Develop Bugs

[Q] Wanting to buy an S3 in hawaii, wondering if it will work anywhere else

Hi all, i travelling to hawaii soon, and was thinking about purchasing a galaxy s3 while i am there, will i have any problems using this phone once i return to australia, i also noticed there are many variants of the s3, is there any i should avoid, or are they all the same but with different bundled software ?
i am keen to flash this device with custom roms in the future, so bundled software is not a huge concern of mine

Its either at&t or T-Mobile versions of galaxy s3 will work in your country but remember it will be sim locked...
Edit: might vary in Hawaii not sure if T-Mobile has network there...
Sent from my SGH-T999V using XDA Premium HD app

They definitely have network there. My brother just moved there, and there are a few members on here also.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

Yes there's network here. Lol.
Sent from my SGH-T999 with frosty jellybeans.

Wouldn't i be able to use the application 'GalaxSim Unlock' to unlock the sim, or would the S3's in hawaii likely be the Us qualcomm based GS3's ?

Why dont you just get one in Australia? Seems like a lot of trouble to go through? When you in Hawaii you just have to put a prepaid sim in it for it to work. Then when you go back home you have a phone that works well for your country without the hassle of doing something special to the phone to make it work for you. Plus you wouldn't be able to access the 4G networks of the Australian carriers with US variants.
Sent from my T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S III using xda premium

Because they are much cheaper to buy, also, i do not consider unlocking/flashing etc to be a difficult task, i actually enjoy it, call it a pastime that i enjoy if you wish.
Also, only the 4G version of the S3 is going to work on a 4G network, so if i dont buy the 4G version, its not going to be a problem anywhere in the world

Fair enough.
Sent from my T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy S III using xda premium

The g1 and touch pro 2 I got in Hawaii work out of the states
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

nyarlathotep said:
Because they are much cheaper to buy, also, i do not consider unlocking/flashing etc to be a difficult task, i actually enjoy it, call it a pastime that i enjoy if you wish.
Also, only the 4G version of the S3 is going to work on a 4G network, so if i dont buy the 4G version, its not going to be a problem anywhere in the world
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What? All versions of the S3 are "4G". The one in hawaii will be Qualcomm based. If you buy an ATT one in Hawaii the LTE will not work in Australia
Sent from my SGH-T999

joshnichols189 said:
What? All versions of the S3 are "4G". The one in hawaii will be Qualcomm based. If you buy an ATT one in Hawaii the LTE will not work in Australia
Sent from my SGH-T999
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i beg to differ in regards to your comment of 'All versions of the S3 are "4G"'

Lets Make it happen, Any model Galaxy3 on any network?

Ok ima try to keep it as short and simple as i can. I have a stock T-999 s3 tweaked to perfection running of Net-10 prepaid with the bring your own sim. Not only that I have it network unlocked so no matter what sim i place in weather its AT&T, t-Mobile, straight talk ect. i have service, each service i can critique to its best functions. Now heres my point. I also have a US Cellular galaxy S3 , rooted, and no matter what i do or try i cannot get this specific model to run a gsm provider via sim card. Im no wiz, but i get the idea, and my idea is to take this phone that is not supposed to operate on gsm carriers and make it operate. A recent example of success doing so was with my Droid Razr Maxx HD, i was able to successfully root the phone but as you all know verizon does not support us gsm carriers within the united states , or even on their network for that matter they block it. however after flashing a different modem, i am currently running t-mobile with great service! So any talk of "its impossible" i dont need, negitivity is not needed. i am fresh to this stuff but it fascinates me. cutting to the chase, what needs to be done to this sgs3 model #SCH-R530U to make it operate and function on a gsm carrier within the United states. Hacking Manipulating and tricking is all welcome that what were all about. Ive tried several things changing to global mode, gsm only,, faking gps positions to outside the u.s. and apn settings among countless hours beyond and im at a loss.. please im open to ideas and suggestions hopefully one day we make every model capable as nevery other

I believe the issue you are facing is because that particular S3 does not contain the necessary GSM radio chip needed to use those networks.
According to this (and its a wiki so it could be wrong):
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_S_III
That S3 does not have any GSM bands for 2G or 3G.
However, once T-Mobile launches its 4G LTE on the AWS band, it should work...assuming the 4G network is both voice & data over LTE AWS.
The RAZR does work cause it does have the necessary 2G/3G GSM radio chip.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

