We all know that the new Galaxy note 3 is the talk of the town but some people w

hom want the phone but don't want to get roped into a contract will purchase an
unlocked version of the phone. But before you buy the unlocked version their is
some information you need to know about the different models of the phone(s). Th
e Galaxy Note 3 was released in many country's on every continent. Although anyo
ne can buy the phone from any country; each model was made to work on different
frequencies. In this review I am going to go over each model of the Galaxy Note
3 and the services recommended for use with them.
But First everyone may be asking about the Region lock attached to the phones. Y
es before the phones are unlocked their are region locks attached to the differe
nt models forcing them to only accept SIM cards from their designated country's.
But after unlocked the Region locks are removed. Does this mean that all models
will work everywhere, no, but I will be going over if the phone will work in yo
ur region after the locks are removed in the model descriptions below.
Second the different levels of service. Depending on your area and the service t
owers available their you will get different letters to indicate service level a
nd the speed you're getting. Below are the most common levels and their average
speeds in order for your reference during the Model review.
1. E = EDGE/GSM: When getting this sign you are getting the weakest signal for y
our phone but are still getting non-roaming signal for general calls and text. I
advise if this is your areas mane signal strength you have a Wi-Fi signal avali
ble for the data internet conection.
2. G = 2G/GSM: When the G is showing you are getting remedial signal but still p
retty strong. Calls and Text's will be flawless and you will be able to do gener
al internet surfing but you will not be loading any HD videos or have perfect co
nnection to online only game's. With this I still recommend a Wi-Fi signal in yo
ur house if you plan on using the internet in these areas.
3. H = 3G-/HSPA: This signal is classified as 3G but runs a little slower depend
ing on how close you are to the main tower. If you're getting a good amount of b
ars with signal will do flawless calls, text's, and you'll be able to comfortabl
e able to surf the internet and load videos at a max of 480P (360P recommend for
best result).
4. 3G = 3G+/GSM/HSPA: This is the full 3G speed and will be also flawless with c
alls, text's, and be able to stream video like netflix(Recommended 460P), play o
nline games, and surf the internet fast and easy.
5. H+ = 4G-/GSM/HSPA+: This is the signal that most first generation 4G phones u
se. Perfect for all light movie watchers, and small business people. Flawless ca
lls, text's, and the internet is speedy. H+ although fast has been known to be f
aulty in a lot of area's and was quickly replaced. If you've got this signal it'
s still 4G but it's kind of like the EGDE version of 4G.
6. 4G = 4G/GSM/HSPA+: This is the 4G signal that most 2010-2012 4G phones use su
ch as the Galaxy S series (Sept for the S4) Although this is a very fast and rel
iable it is not LTE but for the average person whom just watched movies and play
s online games on their phone this signal is more than enough to give you a cris
p fast feel and load HD movies (720P Recommended but not limited to.)
7. 4G LTE = 4G+/GSM/LTE: This is the current signal that everyone is going after
. It is lighting fast and is the most reliable for non-stop videos, gaming, and
downloading.
Now for the common phone models:
1. SM-N9000 3G = International/Made for Travelers: This is the international mod
el. This one has a dual quad core processor running at 1.9 GHz Cortex/1.3 GHz A7
. The reason for the processor being change is because this phone is meant to wo
rk everywhere their is a GSM signal and kicks threw the different processors to
maximize signal strength. The N9000 CAN NOT to 4G speeds of any kind. This is du
e to most country not having 4G signal and that a lot of county's run on differe
nt cell frequencies. By removing the 4G radios this phone can pick up way more c
ell frequencies then the other models. This phone is not made for people looking
for Data speed this is made for travelers whom want a reliable way to have cell
service no matter where they are. Don't despair about the data or processing sp
eed this phone still has Wi-Fi connection available and can breeze though 3D gam
es; you shouldn't even notice a speed difference when doing tasks.
2. SM-N9005 4G LTE = European Model/International: This model contains the regul
ar 2.3 GHz Snapdragon Processor. This phone unless unlocked is Region locked to
only European SIM cards, after unlocked their is no region lock. Although this p
hone is an LTE phone it can only get LTE frequencies while in Europe. When you t
ake this phone out of Europe it will get international signals but will not get
LTE, when this phone is in the USA is will get H+ (Reference above) signal maxim
um.
3. SM-N9002 3G = China Model/Select Counties: This model is not LTE or 4G compat
ible. This was the First generation of the Note 3 released and is considered the
Beta. With all the same hardware as the LTE version this phone will still prefo
rm flawless tasks.
4. SM-N900W8 4G LTE = China Model/Select Counties: This model will only get LTE
in select counties and I advise you check with your service provider to see what
signal you will be getting. This model is completely subjective as to what freq
uencies of LTE you will be about to get. Example: Imagine you are in Europe and
you are in a city and get LTE. Then you move to another city and you lose LTE th
is is because the first city runs on an LTE frequency the the phone can get but
the second city although may offer LTE to most cell phone; does not offer LTE on
a frequency this phone can't run on.
5. SM-N900A 4G LTE = USA AT&T/Worldwide: This phone is International but you nee
d to consult AT&T to see if you city or county can get LTE service or not. This
phone once unlocked will work on Straight Talk, Solavei, T-Mobile, and any other
GSM based network. Note: When using T-Moble, Solavei, or other services that pi
ggy-back on the T-Mobile towers you can get LTE service but depending on your ar
ea you may not get 3G. If you live in a 3G area consult your carrier to see is t
he frequencies for 3G match up with this phone. (This review for the AT&T model
can change at anytime due to AT&T's bootloader)
6. SM-N900T 4G LTE = USA T-Mobile: This phone when unlocked can get all USA freq
uencies. Example: You will have no problems using a AT&T SIM card with this phon
e and even get 4G LTE threw any service whom provides is. The N900T model is the
most versatile model out of them all and if you plan on getting one I recommend
going to a T-Mobile store and purchasing this model outright. Unlocking this ph
one is easily done threw calling T-Mobile and even using YouTube for an unlockin
g video.
So out of all the models the N900T is the most versatile, but unlike the N900A (
The second most versatile) the N900T is harder to find online already unlocked s
o you will most likely need to buy if from the store and unlock it yourself.
I hope this review has helped with you decision about what unlocked version to b
uy.
If you have an questions or addition to the review please leave a comment.
Video review of phone Specs and features coming soon.