Which Samsung Galaxy S III for TMO prepaid 4G?

[gkitf16]

I'm looking to replace an older Samsung Galaxy Exhibit with the Galaxy S III. Need some pointers as to which type of S III I should be going for. Price varies widely between int'l, unlocked, fact. unlocked, etc. I don't want to make a stupid decision or blow $$$ here.

I'm using TMobile prepaid $30/mo. 100 min plan, works great for me. Beats the higher $$ unlimited plans and I'm happy with the 5GB full 4G data. I understand this will still work for the SG3.

I'm looking for the 16GB white 4G capable version, LTE not needed but fine if it's there too.

My options (set me straight if I'm in error here!):
International unlocked
Factory unlocked
Brand new from TMO full price

I want to be sure it will connect at 4G and be recognized by TMO on my plan. Prices are much better unlocked, but which will really work? Don't want to get burned by a less-than-genuine $$$ brick! Tough decision.

 

[new optimus]

I'm looking to replace an older Samsung Galaxy Exhibit with the Galaxy S III. Need some pointers as to which type of S III I should be going for. Price varies widely between int'l, unlocked, fact. unlocked, etc. I don't want to make a stupid decision or blow $$$ here.

I'm using TMobile prepaid $30/mo. 100 min plan, works great for me. Beats the higher $$ unlimited plans and I'm happy with the 5GB full 4G data. I understand this will still work for the SG3.

I'm looking for the 16GB white 4G capable version, LTE not needed but fine if it's there too.

My options (set me straight if I'm in error here!):
International unlocked
Factory unlocked
Brand new from TMO full price

I want to be sure it will connect at 4G and be recognized by TMO on my plan. Prices are much better unlocked, but which will really work? Don't want to get burned by a less-than-genuine $$$ brick! Tough decision.

I would go for the Tmobile T999L version, I will list the reasons.

If you only want to use it on tmobile unlocked is not a problem.
2 the tmobile version has all tmobile frequencies so you wont need to screw with the phone to get the best speeds.
3 The T999L has LTE and while you say you dont need it if you plan on keeping the phone for more then 6 months LTE could be in your area and why not take advantage of it.
3 The international version wont have tmo frequencies.
The tmobile version can be found in 2 versions the LTE and no LTE the price will be similar depending on where you buy it just.

oh and as a side note you can unlock it if you want there is a simple free way to do so on xda forum.

 

[SuperAfnan]

I would go for the Tmobile T999L version, I will list the reasons.

If you only want to use it on tmobile unlocked is not a problem.
2 the tmobile version has all tmobile frequencies so you wont need to screw with the phone to get the best speeds.
3 The T999L has LTE and while you say you dont need it if you plan on keeping the phone for more then 6 months LTE could be in your area and why not take advantage of it.
3 The international version wont have tmo frequencies.
The tmobile version can be found in 2 versions the LTE and no LTE the price will be similar depending on where you buy it just.

oh and as a side note you can unlock it if you want there is a simple free way to do so on xda forum.

What about the sgh 1747? (At&t version).

On xda they're working on getting the aws band working to use hspa+ on non refarmed areas.

Its also at a better price (for me at least).

 

[new optimus]

What about the sgh 1747? (At&t version).

On xda they're working on getting the aws band working to use hspa+ on non refarmed areas.

Its also at a better price (for me at least).

That is what I bought.

I was/am working on it but as it stands the nv backup method (the better method because it allows new modem and roms) wont stick on a reboot.

Something is injecting the old att values in during the boot process.

The old working method involves using the engineering test modem which is an ics modem Now I have that modem on the phone and using a new rom but its got little idiosyncrasies which can be difficult for a person not familiar with android.

 

[gkitf16]

Well, I visited the local T Mobile store to see, touch & feel this afternoon. Initially I had the S3 in mind, but after playing with it, then seeing the S4, I like the S4 better now. Also, battery, camera, CPU, memory are upgraded. Initially I balked on the higher price, and asked about bringing in if I buy my own unlocked. He said no problem to do an unlocked phone and activate it (do I need to do this at a retail store, or just DIY with the SIM card that comes with it?). I asked about the LTE network in our area (but did not get into specific freq's/channels) and was told it is fully active as of about 3 weeks ago. I am in Tampa, FL (major metro area) so this should only be getting better.

They're asking $579 for the S3 LTE 16gb
The S4 is $659 (prob the M919 US)

Online I'm finding the SGH-M919 Galaxy S4 T-Mobile 4G LTE (White Frost) for $569.99 here:

http://welectronics.com/gsm/T-MOBILE/SAMSUNG-GALAXY-S4-T-MOBILE-4G-LTE-WHITE.HTML

A check on Wikipedia and a few other places shows the M919 is a US model:

Samsung Galaxy S4 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The other variant I'm seeing is the i9505 which Wiki lists as the international version. Even though it's unlocked, I don't know whether the frequencies will work with US LTE standards without a bunch of fooling around, unless there's any big reason to do so. Can you inform me a bit more on this, I'm slightly ignorant! I think it's a rather important point, I assume, so I don't screw up and get an expensive paperweight.

So, looks like I'm wanting an S4 M919. Fishing for best safe place to buy, suggestions? Anything else I may be forgetting? Thanks everyone for helping out!

 

[Gman9831]

The M919 is the Tmobile version of the S4 so be best to get that. With an I9505 you wouldn't get LTE

 

[new optimus]

The M919 is the Tmobile version of the S4 so be best to get that. With an I9505 you wouldn't get LTE

Does the international version even have 1700 hspa?

I will google it but thought that question might be best asked here as well.

 

[Gman9831]

Does the international version even have 1700 hspa?

I will google it but thought that question might be best asked here as well.

Nope only 1900

 

[jhawkkw]

Does the international version even have 1700 hspa?

I will google it but thought that question might be best asked here as well.

1700 is a frequency not really used overseas. It seems to be used mainly in the US and Canada. So if you want one that supports it, international devices usually aren't the way to go.

 

[SuperAfnan]

1700 is a frequency not really used overseas. It seems to be used mainly in the US and Canada. So if you want one that supports it, international devices usually aren't the way to go.

It's cause T-Mobile is the oddball. They just HAD to use 1700 instead of 1900. Lol thank god for the refarm project.

 

[new optimus]

It's cause T-Mobile is the oddball. They just HAD to use 1700 instead of 1900. Lol thank god for the refarm project.

I do like that the speeds they are able to achieve using the 1700/2100 is way better then you can get on the 1900 alone.

From my understanding there is no way to run hspa + 42 without using 2 frequencies

 

[Gman9831]

It's cause T-Mobile is the oddball. They just HAD to use 1700 instead of 1900. Lol thank god for the refarm project.

Its cause there's wasn't enough other spectrum, they wouldn't even had been able to launch 3G to over 80% of their coverage area without it

 

[Gman9831]

I do like that the speeds they are able to achieve using the 1700/2100 is way better then you can get on the 1900 alone.

From my understanding there is no way to run hspa + 42 without using 2 frequencies

For 42 you just have to have 10x10MHz just that they don't have that much spectrum in PCS