Simply put, the Verizon galaxy s3 is the only variant that has both CDMA and GSM bands. So if you wanted to do what you're saying, it would be most possible with the Verizon variant.
But for what you want to do, you'll need a world phone. And I believe the Verizon s3 is a world phone. Just gotta "hack" the GSM bands. Since they aren't active by default. But your T-Mobile att s3 will never work on CDMA. Also not lte will most likely not work on other carriers.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

Just curious about this. There is a lot of talk about T-Mobile S3 running/not running LTE once it starts, but what about this setting on my T999?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

Cannibalshymn said:
Just curious about this. There is a lot of talk about T-Mobile S3 running/not running LTE once it starts, but what about this setting on my T999?
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh god not this again.
Sent from Flip's S3

elflip88 said:
Oh god not this again.
Sent from Flip's S3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

elflip88 said:
Oh god not this again.
Sent from Flip's S3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You read my mind.
Sent from my SGH-T999
"So I put my phone into airplane mode and threw it... worst transformer ever. -.-" -My friend

T-Mobile LTE working with unlocked SIII

Just wanted to let you guys know that LTE works beautifully on an unlocked ATT SIII.

so what if we flash an att rom that takes advantage of the lte radio in the phone (if we truly have one in the tmo version)

Now i am not sure on that. Maybe you should try

Gotta be worth a shot:thumbup:
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

The Tmobile S3 does NOT have an LTE radio...
not sure why you are suggesting to people to flash a ATT rom on the T-999...

majic12 said:
The Tmobile S3 does NOT have an LTE radio...
not sure why you are suggesting to people to flash a ATT rom on the T-999...
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
identical hardware... it was just an idea. nobody can get the lte radio myth straight, so idk what to believe.

Maybe a dumb question but arent radios flashable? Beings as the hardware is the same coukdnt we flash an att radio and rom and use our phones like they were an unlocked att version
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 08:19 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:59 PM ----------
Not that it really matters just trying learn more about these phones
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

Yes it can be done but i have had bad experiences with radios causing serious OS issues. If someone had an S III to test with that would be great.

If you flash a att radio on a tmobile phone, You might be dealing with a serious brick.

I'm confused as to why this is up and getting attention lol? I might just be brain farting but, the person posts about his AT&T phone, with at&t bands (LTE) that they work on LTE??? I'm confused as to why this is news? Enlighten me maybe...

April fools everybody.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app

gyggyty said:
April fools everybody.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
April Fools with a bricked S3! Don't know if I should laugh or cry...

Think the OP was just stating that his ATT S3 is working on TMO's LTE network...
The ATT has different hardware than the TMO S3...its not the radio software thats the issue...its the lack of a LTE antennae on the T-999
I believe the latest software update that tmo rolled out took out the LTE software that was in previous builds

While I don't thing we will get lte on our phones the thought of the hardware being different is hard to swallow. One of Samsung's deal with the s3 was hardware unity. With this they have one plant, one run to manufactur phones and when a carrier need a stock of phone all that was needed was software. This idea of a different model just for tmobile is hard for me to believe.
Once again I still don't see lte comung for us, so please don't assume I am giving any hope to get it
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

The Tmobile S3 has the exact same hardware as all the other US carriers including the antenna and modem, Tmobile just decided to use different lte bands. They will not enable the lte on the Tmobile S3.
http://m.computerworld.com/s/articl...phones_won_t_work_with_T_Mobile_s_LTE_network
Sent from my wickedly awesome Galaxy S3 using my fingers. Duh!!!

truckerdewd said:
The Tmobile S3 has the exact same hardware as all the other US carriers including the antenna and modem, Tmobile just decided to use different lte bands. They will not enable the lte on the Tmobile S3.
http://m.computerworld.com/s/articl...phones_won_t_work_with_T_Mobile_s_LTE_network
Sent from my wickedly awesome Galaxy S3 using my fingers. Duh!!!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If this was the case, wouldn't unlocked T-999s get LTE on at&t?

EtherealRemnant said:
If this was the case, wouldn't unlocked T-999s get LTE on at&t?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If ATT S3 LTE can work on TMOB LTE network and T999 with same chip as ATT version.
sounds like TMOB trying to prevent S3 user to pull down they trial run LTE network.
and also prevent those people not in those trial site switch over other carrier.

