yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Galaxy S II General] aniteshj:
I preferred Villian, but I tried Lightening ROM too but I had to settle with stock for now because I do have to demo with this device starting tomorrow.

I'd definitely go with Villian I have to say the battery life on the custom ROMs in unbelievable, I did some major use through today and got 11 hours but Villian gave me around 16. Of course mileage varies with your usage.
[Galaxy S II General] chaoszero112:
No. Bell has exclusivity on it for a set time.

Yes.

-----------------

Virgin Mobile employees have received No Official Word that the GSII was even being released, it just popped up on the website. Only the higher-ups know. Anything that has been leaked is simply that, leaks. So there's a reason they don't know what they are talking about, they've never even been told anything yet.
[Galaxy S II General] x-cimo:
I just wanted to keep you guys posted, the Galaxy S2 unlocked I bought online (see earlier post). works perfectly on Telus HSPA network.
[Galaxy S II General] andpol:
how exactly did you unlock it?
[Galaxy S II General] aniteshj:
Does it ever say 4G by the notification bar? Since I'm runnning stock 2.3.4 I get simply 3G when there are no active connections but it goes to H+ when there is, I noticed the Samsung Infuse (Roger's upcoming model) get's the symbol 4G. Whether that means anything remains to be seen but Rogers is upgrading their network beyond what Bell is doing.
[Galaxy S II General] np231:
Hey the link is back up, they just updated the price to $169.99, Release date: 07/21/2011

http://www.bestbuy.ca/en-CA/product...spx?path=ab16c491c50480aff130bce4b430f4d0en02

Hopefully, this time it will stay on their website..
[Galaxy S II General] aniteshj:
Can't confirm this because the don't show the phone separately as a outright purchase on the site. I'm starting to wonder whether they are pulling a Apple and not allowing Best Buy to simply resell outright for this one - it might have to do with the fact that Bell has exclusivity on this device. A friend works at BB mobile I hit him up for more information.

Since there is a unlock it's a no brainer to outright buy this thing and use it wherever unfortunately this isn't pentaband so no Wind love :(
[Galaxy S II General] ivansf:
So, I went to Future Shop in downtown Edmonton and the awesome lady they have in there told me that the release day got pushed back to the 21st.

They have one to demo and the phone is amazing. I really wanted to just take and run.

She told me too that they are never allowed to outright sell phones the first week without a contract, and it usually depends on the demand. My best bet would be waiting for a week after it is released.

Anyway, I stupidly left my phone on my car and I couldn't take a picture but she did with her iphone and the pictures are really blurry. It is really hard to tell the numbers.

They are on google plus: /109230836004089137196/posts/eg36TKR7ufw
[Galaxy S II General] blue265:
Will the Bell model have NFC that anyone has seen?
[Galaxy S II General] x-cimo:
On telus I see 3G and H+.

Also I confirm that it works on Telus Prepaid and that the Data addon also work.

(25$ for 500mb)

Now I am just getting used to the phone, but its amazing (coming from Apple side..)
[Galaxy S II General] AndroAndo:
From what I've heard no NFC support for Canada. But that's speculation and could have changed since on July 12th and 13th Best Buy and Futureshop sent all the Galaxy S2s back to Samsung and are receiving a new shipment mid next week.

Since Best Buy's website says nothing about Virgin Mobile's release or pricing, I'm wondering if they are planning to same release date?

Anyone know about that from Best Buy, Futureshop or carrier employees?

I prefer Virgin's prices even though the coverage is exactly the same since Bell owns Virgin Mobile Canada.
[Galaxy S II General] TheSobadef:
If the GS2 launch is the same as the Sensation launch, then the Virgin AND Bell phones are identical and distributors won't differentiate them. So in the worst case scenario where Virgin stores don't have the phone, just go to your local best buy or future shop and they'll have them for you.
[Galaxy S II General] aniteshj:
From my understanding NFC was supposed to come on later build units, we might fall into that group.

As far as Virgin goes Bell has exclusivity so Virgin can't even do much besides sit and wait.
[Galaxy S II General] chaoszero112:
No official word if Virgin will also be releasing on the 21st.

If I get more information I`ll post it.
[Galaxy S II General] np231:
Virgin is also getting the SGSII

What do you mean? I thought Virgin is also releasing the SGSII. Its on their website.. it doesn't make sense for Bell to prevent Virgin from selling it because Bell owns Virgin..
[Galaxy S II General] ivansf:
I heard the same.. both companies are pushing the release back to next thursday. It's not that much of a wait. The phone is awesome though.
[Galaxy S II General] aniteshj:
Exclusivity. That's it.

