Are galaxy s3s carrier specific in nz?

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Loismustdye

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#110163 4-Oct-2012 11:39

Im looking at gettin one, but have been told the 2 degrees version doesnt have carrier specific software and the telecom/codafone ones do which means they chew through the battery sooner on the others network. Is this the case or have i been les down the garden path? Thanks

johnr

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#696022 4-Oct-2012 11:44

They all have carrier specific software

freitasm

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#696023 4-Oct-2012 11:47

The Galaxy SIII on 2degrees comes with the firmware necessary to use it as a Snapper card. This is specific.

Telecom uses one setting called "Dormancy" in a way that's different from Vodafone and 2degrees. If this setting is wrong (for example if you get a Vodafone handset and use on Telecom) then it will use more battery. This is specific.

Even though the Galaxy SIII supports all bands necessary to be used across all three networks, there are differences in configuration that are specific to each operator and will make the specific handset behave better.

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dolsen

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#696033 4-Oct-2012 11:53

Information about disabling and enabling fast dormancy for a SIII. Note - I don't have a SIII, use at your own risk.

http://www.androidnz.net/2012/06/at-your-own-risk-how-to-disable-fast.html

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#696051 4-Oct-2012 12:11

dolsen: Information about disabling and enabling fast dormancy for a SIII. Note - I don't have a SIII, use at your own risk.

http://www.androidnz.net/2012/06/at-your-own-risk-how-to-disable-fast.html

Requires root, do at your own risk, if it bricks it's your problem, don't ask the telco to reflash it for free, all warnings were given ahead.

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DoggNZ

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#696065 4-Oct-2012 12:20

Since disabling\enabling Fast Dormancy using "FastDormancy Toggle" requires root, it's recommended to buy your specific carriers model if you're not comfortable with rooting (as the setting will already be correct)

However, if you're happy to root your phone, it doesn't really matter which one you get.

I bought an international model from Oz and flashed a 2 Degrees ROM on so I could use it as a Snapper card. However, the question of whether or not to disable\enable Fast Dormancy with 2 Degrees is slightly trickier. It seems Vodafone do in fact support Fast Dormancy and 2D don't. So since a 2D phone can use both 2D and VF networks depending on where you are, what setting should you use?

I installed "Phone Explorer" which shows what Operator's cell tower you're currently connected to. I found that at work and at home where I spend the most time, I'm connected to a 2D tower so I've left Fast Dormancy disabled.

sbiddle

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#696075 4-Oct-2012 12:33

There are also differences in setup, such as the setup for emergency call camping.

If you have a 2d handset (like I do) you'll see a warning every time the phone emergency camps on another network. When the phone reconnects to Vodafone you'll see a n tofication popping up saying that the preferred network 2degrees isn't available.

Simple reality is if you want the best end user experience you should always buy a phone from the carrier. This has been the case for a number of years now.

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ajobbins

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#696098 4-Oct-2012 12:54

You can reflash an S3 with another carriers firmware without rooting and without voiding the warranty. It's quite straightfoward.

I have a generic S3 in Australia that I flashed to the VFAU image and then back to the generic image in Odin. Very easy.

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Loismustdye

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#696117 4-Oct-2012 13:17

Thanks for the replies. Would a parallel imported handset not have these restrictions? The reason i ask is im on telecom and may shift to 2 deg in the next year or so.

DoggNZ

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#696177 4-Oct-2012 15:05

Loismustdye: Thanks for the replies. Would a parallel imported handset not have these restrictions? The reason i ask is im on telecom and may shift to 2 deg in the next year or so.

What do you mean by "restrictions" ? As has been mentioned, any S3 from anywhere will work on any carrier in NZ. There's just slight differences in the software of the phones for each carrier (and hardware in the case of the Telecom GT-i9300T). You are also relying on the carrier to make the changes to the standard Samsung software when updates are released. e.g It may be sometime before Telecom, 2D and VF phones are updated to the Jellybean version of Android.

With a parallel imported handset, it's most likely to have an "International" ROM on it which means it will get the updates from Samsung alot sooner and won't have any of the NZ carrier customisations. In the real world, this doesn't matter at all really (except in the case of 2D and Snapper\Touch2Pay)

If I was you, I'd just buy a VF or 2D one from Warehouse Stationary for $799

Loismustdye

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#696192 4-Oct-2012 15:38

Restrictions is probably the wrong word, essentially i'm wanting it without the "bloatware" or customisations that the carriers put on the phone. Asthis would be my first droid phone i was not wanting to be limited by any carrier specific restrictions if i purchased it from 1 carrier over another. Although from what people have said above They are not horrendously hampered bythe carriers like the cell phones of old.

DoggNZ

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#696197 4-Oct-2012 15:44

Loismustdye: Restrictions is probably the wrong word, essentially i'm wanting it without the "bloatware" or customisations that the carriers put on the phone. Asthis would be my first droid phone i was not wanting to be limited by any carrier specific restrictions if i purchased it from 1 carrier over another. Although from what people have said above They are not horrendously hampered bythe carriers like the cell phones of old.

Well the Telecom one has the cats a$$ logo at startup. I got rid of it off my mates by flashing a new custom ROM. 2D one only changes the stock browser to point towards 2 Degrees mobile site and has the Snapper stuff. Not sure about the VF one but I wouldn't think anything. Good thing about an Android is that EVERYTHING can be changed so don't get too hung up on that stuff.

Of course, alot of people consider most of the Samsung apps in general to be bloatware....hence AOSP ROMS like SuperNexus.

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Loismustdye

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#696295 4-Oct-2012 17:48

DoggNZ:
Loismustdye: Restrictions is probably the wrong word, essentially i'm wanting it without the "bloatware" or customisations that the carriers put on the phone. Asthis would be my first droid phone i was not wanting to be limited by any carrier specific restrictions if i purchased it from 1 carrier over another. Although from what people have said above They are not horrendously hampered bythe carriers like the cell phones of old.

Well the Telecom one has the cats a$$ logo at startup. I got rid of it off my mates by flashing a new custom ROM. 2D one only changes the stock browser to point towards 2 Degrees mobile site and has the Snapper stuff. Not sure about the VF one but I wouldn't think anything. Good thing about an Android is that EVERYTHING can be changed so don't get too hung up on that stuff.

Of course, alot of people consider most of the Samsung apps in general to be bloatware....hence AOSP ROMS like SuperNexus.

Cool, thanks for that.

Now to hit the warehouse :-)