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Any Iphone alternatives in Korea?
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cj1976



Joined: 26 Oct 2005

PostPosted: Sun May 09, 2010 4:42 pm    Post subject: Any Iphone alternatives in Korea? Reply with quote

I need a new phone, so I'm thinking about going the smartphone route, but I don't want to buy an Iphone, mainly because I hate that smug *beep* Steve Jobs.
The Motorola Droid and the HTC phones look good, but are they available here?
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red_devil



Joined: 30 Jun 2008
Location: Korea

PostPosted: Sun May 09, 2010 6:40 pm    Post subject: Re: Any Iphone alternatives in Korea? Reply with quote

cj1976 wrote:
I need a new phone, so I'm thinking about going the smartphone route, but I don't want to buy an Iphone, mainly because I hate that smug *beep* Steve Jobs.
The Motorola Droid and the HTC phones look good, but are they available here?


Yes, SKT plans to sell HTC as well as the other major models with Android and Windows 7.

http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/tech/2010/04/133_64854.html
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Senior



Joined: 31 Jan 2010

PostPosted: Sun May 09, 2010 7:15 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

There are a few half decent looking Android phones. The Motorola Motoroi has killer specs but there is zero info in English on the net, on it. The Andro One is a cute slider with a qwerty keyboard, but apparently it's a low speccer from last year that has been warmed over.

There are a couple of snap dragon powered models, but one is promoted by a K pop group. I stay away from any product with a chart topping pop song written especially for it.
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Senior



Joined: 31 Jan 2010

PostPosted: Sun May 16, 2010 9:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.htc-korea.com/desire/main.html

I'm probably going to get this some time this week. The screen on my old LG slug died. I can still receive calls, just can't actually use it for anything.
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cj1976



Joined: 26 Oct 2005

PostPosted: Sun May 16, 2010 10:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Funnily enough, the HTC Desire is the phone I've been looking at too. If you do get it, please post a quick review on here.
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tatertot



Joined: 21 Oct 2008

PostPosted: Sun May 16, 2010 10:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Senior wrote:
http://www.htc-korea.com/desire/main.html

I'm probably going to get this some time this week. The screen on my old LG slug died. I can still receive calls, just can't actually use it for anything.


Is that available in Korea now? It's basically the best Android phone currently available. I'm psyched to see that!
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kprrok



Joined: 06 Apr 2004
Location: KC

PostPosted: Mon May 17, 2010 12:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've had the HTC Desire for a week now. I got it last Monday on release day. It's a wonderful phone. The only two problems I have with it is that I haven't yet figured out how to directly upload to Youtube because of Korea's silly laws and there aren't any games in the market b/c of Korea's silly laws.

I guess my problems aren't with the phone actually.
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Senior



Joined: 31 Jan 2010

PostPosted: Mon May 17, 2010 4:49 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

cj1976 wrote:
Funnily enough, the HTC Desire is the phone I've been looking at too. If you do get it, please post a quick review on here.


Will do. Should be getting it on Wednesday. I noticed a flashy dancing ad for it on Naver just today. Can't wait!
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Senior



Joined: 31 Jan 2010

PostPosted: Mon May 17, 2010 4:51 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

kprrok wrote:
I've had the HTC Desire for a week now. I got it last Monday on release day. It's a wonderful phone. The only two problems I have with it is that I haven't yet figured out how to directly upload to Youtube because of Korea's silly laws and there aren't any games in the market b/c of Korea's silly laws.

I guess my problems aren't with the phone actually.


Youtube is stoopid!

I think you can just download games from the internets and install them manually. I think.

Any other thoughts on the phone itself?
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spaicecowboi



Joined: 18 Mar 2010
Location: Brisbane, Australia

PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2010 1:43 am    Post subject: Contracts Reply with quote

Hi,

Just wondering if anyone would like to explain what type of contracts are available on a phone like the HTC Desire, which looks awesome. I arrive in 2 weeks and WANT this phone badly.

I will only be in Korea for a year on and E-2 Visa. I currently have an iPhone 3GS with 1GB Data, unlimited text and heaps and heaps of calls.