Officially only Bell is getting the S2 on the 21st. I have not been made aware of anything else beyond that.
[Galaxy S II General] robbiev80:
Just pre-ordered my sgs2 at Best Buy. One more week! :)
[Galaxy S II General] chaoszero112:
Alright looks like Bell and Virgin will be simultaneously releasing the GSII on the 21st.

The `Bonus` you will receive for pre-registering on Virgin`s site is a chance to win one and at launch be offered 6GB for $30 data add-on (not 100% confirmed).
[Galaxy S II General] AndroAndo:
What I heard from Futureshop and Virgin is that Virgin will no be releasing the phone on the 21st, and will likely be first week of August. There is a "shortage" of them in Canada and Bell has exclusive rights to the phone. They do own Virgin, but they also don't have limited time offers on Data Plans like Virgin does at the moment. Coincidentally Virgin's limited time offers end in August, when they mention the phone will likely be released.

However two other Wireless Wave and Wireless Express employees mentioned them both releasing it on the same day.

I am thinking and hoping the Virgin is priming for the same date, but is not 100% slated for that release due to possible inventory issue between them and Bell.
[Galaxy S II General] chaoszero112:
Again, Virgin has been given no official word, these posts are getting tiring. Anything a Virgin employee says is per speculation. And I`ve personally never trusted both FutureShop and BestBuy for any kind of information.
[Galaxy S II General] AndroAndo:
If they are tiring, don't bother with them. You gave your update, I gave mine.
[Galaxy S II General] aniteshj:
This.

I'm from Samsung, if there was an ounce of documentation that had Virgin on it I would know; even Samsung doesn't hate it's employees that much that they forget to tell us which carriers are launching it.

It's a Bell exclusive device, Bell paid money for itself. Not Virgin.
[Galaxy S II General] metalman75:
all the bell corporate stores will not be able to sell this phone on a 30 days activations, at least for the first month.

you can try to buy this phone without contract in some dealer store, but they will charge you a higher price. the only dealer who doesn't do this is T-booth.

if you unlock your phone, you will void your warranty.

if any corporate store say they can sell you this phone for no contract(that means they dont read memo) , ask them to put you on solo, choose the minimum plan, that way you dont need to pay activation fee and is way cheaper than bell.

i know this because i work for bell hope this helps
[Galaxy S II General] metalman75:
virgin will get it. this info is from bell and a samsung rep. plus its on their website for god sake
[Galaxy S II General] metalman75:
there is NO 4g device in canada only HSPA+ rogers network is very bad compare to bell in alberta.
[Galaxy S II General] hansonator:
Rogers might have been first to the plate with lte but Bell and Telus will likely cover most of the country before Rogers has coverage beyond Ontario.

As much as I would love to replace my sgs 1 with the gs2, I'll likely wait for upgrade and hopefully land a Samsung lte device.
[Galaxy S II General] np231:
This guy is a troll, if you don't have any information then don't just say I am from Samsung, If I don't know then it then it can't be true.

Virginmobile.ca has the phone on their webpage. My local thesource.ca store is taking preorders for both Bell and Virgin for 21st release.

I don't think Samsung needs to tell all their employees about their launch plans but in this case you would have to be really ignorant to not notice stuff about virgin.

Have you looked at the Samsung Launch Party pictures on www.techfibe.com , they have SGSII on a VirginMobile stand at a Samsung Launch Party !! This picture was taken from their website.
[Galaxy S II General] aniteshj:
Then I stand corrected - I was only made aware of a Bell launch for the S2 I wasn't told of any other carrier.
[Galaxy S II General] aniteshj:
What I mean is, Bell may have a fake 4G network going on but it certainly isn't as fast as Roger's network right now at least from personal use. This is a big reason why I want to unlock this and go to Rogers simply because of the speed.

On average this only gets 2mb down and under 1 upload from speed tests (might just be my location) but Rogers always has higher speed from personal use.
[Galaxy S II General] hansonator:
I'm in Alberta, I average 4-5 Mbit down and 3-4 Mbit up with my SGS 1. I also get at least 3G in the mountains. Something a Rogers phone cannot do without roaming. Rogers may be good in Ontario but is garbage in the west.

I also don't believe that you work for Samsung. Most of us seem to know more about what is going on than you do.
[Galaxy S II General] bossman74:
No way aniteshj is working for Samsung, a month ago he was still bashing the SGS and recommending a Nexus One (a HTC phone)!

