't caused by unlocking it, rooting and ROMing.

 

[nateap87]

Maybe I'm being too optimistic about xda cracking the boot loader. With the bounty only going higher its bound to happen.

 

[inm8num2]

If someone preordered a subsidized GS3 as an upgrade from a 3G smartphone, is it possible to sell the GS3 without activating it and basically not face any consequences? Not lose unlimited, no penalty for not activating new phone, etc.

 

[jackdubl]

If someone preordered a subsidized GS3 as an upgrade from a 3G smartphone, is it possible to sell the GS3 without activating it and basically not face any consequences? Not lose unlimited, no penalty for not activating new phone, etc.

Why wouldn't you just activate it and then sell it?

I think you can do it, but you may have to activate it to make the contract valid. Not sure.

 

[jsimanella]

If someone preordered a subsidized GS3 as an upgrade from a 3G smartphone, is it possible to sell the GS3 without activating it and basically not face any consequences? Not lose unlimited, no penalty for not activating new phone, etc.

You HAVE to activate the phone you receive, before you sell it, or the buyer will not be able to.

I have firsthand experience with this - I thought I was doing the buyer a favor, by immediately shipping off my unopened phone. Needless to say, I got a phone call, a couple days later

 

[bbuck002]

I've had to return 2 different dx's for screen issues. I just returned my rom'ed phone to factory and gave it to them and got a new device, after paying that stupid $100 deductible. I've now found a verizon affiliate that charges a one time fee of $129 for an anything goes warranty that replaces your phone with a brand new in the unopened box device, not the certified like new models. On a side note, you gotta love the "certified like new" moniker. Anytime a rep has said that to me, I say to them "certified like new actually means used. thanks, have a nice day"

 

[Metfanant]

disregard

 

[commander24]

When was this?

Happened on 7/9 when I got the phone.

 

[inm8num2]

Why wouldn't you just activate it and then sell it?

I think you can do it, but you may have to activate it to make the contract valid. Not sure.

So if I return to Verizon without activating, the contract won't be renewed for the line?

Or my second option is to activate the phone, then reactivate my old one and sell the GS3? And this way my contract is renewed, of course.

Hmm...make a profit or avoid a contract.

 

[MrSmoofy]

Verizon's Galaxy S III Is Still Crap, But You Can Pay $600 to Fix It

Thought I would share this with you folks. You may already know about it.

 

[jackdubl]

My question: would asurion still cover it? If so, they'd have to replace with another unlocked phone, so it could get messy.

 

[Deleted User]

So, what do you gain with the Samsung version of VZW S3?
1) it's unencrypted?
2) no bloat? or bloat you can uninstall?
3) Faster updates?
4) easy to root and remove annoying Wifi messages (yes I believe).
5) Can you hack to make it brighter or is that a hardware limitation?
6) Ability to use other radio kernals (don't know what I'm really talking about) to make reception better?
7) Enable BT to work even with headphone jack plugged in?
Are these things that an unlocked version "could" do if someone wrote the code for it?

I returned my S3 for several reasons, but when the developer version comes from Samsung, will I be able to fix my issues? I might reconsider it or wait for the Droid Fighter.