What kind of options would I have in Korea? Are there any sites in English that might explain this all to me before I arrive?!

I hope someone can help Smile

Thanks,
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Senior



Joined: 31 Jan 2010

PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2010 1:58 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

It will be difficult to get it on contract without a Korean buddy to sign it up for you. You might be able to buy it out right if you are willing to stump up some where between 500K and a mil, up front.

If you ask super nice, your school might sign you up, if you give them some kind of deposit.

If you can get a Korean to sign for you, it will cost the price of the phone divided by 24 months plus the cost of the data plan per month. I think it comes to around 50K a month in total for the iphone. That is a gig of data, 100 mins of calls and 200 texts, approximately, there or there abouts, I believe. I think.

I haven't looked into the prices for the Desire yet. I'm guessing it's close to the iPhone pricing. Probably slightly more.
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kprrok



Joined: 06 Apr 2004
Location: KC

PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2010 4:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

For reference, my plan is 200 minutes, 200 texts and 500MB data for 45k per month. I also pay like 8k for the phone per month.

Still loving every minute of the phone. Haven't had any problems except for remembering where things are in the menus. Since it does so much, the menus are a bit more complicated. This is also because this is the first smart phone I've had.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me. I'll answer what I can.
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darkjedidave



Joined: 19 Aug 2009
Location: Shanghai/Seoul

PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2010 9:04 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

kprrok wrote:
I've had the HTC Desire for a week now. I got it last Monday on release day. It's a wonderful phone. The only two problems I have with it is that I haven't yet figured out how to directly upload to Youtube because of Korea's silly laws and there aren't any games in the market b/c of Korea's silly laws.

I guess my problems aren't with the phone actually.


http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/05/133_66057.html Saw this in the news today
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tatertot



Joined: 21 Oct 2008

PostPosted: Tue May 18, 2010 9:12 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

darkjedidave wrote:
kprrok wrote:
I've had the HTC Desire for a week now. I got it last Monday on release day. It's a wonderful phone. The only two problems I have with it is that I haven't yet figured out how to directly upload to Youtube because of Korea's silly laws and there aren't any games in the market b/c of Korea's silly laws.

I guess my problems aren't with the phone actually.


http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2010/05/133_66057.html Saw this in the news today


I just read that article (thanks for the link). I am sorely disappointed with the content (as usual). So Google is blocking Youtube uploads from the built-in Youtube application? Oh noes! Haha. Another feature that most (all?) Android phones have is something called a web browser. It should be possible to launch that application and upload videos to Youtube using the phones. Am I wrong about this?

edit: It seems that I was wrong and it is even impossible to upload videos from the phone using the web browser with Youtube set to worldwide. My mistake.

Man, technology articles in traditional newspapers tend to be horrible.


Last edited by tatertot on Wed May 19, 2010 6:24 am; edited 1 time in total
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spaicecowboi



Joined: 18 Mar 2010
Location: Brisbane, Australia

PostPosted: Wed May 19, 2010 1:27 am    Post subject: Thanks Reply with quote

Senior wrote:
It will be difficult to get it on contract without a Korean buddy to sign it up for you. You might be able to buy it out right if you are willing to stump up some where between 500K and a mil, up front.

If you ask super nice, your school might sign you up, if you give them some kind of deposit.

If you can get a Korean to sign for you, it will cost the price of the phone divided by 24 months plus the cost of the data plan per month. I think it comes to around 50K a month in total for the iphone. That is a gig of data, 100 mins of calls and 200 texts, approximately, there or there abouts, I believe. I think.

I haven't looked into the prices for the Desire yet. I'm guessing it's close to the iPhone pricing. Probably slightly more.


I knew I would run into the 24 month contract issue. I am moving over for a year until my gf finishes uni so hopefully she will sort me out. She's just not into her tech stuff so thought I'd bother you guys with details like this lol. Thanks very much for your help.
Looks like having a nice phone might eat into my salary more than I expected. Bummer.

kprrok thanks for your info too Smile.
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