yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] SMARTPHONEPC:
Really appreciate that elaboration kozmo21. Eventhough it's no longer $650-now $700+tax, I plan to buy in store or http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/Phones...ell-phone=Samsung-Galaxy-Note-II-Marble-White or http://www.t-mobile.com/shop/phones...ll-phone=Samsung-Galaxy-Note-II-Titanium-Gray . Are you on month2 yet paying that way?

If it was available in black I'd likely just get that but depending on the angle I either like the grey or find it potentially dull (like a faded out black) even with the sometimes interesting brushed effects but I have not seen both side by side yet just originally saw it in grey in a T-Mobile store & later when that one was stolen..played with the white Note2 a couple times in a nearby Best Buy where the white grew on me but I really want to see both color options side by side as I originally wanted the grey (bad enough 16 GB is my only option without official multi-view on T-Mobile yet..). If anyone has more experienced reflection on these color choices let me know.. ( http://www.technobuffalo.com/companies/samsung/new-colors-of-galaxy-note-ii-galaxy-s-iii-mini )

I also plan to get this case ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jk04N87R_K0 & http://www.seidioonline.com/samsung-galaxy-note-2-active-kickstand-case-black-p/csk3ssgt2k-bk.htm ) with http://www.amazon.com/StickStand-wedgi-Smartphone-Kickstand-Navigation/dp/B004EVFO1G & http://www.amazon.com/Scott-Technologies-6-09728-17145-2-CellHandle-Mount/dp/B0073G6OM2/ like I have for active use on my EVO (but may also try http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJQCw1KjnDs ) . I'll also get http://www.seidioonline.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=CSR3SSGT2K-BK & http://www.seidioonline.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=CSR3SSGT2K-GL for slimmer case options like I have for my black EVO where I primarily use the pearl white (vs Note2 glossy white case option) when not in it active case.. Any other cool cases + handle options worth consideration?

- Thanks again :cool:
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] votum:
Just an FYI Tmobile charges 200 for ETF.

So buying the Note2 on contract (250 right now locally for me) + 200 ETF is still WAY less than buying it outright. I hear they have a plan migration also that is only 180 to go from contract to prepaid. I bought my note2 on the 2 day sale for 160. I sold my S3 for 430. I made 70 bucks switching from ATT after paying my ETF and upgrading phoens. I had to get the 70/mo plan but if you do the math 2 years saving 40/month it makes it well worth it to pay the Tmo ETF and get the 30 plan. I plan on doing this after a month or so when I can verify my monthly minute use.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] SMARTPHONEPC:
Good to know..let us know how it works out. Even though a Note 3 will likely have me wanting an upgrade upon release likely in ~ 11 months, I was feeling reasonably satisfied with the $650 price as it's close to the International model cost so feeling less satisfied that the T-Mobile price went up to $700+tax. AT&T currently lists it at $650 ( or http://www.att.com/shop/wireless/devices/samsung/galaxy-note-ii-marble-white.html ).

Anyone know of-expect Black Friday-holiday Note2 deals?:good:
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] MisterEdF:
Anyone know a way to switch from the $30 1500 mins or text plan to this $30 plan with web? I have it on my phone but want to switch my wife over. Seems the only way is to port out to another carrier for a month then port back in.

I called cust svc and they refused.

Any ideas?

---------- Post added at 09:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:08 PM ----------

Be careful. I have heard (no proof) that if you do that they will blacklist your IMEI until you pay the difference in full price of the phone as well as the ETF.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] Baratheonist:
Just order the micro sim online from the t-mobile site- only 99cents. When you get it in the mail and activate it online, choose the $30 option with 5GB data.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] SMARTPHONEPC:
This one? : http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Micro-SIM-Card-Activation-Kit for http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/monthly-4g-plans $30/mo plan?

Since I'd be new to T-Mobile..even GSM frankly, how is that different than the micro SIM that comes with the phone here : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7rplDuYLOg (only that it is not a "prepaid" activateable micro SIM? How exactly are prepaid micro SIMs different or is it just some code/s..

