yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy S II General] Andy2.2:
Wish they wouldn't bother

The decision whether to wait a month to purchase it, or just buy it now is so hard :(

Don't care about NFC all that much, but it would add value to the handset..
[Galaxy S II General] BarryH_GEG:
This makes absolutely no sense. With 3MM pre-orders on the books, why would Samsung have been so anxious to get the phone out that they'd burden themselves having to support a couple of thousand orphans? Especially if we're talking about delaying the phone a couple of weeks if the comments made by the CSRs are in fact true. That is unless they've planned all along to concurrently support a "with" and "without" model.

Another thought, do we know for sure that the chip isn't in there but inactive? It would make sense they wouldn't hold up the release if the software to support the chip wasn't ready. Or maybe there's socket where the chip can be added. I'd love to see a tear-down of the phone. And the Korean version's fat for reasons other than NFC. Has anyone looked in the recent ROMs to see if there's any reference to NFC?

Comments from two CSRs don't convince me this is in fact true.
[Galaxy S II General] pulser_g2:
Lol. Every time you load a page with one of my posts, it pulls a png from my server. It is actually a php script generating and returning a png.

Each time the script is called, a random joke is rendered to image and shown :)

So if your isp doesn't cache it, it's different on every page :)

On topic, not seen any nfc references in roms myself
[Galaxy S II General] hazart:
There is reference to NFC in the ROM (http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=13247679&postcount=11) but it could be a generic OS file and have nothing to do with the hardware?
[Galaxy S II General] b33p_:
This is how I feel. Most the people here seem like tech savvy people who always get the latest available stuff. Certainly not the people who should worry about not have NFC. Trust me, when NFC gets big you guys will already be on your next phone!
[Galaxy S II General] zee54:
http://www.mobot.net/samsung-confirms-nfcenabled-galaxy-ii-launching-uk-month-23138

Read the comment from simbouk ...

"Regarding your query, kindly note all of the Galaxy S2 handsets available at the moment does/will not support the NFC feature."

So its a simple case of get it now and not have NFC at all, or wait until June.
[Galaxy S II General] twigggs:
I couldn't agree more so long as the dev side of things is the same or very similar for both phones.
[Galaxy S II General] BarryH_GEG:
You European's are certainly a trusting lot. ;) In the U.S., we never take what a call center CSR says as truth unless there's other corroborating proof. All the angst expressed is literally based on the word of two lightly compensated call center agents. It may be true, but let's try to get some more substantial verification before we work ourselves up in to a frenzy. Sorry for being a cynic, but I've had call centers report to me in previous jobs and their ability to accurately present information is always a bit challenged.

P.S. - If I were Samsung, I wouldn't share information about an NFC version of the phone coming out when I still had tens of thousands of the NFC-less version in the supply change. But, as we know, stranger things have happened.
[Galaxy S II General] MaelstromXC:
This is sad. I was anxiously waiting for the stocks and then the shipping. I've been looking and getting some accessories for it too. Looks like I have to cancel my Galaxy S 2 order.
[Galaxy S II General] ph00ny:
Same here.

RFID embedded credit cards have been out for a while and there are ton of devices out there that supports this but i have yet to see a real huge push for it and i have a feeling that NFC may be the same
[Galaxy S II General] BarryH_GEG:
I'd bet you a paycheck that the iPhone 5 will have it. Once that happens every high-end device will have it to in order to appear as capable. The time frame in which it can be used and what it can actually be used for is anybody's guess.
[Galaxy S II General] cmd512:
Agreed 100%. I don't think NFC will be implemented at any point in the near future here in the States. Plus, last thing I need is something that helps me spend money with greater ease!
[Galaxy S II General] rwj5279955:
Well put! Fact of the matter is, it would have been helpful to know with relative certainty whether the SGS2 was going to ship with NFC a little sooner. They sink their shiny hooks into us (most) suckers, and they could add or subtract features and I'd still buy it.:confused:

