Couple questions about GS3 before purchasing

[mld218]

Currently I own an iphone4 and am on the AT&T network. I will probably not change networks because I am piggybacked on my wife's plan but just in case I am thinking about purchasing an unlocked S3. Partly because of the 2 year contract and partly because I do not believe AT&T offers a 32gb version of this phone. If buying I would definately want to 32gb version and then will add an additional 64gb card.

My main question is regarding data speeds. I have seen reviews where people that have put their sim cards in unlocked phones and are no longer able to get 3g speeds and are limited to edge. If I pull the sim card out of my Iphone4 which is with AT&T and put it in an unlocked S3 will I be limited to edge speeds or is that only an issue if switch carriers.

I have had my iphone for over 2 years so I can upgrade without a problem through AT&T but at the moment not so sure I am willing to sign up for an additional 2 year contract with them. If i don't like the android phone I can still then use my upgrade and go back to iphone or use my iphone4 if need be. I don't want to go back to edge to do that though.

Any help would be greatly appreciated on this
Thanks
Mike

 

[smooth4lyfe]

Currently I own an iphone4 and am on the AT&T network. I will probably not change networks because I am piggybacked on my wife's plan but just in case I am thinking about purchasing an unlocked S3. Partly because of the 2 year contract and partly because I do not believe AT&T offers a 32gb version of this phone. If buying I would definately want to 32gb version and then will add an additional 64gb card.

My main question is regarding data speeds. I have seen reviews where people that have put their sim cards in unlocked phones and are no longer able to get 3g speeds and are limited to edge. If I pull the sim card out of my Iphone4 which is with AT&T and put it in an unlocked S3 will I be limited to edge speeds or is that only an issue if switch carriers.

I have had my iphone for over 2 years so I can upgrade without a problem through AT&T but at the moment not so sure I am willing to sign up for an additional 2 year contract with them. If i don't like the android phone I can still then use my upgrade and go back to iphone or use my iphone4 if need be. I don't want to go back to edge to do that though.

Any help would be greatly appreciated on this
Thanks
Mike

You can just buy an unlocked version from AT&T and I think you should still be able to have 4G LTE speeds, I'll need another confirmation from other members though

 

[funkylogik]

data depends if youre buying the international (gt-i9300) one or a north american one mate. international is a BIT faster but doesnt have LTE (4g)
im not sure which ones work on at&t but check out the gt-i9305 (LTE, quad core AND 2gb ram)

global s3, UK. Ask me anything and ill reply even if its just an intelligent (or stupid) guess

 

[mld218]

The one I am looking at is the GT-I9300 32GB internal , Pebble Blue -Factory Unlocked.

I would buy directly from AT&T is they offered a 32 gb version. I don't think at this point they do so I need to buy elsewhere and swap my sim card out.
Thanks
Mike

 

[Srambo217]

I've never heard this rumor before. I don't see how/why that would happen. If that were an issue, and you paid for the upgrade, I'm sure you're provider would provide you with the proper SIM replacement at no additional cost.

Sent From My Rooted/Modded SGSIII - If I've helped you please click 'Thanks'!

 

[funkylogik]

The one I am looking at is the GT-I9300 32GB internal , Pebble Blue -Factory Unlocked.

I would buy directly from AT&T is they offered a 32 gb version. I don't think at this point they do so I need to buy elsewhere and swap my sim card out.
Thanks
Mike

the gt-i9300 hasnt and never will have 4g mate.
i get 3g (hspa+) on mine but im in UK.
really dont know how american carriers work..

global s3, UK. Ask me anything and ill reply even if its just an intelligent (or stupid) guess

 

[taojin]

funkylogik is right. If you buy the GT-I9300 you will only be able to get HSPA+ speeds.

 

[mld218]

I'm ok with 3g speeds since that is what I currently have I am not missing anything. More important to me is the 32gb on the international version vs the 16gb I can get through AT&T. If AT&T had a 32gb version I would have pulled the trigger already.

Is there a significant difference in speed right now between the International version with 1gb of ram vs the us version with 2gb of ram?

Thanks
Mike

 

[funkylogik]

the quad core s3 is faster in benchmarks etc but i doubt if youd notice much difference.
the gamble is: whats gona be more important in the next couple of years.. quad core or 2gb ram.
thats why id look into the gt-i9305 best of both worlds

global s3, UK. Ask me anything and ill reply even if its just an intelligent (or stupid) guess

 

[mld218]

From what I have been able to dig up on the gt-i9305 it looks like it is a 16gb device only. I am trying to go with a 32 gb device and add a sd card as well. If I am wrong about the gt-i9305 please let me know.

Thanks
Mike

 

[funkylogik]

im pretty sure theres a 32gb version mate. dont quote me though lol

..actualy i think youre right man

global s3, UK. Ask me anything and ill reply even if its just an intelligent (or stupid) guess

 

[mld218]

I am pretty suire I know the answer to this, but I will ask anyway. Am I able to go to verizon, sprint, or Tmobile and purchase an unlocked S3 32 gb phone without contract and put my current AT&T sim card in that device and have it work properly?

Thanks
Mike

 

[funkylogik]

thats a different side of the planet from me mate but i think we can both guess the answer lol

global s3, UK. Ask me anything and ill reply even if its just an intelligent (or stupid) guess

 

[mld218]

I have 2 additional questions

1) My iphone has an option that allows me to turn off cellular data is this an option on the S3. The scenario I am thinking of is if I am out and waiting in line or something and start playing a game, sometimes games try to pull data even when not connected to wifi. I have a small data plan because I am the best in my family at managing it so I want to make sure I can still do something like that. It may not be an issue the way apps are programmed for android but want to ask the question just in case.

2) Is it possible to store and run apps from the sd card as opposed to the internal memory without rooting? If it is possible I would be more inclined to purchase the 16 gb version as opposed to the 32 gig version.

Thanks for any help you can give
Mike

 

[geekymcfly]

I have 2 additional questions

1) My iphone has an option that allows me to turn off cellular data is this an option on the S3. The scenario I am thinking of is if I am out and waiting in line or something and start playing a game, sometimes games try to pull data even when not connected to wifi. I have a small data plan because I am the best in my family at managing it so I want to make sure I can still do something like that. It may not be an issue the way apps are programmed for android but want to ask the question just in case.

2) Is it possible to store and run apps from the sd card as opposed to the internal memory without rooting? If it is possible I would be more inclined to purchase the 16 gb version as opposed to the 32 gig version.

Thanks for any help you can give
Mike

1. Go to settings>more settings>mobile networks>uncheck use packet data

2. Not sure about apps to sd. But from my understanding its not possible on the s3.


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