- Thnx:cool:
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] winlinmac001:
What about for Unlimited Minutes? What is cheapest route to take if I want to buy the Note 2 with a two contract with unlimited minutes? Since data is required for the 2-year contract price, what is the cheapest overall plan to take?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] RuizGT:
They do if it's on a value plan and the phone isn't paid off, they do it to reduce fraud.

As far as the prepaid sims being different from contract plans, they're not, they'll work with both prepaid and regular plans.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] SMARTPHONEPC:
BTW, I did not need that $0.99 kit, mine did come with a micro-sim with a few dollars credit but I did have to contact T-Mobile to get the activation code that was not included.

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=35486073&postcount=33

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/Samsung-Galaxy-Note-II-No-Annual-Contract was $650+tax (~$698 including local state sales tax) but the $30/mo plan at speeds 15x faster than the Sprint has been remarkable (neighborhood speeds avg 12-15Mbps down almost 3Mbps up with peaks at 20Mbps & 4up not that those peaks changed my experience. Ping have ranged from 55ms-1532ms but are not consistently under 100ms yet the experience remains remarkable. Found a few edge or deadzones around town but so far overall very happy I chose T-Mobile after the preliminary speedtests before buying the Note2 demonstrated that T-Mobile for my neighborhood was actually best ATM.

So many WOW moments in the 8 days I've had this pocketpc (dropbox expedited many of them)..:cool:
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] PapaWangsta:
Hey every1!

I have the $30 pre-paid plan with 100 min talk.

For some reason, even though I use "Google voice" to dial and receiving call, why is my minutes still does up? What gives?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] one80oneday:
What VOIP set up are you using?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] PapaWangsta:
I'm using Google voice.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] one80oneday:
Ok, Google Voice gives you another phone number, not free calls. You need VOIP for free calls...
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] PapaWangsta:
Oh, I thought google voice is free incoming and outgoing calls?

Isn't google voice is VOIP?

Update: Never mind! Got talkatone, hopefully works!
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] Jinra321:
So the way it works for Gvoice is when you place a call using gvoice, it talks to google servers to call the number requested AND yourself, then connects them together. This is why it still uses your minutes; because it uses your mobile network.

If you want VOIP calling, you have to use an app like grooveIP or talkatone to connect straight from google servers to the person you're calling. Otherwise you will be using mobile minutes. Keep in mind with VOIP you'll need an active data line so make sure you have decent wifi or 4g/3g signal.

Here's a crude chart on how it works. Let me know if you want to learn more about it because I spent a bunch of time setting this up for myself.

EDIT: sorry the bottom right one should say "recipient's carrier minutes" not "recipient's carrier data". Though if you were calling their google voice number and they also had a VOIP app, it would use their data also.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] PapaWangsta:
Great chart, Jin!

Just installed the talkatone, and made few calls. Hopefully didn't uses any mobile minutes.

What about receiving calls? does it uses mobile minutes?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] Jinra321:
If your making calls using your gvoice number via talkatone your are NOT using minutes. If the number you're using is still your carrier number, you ARE using minutes. If you receive calls, just make sure you disable fowarding to your carrier number at voice.google.com and only turn on "google chat" forwarding. People will have to call you at your gvoice number for it not to use your minutes.

Essentially, your carrier number is just a means of getting data (4g/3g) and your main number would be your gvoice number. If you're attached to your current number and dont want to change it you could port the number into gvoice for a fee.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] PapaWangsta:
Do I uncheck those two boxes??

---------- Post added at 05:43 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:27 PM ----------

Do I need to do anything from my phone's setting, and changing the number to my google voive #? Even though when I changed it to my GV #, it stated, "unexpected response from network"

phone-->settings-->call settings-->call forwarding-->voice call ???
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] Jinra321:
T-mo prepaid does not have call forwarding. But yes those gvoice settings are right, only check "google chat"
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] PapaWangsta:
Hey Thanks!

So far, the calls from incoming & receiving didn't use any mobile minutes at all. :)
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] SMARTPHONEPC:
I also should give props to http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1646755 that I found after this thread to confirm some of my thoughts.