It's still a great device. I just hope we early adopters don't get left in the development dust.
[Galaxy S II General] krabman:
There may very well be more than one handset pass through my hands before nfc sees widespread use. Even then I could care less. I use a high tech devices called money to make my purchases. Hasnt let me down yet.
[Galaxy S II General] Scared27:
Well this sucks. I don't really care about the NFC chip, I just care about if it will have to run a different firmware. I just want to know that my phone will not be (basically) DOA in terms of updates.
[Galaxy S II General] nikzDHD:
Sure it may have NFC but most likely it'll be sim based which us in the UK would have to wait on the networks to implement! Could be an exclusive for o2 or orange I reckon who were trialling out NFC with Samsung.
[Galaxy S II General] Sticks02:
^As above in most applications you'd be using a sim based NFC system for payments and such. The galaxy S can do with with an NFC enabled sim card and a special back plate.

By the way, has anyone actually confirmed (by pulling it apart in a teardown) that the UK version DOESN'T have NFC? Is it just not available because the software isn't available? 0.5mm isn't much to go on to determine if your phone has NFC or not.

If anyone's game, http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1068307

Flash one and check if it scans a NFC enabled card. :p

I haven't seen any specific dev on this yet.
[Galaxy S II General] Lagu:
Wouldn't it be nice if this was why Orange delayed it's release of the S2 til June :)
[Galaxy S II General] Crucio_:
Where having NFC doesnt really bother me. I cant see it having a major impact on the way the uk works for a few years. what does bother me is being told that the uk isnt getting an NFC version then 1 month later releasing a phone with it in.

what this means that we do have an older phone (no two ways to cut it, its the lower down version) and it will effect resell value and current value.

i got my sg2 from phones for you on a upgrade with vodafone, went from a £35per month contract to a £40 per month contact as i thought that the increase was worth it for such a new phone with up to date tech.

When this NFC version is released that is definatly going to drop the cost of the current models tariffs.

And when my 2 years are up and i want to resell my phone not having NFC will have a big impact if the uk has got its act together and has implemented it properly.

to sum up, bit gutted i have upgraded to have an up to date phone that is going to be the 2nd rate version in a month. ;/
[Galaxy S II General] theomega:
This is my only concern.

With regards to NFC, it really is inconsequential right now at least Stateside. In fact, it may be better to hold off on investing in NFC-equipped handsets as carriers and credit card companies investigate SIM and microSD-embedded NFC options and payment standards.
[Galaxy S II General] zee54:
Has any of this actually been confirmed by any other sites or any other people? ... at the moment all we are going on is an email conversation one user, not even a reviewer or journalist, had with customer service people at samsung, and we all know how little customer service guys know!!

It just doesn't make business or logical sense that Samsung would be doing this, especially with them having so many units on pre order still. Plus why would they out trump their own brand new flagship model, which is selling great n getting top reviews n feedback, only a few weeks after being released? And risk upsetting a lot of loyal customers that went out spent a lot of money and supported the phone early on.

Finally, the Korean version was released after the UK version and that has NFC built in. So surely they could have easily did the same for the UK model if they actually wanted it to have NFC, without delaying the release.

It just doesn't make sense and things aren't adding up. I think I'll wait until more people are reporting it and we have solid confirmation before I start dwelling over it.
[Galaxy S II General] mercuryzzz:
Check that one sold by amazon.co.uk:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Samsung-I9100-Galaxy-Free-Smartphone/dp/tech-data/B004QTBQ2C/ref=de_a_smtd

It clearly says in specifics:

Near Field Communication

What does it mean? Are they faking this feature?
[Galaxy S II General] hazart:
I've just received the phone from O2. I have a week to decide whether I shall return it in favour of the NFC-enabled version, if it's confirmed to come to the UK in June.
[Galaxy S II General] rocketpaul:
I think I have about 6 days. Not sure what to do at the moment, i dont need nfc but i dont see why i should penalise myself,
[Galaxy S II General] hazart:
Exactly.

