General [INDIA] Galaxy S23 Ultra pre-order, offers etc. discussion thread.

[dr.ketan]

2 downside i can think of - if you want to move your sim to any other phone, you cant without getting a physical sim. 2nd is if you format your phone for any reason, you will have to visit Airtel gallery for physical sim

Agree at this point replacing physical SIM with eSIM there is no enough reason. Specifically when you want to move sim to other device in case your primary phone doesn't boot or having other issue when you can't use phone (e.g. Bricked screen) you are helpless till you visit store
But in case of factory reset probably nothing to worry, as soon as device boot after factory reset it should detect eSIM and get your plan activated on its own (probably on basis of IMEI), this is how lte watch at least works

 

[dr.ketan]

Well this is pointless then. I do reset my phone after android version updates. Not sure but if we need a physical SIM in such scenarios, why would anyone opt for an eSIM. What are the advantages?

Read above my msg
I think only benefits of having eSIM at presently is for those who using multiple SIM (more than 2) and specifically frequent international roaming
You need not to carry physical SIM with you but just activate plan from device settings

 

[Virgo_Guy]

2 downside i can think of - if you want to move your sim to any other phone, you cant without getting a physical sim. 2nd is if you format your phone for any reason, you will have to visit Airtel gallery for physical sim.

Both these points are false.

Let me tell you it's a misleading info generally Airtel stores share to earn some extra cash in the name of "sim card cost". Don't fall for it.

So I receieved an SMS from Airtel saying S23U is compatible with eSIM. While I know the process, has anyone done it and if so any potential downside?

Well this is pointless then. I do reset my phone after android version updates. Not sure but if we need a physical SIM in such scenarios, why would anyone opt for an eSIM. What are the advantages?

Below process is the correct process using which I did several times whenever required. You don't need to visit Airtel store at all for physical SIM to eSIM conversion, eSIM to eSIM conversion or if at all you format the phone.

Esim Card Online Activation for Smartphone & Smartwatch - Airtel

Esim card activation with Airtel is hassle free with just 3 steps. Learn what is esim card & how to activate esim in iPhone, Google, Samsung & other devices. Buy now!

www.airtel.in

Note: if you don't have your email id registered with your Airtel connection yet, call up customer care at 121 and request CC to register your email id. Make sure you correctly spell the id to the CC and verify it from the CC.

The only downside of the conversion everytime is that the SMS service gets deactivated for 24 hours once converted.

If you format your phone, just don't erase the eSIM data, at the time of formatting it gives the choice to erase the esim data or not, it's that simple, nothing gets affected with the eSIM inclusive of SMS service.

 

[pratik_193]

Below process is the correct process using which I did several times whenever required. You don't need to visit Airtel store at all for physical SIM to eSIM conversion, eSIM to eSIM conversion or if at all you format the phone.

So if you format your phone or change your phone, you don't need to visit Airtel Service center or get a new physical sim?

 

[Virgo_Guy]

So if you format your phone or change your phone, you don't need to visit Airtel Service center or get a new physical sim?

1. If you want to format your phone you have the option to keep the eSIM data, so why is it required to visit store?
2. If you want to change phone, first get the eSIM QR code (msg: eSIM (space) registered email id and send to 121, reply with 1 upon receiving the msg from Airtel, wait for the call for eSIM change request and confirm it and you'll get the eSIM QR in your registered email id which is valid for an hour. Get the new phone and scan the QR code.

I follow step 2 whenever I change phone.

 

[sandy.parulekar]

Both these points are false.

Let me tell you it's a misleading info generally Airtel stores share to earn some extra cash in the name of "sim card cost". Don't fall for it.


Below process is the correct process using which I did several times whenever required. You don't need to visit Airtel store at all for physical SIM to eSIM conversion, eSIM to eSIM conversion or if at all you format the phone.

Esim Card Online Activation for Smartphone & Smartwatch - Airtel

Esim card activation with Airtel is hassle free with just 3 steps. Learn what is esim card & how to activate esim in iPhone, Google, Samsung & other devices. Buy now!

www.airtel.in

Note: if you don't have your email id registered with your Airtel connection yet, call up customer care at 121 and request CC to register your email id. Make sure you correctly spell the id to the CC and verify it from the CC.

The only downside of the conversion everytime is that the SMS service gets deactivated for 24 hours once converted.

If you format your phone, just don't erase the eSIM data, at the time of formatting it gives the choice to erase the esim data or not, it's that simple, nothing gets affected with the eSIM inclusive of SMS service.

what is the benefit of esim, any network-related improvement?

 

[Virgo_Guy]

what is the benefit of esim, any network-related improvement?

Mutiple eSIM networks can be saved in the same eSIM space, one cannot use the eSIM if phone is lost+ good for network providers/concerned authorities for tracking, SIM swapping is most likely a tiny bit harder for scammers as compared the physical ones, precious space is saved by phone makers etc.. - if we think about benefits.!

Network related improvement? Not that I'm aware of.

 

[Virgo_Guy]

"AWD1" build with May sec. patch rolling out.

 

[Virgo_Guy]

After months of usage, let's all agree to the fact that Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy is a fantastic, gem of a chipset. 🫡

Samsung should work on the cameras with updates, I have no other complaints with the 23U.

 

[praveen6585]

After months of usage, let's all agree to the fact that Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy is a fantastic, gem of a chipset. 🫡

Samsung should work on the cameras with updates, I have no other complaints with the 23U.

