Close to buying the Galaxy S....

[Porkchop Flavored Cupcake]

Okay, I'm very close to buying this phone, and more than likely off contract.
My first major phone purchase and it's android so I'm excited.
I want to make sure I don't miss out on anything about the Galaxy S, and I noticed there are other 'international versions' that have more features, like front camera or camera flash - maybe unlocked too?. I really like those additions, and was curious to know if these phones would fully function in the U.S. and have an FCC approval.
I also want to know who's the most highly reputable retailer of these types of international phones online? I can't afford to step into a bait & switch operation that'll send me some kind of chopped silicone that functions better as a paper weight than a phone.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

 

[caliskimmer]

Okay, I'm very close to buying this phone, and more than likely off contract.
My first major phone purchase and it's android so I'm excited.
I want to make sure I don't miss out on anything about the Galaxy S, and I noticed there are other 'international versions' that have more features, like front camera or camera flash - maybe unlocked too?. I really like those additions, and was curious to know if these phones would fully function in the U.S. and have an FCC approval.
I also want to know who's the most highly reputable retailer of these types of international phones online? I can't afford to step into a bait & switch operation that'll send me some kind of chopped silicone that functions better as a paper weight than a phone.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Yes and yes. It uses the same band as ATT's. Best retailer would probably be Amazon if you don't want eBay...unless you want to treck up north to Canada and pick up the Bell Vibrant unlocked (same as international version) lol

 

[Porkchop Flavored Cupcake]

Oh my. I went to Amazon they've got the Captivate down to $90 (on the plan) and goes even lower if you use their credit.
Has me rethinking my strategy, suddenly the front camera on the international version isn't as much a priority anymore.

 

[bobniborg]

How easy is it to get an international version and run it here?

I have to have a flash on my phone for the camera to replace a point and shoot. I do not want to wind up with the iPhone 4 but none of the android phones on ATT are worth it until the Galaxy S line, but of course there is no flash on the Captivate. Though I would love to switch to verizon and get a droid I can't (not worth going into).

So, is it as easy as getting one on ebay/amazon and firing it up?

 

[dmnall]

How easy is it to get an international version and run it here?

I have to have a flash on my phone for the camera to replace a point and shoot. I do not want to wind up with the iPhone 4 but none of the android phones on ATT are worth it until the Galaxy S line, but of course there is no flash on the Captivate. Though I would love to switch to verizon and get a droid I can't (not worth going into).

So, is it as easy as getting one on ebay/amazon and firing it up?

Well aside from changing a few settings to support the ATT Network (i.e. MMS/SMS, Mobile Network and other settings) it should work. As I will state, depending on which network, I would recommend a Galaxy S that has the 850/1900 mhz for att's 3g service otherwise you will be running on edge *especially true with cdma world phones and T-Mobile*. As for the flash deal on the camera, yeah the Captivate makes a great secondary camera, however, it is not as good as my Nikon D40 *digital slr*, and when was the last time you shot a picture at night? A cell phone can have great cameras, however, comparing to a high end point and shoot or a dslr, all cell phone cameras are crap. I thought I would need a flash but in all honesty, on my previous phones *bb curve 8300, 8310 and bold 9000*, the cameras were 2.0 mp and even with flash were crap, the Captivate has a great camera *compared to any older camera I have used on a cell*.. For the price, you cannot beat the Captivate..

HTH,
Charlie

 

[bobniborg]

thanks for the info dmnall. I did a few years of photography so I know that a point and shoot will never compete with a SLR (digital or otherwise), but I don't want to carry a camera around all the time and I have found that most cameras blur slightly inside unless there is bright bright lighting, so I would like the flash to grab pics of my kids when we are out and about and I didn't bring the big camera. But I did some looking last night and you are right, seems like most phone flashes leave a lot to be desired.