I'll return the phone if it's confirmed that an NFC-enabled version will be available to order from O2 in June. What I really need now is a more solid confirmation in time!
[Galaxy S II General] rocketpaul:
Also is it worth the risk? I got my phone 399 pay as you go from o2 and it was unlocked. If i return it and the price goes up to 499 and it is locked, then it wont be worth it at all.
[Galaxy S II General] hazart:
True. I wish that whether the non-NFC and the NFC-enabled versions will be offered concurrently and priced differently could be confirmed in a week's time.
[Galaxy S II General] wendy75:
I wouldn't bother too much about the handset not having an NFC chip. Apparently, sim cards can come with NFC technology. built into them.

http://www.knowyourmobile.com/blog/699849/orange_issuing_nfc_simcards_in_2011.html
[Galaxy S II General] rocketpaul:
oh samsung :rolleyes:
[Galaxy S II General] MaxxiB:
Just an idea, but a few people have posted that the Samsung Galaxy S II's that we already have may have NFC but in a disabled state? maybe they will just release a software update? or is it confirmed that the current batch are NFCless?
[Galaxy S II General] hazart:
Yes, but I'd like to use NFC with any SIM card! :(

Btw, how are native NFC and SIM-card based NFC different?
[Galaxy S II General] hazart:
Clove has pretty much confirmed that there isn't an NFC chip within the device (so that there will be no ‘software upgrade’ in the future to enable NFC): http://blog.clove.co.uk/2011/04/27/uk-samsung-galaxy-s-ii-will-not-feature-nfc/
[Galaxy S II General] robstunner:
Well that's. Bummer
[Galaxy S II General] zee54:
http://www.techradar.com/news/phone-and-communications/mobile-phones/samsung-officially-confirms-nfc-enabled-galaxy-s-ii-954965

Confirmed by TechRadar but released date unconfirmed.
[Galaxy S II General] comebackqueen101:
Just been doing some research....so as the current s2 has android 2.3 it is NFC compatible despite the chip?

Therefore when orange starts issuing NFC sim-cards later this year; it'll work with the current phone?

Forgive me...i'm not familiar with this level of mobile technology
[Galaxy S II General] kreoXDA:
It is funny you mention RFID. A couple of years ago I was renewing my New York State driver's license, and I paid EXTRA $$ for the RFID "enhanced" version because I thought "wow I can cross borders easier while driving, and who knows what else will appear in the next couple of months that will use this!".

So now, a few years later, I have not driven to Canada or Mexico, a friend who I insisted should get the RFID license too, crossed into Canada once, held out his license like an idiot while approaching border control booth, but the car was still stopped, and the agents took their sweet time to check the licenses. So it was a waste of time and money getting the RFID version. Oh, almost forgot, literally 2 months ago I was a witness to a car accident. The cops doing the police report asked me for my driver's license to enter it into the report. When they saw it, they went like "want the heck is this? what does 'enhanced' mean? is it fake?".

whatever.
[Galaxy S II General] robstunner:
Haha that's great and you bring up a good point. I can't even remember when the last time I used Bluetooth was!
[Galaxy S II General] steve228uk:
I emailed Samsung and got this back.
[Galaxy S II General] hazart:
Thanks, Steve. As I wrote in another thread, it really depends on when the NFC-enabled model will be released - if in June or July, I'll return the phone I've just received but if nearing Christmas, I'll keep it. I still have a week to decide.
[Galaxy S II General] varunkumars:
Guys, i don't even remember when is the last i used my bluetooth and also i remember the days of Infrared, totally useless. But they say we can make some payments using NFC.

This i what i think correct me if i am wrong:

1. It takes at least 3-4 years for the transformation of payments systems(USA).

2. Its useless to use this technology for data transfers(IR red is even faster than this). This technology is good only for payments(credit or debit cards).

Other than payments what is NFC used for ??? I was wondering if i could replace my IDcard(which i place against some thing and the door would open in my office) with NFC.
[Galaxy S II General] BarryH_GEG:
"Later this year" is certainly not the next few weeks. It's also even more ambiguous than "Q4" which would imply no later the 12/31/11. So it'll definitely be out, but later rather than sooner, with the exact timing being a crap shoot. I needed a phone immediately so had no choice but to get it now. If I had the luxury of time, I would have waited if the general time frame was in the three month range. Beyond that, you're betting on a crystal ball.