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=6787136&postcount=9

I believe him when he says he has a phone, probably got one in the shop in works in on the the 12th before the launch was delayed, so he's using the "I'm a Samsung rep" line to stay out of trouble.

He even started a thread to ask XDA how to root his new Canadian SGS2 (surely to be able to unlock it), a phone his "employer" gave him...I'm pretty sure Samsung knows exactly how to root their own phones.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1166014

It's cool man you got the phone 9 days before everybody else, now cut the horse****...
[Galaxy S II General] metalman75:
i dont know what you do on your phone that you need a speed higher than 2mbps, plus all my test result on bell is all above 4mbps, no matter where i go.

there are many many place in the city that rogers can only get 3 bars and bell/telus is always five bars with very low pings.

you need to know that any speed on your phone thats higher than 3mbps means nothing. your phone is not a computer, you dont run p2p on it. pings and coverage is what you should care.

as a guy who has both worked for rogers and bell, i can tell you bell beats rogers in every aspects.
[Galaxy S II General] danielel:
I am going to be in Vancouver between the 3-8 of August, but I'm sure there won't be any stock left 'till then. is there any way to pre-order the device in a retail store or from Bell(but of course without a contract).

P.s

If it matters to find close retail stores , I'll be staying in a hotel named Aviawest (Vancouver downtown).

And ty for the help!

this is really important for me to buy the device while I'm in Canada-USA the next month.
[Galaxy S II General] AndroAndo:
As far as I know nowhere is pre-ordering without a 3yr contract here. But it is unlikely that the phone will be sold out by then. They delayed the launch to avoid them selling out. A store might sell out temporarily, but they will not be impossible to find.
[Galaxy S II General] danielel:
Thank You for the quick reply!

I looked at google maps for some near bell stores, I didn't find a lot, and I cant be sure they will have stock for non-contract(of course they prefer to sell to the regular costumers+ they can order the phone). are there retail store in Vancouver and its area that are not direct branches of bell?
[Galaxy S II General] KingKuba13:
Must depend on the area, get good speed on Bell here in Ontario.

5-7 mbps down avg. sometimes hitting 10+ mbps, 3.5 up

Doubt Rogers is much faster...
[Galaxy S II General] aniteshj:
Bell's Galaxy S does suck **** I owned one, thats why I recommended a Nexus.

Samsung does not tell me how to root it and don't assume everyone that comes to XDA automatically knows. I didn't so I asked for help.

I don't like carrying around two phones thats why I wanted it unlocked so I could use my SIM card in it.

Besides nice math, that post was a year ago.

Phones were recalled by Bell so they could reflash them, I didn't get one from Bell.

I am telling you what I legally can without being fired or in serious trouble - sorry that I make a mistake I'm only a person and I can admit that. What's you problem theres no need to get personal or mad over nothing...
[Galaxy S II General] AndroAndo:
I don't know about Vancouver, as I'm from Ontario. But there are likely some Best Buy, Futureshop and Source (by Circuit City) stores in that area that all will be carrying the phone. Best Buy and Futureshop already have some stock here. Google some locations in the Vancouver area. Also in the malls there are a few places like Wireless Wave and Wireless Express that sell phones under multiple carriers. They will probably have some too. Not as many, but they will likely sell the least since most people with go to Best Buy and straight to Bell.
[Galaxy S II General] danielel:
Thank you so much!

I'm from Israel so I don't really know the popular stores, I just went looking on YellowPages LOL.

I just finished google-map all of the names you gave me, and I saved it to my places. also I'll use your advice to look at malls, probably I'll find even more small stores that has nothing to do with the carriers.

P.S. What would we do without Google Maps?!:)
[Galaxy S II General] aniteshj:
Best buy, future shop, virgin, bell, wireless wave, t_booth, source. Basically any bell dealer should have it. I had to go by a mall the other day to drop off information packages to still the locations angad no one had them in stock. Bell apparently recalled them for reflashing, theatres what I was told. Even the future shop in at right now doesn't have stock or a demo device.
[Galaxy S II General] androidjes:
I just spoke with a Bell Rep at the Source here in Victoria and he believes they were shipped back for a software update, his words were.. They could put any company's SIM card in and it would work so they were unlocked. He wasn't sure if they would have them by the 21st.
[Galaxy S II General] peachpuff:
That would be quite the selling feature, futureshop and bestbuy has the sgs2 in the flyers now and it doesn't say anything about being available on the 21st, its almost like they're supposed to be available now.
[Galaxy S II General] knowthenazz:
If you look at the online versions of the flyer, there is a correction stating the July 21st date.
[Galaxy S II General] aniteshj:
I had figured they wanted them back because of an OS problem or something like that they wanted cleared up... but not locking the phone?