I thought this was confirm a long time ago that the tmobile s3 doesnt support lte, As of an unlock att s3 to work on tmobile lte may be possible. if that the case It will be better off to sale or trade your tmobile s3 with an att version of it and you will have a s3 with lte

There will be a new s3 lte version of this phone at the end of this month...the current s3 is not the same as the att one so we will not have lte...
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium there will be a new

gyggyty said:
April fools everybody.
Sent from my Nokia 920 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Still not working for me, hopefully soon. ..
Sent from my SGH-T999 using xda premium

Verizon s3 unlock to Tmobile

I got a free Verizon s3.... I need to know if i can use Tmobile on it?
I read several threads....but no real info.
Any help would be great.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

No. Verizon is CDMA TMo is GSM.

alloycowboy said:
I got a free Verizon s3.... I need to know if i can use Tmobile on it?
I read several threads....but no real info.
Any help would be great.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
verizon is cdma tmobile is gsm But:
u can sign up with metroPCS (uses cdma) owned by tmobile till 2015 ....that's when tmo will phase out cdma network.
hope that helps!

Alright....thank you for the help

blackangst said:
No. Verizon is CDMA TMo is GSM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong, You can use Verizon S3 with Tmobile if you unlock the phone. Verizon S3 has Sim Slot. I'm using one right now
check this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2013647
and this: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1809314

Originally Posted by blackangst
No. Verizon is CDMA TMo is GSM.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong, You can use Verizon S3 with Tmobile if you unlock the phone. Verizon S3 has Sim Slot. I'm using one right now
check this:
Double wrong. Verizon has a different RADIO frequency than AT&T and/or T-Mobile. It is impossible to update/change the radio for a sim on att/tmobile for it to work on Verizon phone. Like said before: Verizon is CDMA (code division network based) AT&T/T-MOBILE is GSM (global system network) now let me Synthesise, IMPOSSIBLE for the simcard to work in Verizon phone with out the appropriate radio for the network!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 08:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:50 AM ----------
porto35 said:
Wrong, You can use Verizon S3 with Tmobile if you unlock the phone. Verizon S3 has Sim Slot. I'm using one right now
check this:
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wrong, You can use Verizon S3 with Tmobile if you unlock the phone. Verizon S3 has Sim Slot. I'm using one right now
check this:
Double wrong. Verizon has a different RADIO frequency than AT&T and/or T-Mobile. It is impossible to update/change the radio for a sim on att/tmobile for it to work on Verizon phone. Like said before: Verizon is CDMA (code division network based) AT&T/T-MOBILE is GSM (global system network) now let me Synthesise, IMPOSSIBLE for the simcard to work in Verizon phone with out the appropriate radio for the network!
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using xda premium

The first touch screen BlackBerry made for Verizon works on T-Mobile so why wouldn't this ? Granted the phone sucks and can only get edge, but it worked none the less
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app

Spastic909 said:
The first touch screen BlackBerry made for Verizon works on T-Mobile so why wouldn't this ? Granted the phone sucks and can only get edge, but it worked none the less
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
some of the verizon phones are "world phones" and have both gsm and cdma. all verizon lte phones have a sim card but only some have gsm. I don't know anything about the verizon s3 but you would be better off asking in the verizon s3 forums.

I know what world phones are. Was just stating to the other dude who thinks it completely impossible.
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda app-developers app

Not impossible. I get 3g on it and that's it. But when i change ROMs i have to redo the whole freaking APN settings again!!!
Too much of a hassle. So i got rid of it.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using xda premium

alloycowboy said:
I got a free Verizon s3.... I need to know if i can use Tmobile on it?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes you can, see this right now you can only get E speed on it. My S3 is actually flashed to Pageplus and I can use it with any GSM carrier here in the US, it's fairly easy to do but like I said you only get "Edge" speed for now. I've use Net10, Simplemobile and StraightTalk, any GSM will work you can also flash to other CDMA like Metro, Cricket or Pageplus.

