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zappadelta
Joined: 31 Aug 2004
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 Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 12:17 am Post subject: Explain Smartphones |
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| I see a lot of folks on here, Craigslist, and other places selling smartphones (Iphone 3/4G, Blackberrys, Samsungs, etc) for 400-600k won. Can't you get them for free if you sign a 2 year contract? What's the reason for people spending that much on them? |
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blackjack
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Location: anyang
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| Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 12:36 am Post subject: Re: Explain Smartphones |
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| zappadelta wrote: |
| I see a lot of folks on here, Craigslist, and other places selling smartphones (Iphone 3/4G, Blackberrys, Samsungs, etc) for 400-600k won. Can't you get them for free if you sign a 2 year contract? What's the reason for people spending that much on them? |
Many people don't want a two year contract.
Say you don't make many calls but you want the wifi.
Or you don't want to carry around an mp3 player and a cellphone. |
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zappadelta
Joined: 31 Aug 2004
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| Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 2:35 am Post subject: |
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| So, if I have a cellphone (not a smartphone) with a SIM card, can I buy a smart phone from someone and just put the SIM card in there from my old phone and use it right away? Without going down to the phone shop? |
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nick70100
Joined: 09 Sep 2005
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| Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:22 am Post subject: |
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| zappadelta wrote: |
| I see a lot of folks on here, Craigslist, and other places selling smartphones (Iphone 3/4G, Blackberrys, Samsungs, etc) for 400-600k won. Can't you get them for free if you sign a 2 year contract? What's the reason for people spending that much on them? |
First, most smart phones are not free even with a 2-year contract. They are heavily discounted, but not free. It depends on the phone and the payment plan that you choose, but you'll likely pay 200,000-300,000 won for a recent model (spread out in monthly payments over 2 years).
As for why people want to get them without contracts, there are several reasons. Some people don't qualify for contracts due to visa status. Others don't want to be on a contract. If you don't plan on being in Korea for 2 years or your future plans are uncertain a contract may be unattractive. The early cancellation fees can be very high. Also, you may be able to get a less expensive monthly plan without a contract.
| zappadelta wrote: |
| So, if I have a cellphone (not a smartphone) with a SIM card, can I buy a smart phone from someone and just put the SIM card in there from my old phone and use it right away? Without going down to the phone shop? |
Yes, in theory it is that simple. However there are some things to keep in mind. Some phones (but not all) are "locked" to a specific carrier. For example, if you get a phone that is locked to SK it will only work with SK sim cards. If you put in an LG or KT sim card it won't work. Also, if you're moving from a non-smart phone to a smart phone you'll probably want to change your monthly payment plan to something that includes a data option. You could do that either by visiting a shop or making a phone call to the customer service center. |
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zappadelta
Joined: 31 Aug 2004
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| Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:38 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the replies guy, both were very helpful. I am totally out of the loop when it comes to smart phones, but thinking about getting one at some point.
It seems from what you have said that if one is certain of their future, that they are sure they will be in Korea for 2 years, that getting one at the shop is the way to go. Is that the general consensus? |
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[email protected]
Joined: 06 Apr 2004
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| Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:54 am Post subject: . |
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My Iphone smart + Me not so smart = still below average
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jhicks99
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 3:41 pm Post subject: |
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The hardware to make a smartphone is insanely expensive (more than the average laptop computer), hence the high prices.
You'll still have to get yourself a monthly plan with data, you're looking at 50,000-80,000/month typically. Not horrible considering what they enable you to do. If you own the phone outright you avoid any cancellation fees with your carrier (in Korea at least) so your contract will simply be month to month. E2 Visa holders can't get the sweet subsidized deals that others here get, so we end up paying huge amounts up front for our smartphones.
