Is LTE actually worth it?

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I have an i9100 right now and run data on the non-smartphone unlimited plan. I've only had the i9100 since October, but I'm thinking of eBay'ing it and getting the S3.

My question is, would I be better served to wait for the AT&T version so I could get LTE or just get the i9300, live with slower non-wifi speeds and enjoy a new, unlocked, unfettered phone?

AT&T prevented the One X from unlocking their bootloader; to me, that already says enough.

Originally Posted by mfratella

I have an i9100 right now and run data on the non-smartphone unlimited plan. I've only had the i9100 since October, but I'm thinking of eBay'ing it and getting the S3.

My question is, would I be better served to wait for the AT&T version so I could get LTE or just get the i9300, live with slower non-wifi speeds and enjoy a new, unlocked, unfettered phone?

LTE is awesome, i have the skyrocket and Galaxy Note LTE versions. and they are super fast on the network, but i am bypassing the LTE and going the international SGS3 because i know that At&t is going to butcher this device stateside. not that it wont be fast.....but i want something un tainted by them......at least till the NOTE2 comes out, then i will all over that LTE phone....lol

Originally Posted by mfratella

I have an i9100 right now and run data on the non-smartphone unlimited plan. I've only had the i9100 since October, but I'm thinking of eBay'ing it and getting the S3.

My question is, would I be better served to wait for the AT&T version so I could get LTE or just get the i9300, live with slower non-wifi speeds and enjoy a new, unlocked, unfettered phone?

LTE is great! But you need to weigh it against the cost of having it.

In no short order, to obtain LTE on AT&T, you must:

• Give up the incredible Exynos quad.
• Deal with ATT bloat.
• Deal with ATT hard-branding.
• Deal with ATT redesign (likely losing the physical home button).
• Deal with ATT kernels/firmware and potentially locked down components.
• Have less dev support (international versions always attract more devs-- myself included).
• Be locked into using only ATT (or paying for a SIM unlock code).
• Deal with (usually much) slower official OS updates and patches.
• Know that you're "in the system" at ATT because they have your IMEI.
• Deal with having no idea when the device is actually going to be released.

I'm sure I missed some.

So, how badly do you really want a faster cell connection?

Hopefully that helps you.

Originally Posted by thebobp

AT&T prevented the One X from unlocking their bootloader; to me, that already says enough.

Couldn't agree more.

Originally Posted by Plexicle

LTE is great! But you need to weigh it against the cost of having it.

In no short order, to obtain LTE on AT&T, you must:

• Give up the incredible Exynos quad.
• Deal with ATT bloat.
• Deal with ATT hard-branding.
• Deal with ATT redesign (likely losing the physical home button).
• Deal with ATT kernels/firmware and potentially locked down components.
• Have less dev support (international versions always attract more devs-- myself included).
• Be locked into using only ATT (or paying for a SIM unlock code).
• Deal with (usually much) slower official OS updates and patches.
• Know that you're "in the system" at ATT because they have your IMEI.
• Deal with having no idea when the device is actually going to be released.

I'm sure I missed some.

So, how badly do you really want a faster cell connection?

Hopefully that helps you.

Great points, makes me feel even better about importing the S3 esp since this will be my first time doing so.

Also, a few have mentioned you can downgrade your data plan to medianet and save $ since the Int. S3's IMEI won't be in the ATT database & it's not considered a "smart" phone.

I will be happy to have the "home" button back since using my ATT Note that lacks it.

Originally Posted by MoJoePin

Great points, makes me feel even better about importing the S3 esp since this will be my first time doing so.

Also, a few have mentioned you can downgrade your data plan to medianet and save $ since the Int. S3's IMEI won't be in the ATT database & it's not considered a "smart" phone.

I will be happy to have the "home" button back since using my ATT Note that lacks it.

If you go with that media net plan do you still get 3G speed - Hspa speed ? Or what ?

Sent from my GALAXY.

Originally Posted by manny05

If you go with that media net plan do you still get 3G speed - Hspa speed ? Or what ?

Sent from my GALAXY.

Yes, and yes HSPA+ which is being called 4G but is not LTE. Have LTE on my Note and while it's fast it sucks the life out of a battery. Will not give up quad core just to be on a LTE Bloated devices.

I usually get 1 or 2 down and right around 1 up which is more than fast enought to stream videos, internet works great, etc. Not that it matters to me anyways because my LTE connection speed is zero, there is no LTE in my area and it appears it is still several years away. Makes it a no brainer really... lol

Once you go LTE its kinda hard to go back to HSPA+

if you have wifi constantly its a no brainer.

Able to surf the web and stream HD videos on the road is very satisfying.

that's why Im so torn if i should get the unlock or wait for the LTE version.