The good news is that by using the word "version," it would seem they intend to support both "with" and "without" models on an ongoing basis. Just how expensive is a NFC chip that there's even talk of a "premium?"
[Galaxy S II General] Burko:
Remember Bluesnarfing?

Me too.
[Galaxy S II General] coocood:
I did a little search,found that a phone with an NFC enabled SIM card is different than a phone has a NFC chip.

A phone with an NFC chip build in is like a USB host,which creates the field itself,can read and write powerless NFC tags.

A phone with a NFC enabled SIM card is like a USB device,which can only communicate to a NFC chip device.
[Galaxy S II General] hazart:
This makes sense. Thank you!
[Galaxy S II General] Potatoman:
Just a note- There is a yet-to-be-released 32GB Samsung Galaxy S2, which also has a rumoured june release date but no confirmed date. It could be that this version will contain the NFC compatibility, it would explain this "premium model" talk that's been floating around.

As for device compatibility, I HIGHLY DOUBT that adding NFC would need a separate firmware. Not only that, but Samsung themselves confirmed they had over 3 MILLION device pre-orders for the SGS2, and these pre orders are bound to be fulfilled before the NFC model is released. Do you really think samsung would cut off support for 3 million users? or that there are no dev-scene developers in that 3 million chunk?

I'd say we're safe guys, don't worry about it. Hell, I'd be surprised if any of us still use an SGS2 when NFC becomes widespread.
[Galaxy S II General] robot1000:
3 million is not referring to the UK market, but the global market

The UK market is the one that's lacking the NFC to begin with
[Galaxy S II General] FPRobber:
I don't care about not having NFC, all I want is custom ROM compatibility.

We didn't get NFC either in Austria. I think the only country that had NFC from the beginning was South Korea and they have a different variant altogether.
[Galaxy S II General] twigggs:
I read something about the NFC version of the phone being slightly thicker. Anyone hear about this at all?
[Galaxy S II General] sarsh11:
Yes, the NFC version will be thicker. I think its by about 0.3 or 0.4mm.
[Galaxy S II General] BarryH_GEG:
Are you sure? I've only heard the Korean phone is thicker. But it has TV and a bunch of other funky crap exclusive to the Korean market. If the global version indeed ends up thicker that will mean an entirely different line of accessories which I'd imagine Samsung would try to avoid. Does anyone know how big a NFC chip is?
[Galaxy S II General] ash969:
i contacted samsung today, the callagent told me that the final decision about the nfc enabled galaxy s 2 made available in the Netherlands still isn't made. we still have to wait for the final answer
[Galaxy S II General] robot1000:
Surely Samsung should have delayed launch in order to give everybody the same model :confused:
[Galaxy S II General] FNTOG:
Yes! There was a live chat with Samsung in Sweden (http://www.mobil.se/nyheter/samsung-svarade-pa-lasarnas-fragor-1.469529.html)

- NFC comes in summer slightly thicker, no 32GB! Else same device.

- No NFC at the beginning because of fulfilling the high demand.

- Different colors are in talk, but not decided.

- MHL-HDMI Adapter available now, USB-Adapter June (in Sweden)

Not sure about the accessories. Think its thicker because another batterie cover with antena inside? Thickness at the bottom should be the same and USB, headphonejack, camera are at the same place.
[Galaxy S II General] Sticks02:
T-DMB digital TV tuner and an active NFC system. I don't know about you but if you've never held a SGS2 that was 8.49mm thick as opposed to the 8.9mm thick you'd never know the difference. Seriously, it's 0.5 millimetres, not 0.5 inches. 0.5 mm is the size of a period on a 12 point typeface.
[Galaxy S II General] fier03:
maybe the only difference could be the back cover??and those that have buyed now the gs2 and want the nfc function just have to buy the new back cover with antenna??could it be possible?
[Galaxy S II General] robot1000:
Doubt it, as it will needs to be connected to the hardware inside
[Galaxy S II General] stoney73:
When i remove the back cover, i notice a brass round thing? Any idea what it is?
[Galaxy S II General] Ingvarr:
Not sure what are you mentioning exactly, but sounds like external antenna connector.
[Galaxy S II General] gadgetgaz:
If you look out for a review (with photos) of the Samsung Nexus S that does have NFC capabilities you will see the antennae is a fraction of a mm thick (I would guess about 0.2mm?) and is bonded to the inside of the battery cover. The antennae has two yellow metal contacts that connect to two sprung contacts next to the SIM card holder. I doubt the antennae would therefore add any thickness to the phone in itself unless the contacts that connect to the antennae somehow require more depth.