In that case the device I received is definitely locked to Bell it says Enter Network Lock Control Key when I try another sim card.
[Galaxy S II General] danielel:
but the unlocking code is in the device and there is an app that finds it, so why do you care so much about Bell locking the phone?

and also will Virgin Mobile have the phone too until August?
[Galaxy S II General] howipig:
Exactly! Root it first, then download "Galaxy S2 SIM Unlock" by Chainfire in the Market...
[Galaxy S II General] aniteshj:
My problem is that the app doesn't work, it said it couldn't find the code.

I know Odia has posted a method to get the code by using adb but I haven't had time to try it.

The device is rooted and everything so when the app didn't come up with the code I was confused by it.
[Galaxy S II General] EH15:
Do you have a Bell SGSII?
[Galaxy S II General] aniteshj:
Yup its Bell
[Galaxy S II General] EH15:
1. How did you get it so early?

2. Damn, I hope this doesn't mean all I9100M models won't be able to unlock by that app.
[Galaxy S II General] betadan:
This tool did not work for me. but the "Galaxy_s Unlock" tool did flawlessly.
[Galaxy S II General] androidjes:
Even if it doesn't work.. A working version would probably be released a couple of days (If not hours) after the phone is mass released. (HOPEFULLY THIS THURSDAY!)
[Galaxy S II General] howipig:
Folks,

There are people having access to the Bell's I9100 sooner... field testers, engineering units, marketing samples, etc What is the surprise?
[Galaxy S II General] howipig:
That tool only works on I9100, not I9000.
[Galaxy S II General] jazzkitt:
I am in the same boat as fongoid. I have a glaxay S Captivate from Rogers but its acting up and I am going to get a replacement under my protection plan at BestBuy. Here is what i will do, use Chainfire/Odia's method to root and then use Chainfire's unlock utility in the market to get the code. (hopefully it works, if Bell hasn't changed anything).

After which i intend to unroot my phone.

Question: If i don't use the code while its rooted, unroot or stock rom it and then try using the same code to unlock it, would it work ?

any help is greatly appreciated.
[Galaxy S II General] fongoid:
My understanding is that the unlock code is related to your phone and/or your nv_data.bin file specifically, which is NOT affected by rooting. So yes, it should work the same.
[Galaxy S II General] jazzkitt:
thanks Fongoid.
[Galaxy S II General] chaoszero112:
This is going back to the Virgin won't be getting it on the 21st comments.

They'll be for sale the 21st at Virgin and Bell.
[Galaxy S II General] np231:
Just to clear things up, you are saying that Virgin Mobile is not going to get the GSG2 on July 21st. Can you please explain why? Whats wrong with the units you have there? and is there a release date?
[Galaxy S II General] chaoszero112:
Virgin Mobile is getting the GSII on the 21st.

Earlier people were saying Bell had exclusivity and Virgin was going to be releasing later, they talked to their sources, Best Buy said they weren't getting same day, etc, etc.

These are the units that will be on sale on the 21st at Virgin Mobile locations the same day as Bell.
[Galaxy S II General] np231:
Amazing, you made my day. Thanks for the information.
[Galaxy S II General] aniteshj:
My limited understanding is that the unlock code is stored on the phone itself, rooting or not shouldn't affect it.

So yes you can root, grab the code then go back to a stock phone and still unlock it BUT:

the phone keeps track of how many times you've used an unofficial kernel and the words up in the air as to whether Samsung or your carrier can use that against you because while it says how many times a kernel has been flashed it also lists whether the kernel is an official one or not.

Thankfully it seems you can reset that counter by using a download jig which resets everything but you can find that thread in the development section I believe.
[Galaxy S II General] aniteshj:
I've been getting mixed information on this too, the stores say both will be getting it the 21st but some are saying Virgin will be delayed a bit and I've simply heard that they don't have Virgin units at all so their delaying it till they do have some.

I know the store I'm working at only has Bell units right now.
[Galaxy S II General] np231:
They can't delay it if other stores are selling it, you just go to a store that sells them. Simple.

