Android phones on amazon

gingernut125

Hi, I'm thinking of getting this phone:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009PIZCI8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A28ZF9ABLBM4OP

how would I know if it will work over here?

Thanks

seannash

gingernut125 wrote: »

Hi, I'm thinking of getting this phone:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009PIZCI8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A28ZF9ABLBM4OP

how would I know if it will work over here?

Thanks

Its only 249 euro online(maybe in store too) with vodafone.then you could just get it unlocked

homer911

gingernut125 wrote: »

Hi, I'm thinking of getting this phone:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009PIZCI8/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A28ZF9ABLBM4OP

how would I know if it will work over here?

Thanks

Yes

gingernut125

seannash wrote: »

Its only 249 euro online(maybe in store too) with vodafone.then you could just get it unlocked

How would I get it unlocked? Is it legal? How long does it take?

GreenWolfe

If you bought it with Vodafone you might be stuck with a ROM with lots of branding. There doesn't seem to be much of a difference in the prices either, and you won't have to chase an unlock.

Personally, I'd buy the SIM free model.

gingernut125

EarthlyPangaea wrote: »

If you bought it with Vodafone you might be stuck with a ROM with lots of branding. There doesn't seem to be much of a difference in the prices either, and you won't have to chase an unlock.

Personally, I'd buy the SIM free model.

That's what I was worrying about!

dermo2014

Hi, got the Samsung S3 mini from Vodafone shop on Thurs as an upgrade 249 - had on old vod sim, got it unlocked on fleebay overnight 11 euro - i'm on three, playing with it today , very little Vod branding on it, a big change from my xperia mini (which I still love).

Amalgam

If you're not comfortable faffing about with a new purchase, buy SIM free.

Have a look on Amazon.de. Nice choice of colours.

http://www.amazon.de/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?__mk_de_DE=%C3%85M%C3%85Z%C3%95%C3%91&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Galaxy+S3+Mini

The sterling exchange rate means that, after P&P from Amazon.de. The price works out the same as Amazon.co.uk's basic phone price.. 270 euro-ish, thereabouts.

gingernut125

Thanks guys, I went ahead and bought it off amazon UK already. Didn't want to risk getting it with Vodafone and getting it unlocked, for the sake of saving a tenner I thought it might be too much hassle and potentially a big headache.
Wish I'd seen it on the amazon germany though!

Also only just realized I'll need to get a micro SIM!

irishpancake

gingernut125 wrote: »

Thanks guys, I went ahead and bought it off amazon UK already. Didn't want to risk getting it with Vodafone and getting it unlocked, for the sake of saving a tenner I thought it might be too much hassle and potentially a big headache.
Wish I'd seen it on the amazon germany though!

Also only just realized I'll need to get a micro SIM!

A tenner??

So, you spent around €272 for a phone you can get from Vodafone Ireland for €230??



You may have to lay out that tenner to Network/SIM unlock....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=unlock+code+samsung+s3+mini+i8190&_sacat=0&_odkw=unlock+code+samsung+s3+mini++I8190&_sop=15&_fcid=99&gbr=1&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_clu=2

your provider will exchange your SIM for a Micro SIM.....not a problem.

evolutionqy7

Actually the Vodafone one is cheaper. Plus it's an exclusive version that has NFC.

Plus if you have had any issues you could have just dropped the phone into the store. Now you either gotta send it to samsung or likes of fonfix or fone mender.

As far as I remember s3 mini takes a normal size sim

dermo2014

Yeah, my s3 mini takes a normal size sim

gingernut125

irishpancake wrote: »

A tenner??

So, you spent around €272 for a phone you can get from Vodafone Ireland for €230??



You may have to lay out that tenner to Network/SIM unlock....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=unlock+code+samsung+s3+mini+i8190&_sacat=0&_odkw=unlock+code+samsung+s3+mini++I8190&_sop=15&_fcid=99&gbr=1&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_clu=2

your provider will exchange your SIM for a Micro SIM.....not a problem.

The price is 250, its only 230 when you change your number, 250 + 11 (unlocking fee someone else quoted) = 261, I paid 270~ish so ye about a tenner

gingernut125

dermo2014 wrote: »

Yeah, my s3 mini takes a normal size sim

The normal s3 takes the micro sim I just assumed they'd use the same sim! Thanks for the heads up, I almost made this even more complicated!

irishpancake

gingernut125 wrote: »

The price is 250, its only 230 when you change your number, 250 + 11 (unlocking fee someone else quoted) = 261, I paid 270~ish so ye about a tenner

The €230 price can be got by porting a number, any number, like on a free Tesco, or any Network, SIM.....to Vodafone....

not your number!!!

the eBay link I gave for unlocking is OK........

in fact there is an App, free from XDA, which may also unlock, but I didn't post it as it does not mention S3 Mini specifically

GalaxSim Unlock.......

http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1846451

I am not getting at you at all, but the information given can be used by others who may want to save some moolah.....

Also interesting for people who get phones from eMobile here, I got a S3 from my son which was eMobile......

it was not SIM/Network locked....!!!

best way to check, before buying anything, or even trying a foreign SIM, is to do as below:

• Turn on your phone without a SIM inserted
  
• Key in *#7465625# this will display which lock is active

(An easier way to remember this is *#SIMLOCK#)

• Doing this will display a screen similar to the example below, ON means that particular lock is locked, off means it is not locked.:

Network Lock [ON]
Network Subset Lock [OFF]
SP Lock [ON]
CP Lock [OFF]

This is a screenie of what you see, my phone shows Network Lock [OFF]



Note the odd Samsung quirky spelling....

Personalizatiob...

it's on all their phones [b for n]

If your phone will not display, this app will help:

SGS Secret Codes