Maxninja said:
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you have no idea about Verizon S3. Don't try to be smart my friend. I'm very sure that you don't own any S3 from Verizon. Stop BS about CDMA and GSM radio. I have been used my Verizon S3 for Tmobile for more than 8 months.

porto35 said:
you have no idea about Verizon S3. Don't try to be smart my friend. I'm very sure that you don't own any S3 from Verizon. Stop BS about CDMA and GSM radio. I have been used my Verizon S3 for Tmobile for more than 8 months.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
See... This is what happens when a ignoramus tries to be smart .. You don't know what you're saying.. It is a proven fact that you can't put a GSM into a NON-gsm phone and expect it to work! (i tried it.. And it failed.. Invalid sim[in a unlocked vzw phone])
Now, this is posted in the wrong thread.
Phone history:
1.T-Mobile Mytouch 3G Fender Ed. - lost
2.T959V - ROOTED#bricked/trying to fix
3.T959 - ROOTED#SlimRom build 5.5 - backup
4.Moto Razor V9 - broken
5. Samsung Intercept - ROOTED#Stock
6.I897 - ROOTED#SlimRom build 3.1- backup/usb port broken-MIA
7.T989 - ROOTED#SlimRom build5.5 - present

yes but havent tried
there are several places saying it is totally possible and ive called verizon trying to see what they would say and the answer i got, at least for out of the country GSM, is that the S3 comes "unlocked already" and you just put in the sim card from whatever out of country carrier you want. apparently that came with the 4.1.2 update to the phone. Now putting with a us carrier might be different but i cant try it because i have my phone flashed to metropcs and i cant just put a metro sim card in it. here a few places i found just by looking on google
http://rootandunlock.blogspot.com/2013/04/rooting-and-unlocking-your-verizon.html
http://androidrays.com/518/change-cdma-verizon-galaxy-s3-to-gsm-handset-by-hack/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc7PRDPIzHY
and theres a couple more

Maxninja said:
See... This is what happens when a ignoramus tries to be smart .. You don't know what you're saying.. It is a proven fact that you can't put a GSM into a NON-gsm phone and expect it to work! (i tried it.. And it failed.. Invalid sim[in a unlocked vzw phone])
Now, this is posted in the wrong thread.
Phone history:
1.T-Mobile Mytouch 3G Fender Ed. - lost
2.T959V - ROOTED#bricked/trying to fix
3.T959 - ROOTED#SlimRom build 5.5 - backup
4.Moto Razor V9 - broken
5. Samsung Intercept - ROOTED#Stock
6.I897 - ROOTED#SlimRom build 3.1- backup/usb port broken-MIA
7.T989 - ROOTED#SlimRom build5.5 - present
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
U actually can use the Verizon variant s3 on tmobiles network as the s3 is a world phone, now here's where and why most ppl don't, Verizon's network is CDMA as we all know and T-Mobile is a gsm network, so with the s3 being a world phone it can be used on a gsm network but u will never see 4g or even real 3g speeds, Verizon's s3 doesn't have the ability to pick up anything but "E", edge speeds on T-Mobile so is it really worth it? Not in my opinion, if I'm going to blget an s3 I want the full functionality of the devices capabilities, just saying though lol
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

Si you have any idea how to do that?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 12:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:56 AM ----------
Metro now had sim cards running off of t-mobiles towers so I don't think it has to be flashed anymore but unlocked
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

robcop19 said:
Si you have any idea how to do that?
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
---------- Post added at 12:58 AM ---------- Previous post was at 12:56 AM ----------
Metro now had sim cards running off of t-mobiles towers so I don't think it has to be flashed anymore but unlocked
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I actually already flashed mine to metro but then for anyone else that would mean you have to figure how to unlock the verizon s3 and move it to the Gsm for metro. And what I want to see is if it'll pick up 4G
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium

robcop19 said:
Well I actually already flashed mine to metro but then for anyone else that would mean you have to figure how to unlock the verizon s3 and move it to the Gsm for metro. And what I want to see is if it'll pick up 4G
Sent from my SCH-I535 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can say with some certainty that u will not see 4g using a Verizon variant s3 on T-Mobile network, yes its a world phone and yes u can get it to "work" on T-Mobile but it doesn't have the right kind of internal for gsm 4g network speeds, the most u will see out of it is E or edge, 2g speeds, at least until the towers get updated
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

