yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Xperia Arc General] cocolucho:
I bought 3 phones in the past from mobilecityonline, an X10i, an X10a, and a X10 mini pro U20a. I have also bought many accessories online from them and it has always being great service. I like the fact that they have a physical store in NYC unlike other websites I have seen that they only work from a warehouse in the middle of no where! :) I said this because I was in NY last year and needed a replacement charger for my phone as I left mine home and I was able to get one from them.

I placed a pre-order last week for the Xperia Arc 3G US on their website. The $589 with free shipping is a good deal so I don't mind waiting a couple of weeks or even a month to show up on their website as available. Last time I bought the x10a, once it came on pre-order, it was available for buying within a month so I am hoping it is the same with the Arc!
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
When I was really searchin couple weeks ago for a nice arc on 850 I called both store and they said around June (mobilecity) and sometimes in may (Negrie)

I am not yet sure when. + the price for pre-order doesn't stay same when they have it in stock. In case that you pre-order and phone comes in stock with a higher price, they will charge you that extra.

Xheers.
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
Yes, that's correct about the price. I sent an email to mobilecityonline las april 18th asking for an ETA abut the phone, and they answered this to me.

Hello Carlos,

Thank you for your email. At this time the item is on preorder and we do not have an ETA available. The price listed is estimated to change once the product becomes available. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thank You
[Xperia Arc General] cocolucho:
Yeah, you are right! The price may not be the same, but when I pre-order my X10i last year, the price was about the same plus they emailed me to give me the option to confirm or cancel my order so if you find another phone cheaper and before mobilecityonline has it in stock, you can always cancel your order which is great and no harm done!

Notification: Pre Order Inventory in Stock

Dear Jorge,

GOOD NEWS! -- We are pleased to inform you that the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 Black Unlocked Import that you recently placed a pre-order (# 329xxxx) for on 3/20/2010 has been received at our warehouse and is currently in stock.

You must notify us now if you would like to have your order processed and shipped.
[Xperia Arc General] bagofsnakes:
I can vouch for mobilecityonline, I've bought a couple phones from them. It's nice to know that your buying from a store visibly located in the USA. And the prices are decent too. They also tend to get phones as soon as they're available. Except for the north american Arc of course. But that's because SE isn't selling them unlocked.
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
mmm, that should be lt15i if I am not mistaken.

This is what you should pre-order...

http://www.mobilecityonline.com/wireless/store/productdetail.asp?productid=27937
[Xperia Arc General] jerrytea:
I think if you read carefully, he was talking about the X10 he ordered back then, not the arc. :)
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
Yessssss, Finally American version Showed up on my country. Now I don't need to import it.

Next week an Xperia Arc LT15a will be on my hands :)
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
SE selling them in store or what?
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
There are a couple of stores here that import high end devices (notebooks, and cellphones). a guy that I know from the store wrote me telling that they have the phone comming next week. I don't know from where they imported the phones, but I purchased mine instantly :D.

this is the store: http://www.gsmstore.cl/
[Xperia Arc General] ozjay1:
Finally we now have NextG (850 UMTS) version, LT15a, available in Australia at Mobicity.

Midnight Blue.

Ordered today, hopefully I will have mine soon! They say they are in stock
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
Thanks for info. Do you think they are branded like came from Rogers? Is there any possibilities for you to ask?
[Xperia Arc General] alsaqr:
dont forget to change the currency to USD

it will become

Sale Price: US$786.75 usd

only blue

and to get 16gb memory you pay $73

International Delivery (Not AU/NZ) US$41.96

so when you check out it will be over $900
[Xperia Arc General] ozjay1:
Mobicity advises that handsets are free from carrier software (unless specified otherwise) - so when there was no mention of carrier software in the product details I have assumed it is free of any Rogers or Docomo software.

But once they are back in business hours I will make sure; I have bought international models from there before and they have been non carrier branded or modified.

For me in Australia, given the phone won't be available via my own 850UMTS carrier, my only options would have otherwise been to import one, have shipping costs,

and to do unlock and ROM change and flash myself - and I am not experienced with any of that, so to be able to get one in my own country, unlocked, with local warranty and not carrier modified sounds great ( and in the colour I wanted)

I shall fully confirm about the carrier software as soon as I know.