I was on the phone to Orange UK this morning who confirmed a June availability for the SGSII and it is still showing as "coming soon" on their website with no mention of NFC. Since Orange UK have announced partnerships within the credit industry for a Summer roll out of contactless payments it would make sense for them to await stocks of the NFC devices. Apart from SIM based NFC chips the Nexus S is currently the only option in the UK and Orange don't supply that handset.
[Galaxy S II General] animezine:
If you compare the back of the Korean NFC version of the Galaxy S II and the UK release, you notice that there are almost no visible differences. The Korean version does not have the 2 yellow metal contacts that you can see on the Nexus S. The only difference is that their battery is labeled NFC. Even their back cover looks the same as the UK model. My guess is that it may be as simple as throwing in the Samsung NFC integrated battery that they use for the Korean model for the UK model when they release the NFC UK version down the road.
[Galaxy S II General] kreoXDA:
I think there is a QA thread somewhere here that says that the Korean version is confirmed to NOT have NFC - vaguely remember reading here, but not 100% certain.
[Galaxy S II General] Lagu:
That's exactly what I'm hoping for. Certainly the only reason to wait for Orange to pull their finger out ;)
[Galaxy S II General] hazart:
I guess you are talking about the different batteries (one has a "Near Field Communication" label) shown in the attached photos. But then, whether the current UK model supports the battery-attached NFC is another question.
[Galaxy S II General] Beefheart:
It's not something I would have ever used so I'm not at all bothered.
[Galaxy S II General] AaronUK:
Even if it is making your brand new handset outdated and of less value by the same model number so soon after release & purchase?
[Galaxy S II General] Plonker:
This would be my only concern. But I think it's a bit like those optional, factory fitted extras you get in cars. They usually don't add anything £££ wise to the resale value (even if they do, it's a fraction of what they originally cost) but they do add to the desirability of the car and make it easier to sell on.

So, as far as the Samsung S2: 12 months down the line you are offered two on sale, one with NFC, one without, very similar in price - which would you buy?
[Galaxy S II General] ll_l_x_l_ll:
lol @ releasing it next month.

not a chance. these people are having enough trouble to keep stock of the phone. and you would think they wlll release a different version very soon ? yeah um not a chance.

later this year ? sure we will get lots of devices. maybe nexus 3. or whatever . Galaxy S2 Wifi.

be sure that it wont be the same phone. and it will be priced differently.

and on top of this all... who on earth use this thing ? i mean seriously wtf

future proof phone my butt. by the end of the year alot of people will switch to better phones. and even if they didnt. no one with his right mind will sell the phone just to buy a newer one with nfc in it.

the only reason i will ever switch my GS2 to new another one is if Tegra 2 ship came in equiped with the phone and long with super amoled plus and not super lcd. and that if only i couldnt find a way to play the good games on my current SGS2 . period.
[Galaxy S II General] Lagu:
As unlikely as it might be, don't forget that Orange (Sammy's partners for NFC) said in Jan that they wanted to roll out NFC this summer, and Orange isn't releasing their own version of the S2 til June also.

Either way, I can wait another couple of weeks to find out for sure :)
[Galaxy S II General] chukkie:
I'm feeling quite sick..

what will take the mick even further will be if the firmware is incompatible with current gt-I9100 and we lose support and development in something as short as 2 months all because of one as of the moment USELESS feature!