Which Galaxy Note Model To Buy For Long-Term Use In Canada Too?

[searcher22]

I'm ready to buy a Samsung Galaxy Note from a legitimate shop here in Thailand, but want to make sure it will work in Canada, where I'll be spending several months, using a sim from their local carriers (Bell, Rogers, or Telus). What model or version should I buy, or NOT buy? I'm a newbie in terms of smartphones and am confused with such offerings as model N7000, N7000A, LTE, "International" version", etc. ? Thanks for your help.

[lomatopo]

I guess it would help if you could tell us which provider you plan to use, and if high-speed data is a requirement?

I think your only options would be the N7000 or SGH i717, and I'm not sure you can find the latter here?

[searcher22]

I guess it would help if you could tell us which provider you plan to use, and if high-speed data is a requirement?

I think your only options would be the N7000 or SGH i717, and I'm not sure you can find the latter here?

High-speed data not required. Just simple web browsing and email. I assume the N7000A and N7000B variants (AIS and Dtac) don't make any difference in terms of Canadian usage, and that all N7000's are "international versions. My first choice as a service provider would be Bell Mobility, but Rogers fine too.

[ezflip]

Although LTE is offered in Canada, I do not know if it is available on a monthly package. Best to stick with the standard N7000.

[trimesh]

I guess it would help if you could tell us which provider you plan to use, and if high-speed data is a requirement?

I think your only options would be the N7000 or SGH i717, and I'm not sure you can find the latter here?

High-speed data not required. Just simple web browsing and email. I assume the N7000A and N7000B variants (AIS and Dtac) don't make any difference in terms of Canadian usage, and that all N7000's are "international versions. My first choice as a service provider would be Bell Mobility, but Rogers fine too.

The variant of the Galaxy Note sold in Thailand is the one with with quad band GSM and quad band UMTS/HSPA+ - it will work at HSPA+ speeds in Canada on both Bell and Rogers - the only caveat being that Bell don't have a GSM network (since they started as a CDMA carrier) and so if you are out of their UMTS coverage area you won't get service at all. Since Rogers started out as a GSM network, they have a 2.5G network you can fall back to if you are out of 3G coverage - this is only really an issue if you are likely to be spending a lot of time in unpopulated areas, though - Bell have pretty solid 3G coverage in all of the major population centers.

Incidentally the only "LTE" Notes I've seen here have been Korean and Japanese grey imports - and these won't work on north American LTE networks since they operate on the wrong bands. The only LTE version that has support for US and Canadian bands is the SGH-i717.

[cdnvic]

Bell has had both CDMA and HSPA networks since 2009. I have a Bell CDMA Blackberry and a Bell HSPA HTC.

[searcher22]

I guess it would help if you could tell us which provider you plan to use, and if high-speed data is a requirement?

I think your only options would be the N7000 or SGH i717, and I'm not sure you can find the latter here?

High-speed data not required. Just simple web browsing and email. I assume the N7000A and N7000B variants (AIS and Dtac) don't make any difference in terms of Canadian usage, and that all N7000's are "international versions. My first choice as a service provider would be Bell Mobility, but Rogers fine too.

The variant of the Galaxy Note sold in Thailand is the one with with quad band GSM and quad band UMTS/HSPA+ - it will work at HSPA+ speeds in Canada on both Bell and Rogers - the only caveat being that Bell don't have a GSM network (since they started as a CDMA carrier) and so if you are out of their UMTS coverage area you won't get service at all. Since Rogers started out as a GSM network, they have a 2.5G network you can fall back to if you are out of 3G coverage - this is only really an issue if you are likely to be spending a lot of time in unpopulated areas, though - Bell have pretty solid 3G coverage in all of the major population centers.

Incidentally the only "LTE" Notes I've seen here have been Korean and Japanese grey imports - and these won't work on north American LTE networks since they operate on the wrong bands. The only LTE version that has support for US and Canadian bands is the SGH-i717.

Thanks Trimesh for that very helpful information, and to everyone else who contributed. I'm gonna to be the proud daddy of a new Galaxy soon!