Is it worth it? For me yes.... I can watch football games streaming (North American style) on my phone while riding the bus to work, while at work (thanks to flash support, this alone makes me never want to buy another Apple product again)... adjust my fantasy roster, email people, do anything else I want to do on the internet, listen to music, watch movies (without converting them), make free video calls (thanks Tango) etc etc etc... it's a whole other world. Iphone users get a more basic and limited experience (speaking as a former iphone owner myself) and it's also a lot easier to use though... (providing your computer plays nicely with Itunes) so if you're just looking to dabble your feet into the waters perhaps an Iphone is for you. If you want a full on smartphone experience, Android is pretty much the only way to go right now. |
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zappadelta
Joined: 31 Aug 2004
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| Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 4:42 pm Post subject: |
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| jhicks99 wrote: |
The hardware to make a smartphone is insanely expensive (more than the average laptop computer), hence the high prices.
You'll still have to get yourself a monthly plan with data, you're looking at 50,000-80,000/month typically. Not horrible considering what they enable you to do. If you own the phone outright you avoid any cancellation fees with your carrier (in Korea at least) so your contract will simply be month to month. E2 Visa holders can't get the sweet subsidized deals that others here get, so we end up paying huge amounts up front for our smartphones.
Is it worth it? For me yes.... I can watch football games streaming (North American style) on my phone while riding the bus to work, while at work (thanks to flash support, this alone makes me never want to buy another Apple product again)... adjust my fantasy roster, email people, do anything else I want to do on the internet, listen to music, watch movies (without converting them), make free video calls (thanks Tango) etc etc etc... it's a whole other world. Iphone users get a more basic and limited experience (speaking as a former iphone owner myself) and it's also a lot easier to use though... (providing your computer plays nicely with Itunes) so if you're just looking to dabble your feet into the waters perhaps an Iphone is for you. If you want a full on smartphone experience, Android is pretty much the only way to go right now. |
Thanks for the great info. Android is in the Samsung phones right, provided by KT?
Did you buy yours outright? How much do you pay a month? Does it vary on how much you use it?
How is it as an E-book reader?
Do you have to pay extra to jailbreak it so you are able to add apps? |
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jhicks99
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
Thanks for the great info. Android is in the Samsung phones right, provided by KT?
Did you buy yours outright? How much do you pay a month? Does it vary on how much you use it?
How is it as an E-book reader?
Do you have to pay extra to jailbreak it so you are able to add apps? |
You can find Android in phones from Samsung, Sky, LG, Motorolla, HTC and others in Korea. The Galaxy series is Samsung's flagship series. It's the Galaxy S for SK, K for KT and U for LG telecom. The S has a slightly bigger screen and is a little thinner but they're otherwise pretty much the same.
I bought mine for about 750,000 outright and pay 58,000 a month for 200 minutes and unlimited data. There are extra charges for going over your call and text limits of course.
I don't use it for ebooks so I can't comment here. It's more than comfortable for reading news articles online though.
Jailbreaking is an iphone term, for Android phones you can root the phone which gives the user a more "pure" experience in terms of having access to the hardware and eliminating much of the clutter the manufacturer bundles in with the phone. It's not necessary to root it to be able to thoroughly enjoy it. You can also access alternate app markets such as applanet which will give you access to most apps without paying... no root required. |
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Meow?
Joined: 06 Oct 2010
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 7:32 pm Post subject: |
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All I can say is, smartphones aren't for everyone. I was eager to buy one and regretted it after 2 months. I don't go out often. My friends are too far (like across the country) for me to just show off my toy. And since I don't go out, I don't need a portable computer (e.g. smartphone). I don't have anyone to call or send text message to (so that's 300 minutes and 300 text messages wasted per month for no reason). Whenever I try to reach someone at a distance, I use my PC at home (so no need of portable computer and there goes the unlimited data plan wasted for no reason). I don't need the apps for games since I already have 2 consoles + another PC (did I mention I don't go out? So there's no need for PSP even). And I already have MP3s lying around, purchased a long time ago (only use it at work... rarely).
So yeah, I sometimes consider going back to using 2g phones. I already got what I need and a smartphone isn't one of them. It just drove me to buy one because "it's the new thing".