I just set up Talkatone with Google Voice which was very easy to setup in addition to Skype. So Talkatone's revenue model is an ad supported Freemium model? Where do you think Talkatone & Google Voice will be in 2-5 years?

How concerned are carriers about losing voice revenue or do they already recognize their primary role as a data pipe?

-Thanks & I'm still glad I started this thread:cool:
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] whatsitsnamenow:
Don't think carriers are that concern with this. As good as it may be for you it will not work for a majority of people. Voip calling is not reliable and mobile enough for it to be practical. Try to have a conversation while on a moving vehicle (not the driver).

Their voice quality, as of now, is very poor.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] SMARTPHONEPC:
I wasn't referring so much to the carriers' being worried now as to the future but I did have plenty of conversations while in a moving car (passenger) last night using VOIP (Talkatone+Google Voice) with solid quality (often but not always with a "4G" connection). Nice to know I have a 100 min as backup on this $30/mo plan but since setting VOIP up, those minutes are adding up much more slowly..

Also had noticed some cars advertising their own mobile hotspots-routers which is expected to increase in the future, anyone try VOIP on those as a backup data connection? I'd like to test drive a Tesla though I understand the practical concerns there ATM as well: http://www.theverge.com/2012/9/24/3385506/tesla-model-s-over-the-air-car-firmware-update

Still testing but still impressed with this handset & plan..:cool:
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] nikosbocho:
I've been considering this option and I've read through the forum but there are still some issues that need to be clarified.

1. Some people refer to getting an unlocked international version of the Note 2 (from outside the US I assume) phone while some other people refer to getting a T-Mobile SGH-T889 that has been unlocked. Both phones have the UMTS 1900 Mhz frequency that would make them combatible with T-mobile's 3G network but the SGH-T889 has an extra frequency UMTS 1700 Mhz to make it even more combatible with T-mobile 3G. Some people suggested getting the international unlocked version here: (amazon.com/gp/product/B0099QRVZS/). This version is not even 4G LTE, it is only 3G, so that defeats the whole purpose of using the 5GB of data on T-mobile 4G network. Can you please clarify which one is the international version of the Note 2 if it is not the SGH-T889? Is there an unlocked international version that a) has 4G LTE and b) UMTS 1700 Mhz (3G) ?

2. Since you get 5GB of 4G data and only 100 of minutes why not use apps like Talkatone, Viber to make free phone calls and make-up for the 100 minutes of voice? Some people wrote that T-mobile actually subtracts minutes from your prepaid balance when you use Wifi/4G/3G calling. Is that really true?

NIkos
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] Jinra321:
For point 2, Yes you can use talkatone/grooveIP or other VOIP calling apps to use as your main dialer. Some people dont talk much and are fine with 100 minutes, others like myself use those apps to not have to worry about it. The reception isnt as great as regular voice network, but it works where I live good enough. Also my house has no reception so making calls over wifi using groove IP is a big help. As for wifi calling via the phone; yes, it does use minutes (on prepaid). The only bonus is having better reception where there is none, but your minutes are still subtracted normally. It seems any call placed, no matter how short the length will always round up to the next minute too. I've also heard you can use wifi calling internationally to call US numbers too, but I have no tested this.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] jacky37:
I use vonage free calling app. Calls works good and it shows my number. I've been using it for months and it has work great for me. Try it and see. :thumbup:
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] luisenriquereyes:
Is the Note II no longer available with no contract from T-Mobile?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] SMARTPHONEPC:
So I did call (877) 353-3614 to inquire about why the Note2 is no longer listed for prepaid order & was told that they sold out their prepaid allocation following Holiday promotions without an ETA for a prepaid allocation re-stock.. You can still buy it full price in stores but likely not at $650 web discount price rather ~$700 (+ any applicable tax).

BTW, yesterday I encountered a somewhat known data connection deadzone so could not use VOIP (without Wi-Fi or relocating ~1/4 mile where I would suddenly get over 10+Mbps) & had to use minutes but so far used only 20/100 minutes as I primarily use VOIP for voicecalls. Still satsfied with this trial plan.

