Galaxy S5 - SM-G900F vs SM-G900I

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kiwijunglist

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Topic # 151359 22-Aug-2014 18:26

Hi

Just wondering which of the two variants I should buy for $758 from warehouse stationary tomorrow?

As far as I can tell, both variants are snap dragon 801 cpu with qualcom chip. (not exynos 8 core/wolfson audio)

SM-G900F (Europe version)
2G: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G: HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
LTE: 800 (B1) / 850 (B5) / 900 (B8) / 1800 (B3) / 2100 (B1) / 2600 (B7)

SM-G900I (Asia version)
2G: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G: HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
LTE: 700 (B28) / 850 (B5) / 900 (B8) / 1800 (B3) / 1900 (B2) / 2100 (B1) / 2300 (B40) / 2600 (B7)

Telecom/Spark: LTE 1800 then 700 (after analog tv retires)
Vodafone: LTE 1800 then 700 (after analog tv retires)
2degrees: LTE: ?1800 only

I have a feeling the I version might be better for NZ, but I think the F version might have more rom support? ... or would I be better with the parallel imported SM-G900H ?

Kiwi

PS: I'm currently using 2degrees in Wellington, but intend to switch to Telecom in 18 months when my current contract expires.

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bradstewart

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Reply # 1113648 22-Aug-2014 18:54

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The G900I since it supports the 700MHz lte. I'm a bit annoyed that the networks here are now selling that variant just after I got a G900F.

kiwijunglist

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Reply # 1113656 22-Aug-2014 19:04

Thanks yea I just did a lot of gooing and discovered the 700Mhz LTE roll out, I'm assuming the 700 will be more widespread, although I'm not too fussed about LTE as long as there is still good 3G cover. Does LTE eat more batteries?

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Reply # 1113657 22-Aug-2014 19:06

I'm connected to LTE 24/7 and it could be just me but I reckon I get much better battery life than when on wifi.

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Reply # 1113659 22-Aug-2014 19:08

3G and LTE definitely use less power than using wifi for data. Google suggests that 3g uses slightly less power, but it is more heavily influenced by the signal strength of each.

NikT

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Reply # 1114941 25-Aug-2014 09:15

Definitely get the SM-G900I if you have the option, especially if you intend to hang onto the phone for a few years.

Vodafone uses 2600MHz LTE for metro infill, and all three network operators own 700MHz spectrum - a little bit of it is live right now.

Product Manager @ PB Tech

https://pbtech.co.nz/smartphones

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Reply # 1115115 25-Aug-2014 13:26

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Yup. I got the 900I. It's lucky the chap at whs pointed out that there were two versions bc I didn't realise when I first went it to grab one.

kent

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Reply # 1117278 28-Aug-2014 14:35

kiwijunglist:

SM-G900F (Europe version)
2G: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G: HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
LTE: 800 (B1) / 850 (B5) / 900 (B8) / 1800 (B3) / 2100 (B1) / 2600 (B7)

SM-G900I (Asia version)
2G: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G: HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
LTE: 700 (B28) / 850 (B5) / 900 (B8) / 1800 (B3) / 1900 (B2) / 2100 (B1) / 2300 (B40) / 2600 (B7)

Can you please tell me where you sourced these network specs from? I can't find these specs announced officially - only on open forums (most of them referencing this post) :)

NikT

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Reply # 1117345 28-Aug-2014 16:25

kent:
kiwijunglist:

SM-G900F (Europe version)
2G: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G: HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
LTE: 800 (B1) / 850 (B5) / 900 (B8) / 1800 (B3) / 2100 (B1) / 2600 (B7)

SM-G900I (Asia version)
2G: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G: HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100
LTE: 700 (B28) / 850 (B5) / 900 (B8) / 1800 (B3) / 1900 (B2) / 2100 (B1) / 2300 (B40) / 2600 (B7)

Can you please tell me where you sourced these network specs from? I can't find these specs announced officially - only on open forums (most of them referencing this post) :)

Samsung's site has all of this information, it just takes a bit of digging. Scroll down to find the lists of LTE bands.

SM-G900I

SM-G900F

Product Manager @ PB Tech

https://pbtech.co.nz/smartphones

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Reply # 1117365 28-Aug-2014 17:05

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Got them from the site above.They are also referenced on a couple of other sites however quite frequently they get them wrong. There are also some news articles announcing 700 support is coming top to Australasia with the introduction of the 900I.

kent

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Reply # 1117383 28-Aug-2014 17:23

Awesome. Thanks. :)