3G
soupysoup said:
I can say with some certainty that u will not see 4g using a Verizon variant s3 on T-Mobile network, yes its a world phone and yes u can get it to "work" on T-Mobile but it doesn't have the right kind of internal for gsm 4g network speeds, the most u will see out of it is E or edge, 2g speeds, at least until the towers get updated
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I dont know why im complaining except for the 4G status but i get full 3G and i have no buffering at all on youtube and its so quick. but you think if the towers get some kind of update then maybe 4g might work one day? because i understand if i dont get t-mobiles 4g but what about metro pcs 4g lte

robcop19 said:
I dont know why im complaining except for the 4G status but i get full 3G and i have no buffering at all on youtube and its so quick. but you think if the towers get some kind of update then maybe 4g might work one day? because i understand if i dont get t-mobiles 4g but what about metro pcs 4g lte
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I can't say for certainty but as of right now any unlocked world phone from a CDMA based network will only pick up 2g or edge network speeds, it may say 3g or even 4g but believe me unless ur in an area where towers have been remapped u will not see anything above 2g ,maybe base 3g ,only because the radio isn't designed to pick up the gsm frequency, now in the near future cdma will be phased out so u may be able to get 4g in the future but not as of now
Sent from my SGH-T989 using xda premium

No networks listed under *#197328640#

Hi everyone,
I have a SCH-R530C with 4.1.2. I want to unlock it to BRING it to T-Mobile. The phone was originally on Cricket. When I use the "*#197328640# etc, etc..." method.. it does not bring up any options under networks. Is there any solution to this?
Thank you!

Downgrade your baseband.
Samsung patched this in 4.1.2
Sent from my SGH-T999L using xda premium

Thebigghost said:
Hi everyone,
I have a SCH-R530C with 4.1.2. I want to unlock it to BRING it to T-Mobile. The phone was originally on Cricket. When I use the "*#197328640# etc, etc..." method.. it does not bring up any options under networks. Is there any solution to this?
Thank you!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
DocHoliday77 said:
Downgrade your baseband.
Samsung patched this in 4.1.2
Sent from my SGH-T999L using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
And this goes without saying usually but use a baseband for SCH-530C, NOT a T-Mobile baseband or you might brick.

Ya that makes sense. With the downgrade does it allow me do the method mentioned above. Also, I don't mean to ask for too much.. But can someone point me in the right direction to find it? This model seems rare.

I'm pretty sure you should be in the Verizon forum, or maybe Sprints.
Sent from my SGH-T999L using xda premium

It would be Verizon. The model number is exactly the same between the two just Cricket has a C - hard to believe they didn't launch with a 4.1.1 ROM though... Let me do a quick search.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
---------- Post added at 11:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:03 AM ----------
I did the research and MetroPCS uses the same version as cricket. You might try these Odin images from cricket users or post there to see if someone has the original ICS radio or if they know another workaround.
http://www.cricketusers.com/root-re...lashable-cricket-sgs3-touchwiz-firmwares.html
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

EtherealRemnant said:
It would be Verizon. The model number is exactly the same between the two just Cricket has a C - hard to believe they didn't launch with a 4.1.1 ROM though... Let me do a quick search.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
---------- Post added at 11:11 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:03 AM ----------
I did the research and MetroPCS uses the same version as cricket. You might try these Odin images from cricket users or post there to see if someone has the original ICS radio or if they know another workaround.
http://www.cricketusers.com/root-re...lashable-cricket-sgs3-touchwiz-firmwares.html
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's why I mentioned Verizon first. But it seems it may not be so simple any more.
The recently released Straight Talk SCH-S960 belongs in the Sprint forums. I spent a couple of days helping a couple of people find and verify this.
So it probably does belong in the Verizon area, but w/o looking I can't say for sure.
It seems these latest models are all now shipping with 4.1.2. (T999L, SCH-S960, SCH-R530....)
Sent from my SGH-T999L using xda premium
---------- Post added at 12:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:35 PM ----------
Oh and the JB 4.1.1 radio should also work. I don't think you need to downgrade all the way to ics.
Sent from my SGH-T999L using xda premium