In any case - the price is less than what we'd pay for an iPhone out here and I believe the Arc is a superior product.
[Xperia Arc General] teslavio:
I chatted to MobiCity this morning, they say the phone is unbranded on the current stock but cannot guarantee the future stock as stock sources do change, and they cannot confirm the source region. I am reluctant to order.
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
Thats what he told me but I bet he is not sure about it even though he said that he will check. Like if I order one and its Rogers branded, then they will say, sorry the stock was over?

For people in Australia, that a different story. You guys may want to use the Japanese version instead? So-01c
[Xperia Arc General] ozjay1:
Tracking item and I should have it tomorrow - so I shall keep you posted on whether or not it has carrier modifications.

The MobiCity site still has the Arc listed with no mention of carrier software so I am assuming the phone I am getting is what is regarded as 'current stock' which was not Rogers branded.

Fingers crossed
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
My Arc is arriving this night here in chile, so tomorrow I'll meet with a dealer that will give me my Phone... :)
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
I don't know any other way to check(not seeing the carrier bootanimation is not enought) if the bootloader can be unlocked unless you connect to fastboot.

Turn the phone off, connect the USB to PC then hold the menu button on the right and plug usb into your phone. You should get a purplish color in your notification light.

The phone I have is for sure from South America, but not sure where.
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
South America?, the only place where I saw the LT15a for sell 2 or 3 weeks ago, was in Colombia. But it seems that the American model was released first week of May to the world. Both stores in Chile had it like the same week.

So, i think that actual LT15a are unbranded/Unlocked from factory (they're like a new bunch of phones).
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
America as region I meant. Lets see what you get and then we can talk over this again. BTW, from the link you provided I did some currency calculations and the phone you are buying from them will cost +$1000(US Dollar)?

Phone that you saw was in Colombia on eBay?
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
The price that you saw on the link provided, is the first release price, I paid ~US$760. Anyway the dollar price in chile is devaluated this days, so it's the best chance for importing some products :). According to the store guy, I'll be the first one in chile to get this model (LT15a). :eek:

Phone from Colombia is sell on a store in colombia: http://www.tmovilcom.com/xperiarc.html
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
Nice! When it will be in your hands?
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
Tomorrow (Tuesday) it will be mine.
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
how can I know at first sight if my phone is factory rooted?, or what I have to do to find out it?
[Xperia Arc General] phonex1:
Even if you get it no contract from rogers it will still be branded. Meaning no bootloader unlock....

Anyone know if a 850 unbranded will be available anytime soon?
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
@phonex1

I am not sure even there is unbranded LT15a and there will be?
[Xperia Arc General] istyle1129:
Not sure if this means anything, but Sony Ericsson's USA page has the Xperia arc now. Last week I was looking for the arc on USA's site, but couldn't find it. Not sure if this means an imminent launch in USA?
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
Actually it has been there for just a week probably after you saw it last time and that means probably since you saw it again them may update again :D

Thanks for reporting.
[Xperia Arc General] jerrytea:
You are not alone! I myself have been checking every single day too, it's killing me especially seeing my friend in Asia using it and telling me how awesome the device is!!
[Xperia Arc General] HYPER-X10:
Thanks for keeping us up to date Nimche. :)

Such a disappointment that SE don't have a store that will ship worldwide and stock unlocked LT15i & LT15a. Would make life so much easier for us.
[Xperia Arc General] TheAptPupil:
in fact, I cant seem to make the SE-AU store to work at all. theres links to get you there, but it loads a blank page
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
I wish I had whole bunch of LT15A and could hook you guys up with them. Some people don't care when to get them but for us (enthusiast people) it has been very tough and not fare.