Yeah.. That is why i'm waiting for the Tab S9 series to launch instead of going for the Tab S8 series. The difference between s22 ultra and s23 ultra is day and night and the only main difference is the chipset.

 

[enigmaamit]

After months of usage, let's all agree to the fact that Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy is a fantastic, gem of a chipset. 🫡

Samsung should work on the cameras with updates, I have no other complaints with the 23U.

Agreed. Coming from an S21U Exynos its a night and day difference!

 

[bala_gamer]

Anyone tried voice over 5g with jio ?

 

[Sukrith]

Agreed. Coming from an S21U Exynos its a night and day difference!

Same here! Finally gave up my iPhone 14 Pro Max... Couldn't bear it much more! Got very bad resale value (bought for 1.135 from Dubai, sold for 98k after 3 months). Seems lots of 14 Pros and Pro Maxs are available in the secondary market, imported or Indian that iPhone value, especially 14 Pro lineup is bleeding money! Happy to be back to Samsung and Android!

 

[enigmaamit]

Same here! Finally gave up my iPhone 14 Pro Max... Couldn't bear it much more! Got very bad resale value (bought for 1.135 from Dubai, sold for 98k after 3 months). Seems lots of 14 Pros and Pro Maxs are available in the secondary market, imported or Indian that iPhone value, especially 14 Pro lineup is bleeding money! Happy to be back to Samsung and Android!

Welcome back. Any idea why the iPhone resale has dropped? I heard more people than ever are buying them in India...?

 

[Sukrith]

Welcome back. Any idea why the iPhone resale has dropped? I heard more people than ever are buying them in India...?

People in India are obsessed by iPhones because of the "Luxury" it offers and so there are lots of UAE phones here which either came through smuggling or from asking a friend to bring. It costs 1.14 for 14 Pro Max 256gb and that is from Apple Store. But prices in Amazon and other shops are even less because there same phones are available even from USA at 94k. All these phones have flooded the market and all of them have international warranty that people keep buying them up. As a customer I will only think about warranty and not the area from where the phone came from and so people take loans and whatever to buy these contraband. When they can't repay or don't like the phone, they sell it off flooding the second hand market. Right now these are the prices of new phones in my city
iPhone 14 Pro 256gb 1.08
iPhone 14 Pro Max 256gb 1.15
Used phone buying prices (3 months old, imported devices)
iPhone 14 Pro 256gb 80k to 85k
iPhone 14 Pro Max 256gb 95k to 99k
Used phone buying prices (3 months old, Indian devices)
iPhone 14 Pro 256gb 85k to 95k
iPhone 14 Pro Max 256gb 100k to 105k
They'll add 5k to 10k margin and sell these off!
This is only applicable for the 14 Pro lineup and I know for a fact when 15 Pro launches, situation will be even worse!

 

[Virgo_Guy]

.... there are lots of UAE phones here which either came through smuggling or from asking a friend to bring..

How the resellers sell these so openly+using instagram shops has been an unsolved mistery for me from the beginning!! .. as if import laws don't even exist. There are several cases of busting rackets of smuggled iPhones in the airports/ports etc. but what about the shops that resell these? These shops are everywhere in all big cities and there's not a single case of local bodies banning these shops from reselling or putting restrictions afaik.

 

[Sukrith]

How the resellers sell these so openly+using insagram shops has been an unsolved mistery for me from the beginning!! .. as if import laws don't even exist. There are several cases of busting rackets of smuggled iPhones in the airports/ports etc. but what about the shops that resell these? These shops are everywhere in all big cities and there has not been a single case of local bodies putting restrictions or closing those shops afaik.

It's something very easy to do if you have the right connections and people to handle the authorities! At time of launch, 14 Pro Max costs 1.13 in UAE here it's sold for 1.35 to 1.38. Stocks are never available at stores, but always available with these people and depending on the demand it can go closer to the actual Indian MRP. Just think of the profit margin! Another thing to note is, only if you are ratted out, customs will catch you. Otherwise you or me can bring 5 phones and just go out of the airport without any hassle. If your luck is bad you'll be randomly picked, if it's good 1 lakh+ profit from selling all these phones! One more thing is, only sealed boxes have a problem. If box is in your bag and phone is with you seperately, it's fine.

 

[Virgo_Guy]

It's something very easy to do if you have the right connections and people to handle the authorities! At time of launch, 14 Pro Max costs 1.13 in UAE here it's sold for 1.35 to 1.38. Stocks are never available at stores, but always available with these people and depending on the demand it can go closer to the actual Indian MRP. Just think of the profit margin! Another thing to note is, only if you are ratted out, customs will catch you. Otherwise you or me can bring 5 phones and just go out of the airport without any hassle. If your luck is band you'll be randomly picked, if it's good 1 lakh+ profit from selling all these phones!

It being a crime, despite of "connections" & "handling authorities", these shops cannot run these shops with practically zero restrictions unless there's something more to it like legal loopholes or such right? .. several of these have multiple stores across India and abroad built up in a short span.

 

[Sukrith]

Guys, my Google map sounds like it is sick now. Same issue I had with my iPhone and I did "move to android". What could the issue be?

 

[enigmaamit]

Guys, my Google map sounds like it is sick now. Same issue I had with my iPhone and I did "move to android". What could the issue be?

Can you elaborate? I didn't understand anything