Looking to purchase S3 and have a couple questions before I do

[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

 

[Targon]

Since you are on AT&T, moving the card between devices would not limit you to 2G speeds. The 2G speed thing comes from using a AT&T phone on T-mobile, or a T-mobile phone on AT&T due to frequency differences for 3G/4G.

Now, you SHOULD be able to call AT&T and have them change your account to properly support LTE. I had a Palm Pre Plus with an unlimited data plan, and the move to the S3 changed the plan to unlimited with LTE. You PROBABLY will need to do this to enable LTE on your account.

Now, unlocked vs. International is a big difference. You can get a S3 for AT&T that has been unlocked for example, and that would be different than an International device that is not carrier locked. You COULD buy the S3 through AT&T without a contract, I believe it is for $550 at this point. Since LTE channels are different from market to market, I am not sure if you could get LTE on AT&T with the International version, even if 3G and HSPA+ work.

Then, you have the differences between International S3 and the version of the S3 here in North America. The International is a quad-core with 1GB of RAM, and FM radio receiver. The North American version is a dual-core with 2GB of RAM and no FM receiver. There may be other differences, but those are the ones that stand out. To be honest, I'd rather have the 2GB of RAM than 1GB with quad-core.

 

[mld218]

Thank you for the information. My only issue with the US version is that through AT&T there is no 32gb version. I believe AT&T only offers a 16 gb version of the S3. If I am incorrect I would definately buy the US version over the international one.

 

[Targon]

To be honest, since you CAN put in a 64GB MicroSD card, I don't see that it should be THAT big a deal for the 16GB vs. 32GB version. For the iPhone, it is a big issue since there is no slot, but seriously, do you REALLY need 96GB of storage vs. 80GB?

 

[mld218]

Actually, I would like as much sorage space as possible. I have a music library of well over 300 gb. I do realizre that whatever device I use it will not hold my entire library but I am concerned that 16gb is not enough space for apps. Knowing that I can't put apps on the SD card I figured after formatting and the op system load I am probably down to 12 gb or maybe a little less.
I agree the 2gb of ram is more important than the quad core processor.

Thanks for all of the information, I am definately more informed due to your responses.

Thanks
Mike

 

[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 and get 3G speeds?

Thanks
Mike

 

[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 and get 3G speeds?

Thanks
Mike

 

[Targon]

I don't think any of the carriers in the USA offer a 32GB version, and the international version isn't the same, so you'd lose out on LTE and have only 1GB of RAM.

 

[mty msi]

No because AT&T uses GPRS network & Verizon uses CDMA so a Verizon phone is not compatible with the AT&T network. Not sure but I think you'd run into frequency problems with the Sprint or T-Mobile phones. I don't think any of the carrier branded phones are cross compatible with other networks. If you want 4G you can't use the unlocked international version because the quad core chip it uses is incompatible with 4G.