Btw, if your store does get the units, do you/anyone mind sharing the store location?
[Galaxy S II General] AndroAndo:
Did you personally take that photo?

Do you work for VirginMobile by chance?

The retail stores carrying phones from multiple carriers don't seem to have a VirginMobile phone ready. But the Virgin carrier stores seem to at least be saying they are ready to release on the 21st. I'm wondering if it might be a soft release? Maybe because Bell is the parent company and wants to sign more contracts off of it, because their rates are slightly higher.
[Galaxy S II General] AndroAndo:
Ready to drive across Canada for one? :D

I will in a heartbeat if I am certain I can get one somewhere. I have Rogers connections, but that does me little good now. I will likely jump to Virgin for this device.
[Galaxy S II General] np231:
You might be right, Virgin is keeping this very quiet. Bell is doing all the advertisement to get as many people as possible on contract.
[Galaxy S II General] aniteshj:
Yea and that's the thing I know the Virgin store I went to said with 100% assurance they are selling the 21st but no other retailer has said they are sure - I'd go with what the Virgin dealers are saying on that one. Personally the Future shop I rep at hasn't received anything even Bell units, but that was Sunday the last time I went in to work.

Yea for sure but what shocks me is the sheer demand and expectations for this phone, usually I reserve this kind of excitement over Apple products so seeing people come in over this by the dozens each shift asking to buy one it bodes well for the future sales on this.
[Galaxy S II General] chaoszero112:
They don't have TV ads, but I'm pretty sure they have radio ones planned.

It's the second ad on their website, which showed up the same time as Bell.

Posters will be up on the 21st, as well as promo T-Shirts.

Virgin locations will have them for sure. Maybe because of the shortage 3rd party might not have them right away, but I've seen nothing to indicate that.
[Galaxy S II General] aniteshj:
Dear oh dear, vivid fast and slim. I've had to memorize the sales pitch to the point its just annoying for me.
[Galaxy S II General] wanjeyin:
Bell Canada SGSII CSC

Can someone with a Bell/Virgin SGSII please dial *#1234# and disclose the CSC version? Maybe someone working at a Bell Mobility or Virgin Mobile store?

I've had my SGSII since early June, which came in with a CSC: I9100OXFKD4 (Netherlands/Romania), and I'd like to use the Bell Canada version.

Thanks!!!

Regards,

AJW
[Galaxy S II General] TheSobadef:
I know my Best Buy confirmed a shipment of Virgin GS2s to arrive on the 21st, so add that to the simultaneous release
[Galaxy S II General] laglessserf:
getting launched tomorrow at the Eaton centre after 5pm EST (this is a mall in toronto). Before it launches nationwide on Thursday
[Galaxy S II General] aniteshj:
Mine is I9100OXAG1 but this is 2.3.4 and I'm in the same boat as you, my Nandriod backup of the original 2.3.3 from Bell was corrupt and I can't restore back to it so I'm just waiting for someone to upload their clean 2.3.3 restore.

OR hope that Keis has access to Bell's ROM in a few days and can let me reinstall that way, but I'm not holding my breath right now.
[Galaxy S II General] wanjeyin:
I see. I forgot to mention that I am currently also on OXAKG1, having upgraded from my original OXFKD4 (KE2) when the leak came out. I might not actually do anything more at this point as my phone works pretty well right now with 2.3.4!
[Galaxy S II General] chaoszero112:
I9100MBMCKG2

Just learned there will be 3-10 phones per Virgin store on Thursday and they are expecting a high demand.
[Galaxy S II General] wanjeyin:
Definitely not available at the usual site (www.samfirmware.com)

Thanks!
[Galaxy S II General] chaoszero112:
Firmware is I9100MUGKG2

CSC is I9100MBMCKG2

Build date is Jul 12 10:19:43 KST 2011

Recovery is 3e.

Anything else?
[Galaxy S II General] wanjeyin:
A "KG2" would suggest 2.3.4, would it not? I'm on OXAKG1 and it is Android 2.3.4.

Regards,

AJW
[Galaxy S II General] chaoszero112:
Android 2.3.3

Kernel 2.6.35.7

Build GINGERBREAD.UGKG2
[Galaxy S II General] AndroAndo:
I live in a city with 135,000 people and one Virgin Mobile store. I hope that they are making exceptions in some cases.
[Galaxy S II General] howipig:
Not necessary! Mine is a TGY (Hong Kong/China/Taiwan) updated with ZSKG2 last week officially and it is 2.3.3. Several European builds are 2.3.4.