GSM Coverage + Samsung G810

Hi,

I need a new phone and am planning to buy the Samsung G810 online.
However retailers are warning me to check if ATT supports GSM frequencies. I've tried calling ATT but they don't know and/or tell me they offer no support for any phone they don't sell.

So, The G810 states Tri Band GSM 900/1800/1900.
gsmarena.com Is where I'm gettin my info.
I live in New York City. How can I find out if overseas phones will work??

Thanks

Hello bencho, welcome to CPF.

The NA frequencies are 850 and 1900, with a triband 900/1800/1900 you will not be getting the full coverage that you should with AT&T. Any phone that has atleast 850 and 1900 is what will work for you.

Hope this helps.

Ok thanks! That helps.

So is there anyway to know where there is 1900 coverage? Like how poor is the support for 1900 in the NYC area? Because calling AT&T gives no answer.

I don't think there is anything that will show you where AT&T uses 1900 and where 850. The only sure way is to put a phone in the "Test Mode" and drive around. For example in my area both are equally strong in some areas, only 850 in some areas and only 1900 in others.

In general 850 gives much better indoor coverage and also you will be short changing yourself on coverage in general by getting one without.

Just my 2 cents

All I have to say to this is
Why can't they just make cool phones Quadband??? We're getting gipped here !

Although that is a common complaint, there are some choices.

1. The Nokia N95, the G810 competes directly with the Nokia and the Nokia has the added advantage of the US version with the US 3G, which the Samsung does not.

2. My favorite, the SE 850i, a quad band GSM & triband 3G, where you won't have to worry about versions of 3G.

There maybe others. Hope this helps take your mind off the Samsung.

I appreciate the suggestions. I am looking for a slider though so the Sony is out. There is the C905 but that might be too much $$$ for me. The N95 is supposed to have a slow OS and the battery life isn't too hot. Plus, it doesn't look as good as the Sammy haha. Thanks though.. I'll just have to keep on waiting... hope my craptastic razr will hold out until then.

You are welcome. Good luck to you and please do post what you decide on.

PS: I think the N95 is much better looking than the G810, besides I would take a Nokia over a Samy anyday.....

Aloha Bencho!

I just "upgraded" (depending on who you speak with) from a n95 to a g810. I have T-Mobile but came across some of the information pertaining to AT&T. Note - I don't have AT&T, so that portion is from what I've gathered in the course of researching the phones.

charlyee covered it. For myself, 1900 (T-Mobile) works well. I was curious and tried half-heartedly (for 30 min or so) to find the ATT coverage map by frequency, but came up empty handed. Never saw a single review of the phone on their network either. In general, my phone gets better coverage in Honolulu, Hawai'i than the n95 or Wing that I had.

I did see on some review or forum that U.S. version would be released in the third quarter, perhaps that's your best bet. It's supposed to be a quad-band.

Re: Slider phones: I never took a look at the Sony. My T-Mobile Wing (not sure what model HTC it is) was a good slider phone, albeit hindered by WM6 and a slow processor. I use my phone primarily for work/email, which neither the n95 or g810 (and I'd suspect similar sentiments on other Symbian OS) is good at, in my opinion.

If the slider/cameraphone is the top priority, I went w/the g810. I've owned both Nokia's and Samsungs previously and don't consider myself biased. The g810 had two huge factors which I disliked about the n95 - 1) picture size (can search around on google, widely documented. Something with Nokia's compression settings), which I didn't see on any reviews before I bought the phone and 2) n95-3 doesn't have a camera cover. However, I feel indoor and night pics are better on the n95.

Battery life is about the same for both phones - sub-par. I can get through the day w/minimal use w/another quarter charge throughout the day (typical: receiving 40-60 emails, a few texts, 30 minutes of calls, a couple of pictures).

I'll type up a review someday.