[Solved] Samsung Galaxy S3 network question

[davidthemaster3]

Hi guys,

I'm currently looking to buy a Galaxy S3 in Canada.

I'm looking for a 32GB internal memory blue model and my carrier is Videotron, which sadly does not have the 32GB model.

So according to this, Videotron has the SGH-iT999 which is for the DC-HSPA+ 42.2 network.

If I buy the SGH-i747 model (LTE UE Category 3 network), will it work with my carrier? And if I buy it full price (without contract) from another carrier (like Telus), will it work (assuming the phone is not carrier locked)?

Can someone explain the differences of the networks to me please?

 

[davidthemaster3]

Well I answered my own question ...

I called the Videotron support and they told me with the SGH-i747 I will have access to the DC-HSPA+ 42.2.

Which is great because after reading about the differences between LTE and HSPA+, LET is definitely the way to go, especially if I want to change carriers after a while

 

[s44]

Uh, they were wrong.

Both phones support HSPA+, but Videotron only runs it on the 1700/2100 (combined) AWS band, like T-Mobile in the US and Wind & Mobilicity in Canada. The i747 (native to AT&T, Rogers, Telus, and I think Bell) has HSPA+ only on 850, 1900, and 2100 and thus won't get any sort of high-speed data on Videotron's network. Also, even if it *did* the HSPA+ tops out at 21 and won't run nearly as fast as the dual-link 42 version.

What *should* work is the 32gb T-Mobile T999 (note no "i"), which is the exact same phone as the Videotron except, you know, with more storage and US firmware. It will also give you HSPA+ (21) coverage on the other Canadian telcos if you switch service.

 

[davidthemaster3]

Thanks s44!

I thought something was off when they told me that, but I didn't really give it much thought...

Anyways, Hspa+ 21 mbps is even faster then my cable internet service at 8 mbps and I would rather have the LTE edition SGH-i747, which I can buy at Virgin mobile for 650$ for the 32GB model with no contract or monthly fees (I called them to confirm). They also said it's not carrier locked so I'm pretty much good to go!

 

[s44]

You're not good. You'll be stuck on EDGE if you try to use that on Videotron.

 

[davidthemaster3]

You're not good. You'll be stuck on EDGE if you try to use that on Videotron.

Oh dear God! I clearly need to research more on the subject...

I'll try getting a T-mobile phone ... although I think that would be more of a hassle 'cause going to the US is out of question for me (I live to far up north to actually make it worthwhile). And on eBay they don't have the 32GB model of the SGH-T999 and the 16GB model costs more than ofr what I could get it over here ...

Guess I'm just gonna have to live with the SGH-iT999 ... thanks s44 for helping me avoid a HUGE mistake!

 

[s44]

Why is 32gb internal so important? Do you really need 96gb total (with micro SD) for some reason?

Anyway, you're welcome...

 

[davidthemaster3]

Don't great performance micro SD cards cost a lot (good sequential and random read/writes)?

I'd rather have more internal memory because I have a lot of media I don't really like being limited by available space ... also doesn't the S3 come with only 11GB 'cause the OS/apps take 5GB?

 

[zerogear]

I got a Sandisk 64GB UHS-1 Micro SD for 49$

 

[shabby]

Don't great performance micro SD cards cost a lot (good sequential and random read/writes)?

They're still cheaper than the difference between a 16gb and 32gb s3.

 

[davidthemaster3]

They're still cheaper than the difference between a 16gb and 32gb s3.

Actually a quick check at prices here and the difference between the 16gb model and the 32gb model is 50$ ... which is less than what it would cost me to buy a uhs-1 32GB microSD with shipping (~55$) ... although for a 16GB model it would be around 35$

 

[shabby]

You don't need uhs cards, get a class 10 and be done with it, you're using it for storage not to run an os on.