DocHoliday77 said:
That's why I mentioned Verizon first. But it seems it may not be so simple any more.
The recently released Straight Talk SCH-S960 belongs in the Sprint forums. I spent a couple of days helping a couple of people find and verify this.
So it probably does belong in the Verizon area, but w/o looking I can't say for sure.
It seems these latest models are all now shipping with 4.1.2. (T999L, SCH-S960, SCH-R530....)
Sent from my SGH-T999L using xda premium
---------- Post added at 12:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:35 PM ----------
Oh and the JB 4.1.1 radio should also work. I don't think you need to downgrade all the way to ics.
Sent from my SGH-T999L using xda premium
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It makes sense that the St version is Sprint - all of their Android phones are Sprint. They don't want to pay what At&t and Verizon want for smartphones. Sprint gives em cheap at wholesale.
The R530 seems to be the same for Verizon, MetroPCS, and Us Cellular. From research, the JB update was a 4.1.2 radio - also some are saying that the ICS radio might not even work with that workaround. The MetroPCS version appears to be the exact same as the Cricket version so it should be safe to flash. Emphasis on should.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 4 Beta

EtherealRemnant said:
It makes sense that the St version is Sprint - all of their Android phones are Sprint. They don't want to pay what At&t and Verizon want for smartphones. Sprint gives em cheap at wholesale.
The R530 seems to be the same for Verizon, MetroPCS, and Us Cellular. From research, the JB update was a 4.1.2 radio - also some are saying that the ICS radio might not even work with that workaround. The MetroPCS version appears to be the exact same as the Cricket version so it should be safe to flash. Emphasis on should.
Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 4 Beta
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Right, and that's where the confusion came from. ST was expected to be with Sprint forums, but the SCH, made people think it was Verizon (and a few thought T-Mobile since ST uses their towers in some places apparently). I was just trying to point out that we can't always go by the prefix in the model number anymore. Why they did this.....I wish I knew!
So when they were updated to JB are you saying it skipped 4.1.1? Sorry if I'm getting myself confused or misunderstanding you.
And I'd have to look, but I thought the unlock worked for ics too. But I could be wrong.
Also POSSIBLE, but not recommended, is flashing another models radio. Most of the S3's have the same partition layout. I know several that have flashed other radios w/o bricking. It didn't work, but it didn't hurt anything either. Could it be possible to do this just to unlock, then go back to stock radio?
For example, AT&T users and T-Mobile users have tried each other's radios. All T999 variants can safely flash each other's radios too. They may not work at all, or only partially, but they were able to simply reflash their correct ones. This makes me think that as a last resort it could be attempted. I do not and will not recommend it since I know next to nothing about the 530, but figured I'd throw it out there in case anyone wants to look into it.
Sent from my SGH-T999L using xda premium

Im confuse isnt it that a CDMA model? Would it actually work with tmobile? Using the global phone hack might help but im not sure.
Also Cricket seems to have similar devices as metropcs. Same hardware too?
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gypsy214 said:
Im confuse isnt it that a CDMA model? Would it actually work with tmobile? Using the global phone hack might help but im not sure.
Also Cricket seems to have similar devices as metropcs. Same hardware too?
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Its the exact same hardware between the two from looking online. And yes its a CDMA phone but to my surprise it has GSM support up to and including HSPA on AWS and LTE!

EtherealRemnant said:
Its the exact same hardware between the two from looking online. And yes its a CDMA phone but to my surprise it has GSM support up to and including HSPA on AWS and LTE!
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No kidding?!?
So this is like the mother of all gs3's with the ability to function on just about any network?
Now why couldn't they have just done that in the first place?! (No, you don't need to actually answer that!)
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DocHoliday77 said:
No kidding?!?
So this is like the mother of all gs3's with the ability to function on just about any network?
Now why couldn't they have just done that in the first place?! (No, you don't need to actually answer that!)
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The Us Cellular version actually supports more bands than the Cricket version...
Cricket: Frequencies and Data Type: LTE Dual-band: Band 2 (1900MHz), Band 4 (AWS); CDMA 1x/EVDO Rev A, Tri-band: 800/AWS/1900MHz*
Us Cellular: Frequencies and Data Type: LTE Quad-band : Band 2 (1900MHz), Band 4 (AWS), Band 5 (850MHz), Band 12 (700MHz) CDMA 1x/EVDO Rev A, Tri-band : 800/AWS/1900MHz*
We got ripped for sure.
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I wish one day they will just sale you one hardware with all carriers bands enable and none carrier branded. LTE phones now days uses a sim card to get data and works with calls too. Make it like international here in the us. Buy a phone and your free to use it on any carrier lmao. One hardware for all. No more difference between the international and us. Now newer devices are like that. Like the htc one and the s4 but we still need carrier approval for updates. Also I dont see why carriers have to put bloatware on phones when you can get them on the play store.

