Korean Job Discussion Forums

[chungbukdo]

Has anyone gotten the chance to check out the new Galaxy? Want to offer your impression of the phone?

[Goochmon]

I walked up and down the main drag from my apartment and popped in at a couple phone stores to check out prices and plans.

At an SK telecom they had several of the s2's on display. One of the salesmen handed me one and put the language to English.

I only played with it for about 10 minutes, looking at the camera, the browser, the OS. I would say it is incredibly sleek. Thin and VERY light. It feels well built. The screen is awesome, sharp and extremely vivid.

The phone is fast. Really fast. It's hard to describe just how fast but moving around menu's and applications the phone reacts instantly. Very snappy and just stupid fast.

Its a really gorgeous device. I would suggest going to check one out.

[Sticks]

^What Goochmon said. It is ridiculously fast, no noticable lag due to hardware whatsoever. I'm more than happy with mine, although I managed to stuff up (or it didn't work) the root on my KT device, I reflashed the global firmware to use until somebody dumps the KT firmware, only lost T-DMB, T-money and some other carrier specific options.

The camera photo and video quality is superb, and the software is fast. I can load up the camera software and take a photo in ~3 seconds.
Video play back is also good, runs up to 1080p video without hiccups.

If you're thinking of getting one, i'd suggest getting the KT version. All the phones from the three carriers are identical (tri band) except for the SK version having their own proprietary MMS system which might not work O/S and LGT's one having no NFC and using CDMA so you can't unlock for use O/S. Check http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1055 for more details.

[Goochmon]

Sticks, you seem to be pretty proficient or knowledgeable about droid and the S2 as well as the Korean phone companies, perhaps you could offer me some advice.

I've been researching the new dual core phones for a while and I am going to get an S2 but I want to get it though SK because I use an unlocked Black Berry I brought from home, I registered the IMEI with the Korean Government about 6 months ago and my phone is serviced by SK.

If I buy the S2 from SK would I be able to exchange my SIM card between phones? I know back home in Canada if I have a rogers phone and a rogers SIM card there are no issues, but I don't know if it is the same in Korea. I would like to be able to swap my SIM so I could use both phones. Of course I would be all over the S2 but if I was going out to a bar or wanted to utilize my BBM to talk to friends and family back home I could still do that. Having an existing account with SK also would make it much easier to just insert my SIM into a new phone and be ready to go.

In terms of pricing KTF offers a 2 year contract for an E-2 holder but SKT told me I would have to pay in full for the phone. That's all I know, and that the phone retails for 800 some odd thousand won.

[Sticks]

I had a whole week to look it all up, I think i'm still in the dark about android tbh, lol

You should have no problems using your current sim with the S2, I don't see why you would - you're using it with your unlocked blackberry. I'm assuming it's an SK sim?

The RRP is 847000KRW. I'm with KTF and they deducted a 60000W 'commitment?" and a 20000W prepayment/additional discount as well. So i'm effectively paying off 767000W over 24months. KTF also has a 'sponsor' system where they discount larger amounts from your phone repayment per month the longer you're with them. I'm up for two years - so I pay only approx 164000 KRW for the phone AS LONG AS I'M ON CONTRACT for the full term. Keep in mind there are also subscription/registration fees for first time customers, usim fee, insurance, VAT of 10%, etc.

They might be wanting you to pay upfront because you're an E2 holder. KT are more expat friendly in comparison. I recall people getting galaxy S plans from SKT without having to pay upfront, might be in the old Galaxy S thread. I recommend going around to multiple shops and asking about a subsidised plan, if they say no then just move on to the next store.

[Goochmon]

Thanks for the reply Sticks.

I'm pretty sure under normal circumstances that I would be able to swap my SIM. However, I think that the NFC technology may be incorporated into the SIM itself. Furthermore this whole SK-MMS technology that the SK model uses really throws a curve ball in planning to unlocking this phone and using it back home. The KT model might be a better alternative and I'll just have to get rid of my BB.

I should only be here for another 9 months so I completely intended on paying for the phone or buying out a contract.

[chungbukdo]

I also played with one the other day. It was incredibly light. Slim for a smartphone, not quite as slim as the iPod Touch 4th gen though. To give you an idea.

I actually signed a contract but we're going to cancel it. They didn't have the handset in the store and we found another place that will pay off my old contract termination fees.

Does anyone think the price of the phone will go down by September (especially if the iPhone comes out)? I'm actually leaving Korea for two months this summer and could just wait to buy it.

Apparently the SII is one of the first phones enabled with the payment system that can replace credit cards. (PFC or something). You can use it to shop at Lotte Mart. The main reason I'd get the SII above others though is that it charges while it streams HD out, whereas the other HD output phones lose their battery power dramatically. Now you can stream out HD quality video using your wifi from Hulu or somewhere else, and your battery won't drain.

[Sticks]

NFC (contactless payment system) is integrated into the SIM card. I wiped it off the phone when it screwed up when I was rooting it. I'll go bug them to restore it later but i'm not too fussed atm.

[wishfullthinkng]

i just joined the s2 ranks today. loving it so far and might actually keep me from having to tote around my iphone 3gs as well.

on a side note, does anyone know if there is a good interactive english language subway map in the korean android market that is as polished and helpful as jihachul is on the iphone?

[Sticks]

I'm using Smarter Subway; unfortunately it's in Korean but it's simple enough to use. Tap on a station and you set it for your departure point, tap another station and you can set it for your arrival point then it'll give you times for the next few trains. There's some other options but I cbb figuring out what they are.

[akcrono]

I also agree w/ the amazingness of this phone. I use it a lot more than my old android simply because it can do everything so much faster. The complains are all minor and rare.

[Canadian Saja]

Wondering if anyone has bought one outright yet. I'm thinking about upgrading from my Galaxy S so I'm curious as to what the bottom line price would be.

[wishfullthinkng]

[Juregen]

It's bigger and heavier then the S1, also thicker but it reacts much faster and almost feels like it responds immediately.

Of course, the thing was brand new.

[tegu]

finally giving iphone a run for its money?
but how are the games that are offered on andriods?