I will refill my account soon on my current plan currently at $37/mo including $7/mo Monthly4G™ Handset Protection & noticed an unexpected T-Mobile accounting practice. When refilling account on T-Mobile.com with credit card they charge the expected $37 x applicable local tax rate which in this case would be $37 x 1.07375 = $39.73 after rounding but T-Mobile does not credit your account online the amount that is charged to the card which would include the tax as for example Sprint or Amazon would for me. I expected that if T-Mobile as the merchant was collecting the applicable sales tax that this would be reflected in my online account to match the credit card charge but according to rep is transferred out in real time..

I'm next considering trying: http://www.callingmart.com/products/wireless/ProductDetail.aspx?ID=149 that advertises refill discounts & no additional charges as suggested by kozmo21, anyone else recommend callingmart over T-Mobile.com (T-Mobile claims they only will guarantee if bought from T-Mobile.com but acknowledged callingmart.com could work):
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] jacky37:
I've been using calling mart since 6 months ago with no problem
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] mxmarcus:
Thank you!

I am considering it because tmo is changing me $32.03 per month for the plan.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] kozmo21:
Go for it. I've been using them for quite a few months also... $28.50/month no tax (including 5% discount code that is available every month). More than 10% savings over T-Mobile!
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] luisenriquereyes:
With the recent announcement of T-Mobile Expanding Unlimited Nationwide 4G Data to No-Annual-Contract Customers, will it change being able to obtain the $30/mo plan?

newsroom.t-mobile.com/articles/t-mobile-expanding-unlimited-nationwide-4G-data-to-no-annual-contract-customers
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] scottmog:
the 30 dollar plan is through walmart only. I doubt it would change anything though.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] Jinra321:
It's not a walmart exclusive. I'm on the $30/month plan. It's available online as well.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] SMARTPHONEPC:
http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/monthly-4g-plans

UNLIMITED WEB & TEXT WITH 100 MINUTES TALK

TALK

100 minutes

TEXT

Unlimited

WEB

Unlimited*

*First 5GB at up to 4G speeds

Great for video chat, streaming music/movies/TV, playing online games, and more.

New activations only.

Available exclusively in-store at Walmart, on Walmart.com,

and T-Mobile.com

I was told this is a very popular prepaid plan with no indication of change for it at this time.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] ktetreault14:
What I did to get on said $30 unlimited plan was order a T-Mobile micro sim activation kit for $1.07 after tax and free shipping and handling from T-Mobile's website then activated it with the $30 plan.. Works perfectly fine in my Galaxy S3 and will work on my soon to be Note 2:D:D
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] SMARTPHONEPC:
Good point http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Micro-SIM-Card-Activation-Kit (any credit come on that SIM card?) + http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-activate should be an easy way to activate a new prepaid account with this plan.

I personally did not need that kit, my prepaid SGH-T889 did come with a micro-sim with a few dollars credit (~$3) but I did have to contact T-Mobile to get the activation code that was not included.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] ktetreault14:
It came with $3.34 credit and the Sim card itself cost $1.07, but you have to get on the plan with new activations only
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] stevec5375:
I have the $30/month Monthly 4G plan on T-Mobile. I have it set up to auto refill using a credit card so I never have to mess with it. I am interested in using the Call Mart solution to save a few dollars. I don't see a way to have it auto refill using a credit card like I do on T-Mobile. Is there a way to do this?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] arjun90:
When I purchased the Note 2 at the store, the cheapest plan I was given the option for buying the Note 2 without contract was the $50 / month plan. I asked about the cheapest plan for $30 bucks, but wasn't given that plan. Did you all encounter this when purchasing with No Annual Contract?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] papabear:
If I am not mistaken, it is a web-only / walmart deal. maybe over the phone? Maybe contact T-mo? Or just get a new sim and activate new service with the 30$/mo plan?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] SMARTPHONEPC:
Yes I did encounter that but luckily a customer I spoke with told me about:

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/monthly-4g-plans

UNLIMITED WEB & TEXT WITH 100 MINUTES TALK

TALK

100 minutes

TEXT

Unlimited

WEB

Unlimited*

*First 5GB at up to 4G speeds

Great for video chat, streaming music/movies/TV, playing online games, and more.

