Nexus 4 In Thailand

[ptlsheriff]

Hi all

I just planning to buy a Lg Nexus 4 here in Thailand (I had a iphone but its crashed).

The problem is that i will back to Europe in 3 months and i don´t want to have issues with it.

Do you know if i can use a thai nexus in Europe without problems?

Thanks

[thaicbr]

Yes.. No problems.. The Thai Nexus is the same as the Euro Nexus... but do remember that the Nexus 4 does not have 4g/LTE.

[lomatopo]

I have a Nexus 4, purchased directly from Google in the U.S.

I am certain there is but one, single global model/version of the GN4 - the T-Mobile-USA-branded version is the same but with some T-Mo minor software additions - so no problems purchasing a GN4 here for use anywhere. This phone is unlocked, and is simple to root, although this is not required for global GSM usage of course.

While the GN4 does have a 7-band LTE modem, it only has antenna capabilities for 1700/2100 LTE/4G (Band 4), which is used by T-Mobile in the U.S., Rogers, and maybe others, in Canada, and perhaps some carriers in other countries.

Edited May 15, 2013 by lomatopo

[Phil Conners]

There are rumors that an LTE model will be announced at Google IO this week or next.

[lomatopo]

There are rumors that an LTE model will be announced at Google IO this week or next.

This may prove to be challenging. While the GN4 does have a QualComm 7-band LTE modem/chip, different frequencies/combinations of frequencies will need different antenna sub-systems. Note the two different iPhone 5 models (A1428, A1429) and Nokia 920 models (RM-20, RM-21) for reference.

I'll just be happy for a 2100 MHz hack ; can't wait to try the T-Mobile LTE/4G (band 4: SWA/2100/1700) on my GN4 on my next trip to the U.S.

[OMGImInPattaya]

There are rumors that an LTE model will be announced at Google IO this week or next.

I'm more intrigued by the rumor of a Google Nexus branded Samsung Galaxy S4...stock Android Jelly Bean on the S4 would be pretty awesome me thinks.

[Phil Conners]

There are rumors that an LTE model will be announced at Google IO this week or next.

I'm more intrigued by the rumor of a Google Nexus branded Samsung Galaxy S4...stock Android Jelly Bean on the S4 would be pretty awesome me thinks.

Nice rumor, but I think that's probably all it is. Google never took an existing phone and rebranded it, all the Nexus phones were made on Google's request and specs.

[lomatopo]

There are rumors that an LTE model will be announced at Google IO this week or next.

I'm more intrigued by the rumor of a Google Nexus branded Samsung Galaxy S4...stock Android Jelly Bean on the S4 would be pretty awesome me thinks.

I guess a Samsung Galaxy S4 Nexus is due June 26, 2013 on the Play Store for $649. (Looks like it will have LTE.)

I might be tempted to get a SGS4 locally (here in Thailand), then flash the S4 Nexus ROM once that pops? LTE would be nice for the U.S., and even for TrueMove H 4G/LTE, and even DTAC/1800 MHz 4G/LTE (re-farmed) here. Be sure to check the hardware,as there are different versions.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/15/4333716/galaxy-s4-stock-android-google-io-2013

Also a White GN4 is due, along with Android 4.3 on June 10, 2013.

Edited May 17, 2013 by lomatopo

[OMGImInPattaya]

There are rumors that an LTE model will be announced at Google IO this week or next.

I'm more intrigued by the rumor of a Google Nexus branded Samsung Galaxy S4...stock Android Jelly Bean on the S4 would be pretty awesome me thinks.

I guess a Samsung Galaxy S4 Nexus is due June 26, 2013 on the Play Store for $649. (Looks like it will have LTE.)

I might be tempted to get a SGS4 locally (here in Thailand), then flash the S4 Nexus ROM once that pops? LTE would be nice for the U.S., and even for TrueMove H 4G/LTE, and even DTAC/1800 MHz 4G/LTE (re-farmed) here. Be sure to check the hardware,as there are different versions.

http://www.theverge.com/2013/5/15/4333716/galaxy-s4-stock-android-google-io-2013

Also a White GN4 is due, along with Android 4.3 on June 10, 2013.

Darn...I'm Stateside from late may till June 6th...guess I may just have to settle for the LG Nexus 4

[Phil Conners]

This is the first time Google have taken an existing phone, with sdram slot no less, and rebranded it as a Nexus. Of course no laws against that. Still, at double the price of the N4 which otherwise have very similar specs, I can't see how that should be a good deal.

[OMGImInPattaya]

This is the first time Google have taken an existing phone, with sdram slot no less, and rebranded it as a Nexus. Of course no laws against that. Still, at double the price of the N4 which otherwise have very similar specs, I can't see how that should be a good deal.

From what I picked up from the various Android sites, Google wanted to give the digerati, who write up reviews and set the trends so to speak, the latest and greatest in terms of phone hardware using the stock Android. This would give them a Google/Android device to crow about. This would give a halo effect to the Android/Google OS in general, as well as other Android phones in the marketplace.

For these folks, an LG product, no matter how good and affordable, e.g., N4, is not gonna cut-it in terms of the style/hipness factor. Pathetic I know but that's what I read. i agree, for the money, the N4 is the bomb and equal to the GS3 at half the price!

[lomatopo]

It's funny because the GN4 is is a bit more expensive outside the U.S., 15,900 THB here in Thailand - it was 17,900 THB initially, while the SGS4 is 21,900 THB here. I'd guess that SGS4's are outselling GN4's by a GIGANTIC margin. While I own a GN4 I think I would probably buy a SGS4, based on the screen alone, were I to be comparing the two local Thai MSRPs. AS it is I did purchase my GN4 in the U.S. and hand-carried it back, so for me it was quite a bargain (16 GB model; $384.80 all in with sales tax and shipping).