gypsy214 said:
I wish one day they will just sale you one hardware with all carriers bands enable and none carrier branded. LTE phones now days uses a sim card to get data and works with calls too. Make it like international here in the us. Buy a phone and your free to use it on any carrier lmao. One hardware for all. No more difference between the international and us. Now newer devices are like that. Like the htc one and the s4 but we still need carrier approval for updates. Also I dont see why carriers have to put bloatware on phones when you can get them on the play store.
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The biggest issue is all the different frequencies in use... And its going to get worse with the 600 spectrum sale. There are an insane amount of bands and technologies in use.
And then there are companies like Verizon that are anti-consumer... That's not going anywhere.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the S4 was the same as the S3 regarding international vs US. I heard its more compatible between US versions, but not with international since it once again gets the best processor (Exynos octo core) while we get the Qualcomm quad core one. This time we don't even get more memory. Still 2GB.
The international also uses a different graphics processor. Not sure if it's better, but it is different.
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---------- Post added at 11:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:11 AM ----------
Just saw this and thought I'd share. A newer S4.
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE95G05I20130617?irpc=932
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DocHoliday77 said:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought the S4 was the same as the S3 regarding international vs US. I heard its more compatible between US versions, but not with international since it once again gets the best processor (Exynos octo core) while we get the Qualcomm quad core one. This time we don't even get more memory. Still 2GB.
The international also uses a different graphics processor. Not sure if it's better, but it is different.
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---------- Post added at 11:16 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:11 AM ----------
Just saw this and thought I'd share. A newer S4.
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSBRE95G05I20130617?irpc=932
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The US and most of the world are all on Qualcomm chips in the S4. Korea got the Exynos as did most of Africa and Asia in general while the US, Canada, and Europe all got Qualcomm.
That new S4 would be perfect for T-Mobile once they have lit up full LTE since they're deploying LTE-Advanced out the gate.

EtherealRemnant said:
The US and most of the world are all on Qualcomm chips in the S4. Korea got the Exynos as did most of Africa and Asia in general while the US, Canada, and Europe all got Qualcomm.
That new S4 would be perfect for T-Mobile once they have lit up full LTE since they're deploying LTE-Advanced out the gate.
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ok, I wasn't sure about that, thanks for clarifying it. It's no wonder sales aren't meeting expectations. It's basically the international S3 with US memory! (I know there's more to it, but when you really simplify it....)
I was thinking the same on the new S4. Don't see any indication one way or another if T-Mobile will actually get it though. And oh how I hope we do!
I can potentially see many unhappy original S4 buyers soon! (Look how upset some are over the T999L!)
I'll leave it there on my end, seeing as we are now just a little bit off topic!
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EtherealRemnant said:
The US and most of the world are all on Qualcomm chips in the S4. Korea got the Exynos as did most of Africa and Asia in general while the US, Canada, and Europe all got Qualcomm.
That new S4 would be perfect for T-Mobile once they have lit up full LTE since they're deploying LTE-Advanced out the gate.
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Yeah like I said before.. The US GS4 being able to flash roms from the International is a huge + for me.
How about that iPhone? I always heard that it supports all global bands? If Samsung didnt had several different hardware between the phones like for international and us. It would be easier for them to push updates. And be cheaper for them too.. Not having to work on several hardware difference for an update. Maybe they got that idea and started to make the phones with same hardware like the S4.. I was waiting for fathers day to see if tmobile would have an offer for the s4 and they didnt

gypsy214 said:
Yeah like I said before.. The US GS4 being able to flash roms from the International is a huge + for me.
How about that iPhone? I always heard that it supports all global bands? If Samsung didnt had several different hardware between the phones like for international and us. It would be easier for them to push updates. And be cheaper for them too.. Not having to work on several hardware difference for an update. Maybe they got that idea and started to make the phones with same hardware like the S4.. I was waiting for fathers day to see if tmobile would have an offer for the s4 and they didnt
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T-Mobile's "offer" for the iPhone 5 wasn't even really an offer anyway - its all based on their trade in program now. But they did slash 50 bucks off the S4 until 7/30 when it goes back to 149 down and 20 a month.
As for the iPhone being global, didn't they have some super custom crazy modem made for that though?