So here's the deal, I can't disclose any of the info about what store in what mall and what manager because I want my guy that hooks me up to keep his job, but he said as long as I don't take any pictures or mention his store or name he'd let me play with it and answer any questions he could. So here we go;
I went to BestBuy Mobile and they had the flier in the entrance with the GALAXY PRIME 4G LTE. I go to this same BBM all the time whenever I have a problem or need my Nexus S replaced so I know the manager and some of the other staff pretty well. When I walked in and asked him if I could see it at first he said "NO!" He told me the story of the BestBuy that sold a GNex before they were supposed to and now that guy might lose his job and he couldn't do it.
Needless to say I was kind of stumped and walked off to check out the 8.9" Tab (I just bought an iPad yesterday and I'm not 100% sure if it was the best idea, but my 4 year old can really learn a lot on the iPad and really knows how to use it.) So anyway, as I'm checking that out the manager comes up to me and said to follow him towards the back of the store where the building blocks are (it was empty back there.) He said he'd let me play with it and answer any questions he can but I cannot take any pictures whatsoever. I agreed and within about 30 seconds he walked out with a white box and when I opened it there was a NEXUS PRIME inside with a nice velvety red interior to the box. Now I say Nexus Prime because thats what BBM is calling it so thats what I'm going with.
My Nexus S is rooted and I'm running ICS so I didn't play with it that much but I will say that even for the LTE version to be thicker, this phone was THIN & LONG. It had a good amount of size against the Nexus S and actually seems to way a little bit less that my Nexus S.
So here's the really great part, I asked him about the GSM version, should I import overseas or should I wait? And if I wait, how long does he think it will be before they get the unlocked GSM version. He said he couldn't get a definite date to me but he's already received some info talking to some of his friends higher up the line of command and the GSM version will be sold unlocked and with no ties to any particular service provider. He wasn't sure if they will offer discounts like T-MO did Nov 2010 but he said it's best to wait and either trade in my Nexus S or sell it and purchase the phone with the black tie insurance.
After holding that phone and playing with it I have to say that it's every bit amazing I thought it would be. Much bigger actually...but still very comfortable to hold and man, the colors were vivid. I thought the Kernel I was using on my rooted Nexus S made my screen look good, but that screen is RIDICULOUS.
So for those of us with T-MO or AT&T wanting this phone, just be patient, its coming. The problem is that the GSM version can't be released until the CDMA version is released first. After that...NEXUS PRIME'S FOR US ALL!!!!
If you have any questions please don't hesitate.
Best regards,
Jon Tula
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