$30 Predpaid Plan updates

[Luke9876]

I was thinking about getting the $30 T-mobile prepaid plan (100 minutes, unlimited text and web) and using it with a GS3. My question is if when buying the phone whether I should get the US version or the international version, or if thered be any difference at all. Are amazon vendors reliable at all, because I'm seeing unlocked GS3s on there for about $450 and this seems a bit too good to be true considering they're like $600 from carriers. Also, does anyone know if updates for the GS3 will be available through this plan?

Aside from that, I heard rumors that the GS3 would include some software features showed in the GS4 in a 4.2 update. Does anyone have some more information on this? And when will it be getting the Jelly Bean update if at all?

 

[GTWalling]

As for which version, you should go with the T-Mobile version. The International and the AT&T version may not have the right Frequency's to work fully work. If LTE is important (battery drainer) hold off till they release the LTE version. That said the speed for the LTE and HSPA+ are close to each other.
There are plans for 4.2 to be released for the S3. This would be later in the year. Right now 4.1.1 is what is available for the T-Mobile branded phone, unless you root (disclaimer> Rooting Voids the warranty).

 

[Luke9876]

The plan that I intend using uses the "bring your own device" method. So is buying an unlocked phone from amazon a good idea? or should I buy it from the tmobile site, although it is more expensive. And if I anyone using this plan knows whether my device will still receive updates, thatd be great to know to.

 

[GTWalling]

You should be able to find a T-Mobile branded phone from Amazon. This would help with any compatibility problems. As far as updates if it is T-Mobile branded you may get OTA updates when pushed. Any other model or the T-Mobile phone you can use Kies to update with the correct software for the phone.

 

[Luke9876]

I can't seem to find a T-mobile branded one, would any GSM one work fine? Would the international version also work?

 

[GTWalling]

I know the AT&T S3 will work, just no 4G and probably the same for the International version. It would be 3G max. Has to do with frequencies.