XT Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini on 2D

Forums › 2degrees (including Slingshot, Orcon, Flip, Stuff Fibre, MyRepublic, 2talk and Vocus) › XT Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini on 2D

FPR

176 posts

Master Geek

#130881 1-Oct-2013 16:37

I see warehouse stationery are selling the s3 mini for $299 at the moment.
I know that calling & texting will work fine on 2D.
But how about 3G?
I getting conflicking info about the 3G proformance, with some saying it will work fine
and others saying it wont work.

any info about this would be great

Thanks.

eXDee

4032 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#905851 1-Oct-2013 17:42

You'll get 3G in good coverage areas, particularly 2degrees Zones. If the signal is weak it'll drop back to 2G speed. 2Degrees does have EDGE available too which is slightly faster than normal 2G data but still slow.

stevenz

2802 posts

Uber Geek

#905852 1-Oct-2013 17:47

The phone supports 900Mhz & 2100Mhz, 2D uses 2100 for their 3G as per: http://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/why-2degrees/coverage

Outside their coverage zones, you'll roam on Vodafone via 2G\900Mhz or 3G\2100Mhz (Unless things have changed since I last looked). VF also supports 3G\900Mhz but no mention of that on 2D's site, seems odd that it wouldn't switch to 900 if need be though.

With regards to the VF roaming, it changes the way their data packs work which I don't really follow.

@KnightNZ

Hiamie

354 posts

Ultimate Geek

#905873 1-Oct-2013 18:17

As I understand it, you need to go to 'Settings', then 'About' (at the bottom of the listing), and check your exact model number.

If you have the i8190T (the 'T' is the important bit) then you have the 850Mhz type that is designed for Telecom XT band (850Mhz). This means it will work with Vodafone/2Degrees data in the city areas fine as will will probably find the 2100Mhz infill transmitters, and for voice will use GSM (which it can do on 900Mhz) when out of the main cities. However, when out of the main cities you will have very slow GSM speed data when using Vodafone and 2Degrees. Vodafone and 2Degrees use the 3G 900Mhz band for voice and data, so your phone falls back to GSM 900Mhz which is fine for voice, but slow for data.

So, in summary, check if your model had the 'T 'at the end. If it does, then Vodafone/2degrees data performance will be rubbish away from the cities, but voice will be OK everywhere. In the cities, there are 2100Mhz 3G infill frequencies that the phone can hop onto for all three networks.

FPR

176 posts

Master Geek

#907200 3-Oct-2013 15:22

Thanks for your advice, I went down and had a look and it had the " T " at the end of the model number, So I didn't get it.
Will keep looking. No point in getting one that doesn't work very well outside of main centres.

eXDee

4032 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#907525 3-Oct-2013 22:57

stevenz: The phone supports 900Mhz & 2100Mhz, 2D uses 2100 for their 3G as per: http://www.2degreesmobile.co.nz/why-2degrees/coverage

Outside their coverage zones, you'll roam on Vodafone via 2G\900Mhz or 3G\2100Mhz (Unless things have changed since I last looked). VF also supports 3G\900Mhz but no mention of that on 2D's site, seems odd that it wouldn't switch to 900 if need be though.

With regards to the VF roaming, it changes the way their data packs work which I don't really follow.

Be careful with looking at online sources for phone bands, as this is the telecom version it's the T model which won't match what you find on GSMarena.

Better to be safe than sorry if you want the best coverage.

AidanS

458 posts

Ultimate Geek

#907527 3-Oct-2013 23:04

If you're in Auckland Noel Leeming have this phone for $249 at their ASB Showgrounds expo.

-Aidan.