I am still trying to figure out what other country would get Xperia ARC LT15a?

anyone?
[Xperia Arc General] Lancez:
Basically all South America countries are using 850/1900 for 3G.
[Xperia Arc General] haroldmk:
The X10a sold by Rogers was branded?
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
Yes it was and in fact I have one in front of me. Software was and can not recall what the firmware was saying but nothing on the casing nor the box as I remember.
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
Sometimes i feel going out and get lt15i with-OUT 3g...not very patient...
[Xperia Arc General] topkop:
I'm on T-Mobile US, so no matter what I won't get 3G.

But since AT&T and T-Mobile are merging, I'm wondering if T-Mobile will be on AT&T's 3G frequencies. Any thoughts?

I'm waiting impatiently for LT15a but as a T-Mobile customer, I'm not sure if it is worth waiting...
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
I have not heard any news since the Sprint opposing the deal but my friend of mine is t_Mobile authorized dealer and he told me that he had barely any customers in the last two weeks because people are confused. it seems that it won't affect customer but people acting up weired. If the deal gets over, there might be a change of using your phone over ATT frequencies(maybe) You should be able to do it since you account would roll over to att system and you can upgrade with some att phone and your 3G is fixed. We should wait and see.

What is your other option if you are not waiting for ARC?
[Xperia Arc General] topkop:
I was waiting for Galaxy S2, actually. Then I saw Arc and fell in love with it :D

GS2's specs are great but Arc is way sexier. Came close to buying a used Nexus S a few times, but I'm not a fan of Vanilla Android.

Heard great things about HTC and its sense UI, but all the phones look too similar IMO.

Arc just looks and feels right in every way.

Two problems though - 1. I can't decide on the color and 2. LT15a is not available yet.
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
Nexus S wasn't an option for me till last week when they started selling White Nexus S with ATT 3G band for $599/ I do like SE design for the phone but holding to their software upgrading never kept me from thinking and going to other cell phone makers specially if has direct google's supervision on upgrades.

But the issue is that Nexus S wasn't a right move for Google as far as the phone company and phone design itself. It looks like a phat iphone 3G

I guess I am waiting :D
[Xperia Arc General] haroldmk:
:( I think I am going to wait still longer, because I want an unbranded phone
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
I am not sure where you can get a Generic Version Unbraded from?
[Xperia Arc General] kitsVA:
+1. I personal prefer Nexus One look over S which is even worse in white. I wonder what kind of designers come up with that ugly looking phone. To me, it can win this years ugliest phone (white one).

Also, the plain vanilla Android gets faster updates but I seem to like the nice little things SE adds to their customizations. I am currently trying different ROMs on my X10 but always feel like going back to SE version even though it feels little laggy just for it's clean look.
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
Last night I was getting tired of not hearing any news from SE over the ARC stuff and spent 4 hours searching for Nexus S and AT&T 3G band version comes in black also I was this close |.| to buy it but I didn't :D I hope all these earthquakes in Japan doesn't mess with supply shortage for LT15a. Just read on Engadget that NEO has been pushed to Q3 if that is the case for LT15a I am going for a nexus s for the time being and then move back to ARC. Why we are always stuck in North America with some weired situations?
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
At first, when you turn on the phone and after Sony Ericsson logo see if another one shows up, I would say without it shows that phone is factory unlocked and unbranded unless someone has altered the ROM and flashed a different one.

To double check, when the phone is up and running connect it to the PC and install all drivers then unplug from phone and turn off the device. when it set off completely after couple of second hold the menu button on the right and connect it to USB again while you still holding the menu key. If you see the blue-purplish light from notification then you can fast-boot which means your phone is factory unlocked.

What time are you getting it tomorrow? Chile's time?
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
Thanks for the info.

Chile is GMT -4:00, and right now its tuesday 0:15 am. I'll have to make a call to the guy that will give me the phone.. I think that around 18:30 and 19:30 hrs, I'll get the phone.
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
I will look @ the box and see if there is any indication of factory unlock.

will post tomorrow morning...
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
Well finally, I got my Arc (earlier than expected).

I turned it on and after the sonyericsson logo, I saw the Rogers Logo. I can't believe that the store purchased the Phones from rogers. Surely someone went to Canada and buy the phones from there.

