[Q] Which version phone to get? International or unlocked T-Mobile?

[ducster_usa]

Hi,

I've been reading these forums for a few weeks in anticipation of getting a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and am still confused(especially with the news about each version of the phone being region-locked).

My intention is to use the phone here in the United States on T-Mobile and also in Philippines(via a local SIM card purchased there). I've heard that the International version(N9005) only supports 2G(Edge) on T-Mobile here in the United States. Does that version support all bands(2G, 3G, 4G, 4G LTE, etc.) in Philippines?

Does anyone know if the T-Mobile unlocked version of the phone will also support the same bands used in Philippines when I take it there?

Because it seems in my case it might be better to get the T-Mobile unlocked version of the phone so I could possibly still use it in Philippines at their maximum available speed in addition to being able to use the maximum speeds on T-Mobile's network here in the U.S.

Also, are there any specific pros and cons with each of the two versions of the phone?

Any info would be very appreciated.

 

[mehdi_s82]

Hi,

I've been reading these forums for a few weeks in anticipation of getting a Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and am still confused(especially with the news about each version of the phone being region-locked).

My intention is to use the phone here in the United States on T-Mobile and also in Philippines(via a local SIM card purchased there). I've heard that the International version(N9005) only supports 2G(Edge) on T-Mobile here in the United States. Does that version support all bands(2G, 3G, 4G, 4G LTE, etc.) in Philippines?

Does anyone know if the T-Mobile unlocked version of the phone will also support the same bands used in Philippines when I take it there?

Because it seems in my case it might be better to get the T-Mobile unlocked version of the phone so I could possibly still use it in Philippines at their maximum available speed in addition to being able to use the maximum speeds on T-Mobile's network here in the U.S.

Also, are there any specific pros and cons with each of the two versions of the phone?

Any info would be very appreciated.

Here's what I know about Philippines (source):

2G capabilities GSM 900, GSM 1800
3G capabilities UMTS 850, UMTS 2100
4G capabilities LTE 850, LTE 1800, LTE 2100

 

[ducster_usa]

[Info from your link]

2G capabilities GSM 900, GSM 1800
3G capabilities UMTS 850, UMTS 2100
4G capabilities LTE 850, LTE 1800, LTE 2100


Thank you for your response and the helpful link. It looks like both the International(N9005) and T-Mobile unlocked versions of the phone will support both of the 2G and 3G bands. For the 4g band, the respective phone covers the following Philippines 4g bands:

International(N9005) version: LTE 1800, 2100
unlocked T-Mobile version: LTE 2100

What I'm wondering is if it will be possible to use the unlocked T-Mobile version of the Note 3 in Philippines using a local sim purchased there? If so, then it seems like it will be more beneficial to purchase that version of the phone since it will allow me faster speeds(4g) while here in the United States while also allowing me to use their LTE2100 band for 4g speeds.

Thanks for any insight you can provide me.

 

[mingkee]

[Info from your link]

2G capabilities GSM 900, GSM 1800
3G capabilities UMTS 850, UMTS 2100
4G capabilities LTE 850, LTE 1800, LTE 2100


Thank you for your response and the helpful link. It looks like both the International(N9005) and T-Mobile unlocked versions of the phone will support both of the 2G and 3G bands. For the 4g band, the respective phone covers the following Philippines 4g bands:

International(N9005) version: LTE 1800, 2100
unlocked T-Mobile version: LTE 2100

What I'm wondering is if it will be possible to use the unlocked T-Mobile version of the Note 3 in Philippines using a local sim purchased there? If so, then it seems like it will be more beneficial to purchase that version of the phone since it will allow me faster speeds(4g) while here in the United States while also allowing me to use their LTE2100 band for 4g speeds.

Thanks for any insight you can provide me.

Definitely T-Mobile version unlocked.
Not just it has penta-HSPA, but you can use wifi calling with T-Mobile SIM attached to keep using your US number under wifi mode (and save you from roaming).

 

[leesanhua]

Do you guys know, if the unlocked t mobile version will allow us to use it with local SIM card when we are travelling oversea?