I'm considering getting a tab, though... and then I'll regret it again after some time. |
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languistic
Joined: 25 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 2:36 am Post subject: |
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Smartphones are the things that are making everyone unbearable idiots these days. Shuffling along in the subways and up stairs, students totally ADD-distracted, people proud of the fact that they are the same as everyone else. Keepin' up with the Kims.
Pathetic. Nothing sucks the cool out of something faster than an entire populous drunk on it.
As with tattoos, its far cooler not to have one. |
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jhicks99
Joined: 04 Mar 2009
Location: Seoul, South Korea
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| Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 3:42 pm Post subject: |
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Smartphones are the things that are making everyone unbearable idiots these days. Shuffling along in the subways and up stairs, students totally ADD-distracted, people proud of the fact that they are the same as everyone else. Keepin' up with the Kims.
Pathetic. Nothing sucks the cool out of something faster than an entire populous drunk on it.
As with tattoos, its far cooler not to have one. |
Talk about unbearable idiots... |
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languistic
Joined: 25 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 3:00 am Post subject: |
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| jhicks99 wrote: |
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Smartphones are the things that are making everyone unbearable idiots these days. Shuffling along in the subways and up stairs, students totally ADD-distracted, people proud of the fact that they are the same as everyone else. Keepin' up with the Kims.
Pathetic. Nothing sucks the cool out of something faster than an entire populous drunk on it.
As with tattoos, its far cooler not to have one. |
Talk about unbearable idiots... |
Ouch....an anonymous pseudonym attacks! You are probably among the real winners of the herd who are waiting for the white one....
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NYC_Gal 2.0
Joined: 10 Dec 2010
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| Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 3:59 am Post subject: |
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| languistic wrote: |
Smartphones are the things that are making everyone unbearable idiots these days. Shuffling along in the subways and up stairs, students totally ADD-distracted, people proud of the fact that they are the same as everyone else. Keepin' up with the Kims.
Pathetic. Nothing sucks the cool out of something faster than an entire populous drunk on it.
As with tattoos, its far cooler not to have one. |
I use mine for skype, a really good touchpad dictionary, swype for messaging, taking photos, and as an mp3 player. It's nice to be able to settle an argument over the origins of a word, or to prove that rats have belly buttons (today) without having to go to a PC bang.
I walk up stairs pretty quickly to my music. No ADD here. |
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languistic
Joined: 25 Nov 2009
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| Posted: Tue Dec 14, 2010 5:05 am Post subject: |
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| NYC_Gal 2.0 wrote: |
| languistic wrote: |
Smartphones are the things that are making everyone unbearable idiots these days. Shuffling along in the subways and up stairs, students totally ADD-distracted, people proud of the fact that they are the same as everyone else. Keepin' up with the Kims.
Pathetic. Nothing sucks the cool out of something faster than an entire populous drunk on it.
As with tattoos, its far cooler not to have one. |
I use mine for skype, a really good touchpad dictionary, swype for messaging, taking photos, and as an mp3 player. It's nice to be able to settle an argument over the origins of a word, or to prove that rats have belly buttons (today) without having to go to a PC bang.
I walk up stairs pretty quickly to my music. No ADD here. |
Of course you do and don't.
The real mystery is that if the shoe so clearly didn't fit, why you felt the need to put your foot in it.
I am not giving opinions here; if all of you could get over your iselves, you would see that I am making observations. If you 'think' I am wrong, then may I suggest not doing that and alternatively taking a ride anywhere on any line of the subway, whereupon you will encounter the league of morons, head down, facing the little machine that defines them and their sad, insular lives.
You skype people you know, I meet new ones. You take pictures of the mundane blips of interest in an otherwise rinse-and-repeat day, I have a selective memory which allows me to naturally separate the forgettable from the un. I am not anti-tech; in fact, I am more in the know than many of you, I am certain, but I simply will not buy into your or anyone's' fake brand of canned rationalization. This era will be remembered as a sad, sad time for what technology has done to us instead of for us.
We are all victims; the only differentiation being the degree to which that statement is true. |
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