Well, now I need to flash the phone.
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
at least you don't have to go through all the importing procedures. Have fun, as you will love this phone forever.
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
@Nimche

Do you know if there is a newer rom file than the 181?
[Xperia Arc General] kitsVA:
Looks like you are searching all over for the first SE unlocked version of LT15a.:)

I am thinking if I should get the midnight blue version. I find it more appealing than the Misty Silver I have in pictures because it goes well with SE's blue interface and also it conceals the the black area that has Sony Ericsson logo. You think if I get full body protection, it will save me from the fingerprints issue you had? Which one looked great to you?
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
That 181 I put off my phone but my phone has unlocked bootloader and won't get more update. and + I doubt if there is anything out yet.
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
In the video before buying anything, I loved the silver and my plan was to get silver. Later when it happen to have to black one, I really like it specially when I get the silver. This might be due to having white X10 as well. I am done with light colors for now.

I just got my black back and put some screen protector.I am not sure if you can get away with finger print ever(just joking) but you should be good.

I am going to upload more photos of the black one with screen protector.

Cheers,
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
I checked with PC Companion, and SEUS.. Both says that there're no more updates.

So, do I have to have the bootloader unloked to flash an unbranded rom?
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
No,

that file I have provided is unbranded ROM and you can flash it into your device.
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
Thanks, I'll do it. Like I done it to my K500, K700, K800, K850, my current C905, and now, to my new Xperia arc :)
[Xperia Arc General] teslavio:
Smooth Mobiles are selling it unlocked for $705 Aussie dollars.
[Xperia Arc General] ozjay1:
Is theirs unbranded, no carrier software ? Do you know where sourced?

I couldn't find a contact telephone number anywhere on the site. Will try email
[Xperia Arc General] teslavio:
Just received an email confirmation from Smooth Mobiles that the phone is not branded. Now I need to check how good and reliable they are before I order.
[Xperia Arc General] alsaqr:
smooth mobiles price is

Subtotal

$765.00

Shipping (Other Delivery Options - International Delivery (Outside AU/NZ))

$49.00

Total

$814.00

converted to usd is 870usd to get to the U.S

still only black and still not confirmed if branded or not
[Xperia Arc General] ozjay1:
Well my LT15a arrived today - is UMTS bands 1,2,5,6.

On startup has Rogers Screen - so much for the current stock 'not' being Rogers.
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
This sucks but I knew that have no clue what they are talking about when I chatted with them.

Its still a very nice phone...
[Xperia Arc General] augie7107:
Davinci team has a US generic firmware listed if you want to debrand using that method.

$15USD

Not sure that would be your interest in Australia but it is an option.
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
The file I have provided here is US Generic from a US Unbranded phone with open bootloader, use the flashtool and its free. No need to pay for that money, probably they downloaded my file too and selling it for $15.

Sharing is Caring.
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
mmm, and what versión would be davinci rom?, I have flashed 184 generic to my LT15a, but I taked that from this forum.

Seems That Rogers bought all the LT15a over the planet. The funny thing, is that rogers doesn't ship outside canada, but the phones are averywhere in the world. :confused:
[Xperia Arc General] augie7107:
Even better!!

That is what I will do when my device arrives.
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
.184 is for lt15i. does you phone name under settings shows up as LT15a?
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
I advice you to use 32 bit Operating system to flash your phone. I used Win7 64bit, and the process failed in everytime. I switch SEMC Flash driver over and over and the problem didn't go away. Then, I did this on Windows XP 32 bit, and the flashing process was success at the first time.

I think that this problem is related to Flashtool, not drivers.
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
Right, the name now is LT15i, but this rom feels better for the phone usage. I have no trouble with 3G networks nor HSDPA.
[Xperia Arc General] batman_112:
The base-bands of the "i" and "a" versions should be unified. So as long as you enter your APN settings correctly, you should be fine.

THIS IS MY 1000th POST!!! :D
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
That's right. By the way, My Xperia arc automatically downloaded for me from my carrier the config of the APN's (Wap, MMS, SMS, etc).