For the most part Google really only sells phones in the U.S., and un-locked phones are just ramping up in the U.S. now that there are so many lower priced non-contracted GSM MVNOs (reselling AT&T and T-Mobile).

The Google SGS4 Nexus looks to be priced somewhat on COGS, but not with so little margin as to impact SGS4 sales through the still dominant carrier channels. I think we will find that this Google SGS4 Nexus is a a bit different from both the stock SGS4 (I9500 available here) and obviously the GN4, in terms of HW and network support. I assume the Google SGS4 Nexus will ship with 4.3, and of course get 5.0/KLP months before any 'stock' SGS4's.

Depending on what evolves here re: LTE, I think my next phone will support additional LTE frequencies like 2100 and 1800. The GN4 can be hacked to work on T-Mo's new AWS (1700/2100) 4G/LTE network in the U.S. now.

[Phil Conners]

(CNET ARTICLE)

Is the unlocked Nexus Galaxy S4 worth the hefty price tag?
In this edition of Ask Maggie, CNET's Marguerite Reardon offers a reader advice on whether the new "pure" Google Android version of the Galaxy S4 is worth the added price.

Google is turning the popular Samsung Galaxy S4 into its latest Nexus phone, running the "pure" Android experience.
But at $650 per device, some users question how much that pure Google experience is really worth.

Full article

[lomatopo]

Unlocked, unsubsidized, contract-free phones are novel in the U.S., so for the vast majority accustomed to the latest models for $199, $650 seems steep.

An Apple iPhone 5 (16 GB) unlocked/contract-free is, amazingly, $649. (A 4S is $549.)

An unlocked, contract-free Samsung Galaxy S4 (I9500/16 GB) is $699.95.

[Phil Conners]

(LIFEHACKER ARTICLE)

Is the Stock Android Galaxy S4 Better Than a Nexus?

Yesterday at Google I/O, the company announced something it hasn't before: a stock version of an existing Android handset. Is it better than a Nexus, though? Yes...and no.

First, what exactly is this phone? Well, it's exactly what it sounds like: a Galaxy S4 that runs stock Android. Google will sell it through the Play Store (like a Nexus) for $649. It will work on T-Mobile and AT&T LTE bands and launches on June 26th. It will come with an unlocked bootloader and Google promises it will receive timely updates, much like the Nexus line.

So what's the real difference between this and a Nexus? More than you'd think.

Full article

[lomatopo]

It will work on T-Mobile and AT&T LTE bands

This is the HUGE 'differentiator', over a GN4 or I9500; it's a Nexus 4.5 .

[Phil Conners]

I was just watching this comparison of the Note 2 vs the S4 - they look very identical...

IT seems the Note 2 has LTE support out of the box, or is that just the reviewed model? If it's a default thing, is it a type/version that will work with the upcoming 4G in Thailand?

[lomatopo]

A Note 2 has a 5.5" screen so a bit more rai than an SGS4.

I am pretty sure that the Note 2 sold here in Thailand is the N7100, which does not support LTE; it supports GSM and UMTS only. There are several other versions of the Note 2, and one could source one of those, or service providers here might offer one, esp. bundled with 4G services.

The trick will be to get a model which supports LTE 1800 and 2100, ideally. But 1800 might be good enough as the NBTC does plan to auction 1800 MHz spectrum soon/next, hopefully, maybe.

Edited May 19, 2013 by lomatopo

[Phil Conners]

Sorry, yes I meant design wise. My point was that everybody is saying how beautiful the new S4 is, but afaics the Note 2 looks exactly the same just slightly larger.

N7000 is the Note (1).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samsung_Galaxy_Note_II lists a lot of Note 2 models, I'd like to know which one(s) support the proposed 4G standards in Thailand? I'm guessing the GT-N7105?

I still don't think 4G is a big deal for me personally, but I might as well get one that isn't seen as outdated next year

[lomatopo]

I corrected the Note 2 model no. typo.

TrueMove H is offering 4G/LTE on 2100 MHz; I didn't see a Note 2 model variant which supports that frequency.

Right now, my best guess would be that the NBTC auctions 1800 MHz specturm next year, which may be used for 4G/LTE. Obviously this is dependent upon TrueMove and DPC returning their 1800 MHz spectrum on 15 Sep. 2013. It is easy to imagine this getting tied up in the courts here for many, many years and/or coups, changes in ruling political parties

The N7105 appears to support 1800 MHz LTE, not sure where you can find one?

Make sure you check out both the SGS4 and Note 2 in person, the SGS4 has far, far superior display properties, which are striking when you compare the units side-by-side in a shop. If you have failing vision, gaming requirements or otherwise need a larger screen, then the Note 2 is the obvious choice

[Phil Conners]

Right, thanks! I'll see what i can find.

Yes I know the S4 is supposed to have extreme pixel density. I think my middle-age eye-sight probably won't be able to notice the difference but I'll certainly check them out side by side.

I've used the Nexus Galaxy since it came out about a year and a half ago, but by now it starts showing it's age with the cpu speed, and i really would like a larger screen than the 4.65". Also I have fat fingers, so a bigger screen to "type" on would not go amiss. The Note 2 seems to be a good match.

[lomatopo]

What is this typing thing you refer to?

Seriously, given the voice (speech to text) capabilities in Google: microphone on keyboard, Google Now, Google Search, etc., I rarely use a keyboard.

I can 'write' an email or IM in 1/100th the time, I can search my phone, bookmarks, the internet, get pretty much anything simply by speaking. Obviously in public and noisy environments some discretion/alternatives may be required.