New activations only.

Available exclusively in-store at Walmart, on Walmart.com,

and T-Mobile.com

I was told this is a very popular prepaid plan with no indication of change for it at this time.

BTW, I noticed it's back in stock after Holiday sales: http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/Samsung-Galaxy-Note-II-No-Annual-Contract or for those who already have the SGH-T889 handset : http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Micro-SIM-Card-Activation-Kit

Within the next week I will try for refill: http://www.callingmart.com/products/wireless/ProductDetail.aspx?ID=149 with code from http://www.facebook.com/callingmart

"5% Off T-Mobile, Pageplus, Simple Mobile, H2O, Cricket, Red Pocket and Airvoice refills on www.callingmart.com NOW through 02/05/13. Coupon Code: MLK125 (minimum purchase of $18 required)"
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] winlinmac001:
What about $30 bucks for the following,

1500 minutes or messages

30MB

Use any combination of minutes or messages up to 1500.

There is no disclaimer of any such.

I wouldn't buy a Note 2 after holiday sales; from what I see, T-Mobile is prolly labeling returned stock as new and reselling to customers. Not kidding.
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] SMARTPHONEPC:
I was told that they only sell new & the reason why it wasn't available there after Holiday sales was because they sold out of their prepaid stock allotment (if they sold returned stock as new they likely would have had some to sell).

I use mine primarily for data so not interested in the plan you mention but since setting up VOIP I could use my plan for endless phone calls if I was into that & certainly don't worry about the 100 minutes anymore.

http://xdaforums.com/showthread.php?t=1646755

http://xdaforums.com/showpost.php?p=36147532&postcount=96
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] elouisyoung:
I'm reading online about trying to get onto this plan.

I don't mind changing my phone number because I only use google voice anyway.

Can I just go to walmart with my phone I already purchased outright from tmobile and sign up with this plan in store?
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] SMARTPHONEPC:
For those who already have the SGH-T889 handset & are cool with getting a new account (using their Google Voice # &/or don't mind getting a new #):

1) http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Micro-SIM-Card-Activation-Kit &

2) http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-activate
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] SMARTPHONEPC:
Just an update that I did try for refill: http://www.callingmart.com/products/wireless/ProductDetail.aspx?ID=149 with code from http://www.facebook.com/callingmart (if you miss this one there should be another soon) & had $40 credit applied to this prepaid account for $37.80 total. Since it was the first time trying it I got the minimum for the 5% off which was a $20 refill ($19 charge after discount), verified it worked & got another $20 refill (this time $18.80 charge after 5% discount & $0.20 points earned from first transaction). Did hit a delay with the 2nd transaction as it was flagged as a possible duplicate on an unverified account so I had to verbally verify it with a phonecall which they say shouldn't happen again in the future hopefully now that the account has been verified. If I decide to drop my Monthly4G™ Handset Protection after its March 17 price increase then I will only refill $30 which should only cost $28.50 total after the monthly 5% discounts at http://www.facebook.com/callingmart . Hopefully this post helps others. Thanks again kozmo21 for this tip..

"5% Off T-Mobile, Pageplus, Simple Mobile, H2O, Cricket, Red Pocket and Airvoice refills on www.callingmart.com NOW through 02/05/13. Coupon Code: MLK125 (minimum purchase of $18 required)"
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] PapaWangsta:
Hey guys this is great news:

Free T-Mobile Prepaid Phone SIM Card Activation Kit (Regular or Micro) from T-mobile

Regular SIM

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Prepaid-SIM-Activation-Kit

Micro SIM

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Micro-SIM-Card-Activation-Kit
[T-Mobile Samsung Galaxy Note II] SMARTPHONEPC:
Good tip thx:cool:..I did order 2 micro-SIMs & 2 regular SIMs for free although a credit card was required for identity purposes in the secure transaction. I was told in a chat that it was while supplies last & that the limit was 4 per credit or debit card but when I tried again those failed to get processed with valid cards so not sure if they sold out..

http://prepaid-phones.t-mobile.com/prepaid-phone/T-Mobile-Micro-SIM-Card-Activation-Kit for SGH-T889