I always flash "i" version to my phones, because y Preffer the spanish from "i", than the "a". In this case, I don't know if Spanish language differs from i to a...
[Xperia Arc General] teslavio:
Since Rogers seems to be the only handset available in the world I should then order it from the cheapest place. I think GSM Nation is the cheapest with international warranty.
[Xperia Arc General] LordKitsuna:
So much to read Oo can i get sumed up version of this, i just want to know

Can i get an arc that works on att now?

How much

From where?
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
Options you have:

Get Midnight Blue color from Rogers/Canada, unlocking is cheaper

Get either of three color of Misty Silver/Midnight Blue/Pink from Docomo/Japan. Unlocking is more expensive around $45 to $50
[Xperia Arc General] coolvenom:
Try Gsm Nation . They are based out of the states and have reasonable prices
[Xperia Arc General] alsaqr:
the unlocking works the same way on either phone

you can unlock the japanese phone by using the unlock codes and they are around 5 to 8 dollars depending on which site you use.you just have to flash the LT15a or the LT15i rom and the unlock code screen can appear

cellunlocker= $8

so its gonna be $720 + 8(unlocking) to get the japanese one
[Xperia Arc General] LordKitsuna:
Damn no black yet? Guess im waiting. I want it in black. Odd that SE site only shows black and silver as options
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
Did I miss something? Midnight Blue or Misty Silver....

What website are you talking about?
[Xperia Arc General] LordKitsuna:
http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/mobilephones/overview/xperiaarc?cc=us&lc=en#view=overview

Under color gallery it looks like black to me
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
Midnight blue is black on front, and in the back, has a degraded dark blue from botton to black. Blue isn't noticeable on night.

Sent from my LT15a
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
And I think it very nice, its really gradient from black to Midnight Blue. Someone had some taste in design from SE.
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
I bought this baby for my Arc.

:D:D
[Xperia Arc General] haroldmk:
so, where are you guys are buying this beauty? is possible to get it unlocked right now? Is it the misty silver already available?

Thanks.
[Xperia Arc General] kitsVA:
Sold my Misty Silver. Looking to get Midnight Blue now :-). Is Negri the best option? Too bad nothing on ebay is priced nice to use the 10% ebay bucks which ends tonight. I am thinking if I should wait a week or two and see if Sony will announce a unlocked LT15a version.

Currently using X10 and it feels FAT and heavy.:D
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
Do you mean on ATT or Generic in the US?
[Xperia Arc General] kitsVA:
Generic. Am I dreaming?
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
I can never tell. I hope that I am not the only one with Generic LT15a and I don't want to be the only one since it sucks after a while if development gets really serious.

I doubt if you see any sign of Generic in the US since they are giving it to ATT but you never know, they may not. All the Xperia support chat people have been telling me that it will go to ATT before August.

I can't figure where my LT15a is from and SE can't tell me either YET.

Will update as soon as I figure.

Regards,
[Xperia Arc General] caqo71:
@Nimche.

The Xperia arc Lt15a that you bought from eBay (the first one that all this forum saw), was unlocked and unbranded if my mind doesn't joke me.... but that phone was unlocked from bootloader?. It is passed about one and half month from that, and still is no sign of a LT15a release officially. If so, do you knew from where that phone came from?, i'm really curious because it seems that all the Lt15a over the world belongs to Rogers....:confused:
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
@caqo71

OK. My phone bootloader is unlocked and I did it myself. I do still own it.

but,

This is the truth. I tired one of wellknown people with Emma on this forum to see where my phone was meant for. He couldn't get informaiton.

Then,

I chatted with SE and they said that my IMEI is not in their system. Basically they don't have any records of this phone. Now I am contacting a different source to see if they know but before hand they have already told me that my IMEI is not a regular arc IMEI but I will report back later.

My conclusion? There was a Tennis match in Florida in April, right around when I bought the phone and they gave away arcs to some players and my thought is that someone got one of these and sold them on eBay(this might be wrong) but just my thought.

Reds,
[Xperia Arc General] kitsVA:
Can you smell Maria Sharapova;)?
[Xperia Arc General] Nimche:
ohh,

That is it. but I got the phone only not the whole package. I feel being cheated.